Metso supplies boiler to GREC power plant

In Gainesville, Florida, US, the Gainesville Renewable Energy Centre (GREC) is developing a biomass-fired power plant, for which engineering and technology corporation Metso will supply a 100MWe biomass boiler island and plant automation system.

The plant is slated for completion by 2013. When it becomes operational, the 100MW of renewable power generated will benefit around 70,000 homes. It will also create around 700 jobs.

The centre has raised almost $500 million to build the facility, 25% of which will cover Metso's delivery.

The boiler will utilise bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) technology and use waste wood from logging and mill operations, in addition to urban wood waste from clearing, tree trimming and pallets as the main fuel.

'Once built, this will be one of the world's largest and cleanest power plants for biomass combustion,' says Dave King, president of Metso's power business line in North America.