Small Towns, Big Power

Small Towns, Big Power: Why Biomass Baseload Is the Future of Rural Energy In many small towns and island communities, energy reliability isn’t just a convenience—it’s survival. Diesel powers 90–100% of the grid in much of the Caribbean, often at costs four times higher than on the U.S. mainland. When fuel must be shipped in and generators maintained without support, power is fragile. And fragile is dangerous. As solar and wind gain popularity, they offer promise—but also risk. Batteries are expensive. The sun doesn’t shine at night. The wind doesn’t always blow. These are gaps that demand a steady, local, renewable solution. That solution is biomass baseload power. What Is Baseload Power—and Why It Matters Baseload power is the steady stream of electricity needed to keep critical systems running—refrigeration, water pumps, healthcare, communication. In small towns disconnected from major grids, that reliability must be built locally. Historically, diesel generators filled the role. But today, they’re costly, polluting, and economically volatile. The Diesel Dilemma—and Solar’s Limitations Diesel is dependable but dirty. Fuel prices fluctuate, and transporting diesel to remote locations adds huge costs. Solar and wind are clean but inconsistent. To turn sunlight into 24/7 power, you need massive battery banks—costly, maintenance-heavy, and often out of reach. In the real world, most small towns need more than sunlight. They need fuel that’s already there—agricultural and municipal waste. Biomass: A Local, Renewable Power Source Biomass baseload power—particularly through gasification—takes crop waste, wood chips, and even garbage, and turns it into electricity. It works day and night, sun or storm. Systems are modular and scalable to town size. And unlike solar panels, they generate local jobs, local savings, and keep energy dollars in the community. Can Local Waste Really Power a Town? Yes. A town of 5,000–15,000 people generates 2–4 pounds of waste per person per day—more than enough to feed a 1–2 MW system with the help of crop waste like bagasse, rice husks, and wood debris. A 2 MW system can run continuously on about 5 metric tons per hour. With the right sourcing radius and support, most small towns are already sitting on their energy future. “Biomass power isn’t just an alternative—it’s the future of clean, resilient community energy.” — Cornelius van Tonder, Pr.Eng, CTO, ReGenCorp Why Biomass Makes Economic Sense Biomass systems don’t just produce energy—they cut costs. Communities avoid landfill fees, capture tipping fees, and stabilize energy costs long-term. With diesel, spikes in global oil prices hit instantly. With local waste, fuel costs are stable—and often free. Want Proof? Read our technical white paper to explore: - Side-by-side cost analysis - Real-world case studies (Belize, Vermont, Caribbean islands) - Technology comparisons between gasification, incineration, and solar+storageLet’s build power that’s local, clean, and ready now.