Energy Units

This is a short reference of conversion factors used by scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

• 1 BTU (British Thermal Unit) = 1055 Joules
• 1 kW (Kilowatt) = 3413 BTU/hr = 1.341 horsepower
• 1 kWh (Kilowatt-hour) = 3.6 MJ = 3413 BTU
• 1 BOE (Barrel of Oil Equivalent) = ~ 5.8 Million BTU = 1,700 kWh
• 1 TOE (Tonne of Oil Equivalent) = 11.67 MWh = 11,670 kWh = 6.86 BOE
• 1 US Ton = 2000 pounds
• 1 Tonne = 1000 Kilograms = 2205 pounds = 0.907 Ton
• 1 Hectare = 2.47 Acres

Some woody biomass conversion factors commonly used by natural resource managers (Provided courtesy of TSS Consultants).

• 1 green ton (GT) of chips = 2000 lbs (not adjusted for moisture)
• 1 bone dry ton (BDT) of chips = 2000 dry lbs (assumes no moisture content)
• = 4000 green lbs @ 50% moisture content
• 1 bone dry unit (BDU) of chips = 2400 dry lbs (assumes no moisture content)
• 1 unit of chips = 200 cubic feet
• 1 ccf (hundred cubic feet) roundwood = 1.0 BDU chips
• 1 ccf roundwood = 1.2 BDT chips
• 1 ccf roundwood = 1.2 cords roundwood @ 85 cu.ft. wood/cord)
• 1 BDT chips = 2 GT green tons (@ 50% moisture content)
• 1 GT of logs = 160 BF of lumber (board feet)
• 6 GT of logs = 1 MBF of lumber (thousand board feet)

One standard chip van carries 25 GT (green tons) or approximately 12.5 BDT assuming 50% moisture content.

When woody biomass is utilized in a commercial (10+ MW electrical output) scale power generation facility, the following energy output rules of thumb apply (Provided courtesy of TSS Consultants).

• 1 BDT fuel will produce 10,000 lbs of steam
• 10,000 lbs of steam will generate 1 MWH (megawatt hour) of electricity
• 1 MWH = 1,000 horsepower
• 1 MWH = power for approximately 750 to 1,000 homes

There are also energy unit conversion web sites that may be of interest and use:

• Energy Converter