Coal power plant tests biomass
Alliant Energy has been working with the Nelson Dewey Power Plant in Cassville on providing a range of biomass tests.
‘We'll be burning fuels that have been densified and pelleted, Bill Johnson, Alliant Energy's biofuel development manager, comments. ‘That would include wood that is mixed with other materials, as well as agricultural residue materials such as corn stover, switchgrass and reed canary grass.’
Alliant will do the test burns through to November 2010.
The power company is trying to determine if the plant's mechanical systems can handle the material, and what impact the biomass materials have on its air emissions.