On the possibility for co-generation of biofuels for transport and heat for district heating systems in EU25

Other conference contribution, 2008

The gasification of biomass with subsequent conversion to liquid biofuels (BtL) results in considerable amounts of surplus heat. Some of this heat could be used in district heating (DH) systems. The aim of this study is to assess the potential for integration of BtL plants with the EU’s DH systems. The major parts of the DH systems are presently based on the use of fossil fuels. The fossil fuels are also dominating the EU transport sector. Thus, integration of BtL plants with the EU’s DH systems could contribute to EU goals of increasing the use of biomass for both heat and transport. The heat sink represented by the aggregated national DH systems is large enough to produce substantial amounts of biofuels for transport by co-generation. However, the potential contribution of the assessed option for meeting the EU target for biofuels for transport for 2020 is highly dependent on BtL plant configuration and competitiveness vs. other heat sources in the DH systems, e.g., CHP. It is found that integration of BtL with DH offers a substantial opportunity, but the attractiveness and possible impacts of expanding such systems need to be further analyzed.