Trees could be the new power source for facilities throughout the Palmetto State. As companies look to cut down on carbon emissions, the use of wood waste, also known as woody biomass, as a power generation source is a budding industry in South Carolina. The use of woody biomass is emerging, not booming, in the state, according to industry leaders.
Experts see the industry taking shape in two ways: more wood pellet manufacturers could open facilities in the state to produce pellets and either sell or export them, or more woody biomass facilities could move into the state to buy pellets, convert them into electricity and sell them to S.C. utility providers.
Two wood pellet companies are currently either expanding or building plants in South Carolina to produce a cumulative 700,000 tons of pellets annually. As for woody biomass facilities, one company is already in operations supplying power to a utility provider here, and another company is in the process of building two more of these facilities.
Wood waste is a good source for power and heat, which can be used to power homes or facilities, said Terry Walker, a Clemson University biosystems engineering professor.
Wood waste is just one element of biomass. Numerous companies throughout the state use biomass sources currently by converting yard waste, food products or animal products into fuel or power, for example.
From GSA Business: https://www.gsabusiness.com/news/48238-woody-biomass-industry-emerging-in-s-c?rss=0