Colorado Springs power plant turns to wood biomass in $10 million project

In Colorado, a 20 year supply of woody biomass from dead or dying trees within a 75 mile radius of the Martin Drake Power Plant. in Colorado Springs is set to be tapped as a renewable energy source. The biomass harvest will, according to officials, slow the spread of pine beetles by removing susceptible trees, and will provide up to three percent of total electricity supplied by Colorado Springs Utilities to more than 200,000 customer, commencing in 2011.

The $10 million biomass receiving, storage, processing and injection system has been awarded a $250,000 federal stimulus grant and the Utility plans to burn 25 tons per week of sawdust collected by Rocky Top Resources until the plant is funded and completed.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Colorado Springs celebrates launch of E85 for 92 city and utility vehicles

In Colorado, Colorado Springs officials promoted the city's new municipal E85 pump that will fuel 92 city and utility flex-fuel vehicles. The city has converted its 2100 truck fleet to B20. The cit...

Lignol, Suncor Energy announce $80 million wood residue cellulosic ethanol project for Colorado

In Colorado, Lignol and Suncor Energy announced that they would jointly construct a wood-based cellulosic ethanol plant in Grand Junction. The companies said they would use wood residues, including wo...

Environmental Power signs 10-year deal with Xcel Energy for renewable natural gas, with 14 MW dairy-based project imminent in Colorado

In  Colorado, Environmental Power's subsidiary, Microgy and Xcel Energy announced a long-term renewable natural gas supply agreement, subject to approval by the Colorado PUC. The project will be site...

Helius deploys biomass-to-power at Scottish distillery; will produce animal feed, organic fertilizers

In Scotland, Helius Energy and Rothes Distillers announced a joint venture and a $81 million project that will use whisky distillery by-products to fuel a 7.2 MWe heat and power plant, while convertin...

Lignol’s wood-based cellulosic ethanol plant site moved to Grand Junction; $85 million project will open in 2012

In Colorado, Canada's Lignol has moved the site of its proposed demonstration-scale wood-based cellulosic ethanol plant from Commerce City to Grand Junction. The $85 million project will be managed by...

24 MW biomass-to-power gasification system proposed for Canada

In Canada, Chickadee Creek Energy and Millar Western have proposed  construction of a 24 MW biomass-to-energy facility using Taylor Gasification technology in Whitecourt, Alberta. According to the Wh...