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FAQ's
What is biomass?
In the renewable energy world, "biomass" refers to any biological material used as a fuel to produce power. It commonly includes plant matter ("greenwaste") like trees, bushes, leaves, branches, etc. produced by agriculture, land clearing, forest fire cleanup, landscaping maintenance, and other activities.
How much biomass/greenwaste is there?
Estimates place greenwaste production in San Diego County alone at 800,000 tons per year.
How much does Envirepel need?
For each MW of electricity produced, the facility will consume approximately one ton of biomass waste material.
What happens to the rest?
Most of it will continue to be buried in landfills. We look forward to changing that by diverting it to generate clean, renewable electricity.
How does your gasification system work?
Please see our Technology page
Besides greenwaste, what waste stream/fuel sources can you use?
Envirepel's Renewable Energy technology can utilize almost any biomass source, including green waste, sludge, plastics, municipal solid waste ("MSW"), wood and other organics. The type of fuel to be used will vary based on facility needs and permit limitations by location.
How much air pollution (dust/smoke/ash/smog/etc) does an Envirepel Renewable Energy facility emit?
The combustion system converts biomass to a clean syngas that is then burned to make heat. The emissions from this process are below levels that would require air emission offset credits.
The technology sounds relatively simple. Why hasn't anyone tried this approach before?
The clear-cut answer is that Envirepel Energy engineered the entire process in reverse. We decided on the output (clean, renewable power generation) that could be permitted in Southern California without significant environmental impacts and worked backward from there. The entire facility was designed to set new standards in permitting.
How much power can one facility generate?
It all depends on the type and volume of fuel available. There isn't a scalability issue. A 30 MW facility is simply four 7.5 MW combustion systems operating in concert, that's the beauty of our Renewable Energy technology. Currently, the largest facility that Envirepel Energy plans to develop is 90 MW of clean, reliable and efficient renewable energy.
How many homes will that power?
Each MW year generates approximately 8,322 MW hours, which is enough to serve about 700 homes a year.
How will the facility impact the local environment?
Envirepel Energy takes this issue seriously; our facilities are designed to set new standards for synergistic operations in environmentally sensitive areas. Furthering our commitment to the environment, we intend to incorporate an endangered species breeding program into our Fallbrook Renewable Energy Facility. Our units boast very low emission numbers and will also extend the life of local landfills.
How does biomass compare to other renewable energy sources, like solar or wind power?
Wind and solar (photovoltaic panels) are intermittent sources. A wind turbine only works when the wind blows. There are areas with fairly consistent winds, but not a lot of them. Solar PV panels only work during daylight. Even the desert is dark at night. These sources often require "back-up" electricity, because storing the power is considered expensive. Envirepel's Renewable Energy technology can produce power 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine, day or night. As long as cities produce waste, we can produce electricity.
How much does a MW of Envirepel Renewable Energy electricity cost compared with other alternative and traditional sources?
Envirepel Energy's cost of wholesale electricity is less than half that of other renewable sources.
I'd like further information. How do I get it?
Please use our Contact Form with your question or information request. We will send you the information you requested, or we'll have someone contact you to clarify your request.