Costs stunt biomass growth as wind, solar soar

摘要

Biomass-based generation is likely to fall further behind as a source of renewable energy in the US because of its relatively higher costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The industry received a blow earlier this month when Dominion Energy said it would close its 83MW Pittsylvania site, one of the largest wood-burning generators in the US. The site will be transitioned to “cold reserve” in August before being “potentially retired” by 2021, the company said. That follows Xcel Energy's decision to close its 50MW Benson plant in Minnesota later this year.