MA Sustainable Forest Bioenergy Initiative

The Department of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, has identified biomass as a renewable energy resource with tremendous potential in Massachusetts due to the state's 3 million acres of underutilized forestland and other large sources of wood. This broad initiative will facilitate the development of biomass energy projects and fuel supply infrastructure in the Commonwealth.

Project Summary

Early studies indicate that as much as 4 million tons of woody biomass could be produced annually in Massachusetts, mostly from forests and forest products industries. Utilizing only half that volume for the production of electricity would represent an estimated 150 MW of renewable generation, and substantial rural economic development associated with the fuel supply.

The Massachusetts Sustainable Forest Bioenergy Initiative will provide research and development on forest management and market infrastructure needs, and enable the state to provide the resources necessary to develop the biomass supply market.

Specific tasks to be accomplished by the Initiative are:

• research biomass harvesting and fuel processing methods
• analyze regional economic impact of biomass development
• assess state-owned forestland and target acreage for bioenergy management
• establish model forestry operation for outreach to industry and private landowners
• conduct biomass supply resource assessment, and inventory existing and needed harvesting/processing/transportation equipment
• develop a strategic plan for establishing supply infrastructure and markets activities
• produce outreach information on bioenergy to address public concerns
• research bioenergy harvesting impacts on forest health
• develop industry training programs on optimal forestry practices and equipment procurement incentives

The Massachusetts Sustainable Forest Bioenergy Initiative is supported by grants of $495,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy and $245,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Renewable Energy Trust.

Technical Reports

• Forest Harvesting Systems for Biomass Production (updated Feb '08)
• Woody Biomass Supply Resource Assessment Reports:
  • Western MA (5 Counties) – Resource Assessment
  • Regional Resource Assessment – Worcester
  • Regional Resource Assessment – Springfield
  • Regional Resource Assessment – Pittsfield
• Economic Impact of Biomass Energy in Massachusetts (corrected)
• Biomass Energy Crop - Massachusetts Potential
• Forest Biomass Harvesting - Silviculture and Ecological Considerations
• Strategic Plan for Establishing Biomass Supply Infrastructure (planned)
• Advanced Biopower – Technology Assessment

Related Reports:

• Woody Biomass Energy - June 2008
• Woody Biomass Supply in Massachusetts Report - December 2002
• Guidebook to Wood Pellet Heating

Strategic Plan Advisory Committee Meetings

March 4, 2008

• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Summary
• Presentations:
  • Strategic Planning - Structure
  • Biomass Harvesting Systems
  • Biomass Resource Assessments
  • Energy Crop Potential and Economic Impact Analysis (corrected)
  • Forest Ecology Considerations
  • Strategic Plan - Outline

April 17, 2008

• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Summary

Related Meetings:

• Biomass Enery Working Group Meeting - April 30, 2008
  • Presentations:
    • Forest Harvesting Systems for Biomass Production
    • Biomass Availability Assessments
    • (1) Massachusetts Potential for Biomass Energy Crops, AND (2) Regional Impact Analysis: Energy From Forest Biomass
    • Silvicultural and Ecological Considerations of Forest Biomass Harvesting in Massachusetts