Topic A.7: Generation of energy from the end products of cascade utilization

At the end of the cascade utilization cycle, there is often a possibility to generate energy (instead of dumping). Preliminary work has already investigated the suitability of various agricultural by-products and residual biomass for the generation of energy (Rehnert et al., 2007; Wegener, Lücke, 2008; Vasylenko et al., 2008). By means of selected manufacturing choices (light wood-based panels, wood plastic composite and pulp), which are based on the cascade utilization of renewable resources, the resulting end and waste products are examined for their suitability for energy generation in this topic. On the one hand, this comprises an analysis of the residue materials’ physical and chemical properties (see topics A.2, A.3 and A.4), regarding their energy generation possibilities. Typical characteristics are organic dry matter, grain size distribution, heat value, and ash melting point. On the other hand, material and energy balances (see topic B.7) can be established, which also permit an environmental and economic assessment of the value chains. The selected utilization paths should be explored regarding how the value chains are changed by the cascade utilization on a business-related level and the influence that these changes will have on quantitative and qualitative aspects of the resulting end and waste products (Mansoornejad et al., 2010). Operational research methods have already been developed to solve single and multi-stage partitioning problems in corporate networks (Fromen, 2004). Some preliminary studies describe the deployment of linear optimization of Biomass-to-Liquid (BtL) concepts (Lauven, Geldermann, 2010), as well as the production and logistics planning in bioenergy villages (Uhlemair et al., 2010).

From the findings, models will be available for the assessment of energy generation from the end products of a cascade utilization, as well as for the identification of appropriate utilization pathways. This necessitates close co-operation with topic B.1. Based on this, proposals can be drawn up for the assignment (allocation) of the energy and material expenditure for the different products in the supply chain, and suggestions made for price incentives (see topic C.6)