An Introduction to Bioenergy

About your trainer

Dr John Massey is Green Power Academy's in-house renewable energy expert. He combines a strong academic science background with over fifteen years experience researching and analysing technology industries and trends in the commercial sector (covering a range of technologies and markets including renewables, telecoms and electronics). He has delivered training globally, explaining the workings and financial / commercial context of rapidly evolving technologies to senior, non-technical executives. He has also developed educational material for both live and distance learning courses.

Following a 1st Class Honours degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, John gained a PhD in Earth Sciences and – in addition to his commercial experience - has undertaken further study in topics including Economics, Innovation and Sustainability.

About Green Power Academy

Green Power Academy exists to provide the quality, impartial, informative and enjoyable training needed to increase and distribute knowledge and skills to green energy industry professionals. Whether you are new to the industry, have recently changed jobs or simply wish to refresh your knowledge, our training should become a key part of your personal or company professional development programme.

Defining “Biomass”

• Biomass as an energy store, including variations in source, energy content and land use.
• Calculating the energy potential (and limits) of biomass.
• Types of feedstock (including first, second, third and subsequent generations).
• Waste as fuel: the different sources, types and challenges in usage.
• Biomass around the world: market review, including examples of activities and trends in specific markets.
• Land use and cultivation (including the fuel vs. food debate)

Biomass Processes and Energy Pathways

• The basics of biomass conversion technologies and supply chains:
• Pathways to biofuels: bioethanol and biodiesel.
• Pathways for gaseous fuels: biogas and syngas.
• Biomass for power (electricity) production.
• Scientific basics of energy conversion processes, including efficiencies.
• Navigating the maze of terminology: esterification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, gasification, FT synthesis, W2E, GTL etc.
• Conversion technologies: fermenters, combustors, boilers, gasifiers etc.
• Biorefineries and multi-product facilities, including CHP

Biofuels for transport

• Types of biofuel (biodiesel, bioethanol) and their uses
• Types of feedstock (energy crops, waste biomass, algae etc.)
• Biofuel technologies and supply chains
• Storage, transport and pre-processing
• Processing and distribution
• Technology evolution
• Biofuels in the wider global energy landscape including: peak oil, energy security, climate change and other socio-political aspects and lobbyists
• Biofuels activity around the world

Biogases

• “Natural” vs. Thermochemical gasification processes
• Feedstock options; including crops, animal and other wastes
• Pathways to methane, hydrogen and other useful gas fuels
• Key processes, including anaerobic digestion, landfill gas capture and thermal gasification
• Applications and uses of biomass-derived gases;
• Low-calorie biogas uses
• Upgrading and grid-injected biomethane
• Market and supply chain issues

Biopower

• Contrasting biomass pathways and processes for power with those for fuels
• Direct biomass-to-power conversions vs. biomass-to-fuel-to-power
• Integrating biomass with fossil fuel power production
• Understanding power markets, pricing and competition
• Levelised electricity cost as a method for comparing power technologies: how it is calculated and which factors affect it.

• Power-only vs. CHP (combined heat and power)
• Current Biopower activities

Economic and Competitive issues for Biomass Energy

• Economic and other pros and cons of biomass as an energy and/or power fuel (as compared to competitors):
• Examples of capital and operating costs and the factors that determine them (for the various technologies discussed)
• Biomass feedstock supply as the key issue in creating scale:
• The role of biomass trading markets and exchanges
• Policy and market interventions (subsidies, tax, trade tariffs, targets, price controls)
• Carbon Markets:
• An introduction to Carbon Market mechanisms, trading and offsetting
• The impact of carbon policies and markets on biomass energy projects
• Bioenergy and existing energy infrastructures, such as fuel distribution and the power grid