ALBERT

Description: Growing economies need green and renewable energy. Their financial development can reduce energy consumption (through energy-efficient technologies) and replace fossil fuels with renewable ones. Gas turbine engines are widely used in transport and industry. To improve their economic attractiveness and to reduce harmful emissions, including greenhouse gases, alternative fuels and waste heat recovery technologies can be used. A promising direction is the use of alcohol and thermo-chemical recuperation. The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of an alcohol-fueled regenerative gas turbine engine with thermo-chemical recuperation. The carbon dioxide emissions have been determined using engine efficiency, fuel properties, as well as life cycle analysis. The engine efficiency was maximized by varying the water/alcohol ratio. To evaluate steam fuel reforming for a certain engine, a conversion performance factor has been suggested. At the optimal water/methanol ratio of 3.075 this technology can increase efficiency by 4% and reduce tank-to-wake emission by 80%. In the last 6 months of 2019, methanol prices were promising for power and cogeneration plants in remote locations. The policy recommendation is that local authorities should pay attention to alcohol fuel and advanced turbines to curb the adverse effects of burning petroleum fuel on economic growth and the environment.

Description: The usage of renewable resources has become inseparable from the further development of the world economy. To preserve a clean environment for future generations, the use of renewable resources is becoming inevitable even in less developed countries. Recently, the world is facing with challenges in securing green heat production. This situation allows the biomass energy sector to develop. Biomass extracted from waste enables to produce green energy, while contributing to the sustainable development of forestry. One of the major constraints on the usage of biomass is the complex and multifaceted supply chain involving different business subjects. Compatibility problems with different interests can be solved by operating in a cluster structure. Cluster activities allow for more efficient use of limited resources. It allows to create added value for the region and society. Due to the specificity of biomass energy, there is an opportunity to create regional business units that would involve human resources and solves long-standing social problems. The aim of the study is to show the progress of Lithuanian regions in using biomass resources for heat energy production. With the assistance of cluster analysis, it is performed based on economic, social, and environmental data of Lithuanian regions.