The Current State of Bioenergy Mark H. Eisenbies State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry 2015 National STEM Teachers Workshop on Bioenergy
Overview Energy use in the U.S. Biomass and related definitions Current drivers for biomass Liquid transportation fuels Heating applications
Primary energy consumption per capita 2010
History of U.S. Energy Use (EIA 2014)
History of U.S. Energy Use (EIA 2014)
Sources of Renewable Energy We use almost 100 quads of energy in the U.S. each year, which is 22.5% of the world s primary energy - But we are only 4.6% of the world s population - Over 57% of the energy we consume each year does not produce a useful product.it is wasted (EIA 2010)
Biomass is the single largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. Wood is the second largest single source of renewable energy in the U.S., providing about 2% of the nation s primary energy
Biomass Use for Energy in the U.S. (Bain and Overend, 2002)
Importance of Biomass
What is Biomass?
What is Biomass? Recent organic material originally derived from plants or animals that is available on a renewable or recurring basis Chemical energy and compounds stored in biomass is derived from solar energy through photosynthesis Only 0.1-5% of solar energy that reaches the earth is captured and stored as terrestrial biomass This is 5-7x the amount of primary energy used in the world (Sims 2002)
Multiple Feedstocks no single source Increase supply stability for end users Reduce price volatility for suppliers Opportunity to increase feedstock uniformity by mixing
Multiple Pathways Biopower Thermal Combined Heat & Power Co-firing Gasification Biorefinery
Multiple Products
Multiple Services Living Snow Fences Stream Bank Stabilization Municipal/Organic Wastes Brownfield Caps/Remediation
What is Harvested Biomass Used for? 120 100 80 60 40 20 Fuel Wood Human Food Raw Material Animal Feed Harvested biomass around the world is used for: -Animal feed (58%) -Feedstock/Fiber (Raw Material) (20%) -Food (12%) -Fuel (10%) 0 2000 (Krausman et al. 2008)
Biomass and Related Definitions Bioenergy/biopower: The use of biomass feedstock to produce electric power and/or heat through direct combustion of the feedstock, through gasification and then combustion of the resultant gas, or through other thermal conversion processes. Power is generated with engines, turbines, fuel cells, or other equipment. (US DOE 2012)
Biomass and Related Definitions Biofuels: Biomass converted to liquid or gaseous fuels such as ethanol, methanol, methane, and hydrogen (DOE 2012) Bioproduct: Materials that are derived from renewable feedstocks. Examples include paper, ethanol, and chemicals (DOE 2012)
Biomass and Related Definitions Biorefinery: A facility that processes and converts biomass into value-added products. These products can range from biomaterials to fuels such as ethanol or important feedstocks for the production of chemicals and other materials. Biorefineries can be based on a number of processing platforms using mechanical, thermal, chemical, and biochemical processes.
Willow Production Systems in NY 1 year of growth
Europe Why other places and not here? - Since the 1970 s - Now around 70,000 acres - Higher fuel and biomass prices - Natural gas prices are 2-4 times higher - More renewable energy mandates - More incentives, carbon payment North America - Fewer incentives, lower biomass prices - Previous (unsuccessful) efforts - Now in northern New York - Not seen as a sole feedstock
Willow in Northern NY -About 1,200 acres in the ground facilitated by the USDA BCAP program and managed by Celtic Energy Farms -Harvesting about 300-400 acres per year -Delivered to ReEnergy LLC biopower facilities -Mixed with forest residues -Renewable power and heat
Jefferson Lewis Lewis Oneida Willow Production Area ReEnergy Biopower Facility
NY Willow Biopower ReEnergy has a 20-year contract with Fort Drum Army Base for renewable power 2,500 tons willow harvested from fields in Northern NY Primarily utilizes forest residues with a small component of willow Delivered willow has been tested, approved, and is now mixed with main pile
Wood Chip Systems Installations Cayuga Nature Center wood chip boiler. Same boiler installed at several other locations in NE Middlebury College combined heat and power system runs on wood chips
Gateway building CHP System New zero net energy showcase building for campus. Design includes biomass combined heat and power, PV, green roof, passive solar and rain gardens.
Willow Research Program Breeding & Genetics Yield & Cultivar Selection Crop Management & Silviculture Environmental & Sustainability Assessments Economic Modeling & Uncertainty Harvesting & Logistics Feedstock Quality
Summary Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. There is a lot of confusion around the meaning of biomass and related terms There is potential for further growth using biomass for a variety of end products and services Biofuels and heating applications are two key drivers in the region
Questions