Combined Biomass Heat and Power

In western Massachusetts, three public agencies responsible for water and environmental quality worked with BERC to assess the potential for, and benefits from, a biomass power plant project sited at an industrial facility with a significant requirement for thermal energy.

In question was whether a new biomass power plant could provide the electric power needed by a new water treatment plant, Walnut Hill, near Marlborough, while also helping maintain the quality of the water supply, produce revenue for waste wood collected in area forest lands, and support local economic development.

BERC's partners in the study were the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), the Mass. Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), and the Mass. Department of Environmental Management (MDEM). The MDC's Division of Watershed Management oversees the protection of its watersheds, which contain about 115,000 acres of forest. Harvests in the Quabbin River Watershed follow rigorous standards for sustainability, and include about 2,500 tons of pulp or waste wood per year.

Study Conclusions

The study examined proven advanced and low-emissions biomass systems, along with other technologies close to commercialization. Preliminary conclusions are that several technologies are both technically and economically feasible.

To be commercially successful, the biomass energy project would need to maximize efficiency. The optimal approach would be a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. Supplying waste heat from this power plant to a host industrial site would increase overall operating efficiency and profitability. The project would need to be located close to a large user of heat energy, and relatively close to the wood supply.

Study results are that several proven technologies could be employed in designing the biomass power plant. A number of developing technologies might also soon prove commercially viable. Crucial to project economics is the plant's eligibility to earn Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), as well as some government guarantee of the future value of the RECs. Such a guarantee does not yet exist in this developing market.