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Getting biomass products into the building sector: new tools

How do biomass systems fit into the commercial building centre? The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) is aiming to answer that question with new tools for manufacturers, architects, project developers and engineers.

The offerings include a resource library hosting more than 100 documents including policy overviews, case studies, and reports on technology, financing, health and the environment.

The work is supported by a grant from the Wood Education and Resource Center of the U.S. Forest Service.

“We’ve encountered a surprising lack of understanding of the option to heat and cool buildings with renewable biomass among many building architects and engineers”, said John Karakash, managing consultant of Resource Professionals Group and author of the 2010 survey “Architects and Energy Professionals—The Missing Link in Wood Energy.”

“The resource library features a comprehensive database on the key questions these individuals have, allowing them to better understand the opportunity for renewable heating,” Karakash added.

The resource library also includes a stakeholder document, listing individuals and groups project developers should consider when development of new projects.  

“This stakeholder document is about knowing how to approach key groups. Firefighters, forest owners, and zoning officials can be natural and powerful allies if approached early and with the right information,” said Joseph Seymour, executive director of the Biomass Thermal Energy Council.

The documents are a part of a larger effort by BTEC to develop biomass opportunities in the commercial building sector.  

They’re available at www.biomassthermal.org.