Our Process:
Bringing Your Biomass Project From Concept To Creation

AES is a flexible, customer oriented organization. We offer turnkey waste-to-energy solutions, making the technology we sell only one component of the equation. Each solution we create is customized to each client's needs, and has its own unique characteristics. Even so, there are common themes that run through each dialogue. The following is what you can expect from AES as we develop your biomass energy solution.

• Fill out and return our preliminary questionnairre, available here.
The information you provide in our questionnairre gives us the foundation for the rest of the process.

• Determine Project Size
There are two key methods to sizing a biomass project. These processes are not mutually exclusive, but at early stages, this approach helps clarify the discussion:

A: Establish the energy demands of the site
- Energy demand (electrical, steam, heat, pressure, etc.)
- Demand cycles (operation hours, load cycles)
- Available supplemental energy sources (if needed)

B: Establish potential feedstock availability
– Determine on-site biomass (opportunity fuel) quantities if available
- Determine potential external biomass sources (AES retains a network of biomass feedstock providers)

• Biomass Fuel Due Dilligence
Depending on the nature of your biomass, there may be information available as to its performance as a fuel. AES retains substantial data on many varieties of biomass, which will be utilized as applicable.

• Evaluate Project Economics
Once we have determined the estimated potential and/or scope of a project, we can begin to look at the savings opportunities biomass fuel can create. These savings generally come from:

- Reduced or removed cost of existing energy sources: Electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, etc.
- Reduced or removed cost of waste disposal: Tipping fees, transport costs, environmental penalties, labor etc.
- Opportunities for grants, incentives or other financial assistance as a green project

This step also involves investigating the customer's preferred payment terms: Full purchase, a choice of leasing options, or other payment arrangements as applicable.

• Verify Biomass Fuel Characteristics
Phase 1: Proximate Ultimate Test
The previous steps should provide enough information to determine if the project has sufficient R.O.I. to warrant further investigation. Although existing information may be available, by nature, no two biomass materials are exactly the same. Soil quality, moisture, animal diet or storage durations can impact an opportunity fuel's performance. Because of these variations, AES conducts proximate ultimate testing on your specific biomass. A predetermined quantity of your opportunity fuel will be required, and sufficient data will be created to dictate next steps.

Phase 2: Evaluation In AES' Biomass Test Facility
AES will perform a multiple day evaluation of your fuel stock in a production-model gasification unit. The testing includes the monitoring and reporting of emissions, fuel performance, fuel feed demands, BTU value, and ash characteristics of your opportunity fuel. This testing will yield sufficient information to allow AES to offer you performance guarantees for your feedstock within certain parameters. 80% of your investment in a biomass test.

• Emissions Compliance
Depending on the size of the installation, the location, and the opportunity fuel being utilized, AES and its partners will perform research and permitting activities for compliance with air regulations.

• Initial Biomass Solution Design
Once the properties and performance of the fuel has been verified and found to be feasible, AES submits a more formalized proposal. All of the critical components of the installation, from fuel feeding system, to unit size, to filtration and stack parameters, are outlined and budgetary pricing estimates are determined. Timelines are fashioned based on the current market demand.

• Project Planning and Final On Site Research
Now that the customer is equipped with budgetary pricing, and the hardware needs have been determined, AES conducts extensive on site research. This research includes all final technical details, addresses fatal flaws, and otherwise allows AES adjust the specifications to fully meet the customer's needs and addresses the unique demands of the installation.

• Final Project Pricing, Scheduling & Commencement
Once AES and the customer feel confident that the project is ready to break ground, the final steps are to finalize pricing, scheduling and startup information. Initial payment for the solution is made, and the order is placed with our technology producers.