Canadian Forest Service Publications
Bioenergy from mountain pine beetle timber and forest residuals: A cost analysis. 2012. Niquidet, K.; Stennes, B.; van Kooten, G.C. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 60(2): 195-210.
Year: 2012
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 33736
Language: English
Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7976.2012.01246.x
† This site may require a fee
Abstract
In light of the large volumes of pine killed in the interior forests of British Columbia (BC) by the mountain pine beetle, many forest sector participants are keen to employ forest biomass as an energy source. To assess the feasibility of a wood biomass-fired power plant in the BC interior, it is necessary to know both how much physical biomass might be available over the life of a plant and its location as transportation cost is likely to be a major operating cost for any facility. To address these issues, we construct a mathematical programming model of fiber flows in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area of BC over a 25-year time horizon. The focus of the model is on minimizing the cost of supplying feedstock through space and time. Results indicate that over the life of the project, feedstock costs will more than double, increasing from $54.60/bone-dry tonnes (BDt) ($0.039/kWh) to $116.14/BDt ($0.083/kWh).