1st Edition
Technologies for Converting Biomass to Useful Energy Combustion, Gasification, Pyrolysis, Torrefaction and Fermentation
Officially, the use of biomass for energy meets only 10-13% of the total global energy demand of 140 000 TWh per year. Still, thirty years ago the official figure was zero, as only traded biomass was included. While the actual production of biomass is in the range of 270 000 TWh per year, most of this is not used for energy purposes, and mostly it is not used very efficiently. Therefore, there is a need for new methods for converting biomass into refined products like chemicals, fuels, wood and paper products, heat, cooling and electric power. Obviously, some biomass is also used as food – our primary life necessity. The different types of conversion methods covered in this volume are biogas production, bio-ethanol production, torrefaction, pyrolysis, high temperature gasifi cation and combustion.
This book covers the suitability of different methods for conversion of different types of biomass. Different versions of the conversion methods are presented – both existing methods and those being developed for the future. System optimization using modeling methods and simulation are analyzed to determine advantages and disadvantages of different solutions. Many international experts have contributed to provide an up-to-date view of the situation all over the world. These global perspectives and the inclusion of so much expertise of distinguished international researchers and professionals make this book unique.
This book will prove useful and inspiring to professionals, engineers, researchers and students as well as to those working for different authorities and organizations.
1. An overview of thermal biomass conversion technologies
Erik Dahlquist
2. Simulations of combustion and emissions characteristics of biomass-derived fuels
Suresh K. Aggarwal
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Thermochemical conversion processes
2.2.1 Direct biomass combustion
2.2.2 Biomass pyrolysis
2.2.3 Biomass gasification
2.3 Syngas and biogas combustion and emissions
2.3.1 Syngas combustion and emissions
2.3.2 Non-premixed and partially premixed syngas flames
2.3.3 High pressure and turbulent syngas flames
2.3.4 Syngas combustion in practical devices
2.4 Biogas combustion and emissions
2.5 Concluding remarks
3. Energy conversion through combustion of biomass including animal waste
Kalyan Annamalai, Siva Sankar Thanapal, Ben Lawrence,Wei Chen, Aubrey Spear & John Sweeten
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Overview on energy conversion from animal wastes
3.2.1 Manure source
3.3 Biological conversion
3.3.1 Digestion
3.3.2 Fermentation
3.4 Thermal energy conversion
3.5 Fuel properties
3.5.1 Proximate and ultimate analyses
3.5.2 Empirical formula for heat values
3.5.2.1 The higher heating value per unit mass of fuel
3.5.2.2 The higher heat value per unit stoichiometric oxygen
3.5.2.3 Heat value of volatile matter
3.5.2.4 Volatile matter and stoichiometry
3.5.2.5 Stoichiometric A:F
3.5.2.6 Flue gas volume
3.5.3 Fuel change and effect on CO2
3.5.4 Air flow rate and multi-fuels firing
3.5.5 CO2 and fuel substitution
3.6 TGA studies on pyrolysis and ignition
3.6.1 Pyrolysis
3.7 Model
3.7.1 Single reaction model: Conventional Arrhenius method
3.7.2 Parallel Reaction Model (PRM)
3.8 Chemical kinetics
3.8.1 Activation energy from single reaction model
3.8.2 Activation energies from parallel reaction model
3.9 Ignition
3.9.1 Ignition temperature
3.10 Cofiring
3.10.1 Experimental set up and procedure
3.10.2 Experimental parameters
3.10.3 O2 and equivalence ratio
3.10.4 CO and CO2 emissions
3.10.5 Burnt fraction
3.10.6 NOx emissions
3.10.7 Fuel nitrogen conversion efficiency
3.11 Cofiring FB with coal
3.11.1 NO emissions with longer reactor
3.11.2 Effect of blend ratio
3.12 Reburn
3.13 Low NOx Burners (LNB)
3.14 Gasification
3.14.1 Experimental setup
3.14.2 Experimentation
3.14.3 Experimental procedure
3.14.4 Results and discussion
3.14.4.1 Fuel properties
3.14.4.2 Experimental results and discussion
3.14.4.2.1 Temperature profiles for air gasification
3.14.4.2.2 Temperature profiles for enriched air gasification and CO2: O2 gasification
3.14.4.2.3 Gas composition results with air
3.14.4.2.4 Gas composition results with enriched air and CO2: O2 mixture
3.14.4.2.5 HHV of gases and energy conversion efficiency
3.15 Summary and conclusions
4. Co-combustion coal and bioenergy and biomass gasification: Chinese experiences
Changqing Dong & Xiaoying Hu
4.1 Biomass resources in China
4.1.1 Agricultural residues
4.1.2 Livestock manure
4.1.3 Municipal and industrial waste
4.1.4 Wood processing remainders
4.2 Co-combustion in China
4.2.1 Introduction
4.2.2 Methods and technologies
4.2.3 Advantages and disadvantages
4.2.4 Research status
4.2.4.1 Different biomass for co-combustion
4.2.4.2 Biomass gasification gas for co-combustion 1
4.2.4.3 Pollutant emissions from co-combustion
4.2.4.3.1 The influence of solid biomass fuel
4.2.4.3.2 The influence of biomass gasification gas
4.2.5 The applications of co-combustion in China
4.2.5.1 Chuang Municipality Lutang Sugar Factory
4.2.5.2 Fengxian XinYuan Biomass CHP Thermo Power Co., Ltd
4.2.5.3 Heilongjiang Jiansanjiang Heating and Power Plant
4.2.5.4 Baoying Xiexin Biomass Power Co., Ltd
4.2.6 Shiliquan power plant
4.3 Biomass gasification in China
4.3.1 Introduction
4.3.2 Gasification technology development
4.3.3 Biomass gasification gas as boiler fuel
4.3.3.1 The feasibility of biomass gasification gas as fuel
4.3.3.2 The superiority of biomass gasification gas as fuel
4.3.4 Biomass gasification gas used for drying
4.3.5 Biomass gasification power generation
4.3.6 Biomass gasification for gas supply
4.3.7 Hydrogen production from biomass gasification
4.3.8 Biomass gasification polygeneration scheme
4.3.9 Policy-oriented biomass gasification in China
4.3.9.1 Guide public awareness
4.3.9.2 Government investment in R&D of key technologies
4.3.9.3 Fiscal incentives and market regulation measures
4.4 Conclusions
4.4.1 Co-combustion
4.4.2 Gasification
5. Biomass combustion and chemical looping for carbon capture and storage
Umberto Desideri & Francesco Fantozzi
5.1 Feedstock properties
5.1.1 Biomass and biofuels definition and classification
5.1.2 Biomass composition and analysis
5.1.3 Biomass analysis
5.1.3.1 Moisture content (EN 14774-2, 2009)
5.1.3.2 Ash content (EN 14775, 2009)
5.1.3.3 Volatile matter (EN 15148, 2009)
5.1.3.4 Heating value (EN 14918, 2009)
5.1.3.5 Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content (EN 15104, 2011)
5.1.3.6 Density (EN 15103, 2010)
5.1.3.7 Sulfur content analysis (EN 15289, 2011)
5.1.3.8 Chlorine and fluorine content analysis (EN 15289, 2011)
5.1.3.9 Chemical analysis (EN 15297, 2011 and EN 15290, 2011)
5.1.3.10 Size (CEN/TS 15149-1:2006, CEN/TS 15149-2:2006, CEN/TS 15149-3:2006)
5.2 Combustion basics
5.2.1 Introduction
5.2.2 Heating and drying
5.2.3 Pyrolysis and devolatilization
5.2.4 Char oxidation (glowing or smoldering combustion)
5.2.5 Volatiles oxidation (flaming combustion)
5.2.6 Combustion rates, flame temperature and efficiency
5.3 Combustors
5.3.1 Introduction to biomass combustion systems
5.3.2 Fixed bed combustion
5.3.2.1 Pile burners
5.3.2.2 Grate burners
5.3.3 Moving bed combustors
5.3.3.1 Suspension burners
5.3.3.2 Fluidized bed combustors
5.3.4 Design and operation issues
5.3.4.1 Design principles
5.3.4.2 Deposit and slagging problems
5.4 Chemical looping combustion
5.4.1 Chemical looping processes
5.4.2 Chemical looping reactions
6. Biomass and black liquor gasification
Klas Engvall, Truls Liliedahl & Erik Dahlquist
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Theory of gasification
6.3 Operating conditions of importance for the product composition
6.3.1 Fuel types and properties
6.3.1.1 Biomass
6.3.1.2 Black liquor
6.3.1.3 Biomass properties of importance for gasification
6.3.2 Gasifying agent
6.3.3 Temperature
6.4 Gasification systems
6.4.1 Gasification technologies
6.4.1.1 Fixed bed
6.4.1.1.1 Updraft gasifiers
6.4.1.1.2 Downdraft gasifers
6.4.1.1.3 Cross-draft gasifers
6.4.1.2 Fluidized bed gasifiers
6.4.1.2.1 BFB and CFB reactors
6.4.1.2.2 Dual fluidized bed reactors
6.4.1.3 Entrained flow gasifier
6.4.2 Gas cleaning and upgrading
6.4.2.1 Tar and tar removal
6.4.2.2 Thermal and catalytic tar decomposition
6.4.2.2.1 Thermal processes for tar destruction
6.4.2.2.2 Catalytic processes for tar destruction
6.4.2.2.3 Dolomite catalysts
6.4.2.2.4 Nickel catalysts
6.4.2.2.5 Alkali metal catalysts
6.4.2.3 Removal of other impurities found in the product gas
6.4.2.3.1 Alkali metal compounds
6.4.2.3.2 Fuel-bound nitrogen
6.4.2.3.3 Sulfur
6.4.2.3.4 Chlorine
6.5 Gasification applications
6.5.1 Biomass gasification
6.5.1.1 BFB gasifier at Skive
6.5.1.2 CortusWoodRoll gasification technology
6.5.1.2.1 Güssing plant
6.5.2 Black liquor gasification
6.5.2.1 BL gasification using fluidized bed technology
6.5.2.2 BL gasification using entrained flow technology
6.6 Modelling of gasification systems
6.6.1 Material and energy balance models
6.6.1.1 An empirical model for fluidized bed gasification
6.6.2 Kinetic models
6.6.3 Equilibrium models
6.6.3.1 Simulations using an equilibrium model compared to experimental data
6.7 Outlook
6.7.1 Biomass gasification
6.7.2 Black liquor gasification
7. Biomass conversion through torrefaction
Anders Nordin, Linda Pommer, Martin Nordwaeger & Ingemar Olofsson
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Torrefaction history
7.2.1 Origin of torrefaction processes
7.2.2 Modern torrefaction work (1980–)
7.3 Torrefaction process
7.3.1 Energy and mass balances
7.3.2 Solid product characteristics
7.3.2.1 Elemental compositional changes
7.3.2.2 Heating value and volatile content
7.3.2.3 Friability, grinding energy and powder characteristics
7.3.2.4 Feeding characteristics
7.3.2.5 Hydrophobic properties and fungal durability
7.3.2.6 Molecular composition and changes
7.3.3 Gases produced
7.3.3.1 Permanent gases
7.3.3.2 Condensable gases
7.4 Subsequent refinement processes
7.4.1 Washing
7.4.2 Densification
7.4.2.1 Pelleting
7.4.2.2 Briquetting
7.5 Torrefaction technologies
7.5.1 General
7.5.2 Technologies under development or demonstration
7.5.3 Status of the present production plants erected
7.6 End-use experience
7.7 System analyses and process integration
7.7.1 Importance of total supply chain analysis
7.7.2 Process and system integration
7.8 Economic aspects of torrefaction systems
7.8.1 Investment and operating costs
7.8.2 Costs versus total supply chain savings
7.9 Outlook
8. Biomass pyrolysis for energy and fuels production
Efthymios Kantarelis, Weihong Yang & Wlodzimierz Blasiak
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Technologies
8.2.1 Biomass reception and storage
8.2.2 Fast pyrolysis reactors
8.2.2.1 Bubbling fluidized beds
8.2.2.2 Circulating fluidized bed reactors
8.2.2.3 Rotating cone reactors
8.2.3 Char separation
8.2.4 Liquid recovery
8.3 Products and applications
8.3.1 Char
8.3.2 Bio-oil
8.3.2.1 Composition and properties
8.3.2.1.1 Homogeneity
8.3.2.1.2 Water content
8.3.2.1.3 Viscosity/rheological properties
8.3.2.1.4 Acidity
8.3.2.1.5 Heating value
8.3.2.1.6 Stability
8.3.2.1.7 Health and safety
8.3.2.1.8 Other important properties
8.3.2.2 Bio-oil applications
8.3.2.2.1 Heat and power
8.3.2.2.2 Gasoline and diesel fuels
8.4 Modeling
8.4.1 One step models
8.4.2 Models with competing parallel reactions
8.4.2.1 Models with secondary reactions
8.5 Recent trends and developments
8.6 Conclusions
9. Solid-state ethanol production from biomass
Shi-Zhong Li
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 The history of SSF
9.2 The principle of SSF
9.2.1 Microorganisms in SSF
9.2.2 The substrate in SSF
9.2.2.1 The source of the substrate
9.2.2.2 The character of the substrate
9.2.2.3 The water content of the substrate
9.2.2.4 The solid-phase properties of substance
9.3 The process of SSF
9.3.1 The characteristics of SSF
9.3.1.1 Cell growth and measurement of products
9.3.1.2 Sterile control
9.3.2 The effective factors of SSF
9.3.2.1 Carbon and nitrogen sources
9.3.2.2 Temperature and heat transfer
9.3.2.3 Moisture and water activity
9.3.2.4 Ventilation and mass transfer
9.3.2.5 pH value
9.3.3 SSF reactors
9.3.3.1 Static SSF reactor
9.3.3.2 Dynamic SSF reactor
9.3.3.3 Rotary drum SSF reactor and modeling progress
9.4 Progress of SSF research
9.5 Application of SSF in biomass energy fields
9.5.1 Sweet sorghum stalk liquid fermentation technology
9.5.2 Sweet sorghum stalk SSF technology
9.5.3 The prospect of SSF
9.5.3.1 Basic theory for research
9.5.3.2 SSF reactor design and scale-up
9.5.3.3 The SSF process and product contamination control
10. Optimization of biogas processes: European experiences
Anna Behrendt, S. Drescher-Hartung & Thorsten Ahrens
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Substrates for biogas processes and specialities
10.2.1 Available substrate streams for biogas processes, composition and organic amounts
10.2.1.1 Water and organic matter concentration
10.2.1.2 Requirements for pretreatment including sorting and sanitation
10.2.2 Biogas potentials and energy output
10.2.2.1 Identification of biogas potentials
10.2.2.2 Biogas potential results and energy output
10.2.2.3 Comparison of energy outputs through biogas and combustion of material
10.2.3 Conclusion: Can energy from waste compete with energy from renewable products?
10.3 Current biogas technologies and challenges
10.3.1 Biogas fermenter technology
10.3.1.1 Dry digestion application – Examples of biogas plants in Germany
10.3.1.1.1 Plug flow fermenter
10.3.1.1.2 Tower fermenter
10.3.1.1.3 Garage fermenter
10.3.1.2 Wet digestion applications
10.3.1.2.1 System example
10.3.1.2.2 Use of residual waste
10.3.1.3 Laboratory scale technology
10.3.1.3.1 Plug flow fermenter
10.3.1.3.2 Garage fermenter
10.3.2 Regional implementation of fermenter technology
10.3.2.1 One European example: Conditions in Estonia (Kiili Vald)
10.3.2.2 The waste management situation in Kiili Vald
10.3.2.3 The waste management situation in Germany
10.4 Future prospects and individual regional energy solutions
10.4.1 Central and local biogas plants
10.4.1.1 Individual farm plant
10.4.1.2 Biogas parks
10.4.2 Biogas use
10.5 Questions for discussions
11. Biogas – sustainable energy solutions in Nigeria
Adeola Ijeoma Eleri
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Review of Nigeria’s current energy situation
11.3 Biogas technology in Nigeria
11.3.1 Technical characteristics of biogas digester
11.3.2 Mechanisms of methanogenesis
11.4 Potentials of biogas technology for sustainable development
11.5 Barriers to biogas technology
11.6 Recommendations for scaling up biogas technology in Nigeria
11.7 Conclusions
12. The influence of biodegradability on the anaerobic conversion of biomass into bioenergy
Rodrigo A. Labatut
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Theoretical aspects and assessment of substrate biodegradability
12.3 Factors limiting substrate biodegradability
12.3.1 Bioenergetics: Cell synthesis vs. metabolic energy
12.3.2 Polymer complexity
12.3.2.1 Carbohydrates
12.3.2.2 Proteins
12.3.2.3 Lipids
12.3.3 Inhibition of biochemical reactions
12.4 Biodegradability of complex, particulate influents: Co-digestion studies
12.4.1 The effect of substrate composition on fD and Bo: BMP studies
12.4.2 Implications of influent biodegradability on anaerobic digestion systems
12.5 Conclusions
13. Pellet and briquette production
Torbjörn A. Lestander
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Standardization of solid biofuels
13.3 Feedstock for densification
13.3.1 Raw materials
13.3.2 Biomass has orthotropic mechanical properties
13.4 Pretreatment before densification
13.4.1 Grinding
13.4.2 Pre-heating (e.g. steam addition)
13.4.3 Steam explosion
13.4.4 Ammonia fiber expansion
13.4.5 Drying
13.4.6 Torrefaction
13.5 Densification techniques
13.6 Mechanisms of bonding
13.7 Health and safety aspects when handling pellets and briquettes
13.8 Conclusion
13.9 Questions for discussion
14. Dynamic modeling and simulation of power plants with biomass as a fuel
Yrjö Majanne
14.1 Introduction
14.1.1 Use of biomass as an energy source
14.1.2 Modeling of biomass combustion
14.2 Simulation in power plant design and operation
14.2.1 Simulation tools
14.2.2 Simulator requirements
14.3 Biomass as a fuel
14.4 Biomass-fired power plants
14.4.1 Grate combustion
14.4.2 Fluidized bed combustion
14.4.2.1 Bubbling fluidized bed combustion
14.4.2.2 Circulating fluidized bed combustion
14.5 Modelling of biomass combustion
14.5.1 Thermodynamic properties
14.5.1.1 Thermal conductivity
14.5.1.2 Specific heat
14.5.1.3 Heat of formation
14.5.1.4 Heat of reaction
14.5.1.5 Ignition temperature
14.5.2 Combustion process
14.5.2.1 Drying and ignition
14.5.2.2 Pyrolysis and combustion of volatile components
14.5.2.3 Combustion of remaining charcoal
14.6 Conclusions
14.7 Questions for discussions
15. Optimal use of bioenergy by advanced modeling and control
Bernt Lie & Erik Dahlquist
15.1 Current and future work in bioenergy system automation
15.2 Overview of processes
15.2.1 Biomass
15.2.2 Thermochemical processes
15.2.3 Biochemical processes
15.2.3.1 Fermentation
15.2.3.2 Anaerobic digestion
15.2.3.3 Biochemical processing
15.2.4 Characterization of processes
15.3 Process information
15.3.1 Sensors and instrumentation
15.3.2 Modeling and process description
15.3.2.1 Mechanistic models
15.3.2.2 Models and model error
15.3.2.3 Empirical models
15.3.2.4 Model building and model simulation
15.3.3 Monitoring and fault detection
15.4 Process operation
15.4.1 Control and maintenance
15.4.2 Management and integration into product grids
15.5 Diagnostics and control using on-line physical simulation models
15.5.1 Introduction
15.5.2 Approach description
15.5.3 Boiler
15.5.4 Other energy conversion processes
15.5.5 Model validation and results
15.5.6 Discussion
15.6 Conclusions and questions for discussion
16. Energy and exergy analyses of power generation systems using biomass and coal co-firing
Marc A. Rosen, Bale V. Reddy & Shoaib Mehmood
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Background
16.2.1 Co-firing and its advantages
16.2.2 Global status of co-firing
16.2.3 Properties of biomass and coal
16.2.4 Technology options for co-firing
16.2.4.1 Direct co-firing
16.2.4.2 Parallel co-firing
16.2.4.3 Indirect co-firing
16.3 Relevant studies on co-firing
16.3.1 Co-firing studies
16.3.2 Experimental studies
16.3.3 Modeling and simulation studies
16.3.4 Energy and exergy analyses
16.3.5 Economic studies
16.4 Characterstics of biomass fuels and coals
16.5 Co-firing system configurations
16.6 Thermodynamic modeling, simulation and analysis of co-firing systems
16.6.1 Approach and methodology
16.6.2 Assumptions and data
16.6.3 Governing equations
16.6.3.1 Analysis of boiler
16.6.3.2 Analysis of high pressure turbine
16.6.3.3 Analysis of low pressure turbine
16.6.3.4 Analysis of condenser
16.6.3.5 Analysis of condensate pump
16.6.3.6 Analysis of boiler feed pump
16.6.3.7 Analysis of open feed water heater
16.6.4 Boiler and overall energy and exergy efficiencies
16.7 Effect of biomass co-firing on coal power generation systems
16.7.1 Effect of co-firing on overall system performance
16.7.2 Effect of co-firing on energy and exergy losses
16.7.2.1 Effect of co-firing on furnace exit gas temperature
16.7.2.2 Effect of co-firing on energy losses and external exergy losses
16.7.2.3 Effect of co-firing on irreversibilities
16.7.3 Effect of co-firing on efficiencies
16.7.3.1 Boiler energy efficiency
16.7.3.2 Plant energy efficiency
16.7.3.3 Boiler exergy efficiency
16.7.3.4 Plant exergy efficiency
16.7.4 Effect of co-firing on emissions
16.7.4.1 Energy-based CO2 emission factors
16.7.4.2 Energy-based NOx emission factors
16.7.4.3 Energy-based SOx emission factors
16.8 Conclusions
16.9 Questions for discussions
17. Control of bioconversion processes
K.P. Madhavan & Sharad Bhartiya
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Process dynamics
17.2.1 Physico-chemical models
17.2.1.1 Single vessel continuous digester for wood pulping
17.2.1.2 A physico-chemical model for the pulp digester
17.3 Approximate models to capture essential dynamics
17.3.1 Single capacity element: first order system
17.3.2 Second order system
17.3.3 Dynamics of higher order processes
17.3.4 Pure time delay processes
17.3.5 Control relevant models for process control systems design
17.3.6 Linear system identification: single-vessel digester case study
17.3.7 Discrete-time models for sampled data system
17.3.8 Discrete-time models for nonlinear processes
17.4 Basic strategies for control
17.4.1 Single feedback loop control
17.4.2 Internal model control structure
17.4.3 PI control of lower heater Kappa and blowline Kappa number
17.4.4 Single-loop control with disturbance compensation
17.4.4.1 Input disturbances: cascade control
17.4.4.2 Output disturbances: feedforward–feedback control
17.4.5 Feedback control with time delay compensation: the Smith predictor
17.4.6 Single loop control with nonlinear compensation
17.5 Unit-wide or multivariable control
17.5.1 Decentralized approach
17.5.1.1 Measures of multivariable interaction: relative gain array (RGA)
17.5.1.2 Interaction analysis for the single vessel digester
17.6 Multiple single loop control using interaction compensators: Decoupler design
17.6.1 Decoupler design for single vessel digester
17.7 Model predictive control: A multivariable control strategy
17.7.1 Linear model predictive control for the single vessel digester
17.7.2 Control results and discussion
17.8 Real-time optimization
17.9 Concluding remarks
17.10 Questions for discussion
Subject index
Biography
Erik Dahlquist, Professor Energy Technology at Malardalen University, Sweden. Focus on Biomass utilization and Process efficiency improvements. PhD 1991 at KTH. He started working at ASEA Research 1975 as engineer with nuclear power, trouble shooting of electrical equipments and manufacturing processes. In 1982 he switched to energy technology related to the pulp and paper industry. Was technical project manager for development of Cross Flow Membrane filter leading to the formation of ABB Membrane filtration. The filter is now a commercial product at Finnish Metso. 1989: project leader for ABBs Black Liquor Gasification project. 1992: Department manager for Combustion and Process Industry Technology at ABB Corporate Research, also member of the board of directors for ABB Corporate Research in Vasteras. 1996- 2002: General Manger for the Product Responsible Unit Pulp Applications world wide within ABB Automation Systems. 2000-2002 part time professor at MDU, responsible for research in Environmental, Energy and Resource Optimization. Deputy dean and dean faculty of Natural Science and Technology 2001-2007. Member of the board of Swedish Thermal Engineering Research Institute division for Process Control systems since 1999. Receiver of ABB Corporate Research Award 1989. Deputy member board of Eurosim since 2009. Member of editorial board for Journal of Applied Energy (Elsevier) since 2007. 21 patents. Approximatly 170 Scientific publications in refereed Journals or conference proceedings with referee procedure. Author of several books.