Biomass

Southern Company has conducted extensive power plant testing using a mix of biomass and pulverized coal. We have tested switchgrass, sawdust, and wood chips and are currently working with the U.S. Forest Service to evaluate co-firing chipped wood from tree-thinning activities. We estimate that biomass sources in our service territory, such as switchgrass and woody biomass, have the potential to reliably and economically supply a few hundred megawatts of generation.

The use of biomass reduces sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared with coal, plus the renewable energy source absorbs carbon dioxide from the air as it grows.

We are also pursuing conversion of coal-fired units to biomass. On March 17, 2009, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a request to convert Plant Mitchell Unit 3 from coal-fueled to biomass-fueled. The conversion would make it one of the largest biomass power plants in the United States. Located near Albany, Ga., the facility will be able to produce 96 megawatts of power—enough to power 12,000 homes. It will draw on surplus wood fuel from suppliers within a 100-mile radius of the power plant.

Also, in the fall of 2008, wood chip co-firing technology was demonstrated at Alabama Power's Plant Greene County, providing up to 15 MW of renewable energy.

In collaboration with Auburn University, the University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center, and the Electric Power Research Institute, Southern Company is investigating gasification of wood and other biomass fuels. The synthetic gas could be used to fire combustion turbines or combined cycle power plants. As a gas, the fuel would combust more efficiently and produce more energy and fewer emissions per megawatt-hour.

Solar

In partnership with Turner Renewable Energy we are building one of the nation's largest solar photovoltaic plants near Cimarron, NM. The 30-megawatt project will supply power to approximately 9,000 homes. Construction of the solar array—approximately 500,000 2'x 4' photovoltaic modules constructed with thin film semiconductor technology—is underway. Commercial operation is expected by year-end 2010. More

We're engaging in solar research to find the best solar technology for our region. The research will examine if advanced photovoltaic technologies offer the potential for low-emission, cost-effective niche generation in the Southeast. Located at Georgia Power headquarters in Atlanta, seven technologies capable of producing about four kilowatts of power each will operate and partilally offset the electricity needs of the building. Similar evaluations are underway at Alabama Power. For more information on solar and other alternative sources for electricity, see the NREL solar resource maps.

Landfill Gas

Southern Company uses methane gas created by the decay of landfill waste as a source of renewable energy. Using landfill gas, which must be burned anyway, to generate electricity avoids carbon dioxide emissions from other generation sources. Depending upon the size and age of a landfill site, it can produce about three to eight megawatts of electric power or approximately 390 kilowatt-hours per year—enough to supply about 2,000 homes.

Wind

In 2006, Southern Company and Georgia Tech completed a study of the feasibility of generating electricity from wind off the coast of Georgia. The study found average wind speeds of 16-17 mph about five miles off the Georgia coast. These "Class 4" winds have been used in other areas of the country for land-based wind farms but offshore wind resources typically must be stronger to overcome higher construction and operational costs.

Southern Company will continue to pursue the potential for development of feasible wind energy generation in coastal areas. The advent of lower-speed and more hurricane-tolerant wind turbine designs may overcome economic and technological hurdles. With community support, wind energy may yet someday contribute to the energy needs of the Southeast. See also NREL wind resource maps.