Assessing Extent to Which US Southeastern Woody Biomass Supply Can Meet Renewable Electricity Demand in Present and Future Scenarios
Abstract
Woody biomass has rapidly come to the forefront of renewable energy discussions as
a potentially reliable and affordable energy solution. The reason for such is rooted
in international and domestic policy evolution. The increasing reliance on alternative
energy options is a direct response to the desire for national energy security as
well as a commitment to mitigate climate change.
This project attempts to quantify the contribution of Southeastern forest resources
to a proposed federal 15% Renewable Electricity Standard demand. Results indicate
residual biomass supply can only provide 19% of a 15% RES demand under current population
pressures and climate change conditions. More expansive biomass definitions increase
the total biomass contribution, yet some of this supply requires unrealistic market
expectations. Utilizing the more reasonable expansive supply, unused pulpwood capacity
(peak production minus current production) provides, on average, an additional 8%
to a 15% demand.
Following initial calculations, biomass supply and electric demand were projected
and estimated under future climate change scenarios for the state of North Carolina.
Results of future projections suggest biomass can meet anywhere from 8- 17% of a 15%
RPS demand. However, these are likely best-case scenarios, as climate change, demand
for other products, and social acceptability for forest management all create uncertainties
that will likely increase in the future.
It is clear that biomass can only be a part of a renewable energy solution, at least
in terms of offsetting traditional electric energy demand. Although biomass has the
potential to be a significant contributor, policy makers must incorporate a flexible
and diversified energy portfolio to establish complete RES compliance or recognize
the increased efficiency of biomass in alternative energy applications.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2873Citation
Cadigan, Christine (2010). Assessing Extent to Which US Southeastern Woody Biomass Supply Can Meet Renewable
Electricity Demand in Present and Future Scenarios. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2873.Collections
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