KoPilot for biomass boilers

September 8, 2023
autopilot for biomass

Koidra’s Copilot is transforming the biomass energy landscape, offering a tailored solution that marries data-driven…

KoPilot helps improve biomass combustion efficiency and offers a tailored solution that marries data-driven optimization with the invaluable expertise of on-ground operators. As biomass plants navigate the challenges of operational efficiency, KoPilot emerges as the beacon, ensuring smoother operations, minimized errors, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Dive into the article to discover how this innovative system stands out and promises a future where efficiency and expertise coalesce seamlessly.

Biomass energy

Industrial manufacturing processes form the backbone of our modern world, and a significant portion of these processes hinges on equipment like boilers, dryers, and power generation units. As industries have grown, so too has the prevalence of these essential machinery components. For decades, coal and gas boilers have been at the forefront, providing the necessary heat and power for various manufacturing needs. However, the tide is shifting.

biomass energy

Driven by the urgent need for sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint, there’s a marked transition from traditional coal and gas boilers to biomass boilers. Biomass energy, hailing from organic sources like plants and waste, offers an environmentally friendly alternative that not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also diversifies energy sources and bolsters energy security. This transition represents a significant stride towards a more sustainable energy paradigm for industries worldwide.

autopilot for biomass energy

Schematic of a biomass power generation process

While biomass energy stands as a beacon of environmental responsibility, promising reduced greenhouse gas emissions, diversified energy sources, and enhanced energy security, it’s not without its challenges. Biomass energy, although sustainable, introduces a fresh set of operational intricacies that differ from those of traditional fossil fuels.

Operational challenges of biomass energy

  1. Inconsistent Feedstock: Biomass materials can vary widely in moisture content, size, and type, leading to unpredictable combustion behaviors.
  2. Combustion Inefficiencies: The diverse nature of biomass feedstock can lead to incomplete combustion, producing unwanted emissions and reduced energy output.
  3. Balancing Act: Achieving the right balance between fuel feed rates, air supply, and heat demand becomes more complex with varied biomass feedstocks.
  4. Equipment Wear: Biomass can sometimes contain impurities that may accelerate equipment wear or cause blockages.
  5. Temperature Fluctuations: Biomass combustion can sometimes lead to inconsistent temperature profiles, affecting the efficiency and safety of the operation.

Koidra’s KoPilot: Automate Operational Decisions

In the world of biomass, mastering operational efficiency is pivotal. Enter Koidra’s KoPilot, a system designed to bring the best out of your biomass operations, making your process more efficient and easier to control. Here’s what sets KoPilot apart:

Data-driven Optimization with KoPilot

KoPilot leverages your extensive data, ensuring optimal combustion by adjusting for feedstock inconsistencies. It can handle large large amount of data from multiple types of sensors, in real-time, to balance the intricate interplay between fuel rates, air supply, and demand, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

– KoPilot for Biomass Operator-led Automation

Operators bring a wealth of experience to the table, and KoPilot ensures it’s put to good use. With a user-friendly, low-code interface, operators can lead the charge, combining their expertise with our data-driven insights. Transparency is key—operators can see, understand, and even tweak the optimization process based on firsthand experience.

Minimized Human Errors

The days of constant manual tweaks are over. Koidra’s tech reduces human error and streamlines operations, providing a hands-off, yet highly effective, control approach.

Preserving Your Knowledge

Over time, businesses gather valuable insights and techniques. KoPilot helps capture this unique knowledge, ensuring that the expertise of individual experts becomes a lasting asset for the company. This means that even as staff change, the wisdom stays.

Continuous Improvement

Embracing the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, KoPilot enables operators to refine and iterate control strategies. This approach keeps plants ahead of the curve, ensuring peak performance and competitiveness.

KoPilot is transforming the biomass energy landscape

Koidra’s tech is designed to make biomass operations simpler and more efficient. By addressing common challenges and making adjustments in real-time, we help businesses get better results with less effort.

It’s not just theory; our tech works in the real world. As a case study, in 2022, Koidra worked with Ayo Biomass to deploy KoPilot system to improve their wood chips drying.

After a two-phased implementation, the overall production throughput has increased steadily at Ayo Biomass, with dryers’ operational efficiency increased by 20%.

As we continue to advance our technologies, the future of biomass energy looks even brighter. With data-driven automation, efficiency optimization, and minimized human intervention, Koidra is at the forefront of making biomass energy an increasingly viable and sustainable energy source, contributing to a greener and more sustainable world.


About Koidra Inc

Koidra Inc. is an autonomous greenhouse company whose software aids growers in boosting yields, reducing resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The software is a climate computer addon that works with all existing climate computers including Hoogendoorn, Priva, Reeder, Argus etc. As of today Koidra’s autonomous software is used by top greenhouse players like Windset, GLG and Soli Organic across USA, Canada, Europe, and Vietnam.

Koidra achieved consecutive wins in the prestigious Autonomous Greenhouse Challenges (AGC) by Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Outperforming experienced cultivators, the company achieved unparalleled yields through its AI solutions.

Koidra has secured grants from esteemed bodies, including the USDA, for its innovative work. By integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and expert insight, the company has developed advanced and robust tools. These tools empower growers and manufacturers to realize production and sustainability goals while minimizing costs.

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