Harvard Forest Dedicates New Biomass Heat Facility

On January 21, an open house at the Forest celebrated the dedication of a new, super-efficient thermal biomass system that heats the campus's 5 main buildings using wood harvested from Harvard Forest land. Leaders from Harvard's Faculty of Arts & Sciences, the Massachusetts Senate, the US Forest Service, and the Mass. Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs offered remarks to a standing-room-only crowd of students, researchers, and local community members (see agenda for full speaker list).

The event included a guided tour of the biomass facility and wood processing equipment, led by members of the HF Woods Crew, and a walking tour of long-term carbon research sites, led by Bill Munger (Senior Research Fellow, Harvard SEAS/EPS) and Harvard Forest research staff.

Data on wood boiler temperature and performance, as well as back-up propane use, are continually measured and soon will be available online. Funding for the development and installation of the facility was provided by Harvard's Faculty of Arts & Sciences and the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area.

• Download the fact sheet: Biomass at Harvard Forest
• Explore in-depth information and data related to the Harvard Forest biomass system.
• Browse photos from the event.
• Read the Harvard Gazette story: Warmth from the Woods.
• Learn more about our long-term forest management plan.
• Learn more about our long-term atmospheric carbon research.

(Photo by Colin Durrant)