Pennsylvania's Bureau of Forestry and US Forest Service Collaborate to Implement Wood-Energy Projects FRP Committee June 7, 2012 State College, PA Michael.

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

Michael Palko Biomass Energy SpecialistPA DCNR Bureau of Forestry570-326-6020mipalko@pa.gov