Renewable Energy Technologies in Europe

The development of the ‘‘new’’ wind and solar technologies is of great importance for the future contribution of RESs to energy supply. Although the present wind and solar technology contribution of 0.4% to total primary energy consumption per capita is still very small, the growth of these industries has been considerable in the past 6 to 8 years. Today they provide 10 times the energy of 10 years ago. Wind energy shows the most remarkable growth dynamics; its contribution is now reaching energetically relevant dimensions. (more…)

Biomass Gasification Process Effect of Feedstock Properties and Operating Parameters

Biomass Gasification Feedstock
Thermo chemical processing of biomass yields gaseous, liquid, and solid products and offers a means of producing useful gaseous and/or liquid fuels. Biomass gasification is a total degradation process consisting of a sequence of thermal and thermo chemical processes that converts practically all the carbon in the biomass to gaseous form, leaving an inert residue. The gas produced consists of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen (N2) (if air is used as the oxidizing agent) and contains impurities, such as small char particles, ash, tars, and oils. The solid residue will consist of ash (composed principally of the oxides of Ca, K, Na, Mg, and Si) and possibly carbon or char. (more…)