Category Archives: Renewable Energy

Switching To Solar Energy: 8 Mistakes Every Homeowner Should Avoid Making

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Since many household owners are discovering the inflation on electricity prices, some are gradually shifting to changing their utility resources. The installations of solar panels are on the rise today simply because they yield savings and can be used for as long as a quarter of a century. However, it’s understandable why many homeowners hesitate to participate in this switch. After all, the initial investment for changing to solar panels can be hefty.

Some people are afraid to take the leap because they’re not well-informed about the do’s and don’ts when installing solar panels. Considering the price you need to shell out initially, you can’t afford to make room for mistakes. Costly mistakes can be a burden and might lead to regrets. However, these can be prevented by doing your assignment early. Reputable contractors like Smart Solar Energy and other high-rated companies can guide you throughout the process.

Discover some of the common mistakes when switching to solar energy:

mistakes when switching to solar energy

1. Procrastinating On Deciding To Go Solar

A solar energy system is a significant investment, so it’s only natural that you have many questions and underlying doubts. Due to the cost of solar power for the home, many people hesitate to go solar. However, when you procrastinate on this decision, you’re actually losing out on the savings that are supposed to be earned early on.

Because current solar rebates and tax credits will soon be phased out as solar panels become more popular, the urgency for you to adopt this type of energy is increased. You may not be able to take advantage of these incentives until you decide to install your panels. Chances are, many other homeowners are on the same page as you, and the governments have then stopped awarding incentives.

Hence, before regrets eat you up, later on, you should act and decide now. Although your monthly electricity costs will always be saved, getting financial rewards from the government is also a significant advantage that you can’t miss out on.

2. Going For Sub-Standard Equipment

The upfront cost of solar panel installation that most homeowners find to be the most significant barrier to owning solar panels. This often leads potential solar customers to seek out the lowest possible installation prices. However, like other home project investments, going for the price over quality will usually result in regrets later.

When choosing a solar company, you should always prioritize other essential factors and not just the cost. For example, there should be a reason why the price is too low compared to other contractors. Companies that provide low quotes may have sourced inferior panels or cut corners. When you go for sub-standard equipment, this can only result in disasters and possibly roof leaks later. You always get what you pay for, so paying cheap will mean you’re getting cheap quality too.

It’s essential to buy solar panels from a reputable source if you want them to last for decades to come. By spending more on quality installation, you’ll also be less likely to face problems down the road. The panels should be evenly spaced, and all conduit runs should be hidden, making for an aesthetically pleasing installation.

3. Expecting Wrongly

Another mistake many homeowners make is to expect wrongly. Just because they invested in solar panels, they’d think that the return on investment can happen in a few years, which is far-fetched in some cases. Even though solar panels can be an excellent investment for your home, it’s essential to know that they can be expensive and take many years to pay off, depending on where you live. Solar panels last for about 25 years, sometimes even longer, so you’ll have ample time to recoup your investment.

You’ll be better positioned to decide how to finance your system and discuss the payback period with installers if you have a reasonable estimate of the timeframe. It’s critical to research beforehand and inquire about the possible return of investment rate for your solar panel installation. You can ask your installation company so your expectations can be corrected. You can also ask about solar panel degradation in case of future preparations.

Unrealistic expectations often arise from homeowners overlooking the sun’s variability. Solar panel output will vary depending on cloud cover and daylight hours, as well as the time of day. Therefore, you need to take this into consideration when deciding to switch to solar energy. It’s best to look at the long-run scenario and not focus on the short term. By doing so, you’ll better expect how advantageous solar panels can be for your long-term expenses as well as reducing your carbon footprint.

4. Judging Their Roofs Are Incompatible

Solar panels are commonly installed on roofs facing a specific direction, which is a myth. Solar energy production is influenced by roof angle, but it doesn’t drastically affect how much energy your panels produce. Therefore, it’s best to let this misconception go, and it’d be best to communicate with your solar panel installer instead directly.

energy efficient technologies

Furthermore, solar panels can be installed on a variety of roof types. Whatever material you use on your roofs, whether they’re tiles, metal, or asphalt shingles, solar panels can be installed in them. Since a few roof tiles will need to be removed to prevent breakage, tile roofing will incur additional installation costs. However, the savings will quickly offset the extra cost.

For homes that come with flat-surfaced roofing, solar panel installers can make way to angle the panels to receive enough sunlight.

5. Going For The Wrong Warranties

You can save yourself from myriad future issues with a solar warranty included in the package. In many cases, solar panels come with a warranty from the company. Solar panels for your house are composed of so many parts and components that even the most minor defect can compromise the system’s performance, leaving you with significant maintenance costs. When choosing the solar panel company, ensure that the warranty covers more than the solar panel itself. Selecting a company that covers the entire system is advisable rather than just solar panels.

Find a company that can handle repairs with whatever is broken on your entire solar panel system. They should provide the replacement parts with no additional charge, even for shipment when the parts are delivered from somewhere else. This would be the best warranty to find.

Some companies may not clearly state what type of warranty they offer, so make sure to discuss this element thoroughly before dealing with them. Make sure there won’t be any hidden fees and additional charges when they fix something that’s still covered by their warranty.

6. Settling For One Quote Only

Anytime you switch to solar energy or purchase a service of any kind, you should be sure to get several quotes. This is a no-brainer tip but should be emphasized more often as there might be instances when one contractor can be too good at sales talking. It’s not uncommon for unscrupulous service providers to overcharge for panels and installation, resulting in you losing money and time that could go towards saving energy.

It’s always wise to seek quotations from several reputable solar energy companies. Ask these companies to break down each component of solar power costs so that you’ll know precisely what you’re buying. The highly reputable companies are usually transparent with their prices, and it won’t be an issue for them to explain every detail to you.

When estimating the size of your solar system and the installation cost, make sure that each potential installer considers different factors such as the orientation of your home and the size of your roof. All these aspects will impact the overall price of your solar panel installation. Try to give out more information about your roofs and home, so they can better give you an estimate.

7. Doing It Yourself

Another disastrous mistake is to do the solar panel installations by yourself. Sure, there are certain advantages to being a DIY-er, but in this situation, this won’t be fitting as solar installation requires technical and specialized skills. You can end up doing more harm than good. You can decide what best solar panel to use for your home, but you need to leave the installations to the professionals.

Watching a few YouTube videos won’t suffice to install solar panels. Experts in this field have undergone months or years of training, and it’s not something you can achieve just by reading manuals and watching guide videos. Regardless of the optimal direction for the panels or wiring issues, leaving the installation to the professionals is better and more cost-effective. You can rest easy knowing that all the lines and wires are perfectly in place when you hire professionals to do it.

Making the connections yourself will require more costs as you experience trial and error situations. By hiring a contractor, they can design a custom system that saves you money, calculate the savings on your monthly electric bill, show you how much clean energy you’ll receive, provide a quote, and explain all available incentives and tax credits. Whatever questions, concerns, worries, and doubts you have can be handled and tackled by these professionals. It’s part of their job to answer all your questions.

solar energy diy

8. Not Considering The Financial Incentives

Solar tax credits, solar rebates, and other financial incentives will be discussed by reputable solar installers, and they’ll even be able to assist with the paperwork. Still, you should also be aware of these programs. At the end of the day, you’ll be the one to pay for your system and benefit from these programs, so you should make sure you don’t overpay.

Try to learn about the incentives and rewards offered to neighborhoods and houses that comply with solar panels. You’ll be armed with all the information you need when you begin speaking with installers, and you can make the best financial decision. Managing your expectations during the process will also be helpful.

Conclusion

You should now consider requesting a quote from reputable solar panel companies around your area. Also, try to avoid the same common mistakes mentioned in this article. You can save money and the environment by switching to solar energy. However, before making the switch, you should be prepared. Apply all the pointers mentioned in this article, and you’ll be ready to start your switch.

Analysis of Agro Biomass Projects

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The current use of agro biomass for energy generation is low and more efficient use would release significant amounts of agro biomass resources for other energy use. Usually, efficiency improvements are neglected because of the non-existence of grid connections with agro-industries.

Electricity generated from biomass is more costly to produce than fossil fuel and hydroelectric power for two reasons. First, biomass fuels are expensive. The cost of producing biomass fuel is dependent on the type of biomass, the amount of processing necessary to convert it to an efficient fuel, distance to the energy conversion plant, and supply and demand for fuels in the market place. Biomass fuel is low-density and non-homogeneous and has a small unit size.

Crop_Residues

Consequently, biomass fuel is costly to collect, process, and transport to facilities.  Second, biomass-to-energy facilities are much smaller than conventional fossil fuel-based power plants and therefore cannot produce electricity as cost-effectively as the fossil fuel-based plants.

Agro biomass is costly to collect, process, and transport to facilities.

The biomass-to-energy facilities are smaller because of the limited amount of fuel that can be stored at a single facility. With higher fuel costs and lower economic efficiencies, solid-fuel energy is not economically competitive in a deregulated energy market that gives zero value or compensation for the non-electric benefits generated by the biomass-to-energy industry.

Biomass availability for fuel usage is estimated as the total amount of plant residue remaining after harvest, minus the amount of plant material that must be left on the field for maintaining sufficient levels of organic matter in the soil and for preventing soil erosion. While there are no generally agreed-upon standards for maximum removal rates, a portion of the biomass material may be removed without severely reducing soil productivity.

Technically, biomass removal rates of up to 60 to 70 percent are achievable, but in practice, current residue collection techniques generally result in relatively low recovery rates in developing countries. The low biomass recovery rate is the result of a combination of factors, including collection equipment limitations, economics, and conservation requirements. Modern agricultural machinery can allow for the joint collection of grain and residues, increased collection rates to up to 60 percent, and may help reduce concerns about soil compaction.

Bioenergy Developments in Malaysia

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Malaysia is blessed with abundant renewable sources of energy, especially biomass and solar. Under the Eighth Malaysian Plan, renewable energy was added in the energy mix to unveil a Five-Fuel Strategy to achieve 5 percent contribution by 2005.

Among the various sources of renewable energy, bioenergy seems to be the most promising option for Malaysia. The National Biofuel Policy, launched in 2006 encourages the use of environmentally friendly, sustainable and viable sources of biomass energy. Under the Five Fuel Policy, the government of Malaysia has identified biomass as one of the potential renewable energy.

Malaysia produces atleast 168 million tonnes of biomass, including timber and oil palm waste, rice husks, coconut trunk fibres, municipal waste and sugar cane waste annually. Being a major agricultural commodity producer in the region Malaysia is well positioned amongst the ASEAN countries to promote the use of biomass as a renewable energy source.

Malaysia has been one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil for the last forty years. The Palm Oil industry, besides producing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and Palm Kernel Oil, produces Palm Shell, Press Fibre, Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB), Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), Palm Trunk (during replanting) and Palm Fronds (during pruning).

Malaysia has approximately 4 million hectares of land under oil palm plantation. Over 75% of total area planted is located in just four states, Sabah, Johor, Pahang and Sarawak, each of which has over half a million hectares under cultivation. The total amount of processed FFB (Fresh Fruit Bunches) was estimated to be 75 million tons while the total amount of EFB produced was estimated to be 16.6 million tons. Around 58 million tons of POME is produced in Malaysia annually, which has the potential to produce an estimated 15 billion m3 of biogas can be produced each year.

Malaysia is the world’s second largest producer of crude palm oil. Almost 70% of the volume from the processing of fresh fruit bunch is removed as wastes in the form of empty fruit bunches, palm kernel shells, palm oil mill effluent etc. With more than 451 mills in Malaysia, this palm oil industry generate around 100 million dry tonnes of biomass. Malaysia has more than 2400 MW of biomass and 410 MW of biogas potential, out of which only a fraction has been harnessed until now.

Rice husk is another important agricultural biomass resource in Malaysia with good potential for power cogeneration. An example of its attractive energy potential is biomass power plant in the state of Perlis which uses rice husk as the main source of fuel and generates 10 MW power to meet the requirements of 30,000 households. The US$15 million project has been undertaken by Bio-Renewable Power Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Perlis state government, while technology provider is Finland’s Foster Wheeler Energia Oy.

Under the EC-ASEAN Cogeneration Program, there are three ongoing Full Scale Demonstration Projects (FSDPs) – Titi Serong, Sungai Dingin Palm Oil Mill and TSH Bioenergy – to promote biomass energy systems in Malaysia. The 1.5MW Titi Serong power plant, located at Parit Buntar (Perak), is based on rice husk while the 2MW Sungai Dingin Palm Oil Mill project make use of palm kernel shell and fibre to generate steam and electricity. The 14MW TSH Bioenergy Sdn Bhd, located at Tawau (Sabah), is the biggest biomass power plant in Malaysia and utilizes empty fruit bunches, palm oil fibre and palm kernel shell as fuel resources.

9 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Tesla Solar Batteries

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Tesla has been making headlines for a while, but they’re not just about their electric cars. They’ve also made some waves with Tesla solar batteries. Tesla solar batteries store solar energy from solar power systems.

We’ll take you through 9 of the most amazing things that you may not know about Tesla’s solar battery products, so let’s get started!

facts about tesla solar battery

1. Tesla solar batteries are the most efficient on the market

The Tesla Powerwall is the most efficient solar storage solution on the market. Tesla’s new product is 30-40% more efficient than its competitors! This increased efficiency translates to a cost saving of about $3000 for every 20 years you use the battery (depending on energy prices).

2. Tesla’s solar batteries can last up to 20 years with little maintenance

Nobody wants to be bothered with repair problems! With Tesla solar batteries, you don’t have to be. These babies deliver long-lasting performance (up to 20 years) with little required maintenance.

Just in case you’re wondering what happens after those 20 years? The Tesla solar battery will still hold about 80% of its capacity after that time! So although not recommended to keep using a solar battery forever, your investment will last a good while.

3. Tesla is aiming to produce 3,000 GWh of energy storage by 2030

Yes, Tesla is ambitious! And it plans on producing an astounding amount of Tesla solar battery storage by 2030. You see, Tesla manufactures the Tesla Powerwall and commercial-grade Tesla batteries that can power electric vehicles, entire buildings and larger communities!

All this means you’ll probably have access to Tesla’s large scale energy storage technologies much sooner than you thought! And it may not cost so much more either.

4. The Tesla solar battery has a built-in inverter that converts DC power into AC power

A Tesla solar battery eliminates the need for a separate solar inverter. That’s a huge plus – considering a solar inverter can be the most expensive part of a solar energy system. The Tesla battery uses its built-in inverter to convert the DC power into AC and send it directly to your home or business.

This integrated conversion feature is one reason many experts say that Tesla batteries could help bring down the cost of solar electricity even more – making it available for everyone!

5. The battery works best in areas with a high electricity demand or zones that suffer from frequent blackouts

The ideal use cases for Tesla solar batteries are areas that can generate a lot of solar energy and have high utility costs or frequent blackouts. If you’re looking to invest in Tesla solar batteries, consider how much daily sunlight your location receives!

Tesla’s new Powerwall battery is not the same as an AC coupled system. There are no complicated wiring configurations required. Just plug your generator into the wall outlet, and voila! You now have all the benefits listed above at your disposal without spending thousands on traditional UPS systems. You can also use a generator to charge the Tesla solar battery!

6. It also stores surplus renewable energy during off-peak hours to use during peak hours when prices are higher

Not sure you can use all the free electricity you generate during the day? No worries! A Tesla solar battery allows you to sell any extra energy your solar panels generate back to the power grid.

What does this mean? It means that if there is an excess of electricity generated during off-peak hours, your Tesla Powerwall will store it in its battery bank until peak hour begins. Then, as soon as prices shoot up (which they tend to do at around mid-day), your system kicks in and starts selling all the stored power right back to the electric company’s grid.

This way, you can optimize all the solar electricity generated by your system!

7. The cost of Tesla solar batteries is decreasing as the technology improves

Yes, terrific news! Tesla solar solutions keep dropping in price as the technology improves. Tesla solar batteries have no moving parts, which means they can last for decades with absolutely zero maintenance costs.

Their design also allows them to run at 100% efficiency even after a few years of use without needing replacement. Traditional batteries used by UPS systems degrade over time and lose their capacity to store power safely. With Tesla, you buy it once and never again!

8. Installing a Tesla solar battery can be done in a few hours

With a Tesla approved installer, you can have your solar battery system up and running in as little as a few hours. This quick installation is a tremendous advantage over traditional solar storage systems that could take days to install correctly.

Tesla solar battery

Tesla’s solar batteries are perfect for home or business owners who want to go off the grid or reduce their reliance on traditional utilities. Thanks to Tesla’s innovation, this is now more affordable than ever before!

9. The payback time for a TESLA solar battery is 2-5 years.

The payback time for a TESLA solar battery will vary depending on the size of your home, the amount of sunlight your location receives, and the current cost of electricity. That said, here’s a general overview of what you can expect:

  • If you live in a sunny location and have a large home, your payback time for a TESLA solar battery could be as few as two years.
  • If you live in a less sunny location or have a smaller home, your payback time could be closer to five years.

Why you should get a Tesla solar battery

Tesla’s solar batteries are the most efficient on the market. The battery has a built-in inverter that converts DC power into AC power to help with electricity needs in areas with high demand or frequent blackouts. It also stores surplus renewable energy during off-peak hours, which can be used during peak hours when prices are higher.

Tesla solar batteries will only become more popular as their efficiency improves. Discover how you can take advantage of solar storage technology in your home or business!

6 Reasons Solar Is Your Best Investment In the Future

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It’s no secret that solar power is the future. There are solar panels on rooftops worldwide, and solar panel installation has gone from being a niche energy option to one that many experts predict will be used in most places by 2050.

reasons why solar is your best investment

Why is solar power so popular in Australia?

There are a few reasons why solar power is such a big hit in Australia.

  • For one, the cost of solar panels has come down in recent years, making them more affordable for homeowners and businesses.
  • Additionally, Australia has a lot of sunshine, making it an ideal place for solar energy.
  • And finally, Australians are increasingly interested in renewable energy sources, and solar power is one of the most popular forms of renewable energy.

How can solar power contribute to restoring our natural environment?

Solar power is a renewable energy source that doesn’t pollute the air like burning coal and other fossil fuels. It also reduces our reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting power plants, which helps to mitigate climate change. Solar panels installed on your home or business can help Australia reach its emissions targets set by the Paris Agreement. Other countries like Germany are already touted as renewable energy leaders!

But what does this mean for you? Should you invest in solar panels now or wait until they’re more mainstream?

Here are six reasons why solar is your best investment in the future!

1. Solar energy is a renewable resource that won’t run out

Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is a renewable resource you can harness indefinitely. As long as the sun continues to shine, you’ll be able to use solar power to generate electricity and heat. The fact that solar power is renewable makes it a more sustainable option than other forms of energy generation.

2. Solar energy is environmentally friendly and doesn’t produce harmful emissions

Did you know? Solar energy accounts for only 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions!

Compare this to coal, which accounts for 41% of global greenhouse gas emissions!

Fewer emissions are excellent news for the environment – and there’s even better news for your wallet since solar is becoming increasingly affordable.

3. Solar energy is becoming more and more affordable as technology improves

Yes, there has never been a better time to go solar!

Solar technology is advancing rapidly, and solar panels are becoming more efficient at converting solar energy into electricity. More efficient solar technology means solar will continue to get cheaper as time goes on.

One of the most popular solar technologies available today – thin-film solar – has dropped in price by 50% since 2009!

The cost of solar power installation per watt currently averages between $0.60-$0.70/watt in Australia (depending on where you live). In some areas, it’s even less than this! That’s a fraction of the cost that people paid just a few years ago for solar installations. And there are still significant solar incentive programs run by governments designed to reduce costs further if you choose to install a solar system yourself or through an installer.

4. Solar panels can be installed on most roofs, regardless of their shape or size

Think you can’t install solar panels on your roof? Think again! Solar panels can be installed on most roofs, regardless of their shape or size. This versatility makes solar a viable option for both residential and commercial properties.

Plus, the technology is constantly evolving, with new solar panel designs and materials developed all the time. So even if you’ve already got solar panels installed on your roof, there’s a good chance that you could upgrade to newer, more efficient models and see an increase in your solar energy output!

The future of solar power in Australia is looking brighter than ever – so make sure you get on board now and start enjoying the savings!

5. Installing solar panels can increase your home’s value by up to 20%

Installing solar panels not only saves money on costly electricity but also adds to the value of your home.

When homeowners install solar panels, they can bank on a minimum of 20% increase in the value of their property. That’s because solar panels improve your house’s energy efficiency and curb any concerns potential buyers might have about high electricity bills as well!

energy efficient technologies

So if you’re looking to cash out when it comes time for selling your home – an investment in solar is one that will pay off right away!

Whether you decide to sell or not after purchasing solar power equipment, some people want proof that they’ll be able to save money on monthly utility bills – but how do you know this? One way is by getting quotes from multiple companies; comparing estimates with similar hardware/solar panel brands and sizes (capacity).

6. You can sell excess solar energy back to the grid for a profit

Want to make some extra cash? If you produce more solar energy than you need, you can sell the excess back to your local utility company! This process is called net metering, and it’s a great way to make some extra money each month.

All of these are excellent reasons to consider making the switch to solar power – but remember, not every home is a good candidate for solar. Contact a solar specialist in your area to see if your home is suitable for installation – they’ll be more than happy to help!

Start benefiting from free electricity

If you’re considering the idea of a solar panel installation for your home but are afraid it’s too expensive or that it won’t work in a few years – think again. Solar power is an investment in your future and is affordable for everyone! As experts in solar energy, we have seen firsthand how solar energy can change lives by helping families live more comfortably while reducing their utility bills.

Contact a solar specialist for a free on-site consultation so you can get all of your questions answered before deciding on going green with sustainable solar electricity from the sun.

Do you have a solar panel installation at your home? Have you ever had an issue with having solar panels on your roof? Let us know what you think about solar panels in the comments section below.

An Introduction to Biomethane

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Biogas that has been upgraded by removing hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and moisture is known as biomethane. Biomethane is less corrosive than biogas, apart from being more valuable as a vehicle fuel. The typical composition of raw biogas does not meet the minimum CNG fuel specifications. In particular, the CO2 and sulfur content in raw biogas is too high for it to be used as vehicle fuel without additional processing.

biogas-vehicle

Liquified Biomethane

Biomethane can be liquefied, creating a product known as liquefied biomethane (LBM). Biomethane is stored for future use, usually either as liquefied biomethane or compressed biomethane (CBM) or  since its production typically exceeds immediate on-site demand.

Two of the main advantages of LBM are that it can be transported relatively easily and it can be dispensed to either LNG vehicles or CNG vehicles. Liquid biomethane is transported in the same manner as LNG, that is, via insulated tanker trucks designed for transportation of cryogenic liquids.

Compressed Biomethane

Biomethane can be stored as CBM to save space. The gas is stored in steel cylinders such as those typically used for storage of other commercial gases. Storage facilities must be adequately fitted with safety devices such as rupture disks and pressure relief valves.

The cost of compressing gas to high pressures between 2,000 and 5,000 psi is much greater than the cost of compressing gas for medium-pressure storage. Because of these high costs, the biogas is typically upgraded to biomethane prior to compression.

Applications of Biomethane

The utilization of biomethane as a source of energy is a crucial step toward a sustainable energy supply. Biomethane is more flexible in its application than other renewable sources of energy. Its ability to be injected directly into the existing natural gas grid allows for energy-efficient and cost-effective transport. This allows gas grid operators to enable consumers to make an easy transition to a renewable source of gas. The diverse, flexible spectrum of applications in the areas of electricity generation, heat provision, and mobility creates a broad base of potential customers.

Biomethane can be used to generate electricity and heating from within smaller decentralized, or large centrally-located combined heat and power plants. It can be used by heating systems with a highly efficient fuel value, and employed as a regenerative power source in gas-powered vehicles.

Biomethane to Grid

Biogas can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the natural gas grid to substitute natural gas or can be compressed and fuelled via a pumping station at the place of production. Biomethane can be injected and distributed through the natural gas grid, after it has been compressed to the pipeline pressure. In many EU countries, the access to the gas grid is guaranteed for all biogas suppliers.

One important advantage of using gas grid for biomethane distribution is that the grid connects the production site of biomethane, which is usually in rural areas, with more densely populated areas. This enables the gas to reach new customers. Injected biomethane can be used at any ratio with natural gas as vehicle fuel.

Biomethane is more flexible in its application than other renewable sources of energy.

The main barriers for biomethane injection are the high costs of upgrading and grid connection. Grid injection is also limited by location of suitable biomethane production and upgrading sites, which have to be close to the natural gas grid.

Several European nations have introduced standards (certification systems) for injecting biogas into the natural gas grid. The standards, prescribing the limits for components like sulphur, oxygen, particles and water dew point, have the aim of avoiding contamination of the gas grid or the end users. In Europe, biogas feed plants are in operation in Sweden, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France.

Biofuels from Syngas

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An attractive approach to converting biomass into liquid or gaseous fuels is direct gasification, followed by conversion of the syngas to final fuel. Ethanol can be produced this way, but other fuels can be produced more easily and potentially at lower cost, though none of the approaches is currently inexpensive.

The choice of which process to use is influenced by the fact that lignin cannot easily be converted into a gas through biochemical conversion. Lignin can, however, be gasified through a heat process. The lignin components of plants can range from near 0% to 35%. For those plants at the lower end of this range, the chemical conversion approach is better suited. For plants that have more lignin, the heat-dominated approach is more effective.

Gasification_Process

Layout of a Typical Biomass Gasification Plant

Once the gasification of biomass is complete, the resulting syngas or synthetic gas can be used in a variety of ways to produce liquid fuels as mentioned below

Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) fuels

The Fischer-Tropsch process converts “syngas” (mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen) into diesel fuel and naphtha (basic gasoline) by building polymer chains out of these basic building blocks. Typically a variety of co-products (various chemicals) are also produced.

The Fisher-Tropsch process is an established technology and has been proven on a large scale but adoption has been limited by high capital and O&M costs. According to Choren Industries, a German based developer of the technology, it takes 5 tons of biomass to produce 1 ton of biodiesel, and 1 hectare generates 4 tons of biodiesel.

Methanol

Syngas can also be converted into methanol through dehydration or other techniques, and in fact methanol is an intermediate product of the F-T process (and is therefore cheaper to produce than F-T gasoline and diesel).

Methanol is somewhat out of favour as a transportation fuel due to its relatively low energy content and high toxicity, but might be a preferred fuel if fuel cell vehicles are developed with on-board reforming of hydrogen.

Dimethyl ether

DME also can be produced from syngas, in a manner similar to methanol. It is a promising fuel for diesel engines, due to its good combustion and emissions properties. However, like LPG, it requires special fuel handling and storage equipment and some modifications of diesel engines, and is still at an experimental phase.

If diesel vehicles were designed and produced to run on DME, they would become inherently very low pollutant emitting vehicles; with DME produced from biomass, they would also become very low GHG vehicles.

Global Trends in the Biomass Sector

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There has been a flurry of activity in the biomass energy sector in recent year, with many new projects and initiatives being given the green light across the globe. This movement has been on both a regional and local level; thanks to the increased efficiency of biomass energy generators and a slight lowering in implementation costs, more businesses and even some homeowners are converting waste-to-energy systems or by installing biomass energy units.

biomass-power-trends

Latest from the United Kingdom

Our first notable example of this comes from Cornwall in the UK. As of this week, a small hotel has entirely replaced its previous oil-based heating system with biomass boilers. Fuelled from wood wastes brought in from a neighboring forest, the BudockVean hotel has so far been successful in keeping the entire establishment warm on two small boilers despite it being the height of British winter – and when warmer weather arrives, plans to install solar panels on the building’s roof is to follow.

Similar projects have been undertaken across small businesses in Britain, including the south-coast city of Plymouth that has just been announced to house a 10MW biomass power plant (alongside a 20MW plant already in construction). These developments arein part thanks to the UK government’s Renewable Heat Incentive which was launched back in 2011. The scheme only provides funding to non-domestic properties currently, but a domestic scheme is in the works this year to help homeowners also move away from fossil fuels.

Initiatives (and Setbacks) in the US

Back across the pond, and the state of New York is also launching a similar scheme. The short-term plan is to increase public education on low-emission heating and persuade a number of large business to make the switch; in the longer term, $800m will be used to install advanced biomass systems in large, state-owned buildings.

A further $40m will be used as part of a competition to help create a series of standalone energy grids in small towns and rural areas, which is a scheme that could hopefully see adopted beyond New York if all goes well.


Unfortunately, the move away from fossil fuels hasn’t been totally plain sailing across the US. Georgia suffered a blow this week as plans to convert a 155MW coal plant to biomass have been abandoned, citing large overheads and low projected returns. The company behind the project have met similar difficulties at other sites, but as of this week are moving ahead with further plans to convert over 2000MW of oil and coal energy generation in the coming years.

Elsewhere in the US, a company has conducted a similar study as to whether biomass plant building will be feasible in both Florida and Louisiana. Surveying has only just been completed, but if things go better than the recent developments in Georgia, the plants will go a long way to converting biomass to fertilizer for widespread use in agriculture in both states.

Far East Leading the Way

One country that is performing particularly well in biomass energy investment market is Japan. Biomass is being increasingly used in power plants in Japan as a source of fuel, particularly after the tragic accident at Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011.  Palm kernel shell (PKS) has emerged as a favorite choice of biomass-based power plants in the country. Most of these biomass power plants use PKS as their energy source, and only a few operate with wood pellets. Interestingly, most of the biomass power plants in Japan have been built after 2015..

On the contrary, the US and Europe saw a fairly big fall in financing during this period; it should be noted, however, that this relates to the green energy investment market as a whole as opposed to biomass-specific funding. The increase seen in Japan has been attributed to an uptake in solar paneling, and if we look specifically to things such as the global demand for biomass pellets, we see that the most recent figures paint the overall market in a much more favorable light for the rest of the world.

Brighter Times Ahead

All in all, it’s an exciting time for the biomass industry despite the set backs which are being experienced in some regions.  On the whole, legislators and businesses are working remarkably well together in order to pave the way forward – being a fairly new market (from a commercially viable sense at least), it has taken a little while to get the ball rolling, but expect to see it blossom quickly now that the idea of biomass is starting to take hold.

Palm Kernel Shells: An Attractive Biomass Fuel for Europe

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Europe is targeting an ambitious renewable energy program aimed at 20% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2020 with biomass energy being key renewable energy resource across the continent. However, the lack of locally-available biomass resources has hampered the progress of biomass energy industry in Europe as compared with solar and wind energy industries. The European biomass industry is largely dependent on wood pellets and crop residues.

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Europe is the largest producer of wood pellets, which is currently estimated at 13.5 million tons per year while its consumption is 18.8 million tons per year. The biggest wood pellet producing countries in Europe are Germany and Sweden. Europe relies on America and Canada to meet its wood pellet requirements and there is an urgent need to explore alternative biomass resources. In recent years, palm kernel shells (popularly known as PKS) from Southeast Asia and Africa has emerged as an attractive biomass resources which can replace wood pellets in biomass power plants across Europe.

What are Palm Kernel Shells

Palm kernel shells are the shell fractions left after the nut has been removed after crushing in the Palm Oil Mill. Kernel shells are a fibrous material and can be easily handled in bulk directly from the product line to the end use. Large and small shell fractions are mixed with dust-like fractions and small fibres.

Moisture content in kernel shells is low compared to other biomass residues with different sources suggesting values between 11% and 13%. Palm kernel shells contain residues of Palm Oil, which accounts for its slightly higher heating value than average lignocellulosic biomass. Compared to other residues from the industry, it is a good quality biomass fuel with uniform size distribution, easy handling, easy crushing, and limited biological activity due to low moisture content.

Press fibre and shell generated by the palm oil mills are traditionally used as solid fuels for steam boilers. The steam generated is used to run turbines for electricity production. These two solid fuels alone are able to generate more than enough energy to meet the energy demands of a palm oil mill.

Advantages of Palm Kernel Shells

PKS has almost the same combustion characteristics as wood pellets, abundantly available are and are cheap. Indonesia and Malaysia are the two main producers of PKS. Indonesian oil palm plantations cover 12 million hectares in Indonesia and 5 million hectares in Malaysia, the number of PKS produced from both countries has exceeded 15 million tons per year. Infact, the quantity of PKS generated in both countries exceeds the production of wood pellets from the United States and Canada, or the two largest producers of wood pellets today.

Interestingly, United States and Canada cannot produce PKS, because they do not have oil palm plantations, but Indonesia and Malaysia can also produce wood pellets because they have large forests. The production of wood pellets in Indonesia and Malaysia is still small today, which is less than 1 million tons per year, but the production of PKS is much higher which can power biomass power plants across Europe and protect forests which are being cut down to produce wood pellets in North America and other parts of the world.

PKS as a Boiler Fuel

Although most power plants currently use pulverized coal boiler technology which reaches around 50% of the world’s electricity generation, the use of grate combustion boiler technology and fluidized bed boilers is also increasing. Pulverized coal boiler is mainly used for very large capacity plants (> 100 MW), while for ordinary medium capacity uses fluidized bed technology (between 20-100 MW) and for smaller capacity with combustor grate (<20 MW). The advantage of boiler combustion and fluidized bed technology is fuel flexibility including tolerance to particle size.

When the pulverized coal boiler requires a small particle size (1-2 cm) like sawdust so that it can be atomized on the pulverizer nozzle, the combustor grate and fluidized bed the particle size of gravel (max. 8 cm) can be accepted. Based on these conditions, palm kernel shells has a great opportunity to be used as a boiler fuel in large-scale power plants.

Use of PKS in pulverized coal boiler

There are several things that need to be considered for the use of PKS in pulverized coal boilers. The first thing that can be done is to reduce PKS particle size to a maximum of 2 cm so that it can be atomized in a pulverized system. The second thing to note is the percentage of PKS in coal, or the term cofiring. Unlike a grate and a fluidized bed combustion that can be flexible with various types of fuel, pulverized coal boilers use coal only. There are specific things that distinguish biomass and coal fuels, namely ash content and ash chemistry, both of which greatly influence the combustion characteristics in the pulverized system.

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PKS has emerged as an attractive biomass commodity in Japan

Coal ash content is generally greater than biomass, and coal ash chemistry is very different from biomass ash chemistry. Biomass ash has lower inorganic content than coal, but the alkali content in biomass can change the properties of coal ash, especially aluminosilicate ash.

Biomass cofiring with coal in small portions for example 3-5% does not require modification of the pulverized coal power plant. For example, Shinci in Japan with a capacity of 2 x 1,000 MW of supercritical pulverized fuel with 3% cofiring requires 16,000 tons per year of biomass and no modification. Similarly, Korea Southeast Power (KOSEP) 5,000 MW with 5% cofiring requires 600,000 tons per year of biomass without modification.

PKS cofiring in coal-based power plants

Pulverized coal-based power plants are the predominant method of large-scale electricity production worldwide including Europe. If pulverised fuel power plants make a switch to co-firing of biomass fuels, it will make a huge impact on reducing coal usage, reducing carbon emissions and making a transition to renewable energy. Additionally, the cheapest and most effective way for big coal-based power plants to enter renewable energy sector is biomass cofiring. Palm kernel shells can be pyrolyzed to produce charcoal while coal will produce coke if it is pyrolyzed. Charcoal can be used for fuel, briquette production and activated charcoal.

The Costs and Benefits of Solar Panels: 6 Factors to Consider

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Solar panels are sliding into mainstream consumerism—and it’s posing a challenge. For instance, when you want to buy a car, there is a surge of first-hand information from friends and family who can walk you through the ins and outs of buying a vehicle.

Putting up solar panels on your roof, on the other hand, doesn’t carry the same level of hype from the people around you. What’s worse, they cost the same as a brand new car. To make matters dicier, the number of homeowners who’ve adapted to solar infrastructure isn’t all that many, too.

That aside, the stakes are high. You are, after all, going to install this on your roof. It’s also an adaptation you can’t easily shrug off as, “I’ll do better the next time if I make a mistake now.” Present figures tell us that solar installations are rising and the costs are becoming more feasible. But how much do we know about the said technology and are we personally ready to switch to natural energy?

Here are a few tips to research your solar panels:

Have you tried working on energy efficiency before turning to solar panels?

The whole point of using solar panels is for you to be able to store and conserve natural energy. But apart from that, have you started doing the little things to help better your energy consumption, like turning off the lights when they’re not in use or unplug the television cord when you’re not watching?

The extent of solar energy you need to come up with equates to how much you need. That said, it’s wiser for you to begin consuming your energy much more efficiently before turning to solar panels. You can begin by looking at efficiency upgrades starting with an energy audit before whipping up a blueprint.

Is your roof sturdy enough for solar panels?

This can make or break your solar panel situation. Additionally, if, for most of the day, your roof is covered in shade, then having to splurge a hefty amount for solar panels might not be worth it. You should consider that condition before marching onward.

Also, how sturdy is your roof? Even the lightest panels can be heavy for a decaying house covering. Make sure your roof is in structurally good shape. The usual warranty for solar installations can last up to 25 years and if your roof will need renovation in the next couple of months, you might want to rethink your strategy. Having it renovated first is often the smartest route versus putting up these panels straight away.

Moving forward, another factor is ownership. Many times, house dwellers can’t call the shots because they simply rent the place such a vacation rental property with solar energy system. A good solution to this is resorting to a community solar. This alternative lets more clients buy a stake in these installations and receive electricity bill credits.

Do you trust your installer?

Advertising comes easy nowadays. Don’t trust the first solar installer who hands you a flyer or presents you an ad. You have to remember that solar projects are a combination of electrical work and home improvement. References, credentials, and certifications are important. For instance, do they have accreditation under the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)? It goes without saying that you wouldn’t hire an electrician to come to your home and shake things around when they don’t have sufficient experience. Consider an expert’s number of years in the industry.

It also comes as no surprise that these installations call for big checks. Shop around for installers and get as many quotes to know how much do solar panels cost for house. This can be challenging, but try looking for a company that will be available for you throughout your installation. While solar cells are stationary, you’re going to want to work with an installer who will emphatically extend their services even after your warranty period is over.

Which solar-type should you go for?

There are two prevailing solar sciences: the first one is solar photovoltaic energy. This technology produces electricity sourced from sunlight. Thermal, the second one makes use of sunlight to heat air or water for your everyday needs. At the end of the day, your context and living conditions help determine what you need the most. Despite that, those who use solar thermal are rare and qualified installers for this aren’t that many.

Buy or lease?

Before diving right into the world of solar panel usage, run a cost-benefit analysis. Is buying your own solar infrastructure the wisest decision you can make? Purchasing your costs more in the beginning, but you’ll have more evident benefits in the long run. On the other hand, renting grants you access to more affordable electricity bills. On top of that, you spend little to no money upfront in this arrangement. The tradeoff, however, is that there are limited monetary benefits for you.

When you rent your system, the company who you ink a deal with owns the infrastructure and you only shell out a certain fee for the electricity. When your rental period is over, they can either take the solar infrastructure back or sell it to you. But if you own your infrastructure, you can reap its advantages long after you’ve bought it. To snag a better deal, weight the lifecycle cost of both arrangements to see where you benefit the most. Factor in how much you earn at present and how much you see yourself earning in the near future. You have to put in a lot of research before you make a decision.

What should your contract contain?

As with any other contract, your welfare should be upheld as these last for long periods. The deal you ink should break down ownership, financing, and performance expectations. You should also factor in data-collecting technology if your infrastructure contains web-enabled devices. Determine who has access to it, if this applies. When there are things or contract segments you’re unsure of, it’s best to consult a legal advisor.

After everything’s been said and done, you’re not only cutting back on costs, you’re also contributing to a healthier planet.