Feasibility of Biomass for Regional Energy Independence in Northern California - Spring

Advisor: Adrian Hill

Team Members: Claire Desser, Maya Fuller, Molly Dunton, Jonathan Eckman, Angelie Gomez, Anastasia Gordon, Desiree Herrera, Jonathan Lesser, Isabella Powers, Michael Stellitano, Chunyan Qiu

Northern California’s forests generate large volumes of small-diameter woody biomass, much of which contributes to wildfire risk due to decades of fire suppression and forest mismanagement. The analysis finds that utilizing this biomass for local energy generation could improve forest health, reduce wildfire severity, and enhance regional energy resilience. The region possesses sufficient biomass supply to meet local electricity demand, and biomass energy systems could support decentralized power generation, particularly in wildfire-prone areas vulnerable to grid disruptions. However, the economic feasibility of biomass energy remains uncertain due to high infrastructure costs, limited profitability, and dependence on policy incentives. Environmental analysis indicates that biomass energy produces emissions, but these emissions are lower and more controlled than those resulting from uncontrolled wildfires.

Despite these benefits, biomass energy cannot serve as a long-term climate solution because it is not carbon-neutral and may conflict with California’s clean energy goals. Instead, biomass energy could function as a transitional strategy to reduce wildfire risk while supporting local economic development. Policy support, including subsidies, grid integration strategies, and targeted infrastructure investments, would be required to scale biomass energy systems. The findings highlight that forest management, wildfire mitigation, and energy policy must be integrated to maximize environmental and economic benefits. Ultimately, biomass utilization presents a limited but strategic opportunity to improve forest resilience and support regional energy security during California’s broader transition to renewable energy.

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