COGENERATION

Forest products facilities are ideal sites for biomass fueled cogeneration projects because these facilities (such as a sawmill, for example) generate by-products, such as bark and sawdust, that can be combusted in a boiler to produce both heat and power. Thus, the fuel needed for cogeneration is created right at the site and does not have to be transported. In addition, most forest products facilities need to utilize heat energy in their process. For example, sawmills typically operate lumber dry kilns 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Thus, there is a constant heat load that can be supplied by a cogeneration plant. Most other heat energy users are seasonal in nature and, therefore, only provide periodic heat loads.

Because of the natural fit between forest products facilities and biomass cogeneration, The Beck Group has developed an expertise in cogeneration feasibility assessment that includes performing the following projects and/or tasks:

Biomass fuel supply studies
Sizing and locating the cogeneration plant
Estimating the capital cost of cogeneration projects
Assessing the market for selling the renewable power generated from cogeneration projects
Identifying local, state, and federal incentives for biomass cogeneration projects
Assessing regulatory and environmental permitting issues associated with cogeneration projects
Analyzing the financial attractiveness of investing in a cogeneration project