Five Companies To Converge On Small Pennsylvania Town For Biomass Project

The company chosen to manage the first phase of the biomass project is the German engineering firm of Lahmeyer International, which emerged as the winning bidder among 12 competing companies

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Five Companies To Converge On Small Pennsylvania Town For Biomass Project

Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009

After a year of preparation and planning, work is about to begin on a biomass fueled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility in Smethport, Pennsylvania. The project is intended to demonstrate the use of waste wood as a sustainable alternative energy source for an entire community, serving as a unique model for Pennsylvania and the nation.

The company chosen to manage the first phase of the biomass project is the German engineering firm of Lahmeyer International, which emerged as the winning bidder among 12 competing companies. Applicants submitted a Statement of Qualifications, which were evaluated according to a 21-item weighted matrix system.

In terms of proposal quality, Lahmeyer was considered by the judges to be the Cadillac perhaps more accurately the Mercedes Benz of the applicants, noted Smethport Mayor Ross Porter who co-chairs the Smethport Woody Biomass Leadership Team with Dr. Tim Pierson of Pennsylvania State University. Lahmeyer became the standard against which all the other applicants were evaluated.

Pierson added, The scoring matrix was essential to impartially evaluate and select our engineering firm. It was an extremely valuable tool that allowed us to independently analyze each applicant firms qualifications in a precise and through manner.

Lahmeyer will coordinate a team of leading engineering firms, three of which are German and two American. The role of these firms is as follows:

Lahmeyer International will be in charge of Project Management and will contribute all necessary expertise relevant for dealing with any issues that may arise.

OBrien & Gere (OBG), as the U.S. partner (with local offices in Philadelphia and Danville), will contribute expertise in local regulations, environmental permitting, site assessment, development of constructability reviews, and task estimation.

GEF Ingenieur AG (GEF) will be in charge of the district heating transportation
and distribution piping system, addressing issues associated with heat network
system layout and design, including pipe stress analysis.

Seeger Engineering AG (SEEGER) will be responsible for the engineering and planning of the biomass CHP plant. This will include all related issues from wood fuel storage and handling, to the supply of heat to the district network.

Pennsylvania based international engineering consulting firm Gannett Fleming, Inc. will coordinate with the Lahmeyer team and oversee the massive water system infrastructure replacement project that the SWBLT hopes to dovetail with the district heat-piping project, offsetting construction costs for both initiatives.

Phase Two of the project will entail the actual engineering and design plans for the project and Phase Three is actual construction of the system. Phase Two and Three cannot proceed unless positive results are established in Phase One.

It is anticipated that a successful demonstration project in Smethport would stimulate the local economy by keeping energy dollars in the community, plus help stabilize the regional timber industry and keep forest crews working. The project would also generate jobs and spawn eco-energy tourism.
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About the Smethport Woody Biomass Leadership Team

The SWBLT is a 30-member working group of the Smethport Board of Trade in Smethport, Pennsylvania. Among its goals is to facilitate the research and development of a demonstration pilot plant near or within the Borough of Smethport, which will provide carbon neutral, sustainable, locally produced, renewable electric power and auxiliary district heat to Borough customers..

Source: PRLog.

This article found on:
http://www.yourindustrynews.com/five+companies+to+converge+on+small+pennsylvania+town+for+biomass+project_37377.html

Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.yourindustrynews.com

Category: Forestry>Biomass Energy

Region: Pennsylvania

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