Helius Energy’s strategy is based on the provision of two sizes of biomass-fired renewable electricity generation plants – large plants of over 60MWe in size and smaller scale GreenSwitch™ 5-8MWe plants – that will deliver significant carbon savings.
For both sizes of plant, the power generation systems are based around conventional direct combustion and high-pressure steam raising boilers to supply a steam turbine that drives an electricity generator and also provides a source of steam and hot water, if required. Steam turbines are an extremely reliable and versatile proven technology used for electricity generation.
Initially, the Company will focus on the development of up to three plants (of over 60MWe) and up to three 5-8MWe plants in the UK. The plants will be based on proven technology, the first has been designed by McBurney Corporation who were appointed on 16 May 2007 along with Morgan Est plc to undertake pre-engineering works for the Stallingborough project in North East Lincolnshire. The McBurney Corporation technology will be capable of burning a variety of fuels and will deliver acceptable performance.
Feedstocks for the plants will be predominantly sourced from timber residues and the co-products of cereals and oil. The McBurney Corporation technology will be capable of burning a variety of fuels and will deliver acceptable emissions, provide a plant availability of 90% or higher to produce a secure and economic supply of steam and energy.
Helius Energy’s larger plants provide scale efficiencies and are strategically located to ensure ease of access to large quantities of biomass. Feedstocks for the plants will be predominantly sourced from timber residues and the co-products of cereals and oil.
The construction and operation of a 65MWe power plant is expected to save around half a million tonnes of CO2 each year, when compared to an equivalent coal-fired plant.
The modular GreenSwitchTM 5-8MWe plants include biomass feedstock conditioning for moisture and critical chemical controls and are designed to be located where sustainable and renewable feedstocks are readily available, such as breweries and distilleries, avoiding the costs of transporting wet feedstocks. They will generate onsite electricity and export any surplus to the local electricity network.
Left to Right
Blake McBurney (President, McBurney Corporation),
Dr Adrian Bowles (Technical Director, Helius Energy plc)
