Biomass Energy

Partners: CCEP & Fraunhofer Center for Energy and Environment

Goal: Economic assessment of feasibility of biomass digester/wood gasifier for Meadville region

Possible Inputs: Pulpwood, manure, crop waste, sewage sludge

Possible Outputs: Electricity, gas heating, cooling


Fraunhofer engineers worked with Allegheny students (Andy Bennet '04, Zahava Cheropovich '03, and Ryan Nageotte '05) to collect information on biomass energy supplies in the area, such as pulpwood, manure, crop waste, sewage sludge, and industrial waste (wood pallets or food byproducts). The students called dozens of area farmers, sawmills, foresters, wastes management companies, and industries to find out quantities and locations of biomass resources, as well as how the biomass is currently being used, or disposed of. They also polled local industries and institutions to learn about their electrical, heating, and cooling needs.

Fraunhofer used this data to conduct an economic and environmental assessment of the feasibility of a biomass digester (gas production through anaerobic fermentation of wet biomass, like manure) or wood gasifier (gas production by high temperature decomposition of dry biomass, such as wood, in a low-oxygen atmosphere) for the region. This study was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.