| abstract |
A process and an apparatus are described for the production of energy from biomass, the biomass (at 10) if required ensiled or pelleted and fed to a biogas installation (12) in which biogas (arrow 20) and natural fertiliser (arrow 22) are produced. The biogas and/or natural gas from a public gas grid (26) is burnt in a first apparatus (30) and converted into thermal energy and/or electrical energy. By means of the electrical energy generated by the first apparatus (30) and, if necessary, by electrical energy from a public electricity grid (40) an electrolysis cell (34) is operated in which water is divided into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen can be converted back to electrical energy in a fuel cell (62), but the oxygen can also be used to improve the quality of wastewater (effluent) (at 60). The hydrogen can be stored in a storage facility (57) and/or be converted in a second apparatus (78) into thermal energy and/or into electrical energy or be used to drive motor vehicles (96) equipped with hydrogen engines. <IMAGE> |