SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GOES MAINSTREAM: Where EU energy projects meet the media Ben Geerlings Residence...

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GOES MAINSTREAM: Where EU energy projects meet the media

Ben GeerlingsResidence Palace, Brussels

10th February 2009

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GOES MAINSTREAM

Where EU energy projects meet the media

Hydrogen from biomass


HYVOLUTION: some facts

– FP6 Integrated Project– non-thermal production of pure hydrogen from

biomass– 22 partners from 13 countries – from January 2006 until January 2011– 14 M€ budget – 10 M€ EU grant


HYVOLUTION: the partners


Aim of HYVOLUTION

To deliver prototypes of process modules which are needed to produce hydrogen of high quality in a bioprocess which is fed by multiple feedstocks(Development of a 2-stage bioprocess and construction of prototype modules for production of hydrogen)


HYVOLUTION: the whole chain!


Target of HYVOLUTION

Production costs of hydrogen in a conceptual design deemed feasible and as envisaged for hydrogen production using HYVOLUTION technology


HYVOLUTION: activities

• Progress beyond business as usual by:– testing various feedstocks– and various strains of bacteria– integrating, in a systematic way, “bio” with physics,

chemistry, engineering and socioeconomics

• Biggest challenge is reducing the production costs to make biohydrogen in 2020 competitive with conventional biofuels


HYVOLUTION 2006-2008

• Methodology for selecting biomass– crops and agro-waste considered– evaluation using eight criteria– evaluation summary in suitability map


Opportunity Cost

%dm

%carb

Transportation Distance

Plant Capacity (dry t/day)

Refining Index

Credits of Refining

Credits of Biomass Production

Sugar Beet (juice)

Wheat grain

Wheat middlings

Potato steam peels(low starch)Brew ers grain w et

Carrot press cake


HYVOLUTION 2006-2008 (2)

• Bioprocess issues– strain selection (yield, productivity, feedstock

adaptation)– strain improvement (genetic modification,

hydrogen metabolism)– robust fermentations (mixed cultures)– bioreactor configuration– process control



• Bioreactors (thermophilic and photo- fermentation)– material– costs– reactor volume– ease of use



• Gas upgrading– using a membrane contactor

H2O+MEA

non-porous layer

porous support

H2+CO 2H2

H2O + MEACOO - +

MEAH+



• Development of sensor systems for process control

• Requirements:– high concentration measurements (up to 100%)– availability at low price

– resistant to the main components (H2, CO2 and H2O)

– measurement of contaminants (O2, CH4 and H2S)



• Life cycle analysis:– identification of environmental impacts– preliminary results:

• avoid use of strip gas

• replace NaOH by Ca(OH)2

• recycle process water• avoid addition of external nutrients


HYVOLUTION: 2009-2010

• Four feedstocks selected for fermentation tests:– sugar beet– potato steam peels– wheat bran– barley straw


HYVOLUTION: 2009-2010 (2)

• Two case studies:– rural south: Thessaly, Greece– urban north: Rotterdam, The Netherlands– stand-alone plant vs. add-on plant (associated

with a local agro-industrial facility)


Hydrogen as the future bio-fuelgree

n

www.hyvolution.nlThank you for your attention!

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GOES MAINSTREAM: Where EU energy projects meet the media Ben Geerlings Residence...

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