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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCordova Eyak Biomass Case Study - Aug 2015 - REF Grant 2195399Cordova, Alaska Cordova Wood Processing Plant Quick Facts Total Project Costs: $147,720 Equipment Make/Model: Cord King 60 Output: 9 full cords/hour (128 cubic ft ) Diesel Fuel Offset Estimated Annual: 88,700 gallons Actual Annual: 4,500 gallons Dec. 2011-Dec. 2014: 34,000 gallons Fuel Savings Estimated Annual: $427,321 Actual Annual: $12,000 Dec. 2011-Dec. 2014: $120,000 Estimated Payback: 10 years Actual Payback: 3.7 years Estimated Jobs Created: 3 seasonal CASE STUDY Project Overview Th e native village of Eyak used grant funds for the purchase, shipping, and set-up of a fi rewood proces- sor in Cordova. Eyak identifi ed a specifi c system that met their needs, a Cord King Model 60. Th e district heating program focuses on reducing heating costs to community members by using the Cord King 60 to process their fi rewood. Th ey are now able to use local- ly harvested biomass for heating rather than diesel oil. Objectives Th e 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% higher than the U.S. average. Using this fi rewood processing system allows residents to re- duce high heating costs by minimizing their reliance on diesel fuel. It also allows them to use a local and renewable resource. Reasons This Product Was Chosen Th e Cord King Model 60 has a production rate of up to nine full 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 effi ciency is higher than other fi rewood processors of its kind and it can more than meets the heating needs of Eyak. Economic Feasibility Th e system became operational in December of 2011, and since then it has produced 4,080 MMBtu of thermal energy and displaced 34,000 gallons of diesel fuel, saving Eyak $120,000 in energy costs. Th e project has a calculated benefi t/cost ratio of 20.31 and a 20 year projected life span, meaning that the benefi ts will continue to outweigh the costs by 20.31 over the next 20 years. Cord King Model 60, Photo courtesy of AEA. Allocation of Funding Th e Renewable Energy Fund contributed $136,760. Funds went to the purchase, shipping, and set-up of the Cord King 60. Local funds contributed $10,960 went toward administration, labor, and supplies. Fuel and Storage Wood cords are cut from existing dead or dry decked trees and the Cord King 60 processes it into usable fi rewood for community members. Th e wood supplies a portion of the community’s winter heating needs and reduces the cost of expensive heating oil. Cordova’s annual heating fuel usage is equivalent to about 1,460 cords/year. Although this seems like a lot of wood, it costs about one fi ft h of the price that they would pay for diesel heating fuel, and the source is renewable. Learning Experiences/Challenges 1. One of the most important aspects in the devel- opment 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? Th e 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 U.S. Forest Service to allow selected portions of state land near Saddlebag Glacier to be harvested for biomass fuel. Th is would help increase available forest light, encourage mature forests to grow in the area, and provide fuel for Cordova residents. 2. Eyak is also investigating a moose browse enhance- ment project that would cut alder and spruce trees to make room for primary willow trees. Th is would give moose their preferred grazing food and provide resi- dents with additional fuel as well. Community Benefi ts 1. Th is project provided several local employment opportunities in Cordova. When it was time to cut log decks, Eyak was able to employ 3 full time seasonal workers at $20-25/hour. Th is helped the community become more invested in the project and provided an income for several families. 2. With the purchase of the Cord King 60, Eyak was able to provide fi rewood at cost to residents in need. Th is was an exceptional deal, as the cost was less than half of what residents would normally pay for fi re- wood. In addition to that, Eyak was able to pay for a dump truck that provided a much easier and cost eff ective way to transport fi rewood to diff erent elders who weren’t able to acquire fi rewood on their own. Th e community benefi ts of this project have and will continue to span generations. Project Contact Information Parties Involved: John Whissel, Native Village of Eyak Email: John.Whissel@eyak-nsn.gov Case Study Author: Zoe Tressel, AEA Email: ztressel@aidea.org Phone: 907-771-3000 Aerial view of Cordova, Photo courtesy of city-data.com. Cordova, Alaska Cordova wood stacks, Photo courtesy of AEA.