A comparison of harvesting residue yield and recovery rates for energy policy developement

Abstract: This study assessed and compared the importance of residue yield rate ρ and recovery rate η. Literature and a North Carolina field study data suggest that residue yield rate ρ range from 20-50% whereas recovery rate η can range from 60-80%. Reported values for the US and EU were similar. The FIA data were slightly overestimated in comparison to datareported in literature. Estimates of available residues for energy differed by a factor of three, if optimistic or conservative values of ρ and η for residue estimates were applied. Projections for a 30-year time span did not appreciably change the estimates of residues. If all harvesting residues were used for electricity production in North Carolina, it would displace from 2.8% to 9.3% of current production from other sources. If residues were used for ethanol production, it would displace 2.4% to 8.1% of current production from fossil fuels. I concluded that for residue availability estimates and policy-based goals, conservative values of these rates should be used (ρ=20% and η=60%).