Order this Assignment Now: £149

CHEE4075 Carbon Footprint of Renewable Energy from Biomass

CHEE4075 – Coursework Release

‘CHEE4075 Carbon footprint of renewable energy from biomass’

As a group you will need to perform a study in order to assess the carbon footprint for the production of energy, in the form of electricity, from five different types of biomass resources and compare with the carbon footprint of American coal.

Your life cycle stages should include:

the stages relevant to the production of pellets (CCaLC - Production stages) as well as,

storage of pellets (CCaLC – _STORAGE stage) and,

use of pellets for electricity production (CCaLC – _USE stage).

The biomass conversion technology used for the production of electricity should be combustion in a power plant using a stream turbine. You can select a location in the UK of your choice using

RETScreen with a specific capacity (MW) and capability in electricity output, i.e., 700,000 MWh/year.

The functional unit for performing your carbon footprint analysis could be either in mass of fuel (recommended value: 1,000 tonnes) or electricity output (recommended value: 700,000 MWh). You will need to decide this as a group, as all CCaLC models within the same group should have the same functional unit as basis for comparison.

For combustion, you may choose between a stoker or a pulverised furnace. Be mindful that this decision will dictate the particle size of your fuel and your relevant CCaLC production stages.

As you will see in your ‘Lecture 4 – Coursework Information’ slides, the target moisture of your fuels should be no more that 15%.

Each member of the group will be responsible for studying one of the fuels.

For the coursework submission one of the group members can upload your coursework related files in a folder.

Please do not forget to include your:

CCaLC files for each of your five biomass fuels and for American coal (6 CCaLC files in total),

POSTNOTE report summarising your result (according to the guidelines presented in Lecture 3.2; you can also consult `Examples of POST notes` under the `Coursework Information` tab),

An appendix/word file summarising the assumptions made for each of your CCaLC models and resources from where you derided the data used for your CCaLC.

Please post any questions related to your coursework to the Coursework related Q&A section under the ‘Coursework Information’ tab of your Moodle page. This way all your colleagues will be aware to all the relevant info communicated.

For more info, please consult ‘Lecture 4 – Coursework Information’, under your ‘Coursework Information’ tab on your moodle page.

Useful Information for Students Writing CHEE4075 Carbon Footprint of Renewable Energy from Biomass Assignment

This coursework provides an opportunity to explore the sustainability and carbon impact of energy production from biomass compared to coal. It allows you to develop practical skills in life cycle analysis (LCA) and apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world scenario. Here are key insights and guidance for navigating this assignment successfully:

Understanding the Scope

The aim is to assess and compare the carbon footprint of electricity generation using five types of biomass fuels and American coal. You will evaluate the entire lifecycle, from biomass production to electricity generation. The stages to include are:

• Production: Processes involved in preparing the biomass for use, such as pellet manufacturing.
• Storage: Energy and emissions associated with keeping the biomass ready for use.
• Usage: The combustion process in a power plant and the resulting energy output.

Choosing Your Parameters

Decisions made early will shape your analysis:

• Functional Unit: Select either 1,000 tonnes of fuel or 700,000 MWh of electricity output. Ensure all group members align on this choice.
• Combustion Technology: Opt for either a stoker furnace or a pulverized furnace, keeping in mind the implications for fuel particle size and process efficiency.
• Moisture Content: Maintain a target moisture content of no more than 15% in your fuels, as this affects combustion efficiency and emissions.

Data Collection and Modelling Tools

• CCaLC Software: Use this to model each biomass type and American coal, capturing all production, storage, and use stages. Ensure consistency in assumptions and input data to enable valid comparisons.
• RETScreen: Identify a UK location for your power plant with a capacity that supports the production of 700,000 MWh/year. RETScreen will help evaluate the feasibility of your setup.

Team Collaboration

Each group member is responsible for analysing a specific biomass fuel, which means your collective work should cover a broad spectrum of renewable resources. Regular communication will ensure alignment on methodology and assumptions, making the final comparison robust and meaningful.

Structuring Your Submission

1. CCaLC Models: Provide six files—one for each biomass fuel and coal.
2. POSTNOTE Report: Summarise your findings clearly and concisely, following the example provided in your coursework resources. Highlight key comparisons, observations, and implications.
3. Assumptions Document: Outline the assumptions made for each fuel type, referencing credible sources for your data. Transparency here strengthens the reliability of your analysis.

Critical Considerations

• Environmental Impact: Beyond emissions, consider other environmental benefits or drawbacks of using biomass.
• Coal Benchmarking: Coal serves as a baseline; explore why it remains a dominant energy source despite its environmental challenges.
• Technology Efficiency: Analyse how different furnace types influence emissions and energy output.

Tips for Success

• Work Methodically: Break the task into stages, completing each step thoroughly before moving to the next.
• Validate Assumptions: Use reliable, up-to-date sources to back your data.
• Focus on Clarity: Ensure all group members understand their roles and responsibilities to avoid duplication or omissions.
• Check Software Outputs: Verify your CCaLC results for anomalies or inconsistencies.

By approaching the task systematically and embracing teamwork, you will gain valuable insights into renewable energy`s potential to reduce carbon emissions. Use this as an opportunity to deepen your understanding of sustainable energy systems and contribute meaningful recommendations.