Cordwood energy systems for community heating in Alaska
Subtitle: an overview
By: David Nicholls and Tom Miles.
Contributors: Miles, Tom; Pacific Northwest Research Station (Portland, Or.)
Series: General technical report PNW -- GTR-783; General technical report PNW -- 783.
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Portland, OR
Language: eng
Number of pages: 18
Subjects: Fuelwood -- Alaska; Heating -- Alaska
Description: Wood has become an important energy alternative in Alaska, particularly in rural areas where liquid fuel costs can be substantial. In some cases, wood fuel is readily available to communities, increasing the attractiveness of wood energy. Wood energy systems in rural Alaska can also lead to employment gains as well as benefits to local cash economies. Many Alaska villages are now considering wood as a fuel source for community heating, several have completed feasibility studies, and others are moving forward with design and construction activities. Cordwood is readily available in many regions of Alaska, although not always in commercial quantities. However, for many small-scale applications, efficient cordwood systems could be a viable energy option. In this paper, we provide a qualitative review of factors such as wood fuel availability, cordwood system size, wood fuel cost, wood quality, labor, fuel drying, and underground piping. Other general observations are noted, based on case studies of operating cordwood systems in Alaska.
Notes: Cover title.

"January 2009."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 16-17).

Also available on the World Wide Web.