Kidding aside, Jed, those are good links.
Note that the energy produced (1999) was ~ 73 Quad, and Consumed was ~98 Quad.
In the 1980's DOE funded 5,000 horsepower (3.0 Megawatt) gas turbine biomass-fuel electric power systems
using the engines off the C-130 turboprop cargo planes, and the Allison 501K gas turbine.
The gas turbine (modified for external combustion) took in 36 lb of air per second, compressed it to 150 PSIG and 600 F) where it was
piped to an external combustion tower where the biomass was injected. From there at ~ 2,000 F it went
to cyclonic ash separators and back out through the power end of the turbine.
EPA monitored the exhaust emissions for particulates etc., and it fell well within limits for cow chips,
sawdust, and other ground biomass.
The 3-5 Megawatt units were ready to go online turn-key at $1000.00 per Kwe. But, the power companies
Would Not Allow use of their transmission lines for "wheeling", because there was a glut
of coal and nuclear power coming online.
IOW, the problem was/is political not technical.
Frederick
