TAMA AERNOVA - Cutting-edge solutions for reducing the environmental impact of biomass plants and power stations

Solid and liquid biomass is an important source of clean energy and one of the most versatile alternatives to fossil fuels, defined as any degradable organic material - such as wood, agricultural and food waste, dedicated crops (EU Directive 2018/2001). Its conversion takes place through combustion processes in dedicated plants to produce steam to generate electricity by driving a turbine or to generate energy for heating systems, either for their own plants or to supply urban networks for energy cogeneration and district heating. 

Although biomass is crucial for improving the management of organic recycling and reducing the concentration of CO₂ in the air, its conversion poses a potential problem from the point of view of acid pollutants derived from the combustion of organic matter.  The fumes and inorganic substances that are released at high temperatures recombine in the form of particulate matter (PM), which is dangerous to human health because it is very fine and can penetrate deep into the body.

In large industrial, cogeneration and district heating plants, proper process management and reduction of pollutant emissions is possible, thanks to appropriate filtration and abatement systems. This filtration systems make the biomass plant an ideal investment for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and take in account the often-heterogeneous composition of the source material and their related treatment needs.

TAMA AERNOVA provides specific solutions to optimise the flue gas filtration chain and effectively counter potential damage from biomass processing, in compliance with current regulations. Bag filters, metal cartridge filters and ceramic candle filters are among the most effective technologies, capable of simultaneously managing both the problem of resistance to high temperatures and the control of substances released by the combustion process. Through the addition of substances such as hydrated lime, sodium bicarbonate, activated carbon and urea/ammonia, DeSOₓ (desulphurisation) and DeNOₓ (denitrification) inertisation systems neutralise acid gases, transforming them into nitrogen and water vapour, and break down heavy metals, both of which are toxic to health and could cause corrosive phenomena on industrial machinery.

Our company's commitment to increasingly sustainable, responsible and caring practices towards the planet and healthy workplaces reflects the vision of broader goals of the green transition and the fight against energy poverty, outlined at European level by the Green Deal and reinforced by the REPowerEU Plan of 2022.

Many States, a widespread commitment to clean and sustainable energy from biomass combustion

To balance environmental sustainability and energy needs, the countries of the European community are activating policies to support specific programmes to support innovation in the biomass sector and to promote cleaner and more efficient technologies that respect:

1. Environmental regulations regarding emissions of particulate matter and other pollutants
2. Sustainability of raw materials 
3. Plant capacity limitations
4. Regular checks and audits to guarantee compliance to the regulations

Sweden, Finland, and Austria stand out: with a long tradition of using biomass, they support the production of energy from renewable sources with heavy investments and severe combustion regulations. 

In Germany, biomass incentives are part of a broader strategy to reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels to zero; a clear example is the Renewable Energy Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, EEG), the promotion of the Federal Fund for Energy Efficiency (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau - KfW) for the access to incentives and funding to favour the installation of new plants, the upgrading of existing ones or the implementation of cleaner technologies. Germans are very active at regional level too: Bavaria has implemented the Bavarian Energy Transition programme, which includes specific incentives for biomass; in Niedersachsen, the use of biomass is actively promoted through the Biomasse als Energieträger programme; Brandenburg has developed a biomass action plan, offering financial support for initiatives that aim to increase the use of biomass and reduce emissions. In all cases, both state and regional incentives require plants to be certified, to use resources sustainably and to comply with the BImSchG (Clean Air Act), which sets specific requirements for the authorisation and operation of biomass plants. 

In the UK, biomass policies focus on promoting renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. Several instruments are promoted: Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI), payments for heat production from renewable sources, including biomass; Contract for Difference CfD, which offers a fixed price for electricity from biomass plants, providing financial stability for investors; and further financing programmes and tax breaks for investments in green technologies.

Last but not least, Italy and the Netherlands are developing policies to encourage the use of biomass for energy production, with a view to clean and sustainable combustion. Through laws deriving from the EU Directive 2023/179 for energy efficiency, research programmes and state subsidies such as the Transition 5.0 Plan promoted by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy to facilitate digital innovation and energy transition, Italy is also trying to integrate biomass permanently among indigenous sources of supply, contributing to a more sustainable future.