Energy Secretary Chu coming to SRS

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu will visit the Savannah River Site for the first time next week for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Department of Energy's new Biomass Cogeneration Facility.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) are also scheduled to attend the event, along with other local and state elected officials from South Carolina and Georgia. The groundbreaking will be held Nov. 30.

The renewable energy-fueled facility to be constructed at SRS is a $795 million contract for the construction, operations and maintenance of the facility as well as fuel supply costs, over the 19-year length of the contract.

Officials say the Biomass Cogeneration Facility will result in a projected savings of more than $35 million a year in energy, operation and maintenance costs, while significantly reducing air emissions and will replace a deteriorating coal powerhouse and oil fired boilers. According to DOE officials, the project demonstrates its commitment to implementing energy improvements that provide significant public health and environmental benefits along with real energy and cost savings.

The DOE has contracted with Ameresco Federal Solutions Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn., to construct the steam cogeneration plant and install two steam boilers.

The energy savings will result from replacement of the site's D Area Powerhouse with a high-tech biomass facility, fuel switching (coal to biomass) and improved operational efficiencies with new equipment better matched to SRS's load requirements.

Officials with Ameresco have said that, when completed, the new facility will result in an annual reduction of 400 tons of per year of particulate matter, 3,500 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions and 100,000 tons of carbon emissions. It will also reduce annual water consumption by 1.4 billion gallons and eliminate the burning of coal by 161,000 tons per year.

The new Biomass Cogeneration Facility is expected to be operational in December 2011. The project is said to be the one of the largest energy savings performance and renewable energy contract in the nation's history.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.