BIOMASS AND DISTRICT-HEATING SYSTEMS

New technologies for biomass gasification are being developed which in crease the potential to cogenerate electricity and may reduce costs co mpared with steam turbine technology. Cogeneration is a more energy-ef ficient way to convert biomass into heat and electricity than separate electricity and heat production. The potential to cogenerate electric ity in the Swedish district-heating systems is estimated to be 20% of current electricity production when using combined cycle technology. T he electricity and heat costs from cogeneration with biomass ate highe r than the costs from fossil fuel plants at current fuel prices when e xternal costs are excluded.