Comments on: Texas $2.3B Biomass Plant Gets Approved

By: Xcel to Kick Coal and Boost Biomass « Earth2Tech

Xcel to Kick Coal and Boost Biomass « Earth2Tech — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:20:00 +0000

[...] Just last month we reported a similar scenario, in which Georgia Power is seeking approval from regulators to convert an aging coal-fired unit in Albany, Ga., to burn renewable biomass from the local forestry industry. We’ve added this latest biomass-for-coal swap to our coal deathwatch map with a second green pin. Also last month, Austin Energy has it massive plans for a new $2.3 billion, 100-megawatt biomass plant approved. [...]

By: Randy Stephens

Randy Stephens — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:32:58 +0000

Wind farms now cost just over $2,000,000 per MW. This woodchip plant will cost 10 times that per MW. Ridiculously expensive. It is SO EASY to convince public servents to waste public money. This is an amazingly unwise contract.

By: greensolutions

greensolutions — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:31:48 +0000

Wow. Considering the amount of energy that will need to be used on the front end of their process and the inherent inefficiency of centralized power generation (with NO COGENERATION, I might add), I can only imagine how much more actual renewable energy could be delivered for 2.3 billion dollars using tried and true distributed solar PV and hot water. Not only would that produce way more energy, it would also distribute the benefits more equitably. That's a shame.

By: Dr. No

Dr. No — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:49:15 +0000

The first time I read the 2.3 bn (BILLION!!!) I thought it was a typo. But no, they are buying power at a CapEx of $23,000 per installed kW, this is ten times more than current (renewable) competitive technology. Add to that running cost. I could have built two biomass plants for 120 million (!). But hey if they want to cough up the extra dough I'll shure line my pockets with it. What a stupidity in Austin!