Dr. Daisy Huang visits the City of Tanana to Investigate the City’s Biomass Program

ACEP researcher, Daisy Huang recently visited the City of Tanana, Alaska to view its new biomass program first hand.

“The Tanana City government is gradually transitioning to heat all city buildings with hydronic wood-fired boilers. One of the goals of this program was not just energy independence but keeping money in the local economy. They set the price of firewood at a certain price per cord (currently $300), and buy firewood from anyone who is willing to cut and split it.”

“Each wood-fired boiler displaces annually about 5000-6000 gallons of diesel. The money saved by the city so far has enabled building a new children’s playground, and improvement and weatherization of the school and teacher housing. Lining the school's walls with foam board has resulted in saving 7000 gallons of oil in the first year.”

Some Tanana residents are concerned about long-term sustainability of the new city wide biomass energy transition but Dr. Huang is confident that the changes it has brought so far have certainly benefited the community.

 

Photo credit: DHuang/ACEP