Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Using waste biomass as a raw material for the combined production of electricity and heat offers corresponding energy, economic, environmental and resource efficiency benefits. The study examines both the performance of a system for combined energy production based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)...
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| Language: | English |
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2025-08-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4153 |
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| author | Penka Zlateva Angel Terziev Mariana Murzova Nevena Mileva Momchil Vassilev |
| author_facet | Penka Zlateva Angel Terziev Mariana Murzova Nevena Mileva Momchil Vassilev |
| author_sort | Penka Zlateva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Using waste biomass as a raw material for the combined production of electricity and heat offers corresponding energy, economic, environmental and resource efficiency benefits. The study examines both the performance of a system for combined energy production based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) utilizing wood biomass and the market interest in its deployment within Bulgaria. Its objective is to propose a technically and economically viable solution for the recovery of waste biomass through the combined production of electricity and heat while simultaneously assessing the readiness of industrial and municipal sectors to adopt such systems. The cogeneration plant incorporates an ORC module enhanced with three additional economizers that capture residual heat from flue gases. Operating on 2 t/h of biomass, the system delivers 1156 kW of electric power and 3660 kW of thermal energy, recovering an additional 2664 kW of heat. The overall energy efficiency reaches 85%, with projected annual revenues exceeding EUR 600,000 and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 5800 t/yr. These indicators can be achieved through optimal installation and operation. When operating at a reduced load, however, the specific fuel consumption increases and the overall efficiency of the installation decreases. The marketing survey results indicate that 75% of respondents express interest in adopting such technologies, contingent upon the availability of financial incentives. The strongest demand is observed for systems with capacities up to 1000 kW. However, significant barriers remain, including high initial investment costs and uneven access to raw materials. The findings confirm that the developed system offers a technologically robust, environmentally efficient and market-relevant solution, aligned with the goals of energy independence, sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon economy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-04509d42750c482097bcfced6883528e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-04509d42750c482097bcfced6883528e2025-08-20T04:00:54ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815415310.3390/en18154153Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy EfficiencyPenka Zlateva0Angel Terziev1Mariana Murzova2Nevena Mileva3Momchil Vassilev4Department of Thermal Engineering, Technical University of Varna, 9010 Varna, BulgariaFaculty of Power Engineering and Power Machines, Technical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Industrial Design, Technical University of Varna, 9010 Varna, BulgariaDepartment of Thermal Engineering, Technical University of Varna, 9010 Varna, BulgariaFaculty of Power Engineering and Power Machines, Technical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, BulgariaUsing waste biomass as a raw material for the combined production of electricity and heat offers corresponding energy, economic, environmental and resource efficiency benefits. The study examines both the performance of a system for combined energy production based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) utilizing wood biomass and the market interest in its deployment within Bulgaria. Its objective is to propose a technically and economically viable solution for the recovery of waste biomass through the combined production of electricity and heat while simultaneously assessing the readiness of industrial and municipal sectors to adopt such systems. The cogeneration plant incorporates an ORC module enhanced with three additional economizers that capture residual heat from flue gases. Operating on 2 t/h of biomass, the system delivers 1156 kW of electric power and 3660 kW of thermal energy, recovering an additional 2664 kW of heat. The overall energy efficiency reaches 85%, with projected annual revenues exceeding EUR 600,000 and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 5800 t/yr. These indicators can be achieved through optimal installation and operation. When operating at a reduced load, however, the specific fuel consumption increases and the overall efficiency of the installation decreases. The marketing survey results indicate that 75% of respondents express interest in adopting such technologies, contingent upon the availability of financial incentives. The strongest demand is observed for systems with capacities up to 1000 kW. However, significant barriers remain, including high initial investment costs and uneven access to raw materials. The findings confirm that the developed system offers a technologically robust, environmentally efficient and market-relevant solution, aligned with the goals of energy independence, sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon economy.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4153biomass cogenerationenergy productionOrganic Rankine Cyclewaste raw materialsenergy efficiencymarket potential |
| spellingShingle | Penka Zlateva Angel Terziev Mariana Murzova Nevena Mileva Momchil Vassilev Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency Energies biomass cogeneration energy production Organic Rankine Cycle waste raw materials energy efficiency market potential |
| title | Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency |
| title_full | Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency |
| title_fullStr | Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency |
| title_short | Market Research on Waste Biomass Material for Combined Energy Production in Bulgaria: A Path Toward Enhanced Energy Efficiency |
| title_sort | market research on waste biomass material for combined energy production in bulgaria a path toward enhanced energy efficiency |
| topic | biomass cogeneration energy production Organic Rankine Cycle waste raw materials energy efficiency market potential |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4153 |
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