Valentino Tiangco, Ph.D. Zhiqin Zhang, Ph.D.
Prab Sethi, P.E.Energy Generation Research Office
Energy Research & Development DivisionCalifornia Energy Commission
Joint Forum on Biomass, Biofuels, and Bioproducts
January 26, 2006Radisson Hotel
Fresno, California
Results of California’s Biomass R&D Initiatives
Presentation Outline
•PIER Renewables Mission & Objectives
•Biomass Development Strategies
•Results of R&D Projects
•Concluding Remarks
PIER Renewables Mission
Develop renewable energy technologies that help make California’s electricity
more affordable, more diverse, cleaner and safer, and which enhance customer
choice.
PIER Renewables Objectives
•Making improvements at existing renewable energy facilities to help provide peak capacity and increased reliability to California's electricity system
•Expanding renewable distributed generation technologies to help provide electricity generation in high-demand, high-congestion areas
•Developing renewable energy technologies, products, and servicesthat provide electricity customers with more affordable electricity, improved reliability, and a selection of choices
•Conducting longer term research on advanced renewable technologies that will help meet tomorrow's electricity needs
Biomass Development Strategies•Biomass R&D activities are responsive to policies•Technology development is geared to CA market needs•Partnerships with key market players•Biomass resource assessments•Development of analytical tools•Biomass R&D advancements that:
• reduce capital & O&M costs• reduce cost of fuel• improve performance• lower emissions• dispatchability to address peak demand• DG systems close to load centers• maximize value
State Policies that can be supported by Biomass R&D
Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR)– loading order with renewables & realizing strategic value of biomassRenewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) –target 20% by 2017Energy Action Plan I & II – accelerated RPS targets-20% by 2010 & 33% by 2020Governor’s response to 2003-2004 IEPR’s – diverse energy supply, R&D, support for California Biomass Collaborative and reinvigoration of State’s Interagency Bioenergy Working Group to develop integrated and comprehensive policy for biomassGovernor’s Ten Point Electricity Plan –encourage development of renewable energy and advancements through R&DGovernor’s Executive Order for greenhouse gas –biomass can help achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets
Results - Biomass R&D Projects
PARTNERSHIPS – RESOURCES – KNOWLEDGE BASECalifornia Biomass
CollaborativeMission•To enhances the sustainable management and development of biomass in California•Provide a forum for industry, government, academic, and environmental community interactions
Projects:Supporting and providing expertise to enhance biomass R&D program mission and strategy (short & long term)Established focal center - Statewide biomass coordinating groupUpdated biomass resource assessmentsBuilding Biomass Facilities Reporting SystemPower generation assessments or Technology assessmentsWhite papers, newslettersAnnual ForumsCost calculatorsRoadmap for biomass developmentSupported IEPR processCoordination with State Interagency Working Group
Strategic Value Assessment (SVA)This analysis provides vision and “roadmap” for integrating future renewables into the California grid
Assesses renewable resource potential and technology to meet RPS goalsIdentifies key focus areas for each renewable technologyEvaluates economics and timeframe for development for maximum public benefitsEvaluates points of high strategic value to the gridConsiders solutions with significant environmental, economic and other non-energy benefits to the stateProvides solutions that can defer transmission upgrades and helpprioritize transmission needsPrioritizes renewable implementation and transmission infrastructure needs
SVA MethodologySVA uniquely combines resource assessments, power flow analysis and economic drivers/benefits to prioritize California’s renewable developmentSVA scenario-based analysis provides a development priority within a region in support of policy implementation
Electric GridReliability & Infrastructure
Characteristic of renewable resources (quantity & location)
GIS Functionsand displays
Public benefit parameters
Energy Policy
Electric GridReliability & Infrastructure
Characteristic of renewable resources (quantity & location)
GIS Functionsand displays
Public benefit parameters
Energy Policy
Electric GridReliability & Infrastructure
Characteristic of renewable resources (quantity & location)
GIS Functionsand displays
Public benefit parameters
Energy Policy
2010 & 2017 Development Opportunities based on Biomass SVA Results
1,334 MW228 MWEconomic
Potential
7,086 MW5,217 MWNet Technical Potential
20172010
No TransmissionUpgrades
SMUD - Technology Advancement for Biomass Power Generation
Conractor: SMUD – UC DavisGoals:
Develop information on new biomass technologies suitable for CaliforniaProvide information on biomass resources in the Sacramento region
Status: Resulted to dairy digester projects and potential MSW projectsHelps evaluate biomass RPS projectsLarger biomass fuels assessment for the Sacramento region Technical Potential =520 MW
Technology Developments
Biomass R&D Projects
Makel’s HCCI* Low NOx Generator
Contractor: Makel EngineeringGoals:
System efficiency of 35% operating on LFGSystem NOx emission of less than 5 ppmSystem cost of less than 750 $/kWSystem electricity generation of less than 0.05 $/kWh
Project Site:Butte County Landfill
Status: Prototype is built and being tested using natural gas and landfill gas
--Natural gasMax Brake Thermal Efficiency = 35%NOx Emissions = Less than 5 ppm (@15% O2)Output Power 20 to 35 kWeTotal Operating Time > 300 hr
--Landfill gasTBD – being tested
* HCCI: homogeneous charge compression ignition
CAT 3116 Engine
Control Pane
Radiator& Fan
Engine Skid
Liquid-to-AirHeat Exchanger
Generator
Air-to-AirHeat Exchanger
Air SupplyFuel Supply
SCS & Ingersoll-Rand’s MicroTurbine
Instead of natural gas, the above 250kW Microturbine will run on landfill gas to
generate electricity.
Ingersoll-Rand 250kW Microturbine
Contractor: SCS EngineersGoals:
Market introduction of a 250 kW microturbine for landfill gas useReduce LCOE < $0.048/kwhrReduce capital cost to $800/kW
Project Site:Burbank landfill
Status:250 kW microturbine design and fabrication is completeUnit is being tested at the site NOx =5.72 ppm @15% O2
CO = 14.6 ppm
Yolo County’s BioReactor
Contractor: SMUD/Yolo Co.Goals:
Successful demonstration of bioreactor concept at full-scaleAccelerate decomposition of waste by 2/3rds normal timeframeDocument economic viability
Project Site:Yolo County landfill
Status:Have demonstrated accelerated decomposition, stabilization of waste & efficient methane captureTwo test cells implemented and monitoredMethane gas production is being monitored and is 4 to 7-fold than dry landfills
Valley Fig Growers’ Anaerobic Digester for Food Wastes
Contractor: Valley Fig GrowersGoals:
Demonstrate successful use of ADT for pre-treatment of food processing wastewaterSave ~ $100,000/yr in waste discharge costs paid by VFGDemonstrate CHP application of microturbine at site
Project Site:Valley Fig (Fresno)
Status:Successfully completed installation of a double liner covered lagoon, gas mixture pipelines, 75 kW Ingersoll-Rand microturbine, heat exchangers, underground pipe construction, and electrical construction. . Biogas that is currently being fed into the 75 kW microturbine generating up to 1800 kWh/day electrical energy. The energy saving from the electricity generated is about $60,000/year. Reduced the BOD and SS levels by 85% which is corresponding to a total annual saving of $85,000/year for the wastewater discharged.
TIAX Hydrogen-Assisted BioGas Engine
Contractor: TIAX LLCGoals:
Demonstrate an innovative new engine systemWith the CHP credit, NOx emissions at 0.02 g/bhp-hr (0.06 lb/MWh).Successful demonstration of a landfill gas autothermal reformer with 70% efficiencyCosts < $1000/kW
Project Site:Marysville (Norcal Waste), may change
Status:Engine fabricated and tested on simulated landfill gas & synthetic reformateScoping test shows at 6% reformate LHV NOx =9 ppm (@15% O2) = 70 kW output
Commonwealth’s Optimized BioGas Cleanup
Contractor: Commonwealth & CH2M-HillGoals:
Develop & optimize biogas cleanup systems through thermal hydrolysis & ultrasound pretreatmentImprove gas production (30%)Increase microturbine lifetime
Project Site:Riverside WWTP
Status:2 of 3 planned systems have been installedPerformance data are being collected
UC Davis’ High Solids Digester
Contractor: UC Davis & OnSite PowerGoals:
Scale up, test and demonstrate APS high solids digester
3 tpd size at UC Davis25 tpd at Norcal Waste
Methane generation rate > 6 ft3
CH4/lb of VSAchieve CARB 2007 NOx goals
Project Site:UC Davis & City of Industry
Status:Digester construction is 60% complete
IEUA’s Centralized Digester
Contractor: IEUA (SB 5x)Goals:
Successful demonstration of cost-effective European centralized digesterAbility to co-process food wastes and dairy manuresUse lean burn engine to generate 1.5 MW of electricity
Project Site:Chino Basin (IEUA site)
Status:Design is completedConstruction is pending depending on the bids
Commonwealth Codigestion of Food Wastes with Biosolids and Dairy ManureCodigestion of Food Wastes with Biosolids and Dairy Manure
Food Waste Storage Tanks
Pumps and Food Waste Receiving
Contractor: Commonwealth Energy
Project SiteInland Empire Utility District, RP-5
Status:• Pilot plant is operating with co-digestion
of dairy manure/food processing wastes using existing Digester No. 4 at Regional Plant 1 (RP-1) of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA). Expected additional power generation using the extra biogas generated from co-digestion is 25 to 55 kW.
• Pilot plant is operating with co-digestion of biosolids/food processing wastes using existing Digester 6 and 7 at RP-1 of the IEUA. Expected additional power generation using the extra biogas generated from co-digestion is 400 to 600 kW.
50 kW Small Modular Biopower System BioMax 50 to 100 Control Screen
Chip Dryer(optional)
GasFilter
Gasifier
GasCooler
ChipFeeder
BioMax 50BioMax 50
AshBin
ChipFeeder
Contractor: Community Power CorporationGoals:
Design, develop and demonstrate a 50 kW modular gasification system for grid interconnection, and combined heat and power using forest residue.Improve cost competitiveness of the biomass energy conversion technologies and reduce environmental risks and costs of California’s electricity.
Project SiteTBD
Status:Completed the design and fabrication of the SMB componentsShop testing is being conducted at CPCNOx = 8.6 ppm (15% O2) using 3-way catalytic converters in parallel CO = 0.066%
Hetch Hetchy:15 kW Small Modular Biopower System
Contractor: Hetch Hetchy/SFPUC (McNeil/ Community Power Corporation)Goals:
Conduct a technology demonstration project of a 15 kWe biomass gasifier
Project SiteTruckee Donner Recreation and Parks District
Status:15 kW unit installed & connected to the grid & being testedAll power is sold back to TDPUD (first utility interconnection for BioMax)Capture waste thermal energy for office building heatEmissions: NOx 30.1 ppm (@6.2 % O2), CO = 2.1 ppm, THC = 4.1 ppm
Dairy Biogas (DPPP) Projects
Primary focus:Demonstrating technical, economic and environmental feasibility of dairy biogas projectsCreate template for widespread deployment of dairy biogas systems in California3.8 MW of power expected
Status:Six of the 14 dairy power systems are operational. The performances of the six biogas systems have been in line with expectations. Benefits have been reported through electrical energy generation and utilization on waste heat. Benefits have also been reported in significant reductions on odor and flies.
.
ConclusionsTurning biomass back into a resource provides significant public benefits that need to be capturedCalifornia can greatly benefit from accelerating development of biomass systemsThe PIER Program is making headway in addressing barriers to biomass developmentPIER Program can play an important role in future biomass development that can help meet RPS goals and other state policies
Developing the next generation “super clean” biomass technologies that will help make California’s electricity more cost competitive, more reliable, safer and cleaner.Working closely and cooperatively with key stakeholders to meet California’s special needs and take advantage of unique opportunities
Thank You