BTU value       # of units to produce                  Fuel cost                  Total

                                                                  per unit           18,000,000 BTUs                       per unit                    cost

Dry shelled corn*                           8,000/lb               2,250 lbs                               $2.50/bushel**            $100

Wood pellets                                   8,000/lb                  2,250 lbs                                  $150/ton                   $169

Electricity                                         3,412/KWH           5,275 KWH                             $0.08/KWH               $422

Natural gas                                      1,000/cu.ft             18,000 cu.ft.                           $0.60/100 cu.ft.            $108

Fuel oil                                                 140,000/gal.         129 gals.                                   $1.25/gal.                  $161

LP gas                                                  91,000/gal.           198 gals.                                   $1.20/gal.                  $238

Wood (oak)                                  26,300,000           0.7 cord (full)                            $115/cord                   $ 81

Coal                                        13,000/lb.            1,384 lbs. (0.7 ton)                     $145/ton                   $101

     The chart can be easily adapted to any price uctuations by supplementing the applicable price in Fuel cost per unit column. 

* Note:  The BTU content of shelled corn will vary between 7,000 to 10,000 BTUs per pound. 

            Use corn at 14-15% moisture content for peak efciency. 

** One bushel = 56 pounds.