Nevada s Systematic Approach to Bioenergy Development. Presented by: Dusty Moller Business Environmental Program University of Nevada Reno

Transcription

1 Nevada s Systematic Approach to Bioenergy Development Presented by: Dusty Moller Business Environmental Program University of Nevada Reno

2 Critical Factors for the Successful and Sustainable Startup of a New Industry Resource supply what & how much is available? Products what can you make from the resource? Markets can you sell those products? Processing what is the appropriate technology? Management do you have what it takes? Financial can you make money doing this? Environmental, health, safety concerns? From: Rusty Dramm, USFS Forest Products Laboratory, et. al.

3 USGS FIA Data Spatial distribution of Predicted Dry Total Biomass Nevada: For all species in NV: 1989 survey million tons 2004 survey million tons For four P/J species in NV: million tons million tons Circles represent 50 mile radii for two primary target areas: Carson City Panaca

4 USGS FIA Data (cont.) Spatial distribution of Predicted Dry Total Biomass for targeted counties in eastern NV and southwestern UT: For Lincoln county in NV: 1989 survey 20.9 million tons 2004 survey 16.4 million tons For three adjoining counties in Utah: million tons million tons

5 GIS Spatial Analysis Using GAP Data Spatial distribution of P/J woodlands in Panaca area Mapped P/J woodland complex in green. Magenta areas are mapped P/J woodland complex with following spatial criteria: Less than 35% slope Between 5000 and 7000 feet Within 5 miles of existing roads BLM and Private Land

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7 Phases of the Pinyon/Juniper Forest Type

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12 Challenges. Low traveling speeds on forest roads Felling/Bunching $6.37/BDT (11.5%) Skidding $6.08/BDT (11.0%) Loading $4.08/BDT (7.4%) Grinding $12.63/BDT (22.9%) Total Cost = $55.27/BDT (Stump-to- Energy Plant) Hauling $26.11/BDT (47.2%) (30 36 miles one-way)

13 50 Megawatt Power Plant Primer It takes 10.5 tons of biomass per hour to generate 50 Mw of power in that time. At 8 tons per acre and 24 hrs/365 days plant operation it takes about 11,500 acres per year to generate 438,000 megawatts of power. At a restoration cost of $500 an acre, a stewardship contract would cost $5.75 million per year. A 50 Mw power plant would cost in the neighborhood of $75 million

14 The Selling of a New Industry Enabling technology Innovative business model Market adoption The Key? Favorable Government Policy From: How to Jump-Start the Clean-Tech Economy; Mark W. Johnson, et. al.

15 What is Biochar? Fine grained, carbon enriched product Biomass (e.g. wood wastes, crop residues grasses, manures, etc.) burned at low temps (typically ~ 500 o C) and anoxic conditions.

16 A. Fungal hyphae B. Bacteria C. 100-year old char from forest fire D. 350-year old char from forest fire

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18 Ward Charcoal Ovens near Ely, Nevada

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21 Sonoma Compost Pyrolysis Facility

22 Nevada Pinyon-Juniper Biochar Project Jim Ippolito

23 Biochar production demonstration, June 2012, Ely, Nevada

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27 Study site at Ruby Hill mine, Eureka, Nevada

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31 Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition (NV) $75,964 Nevada Biochar Field Demonstration Trials: Treatment within Agricultural Pivots and Rehabilitation of Pivot Corners Expansion and encroachment of pinyon-juniper woodlands into sagebrush steppe ecosystems can have negative impacts, including loss of wildlife habitat, increased erosion, and loss of herbaceous species. Field demonstration activities carried out through this project will assess the impact of applying biochar in production agriculture and rangeland restoration settings near pinyon-juniper encroachment areas. Turning woody biomass into biochar, and then returning biochar to the soil may be an effective method for maintaining or improving soil moisture and vegetative productivity, improve sage grouse habitat, and return soil carbon to historic levels. This technique is expected to reduce the overall cost of invasive pinyonjuniper treatment (by creating a value for invasive species woody biomass), helping stimulate the local economy.

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37 The Selling of Biochar Industry Enabling technology Innovative business model Market adoption The Key? Favorable Government Policy From: How to Jump-Start the Clean-Tech Economy; Mark W. Johnson, et. al.

38 Innovative Business Model Customer Value Proposition Profit Formula Resources/Processes