Biomass Energy Feasibility Studies

BERC has learned that the most cost-effective approach to studying the feasibility for a biomass energy project is to approach the study in stages. We advise not spending too much time, effort, or money on a full feasibility study before discovering whether the potential project makes basic economic sense.

So at the outset of considering a project, BERC generally suggests undertaking a pre-feasibility study. This is a basic assessment, not yet at the engineering level, to determine the project's apparent cost effectiveness.

As a result of the pre-feasibility study, BERC will candidly suggest what prospects for biomass energy production appear worth studying further - and what are the key issues to resolve for successful design and implementation. We will report on whether available technologies are right for the potential project, or if emerging technologies may be better-suited - and, if so, when they are likely to become commercially available in proven form.

The pre-feasibility study builds confidence among stakeholders and potential users of a project. If the project then proceeds to the next level, BERC can oversee a new level of study, by certified professional engineers. For a larger-scale project, BERC may recommend several stages of feasibility studies.

For smaller projects, such as biomass heating systems for schools, BERC has been working to develop the simplest, easiest possible process of reliably studying feasibility. We seek first to learn as much as possible from existing data and via phone contacts, and then recommend whether it makes economic sense to bring professional resources on site.