HomeMy WebLinkAboutEyak Cordova Wood Processing Plant Funding Fact Sheet 02-01-2016-WOODCordova, Alaska
Cordwood processor provides wood and jobs for community members
Quick Facts
Total Project Costs: $147,720
Funding: Renewable Energy Grant Fund: $136,760
Local Funds: $10,960
Equipment
Make/Model: Cord King 60
Output: 9 standard cords/hour
Fuel Oil Offset
Actual annual: 11,333 gallons
Comprehensive savings: 34,000 gallons
(Dec. 2011-Dec. 2014)
Fuel Savings
Annual savings: $40,000
Comprehensive savings: $120,000
(Dec. 2011-Dec. 2014)
Simple Payback: 3.7 years
Estimated Jobs Created: 3 seasonal
Cordova Wood Processing Plant
Project Overview
The Native Village of Eyak received funds from the
Renewable Energy Grant Fund for the purchase, ship-
ping, and set-up of a firewood processor in Cordova.
Eyak identified a specific system that met their needs,
a Cord King Model 60. The district heating program
focuses on reducing heating costs to community
members by using the Cord King 60 to process their
firewood. They are now able to use locally harvested
biomass for heating rather than diesel oil.
Objectives
The main objective of this project was to meet the
heating needs of the Native Village of Eyak. Cordova
is only accessible by air or water so the cost of living is
about 25 percent higher than the U.S. average. Using
this firewood processing system allows residents to
reduce high heating costs by minimizing their reli-
ance on fuel oil. It also allows them to use a local and
renewable resource.
Product Selection
The Cord King Model 60 has a production rate of up
to nine standard cords per hour, a cycle time of 3.5-4
seconds, a splitter system, and it’s hydraulic reservoir
capacity is 140 gallons. It’s efficiency is higher than
other firewood processors of its kind and it more than
meets the heating needs of Eyak.
Economic Feasibility
The system became operational in December of 2011.
Since then it has produced 4,080 MMBtu of thermal
energy, which has displaced 34,000 gallons of diesel
fuel. This displacement has saved Eyak $120,000 in
energy costs.
Allocation of Funding
Cord King Model 60, photo courtesy of AEA.
Allocation of Funding Community Benefits
The Renewable Energy Grant Fund contributed
$136,760 to pay for the purchase, shipping, and set-up
the Cord King 60. Local funds contributed $10,960
which went toward administration, labor, and supplies.
Fuel and Storage
Wood is cut from existing dead or dry decked trees
and the Cord King 60 processes it into usable firewood
for the community. The wood supplies a portion of the
community’s winter heating needs and reduces the use
of fuel oil. Cordova’s annual fuel oil usage is equivalent
to about 1,460 cords/year. The wood as fuel costs about
one fifth the price of fuel oil and the source is both
renewable and local.
Learning Experiences/Challenges
One of the most important aspects in the development
of any biomass project is the fuel supply. Where is the
wood coming from? Who is harvesting the wood?
What is the cost of the wood? The decked wood that
Eyak planned to process with the Cord King proved
to be rotten on the inside, and it has been a challenge
to identify other sources. Eyak is currently working
with the Alaska Division of Forestry to allow select-
ed portions of state land near Saddlebag Glacier to
be harvested for biomass fuel. This will help increase
available forest light, encourage mature forests to grow
in the area, and provide fuel for Cordova residents.
Eyak is also investigating a moose browse enhance-
ment project, thinning alder and spruce trees to
make room for new willow trees, giving moose their
preferred grazing food and providing residents with
additional biomass.
Community Benefits
The project provides local employment opportunities
in Cordova. When it was time to cut log decks, Eyak
employed three full time seasonal workers at $20-25
per hour. Employment opportunities help the commu-
nity become more invested in the project and provide
income for several residents.
Eyak provides firewood at cost to tribal members in
financial need. This is an exceptional savings, the cost
is less than half what residents would otherwise pay for
firewood. In addition, Eyak paid for a dump truck that
provided an easy and cost effective way to transport
firewood to tribal elders who weren’t able to acquire
firewood on their own.
Project Contact Information
Parties Involved:
John Whissel, Native Village of Eyak
Email: John.Whissel@eyak-nsn.gov
Case Study Author:
Zoe Tressel, AEA Intern
Website: Akenergyauthority.org
Aerial view of Cordova, photo courtesy of City-data.com.
Cordova Wood Processing Plant
Cordova wood stacks, photo courtesy of AEA.Updated February, 2016