nrels presenter on community-scale biomass randy hunsberger randolph.hunsberger@nrel.gov

NREL’s Presenter on Community-scale Biomass

Randy Hunsbergerrandolph.hunsberger@nrel.gov

ProductsFuels

EthanolBiodiesel“Green” Gasoline &

DieselPower

ElectricityHeat

ChemicalsPlasticsSolventsChemical IntermediatesPhenolicsAdhesivesFurfuralFatty AcidsAcetic AcidCarbon BlackPaintsDyes, Pigments, and

InkDetergentsEtc.

Food and Feed

• Combustion• Gasification• Pyrolysis• Co-firing• Enzymatic

Fermentation• Gas/liquid

Fermentation• Acid

Hydrolysis/Fermentation

• Trans-esterification

Range of Bio-Energy Possibilities

• Trees• Grasses• Agricultural Crops• Residues• Animal Wastes• Municipal Solid

Waste• Algae• Food Oils, Waste Oils

Photos left to right: NREL/PIX 05086, 12481

Biomass Feedstock

Conversion Process

Biomass Siting Factors

Project feasibility depends on: • Availability and cost of each type of biomass

(chips, pellets, or logs) • Competing fuel cost (e.g. fuel oil, natural gas,

etc.) • Peak and annual thermal load • Building size and type • Space availability • Operation and maintenance staff availability

and experience• Local emissions regulations

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Biomass Resource – GIS Map

What’s New?• First biomass power plant in Colorado began operations in

Gypsum/Eagle Valley 2013 and it cost $56 million.– CPR Article:

http://www.cpr.org/news/story/colorados-first-biomass-plant-begins-delivering-electricity

• The beetle kill wood fuel will supply electricity to 10,000 homes.

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What’s Happening?

• Biomass activity in the Northeast US is strong

• Wood Stove Decathlon– Alliance for Green Heat hosted the first

ever Wood Stove Decathlon on the Washington Mall

– http://www.forgreenheat.org/stovedesign.html

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New Regulations

• EPA released proposed New Source Performance Standards in January, 2014– Would apply to new residential biomass heating

systems– Final publication in 2015– www2.epa.gov/residential-wood-heaters

• Push to add thermal to State RPSs (CO, NM, etc.)• Pending federal legislation (S. 1007 and H.R.

2715) would provide tax incentives for homeowners who purchase qualifying high efficiency biomass heating systems– http://

www.biomassthermal.org/pdf/BTU_Act_Packet.pdf

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Upcoming meetings, conferences and events• 2014 Hearth, Patio, Barbecue Expo

Exhibition: March 6-8, 2014 | Education: March 5-8, 2014 | Salt Palace Convention Center | Salt Lake City, Uthttp://www.hpbexpo.com

• Northeast Biomass Heating Expo & ConferenceApril 9-11, 2014 in Portland, MEhttp://www.nebiomassheat.com/index.php

• Mid-Atlantic Biomass Heat & Power ConferenceApril 23-24, 2014, Wyndham Gateway Gettysburg Campus, Gettysburg, PAhttp://www.supportpabiomass.org/conference

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Biomass-energy Projects

• Model Neighborhood ProjectSubsidizing the cost to transition from oil heating systems to advanced wood pellet boilers for homeowners in Berlin, NH, and Farmington and Wilton, Mainehttp://www.northernforest.org/model_neighborhood_project.html • The Wood to Energy ProjectTwo primary objectives:1. Provide a complete literature review on the state of

the science2. Develop database of wood-to-energy related

industries in the US and Canadahttp://www.wood2energy.org/

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Installed Systems Data Tracking Site

• Northern Maine Community College/MFS

Provides a list of 24 biomass projects in Maine, as well as capital and fuel costs and savings.http://mfs.nmcc.edu/

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Useful sites and links• USFS Woody Biomass Utilization SiteThe Woody Biomass Utilization Team is an interdisciplinary team that promotes and facilitates the planning and delivery of an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the recovery and utilization of woody biomass from ecological restoration and hazardous fuels reduction work.http://www.fs.fed.us/woodybiomass/ • Biomass Energy Resource CenterBERC assists communities, colleges and universities, state and local governments, businesses, utilities, schools, and others in making the most of their local biomass energy resources.http://www.biomasscenter.org/ • Biomass Thermal Energy CouncilBTEC is an association of biomass fuel producers, appliance manufacturers and distributors, supply chain companies and non-profit organizations that view biomass thermal energy as a renewable, responsible, clean and energy-efficient pathway to meeting America’s energy needs. BTEC engages in research, education, and public advocacy for the fast growing biomass thermal energy industry. http://www.biomassthermal.org/ • Pellet Fuels InstituteThe Pellet Fuels Institute is a non-profit association that serves the pellet industry.http://pelletheat.org • Renewable Heat NY New York to Launch Biomass Heating Initiativehttp://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9885/new-york-to-launch-biomass-heating-initiative

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