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FUEL STORAGE: The EIU Renewable Energy Center uses locally sourced wood chips to fuel its biomass power plant.
As more university energy systems become inefficient and need upgrades or replacements, all options are being explored, and some are looking at what other universities have done. For many, biomass is a local, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to go. Unfortunately, not all projects have a happy ending. The University of South Carolina has recently made headlines for its biomass power plant failure, and not only has it raised questions regarding the effectiveness of some biomass power projects, but because of a series of small explosions at the plant, their safety has also been questioned. Those involved in successful and ongoing projects, however, know that it is not the technology that caused the issues at USC, and that problems can be avoided with proper planning and plant operator experience.
Performance Guarantees are Key
26 BIOMASS POWER & THERMAL | JANUARY 2012
While EIU’s plant performance is still being measured and confirmed, Siegal says so far, so good. “The key to our success has been an operating staff that is excited and passionate about making the systems work,” he says. “We have a knowledgeable engineering team for the design of the systems, and a good partner firm—Honeywell—that brought multiple partners together to make a successful project. Our long-term partnership encourages a quality, durable and long-lasting design.” In embarking on the quest of installing a new energy system, the first step in the planning process was determining how EIU was going to pay for it. Though the need for a new energy system was pressing, financing was an issue. “EIU placed the steam plant