Navigant: Biomass power generation installed capacity to reach at least 82 GW by 2020

By: Steve Monday June 10, 2013 Tags: biomass, biopower, Boulder, Mackinnon Lawrence, Navigant

BOULDER - A new report by Navigant Research shows global installed biopower capacity will grow gradually over the remainder of this decade, from 58.6 gigawatts (GW) to 82 GW by 2020.

The report said that is a conservative projection and the total installed capacity could grow to as much as 128.5 GW. That estimate is based on an accelerated rate of biopower installations across all regions, expanded trade in densified biomass, a surge in biomass integration across coal-burning power plants, faster rates of integrated biorefinery infrastructure expansion and other industrial cogeneration opportunities.

"While biomass feedstocks are available worldwide, the logistical challenges associated with collection, aggregation, transportation and handling - coupled with its poor energy density relative to fossil fuels - make the commercial generation of electricity with biomass viable in only a narrow set of circumstances," said Mackinnon Lawrence, Navigant's principal research analyst.

The report, "Market Data: Biomass Power Generation," provides capacity and revenue forecasts, market sizing and market share analysis for electricity production from biomass, covering dedicated/co-fired, anaerobic digestion and biorefinery facilities.

An executive summary of the report is available for free download at www.navigantresearch.com.