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While wind turbines might be sexier than biomass energy, both help solve a critical issue: helping Michigan move away from a reliance on coal-fired power.

The Fremont Community Biomass Digester, currently under construction and expected to begin operation in the mid-2012, is leading the way. The Fremont digester’s technology will allow the plant to convert food processing waste otherwise destined for landfills into methane gas for energy production, processing 400 tons of waste per day and generating approximately three megawatts of electricity – enough to power 1,500 homes.

Lowell is also expected to announce construction on a biodigester to help the produce enough electricity to provide for Lowell Light & Power’s 10 percent renewable energy quota required by the state. The local utility is in talks with a German company about using food processing waste and other sources to generate energy.

Not all biomass news is rosy. RenewaFUEL LLC south of Marquette returned a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant, laid off all 25 employees and closed its operations as its parent company, Cliffs Natural Resources, looks for a buyer.

New research projects are looking at different biomass fuels and production increases. P.A. 215 of 2011 amends the state law to un-restrict biomass research and development for single-liner landfills. The projects were previously limited to double-liner landfills.

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• fremont community biomass digester
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