The U.K. government has proposed to exclude new coal-to-biomass conversions from future rounds of its CfD scheme. Under the proposal, dedicated biomass with CHP and various forms of biogas projects would continue to be eligible for CfDs.
Pinnacle Renewable Energy released fourth quarter financial results on March 3. The company's financial performance was negatively impacted by sawmill curtailments and a rail strike. Pinnacle, however, is continuing to implement expansion plans.
Torrefied wood pellets were among the products discussed during a Feb. 26 hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forests, titled “Innovative Wood Products: Promoting Rural Economies and Healthy Forests.�
From Engineering to Start-Up
February 27, 2020
For more than 30 years as a single-source contractor, IMI Industrial Services Group has provided a complete range of industrial contracting services and turnkey solutions, including dryer technology and the balance of plant systems.
Enviva Partners LP released fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results on Feb. 27, reporting increased annual pellet production and net revenue. The company also discussed future expansion plans and announced new off-take contracts.
Drax to stop use of coal, implement new biomass strategy
February 27, 2020
Drax announced on Feb. 27 that the company will stop burning coal by March 2021, far ahead of the U.K. government's 2025 deadline. Drax also released full year 2019 financial results on Feb. 27 and provided an update of its biomass strategy.
Biomass and Forest Restoration: Perfect Together
By Bob Williams
February 26, 2020
Biomass markets need to play the vital role they can in forest restoration efforts across North American and the world.
Biomass electricity production set a new record in the U.K. last year, according to the fourth quarter 2019 Electrical Insights Report, produced by researchers at Imperial College London in collaboration with Drax.
PFI delivers testimony to OMB on pellet requirements of EPA rule
By Pellet Fuels Institute
February 26, 2020
On Feb. 24, Pellet Fuels Institute Executive Director Tim Portz, Board Chairman John Utter and Past-Chair Stephen Faehner testified at the OMB about the impact to pellet manufacturers of the inclusion of minimum pellet fuel requirements in the NSPS.
The U.S. EPA delivered a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget on Feb. 24 focused on the treatment of biogenic carbon dioxide emissions under the Clean Air Act's permitting programs.
Meeting in the Music City
February 24, 2020
The 13th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo drew nearly 900 attendees to Nashville, Tennessee.
The USDA unveiled its Agriculture Innovation Agenda on Feb. 20. The initiative, in part, aims to support renewable fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and biomass. This includes a goal to achieve market-driven blend rates of E30 by 2050.
GE supplies steam technology for biomass power plant in Japan
By GE
February 19, 2020
GE announced Feb. 5 that it will provide its renewable steam technology for the high efficiency Kamisu Biomass Power Generation plant in Japan. The facility is scheduled to start commercial operation in July 2023.
Biomass Heat Works calls for industry support by UK officials
By Biomass Heat Works
February 19, 2020
Leaders from the U.K.'s biomass heat industry have called on the chancellor for support ahead of the spring budget to help government meet heat decarbonisation targets, address climate change and deliver on its 30 million tree planting initiative.
President Trump on Feb. 13 nominated Douglas Benevento to serve as deputy administrator of the U.S. EPA and Mark Wesley Menezes to serve as deputy secretary of energy. Both nominations are subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 870,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in October, with sales reaching 850,000 tons.
15 North Carolina bioenergy, crop farming projects win funding
By North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
February 14, 2020
The North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program recently awarded $1 million in grants for 15 projects aimed at boosting bioenergy opportunities and crop production in the state.
Drax's biomass policy meets highest sustainability standards
By Drax
February 14, 2020
In its first report, an Independent Advisory Board has found that Drax's sustainable biomass sourcing reflects recommendations made by Forest Research—the research agency of the Forestry Commission widely considered the industry gold standard.
Skeena Bioenergy wins grant to produce pellets from slash
February 07, 2020
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC announced on Jan. 30 it will award $408,320 to Terrace, British Columbia-based Skeena Bioenergy Ltd. to use materials from slash piles to make wood pellets in the Coast Mountains Natural Resources District.
Prodesa to supply belt dryer for new Pinnacle pellet plant
By Prodesa
February 06, 2020
Pinnacle Renewable Energy, a wood pellet producer based in Canada, relies on Prodesa expertise for the design, manufacturing and commissioning of a low temperature belt dryer for its new wood pellet plant in High Level, Alberta.
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service released data on Feb. 6 reporting that the U.S. exported 541,893.4 metric tons of wood pellets in December, bringing total pellet exports for 2019 to 6.89 million tons.
Biomass awards center discussion on new messaging, markets
By Ron Kotrba
February 04, 2020
At the 13th Annual International Biomass Conference & Expo Feb. 3-5 in Nashville, Tennessee, two exceptional, well-deserving candidates in the biomass space took home the Excellence in Bioenergy Award and the Groundbreaker of the Year Award.
Biomass leaders provide state of the industry at int'l event
By Ron Kotrba
February 04, 2020
The 13th Annual International Biomass Conference & Expo opened with a roundtable discussion among biomass association leaders that covered topics including the state of the industry, policy, carbon markets, and what is needed to grow public support.
A new report released by LLNL has determined California can achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 at modest cost using technology that is already demonstrated and mature, including carbon capture from waste biomass utilization.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration has announced an open meeting of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee will be held on Feb. 6 in Washington, D.C.
Skeena Bioenergy responds to local pellet shortage
January 30, 2020
Skeena Bioenergy, the owner of a 75,000-metric-ton-per-year wood pellet plant located in Terrace, British Columbia, announced on Jan. 28 plans to donate pellets to local residents in response to a local shortage of home heating fuel.
A final rule under review by the OMB is expected remove certain minimum requirements for pellet fuel contained in current EPA regulations for residential wood heaters and provide retailers with additional time to sell certain wood heating appliances.
German energy company Innogy has sold a biomass cogeneration plant and adjacent wood pellet plant to Austria-based Cycleenergy Holding GmbH. The company also recently announced its U.S. pellet plant is operating above nameplate capacity.
New Year, New Decade
January 24, 2020
It's a new year, and the future is bright for the North American wood pellet industry. This is true for both the domestic and export industry segements.
The Department of Energy on Jan. 23 announced it will award up to $96 million for bioenergy research and development to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower, and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources.
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