Final answer:
Electric power plants can use solid waste, such as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and biomass like woodchips or sawdust, to generate electricity through incineration or by using methane gas from decomposition. These methods contribute to renewable energy production and offer a way to manage waste while producing power.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electric power plant can indeed use solid waste as a fuel source. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), often referred to as garbage, can be utilized to generate electricity through various methods. One common approach is incineration, where the waste is burned directly to produce heat, which in turn generates steam that powers a turbine to create electricity.
Another method involves harnessing the methane gas produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials in landfills. This methane can be captured, processed, and used as a fuel source for generating power. For instance, landfills actively capture methane and use it to generate electricity at power plants or supply it to homes for heating, thus contributing to renewable energy production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
One example of biomass being used for power generation is at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA, which uses a woodchip burning plant. Similarly, Colgate University operates a boiler that uses sustainably harvested wood chips, significantly reducing emissions and heating costs. This use of biomass, like woodchips or sawdust from lumber production, is another form of harnessing energy from renewable resources that would otherwise be considered waste.