Design Of A Small-Scale Biomass Power Plant Using Local Resources

Despite many renewable energy initiatives in the last decades and significant available resources in the national territory, major uses of biomass in Colombia still comprise traditional cooking and water heating, leaving aside modern energy services. Yet, research has shown that biomass-based technologies for power generation can supply current needs, particularly in remote and isolated areas. In addition, they are effective to reduce greenhouse gases emissions as their use decreases dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, climate change, energy security, and the need for spreading modern energy services, are providing real opportunities for the development of small scale biomass power generation systems. The design of modular and flexible power plants brings an opportunity for decentralized power generation as they have a significant potential to improve the quality of life particularly of communities living in remote and isolated areas. The ultimate objective of this research work is to design a small-scale, flexible and modular biomass-based power generation plant. The plant should be designed to operate based on local resources and partially supply local demand at Universidad de la Sabana, being conformable to safety standards. In the short term, the plant is expected to enhance research and teaching activities at the university. In the medium term, it is expected to yield information in which confidence can be placed for replication purposes. What is the potential of local biomass resources for power generation purposes? What technology is suitable to harness available biomass resources? What should be the capacity of the plant? How to devise the best technology configuration that allows flexibility and modularity requirements? This research draws upon previous work of the principal researcher, existing research at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, and current work at the Research Group on Bioenergy of São Paulo University in Brazil. On the one hand, the research group at Università Campus Bio-Medico has expertise that allows integration between the Process & Engineering know-how, deriving from a large number of designed plants. On the other hand, the research group on bioenergy at São Paulo University has expertise on bioenergy and sustainability issues.

Despite many renewable energy initiatives in the last decades and significant available resources in the national territory, major uses of biomass in Colombia still comprise traditional cooking and water heating, leaving aside modern energy services. Yet, research has shown that biomass-based technologies for power generation can supply current needs, particularly in remote and isolated areas. In addition, they are effective to reduce greenhouse gases emissions as their use decreases dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, climate change, energy security, and the need for spreading modern energy services, are providing real opportunities for the development of small scale biomass power generation systems. The design of modular and flexible power plants brings an opportunity for decentralized power generation as they have a significant potential to improve the quality of life particularly of communities living in remote and isolated areas. The ultimate objective of this research work is to design a small-scale, flexible and modular biomass-based power generation plant. The plant should be designed to operate based on local resources and partially supply local demand at Universidad de la Sabana, being conformable to safety standards. In the short term, the plant is expected to enhance research and teaching activities at the university. In the medium term, it is expected to yield information in which confidence can be placed for replication purposes. What is the potential of local biomass resources for power generation purposes? What technology is suitable to harness available biomass resources? What should be the capacity of the plant? How to devise the best technology configuration that allows flexibility and modularity requirements? This research draws upon previous work of the principal researcher, existing research at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, and current work at the Research Group on Bioenergy of São Paulo University in Brazil. On the one hand, the research group at Università Campus Bio-Medico has expertise that allows integration between the Process & Engineering know-how, deriving from a large number of designed plants. On the other hand, the research group on bioenergy at São Paulo University has expertise on bioenergy and sustainability issues.

Biomass; Power generation; Local resources; Bioenergy