It is expected that the cost will decrease following the learning curve and that the efficiency will increase due to new developments, especially in gas turbines, and due to system modifications such as drying at low temperature and two-stage expansion with full recovery. Four studies were conducted on the possibilities of producing secondary energy carriers from biomass. The import of biomass is also regarded as a possibility. An analysis has been made of the manure problem in the Netherlands, which involved describing the manure policy, manure processing practices and the present state of affairs. Biomass can be grown specifically for energy purposes.
Suitable crops are especially fast-growing ones such as willow and miscanthus.
The production costs are still relatively high. A promising method of producing biomass in combination with high-value chemicals is by making use of the high growth rate of algae in a closed bioreactor. In co-operation with the University of Amsterdam and a few industrial parties a test installation is being constructed on the ECN site. Co-operation Partners A.o.