AEA Sponsored Biomass Heating Integration Workshop a Success
On March 3rd and 4th, the Biomass Heating Integration Workshop, conducted by John
'Siggy' Siegenthaler of Appropriate Design, was held in Anchorage. The event was sponsored
by USDA Forest Service, Alaska Energy Authority, and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium,
and was organized by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power.
The workshop attracted 54 attendees including architects, mechanical engineers, utility
managers, foresters, biomass energy students, and project managers. It covered cordwood,
pellet, and wood chip-fed boiler system design including common mistakes and best
practices. There were also examples of elegant and functional system designs integrating
biomass systems into existing or new buildings, and also multiple energy systems including
solar thermal and diesel/propane back-up.
The technical workshop also provided equations and source data for calculating efficiency,
sizing, and other valuable information. The workshop success was driven by the engaged
audience, and Siegenthaler wrote "An engaged audience is a joy to teach, and this
was honestly one of the most engaged groups of people I have had the opportunity to
work with."
Photo Caption: Participants of the AEA Sponsored Biomass Heating Integration Workshop
listen to a presentation at the Conference.
Photo courtesy A. Byrd, ACEP/UAF.