Logging to supply chips for power. [Cost analysis]
Production of complete tree chips by an independent logger in Vermont is discussed. A price of $12.00 per ton for chips, derived from a study done on flat land with easily chippable species in Michigan, has been set by the Burlington Electric pilot wood plant. Based on current equipment costs ($70,000 for a grapple skidder; $65,000 for a feller buncher, and $150,000 for a chipper), a logger would need at least $16.00 per ton to support his investment. With used equipment and a chip price of $12 per ton, it is necessary to produce 8 to 10 van loads per day (at 23 tons per van load) to break even; bad weather and machinery breakdowns make it difficult to achieve this production level consistently.
- OSTI ID:
- 6813144
- Journal Information:
- North. Logger; (United States), Journal Name: North. Logger; (United States) Vol. 27:7; ISSN NOLOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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14 SOLAR ENERGY
140300 -- Solar Energy-- Economic
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& Business Aspects
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200108 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Fuels-- (1980-)
COST
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION I
FUELS
HARVESTING
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATING COST
PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PRICES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TREES
USA
VERMONT
WOOD FUELS
WOOD-FUEL POWER PLANTS