Lockheed Martin opened a new bioenergy facility in Owego, New York. The system, which is now completing commissioning, uses Concord Blue's advanced technology that will convert waste into clean, renewable energy.

"This new bioenergy technology can change the way our world addresses clean energy and waste management challenges," said Frank Armijo, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Energy. "At our bioenergy facility in Owego, we're able to reduce our own energy costs while also demonstrating the groundbreaking capability of our technology to potential users."

This self-sustaining system can transform waste into electricity through a process called advanced gasification. The Owego facility will initially use wood-waste, with plans to transition to municipal, commercial or industrial waste to create its power in the future.

According to company officials, unlike incineration, the process is oxygen-free and flame-free, which means no harmful byproducts are produced, emissions are limited and waste going to landfills is greatly reduced.

As part of the process, metal, glass and other materials are removed, and the waste is dried to specification. Proprietary heat carrier spheres are heated and mixed in with the organic waste. Once a certain temperature is reached, the solid waste turns into gas, which then travels to a reforming vessel where the gas is turned into synthesis gas (syngas). The syngas is then used to fuel a combustion engine that produces electricity. Alternatively, the syngas can also be used to produce hydrogen and biofuels.