Transcript
E Energy Farmers F Agricultural and grass biomass supply chain considerations l h i id ti A BTEC Webinar October 1, 2014
Quick notes •
TTwo Audio Options: Streaming Audio A di O ti St i A di and Dial‐In.
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Streaming Audio/Computer Speakers (Default) Speakers (Default) Dial‐In: Use the Audio Panel (right side of screen) to see dial‐ in instructions. Call‐in separately from your telephone.
Ask questions using the Questions Panel on the right side of your screen. The recording of the webinar and the The recording of the webinar and the slides will be available after the event. Registrants will be notified by email.
Webinar Speakers & Outline
• Introduction • Ag Feedstock Supply Chain Fundamentals – g pp y Jay Van y Roekel • GGrass Energy Implications & Applications – ass e gy p ca o s & pp ca o s Tom o Wilson • Q & A Session Q & A Session
About BTEC The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) is the industry trade association gy ( ) y dedicated to advancing the use of biomass for heat and other thermal energy applications. Why was BTEC established? To advocate for and promote the biomass thermal industry in the national energy policy debate T To reach out to and educate the public and decision makers on the benefits h tt d d t th bli dd i i k th b fit and advantages of using biomass for heat and CHP To develop biomass energy research and analysis that enables sound investment and policy decisions investment and policy decisions
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Notable Program Activities Policy and Governmental Affairs Level the playing field for thermal (e.g. BTU Act of 2013) EPA recognition of biomass as carbon beneficial
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Technical and Regulatory Affairs Bulk pellet storage and delivery guidance and standards p g yg Creating a universal efficiency test method for commercial biomass heaters
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Education and Marketing Supporting National Bioenergy Day, Oct. 22 Installation and design training for HVAC professionals
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New Biomass CHP Maps Available Visit biomassthermal biomassthermal.org/resources/chpMaps org/reso rces/chpMaps
Source: ICF International
New State Policy Map Available Vi i bi Visit biomassthermal.org/legislation/stateincentives.asp h l /l i l i / i i
Ag Feedstock Supply Chain Fundamentals
Jay Van Roekel Vermeer
Vermeer Solution From ‘field to facility’ bundle approach IIn‐Field Fi ld Harvest
S d Storage and Transport
At Plant Processing
Customer modifications shown
Key Vermeer Products for Biomass • Grinders – Electric and diesel
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Chippers M Mowers Rakes Balers
Vermeer Experience • Woodyy materials • Ag residues – corn, cane, wheat, rice, cotton • Energy crops - switchgrass, Miscanthus, King grass, Arundo donax, elephant grass, energy sorghum…
Feedstock Supply Plan 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Material specification p – moisture,, size,, ash Type(s) of biomass in area Current agricultural practices Harvest plan – who & how Storage plan – where & how long Transport plan – who & how Material sizing – who, where & how
Initial Details • End user material specification p – – – –
Material – single or multiple feedstock Moisture content desired Ash content limits Material size
• 60 mile radius analysis – – – – – –
Types of biomass readily available Roads Field size Field access H Harvest t methods th d and d titiming i Climate
Harvest Plan • Moisture content critical for successful harvest and stable storage t (below (b l 25%) 25%), unless l silage il lik like material t i l accepted t d • Field conditions – wet/dry, flat/ridges, access • Energy crops – tropical varieties present dry-down challenges • Residue crops – hand harvest vs mechanical • Residue crops p – equipment q p settings g to reduce ash • Harvest window – moisture events, next crop • Tractor – availability and experienced operators
Storage and Bale Handling • • • • • •
Climate / weather Material type Harvest choices (bale or loose) Harvest moisture Storage type (drainage, sun, wind) Bale handling methods (bale ( integrity))
Could experience 10%+ 10% dry matter loss in some conditions
Transportation Plan • • • •
Road regulations g ((width,, height, g , weight) g ) Types of trucks Storage site access Distance
Material Sizing Plan • Some sizing g can be accomplished p when harvesting g with optional pre-cutting systems • Analyze all materials to be processed • Location to process • Site plan – wind, weather, hours operated, dust • Support equipment to deliver and remove material
Managing Variables Controllable • Material – Moisture
• Operators – Experience
• Equipment care and adjustments dj t t • Support equipment – Tractors – Loaders
• Work site
Uncontrollable • Field – – – – – –
Slope size Ridges Obstacles Soft / wet Access roads
• Weather – Harvest window
Operation Plan Protect your equipment investment • • • • •
Operator – training, experience, responsibility Safetyy – all shields in p place and locked, PPE Maintenance – daily schedules, check sheet, sign-off Machine and site cleaning Parts – quality parts, right sized part
Biomass Customer Needs • Feedstock – – – –
Clean Consistent Sized to specification Year-round, contracted supply – Reject out-of-spec loads
• Equipment – High use – Safety – Customer training g • Operation • Equipment settings/adjustments • Repair and maintenance
– Minimize down time – Production rate knowledge
Contact Jayy Van Roekel Biomass Business Manager Vermeer Corporation 1710 Vermeer Road East Pella, IA 50219
[email protected] @
Grass Energy Implications & Applications
Tom Wilson Wilson Engineering Services il i i S i
E Energy Farmers F : Agricultural and Grass Biomass g Supply Chain Considerations Tom Wilson, President Wilson Engineering Services, PC g g ,
Biomass Energy Thermal Council Webinar October 1, 2014 1pm – 2pm ET Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Why Grass Thermal Energy y gy Renewable/Sustainable replacement of fossil fuels Renewable/Sustainable replacement of fossil fuels Productive on marginal land Can use conventional farm equipment to grow and harvest CO₂ reduction potential • Minimal inputs • Sequestration in buildup of soil organic matter Sequestration in buildup of soil organic matter – Clean up the environment • Filtration and removal of nutrients when used as a stream bank buffer • Reduce erosion
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Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Dedicated Grass Energy Crops Studied in NE di d i
• Switchgrass: – Multiple Varieties
• Miscanthus • Reed Canary • “Road Road Hay Hay”
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Characteristics of Grass Energy Crops in Thermal Combustion – Energy content • 90% to 95% wood
– Ash content • 3oo% to 500% wood • Large percentage of silica Large percentage of silica
– Fusion temperatures • Near or below combustion Temperatures b ti T t • Clinkering
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Economics for Growers Economics for Growers • Price at farm gate needs to be ≥ $80/ ton $ / • Average yields > 4 tons p per acre • Switchgrass and Miscanthus most promising grass crops Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Grass Thermal Energy Models Grass Thermal Energy Models
• Closed Loop Closed Loop ‐ no Processing no Processing • Regional Processing g g • Consumer Market Pellet • Small Scale on Farm Processing Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Closed Loop Model: No Processing Closed Loop Model: No Processing
• Grown on or near point of use • Able to take baled material directly to combustion unit b • Requires minimal investment
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Regional Processing Model g g – Institutional Institutional scale furnace scale furnace installations – Volume large enough for economies of scale in economies of scale in processing – Matches regional processing with combustion equipment q p – Purchases baled material from the region for processing and densification – Requires significant investment and coordination Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Consumer Market Pellet Model Consumer Market Pellet Model – Consumer market pellet model • Commercial scale pelleting plant • Competes with wood pellets • Li Limited number of pellet it d b f ll t stoves that can successfully burn grass pellets Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Small Scale On Farm Processing Model Small Scale On Farm Processing Model
– Small Scale On farm Processing examples • Briquetting and small pellet mills pellet mills • Mobile pelleting From HVGE web site
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
How to Grow Grass Thermal E Energy Use? U ?
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
First Step – Recognize Barriers to Market A Acceptance t – No economic advantage over wood pellets or chips which are wood pellets or chips which are widely available and established – Increased ash quantity and d h i d clinkering over wood • Harder to densify • Less convenient to burn
– Limited number of installations that can successfully burn grass – New equipment that can burn grass is generally more expensive Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Road Map • Monetize all environmental Benefits – Carbon offset credits – Incentives for cleaning up watersheds • Lake Champlain • Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay
• Achieve economies of scale – Establish significant crop acreage • Switchgrass g and Miscanthus are highest yielding crops g y g p
– Alternative markets are available to support acreage and processing y Demonstration sites for most promising models – Closed Loop – no Processing – Regional Processing
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Monetize all Benefits Monetize all Benefits • Carbon offset Carbon offset – Voluntary markets – Regulated markets? Regulated markets?
• Thermal RECs – Carve out of electric RECs for thermal projects (NH ( and MA)
• Incentivize crop plantings l – Pattern after existing programs – Target removal of nutrients from the watershed Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Economies of Scale •Incentives to I ti t establish acres Alternative uses to uses to •Alternative provide initial markets •Regional scale i l l demonstration project
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Alternative Markets Alternative Markets •Absorbent Ab b t •Animal bedding •Composting substrate •Composting substrate •Resins •Liquid fuels q •Forage extenders in animal rations •Wildlife Habitat
Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Demonstration Sites • Closed loop – p no Processingg • Ideal sites: • “County” Farms • Agricultural colleges Agricultural colleges
• Minimal investment • Low cost fuel
• Regional Processing • • • •
Sustainable scale Significant investment g Economic development Monetize benefits • Watershed cleanup Watershed cleanup Wilson Engineering Services, PC Meadville, PA
Question and Answer Session Ask questions using the Questions Panel on the right side of your screen. y The webinar slides and recording will be made available after today. Please fill out survey upon leaving.
Upcoming Thermal Events
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Vi View all at biomassthermal.org/events ll t bi th l / t Second Annual National Bioenergy Day » October 22, 2014 » Events nationwide for power, heat, pellets Collaborative Stove Design Workshop » Upton, NY Upton NY » Nov. 7‐11, 2014 » Continuation of the successful Wood Stove Decathlon World Sustainable Energy Days / European Pellet Conference ld bl / ll f » Wels, Austria » Feb. 25 – 27, 2015 » Continuation of the successful Wood Stove Decathlon Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2015 » Portland, ME » April 16 – A il 16 18, 2015 18 2015 » More info at nebiomassheat.com
We Are Helping Grow the Biomass Heating W A H l i G th Bi H ti Market Who BTEC Is
•Non‐profit advocacy group with 130 members from U.S., Canada, Europe •All sectors represented, from landowners to end users Why Consider Joining
•Promote the use of biomass thermal fuels and technology to all industries Promote the use of biomass thermal fuels and technology to all industries •Achieve policy parity at the national and state levels •Share best practices and drive innovation and research •Recognition of our company’s leadership and achievements Join Us! Membership levels tailored to a company’s size. Ask me about how to join, email
[email protected], or visit www.biomassthermal.org
Thank you for attending today’s webinar and remember Th k f di d ’ bi d b to fill out attendee survey. For more information, contact: Joseph Seymour BTEC Executive Director
[email protected] 202‐596‐3974 x302
