Dynamic Simulation of Woody Biomass Co-generation System Responding to Heat Demand Fluctuations

Abstract

Since the feed-in-tariff scheme was enforced in Japan in 2012, the number of power generation plants for woody biomass has been increasing. In order to maximize the amount of usable energy extracted from woody biomass, however, it is necessary to use heat generated by woody biomass in a way that meets heat demand fluctuations. This paper aims to propose a model that enables dynamic simulation of woody biomass co-generation system considering the balance of heat demand and supply. We develop the model using life cycle simulation to evaluate and compare different configurations of energy supply system from economic and environmental viewpoints. A case study of a community bathhouse in Nara, Japan was carried out. We assumed two scenarios, i.e., Scenario A in which only heat is supplied using conventional heavy oil and Scenario B in which both heat and electricity are supplied by introducing gasification combined heat and power equipment (CHP) using wood resources. The comparison of the two scenarios showed that the CO2 emissions for Scenario B are -186.6% lower than Scenario A. However, the cost for Scenario B is 4.6% higher than that for Scenario A.