02/24/2006: "Organic Waste To Help WA Energy Production?"

According to press release on a new study on the amount of Biomass waste generated in Wa state each year "nearly 50 percent of the energy that Washington state residents use now could come from a new source in our own back yard". While the press release is silent on how the biomass from one's backyard is going to get to a place where it can be economically used, the report went on to state that "Washington state has an annual production of approximately 17 million tons of under-used biomass, which is capable of producing more than 15.5 billion kilowatt hours of electrical energy or nearly 1,800 megawatts of electrical power".

The release explains that the report is the result of a multi-year project, conducted by Washington State University (WSU) in collaboration with and funded by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology). The goal was to find out if enough "biomass," or organic-waste materials, are available and if it is economically feasible to use them for energy production in Washington.

According to the report,. Gov. Chris Gregoire and other state leaders are very interested in alternative energy production: "Washingtonians deserve affordable alternative energy sources, and biomass has terrific potential to contribute towards energy independence," said Gov. Gregoire. "I am pleased by the results of this report and I look forward to further news on the viability of biomass in our state."
The report will be presented at the Harvesting Clean Energy Conference in Spokane, on Feb. 27. The conference will take place at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park, W. 303 North River Dr.

(more from the news release)
Researchers identified, categorized and mapped 45 potential sources in Washington. The categories included field residues, animal manures, forestry residues, food packing and processing waste, and municipal wastes.

"The abundance and the location of these organic resources should get us thinking even more seriously about developing renewable fuels and energy strategies within our state," said Ecology Director Jay Manning. "Coincidentally, the way the resources are distributed seems to align geographically with areas of the state where we need new business and new jobs."

Producing the energy where the biomass is located can save transportation costs.
"In addition to the environmental benefit, production could lead to decreased dependence on outside energy supplies, and could create market independence and local control, which all make developing these resources of vital interest to our state," Manning said.

Biomass could be converted to energy, fuel or products through simple combustion and anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digesters use biomass to produce methane, which can be used as natural gas to heat homes and businesses, or can be converted to electricity.

"Whether it is from agricultural or forest residues or from perennial grasses and other plants specifically grown as energy crops, there is an emerging opportunity for Washington to contribute substantially to the nation's energy needs through the production of bioproducts, biopower, and biofuels," said Ralph Cavalieri, director of Washington State University s Agricultural Research Center.

Cavalieri, an associate dean in the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, provides technical guidance to a federal committee that is coordinating research and development of bio-energy and bio-based products.

Cellulose or plant materials were by far the most widely available materials reported. Ethanol fuel from cellulose is another key opportunity that may be possible.

Creating energy from biomass could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, benefit water quality and solve some solid-waste disposal problems, according to the report.