A conceptual comparison of using bioenergy options for BC's Mountain pine beetle infested wood

With the increase in size of the plant, the capital cost per unit of capacity decreases and the cost of transportation increases. [...] Hence, there is a capacity at which the total cost of production is minimum and in the case of bio- ethanol there is a wide range in capacity within which the cost of production is at a minimum. [...] In this study, the cost of bio-ethanol production from a plant using 2,100 dry tonnes of MPB infested pine wood per day is in the range of $0.37 – $0.40 per liter and is competitive with the grain based ethanol production. [...] The economic viability of alternative uses of bio-oil such as the use of bio-oil for the production of high value chemicals should be explored and evaluated. [...] The extent of infestation is difficult to estimate because of the variability in the rate of infestation and the increase in infestation every year.