Energy Performance Systems, Inc.
Improving the Efficiency of Planting, Tending and
Harvesting Farm-Grown Trees for Energy
To: Xcel RDF advisory group
L. David Ostlie, Principal Investigator
Lynn L Wright, Investigator
Value Based Research Goals
Values
 Lower the cost of electric power generation using renewable
wood fuel; enough to cover the added risk in using new, modelone technology
 Establish a large scale (90 acre) tree farm demonstration using
short growth cycle wood (5 years) to maximize fuel production
while significantly reducing cost
 Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree planter based
on EPS’s proprietary design to advance tree production to levels
like those using existing agricultural practices using a GPS guided
tractor and trigger system
 Fabricate and demonstrate a new high speed tree harvester based
on EPS’s proprietary design to efficiently cut and load trees on a
trailer at a fraction of the cost of existing logging operations
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EPS Injection Planter
Planter in
Operation at
the Graceville
Site
Planter Summary

Multi-row planter was built

Planter was used under operational conditions

Test demonstrated potential of machine injection;
tree survival and growth was similar to hand planted
sections of field

Slip injection springs & materials have been
redesigned
 Planting Cost Proved to Feasable at .03¢ or less
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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvester after
160 Mile
Transport to site
Power Systems
Being re-installed
and Tested at
Nearby Farm Site
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EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvesting Head:
Continuously travels
and cuts up to 9 feet
per second without
stopping while self
sharpening blades
and cuts up to a 30”
diameter tree
EPS Whole Tree Harvester™
Harvester
Cutting Second
Row of Trees
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Project Participants
Project
Demonstration
Participants
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Project Participants
Project
Demonstration
Participants
Resting After
Doubling as
Camera Personnel
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Harvester Summary

900 HP 65 Ton, 4 Tracked Unit
 Contiuously Harvested Trees at Speeds up to 8 FPS (6 MPH)
 Can Harvest up to 30” Trees
 Lifted Trees 13 Feet to Load Semi Trailers
 Cleanly Cut Trees within 2 Inches of the Ground
 Proved Self Centering Cutting Head to be Effective
 Traveled with Low Ground Pressure of 12 PSI
 Four Tracked Steering Proved to be Effective
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Harvester Demonstration
CEO Feeling
Downsized after a
Particularly
Difficult Day
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Hybrid Poplar Glencoe Tree Farm
Project
Investigator
Lynn Wright
Showing First
Year Growth of
NM-6 Hybrid
Poplar on 80
Acre Site
Hybrid Poplar Yield Results
40 Acre Tree Farm Near
Graceville, MN
Section of Farm Yielding 4 Dry
Tons per Acre Per Year in 6
Years
Planting Cost Analysis
Required Factors
Estimated Costs
Six general laborers
$8/hr, 600 hrs each season = $28,800
One skilled, trained, and certified operator
$50/hr, 500 hrs each season = $25,000
Fuel
$12,000
Miscellaneous (i.e. maintenance, tires, etc.)
$13,000
Estimated Annual Operating Cost
$78,800
Machine Cost
$90,000
Cost per Slip the First Year
$.03
Cost per Slip After Initial Investment
$.01
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Wood Production Cost Analyses
Land Rent
One Harvest, 6-year, EPS
Costs
$660.00
Two Coppice Harvest, 12-yearEPS Costs
$1,320.00
One Harvest, 12 year NRRI
assumptions
$1,320.00
Harvest Yield (dry tons/acre)
24.78
49.56
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NPV of all costs
$924.22
$1,470.76
$1,549
Discounted Breakeven Price per ton
$49.08
$43.60
$53.73
Discounted Production costs/dry ton
$37.30
$29.67
$32.30
Harvesting Cost per ton
$10.00
$10.00
$25
Farm-gate Price per ton
$47.30
$39.67
$57.27
Cost Type
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Benefit to the Rate Payer
 A new system was developed to lower the cost of renewable
energy including new methods and new equipment
 If the legislature mandates increased attention to climate
change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, this project
provides a pathway to help satisfy the mandate without a
significant increase in rate-payer impacts.
 Wood fired power plants can reduce the cost to the ratepayer
by the new systme and by eliminating some of the indirect
subsidies by using existing corn acerages
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Where Do We Go From Here?
 Our Research indicates an all-in power plant delivered fuel
cost of 3.65/Mbtu
 The increased fuel cost would be similar to natural gas in some
regions
 Establishing a fuel plantation takes 6 years, 3 years before and
3 years after plant startup
 By Reducing the cost of harvesting, planting and tending this
fuel crop coupled with building a new wood fueled power plant
becomes technically and economically feasible
 If companies in Minnesota were to invest in or manufacture
this home-grown technology, it could provide more incomes
and jobs in Minnesota that would benefit ratepayers.
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Electric Power From Trees
 Now is the Time for Closed Loop, Wood fueled, Electric Power
Production
 EPS wishes to thank the RDF advisory Group, the
Minnesota Public Utilities Commision including the rate
payers and Xcel Energy in making our project possible.
Project funding provided in part by customers of Xcel Energy through a grant from the
Renewable Development Fund
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