Wood Waste Market Research Study

The U.S. Forestry Service (USFS) engaged sustainability experts at the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University (WIU), and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to investigate the use of wood waste by businesses as a cheaper and renewable source of heat energy. The grant allowed the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), WIU's Illinois Value-Added Sustainable Development Center (VASDC) and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) to evaluate wood as an alternative to propane for heating in the Illinois greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production sectors. The two-year project examined scientific, economic, and cultural aspects that would support the expansion of wood energy markets based on low-value wood residues. The project's goals were to: (1) promote the use of wood to displace the propane currently used for space heating within Illinois' greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production sector, and (2) evaluate the compatibility of grain farming and animal production facilities, care facilities, correctional centers, schools, universities, etc. with the use of wood as fuel. An estimated nine million tons of renewable wood in Illinois could be utilized to displace the use of petroleum-based propane. Wood can be a less expensive alternative. The team addressed the feasibility/capability of various wood thermal heating systems for use in greenhouses. This work built on an ongoing UIUC/ISTC project funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation that found pelletized prairie grasses grown on roadside rights-of way areas can be successfully used as fuel for heating while simultaneously offering economic and environmental benefits. See https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/99547 for more information. Case studies from the project included Color Point Wood Boiler, Simply Native, and The Mulch Center.U.S. Forest ServiceOpe