Cleantech Transit has reported that its previously announced 500kW biomass gasification facility located in the US state of California, has passed its interconnection tests and is now connected to the utility distribution grid.
The gasification technology uses a non-combustion process to convert Ag and other woody residues into a hydrogen rich gas (syngas), which is then converted into electricity, along with heat and biochar.
The Phoenix Energy technology used in Merced essentially cooks the biomass in an oxygen-deprived environment to release the elemental gasses from the wood.
The plant, located in Merced, connected to the electricity grid under California’s feed-in-tariff with a 15-year power purchase agreement.
The Merced plant is expected to produce enough electricity to power approximately 400 homes.