Evaluation procedure for consideration of forest biomass as a fuel source for a 100 megawatt electric generating facility

Book · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5063108

Blankenhorn, P R; Bowersox, T W; Hillebrand, J J; Murphey, W K

This study established an evluation procedure, excluding economic cost analysis and engineering plant design, for determining the feasibility of using forest biomass as a source of energy for an electric generating facility. The evaluation procedure included various site parameters such as water resources, forest biomass supply, and transportation facilities. It was demonstrated that considerably more forest biomss is available than needed to supply a 100 MW electric generating facility in Renova, PA. Future fuel could be supplied from partial reforestation with coniferous planations or intensively managed hybrid poplar plantations of the nearly 405 x 10/sup 3/ ha of forest land killed by the oak leaf roller. Utilization of biomass sources as fuel is expected to be compatible with the forest products industry, with wildlife, and with public water and recreation needs. Procurement and transportation of the forest biomass could be accomplished without great difficulty within the radius of the chosen site. It is feasible with present technology to use wood as an energy source for a 100 MW electric generating facility. A wood-fired system would cost more to construct and install than an oil-, gas-, or coal-fired system with comparable output. A survey of forest biomass energy conversion techniques is also included. A net energy analysis was performed on both intensive and caretaker cultural systems. Three times the land area would have to be harvested in a caretaker cultural system than in an intensively managed cultural system. Further, major energy inputs were identified for both cultural systems.

• OSTI ID: 5063108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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