North American Biomass for Power Generation Market

Published by: Frost & Sullivan

Published: May. 31, 2008 - 79 Pages

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

1. Market Overview

1. Introduction

2. Market Status

2. Major Research Findings

1. Market Segment Analysis

2. Major Industry Challenges

3. Major Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Strategic Recommendations

2. Conclusion

2. North American Biomass for Power Generation Market Overview

1. Market Overview

1. Introduction

2. Definition and Scope

3. Market Segmentation

2. Major Industry Challenges

1. Identification of Industry Challenges

2. Major Challenges Analysis

3. North American Biomass for Power Generation Market Forecast Analysis

1. Market Drivers and Restraints

1. Market Drivers

a. Increasing Energy Prices and Oil Imports Generates New Interest in Renewable Energy Sources

b. Need to Reduce Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emission Expected to Promote Market Growth

c. Government Incentives and Subsides Promote Interest in Biomass Energy

d. Increasing Number of Problems with Waste Lead to Increase in Installation of Biomass Power Capacity

e. Low Generation Cost Makes Biomass Power Cost-competitive with Natural Gas

2. Market Restraints

a. High Initial Investments Discourage New Plant Installations

b. Biomass Power System Complexity Increases Capital and Maintenance Costs

c. Low and Risky Return on Investment Deters Construction of New Biomass Plants

d. Competing against Other Energy Sources for Cost and Market Share

e. Uncertainty about Biomass Feedstock Supply Dissuades Plant Deployment

2. Revenue Forecasts

1. Total Biomass for Power Generation Installed Capacity Forecast

2. Biomass Installed Capacity and Revenue Forecasts by Segment

4. North American Biomass for Power Generation Market Trends

1. Technology Trends

1. Main Technology Analysis

2. Biomass Conversion Technologies

3. Feedstock Analysis

2. Customer and Price Trends

1. Customer Analysis

2. Price Analysis

5. North American Biomass for Power Generation Market Competitive Environment Analysis

1. Industry Competitive Structure

1. Industry Structure

2. Market Share Analysis

2. Major Research Findings

1. Biomass Power Strategies

2. Conclusion

6. Decision Support Database Tables

1. Decision Support Database

1. Total Electricity Installed Capacity

2. World Electricity Generation

3. Net Electricity Consumption

4. Demand Growth of Electricity Consumption

5. Installed Capacity - Other Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

This Frost & Sullivan research service on the North American Biomass for Power Generation Market provides detailed insights into the major market drivers, restraints, challenges, and strategic recommendations, along with a complete analysis of the top industry participants and competitive factors. It also offers price trends such as capital and generation costs. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: thermochemical (combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis) and bacterial technologies (anaerobic digestion).

Increased Cost of Conventional Energy Spurs Demand for Biomass Power in North America

As the price of conventional energy rises because of high input costs, there has been a greater demand for energy from renewable sources such as biomass. With the United States importing 60 percent of its fossil fuel requirements, there is a need to reduce import dependency as well. Biomass power plants have become more efficient besides qualifying for federal and state subsidies, thereby becoming cost competitive against conventional plants. As the cost of transporting feedstock biomass can be high, it is more economical to have decentralized power plants near the source of biomass. Since there is lack of experience and familiarity among policy makers, local authorities, and resource owners about biomass power plants, the demonstration of successful or best practice examples of biomass facilities will help build public confidence and increase market growth.

"Competitive and efficient biomass production, collection, and conversion technologies can make an extensive contribution to the energy mix of countries and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels," says the analyst of this research. "Biomass for power generation is a proven electricity-generation alternative in the North American energy sector, and is the single-largest source of non-hydro renewable electricity." A major portion of biomass power is generated from the paper and wood product industry as well as waste-to-energy projects.

Growing Need for a Solution to Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Boosts Biomass Power Generation

With landfills receiving negative publicity, there is an increasing need to find alternate ways to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW). In North America, landfill legislations and increasing waste volumes, among other factors, are forcing countries to rethink their waste management strategies and develop more cost-effective, sustainable solutions. Moreover, landfills are rapidly filling up and running out of capacity, and tipping fees are steadily increasing. An efficient and effective solution is to convert MSW into electricity using biomass power plants.

"However, waste-to-energy is a technology that has been met with much opposition," notes the analyst. "Hence, it is essential to make public relations and educational tools an integral part of the project; proper staffing and budget also have to be allocated in an effort to minimize the risk of delays or even cancellation of new projects." Public awareness will help in the large-scale establishment of such plants. This will lead to a gradual suspension of the concept of electricity generation from fossil fuels.

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