The Potential for Sustainable Biomass in the Romanian Energy Sector - Activity 10

The main objective of this activity is to provide a contextual analysis for the CO2 reduction potential of using black pellets for energy production in Romania. The secondary objectives are to map currently available technologies for using biomass in the energy sector, to do a detailed analysis of black pellets technology, to do a comparative analysis of black pellets technologies, and to estimate CO2 emissions reduction potential of the black pellet technology. Black pellets have properties similar to that of coal, thus is a promising environmentally friendly alternative for energy production. Black pellets can be produced from biomass such as wood or wood waste that can be cultivated in Romania. Precise distribution of wood waste products and amounts can be useful for more accurate evaluation of feedstock availability in Romania. Steam explosion and steam torrefaction technologies are the most utilized for black pellets production. The total CO2 estimates for power generated from black pellets and coal amount to 16.27 and 272.10 kt of CO2 per year, respectively. The significant difference in emissions is mainly due to the higher emissions associated with coal extraction and the release of CO2 during the combustion of coal for power production. Finally, power generation from black pellets results in net-zero emissions from combustion since biomass captures and stores CO2 during its lifetime.