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 Saves Money Locally Produced Feedstocks Locally Produced Feedstocks Boost to Local Economy Boost to Local Economy A Renewable Resource A Renewable Resource Utilizes Wood Residue Utilizes Wood Residue Diversifies Our Energy Portfolio Diversifies Our Energy Portfolio Carbon Neutral Carbon Neutral Benefits to Environment 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 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 What technologies are available At what scale and cost At what scale and cost What benefits could result What benefits could result

PARTNERSHIP The US Forest Service Wood Education & Resource Center (WERC) The US Forest Service Wood Education & Resource Center (WERC) Administers Woody Biomass Technical Support Program Administers Woody Biomass Technical Support Program Provides feasibility studies for projects with high potential for implementation Provides feasibility studies for projects with high potential for implementation Evaluates & develops community-scale biomass thermal and thermally-led CHP projects Evaluates & develops community-scale biomass thermal and thermally-led CHP projects Funds & supports additional technical assistance Funds & supports additional technical assistance

PARTNERSHIP The Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry The Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry Selects projects to move to feasibility stage Selects projects to move to feasibility stage Gathers preliminary data from project candidates Gathers preliminary data from project candidates Introduces either of two contractors to project candidates to begin study Introduces either of two contractors to project candidates to begin study

Sullivan County School District Laporte -- north central Pennsylvania Laporte -- north central Pennsylvania Heat & hot water for Elementary School, High School, new Administrative Office Heat & hot water for Elementary School, High School, new Administrative Office Wilson Engineering, Meadville, PA -- technical assistance to the District for feasibility assessment 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 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 Providing 85% heating for 126,000 sq ft With local wood fuel to replace fuel oil With local wood fuel to replace fuel oil Reducing heating costs up to $115,000/year Reducing heating costs up to $115,000/year Retained 15% oil heating for peak demand and shoulder months Retained 15% oil heating for peak demand and shoulder months AFS Energy Systems, Lemoyne, PA AFS Energy Systems, Lemoyne, PA

Sullivan County School District Utilizing 800 tons sustainably harvested local wood chips ($42/ton) Utilizing 800 tons sustainably harvested local wood chips ($42/ton) Replacing 46,500 gallons fuel oil annually ($2.88/gallon) Replacing 46,500 gallons fuel oil annually ($2.88/gallon) Effectively eliminating 830 lbs/year SO2 Effectively eliminating 830 lbs/year SO2 Net reduction of 1,000,000 lbs/year CO2 Net reduction of 1,000,000 lbs/year CO2

Sullivan County School District Project installation: Project installation: Fully automated chip delivery system Fully automated chip delivery system 150 cubic yard chip storage 150 cubic yard chip storage 2.8 mmBtu/hr biomass gasification unit & boiler, controls, boiler room equipment 2.8 mmBtu/hr biomass gasification unit & boiler, controls, boiler room equipment External, integrated hot water thermal storage tank, 3000 gallons 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 450 ft pre-insulated pex piping and interconnection to existing central hydronic system, variable frequency drive motors Total project cost -- $1.65 million Total project cost -- $1.65 million

Sullivan County School District Project Benefits: Project Benefits: First year fuel savings $115,000 First year fuel savings $115,000 First year cash flow $65,000 First year cash flow $65,000 Ten temporary construction jobs created Ten temporary construction jobs created Sustainably harvested fuel keeps $825,000 in local economy over project life ($33,000/year) Sustainably harvested fuel keeps $825,000 in local economy over project life ($33,000/year) Modern wood energy systems are automated, clean, & efficient Modern wood energy systems are automated, clean, & efficient Wood fuel considered renewable & carbon- neutral Wood fuel considered renewable & carbon- neutral

Sullivan County School District Project Benefits: Project Benefits: Net reduction of > 12,500 tons CO2 emissions Net reduction of > 12,500 tons CO2 emissions Reduces oil use by >1,100,000 gallons Reduces oil use by >1,100,000 gallons Assists the Commonwealth and Sullivan County in achieving renewable energy targets Assists the Commonwealth and Sullivan County in achieving renewable energy targets Research set-up to identify overall system efficiency during differing operation conditions. Research set-up to identify overall system efficiency during differing operation conditions. Biomass system integrated into School District's Science Curriculum Biomass system integrated into School District's Science Curriculum

Tour February 22, 2012

Pre-Feasibility Studies Completed25 Completed25 Nine = not feasible Nine = not feasible Scheduled 3 Scheduled 3

Michael Palko Biomass Energy Specialist PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry