LandGenerator - clean, cheap, efficient rural energy from biowastes by Unicorn Power Ltd.
Pitch
Developing modular, small, chimney-free biowaste power plants for electricity/heat/cold, based on an unique, patented gas-cleaning method.
Description
Summary
Which problem are we solving?
Small, 24/7 containerized power plants with no CO2 emissions at a price of below $1.50/kWe, providing energy independence for people, typically where there is no grid available or where it's expensive.
How are we addressing the problem?
The low cost, small size and lack of emissions are achieved by integrating the reactor and a generator in a container with extremely compact, electric gas-cleanup device, using<1% of generated energy. This unique gas scrubber is based on expired patents and know-how, acquired in over 3 years of work in this field.This prior work resulted in some demonstration devices that need now to be improved.
What’s new and unique about our idea?
All the gas cleaning is done either by high-temperature cracking which lowers the energy contained in gas (tars turn into useless heat) or by filtration which also reduces the energy of gas. In our power plants the use of a novel electric scrubber translates into higher efficiency and lower costs.
How are we going to earn money?
Initially we will build & sell LandGenerators (range 20-500 kWe) but later we can supply them in exchange for PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). The 1500 euro/kWe price point is low enough to sell the equipment to green energy users and to roll it into energy prices. Assembled locally.
How many tons of CO2 could your project save?
Each MW(e) from biowastes reduces the fossil fuel emissions of CO2 by approx. 6000 metric tonnes/year (ref.: EPA). Within 10 years the expected installed power of LandGenerators will exceed 500 MWe, answering so far unsatisfied demand.This will result in approx. 700k metric tonnes/yr of avoided CO2 emissions.The above estimate is speculative in nature and depends on a number of commercial and societal factors
Category of the action
Reducing emissions from electric power sector.
What actions do you propose?
Generate energy cleanly and inexpensively, using unwanted biowastes
Who will take these actions?
The private sector with the policy encouragement
Where will these actions be taken?
At present, assembly base established in Eastern Europe, working with China. The manufacturing strategy based on automotive industry (assembly plants, globalized and efficient supply chain, local distributor & service networks).
Wherever clean energy is most desired and can translate most efficiently into education, healthcare and basic human dignity.
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
Moveable target, depending on the production volume.
Basic conversion is 0.69 mt CO2/MWh(e), as per 2/2014 EPA.
5000 MWe capacity means 30 billion mt CO2/yr emission reduction.
What are other key benefits?
Distributed generation based on smaller, mobile plants reduces the overall load on the grid by better matching the load to the generating location.
24/7 generation provides much-needed baseload in the grid.
Generation in island-generation mode accomodates the peak-load at industrial plants, residential developments, resorts.
Plants go where waste feedstocks are, not the other way around (energy saving on feedstock transportation).
Scalable within market realities (200-2000 kWe) due to modular construction (2000 kWe = 4 x 500 kWe modules).
Modularity improves feedstock flexibility, removes the project requirement for 15-20 year feedstock assurance.
Opportunity feedstocks become a form of energy storage, since they can be used on-demand.
What are the proposal’s costs?
Capex $1500/MWe (present)
Opex -$0.02/kWh to +$0.04/kWh, free (renewable) heat/cold
Price point example $300,000 for 200 kWe (20' container), can go down with quantity
Buyer's ROI : 2-6 years, depending on power price & feedstock cost (+/-)
Time line
First plant-making plants can be operating in 2015.
Related proposals
None to date
References
TBD (underlying 50 years of scientific research)
By:
Unicorn Power Ltd.
