A county-wide biomass assessment and economic feasibility study sponsored by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and performed by BBI International has been made publicly available on the AURI website.
Click here for the report
The report, authored by BBI in the fall of 2008 through spring of 2009, intended to define the amount of economically available biomass available in the county as well as explore the financial viability of several different conversion technologies.
Aitkin County is a unique geographical location in Minnesota. The 1,995-square- mile county is a transition zone that forms the northern border of the corn/soybean/wheat region of the state and the southern border of the heavily forested northern region of the state. The area is predominantly deciduous forests, wetlands and grasslands.
Aitkin County's intent when performing the study was to quantify and prove or disprove some beliefs long held by many in the business community within Aitkin County.
We felt we had an economically viable biomass resource, but it was all based on anecdotal evidence. Until we could quantify what we actually had, any discussions of a project would be just talk, remarked Ross Wagner, Aitkin County economic development & forest industry coordinator.
BBI was directed to focus specifically on the biomass available in the county that could reasonably be considered available when taking into account its ability to deliver a profit along a supply chain that includes land owners, loggers, forwarders and transportation providers.
AURI's Randy Hilliard recognized the common-sense approach taken by BBI to measure the economically available biomass. What set this study apart was the realistic biomass assessments that paid careful attention to sensitive lands and the infrastructure necessary to get at and harvest the biomass, he noted.
Upon determining the types and amounts of biomass available to an energy operation, BBI prepared financial forecasts for two different conversion operations. The first scenario explored was a biomass pelletization facility; the second was a combined heat and power facility which would manufacture electricity in Aitkin County. Both of the forecasted scenarios considered 50,000 tons and 100,000 tons of biomass annually processed.
The financial modeling was a strategic decision made by both AURI and Aitkin County in an effort to prove to investors and entrepreneurs that a profitable project was possible in Aitkin County.
We really wanted the study to be a springboard or a stepping off point for further economic development, and we felt like BBI delivered that, Wagner said.
The report will now be used by the Aitkin County Economic Development agency as they work to leverage the abundant biomass supply in their county for economic growth and jobs.
About AURI:
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) was created and funded by the Minnesota legislature to foster long-term economic benefit through increased business and employment opportunities to rural Minnesota through; the identification and expansion of existing markets for new or existing commodities, ingredients and products; the development of new uses or value improvements for Minnesota agricultural commodities; and the development of renewable energy opportunities from Minnesota agricultural commodities and coproducts.
About BBI International:
With offices in the United States, Canada and Australia, BBI International is a preeminent bioenergy industry service provider. BBI has positioned itself as a global expert in biomass utilization for the production of chemicals, power, fuel, feed and fiber. The company's consultants work with customers from concept to construction to develop successful renewable energy projects worldwide. BBI's Media & Events group has unparalleled conference facilitation experience and is a world leader in biofuels industry publishing. BBI International uses its experience to prepare accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date technical reports for our clients and has prepared over 250 technical studies since 1995. More information about the company is available at: www.bbiinternational.com.Timber BuySell.com
