Tour of GE Biomass Power Plant

RSVP: To Kent Studer at kstuder [at] uiuc [dot] edu by April 4, 2008

General Electric (GE) Energy is converting a Sylvan Power Company plant to a Biomass plant, powered by wood chips.

The facility was constructed in 1996 to burn garbage (otherwise slated for landfill) from the South Side of Chicago, to generate steam to power a steam turbine. The plant generated most of its income, not from supplying electricity, but by accepting garbage. However, in 2000, the State of Illinois changed environmental laws, and the plant went bankrupt.  GE is now converting the plant to generate power from wood chips (3-in in length or less) created from scrap lumber and trees. This will result in a greenhouse-negative facility, the conversion of which is to be completed by the end of 2008.

The facility coordinator is offering a guided site visit for approximately 20-30 University of Illinois students and faculty on April 26th.

Visitors will be able to see:

• 55MW Steam Turbine (non-operational)
• Fuel Handling Area (in construction)
• Boiler Area (in construction)
• Plant Control Room

Visitor Dress Requirements:

1. Long pants
2. Shirts with long sleeves
3. Shoes with toes and that provide ankle support

Please RSVP by April 4 to Kent Studer at kstuder [at] uiuc [dot] edu and indicate if you can drive. The plant is located in Robbins, IL.

For more information contact Andy Friedl at (apfriedl [at] uiuc [dot] edu).