High-efficiency biomass boilers. State of knowledge and new developments

Summary

Biomass energy is playing an increasingly significant role in the European energy landscape (10% of the EU's final energy consumption in 2019). Among conversion facilities, biomass boilers have benefited from numerous improvements and developments in recent years, in terms of processes, flue gas treatment (fine particles, VOCs, NOx, etc.) and diversification of the fuels used. They are commonly used to power industrial processes, as part of micro-cogeneration or cogeneration installations, or to supply heating networks.

The aim of the study is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of knowledge and new developments in biomass boilers in France and abroad. Based on interviews with various stakeholders and an analysis of commercial and scientific publications and patents, this review assesses the advantages and disadvantages of systems and/or concepts designed to improve the energy and environmental performance of biomass boilers (mainly by flue gas condensation), and characterises the main obstacles to their development and opportunities.