Economical Evaluation of Biomass-fired Power Generation in Japan

Biomass, that is carbon neutral and a renewable resource, becomes attractive after the decision of Biomass-Nippon strategy in Japan. We are trying to construct a database concerning utilization of woody biomass. There are many kind of biomass and the conversion technologies are also manifold. Therefore, in this study, biomass-fired power generation was aimed because it has been already substantiated and the information would be collected easily. In general, woody biomass is more expensive than fossil fuels such as coal because it is used not only as power plant feedstock but also for building materials. Therefore, the economics of this process is an important issue, and an economical power generation system is required. In this study, the economical evaluation of biomass-fired power generation in Japan was examined. The data concerning the economics in biomass-fired power generation were collected. Finally, they were expressed as functions of plant capacity and a simulator which can evaluate the economics in brief was made.