Defining of eligible capacity for biomass cogeneration plants in small towns in Estonia

Abstract

There  is  a  high  potential  for  small-scale  and  medium scale   biomass   cogeneration   in   Estonia.   It   can   be explained  by  high  heat  loads  in  household  sector  and large availability of biomass energy sources. During   the   research   an   eligible   size   for   biomass cogeneration   capacity   in   Estonian   small   towns   was defined.  Estonian  conditions  were  taken  into  account: local  energy  sources,  fuel  and  electricity  prices,  cold climate,  state  of  local  district  heating  systems,  Estonian legislation   and   support   mechanisms   for   cogeneration plants. Heat  load  duration  curves  for  four  Estonian  small  towns with  heat  load  5-20  MW  were  taken  as  a  base  for  small-scale and medium-scale cogeneration potential.   Partial  load  cogeneration  optimal  sizing  was  researched in  this  paper.  Results  were  checked  and  approbated  by economical and environmental factors.