Biomass Processing Facility - Ernst Biomass, LLC
Project Overview
The Ernst Biomass, LLC biomass processing and densification facility project is designed to produce renewable energy products for combustion in a large range of applications from industrial furnaces to small pellet stoves. The facility will manufacture a renewable fuel supply for the solid fuels market and provide biomass fuels to meet varied specifications for energy companies’ testing programs. Fuel will be produced in both pellet and briquette form at the facility from a variety of biomass fuel sources including switchgrass. The facility will be capable of producing 30,000 tons of solid fuel annually. This is enough to heat over 8,000 homes and will replace approximately 24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually based on replacing fuel oil. The project received a $900,000 PEDA grant (see link to news release below) and completion is anticipated in 2010.
Services Provided
Wilson Engineering Services (WES) provided Ernst Biomass, LLC with engineering consulting services for planning and development of this project. WES worked closely with Ernst executives to identify the potential biomass fuel markets, project capital costs, project design, and project schedules. WES provided Ernst with technical services in the development of the successful PEDA grant application. WES continues to provide engineering consulting services for the project, including structural analysis for buildings, geotechnical investigations, and overall design services.
Project at a glance
% Grant Funding: 40%
Project Size: 30,000 tons DM/yr
Status: Under construction
Additional Benefits:
- Provide revenue stream for local farmers
- Demonstrate potential for alternative solid fuels
- GHG emissions reductions
- Keep fuel revenues within regional economy
For more info:
http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=5623&varQueryType=Detail
Link to Ernst Biomasswebsite.
