biomass

Biomass is any plant derived organic matter available on a renewable basis, including dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants etc.  The energy in biomass can be harnessed in waste-to-energy plants or cogeneration plants.

Waste-to-Energy Plants
All incinerable waste not recovered, reused or recycled is sent for incineration at the waste-to-energy plants operated by the National Environment Agency. The combustion of municipal waste including renewables in the waste produce heat, which is recovered to generate electricity. The electricity generated is fed into the electricity grid. The biomass in Singapore's municipal waste are mainly wood waste, horticultural waste, food waste and waste paper.

Biomass Cogeneration Plants
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat, both of which are used.  Through the utilisation of the heat, the efficiency of cogeneration plant can reach 80% or more. Cogeneration therefore offers energy savings ranging between 15-40% when compared to the supply of electricity and heat from conventional power stations and boilers.  Cogeneration plants that use biomass fuel are carbon-neutral compared to those using fossil fuels.

Two companies, M/s ECO-IEE Pte Ltd and M/s Bee Joo Industries Pte Ltd have biomass cogeneration plants.  The ECO cogeneration plant has a turbine capacity of 0.53 MW and uses wood waste as fuel.  The Bee Joo cogeneration plant has turbine capacity of 1.0 MW and uses wood waste and horticulture waste as fuel.