DTE Energy Services (DTEES) declared that it has obtained an approval from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to modify its present coal using power facility located at the Port of Stockton into a biomass fuel-powered plant.
The company has earlier performed a similar conversion for its plant in Cassville, Wisconsin and its plant in Bakersfield, California is currently undergoing conversion. It operates biomass powered plants in Mobile, Alabama and Woodland, California.
The Port of Stockton District Energy Facility (POSDEF), which started its operation in 1989, has discontinued its operation in April 2009. DTEES acquired the facility in June 2010 for the purpose of upgrading it to a biomass plant. The plant will be redesigned to use 100% biomass, mainly wood fuel obtained from agricultural residues, tree trimmings and urban wood waste. The plant will generate around 45 MW of clean power.
During the conversion process, DTEES will replace the existing boiler and introduce control technologies to cut down emissions. Around 100 construction workers will be engaged at the peak of construction period and 50 employees and contract workers will be employed to maintain the functions of the plant after the conversion.
On completion, the power generated from the biomass plant will be supplied to PG&E under a power purchase agreement. The long-term accord will assist PG&E to meet the mandatory 33% renewable energy requirement of the California state.
Source: http://www.dteenergy.com/