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North American Biomass and Waste-to-Energy Market
Frost & Sullivan, March 2010, Pages: 72
Rising energy prices, the growing dependency of the United States on foreign oil, and environmental concerns have lead to increasing government and public interest in renewable sources of electricity generation. Competitive and efficient biomass and waste to energy production, collection, and conversion technologies can make an extensive contribution to the energy mix of the country, and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. The present research service analyzed the North American biomass and waste to energy market along with revenues and installed capacity forecasts. Supported by identifying the drivers and restraints, as well as challenges, facing this market.
Introduction
Rising energy prices, growing dependency of the United States on imported oil, and increasing environmental concerns have led to increase in government and public interest in renewable sources of electricity generation.
Competitive and efficient biomass and waste-to-energy production, collection, and conversion technologies can make an extensive contribution to the energy mix of countries, and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.
Additionally, the use of biomass for energy causes no increase in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. As trees and plants grow, they remove carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. If the amount of new biomass growth balances the biomass used for energy, bio energy is carbon dioxide ‘neutral.’
However, the waste-to-energy market has suffered a stagnation in development, mainly due to public opposition. The ‘not in my back yard’ syndrome prevails, irrespective of the actual emissions impact of the plant, thus making commissioning a new plant very difficult.
The biomass energy segment has enjoyed higher growth rates in comparison to the waste-to-energy segment. This is mainly due to the increasing demand from the pulp and paper industry and the use of biomass co-fired with coal in existing boilers as a method to reduce the emission rates and comply with Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations.
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled North American Biomass and Waste-to-Energy Market provides drivers, restraints, and a competitive landscape analysis. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: biomass (forest residue and wood waste, crop residues, and energy crops) and waste (urban wood waste and municipal solid waste); and technologies: thermochemical and bacteria.
Market Overview
Governments Offer Incentives for Biomass and Waste-to-energy Initiatives to Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels
The economic downturn of 2009 had a telling effect on the biomass and waste-to-energy market, with financing for new projects and demand slowing down. Market participants also had to deal with the challenges of permitting delays and higher capital and generation costs compared to conventional energy sources. However, once the economy rebounds, the prices of conventional electricity are likely to increase, thereby narrowing its advantage over the biomass and waste-to-energy market. The government is also expected to promote the latter through subsidies and incentives and thereby, quell concerns about energy security. The volatility of fuel prices, rising electricity generation costs, and continuously escalating natural gas prices have made a strong case for renewable energy sources such as biomass. Increasing energy consumption, growing dependence on oil imports, and environmental concerns regarding conventional electricity generation sources have compelled governments around the world to provide and design support mechanisms and organize funding programs to promote domestic renewable energy deployment.
“In the United States, the combination of incentives for production and investments has made biomass and waste-to-energy more competitive than conventional forms of electricity generation,” says the analyst of this research. “Moreover, the renewable portfolio standards (RPS) lend predictability and encourage capital investment in the market.” Canada and almost all states in the United States have adopted RPS to improve renewable energy production. In 2009, there was 11,812 MW of biomass and waste-to-energy cumulative installed capacity in North America. The biomass segment is expected to experience higher demand from the commercial and industrial sectors. In addition, it does not face any public opposition like waste-to-energy plants do. Environmental groups and local communities have repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of waste incineration plants, by prolonging the permitting phase and consequently, deterring the implementation of new projects.
As the public lacks awareness regarding the benefits of biomass power and waste-to-energy systems, it is essential for project developers to integrate public relations and educational tools into the project. These systems can provide substantial environmental benefits such as slowing climate change, reducing acid rain, preventing soil erosion and water pollution, minimizing pressure on landfills, and providing wildlife habitat. “With many new regulations and policies in place, controlling emissions and waste reduction will become increasingly important,” notes the analyst. “Compared to common power plants, direct combustion plants can reduce waste up to 90 percent, avoid the conversion of green fields to landfills, as well as mitigate the need to transport municipal solid waste to distant landfills and thereby, lower attendant emission and fuel consumption needs.” This has prompted companies to seek new and alternative means of waste disposal.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
Biomass:
- Forest residue and wood waste
- Crop residues
- Energy crops
Waste:
- Urban wood waste
- Municipal solid waste
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Thermochemical technologies
- Bacteria technologies
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