Document

Title

Assessing the potential for biomass energy development in South Carolina
Document Type: Report
Author(s): Roger C. Conner; Tim O. Adams; Tony G. Johnson
Publication Year: 2009

Cataloging Information

Keyword(s):
  • biofuel
  • biomass markets
  • FIA - Forest Inventory and Analysis
  • forest landowner
  • green tons
  • hardwood poletimber
  • haul distance
  • softwood poletimber
  • South Carolina
  • timberland
Topic(s):
Region(s):
Partner Site(s):
Record Maintained By:
FRAMES Staff; https://www.frames.gov/contact
Record Last Modified: March 11, 2016
FRAMES Record Number: 7536

Description

ANNOTATION: This paper provides an assessment of the potential for developing a sustainable biomass energy industry in South Carolina. Several possible sources of biomass were analyzed: unutilized logging residue and standing residual inventory trees on acres with tree harvesting, commercial thinning, precommercial thinning on overstocked natural sapling-seedling stands, mill residue, and urban wood waste. A range of prices from $20 to $30 per ton was established by surveys sent to South Carolina?s timber producers (2008 market conditions). The estimates of potential biomass distributed across these price points rose from 4.8 million tons to a total of 16.5 million tons annually. Nearly 7.7 million tons are currently being utilized. New facilities that use wood to produce energy could capitalize on the 8.8 million annual tons of unutilized biomass and operate without overly impacting existing forest industries or increasing harvest levels above 2006 estimates. ABSTRACT: An assessment of the potential for developing a sustainable biomass energy industry in South Carolina was conducted. Biomass as defined by Forest Inventory and Analysis is the aboveground dry weight of wood in the bole and limbs of live trees ≥1-inch diameter at breast height, and excludes tree foliage, seedlings, and understory vegetation. Several possible sources of biomass were analyzed: unutilized logging residue and standing residual inventory trees on acres with tree harvesting; commercial thinning; precommercial thinning on overstocked natural sapling-seedling stands; mill residue; and urban wood waste. A range of prices from $20 to $30 per ton was established by surveys sent to South Carolina?s timber producers. Prices reflect 2008 market conditions. The estimates of potential biomass distributed across these price points rose from 4.8 million tons to a total of 16.5 million tons annually. Nearly 7.7 million tons are currently being utilized. New facilities that use wood to produce energy could capitalize on the 8.8 million annual tons of unutilized biomass and operate without overly impacting existing forest industries or increasing harvest levels above 2006 estimates.

Online Link(s):
Link to this document (1.2 MB; pdf)
Citation:
Conner, Roger C.; Adams, Tim O.; Johnson, Tony G. 2009. Assessing the potential for biomass energy development in South Carolina. Research Paper SRS-RP-46. Asheville, NC: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 19 p.