Biomass Power Generation Installed Capacity to Reach At Least 82 Gigawatts Worldwide by 2020, Foreca

Biomass Power Generation Installed Capacity to Reach At Least 82 Gigawatts Worldwide by 2020, Forecasts Navigant Research

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Currently accounting for 3 percent of global electricity generation capacity, biomass power generation (biopower) is widely utilized by industrial facilities and distributed energy customers alike. Offering dispatchable, baseload support to the grid with high load reliability, biopower will continue to play a cornerstone role in meeting renewable energy targets. Biopower projects, however, remain dependent upon subsidies in most jurisdictions. Accelerated future growth depends on breakthroughs in densification processes and the commoditization of biomass resources for power production. According to a new report from Navigant Research, global installed biopower capacity will grow gradually over the remainder of this decade, from 58.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2013 to 82 GW in 2020, under a conservative forecast scenario.

Under a more aggressive scenario, installed capacity could reach 128.5 GW in 2020, the study concludes. The aggressive forecast scenario assumes an accelerated rate of biopower installations across all regions, driven by factors including expanding trade flows in densified biomass, a surge in biomass integration across coal-burning power plants, and faster rates of integrated biorefinery infrastructure expansion, as well as other industrial cogeneration opportunities.

"While biomass feedstocks are available worldwide, the logistical challenges associated with its collection, aggregation, transportation, and handling, coupled with its poor energy density relative to fossil fuels, make the commercial generation of electricity from biomass viable in only a narrow set of circumstances," says Mackinnon Lawrence, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. "The global biopower market currently faces a number of conflicting signals, and the use of biomass as a source of commercial power - despite incorporating proven technologies - still entails financing risk, limiting its expansion in comparison to other renewables."

Although the future of dedicated biopower facilities remains uncertain, biopower can also optimize existing industrial processes. Increasingly, the utilization of biomass is improving the efficiency and profitability of facilities as a fuel for combined heat and power installations, reducing coal emissions through co-firing, and providing onsite generation for industrial facilities like biorefineries. According to the report, the growth outlook for these applications remains positive.

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. The report also quantifies the expected supply of electricity from biomass and the amount of feedstock consumed at generation facilities on an annual basis. Worldwide revenue and capacity forecasts, segmented by application and region, extend through 2020. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Utilities, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYS: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, "Market Data: Biomass Power Generation," is a summary and reflects Navigant Research's current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report's conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.

Navigant Research
Richard Martin, +1-303-493-5483
richard.martin@navigant.com
or
Laverne Murach, +1-202-481-7336
laverne.murach@navigant.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Biomass Power Generation Installed Capacity to Reach At Least 82 Gigawatts Worldwide by 2020, Forecasts Navigant Research originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.