STable OPerating conditions for biomass and biomass residues combustion plants

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The Norwegian government's long-term Bioenergy Strategy aims for a doubling of present levels of bioenergy use by 2020, and through the negotiated agreement ("Klimaforliket") the Norwegian Parliament has allocated funds for renewable energy R&D, including the establishment of national research centres for environmentally friendly energy research (FMEs) in 2009. The group behind the present proposal has a leading role in the Bioenergy FME "CenBio" The Bioenergy Innovation Centre. Norway's substantial effor ts through ENOVA and the new Bioenergy Strategy requires a further development of small to medium scale heating plants and heat controlled CHP plants with emphasis on an optimum heat, steam and/or electricity production. These plants must be designed and operated in an optimum manner to achieve high overall efficiency. Cost-efficiency is possible if high availability and utilisation factor can be attained, demanding stable operation. The proposed project is highly relevant for the RENERGI program and its call for proposals within stationary bioenergy and calling for 1) more stable operating conditions for biomass heating plants and 2) optimisation and process improvements of bioenergy use in industry. The present proposal is an important step on the way t o realizing the CenBio Vision 2020, and the activities proposed are coordinated with CenBio research activities. This project aims to generate the necessary knowledge in order to: -Optimize torrefaction process parameters for the production an upgraded fu el suitable for use in power and heat production systems -Produce a quality fuel that will give stable plant operating conditions which will result in higher efficiencies and lower emissions