Wood Use Projections for U.S. Pellets, Bioenergy Rise

Forisk Consulting, Athens, Ga., USA, has announced the availability of Wood Bioenergy US (WBUS), a publication that tracks, screens, and analyzes the U.S. wood bioenergy sector. This issue's feature article compares estimates of wood-to-energy conversions from industry and academic research across wood energy types—pellets, ethanol, and electricity.

Findings on wood pellets and electricity production suggest that 10% to 20% more green wood is needed per unit of output than often reported or assumed in previous projections. Revised conversion rates for pellets and electricity/CHP projects resulted in wood use projections that are 9% (10.7 million tons) higher by 2023 for total wood use from bioenergy and 9% (7.0 million tons) higher for volumes that pass screening criteria. Available research confirms the existing conversions applied to liquid fuel projects.

WBUS includes 448 wood-consuming, announced, and operating bioenergy projects in the continental U.S.
In total, these projects represent potential wood use of 135.6 million green tons/year by 2023
Based on Forisk analysis, projects representing only 88.0 million tpy pass basic viability screening.