Archive for June, 2010
Biomass better than coal? War over carbon accounting erupts
In Washington, the Environment Working Group has released a study that claims the impacts of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA)—which has already passed the House of Representatives—would require the equivalent of cutting between 18 and 30 million acres by 2025, and up to 50 million acres by 2030.
“From Maine to Washington state, [...]
$14 million biomass boiler slated for Ohio’s Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center
In Ohio, the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center is installing a $14 million biomass boiler to power all of its electricity and steam requirements. The funding comes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is the first biomass project of its kind at a VA hospital.
Using wood chips as the boiler’s fuel source is [...]
Wisconsin tape Boldt, AMEC to convert 10 MW coal-fired power plant to biomass
In Wisconsin, the state has chosen local company Boldt and UK contractors AMEC to convert a coal-fired boiler at the University of Wisconsin-Madison into biomass-fired for $250 million.
The facility currently burns 108,000 tons per year of coal to produce 10MW in its four boilers but by 2013, one boiler will be converted to run on [...]
North Carolina county to proceed on 2MW wood waste CHP plant
In North Carolina, Catawba County’s Board of Commissioners has voted to proceed with a new biomass-fuelled combined heat and power system (CHP System) developed by Nexterra in conjunction with GE Power & Water’s gas engine division. Wood waste will fire the 2MW plant and heat created will be used to dry biosolids produced at a [...]
Opinion: “America’s 21st Century reliable, low-cost energy needs are not going to be met by electricity produced by a windmill, a controlled bonfire and a few solar panels.”
Bob Cleaves, president and CEO of Biomass Power Association: “The [Environment Working Group] study has no relevance to how biomass power is generated in this country today and no relevance to how it will be generated in the foreseeable future.”
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tn.): “Solar, wind and biomass are an important supplement, but America’s 21st Century [...]
Polish power exchange Polpx aims to commence biomass trading by year-end
In Poland, Polish power exchange Polpx hopes to begin trading biomass by the end of the year in hopes of creating a pricing structure for biomass power producers in the country. Poland’s biomass industry currently is very fragmented and needs more pricing transparency. Currently the average price of biomass is $106 per metric ton.
Last year, [...]
Thailand’s Capital Engineering Network to build 9.9 MW biomass plant
In Thailand, Capital Engineering Network is teaming with China’s Norinco International to build a $18.5 million, 9.9MW biomass-fired power plant. Construction is expected to take two years and to break even with five years.
Electricity generated from the project will be sold to the local utility.
More on the story.
Clenergen acquires 18MW biomass power plant in India
In India, Clenergen has agreed to acquire an 18MW biomass-fired power plant located 40km from Chennai, subject to bank approvals of the company’s assumption of previous outstanding debt and loans.
The facility, which runs on wood waste, was upgraded from 12MW in 2008 and sells its electricity to the local utility via short-term power supply contacts [...]
US can eliminate coal-fired emissions by 2030 with geo, wind, solar, biomass and CC&S: report
A report in Environmental Science & Technology concludes that the US could eliminate coal-fired electric power CO2 emissions by 2030, using a combination of wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and carbon capture & storage technologies.
The research, from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Columbia University Earth Institute, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and 2030 Inc./Architecture 2030, [...]
Massachusetts activists petition to make biomass-fired projects ineligible for renewable energy subsidies
In Massachusetts, campaigners have so far collected 78,597 certified signatures on a petition that would make biomass-fired projects ineligible for renewable energy subsidies. Campaigners say that biomass-fired plants that burn wood and biomass release unhealthy emissions, increase greenhouse gas emissions in direct conflict with state law, and “consume the equivalent of 50 football fields of [...]
