EIA updates short-term forecasts for bioenergy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the February issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, reporting that total renewables use for electricity and heat generation is expected to grow 3.8 percent this year. In 2016, total renewables consumption for electric power and heat generation is expected to increase by 2.9 percent, including a 6 percent increase in nonhydropower renewables.

Wood biomass is currently expected to be used to generate 119,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, including to 121,000 MWh per day next year. Waste biomass is expected to generate 57,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 58,000 MWh per day net year.

The electric power sector is expected to consume 0.27 quadrillion Btu (quad) of wood biomass this year, increasing slightly next year. The electric power sector is also expected to consume 0.27 quad of waste biomass this year, increasing to 0.28 quad next year.

The industrial sector is expected to consume 1.2 quad of wood biomass and 0.17 quad of waste biomass this year, with consumption forecasted to be 1.21 quad of wood biomass and 0.17 quad of waste biomass next year.

The commercial sector is expected to consume 0.07 quad of wood biomass this year, increasing slightly next year. The sector is also expected to consume 0.05 quad of waste biomass this year and maintain that consumption level in 2016.

The residential sector is expected to consume 0.57 quad of wood biomass this year, maintaining that level of consumption next year.

Together, all sectors are expected to consume 2.11 quad of wood biomass this year, increasing slightly to 2.13 quad next year. In addition, 0.49 quad of waste biomass is expected to be consumed this year, increasing to 0.5 quad next year.

According to the EIA, approximately 2.71 million U.S. households are expected to wood as a primary heating fuel during the 2014-’15 winter, up 3.9 percent from last year. That includes 646,000 households in the Northeast, a 6.9 percent increase; 696,000 households in the Midwest, a 6.2 percent increase; 635,000 households in the South, a 1.7 percent increase; and 734,000 households in the West, a 1.1 percent increase.

A full copy of the February STEO can be downloaded from the EIA’s website.