Energy Performance Systems, Inc.

Improving the Efficiency of Planting, Tending and Harvesting Farm-Grown Trees for Energy

To: Xcel RDF advisory group

L. David Ostlie, Principal Investigator

Lynn L Wright, Investigator

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Value Based Research Goals Values

Lower the cost of electric power generation using renewable wood fuel; enough to cover the added risk in using new, model-one technology Establish a large scale (90 acre) tree farm demonstration

using short growth cycle wood (5 years) to maximize fuel production while significantly reducing cost

Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree planter based on EPS’s proprietary design to advance tree production to levels like those using existing agricultural practices using a GPS guided tractor and trigger system

Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree harvester based on EPS’s proprietary design to efficiently cut and load trees on a trailer at a fraction of the cost of existing logging operations

EPS Injection Planter

Planter in Operation at the Graceville Site

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Planter Summary

Multi-row planter was built

Planter was used under operational conditions

Test demonstrated potential of machine injection; tree survival and growth was similar to hand planted sections of field

Slip injection springs & materials have been redesigned

Planting Cost Proved to Feasable at .03¢ or less

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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™

Harvester after 160 Mile Transport to site

Power Systems Being re-installed and Tested at Nearby Farm Site

EPS Whole Tree Harvester™

Harvesting Head:

Continuously travels and cuts up to 9 feet per second without stopping while self sharpening blades and cuts up to a 30” diameter tree

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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™

Harvester Cutting Second Row of Trees

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Project Participants

Project Demonstration Participants

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Project Participants

Project Demonstration Participants Resting After Doubling as Camera Personnel

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Harvester Summary

900 HP 65 Ton, 4 Tracked Unit

Contiuously Harvested Trees at Speeds up to 8 FPS (6 MPH)

Can Harvest up to 30” Trees Lifted Trees 13 Feet to Load Semi Trailers Cleanly Cut Trees within 2 Inches of the Ground Proved Self Centering Cutting Head to be Effective Traveled with Low Ground Pressure of 12 PSI Four Tracked Steering Proved to be Effective

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Harvester Demonstration

CEO Feeling Downsized after a Particularly Difficult Day

Hybrid Poplar Glencoe Tree Farm

Project Investigator Lynn Wright Showing First Year Growth of NM-6 Hybrid Poplar on 80 Acre Site

Hybrid Poplar Yield Results

40 Acre Tree Farm Near Graceville, MN

Section of Farm Yielding 4 Dry Tons per Acre Per Year in 6 Years

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Planting Cost Analysis

Required Factors Estimated Costs

Six general laborers $8/hr, 600 hrs each season = $28,800

One skilled, trained, and certified operator $50/hr, 500 hrs each season = $25,000

Fuel $12,000

Miscellaneous (i.e. maintenance, tires, etc.) $13,000

Estimated Annual Operating Cost $78,800

Machine Cost $90,000

Cost per Slip the First Year $.03

Cost per Slip After Initial Investment $.01

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Wood Production Cost AnalysesCost Type

One Harvest, 6-year, EPS Costs

Two Coppice Harvest, 12-year- EPS Costs

One Harvest, 12 year NRRI assumptions

Land Rent $660.00 $1,320.00 $1,320.00

Harvest Yield (dry tons/acre) 24.78 49.56 48

NPV of all costs $924.22 $1,470.76 $1,549

Discounted Breakeven Price per ton $49.08 $43.60 $53.73

Discounted Production costs/dry ton $37.30 $29.67 $32.30

Harvesting Cost per ton $10.00 $10.00 $25

Farm-gate Price per ton $47.30 $39.67 $57.27

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Benefit to the Rate Payer

A new system was developed to lower the cost of renewable energy including new methods and new equipment

If the legislature mandates increased attention to climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, this project provides a pathway to help satisfy the mandate without a significant increase in rate-payer impacts.

Wood fired power plants can reduce the cost to the ratepayer by the new systme and by eliminating some of the indirect subsidies by using existing corn acerages

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Where Do We Go From Here?

Our Research indicates an all-in power plant delivered fuel cost of 3.65/Mbtu

The increased fuel cost would be similar to natural gas in some regions

Establishing a fuel plantation takes 6 years, 3 years before and 3 years after plant startup

By Reducing the cost of harvesting, planting and tending this fuel crop coupled with building a new wood fueled power plant becomes technically and economically feasible

If companies in Minnesota were to invest in or manufacture this home-grown technology, it could provide more incomes and jobs in Minnesota that would benefit ratepayers.

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Electric Power From Trees

Now is the Time for Closed Loop, Wood fueled, Electric Power Production

EPS wishes to thank the RDF advisory Group, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision including the rate payers and Xcel Energy in making our project possible.

Project funding provided in part by customers of Xcel Energy through a grant from the Renewable Development Fund