Woody Biomass Energy Facility Project
A community-scale biomass energy project is currently being planned on 11 acres at the FBBC. The project will produce up to 5 MW of clean, renewable energy by turning non-merchantable wood into electricity. The power plant will comprise a direct combustion boiler steam turbine generator which will produce electricity for onsite operations and export to the grid under the BioMAT program. This is a combined heat and power project. In addition to the power generated the project will also offer steam, heat and cooling to co-located business.
The plant will be integrated with advanced emissions controls and a state-of-the-art low-water-use condenser, significantly reducing the Project’s environmental impacts while still reaching all the intended benefits and goals listed above. The facility is estimated to consume 38,000 bone dry tons of woody biomass annually.
The majority of the energy will be sold to Pacific Gas and Electric under California’s new BioMAT program (established by Senate Bill 1122), which sets minimum pricing for electricity sourced from forest biomass. The Project will also provide electricity, heat, and steam to co-located businesses including the sawmill.
The Facility will provide many long-term benefits to local forests and communities. The Facility will source forest biomass feedstock from a 50-mile radius of the facility from public and private forest bringing the following (bulleted) benefits to local ecosystems and communities. To better utilize forest residuals there are plans forming to build a small saw mill and other co-located businesses at the site.
Improve forest and watershed health by promoting biomass thinning activities;
Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire by providing economic incentive for fuel reduction (i.e., shorter haul times)
The Facility is anticipated to produce 18 livable wage jobs with benefits.
Produce renewable energy and other wood products.
Promote a fire safe community
Improve regional air quality and reduce carbon emissions through reduced pile burning and advanced emission control technology.
Reduce carbon stocks by promoting additional co-located wood products businesses.
Develop a sustainable rural economy, while creating new jobs and supporting existing jobs.
Build a viable and replicable business model for forest biomass utilization
Bioenergy Project Status
The Project has completed all major pre-construction milestones including but not limited to:
completed a feasibility study and geotechnical study
completed preliminary design and engineering
obtained all necessary pre-construction permits including the CEQA conditional use permit, air permit/authority to construction, and conversion permit.
secured 20-year power purchase agreement under the BioMAT program for 19.9 cents per KW.
Purchased the land parcel where the facility will be located.
secured a property survey and ALTA survey
With pre-construction work complete the Project is focusing on securing full funding with construction starting soon after. Currently, the Project is developing a strong financial plan to ensure equity stays within the community to best guarantee the Project supports a local workforce and local forest management needs.
$7 million has already been secured for the faculty. The funding for the project includes $4.99 million secured from the California Energy Commission of which $2.6 million is slated for construction and equipment, specifically the emissions controls and water condenser, $2 million has been recently secured from Sierra Nevada Conservancy for the purchase of the Steam Turbine Generator, and $1.3 million from the Yuba Water Agency for interconnection costs. Additional grant funds were secured and have been spent for planning and design including grants from the USFS Woods Innovation program, Sierra Nevada Conservancy TRFRF, Yuba Water Agency, Sierra Institute and among others.