Methodological Evaluation of Storage Systems for Flexible Power Generation from Solid Biomass

Abstract

The increasing number of fluctuating renewable power producers in the electricity grid leads to several challenges in the grid's infrastructure and its operation. Biomass combustion plants, however, can be modified to increase the flexibility of power production by integrating steam storage devices. In this paper, the available storage systems are evaluated, considering the boundaries of the plants and the requirements of power grids and markets. An objective result is generated by conducting a Delphi study using energy experts. The utility‐value‐analysis method is used to identify the most promising storage concept. Using this methodology, the resulting storage concept is found to be a combination of a steam accumulator and a solid storage.

Steam storage systems for flexible biomass CHP plants - Evaluation and initial model based calculation

“…Overall, it has been demonstrated that load shifts for several hours and a load range up to 93% of the total biomass CHP plant capacity can be achieved. This means that upgrading a biomass CHP plant with this type of thermal storage system can meet the demands of flexible power production described by Stark et al [5,7,13].…”

“…As a lot of research for the steam storage in this field of technology were done, the utilization for biomass CHP plants is a novel approach due to the individual operation parameters and boundaries [5]. Stark et al [7] evaluated the available storage concepts and identified the combination of a steam accumulator (SA) with a concrete storage (CS) as the most promising option for flexible biomass CHP plants. Since the 1930s SA are used for the thermal storage of process steam for several industrial sectors, such as the food [8,9] and pharma industry [10,11].…”

“…In order to define the optimal steam storage system for flexible power generation from biomass CHP plants, power grid demands, storage technologies and combustion system represent the main factors [8][9][10][11], which are considered by Stark et al [5,7] to identify the 8 most promising storage concepts. The available systems have in common that a latent heat component for the storage of the condensation/evaporation energy and a sensible heat component for the superheating and sub-cooling is utilized.…”

“…In Figure 2 the main criteria and corresponding sub-criteria are shown. The criteria explained in more detail by Stark et al [7].…”

Flexibility Potential of Photovoltaic Power Plant and Biogas Plant Hybrid Systems in the Distribution Grid

“…Therefore, controllable DEGs will become more important [3], and new flexibility options to balance the difference between the resulting variable power production and consumption will be required in the future [2]. The electricity generation from biomass plants [6], especially from biogas plants (BPs), is independent from weather conditions, hence, allows a flexible [7] and demand-oriented energy supply for distribution systems [8]. Trommler et al [9] demon-strate that the flexible operation of biogas plants can lead to a decrease of the cost dynamics of electricity grid fees by minimizing the total system costs, thus representing a benefit for the economy as a whole.…”