HomeMy WebLinkAboutWrigley's Farm-Barley Letter of RecommendationDr.P.J.Ford Slack
Superintendant,
Delta/Greely School District
I am writing to you regarding the alternative heating system being considered for the
Delta High School.I understand you are close to sending a grant request to AIDEA to
fund this project.I wish to encourage you to consider a multi-fuel type unit to have
flexibility in the fuel source.Many solid fuel bio-boilers will bum a variety of fuels from
garbage to wood chips.What is more critical is that the fuel has consistent moisture
content so continual adjustments to the unit are not necessary.
As for a fuel source,if you will consider using barley,we will guarantee delivery of 4000
tons delivered on a keep full basis for $220 per ton.According to Greg Smith of Global
Energy Solutions,a 4,000,000 BTU boiler will consume about 500 pounds of fuel per
hour.4000 tons of barley will provide fuel for at least two years operation.The fuel will
be consistent in moisture and quality,relieving the school of unnecessary adjustments
due to varying moisture conditions of the fuel.
One of the most important factors to consider is the availability of fuel.A new crop of
barley is grown and harvested every year,while according to area foresters in Delta and
Tok,harvesting trees will be on a 100-year rotation.Another issue is storage of fuel.To
store a significant quantity of chips to bridge cold spells will require a pretty large
building.Enough barley to last 3 weeks will fit in a bin with a footprint of only 15 feet in
diameter and will cost a fraction of what a storage area for a three-week cushion of chips
will cost.
If you are interested,I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.Because
barley is a local resource,easily grown and stored,it could benefit the school by reducing
heating costs while providing agriculture with a new market.
relY~
Br Wrig)j·
89 -279
deltaswcd@wildak.net