Developing financial and energy accounting models for woody biomass systems

Abstract

A system of accounting models was developed for short rotation intensive culture (SRIC) Populus plantations to determine the financial and energy costs involved in supplying woody biomass feedstock to a conversion process. The models established the variable and fixed cost structure of alternate strategies proposed for growing, harvesting and storing the product. The least cost pattern of supply had financial costs of $65 per oven-dry metric tonne (Mg −1(OD)) and energy costs of 8901 megajoules (MJ) Mg −1(OD). Limitations to the models included adherence to a fixed technical design and production level for each of the alternate strategies and the use of point estimates for production and pricing coefficients.