RE: Biomass co-firing certification

["Tom Miles" <tmiles@trmiles.com>]

> From: "Knowles, Dave" <dknowles@antares.org>
> To: Fred Beck <fbeck@repp.org>,
>         "Bioenergy Disscussion Group Crest (E-mail)" <bioenergy@crest.org>
> Subject: RE: Biomass co-firing certification
> Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 14:04:41 -0400
> 
> Fred: please see my comments below:
> 
> 
>    Pro:
>      Co-firing in coal plants will spur the development of a biomass supply
>      infrastructure, which would then support transition from co-firing to
>      advanced biomass conversion technologies as they become available.
> 
> This is an excellent benefit. One of the major hurdles facing biomass is
> cost, and because biomass is not "energy-dense" to the extent that coal, oil
> or natural gas, it is at a disadvantage. Also, a developed biomass
> infrastructure would lower preparation costs, which are another disadvantage
> biomass faces.
> 
>      Biomass co-firing with coal will produce immediate reductions in
>      emissions of criteria pollutants and CO2.
> 
> The use of biomass would certainly reduce SOx emissions.  I personally not a
> believer of the zero-net CO2 arguments.
> 
>      Biomass co-firing will offset baseload coal while PV and wind are more
>      likely to offset natural gas peaking plants. Therefore, biomass will 
> reduce
>      more emissions per MWh than PV or wind.
> 
> Wind is a lousy peaking resource: you get it when the wind blows whether you
> want it or not.  Wind is actually more of a baseload resource.  PV is a
> daylight resource, which often coincides with peak demands.
> 
> 
>    Con:
>      Biomass co-firing may extend the operational lives of coal-fired power
>      plants that might otherwise be shorter-lived under current
> environmental
>      regulations.
> 
> This argument holds very little water.  Biomass would make up a tiny portion
> of the fuel input to the boiler. No company would spend the money to modify
> the boiler for biomass if it was at the end of its life.  The fact is that
> boilers have an indefinite life through rebuilds - components are maintained
> and replaced as needed. Its not like a washing machine that is discarded
> rather than repaired.
> 
>      Should biomass co-firing qualify for federal or state subsidies, 
> significant
>      funds could go to co-firing, reducing funds available for development
> of
>      other renewable technologies.
> 
> There is no real connection between the funding.  I work in the Washington
> DC environment, and it is not the case that the Hill says, "we have X
> million dollars for renewables."  Budgets evolve over time for R&D.  Tax
> incentives are very expensive and are hard to come by.  If the Section 29
> credit for wind disappeared, wind development would slow to a trickle. You
> need only look to early last year when the credit elapsed and it was a
> couple of months before it was restored.  The tax credit for biomass is very
> restrictive and only 1.8 cents per kWh. To my knowledge, only one Florida
> company has applied for it.
> 
>      Funds going to co-firing do not support new renewable energy conversion
>      technology development.
> 
> Funds going to wind or PV do not exclusively go to new renewable energy
> conversion development either.  Companies putting in wind or PV projects are
> attempting to make a profit. Most look outside for R&D funds since they are
> small companies.  (Despite the TV commercials, BP isn't spending much on PV
> development)
> 
> David Knowles, P.E.
> Antares Group
> 



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