Biofuels

A report on the sustainabiility of biofuels likely to be sold in New Zealand

One of the energy forms that biomass can be converted into is electricity. In response to a call to the Bioenergy Hotline, bioenergy experts have completed a quick survey of the feasibility of a number of methods of converting biomass into electricity. The options for the generation of electricity were: 1) via a two-step process of first converting the biomass to ethanol and then to electricity via jet turbine; 2) via a steam turbine; 3) via a two step process of gasifing the biomass and then converting the gas to electricity via a gas turbine; 4) via an organic Rankine cycle.

The Brightwater Hog Feed System was initially designed for Blue Mountain Lumber sawmill in Southland. The sawmill generates significant quantities of green sawdust, wood shavings, and lumber off-cuts which is utilised for a 10MWth steam and electricity co-generation plant.

Much more of New Zealand's forest harvest leftovers could be converted into valuable energy, according to a study commissioned by the Forest Industry Development Agenda (FIDA).
Production of biomass fuels from forest harvest residue is not a new idea, but the FIDA research highlights the potential for turning New Zealand's harvest residue - about one million tonnes a year - into energy for the industrial heat sector and beyond.