In the fall of 2011 researchers were planning on using a Biomass Furnace to heat 40,000 square feet of space with willow trees that have been rolled up into round bales. The bales are first put through a dub grinder which turns the material into wood chips. The chips are than augured into the furnace which heats water to circulate throughout the building. It is expected the system will be cheaper to operate when compared with heating that amount of space with natural gas. | Prairie Farm Report