Utility Use of Biomass

Thes objective in developing Utility Use of Biomass is to provide industry participants with an understanding of the methods being used to increase the amount of biomass in utility electric resource portfolios. Renewable portfolio standards, the threat of carbon reduction mandates, and customer desire for more environmentally sound energy sources are all driving utilities to take a hard look at using renewable energy to meet their electric supply requirements. While both wind and solar power have been growing rapidly, suitable resources do not exist in all locales and costs for solar power are extremely high. However, biomass resources are widely available and in many cases can be used cost-effectively to generate electricity. A major objective of this report is to identify the ways in which utilities are going about adding biomass-fueled generation to their portfolio. The report aims to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of what biomass is and the potential of biomass-fueled generation. It does so by explaining the technology and identifying how others are using biomass. The report also aims to provide the information necessary for industry participants to start thinking about how biomass can play a role in their own portfolios.