Biopower

Biopower is the process of using biomass to generate electricity. Biomass can be burned directly to produce steam for electricity production or manufacturing processes. Some coal power plants “co-fire” with biomass as a supplementary energy source to significantly reduce emissions.

Biomass can also be turned into gas to generate electricity.  Landfills produce methane gas that can be burned to produce electricity and gasification technologies use high temperatures to convert biomass into gases which can be used to fuel a turbine to turn an electric generator.

Weyerhaeuser’s pulp and paper manufacturing complex in Hawesville, KY  produces up to 88 megawatts of electricity and 1 million pounds of steam per hour using a combined heat and power (CHP) system fueled almost entirely by biomass.

Landfill Methane Outreach Program
EPA program that promotes the use of landfill gas as a renewable, green energy source.

Envirowatts Landfill Gas 
Information on Kentucky electric power cooperatives using landfill gas to produce electricity.

James Bush
500 Mero Street, 12th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-7192
In KY:  (800) 282-0868
Fax: (502) 564-7484
E-mail: James.Bush@ky.gov