Forests as Energy Sources

1
Forests as Energy Sources

• 1980 2000 Wood averaged 3.4 of US total
  energy
• Wood (forest biomass) can provide 10 of US
  energy needs
• C Neutral
• Plant uptake of CO2 harvest grass burning
  releases CO2 plants take up CO2

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Biomass Electricity in Niagara, NY

• 48-megawatt power facility
• 70 of feedstock will be biomass

3
Wood Pelletization
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Other Biomass Fuels

• Switchgrass
• benefits
• Native grass
• High productivity
• Adaptability
• Low water and nutritional requirements

5
Switchgrass as fuel source

• C neutral
• Store carbon in belowground biomass (roots)

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Production
3-4 tons/acre/yr
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Quantify root C storage
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Belowground Carbon Storage

• For each ton of harvested biofuel there are 0.5
  tons of below ground carbon

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Estimated Value of Belowground Carbon in
Switchgrass Stands - can be sold on Chicago
Carbon Exchange
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Making Biodiesel Waste to Resource
Waste cooking oil
Biodiesel reactor
Biodiesel
Runs in any diesel engine
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Restaurant Donors
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Meadville Diesel Use
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French Fry Economics

• per year
• Meadville expenditure for diesel fuel
  52,000
• Cost to produce biodiesel
• Production 11,000
• Travel 1,000
• Labor 19,000
• Equipment 2,000
• Total 33,000
• Savings 19,000
• A biodiesel program could pay for itself in 3.5
  months

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Wind Potential
15
Wind Feasibility Purchase Study
Acutec Study Is there enough wind at this
location for a large windmill?
Allegheny 15 of electricity from purchased
wind power
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Hybrid Technology
http//www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tech/TechSnapPrius1
_5_01b.pdf http//www.technologyreview.com/player
/06/03/hack/1.aspx
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Gas- Battery Power
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Lets check it out!