Biomass Market PAST
Combustion of bio materials, such as wood and waste, since beginning of civilization
Some of the first automobiles ran on bio-based fuels
Less than 200 MW in 1979
PRESENT
10 GW capacity in US, 7 GW derived from forest-product-industry and agricultural-industry residues, 2.5 GW of municipal solid waste (MSW) generating capacity, and 0.5 GW of other capacity
Provides about 14% of world’s primary energy
Co-firing of biomass and typically coal can reduce amount of fossil fuels used
Biodigestion systems in commercial operation, pyrolysis and gasification in commercial use in limited applications
$0.05 – 0.12 per kWh
FUTURE
Pyrolysis and Gasification become more widespread technologies
Growth averaging 2.5% per year will continue
Potential capacity of 55 GW in 2010
Biomass could meet 50% of world energy needs in next century