Woody Biomass Resources

Biomass is, in general, living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel. Woody biomass includes logging residue (nonmerchantable tops, leftover limbs and down logs), primary and secondary mill residue, dedicated energy crops, urban forest–clearing material, land-clearing material and brushland material.

Wood energy is captured through the combustion of solid celluloid material found in trees and woody shrubs. It is one of the most important sources of renewable energy, providing over 9% of the global total primary energy supply.

Interest in using biomass as a feedstock for bioenergy production in the United States has been increasing recently due to concerns about volatile oil prices, climate change and the impact of diverting crops from food to fuel. Forest landowners and the existing forest industry have the potential to grow this new bioenergy industry rapidly by providing the needed biomass fuel and infrastructure for new mills that will produce wood pellets, industrial heat, electricity and transportation fuels.

Assistance

The forest products services team can assist with:

information on wood energy systems;
information on available biomass resources;
biomass suppliers, delivery costs and distance information;
pre-feasibility project analysis;
tour arrangements of operating systems;
information on system manufacturers;
information on permit requirements; and
exploring potential funding sources.