Biomass potential as a substitute for hard coal – an initial assessment

Background

The UBA study “BioRest” (FKZ 3716 43 102 0), conducted in collaboration with IZES, calculated the potential of biomass residues for energy production in Germany with a primary energy equivalent of approximately 900 PJ. Some of these potentials have a stable market demand (forest wood), some have fluctuating demand (waste wood) and some of the corresponding resources have not yet been tapped (e.g. parts of roadside wood). At the same time, the “BioRest” study found out that biomass is more advantageous from an exergetic, GHG and overall ecological perspective for the generation of process energy (high temperature) than for heat generation (low temperature), so that – also due to its reduced relevance in the field of building heating in the future – a shift in energy use towards industrial applications appears advisable. The current question from a technical, macroeconomic, business management, material flow and social perspective is to what extent the transformation of energy use from biomass to industrial process energy can be successful.

Project objective

Dillinger Hüttenwerke is actively seeking alternatives for hard coal. In this short study, IZES gGmbH identifies and evaluates the substitution potential of wood-based biomass. The key question is whether the wood potential in the greater region, together with possible imports, is sufficient to provide at least 100,000 tons of fresh wood mass. The results of the work serve as an important basis for further business decisions by the client.

Project implementation

First, the unused wood potential of the greater region is determined (AP 1) and supplemented by potential that is already in use (AP 2). In WP 3, the material flows determined in WP 1 and WP 2 are evaluated according to water content, bulk density, pollutants, current price (if possible, price development over recent years), quantities and existing competition, among other factors. This analysis enables a technical assessment of the material flows with regard to their suitability use in crude iron production processes as a substitute for hard coal.
The data collection in AP 1 and 2 is based on the updating of biomass potential in Saarland, which is currently being carried out by IZES gGmbH on behalf of the Saarland Ministry of Economics. This data is supplemented by statistical data from Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Luxembourg and France. Further international material flows – e.g. from Namibia or Brazil – are being discussed, in order to identify further options for action in addition to the regional material flows.

Client