Power Generation Technologies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 15

Biomass-Based Power Generation

Abstract

Biomass, usually wood, is an important source of energy in many developing countries where it is used for heating and cooking. The fuel can also be used for power generation. Agricultural, industrial and urban wastes are cheap sources of biomass fuel. Energy crops can be grown and used as power plant fuel, but this often competes with land used for food production and can be controversial. Burning the fuel in a combustion plant is the simplest way to convert biomass into electricity but plants of this type are often small and relatively inefficient. Other methods of using it include co-firing biomass with coal in a coal-fired power station and gasification of biomass. Some animal wastes can be ...