Paths to Sustainable Distributed Generation Through 2050: Matching Local Waste Biomass Resources with Grid, Industrial, and Community Levels
Developing tools and scenarios through 2050 for efficient and sustainable use of waste biomass resources for distributed generation
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Recipient
Berkeley, CA
Recipient Location
9th
Senate District
14th
Assembly District
$1,500,000
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The project team developed 2020 (near-term) and 2050 (long-term) scenario projections for waste biomass supply in California. They also developed a county-level monthly wet and dry California biomass inventory and assessed the energy generation potential from food waste in California. The team has estimated energy demand density and identified areas with district heating and cooling potential by using a building stock turnover model along with energy use intensity factors. The project developed a biositing tool for evaluation of potential waste-to-energy sites based on resource availability, potential for waste heat use, and economic and environmental metrics. The project was completed in March, 2019. The information is available, e.g. biositing is a web-based tool, and is planned to be used by various biomass associations, project developers and other stakeholders.
The Issue
There has been a lack of linkage between studies that develop waste biomass utilization strategies and studies focused on identifying opportunities for distributed generation (DG), and specifically combined heat and power (CHP) or combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP). No previous research has attempted to match local waste biomass sources in California with the variety of available conversion and power generation technologies and local demand for DG and waste heat applications to identify opportunities for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable projects.
Project Innovation
This project highlights locations where waste biomass can be used most efficiently and sustainably for distributed generation by developing scenarios through 2050 that identify the most promising opportunities for waste biomass distributed generation (DG), identifying key technical and regulatory hurdles to waste biomass DG utilization, developing tools for matching available waste biomass resources with energy production opportunities, and suggesting solutions for achieving cost parity with fossil fuels.
Project Benefits
This analysis (1) identifies high-priority areas within California and feedstock types for further public deployment funding, (2) highlights promising geographic areas or available technologies to encourage increased investment in waste biomass DG by the private sector, and (3) improves efficiency and reduces environmental burdens by helping to minimize biomass transportation distances and maximize the efficiency of power production and waste heat utilization.
Economic Development
Integrated use of waste biomass (from municipal wastes, agricultural residues, and food processing wastes) for distributed generation applications in California has the potential to produce about 4.2 terawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year.
Environmental Sustainability
The use of waste biomass is expected to result in avoided fossil greenhouse gas emissions of about 2.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)-equivalent per year (of which 1.2 million tons is from avoided grid electricity, and 1.3 million tons is from avoided natural gas use for heating).
Key Project Members
Corinne Scown
Match Partners
Energy Bioscience Institute
Allotrope Partners
PepsiCo R&
D
