Wood pellets production costs and energy consumption under different framework conditions in Northeast Argentina

Published Date
Biomass and Bioenergy
March 2011, Vol.35(3):1357–1366, doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.12.029

• Author 

• Augusto Uasuf ^,
• Gero Becker

• Institute of Forest Utilization and Work Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of Freiburg, Werthmannstraße 6, 79085 Freiburg, Germany

Received 8 September 2009. Revised 14 December 2010. Accepted 21 December 2010. Available online 14 January 2011. 

Abstract

The development of cleaner and renewable energy sources are needed in order to reduce dependency and global warming. Wood pellets are a clean renewable fuel and has been considered as one of the substitutes for fossil fuels. In Argentina, large quantities of sawmill residues are still unused and wood pellets production could be seen as both, as an environmental solution and an extra economical benefit. The general aim of this study was to determine the wood pellets production costs and energy consumption under different framework conditions in northeast Argentina. The specific costs of wood pellets for the different scenarios showed relative lower costs comparing to the ones reported in other studies, ranging from 35 to 47 €/Mg_pellets. Raw material costs represented the main cost factor in the calculation of the total pellets production costs. A lower specific production cost was observed when 50% of the raw material input was wood shavings. The specific electricity consumption per metric ton of pellet was lower in scenarios with higher production rate. Lower heat energy consumption was observed in scenarios that have a mixed raw material input. The most promising framework condition for Northeast Argentina, in terms of costs effectiveness and energy consumption could be acquired with production rates of 6 Mg/h with sawdust and wood shavings as raw material. However, simultaneous increment of the electricity by 50% and raw material price by 100% may increase the specific costs up to 50%.

Keywords

Renewable energy

Wood pellets

Energy consumption

Production costs

Sensitivity analysis

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