Near-Term Opportunities for Integrating Biomass into the U.S. Electricity Supply
Technical Considerations
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In light of potential regulatory limits on greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, requirements for greater use of renewable fuels, and higher prices for some conventional fossil resources, over the course of the next few decades, biomass is expected to become an increasingly important source of electricity, heat, and liquid fuel. One near-term option for using biomass to generate electricity is to cofire biomass in coal-fired electricity plants. Doing so allows such plants to reduce GHG emissions and, in appropriate regulatory environments, to generate renewable-energy credits to recover costs. This report focuses on two aspects of biomass use: plant-site modifications, changes in operations, and costs associated with cofiring biomass; and the logistical issues associated with delivering biomass to the plant. The authors find that the main challenge is maintaining a consistent fuel supply; technical and regulatory factors can drive the decision to cofire; cofiring can increase costs, decrease revenue, and reduce GHG emissions; densification does not reduce plant costs but can reduce transportation costs, however current markets cannot support use of densified fuels.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Cofiring Experience in the United States
Chapter Three
Plant-Site Costs of Cofiring
Chapter Four
Near-Term Potential Demand for Biomass for Cofiring Applications
Chapter Five
Logistical Considerations
Chapter Six
Reductions in Life-Cycle Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from Cofiring with Biomass
Chapter Seven
Factors Influencing the Development of Biomass Markets
Chapter Eight
Conclusions
Appendix A
Additional Details from Facility Interviews
Appendix B
Supporting Information for Plant-Site Costs of Cofiring
Appendix C
State Summaries of Biomass Use and Potential Demand
Appendix D
Logistics Analysis Documentation
Appendix E
Calculation of Net Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from Biomass Cofiring
This research was sponsored by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and was conducted in the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program within RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment.
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