Cooperative Extension will be hosting a series of webinars this winter discussing how and why to consider using wood for energy. For more information, please read Scott Sanford’s press release below:

Contact: Scott Sanford, sasanford@wisc.edu, 608-262-5062

Wisconsin Refuels with Wood Energy webinar series scheduled for February – April

Madison, Wis. – Wood is an abundant resource in Wisconsin and can be used to replace fossil fuel that is imported into the state thus creating jobs and keeping money in Wisconsin. Businesses, schools, greenhouses and residences currently using LP gas, heating oil or electricity may be able to reduce their energy cost with the use of efficient wood burning appliances.

The Statewide Wood Energy Team (SWET), a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to promote the efficient use of wood energy for heating, processing and power, is hosting a series of educational webinars entitled “Wisconsin Refuels with Wood Energy” on the efficient use of wood energy.

The webinars are scheduled for Wednesdays at 1 p.m. from Feb. 18 through April 8. The webinars are free but registration is required.

Topics include:
· How Wood Energy Compares to Fossil Fuels;
· Wood Fuel Types and Combustion Appliances;
· Economics and Case Studies of Wood Combustion Systems;
· Feasibility Assessment Tools;
· Financing Options;
· Wood Fuel Supply and Distribution;
· Industrial Wood Heating and Power Systems
· Cluster Development and District Heating

The webinars will cover everything from a residential wood burning stove to an industrial combined heat and power applications. Businesses using propane, heating oil or electricity for heating, Educators, Economic Development Agents, Rural School District Facility Managers, Municipal Facility Managers, Heating Contractors, Home Owners are encouraged to participate in the webinars.

Go to wisconsinwoodenergy.org under the “Events and news” tab for a link to the registration.

This programming is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service to establish a Statewide Wood Energy Team (SWET). The SWET aims to expand markets that convert woody biomass into energy, advance installation of commercially viable wood energy systems in public and private facilities, and support wildfire mitigation, forest restoration, urban wood utilization and other forest management goals that utilize Wisconsin woody biomass.

The Core SWET members include the USFS, Wisconsin SEO, UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW-Extension, Sustainability Resources Institute, Renewable Resources Solutions, Marth Companies, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and Heating the Midwest. To learn more, please visit: wisconsinwoodenergy.org

This article was posted in WCWS and tagged energy, renewable resource, training, University of Wisconsin, UWEX, Webinar, Wisconsin.