pennsylvania's bureau of forestry and us forest service collaborate to implement wood-energy...
TRANSCRIPT
Pennsylvania's Bureau of Forestry and US Forest Service Collaborate to Implement Wood-Energy Projects
FRP Committee June 7, 2012
State College, PA
Michael T. Palko
DCNR Bureau of Forestry
MISSION
Establish decentralized, small thermal, sustainable woody biomass energy systems for community and economic development
Utilizing several woody biomass feedstocks: low-value / low-use wood, mill residue, short rotation woody crops
WHY BIOMASS ENERGY
Saves Money Locally Produced Feedstocks Boost to Local Economy A Renewable Resource Utilizes Wood Residue Diversifies Our Energy Portfolio Carbon Neutral Benefits to Environment
NEEDS
For independent, third party feasibility analyses to help agencies, communities, and businesses evaluate how wood energy can meet local energy needs
What technologies are available At what scale and cost What benefits could result
PARTNERSHIP
The US Forest Service Wood Education & Resource Center (WERC) Administers Woody Biomass Technical Support
Program Provides feasibility studies for projects with high
potential for implementation Evaluates & develops community-scale biomass
thermal and thermally-led CHP projects Funds & supports additional technical assistance
PARTNERSHIP
The Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry Selects projects to move to feasibility stage Gathers preliminary data from project
candidates Introduces either of two contractors to
project candidates to begin study
Sullivan County School District
Laporte -- north central Pennsylvania Heat & hot water for Elementary School,
High School, new Administrative Office Wilson Engineering, Meadville, PA --
technical assistance to the District for feasibility assessment
General technical support helped develop scope of the project & reach a decision point to proceed with project implementation
Sullivan County School District
Providing 85% heating for 126,000 sq ft With local wood fuel to replace fuel oil Reducing heating costs up to $115,000/year Retained 15% oil heating for peak demand
and shoulder months AFS Energy Systems, Lemoyne, PA
Sullivan County School District
Utilizing 800 tons sustainably harvested local wood chips ($42/ton)
Replacing 46,500 gallons fuel oil annually ($2.88/gallon)
Effectively eliminating 830 lbs/year SO2 Net reduction of 1,000,000 lbs/year CO2
Sullivan County School District
Project installation: Fully automated chip delivery system 150 cubic yard chip storage 2.8 mmBtu/hr biomass gasification unit &
boiler, controls, boiler room equipment External, integrated hot water thermal storage
tank, 3000 gallons 450 ft pre-insulated pex piping and
interconnection to existing central hydronic system, variable frequency drive motors
Total project cost -- $1.65 million
Sullivan County School District
Project Benefits: First year fuel savings $115,000 First year cash flow $65,000 Ten temporary construction jobs created Sustainably harvested fuel keeps $825,000 in
local economy over project life ($33,000/year) Modern wood energy systems are automated,
clean, & efficient Wood fuel considered renewable & carbon-
neutral
Sullivan County School District
Project Benefits: Net reduction of > 12,500 tons CO2 emissions Reduces oil use by >1,100,000 gallons Assists the Commonwealth and Sullivan
County in achieving renewable energy targets Research set-up to identify overall system
efficiency during differing operation conditions.
Biomass system integrated into School District's Science Curriculum
Tour February 22, 2012
Pre-Feasibility Studies
Completed 25 Nine = not feasible
Scheduled 3
