A Hartford Courant article describes the experience of a Somers wholesale nursery that has converted from oil to biomass to heat its greenhouses. The nursery, Grower Direct Farms, has 18 acres of covered greenhouses or the equivalent of 18 football fields. Historically, it used 500,000 gallons of heating oil each year. In 2011, they reduced oil consumption by 450,000 gallons by switching to a biomass system fed by wood chips. Their annual fuel cost dropped by nearly 70%.
The project received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). The program helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses become more energy efficient. Grower Direct received a $500,000 grant from the agency and an $850,000 loan guarantee in 2008. The company expects the system to pay for itself in five years.
The agency said it will make $42 million in grants and up to $61 million in guaranteed loans available through REAP.
