Biomass and Power Generation

Significant opportunities exist for new generating capacity even in fully developed regions. The United States, for example, faces demand growth for electric power of about 1.3 percent a year on a base of 787 billion kWh consumed in 2006. New generating facilities must meet stringent environmental regulations. At the same time, retail electricity providers continue to seek opportunities for diversifying their fuel portfolios.

Our PowerMinn business near Benson, Minnesota, demonstrates an innovative approach to power generation that reaps environmental benefits as well as portfolio objectives.

First Turkey-Litter-Fueled Power Plant in the United States

Minnesota is the largest turkey producer in the United States. Every year, the state’s turkey growers need to dispose of more than 2 million tons of poultry litter, but lack a large-scale process to accomplish this. In the past, heaps of turkey litter caused phosphate run-off into surface water, and led to large algae build-ups in Minnesota’s lakes.

Developed by Fibrowatt, a world class expert in poultry waste development plants, our power facility generates 55 megawatts of net electric output via a steam-driven turbine generator with steam generated by a conventional single drum boiler burning 700,000 tons of turkey litter annually. In addition, the facility sells its ash residue as high-quality fertilizer.

Everybody Wins

Our project represents a “win-win” solution. Poultry farmers achieve cost-effective litter disposal; a power generation plant obtains inexpensive fuel; and a retail power company achieve portfolio diversity at a reasonable cost. The environment, too, comes out ahead.

Our plant initiated operations in September 2007, and its success points the way for additional projects of this kind in countries where environmental concerns play a significant role in new generating capacity. We are currently developing similar plants in Brazil and Ukraine.