Feasiblity analysis of co-fired combined cycles using biomass-derived gas and natural gas

Author(s)

Walter, Arnaldo ; Llagostera, Jorge ; Frangopoulos, CA ; Rakopoulos, CD ; Tsatsaronis, G

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECOS 2006: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EFFICIENCY, COST, OPTIMIZATION, SIMULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOLS 1-3; v. N/A, p. 2-pg., 2006-01-01.

Abstract

This paper reports the feasibility analysis of co-fired combined cycles (biomass-derived gas + natural gas) based on the gasification of sugarcane residues (bagasse and trash). Performance results are based on simulation of co-fired combined cycles. Feasibility analysis is based on estimates of the capital costs and O&M costs for such cycles, taking into account current and near-term costs of BIG-CC technology (both considering scaling and learning effects). A deep reduction of the investments on the gasification island and auxiliaries is a key point to make BIG-CC competitive in the electricity market. In the near-term learning improvements can be reached with co-fired BIG-CC systems. Besides prevention of technical drawbacks of gas turbine operation with biomass-derived gas, co-fired BIG-CC units can operate with relatively large flexibility regarding fuel mix. The construction of 10 to 15 short- to medium-size gasification islands would be enough to induce important cost reductions due to learning effects. As long as the investment on the gasification island is reduced, and depending on the price ratio of natural gas and biomass, pure BIG-CC plants could achieve a reasonable level of feasibility regarding other options of electricity production. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 01/14302-1 - Technical, economic and environmental analysis of the use of sugarcane for the sustainable generation of electricity
• Grantee: José Goldemberg
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants