Why Modular Biopower?

Our small systems only require about 2 lb per hour of dry biomass per kW of electricity (e.g., about 100 lb/hr for a 50 kWe system), therefore, there is little chance of exhausting the local supply of biomass. If the local supply of biomass is a residue that is left over from another operation, then the cost of this biomass can be very low. If the biomass residue must be disposed of, and the user can save money by converting this residue to useable heat and power, then the biomass has a negative feedstock cost – the only renewable energy form with a negative fuel cost!

To date, CPC has tested many biomass resources. There are literally hundreds of different feedstocks in the world that have the potential for use in a small modular biopower system.

Our BioMax modular biopower systems provide clean fuel gas to a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine. The gas is combusted to spin a generator and produce grid quality electric power ( AC or DC; 50 or 60 Hz; any common voltage). The power can be used on-site to displace electricity at its retail value or exported into the electric grid. Our systems have been interconnected to utility grids in several states.

Small systems are easy to ship, install, and connect to on-site electrical and thermal loads.
Containerized systems installed on-site avoid the cost, and time, to design, build and obtain permits for special purpose built facilities.  Containerized systems also avoid building code issues often required if extensive modifications would have been required to house a power system in an existing structure

If one has the skills to maintain an engine generator, then there will be no problem in maintaining the Gas Production Module. The maintenance of the engine in our power system is no different than it would be for any fossil-fired engine. The maintenance of the Gas Production Module includes simple tasks requiring minimal skills such as: collection of the non-toxic ash that is collected in plastic bags (you can wear a white shirt during this exercise since the bags are closed), periodic cleaning of gasifier internals, change out of filter bags, and cleaning of heat exchanger tubes with a special brush that is provided.

A containerized 75 kWe small modular biopower system can be sited in an area less than 500 square feet. When compared to other distributed renewables such as photovoltaics, this area is 95% smaller.

The photosynthetic energy stored in biomass can be converted, and delivered continuously on demand. This is different from other intermittent renewables such as photovoltaics or wind that only provide power when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.

A BioMax generates almost twice as much heat as it does electricity. By capturing the waste heat and using it along with the electricity, a BioMax can be up to 80% efficient. For comparison, wind has around 25%, and photovoltaics 15% electrical efficiency, and neither generate waste heat.

BioMax systems have automated start, operation and stop capability. Up to 80 variables are monitored continuously. Automated alerts can be sounded on-site or can be sent via phone, email or the internet. Depending on the severity of the alert, if the condition is not cleared within a specified period, the system is automatically and safely shut down. Automation eliminates the need for a dedicated operator and replaces it with the need for a part-time attendant to respond to alerts, provide biomass periodically, and perform periodic maintenance.

The BioMax uses standard commercial fossil-fired engine generators. If for some reason the BioMax is shut down, the user can always revert to the fossil fuel for power.

"The BioMax has a lower cost of energy than distributed photovoltaics or wind. This is due to the fact that the availability of the BioMax (% of time the system is producing its maximum rated power against a max of 100%) is about 3 to 4 times greater than photovoltaics or wind.

Also, the BioMax produces about the same amount of heat as it does electricity. Since the capital cost per kW for the BioMax is competitive with pv and wind, and it produces substantially more total energy (electrical + thermal), then its cost of energy is therefore significantly lower."

One of the reasons the Department of Energy launched the small modular biopower program was to take advantage of the potential for mass manufacture of standard systems. This is much more cost efficient than one-of-a-kind large scale biopower systems that are continually re-engineered, site built, and obsolete if the supply of biomass is exhausted.

Modular biopower is by far the most flexible of any of the distributed renewable energy forms. From a standard gas production module we can make a clean fuel gas for conversion to mechanical energy (shaft power), electrical energy, thermal energy, chemical energy (hydrogen), or liquid fuels (such as synthetic diesel fuel).

Emissions from our internal combustion engines have been measured independently and found to meet the 2003 California Air Resource Board standards. In addition, char and ash samples from both wood chips and nutshells have been measured independently and found to be non-toxic. Biomass energy conversion is considered to be greenhouse gas neutral.

Since most rural communities have an agricultural base, or are near forests, there are typically sustainable supplies of biomass as well as raw materials that can be used to make other products. Since modular biopower can use these local feedstocks to make high quality heat and power, it is possible for significant wealth creation in areas currently suffering from high poverty. A good example of this is the project done by CPC at a Philippine Coconut Processing Facility.