The plant would be operational by June 2010.
The conversion work includes converting the boilers from burning pulverized coal to a stoker technology and conversion of the material handling process. The project will use 40 people at the peak of the effort, as per estimates.
The coal fired plant was built in 1950. Integrys Energy Services, Inc. bought the 53-megawatt capacity plant in 1996 from Dairyland Power Cooperative and operated it as a merchant power plant, selling power in the open market.
DTE Energy’s Manager of Business Development Joe Cottle said that the company is modeling Cassville plant after its 25-megawatt Woodland plant, that burns urban biomass.
Cottle also said that the urban wood waste is one of the largest contributors to landfills. The Cassville plant would burn mostly urban wood waste, primarily from building demolition. Other forms of wood waste could be used depending on availability and cost.
Our plan is to pull it out before it hits the landfill, Cottle said. 100 percent biomass fuel is a business we know.
When the conversion project is completed, the new biomass plant will have 30 employees. About 12 to 16 work there now.
