Energy Generation from Biomass - 2019 entry

The module will cover all aspects of renewable energy generation from biomass and waste materials –with the emphasis on electricity production. Teaching will be provided by UoE staff and guest lecturers from by industry and research.

The module includes a field trip to one of the energy from waste related sites in the locality of the Tremough campus.

Students taking this module will gain an all-round understanding of a complex and expanding area of sustainable energy development including knowledge of commercial operations and project development in this field.

This module is suitable for 3^rd year BSc/MEng students in renewable energy and associated areas of study e.g. sustainable development, waste management.

The module is not recommended for non-specialist students.

An advanced course covering aspects of biomass energy systems including: resource estimation and growth cycles, power conversion, deployment, fuel supply chains and contracts, emissions control, economics and environmental impact.

On successful completion of this module candidates should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 acquire comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the design and project development process for biomass or waste to energy projects;
2 understand the particular characteristics of a range of biomass and waste fuel feed stocks and their specific requirements such as land consumption, fuel processing and preparation, fuel quality, and environmental impacts;
3 understand ithe practical and economic issues relating to biomass fuel supply chains and waste arising such that these are taken into consideration in determining biomass potential;
4 appraise new and/or abstract biomass or waste resources for energy production;
5 acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding of engineering components and materials such that they can select appropriate combustion and power production plant, and balance-of-plant items, such that the efficiency of primary energy utilised is maximised, subject to constraints on cost and emissions;
6 acquire comprehensive knowledge of the planning and permitting process for biomass and waste to energy developments (including IPPC), and have developed critical understanding of the successes and failures of the UK system;
7 show coherent and detailed understanding of operational practice for biomass and waste systems, and awareness of regulations and codes of practice relating to hazards and operational safety;
8 fully comprehend the barriers to the use of bioenergy, biofuels and waste feedstocks for power generation and to understand the policy mechanisms that have supported their increased use.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
9 capable of  producing solutions to problems by applying their technical and economic understanding while being aware of the limitations of technologies and methodology arising from uncertainty, or ambiguous or conflicting sources;
10 evaluate technical and commercial risk;
11 apply mathematical or scientific methods and techniques to account for industrial or commercial constraints in problem solving.
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
12 autonomy in using and managing resources that support the syllabus plan and can reflect on the efficiency of use of these resources;
13 present deliverables to a deadline;
14 awareness of professional codes of conduct and standards and can incorporate an ethical dimension and/or exercise personal judgment into/on their work.

- basic plant physiology of biofuel crops;
- carbon sequestration/carbon balance with soils and plants;
- biofuels crops and applications: cereal crops and oil seed crops;
- biofuels crops and applications: short rotation coppicing of willow;
- biofuel crops and applications: miscanthus;
- energy and water saving and carbon efficiency;
- biodiesel production process: life cycle analysis and carbon balance;
- bioethanol production process;
- biomass project development procedure;
- basic plant layout and infrastructure requirements;
- permitting - IPPC, planning permission;
- applicable legislation;
- national grid / heat main connections;
- fuel selection and fuel handling: poultry litter, woodchip / horsebedding, bone residue, refuse derived fuel;
- combustion technology: boiler systems and steam turbines, pyrolysis and gasification, gas engines, gas turbines;
- ash handling;
- co-products;
- emissions metering and control;
- negotiation of disposal contracts;
- power purchase agreements;
- field class: example one: United Downs Landfill: landfill gas drilling and completion, gas production sequencing and control, gas engine performance, emissions monitoring and control;
- field class: example two: Holsworthy Biomass Plant: anaerobic digestion process, feed stocks, by-products, economics, odour control, emissions monitoring;
- field class: example three: Ginsters food products; energy from waste plant – permitting, construction, feedstocks – handling, classification etc.

As above 1 piece of CW 100%

Basic reading:
Kartha, S., and Larson, E.D., 2005. Bioenergy Primer: modernised biomass energy for sustainable development. United Nations Development Programme, New York. ISBN: 9211261279. Shelf Number: 333.9539 KAR  Available at http://www.undp.org/energy/publications/2000/BioPrimer.pdf

ELE: CSM3372 ELE Page

Reading list for this module: