Case Study: Great River Energy achieves efficient CHP power generation with Babcock & Wilcox CFB boiler technology

Great River Energy launches 90 MWe CHP plant with Babcock & Wilcox

Babcock & Wilcox was selected by Great River Energy (GRE) to provide a clean power generation solution for its Spiritwood Station, a combined heat and power plant in North Dakota. The challenge was to build a facility capable of generating electricity for the grid while also supplying process steam to an adjacent malt plant, all while meeting stringent emissions requirements.

The solution implemented by Babcock & Wilcox was a 275 MWt internal recirculation circulating fluidized-bed (IR-CFB) boiler designed to burn lignite coal. The boiler's design, which includes limestone injection for sulfur control and staged combustion for nitrogen oxide control, was integrated with a full suite of Babcock & Wilcox environmental equipment to limit emissions. The plant successfully achieved commercial operation in 2012, providing approximately 56 MW of net electricity to the grid alongside process steam, demonstrating high combustion efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements.

Great River Energy (gre)