Futerra Fuels builds torrefaction plant in Portugal
By Futerra Fuels
December 20, 2018
Portuguese bioenergy start-up Futerra Fuels has begun construction of its first pellet plant in Valongo, Portugal. The plant will have the capacity to produce 120,000 tons of torrefied pellets and 55,000 tons of industrial wood pellets annually.
On Dec. 20, President Trump signed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill into law. The bill, titled the Agricultural Improvement Act, or H.R. 2, reauthorizes several Energy Title programs, including REAP and BCAP.
FutureMetrics: Global pellet trade up 26% in 2018
December 19, 2018
FutureMetrics has released a new white paper that features a 2018 year-end review of the pellet market. According to the paper, 2018 was one of the strongest years for the global wood pellet market in terms of growth and pricing.
Wood pellet imports in Japan reached a record 506,000 metric tons in 2017, and are expected to increase this year, according to the country's annual biofuels report recently filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network.
Past PFI Chair Stephen Faehner testifies at EPA NSPS hearing
By Pellet Fuels Institute
December 17, 2018
Stephen Faehner testified on behalf of the PFI at a public hearing regarding the recently proposed amendments and call for comments on the NSPS for new residential wood heaters, new residential hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces.
OPINION: Climate and Fire, Why Biomass Matters to Both
By Seth Ginther, U.S. Industrial Wood Pellet Association
December 14, 2018
We need to move forward with workable solutions that meet today's energy needs, while mitigating against climate change and protecting our forests at the same time.
RFP opens for Enviva Forest Conservation Fund
By U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
December 13, 2018
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities has released a new request for proposals (RFP) for the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund. Up to $500,000 is available for 2019 grants to protect bottomland hardwood and other wetland forests.
The U.S. EIA has released the December edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting that nonhydropower renewables will provide 10 percent of U.S. utility-scale power generation this year, increasing to 11 percent in 2011.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill by a vote of 369 to 47 on Dec. 12. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump's desk. Trump is expected to sign the bill.
On Dec. 11, the Senate voted 87 to 13 to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. The vote came one day after House and Senate ag committee leaders released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. The bill will now be considered by the House.
Doosan Babcock strengthens partnership with Drax Power
By Drax Group
December 07, 2018
Doosan Babcock and Drax Power Limited have agreed a new long-term contract for the provision of maintenance and outage services to the U.K.'s largest power station. The relationship between the two companies dates back to construction of the plant.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing that U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 760,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in August, with sales reaching 730,000 tons.
Efficiency Vermont offers $650 rebate for wood, pellet stoves
By Efficiency Vermont
December 05, 2018
Efficiency Vermont is partnering with participating stove dealers around the state to apply a $650 discount at the point of purchase for select stove models. To qualify for the rebate the stoves must be professionally installed.
The U.K. BEIS has published a national bioeconomy strategy for 2018 to 2030. The U.K. REA spoke out in support of the strategy, noting it endorses the use of biobased resources as fundamental to U.K. goals for decarbonization and economic growth.
ENplus launches its revision process
By European Pellet Council
December 04, 2018
The European Pellet Council, governing body of the ENplus certification for wood pellets, has announced the launch of a revision process for the scheme's procedures and requirements. It is the third revision in the scheme's history.
Years-long biomass study shows promising results
By Humboldt State University
December 03, 2018
The results are in from a four-year, $5.88-million biomass study led by researchers at Humboldt State University. The research project, called Waste to Wisdom, found strong near-term potential for biochar production.
On Nov. 30, the U.S. EPA published its recently announced proposed rule to amend new source performance standards (NSPS) for residential wood heaters in the Federal Register, officially opening a 45-day comment period.
Performance Despite Pests
By Holger Streetz
December 02, 2018
The performance of a pellet plant greatly depends on feedstock quality and pretreatment.
Charting Our Strategic Direction
December 02, 2018
Last month, the Pellet Fuels Institute's board of directors met in Indianapolis for its final meeting of 2018.
Biomass Storage: Fire Suppression Using Nitrogen Inerting
By Vipul Dholakia, Xiaoyi He and Joanna Benson
December 01, 2018
A silo fire can be devastating and expensive, leading not only to the complete loss of stored material, but also to an extended production loss by the plant. Nitrogen inerting is an effective solution to mitigate risk.
Maintaining Momentum
December 01, 2018
The U.S. Industrial Wood Pellet Association's Seth Ginther discusses a decade of growth, and what's on the horizon for the still-expanding industry.
Drax takes action to cut shipping supply chain emissions
By Drax Group
November 29, 2018
Drax has partnered with Smart Green Shipping Alliance, Ultrabulk, and Humphreys Yacht Design to tackle the issue of CO2 emissions from the shipping industry. A feasibility study will examine the potential to use Fastrig technology on Ultrabulk ships.
The USDA is taking action to allow agency administrators additional flexibility to obligate federal funds associated with certain infrastructure projects, including those associated with several of its rural development programs.
Pinnacle begins pellet production at new British Columbia plant
By Pinnacle Renewable Holdings Inc.
November 28, 2018
Pinnacle Renewable Holdings Inc. announced Nov. 27 that it has commenced initial pellet production at its new production facility in Smithers, British Columbia, which is owned 70 percent by Pinnacle and 30 percent by West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
On Nov. 28, the U.K. government released an action plan that aims to enable the development of the nation's first carbon capture, usage and storage project. Biomass U.K., an affiliate of the U.K. REA, has spoken out in support of the action plan.
The U.S. EPA has issued a proposed rule to amend its 2015 NSPS for residential wood heaters that would provide retailers additional time to sell existing inventories of heaters and forced air furnaces. The agency also issued a related ANPR.
On Nov. 21, Pöyry announced Baltania OÜ has awarded the company an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services contract for a torrefied pellet plant under development in Vägari, Estonia.
Drax: Bioenergy carbon capture, storage pilot now underway
By Drax Group
November 26, 2018
The commissioning of an innovative bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) pilot plant at Drax Power Station has started, with the first carbon dioxide expected to be captured in the coming weeks.
Andritz to supply fluidized bed boiler for biomass plant in Japan
By Andritz
November 21, 2018
International technology group Andritz has received an order from Toyo Engineering Corp., Japan, to deliver a PowerFluid Circulating Fluidized Bed boiler with flue gas cleaning system for a new biomass power plant to be built in Kamisu.
On Nov. 15, the U.K. Committee on Climate Change published a report on biomass that has determined sustainably sourced biomass feedstocks can play a fundamental role in decarbonizing the U.K. economy.
Advertisement
@ Copyright 2024 - BBI International - All rights reserved.