Thackney,
Check into Torrefaction of Wood Pellets. This is a relatively new technology that coal fired plants are looking at to replace coal with a carbon neutral wood pellet. The wood pellet is microwaved, taking all the moisture out of it. That makes them able to ship on boats, trains and trucks without gaining moisture during transit. Thermogen Industries is the company we are selling them from out of Maine. They are planning on building a second mill on the ME coast just to ship to Europe for $120 million.
There is another company Enviva in NC building two or three plants. ConocoPhilips is joining with them on their projects.
This enables the coal fired electric plants to reduce their carbon output without investing money in new equipment. These pellets also put out about 20% more BTU than normal wood pellets.
This is the next big thing in energy. You heard it here first.
It is no more or less carbon neutral than coal. Only the time frames are different, not the process. Both are actually solar powered.
You heard it here first.
First time I heard them as a replacement for coal-fired electrical power plant.