Newsletter: Honua Ola Utilizes State-of-the-Art Emissions Control Technology to Produce Clean Renewable Energy

Honua Ola Bioenergy will use locally grown commercial biomass to generate 21.5 megawatts of renewable energy for Hawaii Island consumers in a newly refurbished, reconstructed plant. Once the facility begins operation, it can power approximately 14,000 households with renewable energy.

To produce always-on clean, renewable energy, Honua Ola employs state-of-the-art features in our operations, including our emissions control technology. The emissions control system consists of a four-part process. Three parts of the process remove particles of every size with filters and electrical attraction. The fourth component converts nitrous oxides to harmless gases. Read below to learn more about each part of our emissions control system.

When the gas from combustion (flue gas) leaves the furnace, the first stop is the dust collector. Using centrifugal force and gravity, like a Dyson vacuum cleaner, the dust collector removes the largest particles before the gas moves through the other parts of the emission control system.

The Electrostatic Precipitator, a type of air filter, uses electrically charged plates to attract and remove small particles from the flue gas.

The Selective Catalytic Reduction system reduces nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions. Ammonia is injected into the flue gas before it enters a catalytic converter. As the flue gas moves through the catalytic converter, NOₓ compounds react with the ammonia and are converted to nitrogen gas (N) and water (H₂O).

The Baghouse Filter removes the finest particles missed by the three earlier parts of the air-cleaning system. Compressed air pushes the flue gas through filter bags, which catch particulate matter, and exhaust fans pull it out of the bag house and into the stack.

Our investment in state-of-the-art technology reflects our commitment to provide efficient, clean, and sustainable energy to Hawaii Island residents. With locally produced renewable energy, Honua Ola can help Hawaii achieve its 2045 clean energy goals and do so while boosting the Big Island economy.