Developing Kansas’s Renewable Biomass Energy Resources

 Background

Competition and resource depletion are reducing the contribution Kansas fossil fuels are able to make to the Kansas economy and energy needs. Maturing renewable energy technology and the need to reduce the environmental impact fossil fuel production and use should lead us to a phased orderly development of our renewable resources. An assessment of biomass potential for power generation was completed in 1998 for a now closed research consortium of Kansas electric utilities and the Kansas Corporation Commission. Yield and potential production volumes and cost were estimated for six sub-state regions in the eastern 2/3 of Kansas for grass and tree biomass crops using detailed computer models. Findings included:

• switchgrass was found to be the lowest cost biomass crop
• biomass crops can not compete with long term average grain prices and compete with coal
• the cost of biomass production can be reduced by integrating it with the CRP program
• the edge of field energy profit ratio (energy out divided by energy in) would average 13+
• co-fired with coal, switchgrass fueled generation could cost as little as $.01 - .015/kWh more.

Current Activities

Numerous studies have shown switchgrass can provide significant air, water quality and carbon sequestration benefits, in addition to serving as a biomass crop. The Kansas-Lower Republican Basin has significant water quality problems and is the focus of the Governor’s Water Quality Initiative. With funding from the U. S. Department of Energy, the Kansas Corporation Commission, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, a study is underway to assess the potential for planting switchgrass in selected areas of the Perry Basin to achieve multiple environmental and renewable energy benefits. Specific issues being evaluated include:

• Identify fields in the basin that contribute the most to sediment loading into the reservoir
• Estimate the reduction in sediment, nutrients, and agricultural chemicals that could be achieved by selective switchgrass planting
• Identify additional markets for biomass energy.

Working with many federal, state, and local conservation agencies, preliminary conclusions indicate the most promising strategy is to:

• plant existing terraces on targeted fields with switchgrass buffer strips enrolling in the CRP direct enrollment buffer strip initiative
• focus on fields that also qualify for the Kansas Buffer Strip Initiative Program targeting stream side buffer strips
• develop planting criteria that meet CRP requirements, biomass production goals, environmental and wildlife benefits.

Future Activities

Planned future activities include:

• planting 1,000 to 2,000 acres in the Perry Basin
• evaluating the impact of plantings and harvesting on sub-basin water quality
• evaluation of the market potential for space and water heating from switchgrass pellets
• identifying near-by power generation markets for biomass
• evaluation of the market potential of ethanol and methanol derived from switchgrass
• working with state and federal agencies to refine CRP biomass energy strategies.

Phase Three (next) anticipated cost: $200,000

KSU Contact: Dr. Richard Nelson, College of Engineering, 785-532-6026, rnelson@ksu.edu