Perspectives and economics of combining biomass liquefaction with solar PV for energy storage and electricity production

ABSTRACT

This article provides perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of integrating biomass liquefaction plants (pyrolysis, hydro-pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, liquefaction in hydrocarbon solvents, etc.) with intermittent renewables such as wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) to provide energy storage and support the development of biofuel production. A techno-economic model is used to assess the levelized cost of electricity from a plant that integrates solar PV with bio-crude production from pyrolysis and its combustion in an engine. The analysis finds that the LCOE for solar PV and biomass pyrolysis is in the range of 65 to 85 USD/MWh when using woody biomass feedstocks, making the scheme competitive with solar PV and lithium-ion batteries. This article also discusses how the integration of biomass liquefaction with intermittent renewables can aid the development of liquid biofuel value-chains by increasing bio-crude supply and supporting the establishment of biorefineries.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomass liquefaction
• pyrolysis
• biofuel production
• solar PV
• future perspectives

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