Alliant Energy
William (Bill) Johnson is Manager of Biofuel Development for Alliant Energy, and is responsible for identification and supporting development of sustainable biomass fuels for combustion in electrical generation facilities. He also developed Alliant Energy’s anaerobic digestion program for farm and industrial customers. Bill was manager of Alliant’s agriculture customer services group for 14 years, and was responsible for energy conservation, power quality, electrical wiring and renewable energy programs for Alliant’s farm customers. He was Dean of Agriculture and General Education at Blackhawk Technical College, in Janesville, WI for 16 years. Prior to then he conducted physiology and biochemistry research at the University of Wisconsin and Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison, WI. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin. He has published in physiology peer reviewed journals, author of articles for energy industry publications and consultant for biomass renewable energy projects.
Discuss Alliant Energy’s experience using biomass a substitute for coal in its electrical generation facilities. The challenges of burning biomass will be reviewed; including the growing, harvesting, storage, processing and the development of a biofuel supply chain structure. The economics of using biomass as a fuel, its challenges and considerations in choosing biomass as a fuel for firing in electrical generation facilities. Outcomes from the test burning of biofuels and experiences in working with the development of biofuel supply chain businesses will be discussed.
