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Co-firing test burn at TECO's Polk Power Station:
In December, whole eucalyptus trees were harvested and ground
for biomass co-firing test burns (1 to 3% by
generation) at Tampa Electric’s Polk
Power Station. The Polk
Power Station is an ~250 MW IGCC Coal Gasification Unit (an U.S.
Department of Energy/EPRI sponsored clean coal project). The
first phase/series of the co-firing test burns were primarily
directed to qualifying/grandfathering the Polk Power Station for
the Internal Revenue Code Section 45 “Closed-loop Biomass and
Wind Energy” Tax Credit. In the first phase/series of test
burns (completed on December 31st), no obvious operational
problems have been encountered, with the coal/biomass wet slurry
passing through all screens.
Additional test burns (involving greater engineering analysis)
are scheduled to be performed through April, 2002.
Qualifying the Polk Power Station for the Section 45 Tax Credit
is a significant accomplishment, as economics for the future use
of energy crops from our Energy Crop Plantation
is tremendously enhanced. From an electric utility’s view, the
economic value/revenue requirement benefit of the Section 45 Tax
Credit is ~$2.75 per MMBTU.
Below are links to harvesting and grinding pictures of our
eucalyptus "closed loop biomass" for the co-firing test burn at
Tampa Electric's Polk Power Station.
First Grind
Global Warming Research: Collective/joint
scientific “carbon sequestration” work with the University of
Florida was begun at the Plantation, measuring “above ground”
and “below ground” carbon sequestration of 13 month old
eucalyptus trees (which averaged ~25 feet in height). This work
was performed by: (1) excavating whole eucalyptus trees
(including their root system) with a back-hoe and removing dirt
from the root system; (2) weighing the entire tree; (3) cutting
the tree at the stem, and weighing the tree’s “above ground”
growth (i.e., the trunk, stems, leaves) and “below ground”
(i.e., root system).
Initial weigh measurements were encouraging, with the “below
ground” weight of the tree’s root system having >50% of the
weight of the “above ground” growth. For example, whole trees
weighed ~150 green pounds, with “below ground” weight at ~50
green pounds. According to Dr. Don Rockwood of the University
of Florida, this 50% measurement of “below ground” carbon
sequestration under-estimates the total “below ground”
carbon
sequestration, because smaller roots were left in the ground at
excavation. The University of Florida will be performing
scientific literature reviews on the carbon sequestration impact
of the tree’s smaller root system.
Initial findings of this carbon sequestration research is very
significant and encouraging, as it supports a belief that we
have had for some time: “From a carbon sequestration/Global
Warming Strategy perspective, co-firing energy crop biomass can
accomplish more than any other form of renewable energy
option.” The reason for this is that co-firing energy crop
biomass in addition to being “carbon cycle neutral”, also
creates a carbon sink (something that wind, solar, or geothermal
can not do). Also, recognizing that energy crop trees (willows,
cottonwoods, and eucalyptus) coppice/re-grow after harvesting,
this carbon sink will be long-term in duration.
Additonal Tree Planting: In December and January,
the Plantation’s cottonwood clone bank was cut, producing
~35,000 cuttings. On January 23rd, we completed planting all of
these cuttings at the Plantation. We now estimate that the
Energy Crop Plantation is comprised of 50% eucalyptus trees, and
50% cottonwood trees.
Below are links to several pictures taken in the Fall of 2001 at
the Plantation of 10 month old eucalyptus trees:
Close-up view of Tree bed.
We also completed disking and bedding an additional 20 acres
using an experimental “micro-bed” bed design which entails much
wider beds than previously developed.
The purpose of this new
bed design is to enhance drainage, and greater ease of
harvesting using the Class Harvester.
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