Feasibility of Using Wood Wastes to Meet Local Heating Requirements of Communities in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska

摘要

Wood energy can be important in meeting the energy needs of Alaska communities that have access to abundant biomass resources. In the Kenai Peninsula, a continuing spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) infestation has created large volumes of standing dead spruce trees (Picea spp.). For this evaluation, a site in the Kenai-Soldotna area was chosen for a small, industrial-scale (4 million British thermal units (BTUs) per hour) wood-fired hot water heating system, which could be fueled by salvaged spruce timber and also by sawmilling residues. Thirty-six different scenarios were evaluated by using wood fuel costs ranging from $10 to $50 per delivered ton, alternative fuel costs from $1 to $2 per gallon, and fuel moisture contents of either 20 percent or 50 percent (green basis). In addition, two different capital costs were considered.