BIOHEAT From SmallScale Bioenergy Systems Roger Samson Resource

BIO-HEAT From Small-Scale Bioenergy Systems Roger Samson Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-CANADA Box 125 Ste Anne de Bellevue, Quebec Rsamson@reap-canada. com

REAP-Canada n n n Providing leadership in the research and development of sustainable agricultural biofuels and bioenergy conversion systems for greenhouse gas mitigation 14 years of R & D on energy crops and the pellet biofuel heat opportunity in Canada Working in China, Philippines and West Africa on bioenergy and rural development projects

BIO-HEAT: The Small-Scale Energy Technology Opportunities for Ontario, North America and China n Biofuel Feedstock: woody materials, grains and energy crops n Technology Options: advanced pellet burning appliances and log boilers n Economics and energy balances n

Space and Water Heating in the Residential Sector by Type of Building in Ontario (2001)

Residential Space and Water Heating Energy Use in Ontario (2001)

$6 Billion Spent Annually on Residential Space and Water Heating in Ontario (2001)

Our Main Fuel in Ontario is Natural Gas, but where are Natural Gas Prices Headed in North America?

Fuel Supply Options for a Small Scale Technologies for BIO-HEAT in Ontario 1. Pellets: Wood Residues Crop Residues: oat and corn milling Grains: corn, oats, rye, barley Bioenergy Crops: switchgrass 2. Round-Wood

Canada’s Surplus Wood Residues (1990 -1998) (Hatton 1999)

Farmland in North America and Potential for Biofuel Production Land use Millions of Hectares Area for Potential perennial biofuel grass production** production* (million tonnes) (million ha) Solar energy collected (Billions GJ) Canada 68 9. 5 56 1. 03 U. S. A. 377 52. 4 425 7. 86 * Estimated 13. 9% land converted to bioenergy grasses ** Assumed hay yields of 5. 9 tonne/ha in Canada, 8. 1 tonne/ha U. S

Net Energy Gain and Land Use Efficiency in Ontario

New Advances in Pellet Combustion Technologies n Dellpoint Gasifier Pellet stove and Boiler has 85% efficiency and can burn bark, crop residue and switchgrass pellets and feed grains

Estimated Fuel Costs for Residential Space Heating in Ontario (2004)

In Rural areas: Simple updraft Outdoor Wood Boilers are popular, but they are not efficient or clean burning

30 KW Laowan-Brage Wood Boiler: an advanced log boiler technology n n n Down draft combustion with 81% efficiency Built-in heat storage (2 m 3) Built-in expansion vessel No need of loading pump/mixing valve Natural draft – no problem with power-outages

REDUCING COAL USE IN CHINA China is the largest coal producer and user in the world n 1. 7 Billion tonnes of coal used accounts for 70% of total energy consumption n China produces about 12% of world Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions n 85% of Chinese GHG Emissions are from coal n Burning coal causes other serious problems including acid rain and poor air quality n

CHINA’s NEW BIO-HEAT OPPORTUNITY n n n China is already a major producer and user of biofuels in rural areas, however this energy is used inefficiently. China has 350 -370 million tonnes of crop residues available for energy applications and 160 million tonnes of wood fuels, these bio-resources contains the equivalent energy of approximately 450 million tonnes of coal (or approximately 1/3 rd of current coal production in China). China could additionally cultivate 50 million tonnes of fast growing energy crops on marginal farmlands

Where will Densified Fuels (pellets and cubes) in China come from in the Future? Crop Residues New Bioenergy Crops Switchgrass n n Sunflower Hulls and Stalks Corn Cobs and Stalks Soybean Stalks Cotton Stalks

Growth Scenario for Pellets and Cubes for BIO-HEAT in China

Sustainable Development Outcomes n n Reduction of GHG’s, local air pollution and soil erosion Promotion of renewable energy and increasing energy selfreliance for China Reducing poverty by creating new rural employment in pellet processing and revenue opportunities for farmers to cultivate perennial energy crops and harvest crop stalks China could displace 10% of its coal use in heat related energy applications

Summary n n Direct Combustion of densified fuels represents the best biofuel cycle in terms of energy, land use and economics Could provide a substantial new GHG friendly energy resource for North America and developing economies to displace declining fossil fuel reserves