By Charlie Deitz
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-954412.mp3
Dalton, ma – A major manufacturer in Berkshire County says they've found a way to use biomass from forest products to power their entire operation. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Charlie Deitz has the story
Crane and Company operates several paper making operations through out central Berkshire County, from specialty and novelty products to the money in your wallet, and those operations require large amounts of energy, whether it be from oil, gas, electricity or steam. In 2009 the company reports consuming some 184 thousand megawatt hours, most of which came from non-renewable sources. At their Model Farm estate in the town of Dalton, Douglass Crane announced they plan to begin operating their own energy producing plant to stabilize costs and help decrease their carbon footprint.
Crane has entered into an agreement with several partners to help build and run a biomass plant that can turn forest residues into a biofuel to replace their need for commercial diesel oil. One partner is Envergent, who created this technology called Rapid Thermal processing, which through high heat can reduce wood waste to a portable oil product, Senior Business manager Omar Irani says the applications can help the manufacturing industry get off the grid.
The proposed 80 million dollar biomass plant will be located on one of Crane's properties, but funded and operated by Albany based re energy, whose CEo Larry Richardson says that even though this will be the first plant of its kind in the US, its already a proven technology.
The technique which produces an oil known as pyrolysis, has been used thus far to add a smoky flavor to mass produced food products, but trial runs in the Crane power generator show it can fully replace their number 6 diesel oil. Developer Steve Sears, with Berkshire Renewable Power, distinguishes pyrolysis production from other biomass plants. He says their technique will emit far less carbon, it will produce a storable and portable product and use little to no water.
State senator Ben Downing who has been active in his efforts to move the state toward a green future, notes that projects like this one demonstrate how recent legislation is paving a pathway for more innovation.
On top of the energy generation, construction on the plant is expected to put hundreds of construction workers on the payroll, and once built the partners foresee about 100 employees needed to run the plant. Secretary of energy and environmental affairs Rick Sullivan speaking on behalf of Governor Patrick indicates that this is another example of the state moving toward its goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020.
Secretary Sullivan knows the developers are waiting on the state to decide on how it will roll out tax credits for biomass plants, but says that information won't be out until about a month from now. The plans call for biomass production to start by the end of 2013, and to be fully operational in 4 years, with about 50 percent of the oil being made available for commercial operations through out the region.