Phoenix Energy JV awarded a $4.9 million for forest-sourced biomass gasification plant

In California, Phoenix Energy’s joint venture, North Fork Community Power, was awarded a $4.9 million grant at the California Energy Commission Business Meeting. The award will be used to construct one of the first forest-sourced biomass gasification plants, as well as research into the emerging field of forest biomass utilization. The plant will be built in phases with an initial 1 MW financed mainly by the California Energy Commission grant and private and community investors.

The plant will utilize local forest biomass sustainably sourced from restoration and fuel reduction activities on local forest lands, including the Sierra National Forest. The biomass will be used to make electricity, heat and biochar – a solid carbon byproduct that is used as a soil conditioner and filter media. The project will also be one of the first projects to use forest-based fuel under California’s new SB 1122 bioenergy law.

More on the story.