The talk with present the key results of the IPCC Working Group III 5th assessment report. Concluding four years of intense scientific collaboration by hundreds of authors from around the world, the report responds to the request of the world's governments for a comprehensive, objective and policy neutral assessment of the current scientific knowledge on mitigating climate change. The report has been extensively reviewed by experts and governments to ensure quality and comprehensiveness.

Climate change 2014 - Mitigation of climate change

The increasing demand for energy and diminishing sources of fossil fuels have called for the discovery of new energy sources. The effective energy conversion process of biomass is able to fulfill energy needs. Among the advanced biomass conversion technologies, thermochemical processes hold considerable potential approaches and needed for optimization. Thus, this study presents a comprehensive review of the research and development on the effects of catalysts on the thermochemical conversion of biomass to determine the progress of catalytic thermochemical conversion processes. The effects of catalysts on torrefaction, pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and gasification are highlighted. Aspects related to reaction conditions, reactor types, and products are discussed comprehensively with the reaction mechanisms involved in the catalytic effects. Hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation can occur in the presence of zeolite catalysts during fast pyrolysis while producing highly aromatic bio-oil. A heterogeneous catalyst in liquefaction increases the hydrocarbon content and decreases viscosity, acid value, and oxygenated compounds in the bio-oil. Thus, expanding and enhancing knowledge about catalyst utilization in the thermochemical conversion technologies of biomass will play an important role in the generation of renewable and carbon-neutral fuels.

Catalytic thermochemical conversion of biomass for biofuel production: A comprehensive review

Thermodynamic analysis of a combined cooling, heating and power system based on solar thermal biomass gasification.

Conventional and energy level based exergoeconomic analysis of biomass and natural gas fired polygeneration system integrated with ground source heat pump and PEM electrolyzer

A techno-economic optimization model of a biomass-based CCHP/heat pump system under evolving climate conditions

Biomass is one of the renewable energy sources (RES) with highest potential to contribute to the world's energy needs and can thereby play a key role in the path towards smart energy systems. Smart energy systems aim to integrate all energy sectors to increase the penetration of RES in the energy supply. Biomass gasification is a key technology to fulfil the goal of sustainable RES systems. Its main product (syngas) can be used as fuel, in various conversion technologies, to produce different products, including electricity, heat, cooling, biofuels and chemicals, which makes this technology an important tool for the energy system flexibility. Initially, the present manuscript reviews the relevant studies on the use of biomass gasification in trigeneration and polygeneration systems. Subsequently, it presents a case study that assesses the potential of the use of biomass gasification in an existing Portuguese trigeneration natural gas-fired plant located in Lisboa. The literature review revealed that most of the studies analysed are based on modelling data and not on experimental and/or pilot installations data. These studies show the environmental and energy added value of this type of system but stress the system's complexity and high investment costs. As for the case study, all scenarios considered show a negative net present value; nevertheless, the decrease of the biomass cost or the increase of the natural gas cost can turn financially feasible some scenarios.

Techno-economic analysis of a trigeneration system based on biomass gasification

Energy transition is an important issue for countries trying to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets. To achieve this reduction, the Portuguese government has budgeted a total of EUR 116 M to aid energy transition in the Autonomous Region of the Azores by 2029. This work presents a solution for producing electricity using photovoltaic panels (PV) to settle in the top of the airport pavement. In addition to producing sustainable electricity, the implementation of panels in the civil airport infrastructure allows us to address the reduction of emissions in the ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and the Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program. Currently, PV panels are unable to support the weight of aircraft so the installation must be in the areas of the pavement where there is no regular aircraft traffic. As a result of the study, a production of about 9 GWh/year was achieved with an LCOE of 143 EUR/MWh, reducing emissions to about 6-ton CO2/year.

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D. Correia

Papers

Techno-economic analysis of a trigeneration system based on biomass gasification

Energy Harvesting on Airport Pavements Ambient Dependent: Ponta Delgada Airport Case Study