Colorado company Vista International Technologies, Inc., has announced plans to develop biomass-to-energy projects across the US and abroad.
The firm, which has a patented gasification technology for converting biomass or waste to energy, is teaming up with biomass feedstock specialist Emerald Energy LLC on the project.
The two firms have signed a letter of intent to use Emerald Energy’s “MegaFlora” short-rotation trees for a series of biomass power plants.
The trees are a hybrid-cross of the fast growing Paulownia tree with a North American hardwood tree, which Emerald Energy says can grow 50 feet in three years.
Using “very little” water, the MegaFlora variety also offers a high density in cultivation.
The trees have been tested in Fresno County, California, and are currently being grown in multiple locations in the United States.
Gasification technology involves heating organic material in controlled chambers with limited amounts of oxygen, producing a “synthetic” gas, which could be hydrogen or methane-rich, that can then be combusted to generate energy.
Partners
Thomas Pfisterer, CEO of Vista, said his company has put more of a focus on working with partners on projects for the deployment of the next generation of its Thermal Gasifer technology.
He said: “A major challenge for any renewable energy generation project is a long-term cost effective fuel supply. We believe that Emerald Energy, with their proprietary MegaFlora™ tree, will allow us to provide an end-to-end solution and usher in a new wave of renewable energy projects by having a guaranteed fuel supply for each project.”
Mr Pfisterer said he believed the characteristics of the MegaFlora tree would allow for greater production from less acreage, boosting the profitability of closed-loop biomass to energy facilities.
Ray Allen, CEO of Emerald Energy, said: “We have looked at a number of efficient conversion technologies in recent years, and have found Vista and the Thermal Gasifier™ to be a superior option for conversion of the biomass feedstock generated by our trees. We are confident that the technology and personnel Vista brings to the table are second to none.”
Copyright © 2010 BrighterEnergy.org All rights reserved
