Modular Community-Scale Biomass Pre-Processing Systems

Distributed community-scale bioenergy generation is a key component of equitable clean energy transition in rural communities, however, many projects are stalled by “neighbor” concerns and litigation. In order for community-scale operators of gasifiers, pyrolysers, and other thermochemical bioenergy devices to be operationally successful, they need biomass feedstocks that have physical properties and attributes that are matched to the conversion equipment. The nature of community-scale enterprises is that stakeholder engagement and accommodation of their needs is vital at all levels of the planning, design, and operation of facilities. Although the unit operations of a biomass gathering, processing, feedstock preparation system are well understood, the physical design, level of complexity, degree of emissions control, labor content, etc. need to be consistent with the needs, capital and labor resources, etc. of the community and local enterprises. The need that we are addressing with this proposal is to redefine and adapt biomass pre-processing technologies into modular, fully integrated, easily manufactured systems for deployment at community-scale biomass processing centers utilizing a community stakeholder driven design process. How The Problem is Being Addressed With our advisors and cooperators, we will adapt and refine the community engagement portion of Forest Concepts’ longstanding Appreciative Design Method. The technical portion of the proposal endeavors to deploy innovative milling, screening, and beneficiation systems into a modular solution and site plan for deployment at community-based biomass preprocessing centers across the nation. What is being done in Phase 1 A significant community engagement research activity will evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the Appreciative Design Method for setting functional criteria, establishing design constraints, and guide the selection of engineered solutions for the system and its operation within specific community context. A deliverable of this project is to develop a modular Basic Engineering Design Package (BDEP) for community-scale biomass preprocessing centers utilizing the Appreciative Design Method and extensive community engagement. A concurrent objective is to evaluate and improve the stakeholder engagement portions of the Appreciative Design Method for executing this type of socio-technical-economic project. A BEDP driven by this workbook will be developed with our community partners. Deployment and validation in Phase II will be guided by the lessons learned in Phase I and development of a Phase II Commercialization Plan. Commercial Applications & Other Benefits Communities across the nation will benefit from localized biomass processing and utilization facilities by increased economic activity and creation of local, family waged jobs. Community engagement and stakeholder-driven design methods that will be refined in this project will enable future project teams to successfully move distributed biomass energy and bioproducts projects forward and promote sales of community-scale processing equipment.