Wood as energy source growing
May 1, 2013
By U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities
May 1, 2013 – A report released by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities fills the gap and points to the growth in use of woody biomass for energy in community facilities, such as schools, hospitals and more.
The report, based on research
by Katie Premo, an intern at Endowment, and Kate MacFarland, USDA Forest
Service (USFS) staff, is available at www.usendowment.org.
When
the right technology is matched with the right setting, woody biomass can
offset the costs of other fuel sources, especially fuel oil and propane. As
of January 2013, 297 institutional facilities have been identified as
operational. Since concluding the study the number of systems has continued to
grow reflecting the dynamic changes occurring in this arena. More than
two-thirds are in the Northeastern U.S. 59 per cent are secondary schools, the
remaining facilities are predominantly higher education buildings.
“In
developed economies, wood isn’t just for subsistence. Advanced wood combustion
systems are part of stabilizing and even saving on energy costs while
doing so using a locally-sourced, renewable fuel,” says Carlton Owen, Endowment president.
The
report is result of the Woody Biomass Joint-Venture, a partnership between the
Endowment and the USDA Forest Service.
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