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Energy Performance Systems, Inc.
Improving the Efficiency of Planting, Tending and Harvesting Farm-Grown Trees for Energy
To: Xcel RDF advisory group
L. David Ostlie, Principal Investigator
Lynn L Wright, Investigator
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Value Based Research Goals Values
Lower the cost of electric power generation using renewable wood fuel; enough to cover the added risk in using new, model-one technology Establish a large scale (90 acre) tree farm demonstration
using short growth cycle wood (5 years) to maximize fuel production while significantly reducing cost
Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree planter based on EPS’s proprietary design to advance tree production to levels like those using existing agricultural practices using a GPS guided tractor and trigger system
Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree harvester based on EPS’s proprietary design to efficiently cut and load trees on a trailer at a fraction of the cost of existing logging operations
EPS Injection Planter
Planter in Operation at the Graceville Site
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Planter Summary
Multi-row planter was built
Planter was used under operational conditions
Test demonstrated potential of machine injection; tree survival and growth was similar to hand planted sections of field
Slip injection springs & materials have been redesigned
Planting Cost Proved to Feasable at .03¢ or less
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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvester after 160 Mile Transport to site
Power Systems Being re-installed and Tested at Nearby Farm Site
EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvesting Head:
Continuously travels and cuts up to 9 feet per second without stopping while self sharpening blades and cuts up to a 30” diameter tree
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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvester Cutting Second Row of Trees
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Project Participants
Project Demonstration Participants
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Project Participants
Project Demonstration Participants Resting After Doubling as Camera Personnel
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Harvester Summary
900 HP 65 Ton, 4 Tracked Unit
Contiuously Harvested Trees at Speeds up to 8 FPS (6 MPH)
Can Harvest up to 30” Trees Lifted Trees 13 Feet to Load Semi Trailers Cleanly Cut Trees within 2 Inches of the Ground Proved Self Centering Cutting Head to be Effective Traveled with Low Ground Pressure of 12 PSI Four Tracked Steering Proved to be Effective
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Harvester Demonstration
CEO Feeling Downsized after a Particularly Difficult Day
Hybrid Poplar Glencoe Tree Farm
Project Investigator Lynn Wright Showing First Year Growth of NM-6 Hybrid Poplar on 80 Acre Site
Hybrid Poplar Yield Results
40 Acre Tree Farm Near Graceville, MN
Section of Farm Yielding 4 Dry Tons per Acre Per Year in 6 Years
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Planting Cost Analysis
Required Factors Estimated Costs
Six general laborers $8/hr, 600 hrs each season = $28,800
One skilled, trained, and certified operator $50/hr, 500 hrs each season = $25,000
Fuel $12,000
Miscellaneous (i.e. maintenance, tires, etc.) $13,000
Estimated Annual Operating Cost $78,800
Machine Cost $90,000
Cost per Slip the First Year $.03
Cost per Slip After Initial Investment $.01
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Wood Production Cost AnalysesCost Type
One Harvest, 6-year, EPS Costs
Two Coppice Harvest, 12-year- EPS Costs
One Harvest, 12 year NRRI assumptions
Land Rent $660.00 $1,320.00 $1,320.00
Harvest Yield (dry tons/acre) 24.78 49.56 48
NPV of all costs $924.22 $1,470.76 $1,549
Discounted Breakeven Price per ton $49.08 $43.60 $53.73
Discounted Production costs/dry ton $37.30 $29.67 $32.30
Harvesting Cost per ton $10.00 $10.00 $25
Farm-gate Price per ton $47.30 $39.67 $57.27
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Benefit to the Rate Payer
A new system was developed to lower the cost of renewable energy including new methods and new equipment
If the legislature mandates increased attention to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, this project provides a pathway to help satisfy the mandate without a significant increase in rate-payer impacts.
Wood fired power plants can reduce the cost to the ratepayer by the new systme and by eliminating some of the indirect subsidies by using existing corn acerages
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Where Do We Go From Here?
Our Research indicates an all-in power plant delivered fuel cost of 3.65/Mbtu
The increased fuel cost would be similar to natural gas in some regions
Establishing a fuel plantation takes 6 years, 3 years before and 3 years after plant startup
By Reducing the cost of harvesting, planting and tending this fuel crop coupled with building a new wood fueled power plant becomes technically and economically feasible
If companies in Minnesota were to invest in or manufacture this home-grown technology, it could provide more incomes and jobs in Minnesota that would benefit ratepayers.
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Electric Power From Trees
Now is the Time for Closed Loop, Wood fueled, Electric Power Production
EPS wishes to thank the RDF advisory Group, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision including the rate payers and Xcel Energy in making our project possible.
Project funding provided in part by customers of Xcel Energy through a grant from the Renewable Development Fund