Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
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Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Assessments</strong> 7.0 Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste<br />
associated with facility-related trucks. Sources of environmental risks include truck<br />
contributions to traffic congestion; process and truck-related noise; discharge of effluents<br />
into surface and groundwater; aesthetic impairments, such as land use incompatibility,<br />
and dust. Many of these risk factors also apply to the biomass option.<br />
MSW projects typically have opposition on the grounds of public health. In the<br />
past, MSW projects did not have strong emissions controls and they were seen as very<br />
polluting. The US EPA has tightened emission requirements for new MSW projects and<br />
many of those concerns are no longer factually validated. However, public opposition<br />
remains strong, in many cases.<br />
7.8 Recommended Next Steps<br />
Although biomass does not compare well economically with some of the other<br />
technologies and projects reviewed in this study, it may be a good fit for KIUC in the<br />
long term when capacity is needed. With an eye to the future, there are several activities<br />
that could be performed that would prepare KIUC for the possibility for adding biomass<br />
capacity in the ten year planning horizon. These are the following:<br />
7.8.1 Fuel Property Testing<br />
There is wide variety in biomass fuel properties based on species and growing and<br />
harvest conditions. Some biomass fuels, such as pulp wood chips, are well-characterized<br />
by the power industry. Others, like albizzia, are less known and understood. This study<br />
has identified several resources which would be significant constituents of a future<br />
biomass power fuel mix. For a relatively small cost, representative samples of these<br />
resources could be tested for important fuel properties such as heating value, ash content,<br />
alkali, and others. Having this information will assist in determining the best fuel mix<br />
and laying the groundwork for making these fuel resources available.<br />
7.8.2 Banagrass Crop Productivity Study<br />
Banagrass is an energy crop that grows well in Hawaii. Considerable effort has<br />
been expended on other islands investigating the potential of banagrass as a significant<br />
fuel resource for future power generation. A similar study on <strong>Kauai</strong> would identify<br />
suitable areas for raising banagrass crops, expected productivities and delivered fuel<br />
costs.<br />
7.8.3 Site Studies<br />
Siting solid fuel plants is always complex. Issues that must be considered include<br />
land use, endangered species, viewsheds, waste disposal, cooling water sources,<br />
21 March 2005 7-23 Black & Veatch