In 2010, WSRI commissioned research with FORISK and the University of Georgia to investigate harvest, supply, and demand aspects of the forest biomass supply chain. By the time you read this column, we will have published the final report on that study, but I'd like to provide a small preview right here.
WSRI's Forest Biomass Supply Chain project pulled in the expertise and capabilities of two different teams. FORISK's portion of the study focused on the approximate volume availability, by region, across the United States, given the current level of forest industry demand, and expected demand from operating and announced bioenergy projects. Meanwhile, a University of Georgia team evaluated means of integrating large-scale biomass harvesting into the U.S. wood supply system.
Here are some key findings:
• U.S. forests and mills generate 181 million available green tons of non-traditional, unused woody biomass. The study categorizes this biomass as logging residues, unused mill residues, pre-merchantable materials, and "other" removals. The study identifies two different types of logging residues, which together represent 65.6% of this presently unused biomass. Overall, the South accounts for 90 million green tons, or 49.9%, of that total.
• The U.S. harvests 2.1% of its timberlands annually—a rate that has been relatively stable, on a national basis, for 25 years, although it has increased in the South and Northeast and declined in the West and Lake States. Approximately 60% of all harvesting activities today are partial cuts or thinnings. Significantly, the University of Georgia team found that operational viability for biomass harvesting requires 15 to 25 tons per acre minimum but that most available biomass volumes fall below 15 tons.
• Wood demand in the U.S. has been in decline, at least recently—2009's total pulpwood consumption, 235.4 million tons, was 4% lower than 2005's, with the South accounting for 70%.
• Of 432 announced and operating wood bioenergy projects in the U.S., FORISK evaluated 277 as passing basic viability screening. These viable projects will represent 68.4 million tons of incremental wood biomass demand by 2020.
• Cost-effective harvesting and transportation are the keys to delivering biomass feedstock competitively. The federal Department of Energy has published its views on desired price targets, including assumptions about each supply-chain component's portion. The WSRI team found DOE's assumptions about the cost fraction to be dedicated to harvesting and transport to present serious challenges to the supply chain, the more so as hauling distances increase.
Elsewhere in this issue, you'll find an article with some region-by-region observations from the UGA Team.
This study's results are far-reaching, and I'd like to suggest that WSRI members study the final report carefully. If you aren't a WSRI member, joining WSRI will give you access. Meanwhile, look for FRA to publish additional extracts and observations, in Technical Release form, in future issues.
Jim Fendig
WSRI Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
921-598-8023