Overview
Ameresco Delaware South is a 5 MW biomass power plant in Delaware, United States, fueled by waste. It is operational and owned by AMERESCO Delaware South.
Ameresco Delaware South is a biomass power plant located in Delaware, United States, with a capacity of 5 MW. The plant is operational and owned by AMERESCO Delaware South, utilizing waste as its primary fuel source. This facility contributes to the region's renewable energy portfolio by converting waste into electricity. As a small-scale biomass facility, Ameresco Delaware South operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and related standards for emissions. Biomass power plants in the US are subject to New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and may require permits for air emissions. The plant's technology typically involves combustion or gasification of biomass feedstocks. The plant's location in Delaware places it within a region with a mix of industrial and agricultural activities. By generating power from waste, the facility helps reduce landfill volumes and provides a renewable energy source for the local grid. Its small capacity suggests a niche role in distributed generation or community energy supply.
Environmental context
The plant's use of waste as fuel reduces methane emissions from landfills and displaces fossil fuel-based electricity. However, biomass combustion releases CO2, SOx, and NOx, though emissions are regulated under the Clean Air Act. Proximity to populated areas may require adherence to local air quality standards. The small capacity (5 MW) limits overall environmental impact compared to larger facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Ameresco Delaware South is located in Delaware, United States, at coordinates 38.5992, -75.4342.
It is a biomass power plant that uses waste as its primary fuel to generate electricity.
The plant has a capacity of 5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale power generation facility.
Biomass power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for emissions of SOx, NOx, and particulate matter.
By converting waste into electricity, the plant reduces landfill methane emissions and provides renewable energy, though biomass combustion still produces CO2 and other emissions.