Power generator NRG testing switchgrass, sorghum at Louisiana plant
Associated Press
09/30/09 1:55 PM EDT
NEW ROADS, LA. — Power generator NRG Energy Inc. said Wednesday that it is testing whether switchgrass and high-biomass sorghum could be used to replace some of the coal used at the company's Big Cajun II power plant in Louisiana.
NRG said the project could lead to commercial-scale projects using biomass fuels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from other coal-fired plants.
NRG is planting 20 acres of switchgrass and sorghum at the plant site using seed and growing techniques provided by Ceres, a developer and marketer of high-yield energy grasses. The switchgrass and sorghum were chosen for use specifically in Louisiana's soil and climate, and will be managed by a local grower.
The next phase, expected to be done next year, will use the biomass as a partial fuel for electric generation.
NRG shares fell 19 cents to $28.38 in trading Wednesday afternoon. The shares have traded between $14.39 and $29.26 over the past year.
Princeton, N.J.-based NRG has generation capacity of 24,000 megawatts, enough to supply more than 20 million homes. Its retail business, Reliant Energy, serves more than 1.6 million customers in Texas.
