BIOMASSWHERE HAVE WE COME FROM AND WHAT HAVE

WE LEARNED

EPMA Annual ConferenceJune 25, 2012

Colby College

June 25, 2012 2

Todays topics

1. What is Biomass?a. Fuelsb. Boilersc. Fuel storage and handling

2. Why use Biomass?3. Where in Maine are biomass systems located?

a. Schoolsb. Othersc. Total units

4. What have we learned and what should we do different another timea. What have we learned about Boiler sizing?b. What have we learned about biomass fuel?c. What have we learned about fuel storage and delivery?d. What have we learned about emissions and efficiency?e. What have we learned about design?f. What financial considerations are there?g. What should one do before considering installing a biomass

boiler?

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What is bio-mass?

Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. In the context of biomass for energy, this is often used to mean plant based material, but biomass can equally apply to both animal and vegetable derived material. Components of a biomass system include:  Fuels Softwood chips Hardwood chips Hogged wood Bark Sawdust Debris Wood pellets Grass pellets and pucks Grass loose Corn Farm animal waste Food waste Industrial waste

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What is bio-mass?

Boilers Hot water Steam Gasifiers Fire tube, water tube Moving grate, stationary bed, burn pot Duel fuel

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What is bio-mass?

Fuel Storage and handling Bunkers –on grade, below grade-

containers Silos – vertical, horizontal Storage rooms – converted from

something else, like coal bins

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Why use biomass? Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is

already widely available throughout Maine. Its production and use also brings additional

environmental and social benefits. Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable

fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels.

Keeps money in the Maine economy. 18 million acres, more now than 50 years ago,

sufficient infrastructure. Looking toward short growth crops, willow.

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Maine’s working forest and population

density

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Crude oil prices 1869-2011

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Crude oil prices 1970-2011

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

First commercial sized biomass (other than residential units) were paper companies1. East Millinocket 19542. Lincoln P & P 19573. Baileyville 1966 4. Westbrook 19825. Hinckley 1990*Co-fired with other fuels such as liquor, coal, oil

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Biomass electric exploded on to the scene in the 1980’s1. One in 19862. Four in 19873. One in 19884. Two in 1989 *Biomass only, no co-fire5. One in 19926. One in 19937. Ten total, only about 6 running now due to lowering cost of imported electric

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Also in the 1980’s, due to the oil embargo of 1973, some schools installed “Dumont” boilers developed by Professor Richard Hill of the U of M.

No good records but I know of 4 or 5 of this installed (MeDOE paid for them). None being used and most removed.

• Wood stick, manually loaded vertically, burned down, induced draft, 3,000 gal thermal storage.

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Not much happened until Leavitt High School installed a 5 MMBTU/h unit in 1999

Installations began picking up from there.

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

The next big effort came as a result of the oil price increase in 2008. Schools started looking for ways to reduce heating costs but also to reduce impact of sudden increases such as the crude oil price spike in 2008 at $149/barrel.

The real big push came as the result of an effort by Gov. Baldacci to address ways to help Maine Schools and families with heating costs. “The Governors wood to energy task force” performed its work, and as a result The Maine Dept. of Conservation began meetings the result of which was an application to the US Forest Service for funding as part of the ARRA stimulus program.

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Maine was awarded $11.4M in Federal funds which was matched by $20M other funds totaling $31.6M, really has been the shot in the arm that has increased the awareness and growth of biomass.

Thru an application process, 105 applications were submitted over 3 rounds, and 22 ultimately were funded. Some are just coming online and some are being constructed as we speak

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

MeDOE funded RSU 52 Turner HS 1998800 tons chips RSU 3 Thorndike K-12 2009800 tons chips SAD 46 Dexter Pk-8 2010600 tons chips SAD 9 Mallet ES 2010350 tons pellets * Falmouth ES & HS 20102200 tons chips AOS 93 Jefferson ES 2011200 tons chips RSU 1 Woolwich ES 2011200 tons chips RSU 12 Chelsea ES 2011200 tons chips SAD 9 Mt. Blue HS/VOC 20112200 tons

chips *

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Other funding sourcesCoAtlanticBar Harbor 2008250 tons pelletsSAD 9 New Sharon ES2009125 tons pelletsSAD 9 Wilton ES 2009125 tons pelletsRSU 61 Naples 2009400 tons pelletsRSU 58 Mt Abram HS 2009400 tons pelletsRSU 39 Caribou HS/VOC 20101000 tons chipsRSU 58 Kingfield ES 2010250 tons pelletsRSU 58 Stratton ES 2010250 tons pelletsColby Waterville201013000 tons chips

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

There are now at least 35 schools or educational

facilities using wood fiber to heat their facilities!

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Where in Maine are bio-mass systems located?

Other facilitiesTown Garage Gardiner 2011(wood pellet)VA Center Togus 201222000 tons chips*

CommercialJackson Lab Bar Harbor 2011(wood pellet) Mt Abram Ski Area 2012(wood pellet) Moose River Lumber Co (chips, sawdust, shavings)Lumber and other misc. about 4 units across the state

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Economic Impact

Total Chip consumption 29,485 tonsTotal Pellet consumption 5,910 tonsTotal oil displaced gals 2.4M gallonsTotal wood fiber cost $2.9MTotal $ saved $5.7MTotal dollars added to or kept in Maine economy $7.8M

32 new jobs created

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Fuel Providers

Now have 4 pellet mgrs. And 1 very large one on the boards, in Maine

At least 3 pellet mgrs. serving Maine

At least 2 wood chip brokers and a few individual suppliers of chips

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Boiler and Supplier locations1998

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Boiler locationsARRA Funded 2012

1. Madawaska Middle/High School 2. UMaine Fort Kent 3. Northern Maine Medical Center 4. Limestone Community School 6. Fort Fairfield Elem/Middle/High School 7. Northern Maine Community College 8. UMaine Presque Isle 9. UMaine Cooperative Extension 10. Houlton Jr/Sr High School 11. Millinocket Regional Hospital 12. Greenville Middle/High School 13. Carrabec Schools 14. Town of Strong - Town Office 15. Phillips Elementary/Middle School 21. Messalonskee Elem/Middle/High School 22. Waterville Senior High School 23. Town of Thorndike - Town Office 30. City of Gardiner - City Hall & Fire Dpt 33. Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School 34. Mechanic Falls - Town Office, Library, Fire Station & Public Works 35. Poland Regional High School 37. Falmouth Middle School

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Boiler locationsAll 2012

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Boiler and Supplier locationsBoilers and Fuel Suppliers

2012

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Growth by Year

1954

1957

1966

1982

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1992

1993

1999

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Maine Biomass Boiler Installations

# of

Inst

alla

tions

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Brands of Boilers

Brands of boilers in Maine *(ARRA and DOE only)

Viessmann 12Messersmith 11Okofen 5 * (installations only total units is higher)Chiptec 3Schmid 2Skanden 2Hamont 2Hurst 1AFS 1Reka 1Biomax 1 Other 2

Total 43 1998 only 1, today 43 There are another 20 or so big users like paper and electric

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What have we learned and what would we do different

another time?

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What have we learned about Boiler sizing?

Many we have seen are grossly oversized. Boiler size can impact efficiency, emissions, and fuel consumption. Reduce stand by losses by sizing smaller, short cycling.

Must determine what load curve is best to satisfy – fixed demand, peak load, partial load

Rule of thumb for biomass 60-70% of fixed demand, no more than 85% of fixed

Use current fossil fuel consumption to create load curve, do not use current fossil fuel boiler size as a means of sizing wood boilers

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What have we learned about biomass fuel?

Most installs (chip) are burning higher quality fuel than necessary

Paying too much Lower quality, lower cost fuel can be as efficient

as high quality, high cost fuel High quality fuel does not always save money Moisture content effects consumption

a. 55% -35% will reduce yearly consumption by 20-25% Fuel delivery systems not designed for

over/under sized chips (no screening) Pellet quality does vary, get significant samples

and test. Save results.

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What have we learned about fuel storage and delivery?

Capacity needs to be 7 days at highest firing rate, plus 1 full truckloadi. Example: 3 MMBTH/h, 50% MC, 400 lbs/hr,

5 tons/day, 35 tons/week, 4000 CFii.Plus next truck 28-32 tons or 2800-3400

CFiii.Minimum 6-7000 CF, 12x30x16

Large trucks need access to bunker or silo, with adequate turning space, ability to deliver during school operating hours

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What have we learned about fuel storage and delivery?

Access needs to consider height of trailer bumper, <18 inches

Smaller capacity bunkers, silos need daily monitoring

2 overhead door openings, 12 FT wide x 14FT tall, 16 FT preferred

Allow trailer bed to back into bunker, not face of outside wall

Bunkers need visual inspection window or cameras to determine remaining fuel

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Bunker Sizes Bunker sizes.pdf Wood Chip Trailer.jpg Chips coming out of trailer.bmp Trailer inside bunker.jpg Drive on walking floor.jpg Trailer should fit into door opening.bmp

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What have we learned about fuel storage and delivery?

Silos follow same logic for sizingi. Example: 3 MMBTH/h, 10% MC, 250 lbs/hr,

3 tons/day, 21 tons/week, 840 CFii.Plus next truck 20-28 tons or 800-1100 CFiii.Minimum 1600-2000 CF, 12 FT diameter x

35 FT tall silo Silos need level indicators to monitor volume Silos need view window to see fill progress,

over filling

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What have we learned about emissions and efficiency?

Combustion efficiency, 80% minimum, 85% should be norm Thermal transfer, minimum 3 pass heat

exchanger Radiant efficiency, well insulated, room should be

cool Overall net efficiency, combination of the above,

ask for 3rd party evaluation Fuel quality effects emissions, especially

particulate Overall efficiency effects fuel consumption rate

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What have we learned about emissions and efficiency?

Turn down ratios, more is not better but some is requiredi. Idle mode is not acceptable

Coordination between wood boiler and hydronics is critical for efficiencyi. DDC controls very helpful, outside air, time of day, load

predictionii. Must have 3 way valveiii.Thermal storage will be more efficient, better control, less

emissions Look at number of motors required throughout the system

i. I’ve seen 20-30 HP of connected load when 6-10 HP could have done same functions

ii.Look for sensors that allow motors to only run when needed

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What have we learned about design?

Most engineering and/or architectural firms lack expertise in biomass design

Boiler room space needs to be larger than for fossil fuel fired boilers

Need room for fuel storage Delivery access Reduce distance from fuel storage to burner ESP or bag houses should not be needed Industrial quality equipment, not agricultural

like flex augers of plastic Maintenance of equipment

i. Refractory cast vs. brickii. Access to motors, sensors, clean outs

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What financial considerations are there?

Total cost of ownershipi. Life cycle costing, life over time, is it re-

buildableii. Impact of personnel cost to operate less

automated systemsiii.Impact of electrical bill of total added electrical

motor loadiv.Fuel typev. Operating efficiencies

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What financial considerations are there?

Capital costs vs. amount saved (payback)i. Must get over (traditional) short term payback

periodsii. What is the payback on current system

How will you financei. Traditional borrowingii. Energy performance contractiii.Power purchase (lease)iv.Grants, QZAB, other v. Who assumes risk of performance

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What should one do before considering installing a biomass boiler?

Do you intend to use the building for another 20-30 years

Will the existing HVAC system adapt to biomass

Fuel type and distance to multiple suppliers

Do you have the personal to operate and maintain

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Questions?

Thank You!