Urban Wood Utilization in Connecticut: Urban Wood for Energy
"Biomass" is the organic material of which plants and animals are composed. Plant biomass contains a great deal of energy that can be released as heat energy (it is the original source of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal) and is a renewable source. “Woody biomass” (the woody parts of trees and other plants) burns well, has a high BTU content and, when burned properly, releases relatively few emissions. Wood residue from urban trees has great potential as a source of biomass for thermal energy.
Upper row: (Left to right) Ash auger; Wood chip auger. Geremia Farms in Wallingford, CT.
Wood from local tree care operations is chipped and burned to heat the 7 acres of greenhouses.
Lower row: (Left to right) Firewood; Steam pipes system at The Hotchkiss School Biomass
Heating Facility, Lakeville, CT. Burning of woodchips from sustainable forest practices
serves most of the heating needs for the school’s 85 buildings and more than 600 residents.
Examples of the Use of Wood Chips for Building Heat:
Urban Wood Utilization - Introduction and Table of Contents
Content last updated October 2019