[Gasification] wood pellets vs. heating oil vs. gasoline...market goes crazy

[Katahdin Energy Works]

In case you wondered about what's driving the investment frenzy in wood
pellet factories in New England, read this synopsis of activity in
Mass...read down to the energy equivilents and the 3:1 price advantage
pellets have over fuel oil:

High oil prices fuel sale of firewood, pellets

By Benjamin Amirault and Dan Dourian

Bob Boulter, owner of Cape Ann Chimney and Hearth in Gloucester, says pellet
sales have risen by more than 20 percent from last year due to heating oil
prices that have reached $3.15 to $3.25 per gallon. 

So far, Boulter has already sold more than 800 tons of pellets this year,
which is well over last years total of 500 tons. 

Our sales were soft until November. When oil prices went up, it got crazy,
Boulter said.

Like Cape Ann Chimney and Hearth, many other North Shore businesses that
sell firewood, wood pellets and the stoves that burn them also report a
spike in sales this winter. 

Bill Bailey, owner of Baileys Landscaping in Peabody, said his phone rings
often, but he cant help customers looking for firewood.

Im all out, Bailey said. Its been crazy. They bought it all.

Bailey said he began the season with between 300 and 400 cords of firewood,
but 21/2 months later, it was all gone. According to Bailey, that much wood
normally lasts all winter.

Smaller businesses, like Berry Tree Service in Lynn, are also reaping the
benefits of the high demand of firewood. According to owner, Bob Berry,
sales have almost quadrupled from last year. We sold about 20 cords last
year. This year, weve already sold 75, said Berry.

Patrick Osgood, owner of Osgood Fire and Stone in Salem, has a brother in
the logging industry, which allows him to keep a somewhat steady supply of
firewood. Osgood said he sells between 120 and 150 cords of firewood a week,
and this year he has seen a 60 percent increase in firewood sales along with
wood stoves and wood pellet stoves. A cord of wood equals 128 cubic feet,
and is selling from anywhere from $200 to $300, depending on delivery costs
and other factors.

When Osgood breaks down the numbers, it appears heating with wood can save
money.

Osgood said one cord of seasoned, northern hardwood, which can cost between
$259 and $285, puts out as much heat as 284 gallons of oil, which would cost
$894.60 to $923. One ton of wood pellets, around $280, is equivalent to
about 300 gallons of oil, $945 to $975, according to Osgood.

Frank J. Heller, MPA
KATAHDIN ENERGY WORKS
12 Belmont St.
Brunswick, ME 04011-3004
207.729.6090
http://mysite.verizon.net/fjheller/


-----Original Message-----
From: gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Tom Miles
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 8:14 PM
To: 'Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification'
Subject: Re: [Gasification] Precer Biomass Hybrid Car (Stirling Engine)

I thought the pellet fueled Stirling ultimately moving an attractive vehicle
was a good trick which is why I posted the link. 

They imply from their website that they will also apply this to home power
generation. If you buy wood pellets for $5/40 lb bag and the fuel to
electricity conversion is 17% then the fuel cost $0.31/kWh. Add the cost of
the generator. . .but it's fun!

Tom  


> -----Original Message-----
> From: gasification-bounces at listserv.repp.org [mailto:gasification-
> bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Brockmeyer
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 12:58 PM
> To: Lindgard Gasta; Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] Precer Biomass Hybrid Car (Stirling Engine)
> 
> Dear Lindgard
> 
> That means, in my view, an electrical driven car, where the batteries
> are
> recharged with a Stirling engine intead of solar pannel or
> stationary-electric plug.
> The merit is in the Stirling-eng., and not in the application.
> I agree with your comment.
> 
> Brockmeyer
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "lindgard gasta" <lindgardgasta at yahoo.com>
> To: "Discussion of biomass pyrolysis and gasification"
> <gasification at listserv.repp.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 9:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [Gasification] Precer Biomass Hybrid Car (Stirling Engine)
> 
> 
> | The concept is a little bit complicated; the Stirling engine drives a
> generator (alternator); the gen. supplies a battery; the battery
> supplies an
> electrical engine and that el. engine drives the car.
> |
> |  In my understanding a Stirling engines rpm is not easy to change,
> therefore that concept.
> |
> |  Still going on.
> |
> |  Finnpower
> |
> |
> | Mike Norris <mnorris at dekaresearch.com> wrote:  Try the following
> link. The
> address was cut into pieces in the previous postings.
> |
> |
> http://svt.se/svt/road/Classic/shared/mediacenter/index.jsp?d=80012&a=9
> 60522


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