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Report: Midwest has abundant, increasing feedstocks A working report recently prepared by FutureMetrics Inc. outlines a vision to achieve 15 percent renewable thermal energy in the Midwest by 2025, with 10 percent derived from sustainably produced biomass. According to the report, in the Midwest, approximately 97 percent of thermal energy consumed in the residential sector is from nonrenewable sources, and no Midwestern states have adopted formal targets to reduce the reliance on fossil energy in heating markets. While other renewable thermal energy options exist in the U.S., the report stresses that biomass is the region’s most abundant renewable resource for thermal applications. Data included in the analysis demonstrates that Michigan currently leads the Midwestern states in biomass utilization for thermal energy. The state generates 4.44 percent of its thermal energy from
Minn. to study biomass heat for poultry barns
biomass sources. Minnesota, Ohio and Indiana generate a relative 2.66, 2.51 and 2.32 percent of thermal energy from biomass. Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin all generate less than 2 percent of their thermal energy from renewable biomass sources. While little biomass is currently being utilized for thermal energy production, the report estimates a great deal of the renewable feedstock is available in the Midwest. About 104.82 million green tons of biomass is available in the region, including 86.73 million tons of agricultural biomass and 18.09 tons of forest biomass for pellet production. By 2025, the quantity of biomass is expected to increase to 147.02 million tons, including 114.5 million tons of agricultural biomass and 29.83 tons of forest biomass.
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute is funding a study that will explore the benefits of using biomass-derived heat in Minnesota poultry barns. Jim Eiynck, owner of study participant Eventemp Biomass’ national sales office in Becker, Minn., said the study will observe two barns: one utilizing liquid petroleum (LP) and the other woodchip biomass. The project will quantify the amount of LP and electricity utilized in a control barn and compare that performance with that of the barn heated by biomass. Additionally, the poultry will be assessed in each barn for chemical burns derived from ammonia exposure from the litter. Initial observations have been made in other poultry barns using thermal biomass. Eiynck said the potential benefits of forced-air biomass applications originate from the dry heat the system produces. He cited some poultry producers have noticed drier wall insulation, elimination of openflame heaters utilized in chick facilities, drier litter and lower fan use when utilizing forced-air biomass heaters in their barns.
The Largest Biomass Conference in North America
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MARCH 24-26, 2014 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL www.biomassconference.com
JUNE 2013 | BIOMASS MAGAZINE 29