The State of the Science Literature Review is now available!

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Low Resolution (2 MB) - Wood2Energy: A State of the Science and Technology Report (pdf)
High Resolution (7.5 MB) - Wood2Energy: A State of the Science and Technology Report (pdf)

Wood is a concentrated form of stored sunlight (solar energy). This energy can be released and used as a fuel. Wood has always been an important source of energy for people. Even today, wood is the most important source of renewable energy in the United States and a primary source of fuel for much of the world. Whether it is as simple as a campfire, or as sophisticated as producing ethanol, wood has a number of inherent advantages that ensure it will continue to be an important bio-fuel in the future.

The University of Tennessee (UT) Office of Bioenergy Programs, with funding provided by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities Inc. has produced a report on the state-of-the-science of woody biomass to energy conversion processes in North America, including a literature review and a database of industrial facilities utilizing wood as a fuel source. This project was completed with the assistance of additional valuable partners, including the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and Southern Research Station, as well as the regional centers of the Sun Grant Initiative.

This State of the Science report accomplishes two primary objectives related to the state of the science in wood to energy research and industry. The literature review provides a complete overview of the state of wood to energy science and technology, including characterizations of process design, stage of development or commercialization, and suitability for the marketplace. The review also provides an analysis of market sustainability, including opportunities and barriers, of wood to energy production.

Project Personnel

Co-Principal Investigators

Samuel W. Jackson, University of Tennessee Office of Bioenergy Programs
Timothy G. Rials, University of Tennessee Office of Bioenergy Programs
Adam M. Taylor, University of Tennessee Forest Products Center

Project Support

Primary financial support for this project was provided by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and
Communities, Inc. Cooperating funders working with the Endowment in support of the project were: USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; American Forest and Paper Association; Forest Products Association of Canada; and Natural Resources Canada. Additional project support was provided by the Southeastern Regional Sun Grant Center, a part of the National Sun Grant Initiative, with funding from the US Department of Transportation. The authors and collaborators express their appreciation to all those who have supported the project including the peer reviewers. Dr. Marie Walsh provided an extremely beneficial technical review and the authors are grateful for her assistance.