Preliminary Plans and Specifications
for three (3)
300 MWe Biomass Plants
|
Client Mott
MacDonald, Ltd. |
for |
Drax Power, Ltd. |
Completion Date
January,
2010
Project Description
Drax Power owns/operates
the 4,000MW pulverized coal-fired Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. This is the largest, cleanest, and most
efficient coal-fired power station in the UK.
It provides enough power to meet 7% of the UK’s electricity needs. Drax Power recently installed 500MW biomass
of co-firing systems at the plant. Based
upon this experience in biomass and the need for renewable energy in the UK,
Drax Power initiated plans for three (3) 300MWe biomass CFB (circulating
fluidized bed) plants. This significant investment could result in Drax
supplying 15% of the UK’s renewable power and up to 10% of total UK
electricity. The total renewable capacity the biomass co-firing and CFB plants
will provide 1,400MW of renewable energy, enough to power 2 million homes - the
equivalent output of 2,000 wind turbines
Biomass materials include
sustainable wood-based products, forestry residues, residual agricultural
products, such as sunflower seed husks and peanut husks, and processed products
- like wood pellets and briquettes. For
the co-firing work, Drax conducted extensive product trials resulting in a
ready and flexible supply of raw materials through working with leading
producer groups across forestry, farming and agricultural industries. Supply agreements were placed with local
producer groups and supplier groups for plant requirements.
Mott MacDonald was
retained by Drax Power as the Power Plant Technical Advisor for the three (3)
300MWe biomass power plant projects.
Energy Associates assisted Mott MacDonald with the biomass receiving,
storage, reclaiming, processing, handling, and boiler feed systems. Preliminary design work was completed to
support the permitting effort and to develop site plans. EPC specifications were prepared for Drax
Power to proceed with the bidding and contracting effort.