New Hampshire Governor's Office of Energy & Community Services

Skip Navigation
ECS Home

News

Energy
Assistance
Programs

Lowering
Energy Bills

Energy
Programs

Refugee
Programs

NH Energy
Facts

Energy Efficiency
Programs

Fuel Prices

Electric
Industry
Restructuring

Links & Resources

Contact ECS

Site Map


Bio-Oil Project

Overview:

Bio-oil is a liquid that can be derived from low-grade wood waste by a process known as pyrolysis. Bio-Oil has potential uses as a fuel for production of heat and electricity. It may also eventually have value as a feedstock for a "green" chemicals industry. Bio-oil production and utilization have several potentially beneficial outcomes including: economic support of sustainable forest management practices; renewable, indigenous, carbon-neutral energy supply; creation of jobs and retention of energy dollars in the regional economy; ability to generate and market electricity at peak demand times; possible spinoff business growth through colocation, derivative products and services.

ECS recognizes bio-oil’s potential as well as its challenges. Therefore, ECS will conduct a thorough, objective feasibility study whose conclusions will be based on documented research data and analysis.

Feasibility assessment will include evaluation of pyrolysis technologies; chemical and physical characterization of bio-oil; availability of feedstock on a sustainable basis; environmental factors from forest ecology through end-uses; market analyses and attractiveness to potential investors.

ECS is being aided in this work by a broad-based partnership that includes: US and Canadian federal agencies; agencies of several states; universities; forest industry, environmental, and biomass energy organizations; economic development organizations; and private individuals. It is being funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy plus funds from the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) and much in-kind support. The effort will produce a definitive report in September 2004, including a conceptual commercialization plan, conclusions and recommendations.

ECS, the Northeast Regional Biomass Program and United States Forest Service hosted a Bio-Oil Briefing in Concord on August 16, 2002, to update stakeholders and project partners on the status of several issues surrounding bio-oil. There were presentations by US and Canadian energy agencies, three pyrolysis technology companies and one combustion turbine manufacturer. Participants then compiled lists of what was learned, what questions need to be answered and recommended next steps. The briefing and its findings are providing valuable guidance for the feasibility study.

Presentations:
Presentations delivered at the Bio-Oil Briefing held on August 16, 2002 in Concord , NH
click here for an overview of the briefing pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

National Renewable Energy Laboratories pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Natural Resources Canada pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Ensyn Technologies pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Renewable Oil International pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Magellan Aerospace Corporation pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Orenda Aerospace Corporation / Part 1 pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

Orenda Aerospace Corporation / Part 2 pdftrans.gif (136 bytes)

pdftrans.gif (136 bytes) This symbol indicates the document is in Portable Document Format (PDF). To view PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available for free from Adobe at .

For more information, contact:
Joseph Broyles, Energy Program Manager
Governor's Office of Energy & Community Services
phone: 603-271-8341
fax: 603-271-2615

Bio-Oil Project / Building Energy Conservation Initiative /
Energy CodesIndustrial Energy Efficiency Program / Industries of the Future /
Million Solar Roofs Initiative / NH ACTS / Rebuild New Hampshire / Renewable Energy /
Solar on Schools Program / State Energy Emergency Planning /
State Heating Oil and Propane Program

ECS Home | News | Energy Assistance Programs | Lowering Energy Bills | Energy Programs | Refugee Assistance | NH Energy Facts
Energy Efficiency Programs | Fuel Price Information | Electric Industry Restructuring | Links & Resources | Contact ECS | Site Map