biofuels

UK

Opportunity exists to use bioliquids for heat generation

Due to the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in the UK, the National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials (NNFCC) were commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to collate an evidence base on bioliquid heat only technologies. Their findings show that bioliquids can not only be used as transport fuel but also for heating, especially by existing domestic oil users.
Opportunity exists to use bioliquids for heat generation

The study considered bioliquids with the potential to be used as heating fuel, either now or in the near-term, e.g. vegetable oil, biodiesel and, to a lesser extent, tallow. The scope of the study was to identify suitable technology options for dedicated heat generation (excluding combined heat and power (CHP)) from a range of bioliquid fuels, both 100% renewable and renewable/fossil blends, and also to research the capital costs of these technologies.

The study concluded that the there are two main options for utilising bioliquids for heat generation:

1. Converted heat plant – conversion of an existing kerosene or gas oil fired boiler to one which is instead capable of burning bioliquids (this may be through burner retrofit and/or replacement of ancillary kit, such as the fuel tank).

2. New dedicated bioliquid heat plant – installation of a new purpose-built boiler system, specified to burn bioliquids (usually biodiesel).

In either case consideration needs to be given to the type of bioliquid used and specifically whether a 100% bioliquid fuel or a renewable/fossil blend will be most suitable.

Views from industry stakeholders suggest that use of bioliquids for heat will mainly be restricted to biodiesel, with vegetable oil use also possible but perhaps to a lesser extent. This is due to issues in the quality of vegetable oil available, as well as some difficulties relating to fuel handling and consistent combustion of vegetable oils.

The main market opportunity for use of bioliquid heat was found to be existing oil users, primarily those off the gas-grid with a smaller secondary market potential in new-build housing. This sector comprises domestic, commercial and industrial users and uptake may consist of a variety of converted boilers, new dedicated heat plants and, perhaps, use of centralised boilers connected to district heat networks.

“Due to the physical properties of bioliquids they cannot be simply dropped-in to conventional boilers; instead we can either convert existing boilers to use bioliquids or build completely new dedicated boiliquid heat plants,” explains Fiona McDermott, Biomass Research Officer at the NNFCC and author of the report told eBioNews recently. “We found the biggest market opportunity for bioliquids was with existing domestic oil users, primarily those off the gas-grid with a smaller secondary market potential in industrial heat plants.”

For additional information:

NNFCC

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