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Figure 7.6 Effect <strong>of</strong> belt spacing an cost <strong>of</strong> harvest<br />

7.4.3 Annual Tonnage Harvested and Harvest Pour Rate.<br />

The impact <strong>of</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> industry was represented by assessing various annual tonnage harvested. This<br />

was selected to represent a range <strong>of</strong> potential electricity generator sizes, namely 2, 8, 14 and 20<br />

Megawatts. It was assumed that 7,200 green tonnes will provide one megawatt <strong>of</strong> power.<br />

Harvester pour rate is defined as the green tonnes per hour delivered from the harvester while it is<br />

continuously harvesting. Harvester pour rates between 10 tonnes/hr and 70 tonnes/hr were assessed.<br />

Currently harvester pour rates <strong>of</strong> around 30tonnes/hr are being achieved with the prototype harvester.<br />

The combined effect <strong>of</strong> tonnes harvested and harvester pour rate is detailed in figures 7.7, 7.8 and 7.9.<br />

Note that at the lowest pour rate <strong>of</strong> 10 green tonnes per hour, the 14 and 20 megawatt scenarios<br />

(100,800 and 144,000 green tonnes respectively) are not physically achievable with one harvester, as<br />

harvest durations would exceed 24 hours (Table 7.11). The 14 MW at 10 green tonnes/hr scenario<br />

would require two harvesters and the 20 MW at 10 green tonnes/hr scenario would require three<br />

harvesters. Thus, these two cost points are not accurate and are included for completeness only.<br />

However, it would be safe to assume that these costs could be doubled and tripled respectively.<br />

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