Duke Energy says it successfully tested soybean oil in one of its backup power plants that typically runs on diesel or natural gas.
Duke said Thursday the tests this week at Mill Creek, a combustion-turbine plant that can generate enough power to run 80,000 homes, were the largest U.S. trial of biodiesel on a plant of that type and size.
The plant is used to help meet demand at peak times.
Biodiesel is not as easy to get as diesel or natural gas because it can't be shipped by pipeline, and it is unlikely to replace petroleum, said Leonard Angello of the Electric Power Research Institute. But it could give Duke and other power generators another option to diesel or natural gas to generate backup power.
"They're all looking for alternatives and fuel flexibility," Angello said.
Colin Wilkes, principal engineer with General Electric, said emissions monitoring during the biodiesel tests this week confirmed that the alternative fuel won't harm GE turbine generators, which are used at the Mill Creek plant.
Duke got about 70 responses to a recent solicitation to renewable energy suppliers and its efforts drew praise from a frequent critic — Stephen Smith of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
"We applaud thinking out of the box, and Duke's doing that," Smith said. "I would give (Duke Chief Executive Officer Jim) Rogers and his crew some kudos for being innovative."
Duke tested 100 percent biodiesel and three biofuel-diesel blends ranging from 20 percent to 80 percent biodiesel. Before it can become part of the plants' fuel mix, biodiesel would have to show financial, operational and emissions benefits, said Mary Huller, Duke's project manager.
The company said it still has some technical issues to work out, particularly with the fuel blends.
Your Ads At Here
