Biomass

Biomass and waste recycling

Biomass, a renewable energy source, is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms, such as wood, waste, (hydrogen) gas and alcohol fuels. In Minnesota waste-to-energy power plants, such as Great River Energy’s Elk River Energy Recovery Station, are considered biomass plants.

Watch a video about our Elk River Resource Recovery Project to learn how we make electricity out of garbage and contribute to Minnesota’s recycling effort.

Elk River Energy Recovery Station

This waste-to-energy power plant is a 29 MW facility with the capacity to convert energy from as much as 1,000 tons of refuse-derived fuel each day.

Elk River Resource Processing Plant

This facility is where the municipal solid waste used to make refuse-derived fuel for Elk River Energy Recovery Station is processed.