The mechanical completion and initial start-up of an integrated energy system is providing both steam and power for the Stockton Biorefinery site owned by Pacific Ethanol, CA.

The Powerstation unit combines Ener-Core’s 2 MW Power Oxidizer with a 2 MW gas turbine from Dresser-Rand Group. Source: Ener-CoreThe 2 MW PowerStation combines the Dresser-Rand KG2 gas turbine and Ener-Core's 2 MW Power Oxidizer.

The Power Oxidizers with the Dresser-Rand KG2 turbine are rated to provide a combination of up to 3.5 MW of electricity and over 26,000 pounds of steam/hr from two PowerStation units. The installation is expected to reduce air pollution by converting by-product low-quality waste gases generated by the Stockton plant's ethanol production into useful electricity and steam.

The PowerStations should also reduce the quantity of energy currently purchased by Pacific Ethanol's Stockton facility, saving an estimated $3 million to $4 million per year, representing a significant reduction in operating expenses for the plant.

The Ener-Core Power Oxidizer offers an alternative to a conventional combustion heat source normally used with traditional gas turbine power generation. The system operates on low-grade or waste fuels, landfill gas, biogas, coal gas, and associated petroleum gas.