Proceedings - Biomass South 2008
Tom Johnson, Southern Company Services
Tom Johnson has over 30 years experience in Southern Company’s Research and Environmental Affairs Department. During his career he has been Project Manager on several alternative fuel development efforts. He has directed projects on direct coal liquefaction, coal gasification, and advanced coal cleaning. Most recently, he has been responsible for managing Southern Company’s Renewable Energy Technology Program, including evaluation of the use of biomass for power generation in existing and future plants. Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Auburn University and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Biomass Power: Utility R&D Program
The presentation will describe Southern Company’s experience with biomass co-firing in selected pulverized coal units. Major results will be discussed with particular regard to impacts on pulverized coal boiler fuel handling, feeding, boiler efficiency, emissions, and economics. Southern Company has also initiated a study to examine the feasibility of generating electricity from 100 percent biomass, in contrast to co-firing. The overall goal is to learn if this process can generate power on a cost-effective basis. Preliminary study results will be discussed.
Notes:
- Southern Company
- 70% of energy production currently comes from coal
- 5% needed to come from biomass - driven by RPS
- Technology & resource issues
- Lower capacity factors
- Lower energy density (composed to diesel)
- Not dispatchable
- Most plentiful in Southeast
- Biomass co-firing
- Direct injection: switchgrass through a tub-grinder was very successful
- Co-firing: mix coal & biomass together
- Sawdust works well, wood chips success depends on size (small worked, large clogged pulverizer)
- Biomass Re-powering
- Proposed Mitchell Biomass Grate Retrofit (i.e. like Craven)
Key Quotes:
- Does not think they could read a 15% standard
- Biomass is the most plentiful renewable resource in the southeast
Thanks to Sarah Ashton, Rachel Cook, Lindsey Hannum, James Jeuck, Liwei Lin, James McCarter, Susan McIntyre, and Mark Megalos for providing notes and summaries for presentations.
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