A model of a biofueled hydronic heating system (BIOMOD) was developed to assist potential users of biomass energy and to perform the parametric analysis of the most critical and uncertain variables of a biomass energy system. BIOMOD models the heating system in three sequential steps. First, it predicts the design, as well as seasonal energy requirements of the system. Second, it predicts the seasonal efficiency of the biofueled boiler. Third, it performs the life-cycle cost analysis of the biomass energy system. BIOMOD was used to simulate the performance of a wood-fired energy system during winter season of 1989-90. The predicted results show close agreement with the measured results.

KEYWORDS: energy sources, biomass, heating, calculating, designing, energy consumption, efficiency, boilers, service life, costs, performance, wood burning, winter, comparing, wood waste fired boilers