Overview
Biomass to Energy Facility Kauai is a 10.3 MW biomass power plant in Kauai, Hawaii, operated by Green Energy Team LLC. It converts waste into electricity, supporting the island's renewable energy goals.
Biomass to Energy Facility Kauai is a biomass power plant located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, United States. With a capacity of 10.3 MW, it is a small-scale facility that contributes to the local grid by generating electricity from waste materials. The plant is owned by Green Energy Team LLC and is currently operational. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its associated standards for emissions. As a biomass plant using waste as fuel, it is subject to emissions limits for pollutants such as SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. The technology employed is typical for small biomass facilities, focusing on efficient combustion and energy recovery. Environmentally, the plant plays a role in waste management by diverting waste from landfills and reducing methane emissions. It supports Hawaii's renewable energy targets and provides a local source of power, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. The facility's small capacity and use of waste fuel contribute to a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional power generation.
Environmental context
The facility uses waste as fuel, which helps reduce landfill waste and associated methane emissions. Its location on Kauai, an island with high ecological sensitivity, means that emissions are regulated to protect local air quality and ecosystems. The plant's small capacity and biomass fuel source result in lower CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuel plants, but combustion still produces SOx, NOx, and particulates that are controlled under EPA standards.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, United States.
The plant uses waste as its primary fuel, converting it into electricity through biomass combustion.
The facility has a capacity of 10.3 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale power plant.
Biomass power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA), including emissions standards for SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. They may also be subject to state-level renewable energy standards.
By generating electricity from waste, the plant supports Hawaii's renewable energy targets and reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, while also managing waste locally.