UW biomass power plant a gamble for state

[undeterred]

By Lee Bergquist and Thomas Content of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Jan. 19, 2010


A state-funded, $250 million project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison aims to convert a coal-fired power plant on campus to one that primarily burns biomass such as tree trimmings and crops, ideally becoming a model for how the state can reduce its carbon output and its dependence on fossil fuels.

But the massive venture - accounting for nearly one-fifth of the state's capital budget during the 2009-'11 budget period - faces considerable hurdles. Among them:

• Upfront construction costs will be higher than other alternatives that were considered.

• No infrastructure exists to process the eclectic mix of fuels the plant would burn.

• The plant's surplus electricity will be sold into a regional market already awash in excess power.

The plant, built in the 1950s, is being converted in response to a Sierra Club lawsuit over air pollution, which prompted an agreement by state officials to limit coal use at the facility. In 2008, Gov. Jim Doyle pledged to stop burning coal there altogether. In its place, beginning in 2013 the state plans to rely heavily on biomass, collected from local sources, to generate electricity and steam to heat and cool much of the 42,000-student campus.

But in betting on biomass, officials rejected the two cheapest construction alternatives. A 2008 consultant's report concluded that construction costs for either coal or natural gas were roughly half the cost of biomass.

The least-expensive option would have been to continue to burn coal by installing state-of-the-art pollution-control equipment. Natural gas would have been the next cheapest option. It scored the highest overall when judged on environmental, economic and reliability grounds. Instead, officials picked a two-fuel strategy of biomass and natural gas, with 60% of the power on an average day expected to come from biomass.

The project's supporters see biomass as Wisconsin's most promising source of renewable power. It can be burned continuously, making it more reliable than wind and solar. And because of the economic benefits that will accrue to farmers and other local suppliers, state officials believe biomass power plants can help stimulate the market for homegrown fuels.

more at: http://www.jsonline.com/business/82008452.html

Edited to add: The Public Service Commission reviews most power plant proposals by utilities, and costs are closely scrutinized. But the university doesn't need PSC approval because the school isn't a utility. Instead, officials are relying on the expertise of consultants and state personnel. Its not a public utility.

[mojowork_n]

1. On a small scale, maybe...

But the bigger you go:

http://www.counterpunch.org/wuerthner01122010.html

At least that's one take on it.

[sybylla]

2. No one ever takes the high road because it's cheap or easy.

If done right, this is a great opportunity for the school to support and research sustainable energy alternatives.

[mojowork_n]

3. Yes,

I really hope it'll turn out that way. I'm guessing the folks in charge have a decent grasp of their costs and benefits. But as far as the technology goes, for a long term hope for alternative energy, I think there are still questions that might need to be answered. (Based on the link I posted above.)

[sybylla]

5. I think it's a different kind of investment

If they wanted an expensive alternative to skirt EPA regulations, there were probably better ones. But if, in an agricultural state where we have no trouble producing biomass in large part as a byproduct of growing food, this kind of investment in a university research setting can only help the state.

UW Madison has developed and patented some incredible research in medicine and other fields which I'm sure took a like amount of investment in equipment and materials. Why not invest in green energy technologies that not only benefit the university system but may benefit the entire state and give a boost to our dying ag industry?

We both know there isn't a for-profit energy company willing to make the same investment in green R & D.

I'm not one of those who thinks the UW can do no wrong. I've got two sons in college in Madison. I can come up with more complaints about the god-forsaken administration of that school than DU has server space for. But when it comes to innovation, I really think this is a terrific opportunity. It's even better when the money for it doesn't come from students' already overtaxed pockets.

Here's to hoping they make the most of it :toast:


edited to add - the Journal Sentinel is an extremely conservative paper, one that's never afraid to take pot shots at Dems, including Doyle, if they can spin a story in that direction. I'd prefer to find a more unbiased analysis of the proposed program for the Madison campus before I join in the JSO chorus.

[undeterred]

4. Stimulus funds to help finance ‘green diesel’ plant in Wisconsin

Published January 19, 2010 - BizTimes Daily

Flambeau River Biofuels (FRB) has executed a letter of intent to engineer, procure, and construct (EPC) the largest second-generation “green diesel” plant in the United States at an existing pulp and paper mill in Park Falls, Wis. The $250 million project, funded in part with a grant from the U.S. Dept of Energy, is expected to be fully operational by 2013.

Flambeau selected the team of AMEC, the international engineering and project management company, and Miron Construction Co. Inc., a Wisconsin-based construction firm, as its EPC contractor. “The Flambeau River bio-refinery will create permanent, high-skilled operating jobs in the region, long-term logging jobs, and short-term engineering and construction jobs, contributing to the economic stimulus of Park Falls, Wis.,” said Butch Johnson, majority owner of Flambeau River Papers and Flambeau River Biofuels “The AMEC-Miron team was selected for its experience and innovation in developing green energy and biofuel facilities. When completed, Flambeau will have the first integrated pulp and paper mill in North America to run on fossil-free energy.”

Tim Gelbar, president of AMEC’s Power and Process Americas, business said, “The Flambeau program has been a long-term strategic focus of AMEC’s and it will play a key role in our continued development of new bioprocesses and the expansion of clean renewable energy.”

“We have been working with Flambeau for two years developing this project” said David Voss Jr., president of Miron Construction. “The Flambeau BioFuels project is key to developing “green fuel” renewable energy alternatives and will have a significant positive economic impact in Wisconsin”. The plant will use patented process technology from ThermoChem Recovery International (TRI) to convert 1,000 dry tons per day of woody biomass from bark, sawdust, wood, and forest residue into green electrical power, steam and heat to the adjacent Flambeau River Papers operation, and green diesel fuel and wax to the domestic market.

http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2010/1/19/stimulus-funds-to-help-finance-green-diesel-plant-in-wisconsin

This story came out on the same day and has the same price tag... but the first story is about a project on the UW Madison campus and this one is in Park Falls, WI.