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Title:	Black Hills South Dakota Woody Biomass Feasibility Studies
Type:	Biomass utilization
Jurisdiction:	Multi-level
State:	South Dakota
Program Description:	South Dakota Biomass Heating Source Studies Biomass as a Heating Source in Schools in Black Hills, South Dakota In 2005, South Dakota embarked on a study of the feasibility of heating schools and large scale facilities in the Black Hills region with woody biomass. This study was partially funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) through the Western Governors� Association. Using biomass to heat schools and other large facilities is a win/win because it solves the disposal problem of waste wood from timber harvesting activities and sawmill waste, at the same time that it reduces the cost of fuel for winter heating. And since the wood is produced locally, it helps the local economy and supports jobs in the forest products industry. Biomass Energy Resource Center The not-for-profit group Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) of Montpelier, VT was hired to conduct the study. BERC�s first task was to identify potential candidates and potential biomass suppliers. They developed a list of potential users of woody biomass for heat and invited the administrators of those schools and facilities to an introductory talk about the advantages of using wood chips instead of fossil fuels. The meeting was well attended, and local groups were encouraged to apply for feasibility studies for their buildings. Seventeen applications were submitted by administrators interested in exploring the feasibility of woody biomass conversion. Six school systems and four large facilities were selected for feasibility studies. BERC produced ten reports summarizing preliminary assessments for installing biomass heating systems at each school or facility. An engineering feasibility study was written for a more detailed assessment of a conversion to biomass heating at Belle Fourche High School. The final report for this project is available for view on the Western Governors� Association website � http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/biomass/BlackHillsBiomassStudy.pdf Results of the Studies In each case, the feasibility study showed that conversion of the facility would pay for itself over an expected 30 year life span of the biomass system. The cost of biomass heating was found to be one half to one third the cost of using fossil fuels. First year savings for the schools ranged from $10,600 to $78,000 depending on the size of the school, current fossil fuel cost and usage, and the type of woody biomass heating system installed. Savings at the large facilities would be even greater, ranging from $68,000 to $208,000. And over the 30 year life of the system, large facilities would save between $428,000 and $4,000,000. Each facility would save 40% or more on their annual heating budgets, and two of the largest facilities would save as much as 65-67%! The study also looked at air quality and permitting issues, and fuel supply and quality concerns. The supply of wood chips needed is available locally. BERC concludes that even if all of the buildings included in the feasibility studies converted to woody biomass heat generation, they would require only 8% of the wood chip material available from the estimated 83,000 tons of sawtimber harvest residues and 260,000 tons of sawmill residues generated each year in the Black Hills. Obstacles The biggest obstacle to conversion to biomass heating for any of these facilities is the need to find the initial money to pay for the cost of conversion. One of the large facilities in the Black Hills area which had a feasibility study done by BERC has converted to woody biomass. A second large facility in the Black Hills area which had fesibility study done by BERC has begun the process of converting to woody biomass. They are: Star Academy, near Custer, South Dakota, and the State Veterans� Home in Hot Springs, respectively. Four other facilities are still interested in converting to biomass heat and are looking for the funds to make the conversion possible. Contact Information For more information, contact Greg Josten at 605.394.2279 or by email Greg Josten.
Images:	1. Auger conveyor for wood chips 2. Chip bin 3. Chip delivery metering 4. Chip Storage