Biomass
Biomass power is the use of products such as wood, food crops and other plants to generate electricity. Most biopower plants use direct-fired systems. They burn bioenergy feedstocks directly to produce steam. This steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator that converts the power into electricity. In some biomass industries, the spent steam from the power plant is also used for manufacturing processes or to heat buildings. Such combined heat and power systems greatly increase overall energy efficiency. Paper mills, the largest current producers of biomass power, generate electricity or process heat as part of the process for recovering pulping chemicals.
Co-firing refers to mixing biomass with fossil fuels in conventional power plants. Coal-fired power plants can use co-firing systems to significantly reduce emissions, especially sulfur dioxide emissions. Gasification systems use high temperatures and an oxygen-starved environment to convert biomass into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthesis gas, or "syngas," can then be chemically converted into other fuels or products, burned in a conventional boiler, or used instead of natural gas in a gas turbine.
We have used biomass energy — the energy from plants and plant-derived materials — since people began burning wood to cook food and keep warm. Wood is still the largest biomass energy resource today, but other sources of biomass can also be used. These include food crops, grassy and woody plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes. Even the fumes from landfills (which are methane, a natural gas) can be used as a biomass energy source.
Landfill Gas
Methane fumes from landfills, which are a natural gas, can be used as a biomass energy source. Nevada Power is currently exploring options relating to this technology.
Waste Heat Recovery
Nevada Power is currently evaluating projects that would use waste heat to generate power. If these projects prove economically viable, Nevada Power will present the projects to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada for approval.
Other Renewable Energy Sources in Nevada
Truckee Carson Irrigation District
A 0.4 megawatt hydro-electric plant located in Lahontan, NV, owned and operated by the Truckee Carson Irrigation District.
The City of Sparks, NV, for the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
A 0.8 megawatt methane plant located in Reno, NV, owned and operated by the City of Sparks.
Sierra Pacific Industries
A 10 megawatt biomass plant located in Loyalton, CA, owned and operated by Sierra Pacific Industries.
Frank Hooper
A 0.7 megawatt hydro-electric plant located in Elko, NV, owned and operated by Hooper Hydro Electric.
Stampede
A 3.65 megawatt hydro-electric plant located in Truckee, NV, owned by the Western Area Power Administration and operated by the Department of Reclamation.
