Journal
BIOMASS & BIOENERGY
Volume 63, Issue -, Pages 257-267Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.027
Keywords
Willow economics; Short-rotation coppice; Fossil fuel substitution; Biomass heating; Renewable energy source
Funding
- Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
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The purpose of this study was to conduct a financial benefit-cost analysis of producing hybrid willow biomass on riparian, in-field, and high-sloped agricultural land in the eastern Canadian province of Prince Edward Island for use as an on-farm or off-farm source of renewable energy. The off-farm use analysis indicated that, at a current price of $50 per dry matter tonne (DMT-1) sold to a municipal biomass energy plant, the willow cropping system would not represent an attractive investment opportunity for farmers. Prices would have to increase to the range of $81-$116 DMT-1 (depending on the scenario considered) before such an investment would be profitable. On the other hand, the on-farm use analysis indicated that, at an estimated cost savings of $375 DMT-1 from displacing heating oil by using a biomass boiler to burn the willow chips (at a replacement cost of $56 -$137 DMT-1, depending on the scenario), the willow cropping system would represent a very attractive investment opportunity for farmers. Using such a system could reduce heating costs on the farm in the range of 64-85%. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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