Abstract
Wood processing is a typical example of an industry where mechanical work (machining) and heat energy (wood drying) are needed. It is therefore very suitable for the application of cogeneration which provides significant energy savings. Savings are greatest when biomass is used as a source of energy or, more precisely, wood chips obtained as waste from wood processing.
This paper presents a comparison of the cost of woodworking plants using different energy sources. The conventional plant uses electricity from the external electricity grid and the heat generated by the combustion of fuel in the boiler. The cogeneration plant in the considered case uses the combustion of biomass for the production of electricity by a steam turbine plant and also to meet the needs for heat energy. As an energy source, wood chips that remain from the wood processing are used and can therefore be considered as free. However, such a system requires higher investment costs, but due to the rational use of its own waste for combustion, it allows a return on investment costs due to fuel savings.
