Bio Energy

During the generation of energy from biomass, organic materials are converted by means of biological, chemical or thermal procedures into usable bio energy. Due to its controllable mode of operation, bio energies can make a substantial contribution to cover peak load demands. Frequently energy sources from biomass conversion procedures are:
Bio Diesel Bio Ethanol BtL Fuels Bio-Gas (from anaerobic fermentation, gasification or pyrolysis) Bio Hydrogen But also raw materials such as wood pellets and vegetable oil can direct be converted to energy by thermal conversion.
Many energy carriers that can be obtained from biomass offer a direct and cost-attractive alternative to fossil fuels and feedstocks. Often these energy carriers can directly or with small modifications be used in conventional engines or turbines. A major advantage of bio energy is the closed and short-cyclic CO2 balance.
The mostly applied technical means and procedures are: Fermentation (biogas digesters) in combination with Otto engines or gas turbines Gasification in combination with Otto engines or gas turbines Fermentation for the production of bio ethanol  Combustion in combination with steam turbines or engines (e.g. stirling motor) Transesterification and Esterification for the production of bio diesel from fats and oils Pyrolysis/low temperature carbonization (understoichiometric combustion), whereby the products are used in the energy industry and occasionally in the food industry or agrarian industry  In addition in many procedures useful heat is generated as in the case of combined heat and power units (CHP).
German ProfEC possesses fundamental know-how in the field of systems design for biomass production as well as for the further processing, in order to obtain the desired bioenergy carrier. A short overview of the activities covers:
Biomass resource analyses and potential studies GIS mapping and programs for biomass potentials Bioenergy yield prognoses Consultation regarding system design and process engineering Bankable technical, financial, ecological and social feasibility studies Strategies and master plans for biomass utilization Consultation regarding incentive programs for an increased utilization of bioenergy Implementation into existing energy and power systems Consultation on project financing and agency O&M concepts Training of technicians for O&M Biomass supply chain management Project initiation and project management Project planning Evaluations and recommendations of technologies Transfer of technologies Capacity building Policy advisory
Due to the discussion about sustainability of bio energy, the CO2-balance as well as the energy balance, many institutions have replaced the term bio energies by agro energies. Lead by the mission of German ProfEC we are bound to work only following principle of sustainability, because of which we maintain in our case the term bio energies. A study performed by German ProfEC about "Fermentation Products as Fertilizer" considering  Biol and Biosol can be found here.