Innovative Woody Biomass Resource Assessment Using
Multiple-Resolution Satellite Imagery and Geobia Technology

The Public Service Company of New Mexico is pursuing biomass electrical generation as its next viable source of renewable energy. Several areas of New Mexico have been the focus of an ongoing study to determine the feasibility of constructing a biomass power plant in the region. The development of the power plant in the region could increase employment opportunities and immediately decrease the risk of catastrophic fire. Biomass resource data is vitally important to the development of biomass power plants. There is a current lack of credible data on location, quantity, and quality of biomass available for these endeavors. This paper addresses these barriers by developing precise, spatially explicit data of existing biomass supplies using state-of-the-art remote sensing and GIS technologies, innovative field sampling methods, and rigorous statistical techniques. These estimates were used to justify the sustainable 30-year fuel supply for a 25 to 35 MW biomass power plant to land management stakeholders, State and Federal agencies and conservation groups.