Maryland Wood Energy Coalition

“Wood Energy-Renewable, Clean, Abundant,

Affordable & Supporting Local Communities”

October 2013

Jonathan Kays Chair, Maryland Wood Energy Coalition Extension Specialist-Natural Resources

University of Maryland Extension

Maryland’s Energy Needs!

Electric 30%

Transportation 30%

Thermal 40%

30% Electrical

30% Transportation

40% Thermal Heating & Cooling

Sources of Renewable Energy?

Solar

Wind

Hydro

Geothermal

Woody biomass

Electricity

Thermal

Thermal

Oldest renewable energy source

Overview – Prevalence of Wood Heat

10% of American homes heat with wood. (US Census)

Wood heaters make 80% of residential renewable energy; solar 15% and geothermal 5% (EIA).

13 million wood heaters in use (EIA).

Wood heat rose more than 90% in 8 states from 2000–2010. (US Census)

Wood now ranks as 3rd most common heating fuel, above propane and oil, when primary and secondary heating is counted. (US Census)

Maryland Wood Energy Coalition Established April 2010

Objectives:

Committed to increasing the adoption of high efficiency, low emission wood energy technologies that meets Maryland air quality standards.

Best achieved through: small to medium-sized commercial and institutional

applications for government, schools, and businesses, and,

residential thermal applications.

Maryland Wood Energy Coalition

A diverse group of state agencies, non-profits, and private businesses committed to advancing the responsible use of Maryland’s vast supply of woody biomass for clean, affordable energy production.

American Wood Fiber, Inc.

Association of Forest Industries

Cambridge Environmental Technologies, Inc.

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources - University of Maryland Extension & MD Agriculture Experiment Station

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology

Maryland/Delaware Society of American Foresters

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service

Maryland Alliance for Green Heat

Maryland Energy Administration

Maryland Forests Association

Maryland Forestry Board Foundation

The Pinchot Institute for Conservation

A Prospectus For Advancing Biomass Thermal Energy In Maryland

Developed By the Maryland Wood Energy Coalition

Specific policy recommendations on Page 2 & 3

Released Feb. 2, 2012

Available at: www.agroecol.umd.edu

Accelerating Wood Energy in Maryland Conference November 14, 2012 – Annapolis, MD

Goals:

Address critical milestones along the roadmap

Seek feedback on how to address barriers

Determine interest in industry association to advance wood energy

Attended by 120 participants from biomass industry, forest industry, policymakers, environmental groups, etc.

Wood Energy Applications

Single family houses - Firewood and wood pellets Grown 34% in last 10 years

Business & Institutional – Wood chips Schools, town halls, village centres, etc.

District heating of villages, towns, communities

Combined heat and power - “CHP “

Forest related industries – ongoing

Large scale projects for regional distribution Cofiring & large scale electric generation

Wood is fastest growing heat fuel

• 2.1% of families use wood or pellets as primary heat; about 10% use it as secondary heat • In Maryland, wood heat grew 33% from 2000 to 2010; today 1.2% use it as primary heat. •Wood heaters make 80% of residential renewable energy; solar 15% and geothermal 5% 4%

Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $2,000 Wood/Pellet Stove =

Fossil Fuel Reduction of a $20,000 Solar PV

Both systems can displace equal amounts of carbon from fossil fuel: 3 tons.

1 kw system, 1 cord of wood or 1 ton of pellets all displace about 1 ton of carbon from fossil fuels.

Most Wood Heating Equipment is Outdated and Too Polluting

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Pellet Boiler w/Storage

Masonry Heater

EPA Wood Boiler

Traditional Boiler

Pellet Stove EPA Certified Wood Stove

Old Wood Stove

% in Use

Emissions Average (grams per hour)

What About Emission of Residential Stoves and Outdoor Boilers?

$50K pilot program is now ongoing: $500 for a firewood stove

$700 for pellet stove

Primary residence

Must displace electric or non-natural gas fossil fuel heating systems

Stove purchased, installed and grant submitted. More info: http://energy.maryland.gov/Residential/woodstoves/

New Maryland Energy Administration Wood Grant Program!

Maryland has one wood energy facility – 4 MW Eastern Correctional Institution

Advanced, clean and efficient wood energy technologies are readily available

Game Changer Grant Program from MEA provides opportunity for demonstration projects

Where Is Maryland Now Regarding Biomass Use?

The Potential for Sustainable Wood-Based Bioenergy in Maryland – Pinchot Institute, August 2010

Maryland’s Forest Biomass Harvesting and Retention Guidelines developed by working group Allows for harvest in an ecologically sustainable manner

Is Removing Biomass From MD Forests Sustainable?

We are growing 2.6 times more wood we are removing through harvests in Maryland!

YES!

Wood Energy Infrastructure for Woody Biomass Boilers

Thermal biomass energy can reduce electricity consumption

Heating with wood insulates from price volatility

Wood is a local fuel (energy security)

Thermal biomass strengthens the local economy

Each link in the biomass supply chain retains and creates local green jobs

Other Advantages of Thermal Biomass

Maine study – for every $1 spent on fuel oil for heating, only $0.15 remains in the local economy. Not so with woody biomass.

Residential scale technologies

Commercial/institutional scale projects (e.g. “Fuels for Schools” type projects)

New wood energy capacity may prop up existing wood products industry

Combined heat ‘n power (CHP) – ~3,000 opportunities exist.

What Are The Most Appropriate Wood Energy Technologies for Maryland?

Woody Biomass

Maryland has many opportunities for similar projects:

Universities Public Schools Military Bases

Government Districts

Poultry Houses Office & Retail Complexes Prisons

Fuels for Schools and Beyond

• 10 states have programs

following on success of VT

• 5 – 20 year payback

• Significant savings in fuel

costs

• Manageable fuel

requirements

• Low hanging fruit for

Maryland?

Negative perception unwarranted! Particulate matter (PM) emissions is only

area where fossil fuel boilers often outperform biomass.

Other pollutants about equal

Emissions controls can control particulates. Using Best Available Technology.

What About Emissions of Biomass Boilers?

Prohibition on use of biomass in commercial boilers since 1972.

Coalition has worked MDE to develop new regulations that will be in place soon.

Major Barrier to Use of Biomass in Boilers

Size of Boiler MMBtu

Particulate Emissions (lb/MMBtu

Rural Area Areas I, II, V & VI

Urban Areas Areas III & IV

1.5 – 1000 0.35 0.1

Update MDE air emission regulations for biomass boilers Should be in place by end of 2013

Support changes to the Renewable Energy Portfolio (RPS) Standard to award Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for biomass thermal; Task force to study the issue and suggest legislation for 2014

Provide sustained support for the Maryland Wood Grant Program: $50K pilot program by MEA extended indefinately

Encourage public agencies & facilities to lead the way: GameChanger grants from MEA DGS asked to include biomass boilers as a renewable energy

option

Progress Toward The Coalition’s Four Priorities

Solicit projects – Coalition seeking funds for feasibility studies

Education for target audiences – public facility managers, businesses, etc.

Residential education program for new wood & pellet stove users.

What Happens Once the MDE Regulations are Approved?

The Technology

PA Wood Energy Tour – Feb 2013

Ebenshades Greenhouse,PA

Look! No Smoke!

Are there potential projects in your community? New schools, hospitals, prisons, etc.

Educate yourselves about the issue – 2013 Wood Energy Conference

Advocate for this Win-Win Strategy. Renewables with significant energy savings for public sector, while creating jobs. Provides new markets for woodland owners and the forest industry

How Can You Help This Effort?

Advancing Sustainable Wood Energy in Maryland

October 30, 2013 – Annapolis, MD

Goals:

To build on the successes of Coalition efforts over the past year in addressing policy & regulatory roadblocks

Broaden the coalition of stakeholders

To establish Maryland as a leader in wood heat policy

To highlight ways to get on the ground projects and grow the wood energy industry.

Identify pathways to develop a regional biomass trade group

Questions? Jonathan Kays

Extension Specialist Natural Resources Chair, Maryland Wood Energy Coalition

301-432-2767 x323 jkays@umd.edu

www.extension.umd.edu/woodland

Look! No Smoke!