“Utilizing the storm debris not only benefits the region and community’s critical clean-up initiatives but affords a positive environmental solution to keep the woody debris out of landfills and power the plant with renewable fuel,” said Dr. David Moody, DOE-SR Manager responsible for overseeing the Site’s environmental management program. “Working together the region has been able to turn the aftermath of what was a devastating storm for all of us into something positive.”
Ameresco’s biomass cogeneration facility began receiving damaged wood the week following the winter storm in South Carolina and Georgia. Since the storm nearly 21,000 tons of storm-related fuel wood has been purchased for the biomass plant, which represents more than 55% of total purchases during the period. Ameresco expects to continue receiving damaged timber and woody debris from the region through the summer.
“We have been working with local partners to utilize the storm damaged wood because it is a valuable, clean and usable resource and renewable fuel for our biomass cogeneration facility and it’s the right thing to do,” said Nicole Bulgarino, Vice President, Federal Solutions, Ameresco.
Since March 2014, the biomass cogeneration facility has received storm wood from Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell Counties in South Carolina, and Burke and Hancock Counties in Georgia. Ameresco estimates that it will convert over 30,000 tons of storm-damaged wood into renewable power at SRS this year.
Following February’s ice storm, the South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a forest disaster declaration and reported that timber damage affected 24 counties across 1.5 million forestland acres in the state. In Georgia, numerous counties experienced widespread ice damage according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Ameresco, Inc. is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America.
