Wood can be used for fuel at utilities similar to the way that coal is used to generate electricity. Although there are lots of different ways to convert wood to energy, typically, fuel (wood or coal) is burned to heat water to create steam in boilers, which is passed through steam turbines to generate power. Wood can also be converted into gas or liquid, and those synfuels can be burned. Wood-fired power plants look similar to coal-fired power plants except that they are much smaller. Neither power plant will have visible smoke emissions unless something is wrong with the emissions-control systems. However, one may see condensing water vapor coming out the stack of either power plant, which people may mistake for smoke. Typically, the stacks on wood-fired power plants are shorter than for coal-fired power plants. This FAQ was adapted from Wood to Energy and used with permission.

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