LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BIOMASS-TO-ELECTRICITY

Life cycle assessment quantifies the environmental impacts of all processes used in transforming a raw material to a final product. Performed in conjunction with a technoeconornic feasibility study, the total econornic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of a process can be quantified. This technique can be used in project decision­ making, in allocating research and capital dollars, and in comparing the viability of different projects. Additionally, life cycle assessment can distinguish between truly environmentally friendly processes which either rnitigate or elirninate upstream ernissions and energy consumption, and those that are only environmentally conscious in their final production step. A biomass gasification combined-cycle power plant, consisting of a low pressure indirectly-heated gasifier integrated with an industrial gas turbine, was simulated using ASPEN Plus.® Econornic analyses were then performed to determine the levelized cost of electricity. The econornic viability and efficiency of power production from this system appear tobe quite attractive, with the cost of electricity near the competitive range of current electricity prices in the United States. To complement this study, a life cycle assessment is being performed to quantify the total benefits and drawbacks of the entire system from biomass crops through power distribution, including ernissions and costs from diverse sources such as planting and harvesting, transportation, and power production. A discussion of the econornics, efficiency, and environmental benefits of power production from this biomass-based technology, are presented.