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5 January 1998 |
Ref 98/04 |
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Wood residues currently left in the forest to decay or produced in sawmills have considerable potential as a renewable energy source, according to CSIRO scientists. Using them for energy or fuel production might reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia by up to 10 percent.
A CSIRO survey, presented at a recent Biomass Taskforce Symposium, shows that energy from wood residues is even cheaper than using coal.
CSIRO researchers are developing a gasification system that burns wood residues and thinnings to drive a micro turbine generating electricity.
"In sawmills 65 percent of the log ends up as sawdust, shavings or slabs, another 40 percent of the tree is left in the forest as the crown or stump", says Dr Paul Fung from CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products. "
"Currently these are either burnt or left to rot so the energy
embodied in these residues is wasted.
"Using them for energy consumption is ‘greenhouse neutral’
and helps to save fossil energy sources such as carbon or oil", says
Dr Fung.
The gasification system uses chips derived from forest residues to produce electricity in the 30 to 200 kW range, a scale which would suit homesteads, farms and small factories.
"It is designed to be extremely efficient, comparable to that of conventional power generation", says Dr Fung.
"A decentralised, individual energy production is perfect for regional and remote regions where wood residues are available at low cost.
"Small townships, farms or households situated in areas where there
is availability of forest residues could provide themselves with their
own locally grown energy wood.
"It would help reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and stretch these
non renewable resources for many future generations," he said.
More information from:
Paul Fung 03 954 52487
Mick Crowe 02 628 18357
email - mick.crowe@ffp.csiro.au
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