Lexington, Kentucky
December 18, 2008
Officials from East Kentucky Power
Cooperative and the University of
Kentucky recently demonstrated switchgrass’ feasibility as
an alternative energy form as it was combined with coal to
generate electricity at East Kentucky Power’s Spurlock Station
in Maysville.
This was believed to be the first time switchgrass was used as
fuel for a power plant in Kentucky.
The switchgrass was mixed with the coal feedstock, replacing 1
to 2 percent of the coal normally used. East Kentucky Power will
continue to study switchgrass’ energy potentials, and could
possibly increase the percentage of switchgrass used to 3 to 10
percent.
“We want to find out if switchgrass can be a viable supplemental
fuel for our power plants,” said Bob Marshall, president and CEO
of East Kentucky Power. “This test will provide valuable
information about how burning switchgrass affects our plant’s
fuel-delivery systems, boilers and emissions.”
The test is part of an innovative four-year pilot project
conducted by UK’s College of Agriculture to determine if
switchgrass can be grown sustainably and economically in
Kentucky. A grant to the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council
from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board is funding the
project.
“The switchgrass burn, which was made possible by an investment
from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, will provide
valuable information that could enhance Kentucky’s agricultural
opportunities outlined in my recently released seven-point
energy plan,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Energy-related research
and development through public and private partnerships should
be expanded throughout the state.”
“This is just another example of how the college is working to
develop a variety of technologies for alternative energy uses,”
said Scott Smith, dean of the College of Agriculture. “We
appreciate our partners, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the
Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, working with us toward
this goal.”
UK researchers are working with 20 farmers in northeast Kentucky
to evaluate options for planting, growing, harvesting,
transporting and processing the switchgrass. Each farmer manages
a five-acre plot that UK forage specialists helped them
establish.
“I think it’s going to be a viable crop for all of us,” said
Greg Webb, a producer in Lewis County. “It won’t replace
tobacco, but it will help.”
The forage specialists believe that if this project is
successful, switchgrass could provide a great opportunity for
producers in this area to diversify their agricultural
operations as well as generate additional income.
“As people drive around northeastern Kentucky, they see a lot of
land that lays fallow, and those are acres that have great
potential for switchgrass production because it grows well even
on marginal soils. We don’t even have to take acres out of
forages for cattle production,” said Tom Keene, UK hay marketing
specialist. “The opportunity is there.”
“Kentucky farmers successfully producing switchgrass opens up
tremendous opportunities for them in the emerging biomass
market,” said Ray Smith, UK forage extension specialist. “While
further research is needed to determine the economic returns to
producers, this project is allowing Kentucky farmers to be at
the forefront of this movement.”
Seven plots were established in 2007, and the remaining 13 were
planted in 2008. The switchgrass was planted during the spring
and matured until the first killing frost. After that frost, the
plots were mowed, and the switchgrass was baled like hay. About
70 tons of switchgrass were harvested this fall. The bales were
transported to Spurlock Station, where UK representatives used a
tub grinder to further process the switchgrass for handling by
the power plant’s coal conveyer system.
One of Spurlock Station’s generating units—the Gilbert # 3
unit—features circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology that
allows it to burn a wide range of fuels, including switchgrass.
In April, EKPC plans to bring online a second unit at Spurlock
Station featuring this technology. EKPC’s proposed Smith CFB #1
unit at Smith Station in Clark County also is planned to feature
this technology.
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission,
reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and
extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians.
Writer: Katie Pratt |
|
