Determinación del nivel de madurez y las capacidades de las tecnologías existentes para la transformación de biomasa residual en energía eléctrica

Abstract

This work focuses on the application of the TLR (Technology Readiness Levels) methodology, proposed at NASA and used by the European Union; that allows to determine the level of maturity of any technology, in order to have up-to-date information for decision-making, regarding the choice of the most appropriate technology and the feasibility evaluation of the respective technological project. In this specific case, eight of the most common technologies for transforming residual biomass into electricity were considered. The methodology contemplates: the technological surveillance, where the technological advances are documented during the last ten years (2008-2018), the maximum biomass processing capacities (t), the productivity indices (kW t-1) are determined, and Implementation costs (equipment acquisition and operation) (USD kW-1). This work determined that the technologies with the highest level of maturity were: biodigeston, combustion and pyrolysis, meanwhile the lowest level was hydrotreatment; finding the technologies of alcoholic fermentation, pelletization, pyrolysis and liquefaction with intermediate level of maturity