Wimberly

Commercial-scale Generation ofRenewable Electricity from an Energy Farm in Southern Florida: 

Commercial-scale Generation of Renewable Electricity from an Energy Farm in Southern Florida Jim Wimberly Biomass Investment Group, Inc. July 2007

Presentation Overview: 

Presentation Overview Introduction to the company & the crop Environmental Considerations System energetics Energy out vs. Energy in

Introduction to BIG : 

Introduction to BIG The Company Biomass Investment Group, Inc (BIG), based in Gulf Breeze Florida Biomass Energy Group LLC (FBEG) – a subsidiary BIG’s business approach Generate base load power under long-term PPAs Utility-scale projects (realize economies of scale) B-O-O (build-own-operate) Use a dedicated ligno-cellulosic energy crop + fast pyrolysis Why use a dedicated crop? consistent feedstock quality (allows process optimization) control over fuel supply (essential for PPA commitment)

BIG’s Conversion Process: 

BIG’s Conversion Process Fast pyrolysis Thermo-chemical process (no oxygen present) Upgrade the pyrolysis oil (aka: bio-oil, biocrude) to combustion turbine fuel Use the CT fuel in a combined-cycle system “IPCC” – Integrated Pyrolysis Combined-Cycle power to grid E-grass dryer pyrolysis reactor liquid storage power island syngas fertilizer bio-oil boiler steam steam

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ E-grass™ is BIG’s trade name for Arundo donax common name: Giant Reed

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ Native to Mediterranean & India but naturalized in U.S. Widely used as an ornamental Past uses include: Windbreaks Erosion control Building materials Arrows by Native Americans

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ Arundo is commercially produced for musical reeds North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia Also being planted for fiber for paper manufacturing Rico Reed, California

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ Extraordinarily efficient at photosynthesis The plant’s very high photosynthetic rate equates to very high carbon capture & biomass production per unit of land a solar energy battery

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ E-grass™ has ideal characteristics as a lignocellulosic energy crop Fast-growing, high-yielding, perennial grass High energy content Attractive physiochemical properties Mechanically harvestable

Introduction to E-grass™: 

Introduction to E-grass™ Producing E-grass™ is akin to making hay… year-round production, 2 harvests per field per year Continuous re-growth from rhizomes after each cutting No-till cultivation after initial planting

Environmental Benefits: 

Environmental Benefits Closed-loop, carbon-neutral system i.e., zero net carbon emissions to the atmosphere BIG’s 130 MW operation will avoid >30 million tons of CO2 Significant soil carbon sequestration Extensive perennial root system Makes the entire enterprise carbon-negative Low input, no-till, sustainable farming system Including primary reliance on rainfall (limited irrigation) On-farm nutrient recycling Potential for soil phosphorus draw-down

Environmental Considerations: 

Environmental Considerations Managing the crop under southern FL conditions: Seed is not viable — propagates vegetatively Lateral expansion of rhizomes is controllable Other farm BMPs further minimize risk, e.g.: Harvesting @ immature state Perimeter buffers Chopper harvester eliminates viability of nodes off-site 3rd-party monitoring

FBEG’s first Project in Florida: 

FBEG’s first Project in Florida Power Purchase Agreement with Progress Energy for 130 MW Energy farm located in southern Florida Approximately 20,000 production acres on active agricultural lands Current status: Front-end engineering underway Significant for Florida & the World… World’s first commercial-scale closed-loop power facility World’s first commercial-scale bioenergy operation using a dedicated lignocellulosic energy crop World’s largest biomass energy facility

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested: 

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested Net energy out = agronomic yield X process yield less energy consumed during the process 30 tons/ac/yr >> 20,000 acres planted acres 8 tons/ac/yr >> 74,000 acres

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested: 

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested crop E-grass

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested: 

E-grass + IPCC: Max Energy Out per Resource Invested net energy production

In summary: 

In summary BIG’s approach entails: Maximum renewable energy production / acre / year Therefore, minimum acres req’d for target power production &, min agronomic inputs required (water, fertilizers, energy) A wide range of important environmental benefits Significant rural economic benefits Laying the groundwork for future opportunities for Florida’s agricultural sector Economically feasible green power production Competitive with utility-scale avoided costs in Florida The most efficient renewable option for offsetting fossil fuel-fired power generation in Florida

Florida is particularly vulnerable to effects of global climate change…: 

Florida is particularly vulnerable to effects of global climate change… Therefore, Florida must be aggressive & proactive in preparing for the future, including carbon-neutral / renewable energy production While all options should be pursued, BIG’s approach offers an effective strategy for utility-scale green power generation FBEG’s project in south Florida… will help stimulate Florida’s agricultural sector will help address Florida’s climate change concerns Will help achieve Governor Crist’s GHG reduction goals will help position Florida as a world leader in renewable energy and set the stage for additional investments, jobs, and technology export

Slide19: 

Florida Biomass Energy Group LLC www.egrass.com