Productivity and cost of energy chipping with non-integrated harvesting systems in the Coastal Plain of the US south

Conrad IV, Joseph L.

doi:10.1080/14942119.2025.2452006

Productivity and cost of energy chipping with non-integrated harvesting systems in the Coastal Plain of the US south

Journal Article · Thu Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2025 · International Journal of Forest Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/14942119.2025.2452006· OSTI ID:3012203

Conrad IV, Joseph L. ^[1]

Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States)

Research from the 1980s–2010s suggested that integrated harvesting systems that harvest conventional products (e.g., sawtimber, pulpwood) and energy chips simultaneously were the most effective solution to produce energy chips in the US South. Alternatives, such as biomass-only systems, have important advantages in forest stands with low volumes of merchantable timber. The goal of this study was to estimate the productivity and cost of producing energy chips using non-integrated systems. Innovative chipping contractors using non-integrated systems were identified through contacts with procurement foresters responsible for purchasing energy chips. Elemental time-and-motion studies were conducted to estimate harvesting productivity on five operations, including one clearcut harvest and four first thinnings in overstocked stands. The hourly cost of equipment was estimated using the machine rate method. Cost per tonne was estimated by combining hourly productivity and hourly costs in a modified version of the Auburn Harvesting Analyzer. System productivity averaged 37 tonnes per scheduled machine hour (smh) and cut-and-haul costs averaged $33.86 t⁻¹ (USD), which was comparable to previous estimates from integrated systems. In conclusion, this study suggests there are viable alternatives to integrated harvesting systems to produce energy chips, especially in stands with low volumes of merchantable timber.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL)

Sponsoring Organization:: U.S. Department of Energy; USDA

Grant/Contract Number:: 89303720SEM000037

OSTI ID:: 3012203

Journal Information:: International Journal of Forest Engineering, Journal Name: International Journal of Forest Engineering Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 36; ISSN 1494-2119; ISSN 1913-2220

Publisher:: Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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