EIA updates bioenergy forecasts in short-term outlook

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the April edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, reporting total renewables used for electricity and heat generation are expected to grow by 3.4 percent this year. Nonhydropower renewables generation is expected to increase by 1.9 percent.

According to the EIA, wood biomass is expected to generate 119,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, up from 118,000 MWh per day last year. Next year, it is expected to increase, generating 121,000 MWh per day. Waste biomass is expected to generate an additional 60,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, up from 58,000 MWh per day last year. The 60,000 MWh per day level is expected to be maintained in 2016.

The electric power sector is expected to consume 0.245 quadrillion Btu (quad) of wood biomass this year, down from 0.247 quad last year. Consumption is expected to increase to 0.255 quad next year. The electric power sector is also expected to consume 0.268 quad of waste biomass this year, up from 0.260 quad last year. Next year, consumption is expected to continue at 0.268 quad.

The industrial sector is expected to consume 1.207 quad of wood biomass this year, down from 1.317 quad last year. Next year, the sector is expected to consume 1.189 quad. The industrial sector is also expected to consume 0.188 quad of waste biomass this year and next year, up from 0.183 quad last year.

The commercial sector is expected to consume 0.077 quad of wood biomass this year, along with 0.047 quad of waste biomass. Last year, the sector consumed 0.071 quad of wood biomass and 0.046 of waste biomass. Next year, the commercial sector is expected to consume 0.078 quad of wood biomass and 0.047 quad of waste biomass.

The residential sector is expected to consume 0.571 quad of wood biomass this year, down from 0.580 quad last year. Next year, consumption is expected to be maintained at 0.571 quad.

The EIA also recently released the March issue of its Electric Power Monthly report, which indicates 37.4 MW of biomass energy capacity was added in January, including 34.4 MW of landfill gas capacity and 3 MW of capacity from other sources of waste biomass. As of the close of January, the EIA estimates the U.S. had 13.48 GW of bioenergy capacity, including 8.33 GW of wood and wood waste capacity, 2.1 GW of landfill gas capacity, 2.23 GW of municipal solid waste capacity and 820 MW of capacity from other waste biomass sources. The EIA currently predicts an additional 239.8 MW of biomass capacity will be added over the next 12 months.