A Shifting Market
January 31, 2018
The EU pellet industry may have more growing to do, but just how much, only time and policy will tell.
The Original Major Market Driver
January 31, 2018
The past couple of heating seasons have been a rocky for many U.S. manufacturers because of warmer temperatures and cheap oil and natural gas, but the brutal cold this winter has brought so far has finally turned the tide,
Navigating the European Landscape
By Patrick C. Miller
January 30, 2018
John Keppler, Enviva's chairman and CEO, discusses the European wood pellet market, expansion plans and future opportunities.
Taking the Wheel
January 29, 2018
Pellet manufacturing plays an important role in the broader forest products supply chain, shoring up value for the residual fiber streams that are generated every day by sawmills, cabinet shops and flooring manufacturers.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently announced U.S. manufacturers of densified biomass fuel reported producing 670,000 tons of product in October, with sales reaching 640,000 tons.
Enviva: Track & Trace data conforms sustained forest growth
By Enviva
January 26, 2018
Enviva has released new Track & Trace sourcing data, marking one year of public reporting and two years of tracking the company's sustainable sourcing practices. The data helps measure, maintain and validate Enviva's sustainability practices.
Estonia-based Graanul Invest has announced its subsidiary purchased the company's first bulk carrier on Jan. 12. The vessel is named MB Imavere and has the capacity to transport approximately 30,000 tons of wood pellets.
Guidebooks provide resources for modern wood heating in Vermont
By Vermont State Wood Energy Team
January 23, 2018
The Vermont State Wood Energy Team is has announced the availability of two new resources for modern wood heating. One guide addresses wood heating in Vermont schools, the other focuses on wood heating in affordable housing.
Japan names first 5 ROs under Clean Wood Act
January 18, 2018
Japan's Forestry Agency has named the first five organizations that have been certified to register companies' policies for compliance with its Clean Wood Act, according to a notice filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network.
Natural Resources Canada has awarded $6.45 million to support six projects in British Columbia that aim to promote innovation and diversification in forestry. Several of the projects focus on bioenergy.
Members of the European Parliament endorsed a set of proposals Jan. 17 that set new goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency and renewable transportation fuels. The proposals also cap first-generation biofuels and phase-out the use of palm oil.
The U.K. government issued its response to a consultation on cost control for additional biomass conversions under the RO, noting it will introduce a generator cap. Drax said the government's action will allow it to convert a fourth unit to biomass.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, noting electrical generation from nonhydropower renewables is expected to be steady this year, and increase next year.
The U.K. government has confirmed how it intends to phase-out unabated coal-fired power generation by 2025. In response to the news, the U.K. Renewable Energy Association is calling on the government to support additional coal-to-biomass conversions.
Active Energy Group commissions Utah plant
January 05, 2018
U.K.-based Active Energy Group has announced initial testing of its 5-ton-per-hour CoalSwitch plant in Utah was successfully completed on Dec. 29. The company also indicated the plant is currently undergoing commissioning.
Every Last Drop
January 04, 2018
One of the most common deterrents to investment in equipment and technology that will ultimately save bioenergy plants money is exactly that—money.
The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $1 million in grants for 11 research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state. The projects address a wide range of feedstocks and technologies.
PFI welcomes Tim Portz as executive director
By Pellet Fuels Institute
January 04, 2018
Pellet Fuels Institute recently announced that it has hired Tim Portz to serve as the organization's executive director. Portz, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, previously served as executive editor of Biomass Magazine and Pellet Mill Magazine.
Canada increases biomass capacity, generation
January 04, 2018
A report issued by Canada's National Energy Board shows that the country's non-hydro renewable power capacity grew by more than 8 percent in 2016, adding nearly 1,300 MW of solar, biomass and wind-generated power.
The U.K. Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy released updated energy statistics in late December, reporting that the share of low carbon electricity accounted for a record high of 54.4 percent during the third quarter of 2017.
BBI International recently announced the agenda for the technical sessions of the 11th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo, North America's largest and fastest growing biomass conference, taking place April 16-18 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Enviva announces new joint venture, acquisition of pellet plant
By Enviva Holdings LP
January 02, 2018
Enviva has announced a new joint venture (JV) with affiliates of The John Hancock Life Insurance Co. to acquire, develop and construct pellet plants and deep-water marine terminals. A South Carolina facility is expected to be the first acquisition.
The ABCs of ORCs
By Ron Kotrba
December 29, 2017
Organic Rankine cycle systems are a good fit for companies with biomass waste streams to produce combined heat and power, and, in some cases, sell power to the grid.
Rentech has filed for bankruptcy and sold off the bulk of its assets, including an Ontario wood pellet plant and U.S. wood pellet business New England Wood Pellet. The bankruptcy filing lists Lignetics of New England Inc. as the buyer of NEWP.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced its intent to modernize the agency's organizational structure to advance its policy goals consistent with its statutory requirements.
Pinnacle Renewable Energy files for IPO in Canada
December 21, 2017
On Dec. 15, Canadian pellet producer Pinnacle Renewable Energy filed a preliminary prospectus with securities regulatory authorities in Canada for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of common shares.
In early December, the government of Alberta announced plans to award $1.4 billion over seven years to support innovative projects funded by the Climate Leadership Plan. A portion of that funding will support bioenergy and biofuel projects.
Drax Group plc has announced an unplanned outage on the rail unloading facilities at Drax Power Station is restricting biomass deliveries to plant. Drax also said generation on two biomass-fired units has been reduced.
EIA releases pellet production, sales data for September
December 20, 2017
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the December edition of its Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report, announcing respondents reported producing 433,464 tons of utility pellets and 133,344 tons of heating pellets in September.
On Dec. 13, the House Agriculture Committee launched a landing page for the 2018 Farm Bill that is designed to provide updates and information related to development of the legislation. The committee is also launching a Farm Bill video series.
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