Biomass Energy

The renewable resource that shows the most promise in the Southeast and Mississippi Power's service area is the use of biomass. The use of biomass reduces sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared with coal, plus the renewable energy source absorbs carbon dioxide from the air as it grows.

For almost 15 years, Mississippi Power and Southern Company have focused renewable research on biomass power - specifically co-firing and re-powering existing plants.

We have tested switchgrass, sawdust, and wood chips and are currently working with the U.S. Forest Service to evaluate co-firing pulverized coal with chipped wood from tree-thinning activities.

The wood is being harvested from the Talladega National Forest, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. Initial wood chip production tests have been encouraging, and co-firing tests are planned. In addition to gauging the environmental benefits of the process, including the potential to reduce power plant emissions, and providing renewable fuel, this program also will benefit the National Forest System by thinning select trees, thus improving habitat for bird species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and wild turkey.

Current studies are examining the feasibility conversion of certain older plants for biomass firing.

Re-powering an existing typically results in the loss of about 50 percent of the current generating capacity due to the low heating value of biomass compared to natural gas or coal. Other limiting factors of biomass include availability, transportation and storage.