Biomass is gaining momentum
In South Africa, the industrial sector is gradually embracing biomass as an alternative to fossil fuels for thermal energy and steam generation. According to Associated Energy Services (AES), just over 10% of their current client base already uses biomass for steam generation, with interest growing among another 20-30% of their clients.
Agri-residues such as sunflower husks, corn cobs, peach/apricot pits, macadamia shells, straw, or plant fibers are now considered as biomass resources. A dairy client has introduced a biomass boiler to offset fuel oil usage, resulting in a substantial drop in carbon footprint and significant carbon tax savings. Similarly, a food manufacturer has a biomass hot water solution to offset liquid fuel carbon footprint, operational for 18 months and tied to a plant expansion for cost reduction and green energy mix.
However, the adoption of biomass for industrial thermal energy is not without challenges. Limited industrial adoption, maintenance and operational expertise, data and optimization needs, integration barriers and variability, market and technological barriers for advanced biomass processes, and pressure from carbon regulations are common obstacles.
Despite these challenges, success stories and positive developments are emerging. The timber and paper sectors are leading the way in biomass steam and power generation, often creating new income streams and optimizing energy use. Partnerships like AES have shown success by integrating protocols and data-driven optimization to enhance biomass combustion and steam generation efficiency.
New technologies like bio-digesters with CHP plants, gasification or pyrolysis solutions, and waste heat recovery for steam generation are also being explored. Dennis Williams, Commercial Director of AES, emphasizes the importance of partnering with a technology- and fuel-agnostic service provider for biomass conversion, emphasizing open-mindedness, clarity of goals, and decisive action.
As biomass resources get absorbed by energy plants, alternatives will become necessary, with later options potentially being more costly. Pressure is mounting for local manufacturers to switch from fossil fuels to biomass to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate carbon taxes. Retrofitting existing energy plants with biomass combustion systems is possible, offering a promising avenue for scaling up biomass thermal applications.
In summary, South African industrial biomass thermal energy use is growing but remains niche, hindered by technical, operational, and market barriers. Successes are primarily in the timber sector’s self-generation using biomass residues, supported by technical expertise and data management. Policy pressure and market trends indicate increasing adoption, though advanced biomass technologies need further development for large-scale use.
- The industrial sector in South Africa is gradually transitioning from fossil fuels to biomass for steam generation and thermal energy, with renewable energy sources like biomass becoming increasingly important for sustainability.
- Biomass resources, such as agri-residues and waste products, are being explored to replace conventional energy sources in South Africa, resulting in significant carbon footprint reductions and carbon tax savings.
- AES, an energy service provider, is working with clients to integrate biomass boilers and hot water solutions, aiming to reduce carbon footprints, cut operational costs, and promote a green energy mix.
- Adopting biomass for industrial thermal energy faces challenges, such as limited industrial adoption, operational expertise gaps, data and optimization needs, integration barriers, market and technological barriers, and pressure from carbon regulations.
- In spite of these challenges, success stories in biomass steam and power generation are evident, particularly in the timber and paper sectors, where biomass residues are often utilized to create new income streams and optimize energy consumption.
- New technologies like bio-digesters, gasification solutions, pyrolysis processes, and waste heat recovery systems for steam generation are being investigated to address the technical and operational challenges in biomass energy production, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and scalability.
