Biomass-driven technology allows for enhanced energy conversion

Organic waste - whether from households, agriculture or agroforestry - can be used as energy resource, but is often underexploited. A team of EPFL scientists has developed a methodology to better incorporate this resource into existing power grids and gas distribution systems, depending on local availability and demand. Many energy resources are available locally, like biomass from households, farms and agroforestry operations, but how can we make the best use of them? Scientists at EPFL's Group of Energy Materials (GEM), based in Sion, set out to answer this question with an energy-optimization approach that can feed both power grids and gas pipelines. Their system uses a gasification process to turn biomasses into hydrogen, and further into methane, with the help of reversible solid-oxide cell technology (rSOCs). GEM scientists are specialized in this technology, which can both store electricity as methane (Power2Gas) and convert the methane back into electricity - with high yields in both directions. Biomass refers to all matter that is organic: wood, agricultural waste, food waste, manure, etc. It served as the main energy source for mankind before the industrial revolution led to the widespread adoption of fossil fuels (carbon and then oil/gas), and still accounts for 10% of global primary energy supply. Biomass is considered a renewable energy source as long it is produced in at least the same quantity as it is consumed, without net deforestation nor competition with food production. It is used in the form of biofuels, for generating heat, electricity, gas and various chemicals and cosmetics. Completely reversible technology