Wood Burning Technology and Biomass Energy Development
Small Scale Space Heating from Wood
CCHRC is performing research to evaluate economic and environmental considerations of a variety of small scale wood burning space heating appliances including wood stoves, pellet stoves, and masonry heaters. This research is a timely foundational step toward developing practical wood energy solutions for Alaskans who face both extreme cold and high energy costs. Additionally, many Alaskan communities face threat from wildfires and are interested in knowing if wood harvested from wildfire mitigation could be used to support a wood burning industry.
This research project began in 2007 and is expected to conclude in 2009. In the first year, CCHRC reviewed available technologies, heating appliances, and testing protocols. In the second year, CCHRC will perform tests, analyze data, and report its conclusions.
Tests performed in the second year will likely involve a mix of lab-based testing and real-world testing to derive performance results that reflect a range of operating conditions.
CCHRC hired wood energy specialist Dave Misiuk to carry out this research program.
Wood Combined Heat and Power
In addition to testing small scale wood space heating appliances, CCHRC is developing a Hybrid Micro Energy Project, which will include a biomass combined heat and power system, defined as a system that uses biomass to produce both heat and power. CCHRC is in the process of identifying a CHP that will meet the goal of CCHRC to install a CHP that serves the Research and Testing Facility’s heating and electrical needs, is a demonstration project, and has the potential to be duplicated in other areas of Alaska.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see Dave Misiuk's *Wood Energy Presentation, John Davies and Dave Misiuk's *Wood Energy Presenation at UAF and our Masonry Heater Thermal Monitoring Research Snapshot. For information on other studies conducted at the Cold Climate Housing and Research Center please visit our Reports page.
* please note that both presentations are very similar, the UAF presentation has new slides on pages 37-49.