Project Statement

Wood Chip Suppliers

Project Feasibility

Biomass is a versatile energy option that can work in a variety of applications including heating, cooling and electricity generation -- alone or in combination.

Systems are available at all scales, including:

• Small, manual-fed cordwood furnaces
• Commercial pellet-feed boilers starting at 100,000 BTUs/hr
• Automated wood chip systems starting at 1 million BTUs/hr
• Industrial combined heat and power (CHP)

Elements of a Good Project

There are a few things that can make a facility well suited for biomass energy:

1. High heat demand and high fossil fuel costs
2. Proximity a wood fuel source can be important in that generally, the closer the supply, the cheaper the fuel. A haul distance from a forest source of 30-50 air miles (est. 50-80 road miles) can generally keep costs of wood fuel reasonable at a rate of $35-$40/ton. Other biomass fuel sources include wood pellets, sawmill residues and municipal wood waste such as clean demolition waste and urban trees which may be nearby.
3. Space available for the biomass burner, fuel storage, and access for delivery trucks
4. It's more cost effective to install a biomass boiler system in the new construction of a facility compared to integating it into an existing system.
5. A simple payback on investment within 10 years is desirable.
6. Enthusiasm of the facility staff and community.

Feasibility Assessments

Missouri Fuels for Schools and Business

Contact the Missouri Fuels for Schools Project Coordinator to discuss a preliminary engineering assessment for your school or business.

Located outside of Missouri? Or want to conduct your own assessment?

The following resources may be helpful.

Listing of other state forestry biomass programs

 

Wood Energy Calculator Michigan Wood Energy

Conduct a quick preliminary feasibility assessment using a simple online calculator. Developed by CTA Architects and Engineers and Southeast Michigan RC&D

Wood-Fueled Boiler Financial Feasibility Analysis

An interactive spreadsheet program that allows facilities or consultants to input facility specific data into the spreadsheet and receive an output of a preliminary feasibility assessment. Developed by Bob Govett at the U of Wisconsin-Steven's Point

View and download the User's Manual and Interactive Spreadsheet

Missouri Schools and Business

Contact the Missouri Fuels for Schools Project Coordinator to discuss a preliminary engineering assessment for your school or business.