Testbädd Mellanskalig Biorbränsleförbränning - en förstudie

Conversion of biomass to heat and power plays an important role in the transition of the Swedish energy system from fossil based to renewables. For manufacturers and users of medium scale combustion plants (0.5 – approx. 15 MWth), a spectrum of challenges are accounted with both today’s and future flexible use of modern biomass fuels. Such challenges are e.g. fuel handling and processing together with combustion instabilities caused by new fuels with resulting ware-and-tear and elevated emission levels. However, the possibilities to test and try out new innovations is very limited, which is why a Test Bed has the potential to significantly contribute to the innovation growth within the sector. The purpose of this feasibility study therefore to investigate the prerequisites for the establishment of a Test Bed for Medium Scale Biomass Combustion. The fundament of the feasibility study is a survey of the existing infrastructure for testing and innovation development of medium scale biomass combustion, which could be further developed and interconnected. Furthermore, a broad inquiry has been performed among market actors, focusing on the present and future need together with existing conditions for taking part in the development of a test bed. These first two steps has then been synthesized into recommendations on how a test bed should be developed and exploited by relevant actors. The major conclusions and recommendations of the feasibility study are:  A cost efficient and innovative Test Bed system for medium scale biomass combustion could be developed by enhanced cooperation between passive test-bed like plants and systems, industrial testing plants and research activities,  Development of a test bed system is hindered by the fact that there is no clear receiver of such system on the market. Stake holder cooperation is today weak, which makes common investments and financing impossible  There is no economic support for the erection of new, dedicated test bed facilities for medium scale biomass combustion,  Pre-treatment of biomass raw material with the purpose of enhancing fuel quality simultaneously refining products from the biomass has been found to show good potential for further development of test beds. This study therefore recommends that such investigation should be taken under consideration.