Stamford Chooses Nexterra for Biomass Gas System
The city of Stamford, Conn., selected Nexterra Systems Corp. to develop a biomass gasification system for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority.
The energy system will supply Stamford with clean renewable thermal energy that will reduce its fuel costs and carbon footprint.
The proposed system will convert locally procured woody biomass waste into clean burning synthetic gas or “syngas.” The syngas will be used to displace approximately 77,000 MMBtu/year of natural gas currently used dry wet biosolids in an existing biosolids dryer made by Andritz Separation.
Stamford projects that it will lower fuel costs by up to $1 million per year and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,000 tons annually, the equivalent of taking 1,000 cars off the road. The system will be designed to meet or outperform local air emissions standards.
To implement the project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2010, Nexterra plans to collaborate with Andritz Separation. The project will be funded by U.S. Department of Energy grants and matching funds from the Authority. Stamford has retained two engineering firms, Aecom and HDR, to conduct independent reviews of the project’s technical and economic viability before the city proceeds.
Once this project is successfully completed, Stamford may consider a closed loop renewable energy solution, enabling the Authority to use dry biosolids as the fuel source and a second gasification system that would convert dry biosolids into renewable electricity. Syngas produced by gasifying biosolids would be cleaned, conditioned and fired into a GE Jenbacher internal combustion gas engine. The resulting electricity would be sufficient to meet on-site power requirements, making it energy independent from the grid.
“This project showcases the potential to transform the wastewater treatment industry into a major producer of renewable heat and power from waste fuels while maintaining the highest standards of water quality and public health,” said Jeanette Brown, executive director the Authority and vice president of the Water Environment Federation.
The Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority is one of the largest wastewater utilities in Connecticut and provides advanced wastewater treatment for a community of 100,000 people. It has a comprehensive plan to use on-site biosolids to produce renewable heat and power.