North Fork Community Power Forest Bioenergy Facility Demonstration

Powering the community's electricity needs using forest biomass waste

The Watershed Research and Training Center

Recipient

Hayfork, CA

Recipient Location

2nd

Senate District

2nd

Assembly District

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$4,220,575

Amount Spent

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Active

Project Status

Project Update

The project’s biomass power plant is nearing completion and eventual commercial operation. As of end of February 2024, overall progress is estimated at 94% complete. All major structures and equipment are now installed or constructed such as the EQTEC gasification and gas cleanup system, engine-generators and associated equipment, control and staff building along with HVAC, lighting, and fire water system. PG&E completed work on the transmission line connecting the power plant to the grid - the pre-energization testing (PTE) was completed and witnessed by PG&E. Staffing for subsequent operation is being filled as well, e.g. a Plant Manager was hired. A few remaining works include commissioning the electrical distribution, cold commissioning, completing remaining instrumentation, wirings, pipings, and biomass handling system. In addition to CEC funding, this project also has funding through tax-exempt and taxable bonds, a CalFIRE loan and equity investment from EQTEC. The project has a Power Purchase Agreement with PG&E under the BioMAT program.

The Issue

Forest biomass fueled bioenergy gasification projects have the potential to be more efficient and cleaner electricity generation than direct combustion systems and can reduce the risk of forest fires and pollutant emissions. The electricity generation is anticipated to be economical in the long-term but is dependent on the ability of developers to achieve necessary operating hours. Due to lack of sufficient data and the absence of commercially operating forest gasification facilities, there is a need to conduct demonstrations and collect technical data that will help advance the economic viability of this technology and attract private investment.

Project Innovation

The goal of the North Fork Forest Bioenergy project is to demonstrate at least one megawatt (MW) forest waste bioenergy gasification-to-electricity facility. The biomass gasification facility is targeted to be a commercial-scale, community-based facility capable of accepting and processing wood waste from forest management that would otherwise create wildfire and air quality challenges, and generating renewable grid-connected electricity. Once the gasification is fully installed and operational, the project team will investigate critical performance parameters and evaluate individual components and protocols to improve performance and reduce operating costs.

Project Goals

Construct, commercially operate and evaluate the performance of novel thermochemical woody biomass conversion system.

Project Benefits

This commercial-ready gasification technology has not been previously demonstrated in California. Combined with the producer gas cleanup system, automation and control, and optimized operation, this innovative system will prove distributed, woody biomass-fueled electricity to be economically feasible and capable of operating for 7,000 hours a year. The project will be grid-connected and will provide immediate benefits, including increased renewable generation capacity, expanded technical resources, and community environmental, wildfire, and economic development benefits.

Lower Costs

Affordability

Siting these plants near the forest reduces the cost of hauling biomass from the forest and reduces biomass electricity costs below those of larger, traditional biomass power plants.

Economic Development

Economic Development

This plant will be built and operated by local contractors. In some cases, workers may even be trained to work on site. The plant is owned in part by a local Community Development Council, which will receive profits from the PPA and reinvest them in the community. Additionally, the power plant will anchor a biomass utilization campus, which will expand to include other forest products.

Environmental & Public Health

Environmental Sustainability

Use of forest restoration by-product will improve air quality over open burning and reduce wildfire risk. Additionally, the gasification system will reduce air pollutant emissions. Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) estimated emissions reductions of 60% CO2 and 3% CH4 in direct combustion systems with emission control over pile and burn system, which could befurther reduced by gasification.

Consumer Appeal

Consumer Appeal

Providing jobs, protecting homes, and enhancing the functioning forest ecosystems, increased biodiversity, and decreased wildfire threat are all benefits that this power plant will be able to promote to increase consumer appeal.

Energy Security

Energy Security

This project will rely on California-grown fuel and operates as a baseload plant. Development will also require PG&E and plant owners to invest in the local substation. The availability of local bioenergy power plant that is connected to and supplying power to the grid will increase energy security for the rural community.

Key Project Members

Project Member

Subrecipients

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TSS Consultants

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The Regents of the University of California, Merced

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Phoenix Energy

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Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council

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North Fork Community Power LLC

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Darlington Legal Services

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Kamalesh Doshi

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Match Partners

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TSS Consultants

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The Watershed Research and Training Center

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North Fork Community Development Council

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Phoenix Energy

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Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council

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Penn Power Group, LLC d/b/a Western Energy Systems

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USDA Forest Service - Sierra National Forest

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Kamalesh Doshi

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