the basics of biomass for architects and developers
DESCRIPTION
Biomass can be a cost-effective and carbon neutral fuel choice. Is biomass a suitable energy option for your proposed or existing development? Is there a good supply nearby? Is the scale and access of/to the site appropriate? Presention for Ecobuild 2011 by Jude Hassall, Energy Project Manager at BioRegionalTRANSCRIPT
Basics of Biomass Project Implementation
Ecobuild – March 2011
Jude Hassall
1 Use a robust project process1. Use a robust project process
2 Use available information2. Use available information
• www.forestry.gov.uk/england‐woodfuel• www.carbontrust.co.uk/biomass• www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk• www.southwestwoodshed.co.uk• www.northwoods.org.uk• www.r‐e‐a.net
3 Understand the critical issues3. Understand the critical issues
Three considerations to maximise chances of Three considerations to maximise chances of implementing a cost effective and successfully operating systemoperating system.1. Sizing2. Fuel storage3. Fuel to equipment matching3 q p g
Capacity factorCapacity factor
• Biomass systems have a 200‐300% price premium compared to FF systems ‐p p yconsequently good CF’s are essential to make best use of that capital premium and best use of that capital premium and therefore improve payback.
Boiler utilisation capacity factorBoiler utilisation – capacity factor
Th ft f ll di i ti l b l t ti• They often fall disappointingly below expectations:– Poor site selection– Inappropriate sizing of biomass boiler– Inappropriate sizing of biomass boiler– Inappropriate sizing and use of thermal stores– Poor integration with fossil fuel stand‐by plantg y p– Mismatch of fuel and boiler unit– Poor overall system design and lack of acceptance
P i ll i d i i i– Poor installation and commissioning– Poor fuel quality and management thereof– Irregular maintenance and attentionIrregular maintenance and attention
4 Carry out an initial assessment4. Carry out an initial assessment
Basic economic analysisBasic economic analysis
• Use Carbon Trust initial assessment tool for basic • Use Carbon Trust initial assessment tool for basic economic analysis. Some preliminary work requiredrequired:
1. Site annual heating consumption2. Costs associated with fossil fuel use3. Proposed boiler size
Basic site suitabilityBasic site suitability
• Spatial constraints• Spatial constraints– Consider access in boiler room for operation and
maintenancemaintenance– Fuel deliveries
• Site access• Site access– Size of delivery trucks
Height clearance– Height clearance• Planning constraints
Vehicle movements– Vehicle movements– Emissions
Area designations– Area designations
Follow CT guideFollow CT guide
• Collect additional data• Site visit checklistSite visit checklist• Prepare feasibility template• Involve fuel supplier and biomass boiler installers – pre pqualification
5 Carry out detailed feasibility5. Carry out detailed feasibility
1 Heat demand profile1. Heat demand profile
Options for estimating heat demand profile:1 Existing records1. Existing records2. On‐site measurements3. Steam systems – steam flow rates 4 Process heat – pattern of equipment use4. Process heat pattern of equipment use5. Building modelling software6. Benchmarks
1 Capacity factor1. Capacity factor
2 Determine plant size2. Determine plant size
• Rule of thumb• Tender process and supplier expertiseTender process and supplier expertise• Boiler sizing tool• Dynamic modelling
Important and complex task!
2 Ensure a value engineered solution2. Ensure a value engineered solution
V l i i ili i f• Value engineering reconciliation of:– Biomass plant capex– Fossil fuel, heat storage and fuel storage capex– Unit cost of fossil fuel and biomass fuel– Organisation drivers to maximise carbon
savings and minimise capexg p• Factors influencing sizing and integration:
1 Which loads are to be supplied1. Which loads are to be supplied2. When will biomass plant be operated
3 Engage woodfuel suppliers early3. Engage woodfuel suppliers early
3 What to investigate with your supplier3.What to investigate with your supplier
• Factors that will affect plant specification and operationp
• Factors that will affect fuel store design and fuel deliveryfuel delivery
• Factors that will affect cost
3 Fuel Characteristics and impact on boiler design3. Fuel Characteristics and impact on boiler design
l ff d f d d• Particle size – affects grate and feeding design– Pellets and small chip – underfed hearth– Large chip – moving grateLarge chip moving grate
• Moisture content (MC) – affects choice of grate and temperature– Low MC – underfed,– High MC – moving grate
• Ash content and melt temperature – affects combustion temperature and removal process removal process – Wood has low ash content with high melt point
• Contamination – affects residence time and materials– Waste Incineration Directive requires boiler to meet certain
conditions of temperature and residence time
3 Fuel quality assurance3. Fuel quality assurance
• Solid biomass assurance scheme: www.hetas.co.uk
3 Factors affecting price3. Factors affecting price
Logistics li kLogistics• Location in
relation to raw material supply;
Quality• Moisture content
(%);
Market• Source type: virgin
timber reclaimed material supply;• Delivery duration
& distance;• Delivery volume;
( );• Calorific Value;• Form of delivered
fuel e g slabwood <
timber, reclaimed wood, arboriculture arisings, waste, etc.;C i • Delivery volume;
(capacity & contract volume);
fuel e.g. slabwood < woodchip < pellet (influences processing labour);
• Contracting type: buying fuel by weight, volume, or
• Delivery vehicle;• Delivery
frequency
processing labour);• Quality of
woodchip / pellet (influences
energy;• Local demand
compared to • Seasonal factors
(influences processing technology).
compared to competing markets.
4 Optimise woodfuel storage4. Optimise woodfuel storage
• The successful operation of any woodfuel system • The successful operation of any woodfuel system relies on a well designed fuel store, handling and reception areareception area
• Optimise fuel store volume• Flexible fuel store reception• Optimise fuel discharge ratesp g
– Tipped – fastest (1t/min)– Blower – slower, noisier but more flexible (1t/8min)Blower slower, noisier but more flexible (1t/8min)
• Once quantity of fuel is known, estimate volume
4 Woodfuel fuel store sizing4. Woodfuel – fuel store sizing
• Dead space 15 20% of total volume• Dead space 15‐20% of total volume• Good to size fuel store for full delivery load – partial
l d i f l iload may impact fuel price• If there is back‐up and or aux plant it may be
possible to reduce number of days of storage• Various fuel storage designs – discuss with fuel g g
supplier, installer and site owner for best option
4 Assess spatial constraints4. Assess spatial constraints
• Space in boiler house• Space for fuel storage facilitiesSpace for fuel storage facilities• Vehicle access
4 Spatial constraints4. Spatial constraints• Access for maintenance• Space for backup systems• Proximity to fuel storageProximity to fuel storage• Vehicle access for fuel deliveries (turning circles and
height)height)• Space for buffer tank / thermal storage• Location and height of flue (taller and wider than
gas/oil flues)• For existing buildings access for installation• Conservation areas, listed buildingsConservation areas, listed buildings
– increases cost
4 Boiler house considerations4. Boiler house considerations
• Boilers physically larger than fossil fuel equivalents• Much greater headroom required if access to the top g q p
of the boiler is required for flueway cleaning on vertical tube boilers
• Floor space required for:– Flueway cleaning on horizontal tube boilersFlueway cleaning on horizontal tube boilers– Feed auger and ash auger removal– Ash bin(s) cyclone buffer vessel thermal store Ash bin(s), cyclone, buffer vessel, thermal store,
expansion vessels or spillset
5 Assess necessary permits and consents5. Assess necessary permits and consents
• Planning consent contact the LPA as early in the • Planning consent – contact the LPA as early in the process as possibleB ildi l i i f f l & • Building regulations – conservation of fuel & power
• Waste & Pollution• Health & Safety
6 Cost effective solutions6. Cost effective solutions
• Appropriate design and application of lean design / value engineering principles with g g g p pregard to:– System sizing;System sizing;– Integration works;– System housing and installation works;System housing and installation works;– Appropriate fuel store design;Mechanical handling;– Mechanical handling;
– Driven by project criteria
Ti f t d Tips for procurement and
implementation stageimplementation stage.
Good tenderingGood tendering
• Market competition and good tendering practice– Clear specification to allow cross comparison;– Comprehensive specification to reduce perceived risk and
associated price loading;– Site information;– Appropriate tendering;– Thorough tender evaluation and CAPEX build‐up;– Clear identification of CAPEX risk and management
h fthereof.
Tendering & specificationTendering & specification
• Prepare good specification – use CT RFP templatep
• Conclusions of feasibility inform RFPP lifi ti– Pre‐qualification
– Tenderers should state variations– State lead times– Time of yearTime of year
Tips for woodfuel procurementTips for woodfuel procurement
Th i d h k b h li d li • There is a need to check both client and supplier are insured appropriately:
T&C tibl th h t th l h i ? – T&Cs are compatible throughout the supply chain? – Levels of insurance is compatible with risks?
Dust and boiler explosions – Dust and boiler explosions – Does the sale of heat and/or power affect clients
commercial status?
• Can inform client of general principles but do not advise on small‐print and/or policy purchases (FSA p / p y p (regulated activity)
Woodfuel procurement insuranceWoodfuel procurement ‐ insurance
D li / li ’ i i d if li t • Does supplier/ supplier’s insurers indemnify client against: – Damage to the installed equipment due to supply Damage to the installed equipment due to supply
substandard fuel?– Prompt removal of substandard fuel?
f f– Loss of earnings as a result of down‐time due to substandard fuel?
• Client needs to be aware of potential I&I issues at the FS stage but detailed investigations usually g gmade during project development/ negotiations with suppliers
Woodfuel procurement HSEWoodfuel procurement ‐HSE
• By statute the site owner and/or operator is responsible for all HSE issues on the site.
• The site management have to put in place SOPs and conduct risk assessments on all operations conducted on‐site
• Inform client of potential HSE issues re: fuel o c e t o pote t a S ssues e uedeliveries early in process
• Reputable fuel suppliers should be able to supply • Reputable fuel suppliers should be able to supply their own SOPs and associated risk assessments
Woodfuel procurement documentationWoodfuel procurement ‐ documentation
• Term sheet very usefulFuel specification (inc. variances and details of supplier QA systems) Tonnage p.a.Delivery vehicle type(s) and sizes (inc. turning circle and e.g. tipping clearances))Maximum delivery frequency (e.g. loads/week)Price/ unit (e.g. p/kWh boiler output, £/T)Duration of contractDuration of contractIndexing Conditions of sale (append example contract) Insurers/ indemnity limitInsurers/ indemnity limitRecourse for delivery of out of spec. fuelEarliest date they can start contract
Woodfuel procurement contractsWoodfuel procurement ‐ contracts
• Use Carbon Trust example contract
Woodfuel procurement delivery docsWoodfuel procurement – delivery docs
All d li i D li t• All deliveries: Delivery note
Plus (if not bought by boiler heat output)Plus (if not bought by boiler heat output)
• Copy of weighbridge ticket with tare, gross and net weights Or• Estimation of volume (if not full load)
Plus (if not bought by boiler heat output)
• Moisture content analysis/ estimate (may be sent after delivery)
Tips for commissioning & trainingTips for commissioning & training
• Manual in English• Train end users:Train end users:
– Plant operationP f i i– Performance monitoring
– Troubleshooting– Daily, weekly, monthly maintenance
Tips for operation and maintenanceTips for operation and maintenance
• Standard O&M contract with installer is common• Standard O&M contract with installer is common• Automated systems can reduce attendance time• Use of high quality fuel, regular checks, avoiding
short‐cycling• Establish daily, weekly, monthly, 3‐monthly, 6‐
monthly and annual maintenance regimey g• Ongoing performance monitoring using heat
metersmeters
Maintenance requirementMaintenance requirement
• Higher specification = lower maintenance cost– Automatic ash removal– Cooled grate designsRobust wood feeding– Robust wood feeding
– Boiler tube cleaning
• Low specification can lead to lower system availabilityavailability
• Complex systems for fuel feed can also t li bilit i present reliability issues
ConclusionsConclusions
• Follow a clear process• Don’t skip stepsDon t skip steps• Involve relevant parties at the earliest
iopportunity• Use available resources to helpp