NATURAL GAS HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES FOR A COMMERCIALLY VIABLE ROUTE TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN FOSSIL FUEL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY USE

摘要

Renewable energy will form a significant part of the electricity generation market in the future. Technologies are being developed which offer great potential but at relatively high cost. These costs are already falling, but it is necessary to encourage users to switch to renewable energy now, if international targets for renewable energy use are to be met. It is proposed that hybrid systems offer an economic way forward. By incorporating renewable energy systems into conventional, optimised natural gas based units, the user has the comfort of knowing that the fossil fuel aspects are proven but that the renewable energy contribution offers significant emissions savings and will contribute to the total developing renewable energy portfolio. This paper presents information on potential hybrid systems and the conceptual designs of units. In particular, a study jointly utilising biomass and natural gas in novel co-firing configurations will be discussed.