Perspectives on the role of bioenergy for distributed heat and power generation
File(s)
Author(s)
Pantaleo, Antonio Marco
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The thesis assesses the potential of bioenergy to serve the heat and power demands through a series of case studies in bioenergy systems modelling, and proposing a holistic approach to draw general conclusions about the drivers, threats and trends of bioenergy for stationary applicatons.
The overarching aim is the assessment of the key factors for the penetration of bioenergy into energy systems, with a specific focus on urban areas. For this purpose, a generic framework for the spatially explicit optimization of the variety of bioenergy chains and infrastructures is proposed. The methodology is based on a multi-objective mixed integer linear programming optimization and allows investigating: (i) the trade-off between distributed and centralized plants; (ii) the optimal location and sizing of storage/processing platforms to serve decentralized plants; (iii) the optimal temporal planning of biomass supply; (iv) the potential for integration of bioenergy routes into existing energy infrastructures.
In order to address the issues of biomass supply chain and inform the bio-energy modeling tool, a general methodology is proposed and applied to techno-economic feasibility studies of small scale CHP routes; the energy potential assessment, techno-economic analysis and plant sizing methodologies could be generalized to other case studies.
Moreover, as an example of optimal integration of bioenergy into existing energy systems, a specific focus on gas/biomass dual fuel microturbines is provided, through a methodology for optimal planning and operation of small scale CHP and an application to thermo-economic assessment of on site 100 kWe CHP systems.
Finally, in order to address some issues that are not captured by quantitative optimization modeling approaches, biomass ESCOs business models are investigated to evaluate the main key factors and barriers influencing the ESCO operations in the market segment of biomass heating and CHP. Some representative case studies are proposed in the Italian scenario.
The overarching aim is the assessment of the key factors for the penetration of bioenergy into energy systems, with a specific focus on urban areas. For this purpose, a generic framework for the spatially explicit optimization of the variety of bioenergy chains and infrastructures is proposed. The methodology is based on a multi-objective mixed integer linear programming optimization and allows investigating: (i) the trade-off between distributed and centralized plants; (ii) the optimal location and sizing of storage/processing platforms to serve decentralized plants; (iii) the optimal temporal planning of biomass supply; (iv) the potential for integration of bioenergy routes into existing energy infrastructures.
In order to address the issues of biomass supply chain and inform the bio-energy modeling tool, a general methodology is proposed and applied to techno-economic feasibility studies of small scale CHP routes; the energy potential assessment, techno-economic analysis and plant sizing methodologies could be generalized to other case studies.
Moreover, as an example of optimal integration of bioenergy into existing energy systems, a specific focus on gas/biomass dual fuel microturbines is provided, through a methodology for optimal planning and operation of small scale CHP and an application to thermo-economic assessment of on site 100 kWe CHP systems.
Finally, in order to address some issues that are not captured by quantitative optimization modeling approaches, biomass ESCOs business models are investigated to evaluate the main key factors and barriers influencing the ESCO operations in the market segment of biomass heating and CHP. Some representative case studies are proposed in the Italian scenario.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2013-09
Date Awarded
2014-03
Copyright Statement
Attribution NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-ND)
License URL
Advisor
Shah, Nilay
Bauen, Ausilio
Publisher Department
Chemical Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)