Through a renewable energy technology known as co-firing, the methodology permits the substitution of coal with solid biomass fuels in grid-connected power plants, reducing CO2 emissions and helping companies meet renewable energy targets.
The methodology permits the co-firing of biomass in utility-scale power plants to provide a portion of the heat to steam boilers. Biomass co-firing creates emission reductions by displacing energy generated and supplied by fossil fuels.
Biomass residues are considered a source of renewable energy in accordance with the CDM EB. However, the methodology requires that the biomass supplies are developed and maintained in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner.
Paul Soffe, associate director of EcoSecurities, said: “Biomass co-firing is a very important technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions on a large scale in coal power stations. Co-firing has been deployed extensively in Europe and is beginning to emerge in the US. However, the solid biomass supply markets remain underdeveloped which has restricted the more wide-spread deployment of co-firing.
“The approval of this methodology will help increase the production of renewable energy in the developing world and drive the necessary finance for co-firing projects to be implemented in countries with economies that remain heavily coal-dependant, in particular, China, India and South Africa.”
