CCC/194 ISBN 978-92-9029-514-3

January 2012

copyright © IEA Clean Coal Centre

Abstract

As concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plant increase, there is greater

focus on the feasibility of cofiring high ratios of biomass. This report first addresses the technical

issues which arise when cofiring biomass at high ratios in coal-fired power plant. These principally

concern the availability of fuel, storage and handling, milling, slagging, fouling, corrosion and ash

disposal. It then describes experience of power plant which have cofired high ratios of biomass over

extended periods. These plant are located mainly in the Netherlands and Denmark and a few in the

USA, Finland, Belgium and the UK. The report also briefly assesses issues arising when repowering a

coal-plant to fire 100% biomass.