Evaluation of Biomass Combustion based Energy Systems by Cumulative Energy Demand and Energy Yield Coefficient

The study presents a method for a comparison of different energy systems with respect to the overall energy yield during the life cycle. For this purpose, the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) based on primary energy and the Energy Yield Factor (EYC) are introduced and determined for the following scenarios: Log wood, wood chips, and wood pellets for residential heating and – except for log wood – also for district heating. As an alternative to heat production, power production via combustion and utilisation of the electricity for decentralised heat pumps is also regarded. The scenario for power production is valid for both, dedicated power production with biomass or co-firing of biomass. The main difference between these two applications is respected with a variation of the net electrical efficiency.

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