Supported Biomass Projects

The Center is working with partners to implement community-scale biomass pilot projects in the Northern Forest. The goal is to help communities address a variety of needs, including biomass education, stakeholder engagement, sustainable harvesting, market drivers, project pre-feasibility studies and project implementation. 

  

Town of Colebrook, NH
The Center has been working with the Town of Colebrook since 2009 to help assess the feasibility of installing a district heating or combined heat and power system. The Center’s work has included general support, Biomass 101 sessions for Colebrook residents, grant support and technical and financial support.

Funding for this project has been provided by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Neil and Louis Tillotson Fund, USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant and the Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative, in conjunction with the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC).

Left: Kevin MicKinnon, Town of Colebrook Public Works Manager being interviewed by Channel 9 news.

 

  

Town of Saranac, NY

Since the Spring of 2011, The Center has supported the Town of Saranac, providing information on district heating systems through a Biomass 101 session and initiating a pre-feasibility study conducted by the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC). The Center is continuing to provide technical and grant support to the Town while the pre-feasibility study is completed.

Left: Jerry Delaney of the Town of Saranac, New York is one of the community leaders supporting the biomass system effort.
 

  • Town of Saranac Moving Ahead with Biomass Pre-feasibility Study - 10/24/11

    The Center in collaboration with the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) and the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) held a second information session for Town of Saranac residents.  This led to a vote that approved a pre-feasibility study on biomass district heating.  The study, to be completed by BERC, was made possible through funding from the U.S. Endowment to the Northern Forest Investment Zone and other private and public support.
  • Town of Colebrook Receives Funding for Biomass Feasibility Study - 10/08/11

    The Town of Colebrook received $100,000 from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund for a biomass district heating feasibility study.  In addition, The Center is providing $40,000 for the study through funding from its USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant and through its Northern Forest Investment Zone initiative, in conjunction with the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC).  This feasibility study will focus on the engineering details which will lead to a better understanding of the benefits and challenges of integrating district heating or combined heat and power into the Town of Colebrook.  The study will take six months to complete. 
  • Information session held in Town of Saranac - 08/05/11

    The Center and partners were asked to hold a biomass information session for community leaders in Saranac on August 5th.  The Biomass Energy Resource Center shared details of woody biomass and explained how district heating works. NYSERDA shared information about emissions from woody biomass.  We will continue conversations and education with the 20+ participants and look forward to meeting more residents and businesses interested in a biomass district heating project.
  • Town of Colebrook, NH Project Support - 07/01/11

    The Town of Colebrook is continuing their efforts to secure funding for a biomass district heating feasibility study.  The Center recently helped the town apply for $140,000 worth of grants. Completion of the feasibility study will give Colebrook detailed engineering and capital expense estimates.
  • Biomass 101: Solutions for High Heating Costs - 04/20/11
    The Adirondack North Country Association teamed up with the Biomass Energy Resource Center, the Northern Forest Center and the Wild Center to offer a workshop that answered some of the questions communities have about converting to Biomass-based heating systems.  The workshop took place April 19th at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake.