Biomass
Construction Update
Construction of bioenergy plants in the U.S. and around the Northern Hemisphere is expanding as the building season welcomes summer. The positive growth of bioenergy in this sluggish but expanding economy is most evident on the construction sites of the 22 projects featured here. The Biomass Construction Update is not an exhaustive record of all construction projects in the biomass-to-energy space, but rather highlights prominent construction projects across the biomass power, pellet, biogas and advanced biofuel industries. From groundbreaking to completion, the health of the bioenergy sector is measured in the investment and activity around the building of biomass-fed plants. Completed this quarter were Ringer Energy in Ashley, Ohio, and Piedmont Green Power in Barnesville, Ga., both now fully on line and adding substantial quantities of biobased renewable energy to their respective markets. Rollcast Energy accomplished a noteworthy feat by financing the Piedmont project without the backing of a major utility. The success of that project-financed endeavor demonstrates the potential for other similarly financed biomass power projects to succeed. The pellet industry continues to grow with new plants and the acquisition of existing ones. The Zilkha Biomass Selma (Ala.) plant is pursuing refurbished equipment, while German Pellets of Woodville, Texas, is installing all new equipment. The biogas sector continues to experience growth in areas where agriculture and food processing is prominent, and waste management partnerships can result in biogas. The six advanced biofuel plants listed in the BCU represent well over $1 billion of investment. Though cellulosic ethanol plants comprise the majority of activity, Myriant’s bio-succinic acid and WB Service’s
Biomass Power
Pellets
PHOTO: ABENGOA
Summer Construction in Full Swing
Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas bio-based diesel plants, at Lake Providence, La., and Sedgwick, Kan., respectively, demonstrate the diversity of projects in the advanced biofuel sector. The plants included in the Q2 Biomass Construction Update represent thousands of jobs and the growing market presence of biomass-derived energy. If you are involved in a facility that is in an active construction phase and would like to share your project in an upcoming Biomass Construction Update, please contact Kolby Hoagland at khoagland@bbiinternational.com.
Biogas
Altavista Power Station, Dominion
Advanced Biofuel Burgess BioPower, Cate Street Capital
Location
Altavista, Va.
Combined heat and power
No
Location
Berlin, N.H.
Combined heat and power
No
Engineer/builder
Crowder Const., ESI, B&W
Government incentives
Federal PTC, RECs
Engineer/builder
Babcock & Wilcox
Government incentives
NA
Primary fuel
Wood waste
IPP or Utility
Utility
Primary fuel
Woody biomass
IPP or Utility
IPP
Boiler type
Stoker
Groundbreaking date
May 2012
Boiler type
Fluidized bed
Groundbreaking date
October 2011
Nameplate capacity
50 MW
Start-up date
May 2013
Nameplate capacity
75 MW
Start-up date
Q4 2013
The plant is currently in start-up, and doing emissions performance testing.
In its 21st month of construction, this project is expected to transition from construction to full operations by the end of the year.
Atikokan Generating Station, Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Covington Waste-To-Energy Plant, City of Covington
Location
Atikokan, Ontario, Canada
Combined heat and power
No
Location
Covington, Tenn.
Combined heat and power
Yes
Engineer/builder
Aecon, Doosan, Nordmin
Government incentives
10-year PPA
Engineer/builder
PHG Energy
Government incentives
Tennessee DEC grant
Primary fuel
Industrial pellets
IPP or Utility
IPP
Primary fuel
Urban wood waste, biosolids
IPP or Utility
IPP
Boiler type
Babcock Wilcox
Groundbreaking date
October 2012
Boiler type
PHG Energy Gasifier
Groundbreaking date
May 2012
Nameplate capacity
211 MW
Start-up date
Q2 2014
Nameplate capacity
125 kW
Start-up date
August 2013
Major structural shells are complete. Boiler modifications and control system replacements are underway.
10 BIOMASS MAGAZINE | JULY 2013
Concrete is poured and steel has been erected. Gasification equipment, thermal oxidizer, heat exchanger, dryer and ORC unit are being installed. July commissioning is expected.