Abstract
Increased concern about environmental sustainability and air quality management has driven research into novel technologies of generating electrical power. We conducted a number of runs and studies on a modular biomass conversion system to evaluate technical performance and to determine the economic feasibility of this system to generate renewable electricity in the Sacramento Area. The parameters studied are feedstock type, air emissions, biochar production and electrical output. NOx emissions and the electrical output were minor setbacks; this problem can be solved by upgrading the filter system and modifying fuel feedstock by transforming it to briquettes, which will help reduce NOx emissions and improve the power generation efficiency of the unit. Successful results of the proposed project increase the possibility of implementing an environmentally acceptable and sustainable use of biomass residues for carbon negative power generation in Northern California.