The U.S. Department of Energy on July 31 announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy, including biofuels, biopower and bioproducts.
A recent survey completed by ENplus found that 75 percent of ENplus certified wood pellet producers and traders have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, many by reduced demand from end users.
PacBio confirms incident at Prince George plant
By Pacific BioEnergy Corp.
July 29, 2020
Pacific Bioenergy Corporation (PacBio) on July 28 confirmed that Prince George Fire Department was called at approximately 5:00 p.m. the previous day after an incident occurred in an exterior conveyor system.
Drax Group plc on July 29 released financial results for the first half of 2020, reporting that biomass power generation was up 16 percent and pellet production was up 15 percent while achieving a 9 percent reduction in cost.
Drax: Power station ash paves the way for road building project
By Drax Group
July 28, 2020
A construction project in the U.K. was completed six months ahead of schedule, providing improved links between the East of England, the Midlands and the North. Ash from Drax Power Station was used in the project's concrete structures.
The DOE on July 28 announced $68 million in funding over five years for basic research aimed at making bioenergy feedstock crops more productive and resilient. Feedstocks addressed by the research include sorghum, poplar and pennycress.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition has released new video and digital ad campaign asking why the U.S. EPA is the only environmental agency in the world to treat carbon emissions from common agricultural crops the exact same as those from fossil fuels.
Simec Atlantis Energy Ltd. announced in mid-July that it now plans to develop its proposed U.K.-based Uskmouth power station conversion project in two phases. The company is also considering options to co-locate data centers at the plant.
An annual report filed with the USDA shows that the EU's wood pellet market has been relatively unaffected by COVID-19 but cautions further market expansion could be limited by member state sustainability requirements.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is seeking nominations for members of its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee. Nominations are due July 31.
First Nations' forestry projects generate jobs, green energy
By British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
July 21, 2020
Forest Enhancement Society of British Colombia grants are supporting the Williams Lake First Nation as it creates jobs, fights climate change and reduces wildfire risk by providing slash for use in wood pellet production and bioenergy use.
Members of Congress in key Midwestern states have received over 10,000 individual letters from constituents urging them to press the EPA to address a regulatory barrier preventing growth in the bioeconomy, according to the Biogenic CO2 Coalition.
The Dutch Social Economic Council (SER) in July advised the Dutch government to phase out bioenergy and instead use biomass for high value applications, according to a report filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network.
BBI International has announced that the 2020 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, the ethanol industry's largest conference, has been moved and will be virtual, due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The event will now take place Sept. 15-17.
DB Cargo UK secures new 5-year contract with Drax
By Drax Group
July 15, 2020
DB Cargo U.K. will operate an average of 60 trains per week from the ports of Immingham and Hull to Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire. Each train will carry around 1,650 metric tons of sustainable biomass to Drax Power Station.
Enviva Partners completes Greenwood drop-down acquisition
By Enviva
July 14, 2020
Enviva Partners LP has completed the previously announced acquisition from its sponsor of Enviva Pellets Greenwood Holdings II LLC, which, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a wood pellet production plant in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Pinnacle participates in Alabama's Job Act Incentives program
By Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc.
July 14, 2020
Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. has announced its subsidiary, Alabama Pellets LLC, recently signed an agreement with the State of Alabama that provides Alabama Pellets with incentives for job creation under Alabama's Job Act Incentives program.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition on July 10 issued a statement commending a bipartisan group of four members of Congress for pressing the U.S. EPA to address the concerns of agricultural crop producers and processors in a biogenic CO2 rulemaking.
The USDA on July 13 issued a final rule that aims to increase private investment in rural communities by making it easier for lenders to access four guaranteed loan programs, including the Rural Energy for America Program.
The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association on July 13 issued a statement expressing disappointment that a recent European court ruling regarding the inclusion of wood biomass in the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive is being appealed.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 770,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in March, with sales reaching 790,000 tons.
The U.S. EPA on July 9 released a proposed rule that aims to amend emission standards for certain categories of boilers based on the maximum achievable control technologies (MACT). The AWC said it is encouraged by the clarity the rule provides.
Valmet to supply a hot water plant to Göteborg Energi in Sweden
By Valmet Corp.
July 07, 2020
Valmet will supply a complete plant for the production of district heat to Göteborg Energi AB in Gothenburg, Sweden. The new hot water plant will reduce CO2 emissions and allowed for increased use of wood pellets.
SIMEC Atlantis Energy has completed industrial-scale combustion testing of the waste-derived fuel pellets it plans to use as fuel at the Uskmouth Power Station following its conversion. The company has also released an updated project timeline.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration currently predicts electricity U.S. generation from renewable energy sources will reach 20 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021, according to agency's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 7.
The U.S. exported 572,499.8 metric tons of wood pellets in May, up from 553,885.4 metric tons exported during the same month of last year, but down from the 595,166.2 metric tons exported in April, according to data released by the USDA on July 2.
The U.K. government has announced that applicants to the non-domestic RHI scheme will have an extra 14 months to complete projects delayed by COVID-19. The government also confirmed that a third allocation for the non-domestic RHI will open in July.
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis on June 30 unveiled a climate crisis action plan that aims to serve as a congressional roadmap to help the U.S. reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Biomass, biogas and biofuels will help meet that goal.
The Netherlands doubled its wood pellet imports to a record 1.22 million metric tons in 2019, according to a report filed with the USDA. Imports are expected to double again this year based on the co-firing plans of Dutch power companies.
Vattenfall, a power company owned by the government of Sweden, announced on June 25 it will delay making a final decision on the construction of a proposed 120 megawatt biomass-fired district heating plant planned for development near Amsterdam.
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