Wood BiofuelsWood Biofuels

Bill Hubbard and Sarah AshtonBill Hubbard and Sarah AshtonSouthern Regional Extension ForestrySouthern Regional Extension Forestry

Wood BiofuelsWood Biofuels

Bill Hubbard and Sarah AshtonBill Hubbard and Sarah AshtonSouthern Regional Extension ForestrySouthern Regional Extension Forestry

Setting the StageSetting the Stage Humanity’s Top 10 Problems over the next 50 years*

1. Energy2. Water3. Food4. Environment5. Poverty6. Terrorism & War7. Disease8. Education9. Democracy10. Population

Humanity’s Top 10 Problems over the next 50 years*

1. Energy2. Water3. Food4. Environment5. Poverty6. Terrorism & War7. Disease8. Education9. Democracy10. Population

Dr. Richard Smalley, Professor of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Rice

University, 1996 Nobel Prize Winner

Fossil Fuel SituationFossil Fuel Situation

Current worldwide demand for oil 81 million barrels/day

6 barrels used for every 1 discovered

Demand in 20 years Projected at 121 million barrels/day

Where will it come from? Politically unstable countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran,

Venezuela) Or undesirable locations (ANWAR, deep-platforms, near-

shore)

Current worldwide demand for oil 81 million barrels/day

6 barrels used for every 1 discovered

Demand in 20 years Projected at 121 million barrels/day

Where will it come from? Politically unstable countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran,

Venezuela) Or undesirable locations (ANWAR, deep-platforms, near-

shore)

US Dependence on Foreign Oil

US Dependence on Foreign Oil

Have OilSaudi Arabia 26%Iraq 11%Kuwait 10%UAE 8%Venezuela 6%Russia 5%Libya 3%Mexico 3%China 3%Nigeria 2%US 2%

Have OilSaudi Arabia 26%Iraq 11%Kuwait 10%UAE 8%Venezuela 6%Russia 5%Libya 3%Mexico 3%China 3%Nigeria 2%US 2%

Use OilUS 26%Japan 7%China 6%Germany 4%Canada 4%Russia 3%Brazil 3%S. Korea 3%France 3%India 3%Mexico 3%Italy 2%

Use OilUS 26%Japan 7%China 6%Germany 4%Canada 4%Russia 3%Brazil 3%S. Korea 3%France 3%India 3%Mexico 3%Italy 2%

The U.S. uses more than the next 5 highest consuming nations combined

Climate Change is Real and Creates Real Impacts

Climate Change is Real and Creates Real Impacts

Mountain Pine BeetleHurricane Katrina

So what does all this mean?

So what does all this mean?

One Alternative is the Utilization of Woody Biomass as Fuel

One Alternative is the Utilization of Woody Biomass as Fuel

We have an abundance of woody biomass that, in general, needs to be extracted for various reasons including: Woody weed control, Integrated Pest Management, Fuel Load Reduction, Improving growth rates of standing timber, Salvage

But is NOT always extracted or utilized

We have an abundance of woody biomass that, in general, needs to be extracted for various reasons including: Woody weed control, Integrated Pest Management, Fuel Load Reduction, Improving growth rates of standing timber, Salvage

But is NOT always extracted or utilized

What is Woody Biomass?What is Woody Biomass?

Woody biomass is the accumulated mass, above and below ground, of the wood, bark, and leaves of living and dead woody shrubs and trees.

Woody biomass is the accumulated mass, above and below ground, of the wood, bark, and leaves of living and dead woody shrubs and trees.

What is Bioenergy?What is Bioenergy?

Energy produced from biomass including woody biomass, agricultural biomass, and other biological materials

Includes electricity, heat, and transportation fuels

Energy produced from biomass including woody biomass, agricultural biomass, and other biological materials

Includes electricity, heat, and transportation fuels

Availability of BiomassAvailability of Biomass

OECD – commercial, industry-led

Asia and Latin America – modern, commercial

Africa – harvested informally

OECD – commercial, industry-led

Asia and Latin America – modern, commercial

Africa – harvested informally

China20.5%

Asia(excluding

China)34.2%

Latin America7.0%

Africa23.9%

OECD13.0%

Middle East 0.1%

Former USSR 0.9%

Non-OECD Europe 0.4%

Source: IEA 2003. Renewables Information. Paris

Utilization of BiomassUtilization of Biomass Biomass is the most important renewable energy source in the world today 10.6% world total energy supply

- 77.4% total renewable energy supply Solid biomass has grown at 1.8% Liquid biomass has grown at 84%

Biomass is the most important renewable energy source in the world today 10.6% world total energy supply

- 77.4% total renewable energy supply Solid biomass has grown at 1.8% Liquid biomass has grown at 84%

0.20%16.40%

0.30%

3.20%

79.90%

Wind

Hydro

Solar tide

Geothermal

Combustiblerenewables andwaste

Solidbiomass/charcoal77.4%

LiquidBiomass

0.7%

RenewableMunicipal

SolidWaste1.20%

Gas fromBiomass0.50%

Source: IEA 2003. Renewables Information. Paris

Biomass in the United StatesBiomass in the United States Domestic energy production 9% renewable: 47% biomass: 72% wood-based

Domestic energy production 9% renewable: 47% biomass: 72% wood-based

17.00%

9.00%

11.00%

32.00%

31.00%

Petroleum

Renewable Energy

Nuclear Electric

Coal

Natural Gas

2% Wind

45%Hydroelectric

5%Geothermal

47%Biomass

1% Solar

Source: Energy Information Administration 2004

Energy PotentialEnergy Potential

Forest residues Ethanol potential Southern

advantage

Forest residues Ethanol potential Southern

advantage

Source: Mabee et al. 2006

Woody Bioenergy PotentialWoody Bioenergy Potential

• 40 million dry tons of recoverable logging residues in the US

• Approximately 20 million dry tons in the South

• Each Southern state could produce at least 100 MW of electricity using logging residues

• 40 million dry tons of recoverable logging residues in the US

• Approximately 20 million dry tons in the South

• Each Southern state could produce at least 100 MW of electricity using logging residues

Capacity (MW) 300 or above (9) 200 to 299 (7)100 to 199 (12) 50 to 99 (4)0 to 49 (18)

Operational power/electricity capacity from logging residues by state--Gan and Smith 2006

Woody Biomass-Harvesting Residues

Woody Biomass-Harvesting Residues

Unconsolidated Comminuted Bundled

Unconsolidated Comminuted Bundled

Woody Biomass-Wood Processing Residue

Woody Biomass-Wood Processing Residue

Black liquor Sawdust Bark

Black liquor Sawdust Bark

Woody Biomass- Other SourcesWoody Biomass- Other Sources

Energy Plantations Construction Waste Salvage

Energy Plantations Construction Waste Salvage

Woody Biomass Resources in the South

Woody Biomass Resources in the South

Forestland

(mil acres)

Logging Residues

(mil dry tons)

Processing Residues

(mil dry tons)

Urban Wood Waste

(mil dry tons)

Alabama 23 2.7 2.05 0.48

Florida 16.5 1.3 0.75 1.68

Georgia 24.7 3.5 2.1 0.92

Kentucky 12 1.2 0.46 0.45

Mississippi 19.8 3.6 1.98 0.31

North Carolina 18.7 2.3 1.57 0.83

South Carolina 12.4 1.6 0.84 0.46

Tennessee 14.4 0.76 0.62 0.61

Virginia 15.8 1.7 0.87 0.81

Arkansas 18.7 2.03 1.63 0.31

Louisiana 13.8 3.01 1.38 0.47

Oklahoma 7.7 0.66 0.25 0.37

Texas 11.9 1.4 1.46 2.31

Region Total 209.4 25.76 15.96 10.01

Conversion ProcessesConversion Processes

Woody biomass can undergo- Biochemical Conversion

Aerobic Digestion Anaerobic Digestion Fermentation

Thermochemical Conversion Combustion Gasification Pyrolysis Etc.

Woody biomass can undergo- Biochemical Conversion

Aerobic Digestion Anaerobic Digestion Fermentation

Thermochemical Conversion Combustion Gasification Pyrolysis Etc.

UGA Pyrolysis Unit

USDA/DOE Biorefinery ConceptUSDA/DOE Biorefinery Concept

End ProductsEnd Products

Heat and Power Liquid Transportation Fuel

Ethanol Methanol Biodiesel

Industrial Products Chemicals Bioproducts

Heat and Power Liquid Transportation Fuel

Ethanol Methanol Biodiesel

Industrial Products Chemicals Bioproducts

Solid and Gaseous Biofuels Opportunities

Solid and Gaseous Biofuels Opportunities

Solid Char Pellets Chips

Gas Syngas Biogas

Solid Char Pellets Chips

Gas Syngas Biogas

BioenergyBioenergy

Producing bioenergy in the form of heat and power from woody biomass is the “lowest hanging fruit”.

Producing bioenergy in the form of heat and power from woody biomass is the “lowest hanging fruit”.

Example-- Forest ProductsExample-- Forest Products

Forest products industry is largest user of forest biomass for energy 70% of energy in-house Created from by-products

Forest products industry is largest user of forest biomass for energy 70% of energy in-house Created from by-products

Biomass & Forest ProductsBiomass & Forest Products

Liquid Biofuels OpportunitiesLiquid Biofuels Opportunities

Ethanol Bio-diesel

Ethanol Bio-diesel

Liquid BiofuelsLiquid Biofuels

President Bush’s 2006 and 2007 State of the Union Addresses Mentioned ethanol from wood chips Set a goal to have more than 7.5 billion gallons

of ethanol and biodiesel in the nation’s fuel supply by 2012

Pledged $250 million to help achieve “homegrown cellulosic ethanol”

President Bush’s 2006 and 2007 State of the Union Addresses Mentioned ethanol from wood chips Set a goal to have more than 7.5 billion gallons

of ethanol and biodiesel in the nation’s fuel supply by 2012

Pledged $250 million to help achieve “homegrown cellulosic ethanol”

Liquid BiofuelsLiquid Biofuels Fermentation, pyrolysis and gasification. Tech not currently available at a

commercial scale Breaking the cellulose and hemicellulose

free from lignin in a cost effective manner remains a primary barrier

Several firms say they hold the key Range Fuels

Fermentation, pyrolysis and gasification. Tech not currently available at a

commercial scale Breaking the cellulose and hemicellulose

free from lignin in a cost effective manner remains a primary barrier

Several firms say they hold the key Range Fuels

Benefits of Using Woody Biomass

Benefits of Using Woody Biomass

Environmental Benefits Economic Benefits Energy Benefits

Environmental Benefits Economic Benefits Energy Benefits

Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits Carbon

sequestration Reduced

greenhouse gas emissions

Carbon sequestration

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits

Forest health Reduce wildfire risk Reduced mortality due

to insect and disease Recovery of degraded

land

Forest health Reduce wildfire risk Reduced mortality due

to insect and disease Recovery of degraded

land

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits Landowners

Increased income potential

Reduced site preparation costs

Communities New markets for forest

products Economic diversification

Landowners Increased income

potential Reduced site preparation

costs

Communities New markets for forest

products Economic diversification

Energy BenefitsEnergy Benefits

Reduced fossil fuel use

Renewable source Improved energy

security

Reduced fossil fuel use

Renewable source Improved energy

security

Promoting BiomassPromoting Biomass

Market Formation Bioenergy systems Biofuels

Challenges

Market Formation Bioenergy systems Biofuels

Challenges

Market FormationMarket Formation

System-level focus across entire value chain Biomass production Harvesting, transport, processing Utilization and energy generation capacity

Direct combustion Conversion technology

Consumer demand

Marketing messages Reliable and affordable Enables secure energy future

System-level focus across entire value chain Biomass production Harvesting, transport, processing Utilization and energy generation capacity

Direct combustion Conversion technology

Consumer demand

Marketing messages Reliable and affordable Enables secure energy future

Challenges in BioenergyChallenges in Bioenergy

Supply and Market Development Integration Competitiveness and Mainstreaming Sustainability Transportation Conversion Technologies

Supply and Market Development Integration Competitiveness and Mainstreaming Sustainability Transportation Conversion Technologies

Creating SynergiesCreating Synergies

Energy sector Greater use of by-products for fuel Sale of excess electricity to the grid

Agriculture Cooperate in market development for ethanol

Energy sector Greater use of by-products for fuel Sale of excess electricity to the grid

Agriculture Cooperate in market development for ethanol

ConclusionsConclusions Forest biomass is an attractive renewable

energy source. It provides environmental, economic, and

energy benefits to society. Challenges and barriers do exist.

Market development Technology Collaboration Education

Forest biomass is an attractive renewable energy source.

It provides environmental, economic, and energy benefits to society.

Challenges and barriers do exist. Market development Technology Collaboration Education