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A $250,000 grant awarded to Southern Oregon University recently could be the first step toward creation of a new source of clean energy for the Ashland area.

The grant, from the United States Department of Agriculture, will help pay for a feasibility study of the possibility of construction of a multimillion-dollar biomass plant on the school’s campus.

鈥淲e can only put so many solar panels on the roofs, so we really have to think outside the box when it comes to green energy,鈥� said Drew Gilliland, director of facilities management and planning at SOU. 鈥淔or Ashland 鈥� if not biomass, then what? Wind is a challenge 鈥� we don’t get enough of it. This would be a good fit for the city.鈥�

The timing for a study is right for SOU: Its heating system 鈥� two boilers built in the 1970s 鈥� is outdated and in need of replacement. In fact, the boilers barely meet energy and safety regulations as they stand, according to Gilliland.

The school last year conducted a preliminary study that determined biomass would be the best fit. With the grant, SOU officials will be able to direct staffers, students and outside consulting firms to perform an in-depth study. It’s expected to reveal an appropriate project scope 鈥� from the size of the plant to its effects on transportation.

One of the main goals of the study will be to figure out a fuel for the plant. At one point, biomass plants primarily used dead trees or wood chips to generate electricity. However, plant or animal matter now can be used. A biomass plant to convert food waste into energy, for example, is being proposed in Northeast Portland.

If the study were to show that the plant is feasible, construction plans probably would not come together for quite some time, Gilliland said. However, because SOU’s energy system isn’t cutting it, a project could move ahead quickly. And school officials are confident that they can secure funding.

鈥淚t’s still a feasibility study, but it’s to the level that all the information could directly go to engineers to design (the plant),鈥� Gilliland said. 鈥淚’m really optimistic at this point that it would happen. We could get a variety of funding sources for this project, and no one entity should be responsible for it because it helps so many areas.鈥�

Primary funding for the project would come from the state, according to Gilliland; SOU officials believe the Legislature was already going to allocate money for a large portion of a boiler replacement effort.

The school could make a profit from the plant. If it were built, SOU officials anticipate an excess of energy, which would be sold to the city of Ashland or potentially a dam or a power company. The study will help determine the most cost-effective option.

Additionally, because SOU is the largest energy consumer in the city, its plant could greatly reduce the city’s annual energy costs, according to Adam Hanks, project manager for Ashland.

鈥淲hat they do with energy is important to us,鈥� Hanks said. 鈥淚t clearly has a potential benefit as a local power source to keep us out of the tier two of power.鈥�

If energy usage in the city exceeds a certain threshold, the rate charged by the power company increases significantly. The plant would help the city meet its overall goal to remain in tier one, Hanks said.

Of course, because SOU buys its power from the city, a dramatic decrease in usage 鈥� as much as 1.2 megawatts per year 鈥� could impact the city in ways that may need to be mitigated.

鈥淲e’re connected into the project one way or another,鈥� Hanks said. 鈥淚t definitely has a lot of community and regional benefits.鈥�

The study will begin as soon as this fall, according to Gilliland, and finish by the end of the school year.