About Bio-FlexGen
Bio-FlexGen is developing a combined heat and power plant (CHP) with hourly, daily and seasonal flexibility through hydrogen production from biomass. This includes the flexibility to switch from CHP mode in winter to hydrogen production when needed. Biomass also provides firm power and complements renewable sources such as wind and solar energy.
Bio-FlexGen aims to reach 50% electrical efficiency from biomass by the year 2030.
Description of success
The CHP the project is developing will have three unique, patented features:
- a high-pressure gasifier;
- a novel combustion chamber that generates temperatures up to 1 400 °Celsius; and
- a highly efficient, Biomass-fired Top Cycle (BTC) gas turbine technology.
Biomass-fired Top Cycle (BTC) Gas Turbine Success: The BTC plant can convert forestry and agriculture waste to electricity at double the efficiency of conventional steam cycle technologies. It achieves this by gasifying biomass with a high-pressure gas turbine process and massive steam injection.
The BTC plant guarantees energy flexibility and a robust system through the production of electricity from renewable biomass or from green hydrogen. In addition, the plant can switch from producing electricity to producing hydrogen when there are long periods of excess electricity. This production of hydrogen also allows carbon dioxide removal. The technology is not an emergency backup for the grid, but a balancing force for when renewable energy availability varies and prices fluctuate.
Highlights
- Developing cutting-edge BTC plant technology for energy independence.
- Applying patented technologies in gasification, combustion, and gas turbine technology.
- Producing green hydrogen or renewable electricity from biomass.
- Capturing biogenic carbon dioxide when producing green hydrogen from biomass.
- Producing two to three times more electricity when generating electricity from biomass.
Impact
Bio-FlexGen will revolutionise renewable energy supply in the EU and beyond.
The Bio-FlexGen engineers are successfully testing core technologies in combustion and gasification rigs in Stockholm and Berlin. The first BTC power plant is targeted to be ready in 2030.
Lessons
A key challenge for Bio-FlexGen is the public acceptance of biomass and hydrogen. Both are essential for our energy transition, and the project is working very hard to ensure that it is part of a circular utilisation of biomass and that it is using hydrogen in the safest possible way.
A key learning is that the project is making a real difference – those working on it are seeing how their input is contributing to a faster energy transition and therefore a better future.
Other information
- Animated film about the BTC plant :
Filmed interviews with CTO Michael Bartlett and head of combustion, Dr. Felix Güthe
Infographic/poster
- Fact Sheet:
