Implementation of a biomass-fired co-generation plant supplied with an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) as a heat source for small scale heat distribution system A comparative analysis under Polish and German conditions

Technical and economic analysis of construction of an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) cogeneration plant under Polish and German conditions is the subject of the paper. The analyzed plant consists of an ORC module or a CHP (Combined Heat and Power) gas engine unit and gas boilers. Taking into account different technical configurations (operating mode as well as capacity due to different sizing of the units) on one side, and different financial support mechanisms (mainly on the operating level) on the other side, the comparative cost-benefits analysis has been made. On the basis of the technical analysis, the basic economical indexes: NPV (net present value) and payback times have been derived for each analyzed scenario and the results have been compared and discussed. The sensitivity of NPV for tags prices has been also examined and the results have been commented. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.