Biopower
Biopower technologies convert renewable carbon fuels (i.e., lignocellulosic biomass) into heat and electricity using processes similar to those used with fossil fuels. There are three ways to release the energy stored in biomass to produce biopower: combustion (i.e., burning) to generate combined heat and biopower (CHP), bacterial decay to produce intermediate fuels (e.g., biogas) CHP applications, and thermal conversion to gas and liquid intermediate fuels for CHP applications.
Leveraging its deep expertise in forest resources, the Center for Renewable Carbon is developing the science and engineering necessary to deploy technologies for Real. Life. Solutions. A key emphasis of the Center’s effort is the development of at-scale thermochemical conversion technologies for decentralized biopower generation. For example, through a collaborative project with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, the Center for Renewable Carbon is currently conducting research into developing a mobile, decentralized power generation system for biopower production in isolated communities vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes.
