Drax Group plc had a very good first half of the year operationally, is generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, has drastically lowered its emissions and the Sustainable Biomass Partnership continues to grow.
A commission put together by Maine legislature to study economic, environmental and energy benefits of Maine's biomass industry is scheduled to hold its first meeting Aug. 2.
In every issue of Biomass Magazine dedicated to equipment and equipment innovations, the men and women who put these machines to work jump off the page.
The PFI 2016 conference wrapped in Asheville this week, bringing together individuals from the public and private sectors, academia and government institutions. The last session offered potential market opportunities pellet producers could consider.
BTEC updates mission and vision statements
By Biomass Thermal Energy Council
July 28, 2016
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council recently announced its updated mission and vision statements. BTEC engaged in a series of facilitated strategic planning sessions throughout the fall of 2015. These efforts reaffirmed BTEC's mission and vision.
REA: Surprise UK renewable heat cuts put investments at risk
By Renewable Energy Association
July 28, 2016
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (previously the Department of Energy and Climate Change) laid an amendment in Parliament to the Renewable Heat Incentive to reduce support for biomass combined-heat-and-power systems.
Keeping Score
By David Spindler
July 27, 2016
DCM Logic has developed a simple and straightforward way of measuring Boiler Plant Effectiveness, or BPE.
Brexit and Biomass
By Amanda Saint
July 27, 2016
There are real concerns about what Brexit means for the future of the U.K.'s renewable energy sector, which has grown significantly with the help of EU-funded investments and subsidies.
Astec Inc. reported a solid second quarter with a 9.9 percent increase in net sales in Q2 2016 compared to Q2 2015, a change of direction from last quarter's 3.5 percent decrease in net sales in Q1 2016 compared to from Q1 2015.
The U.S. EPA's Scientific Advisory Board has announced plans to hold a public teleconference of the SAB biogenic carbon emissions panel on Oct. 12 as part of its continuing review of the framework for biogenic CO2 emissions from stationary sources.
Apparatus Advantage
July 25, 2016
In-house pellet plant labs enable fuel quality monitoring, an asset for regularly audited producers.
The Pellet Fuels Institute returns to Asheville, North Carolina, for its annual conference being held July 24-26, hosting approximately 170 attendees and nearly 30 exhibitors.
Endowment launches updated bioenergy database, mapping tool
By U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
July 25, 2016
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities recently announced the launch of the revitalized wood bioenergy facility database and mapping tool. The site, www.wood2energy.org, is the most comprehensive database of its kind in North America.
A recent study published by the World Bioenergy Association addresses the challenges European cities are facing within global climate mitigation policy and explains the contributions biomass can offer to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Baltic Rim Wood Fiber Supply and Demand
By Tracy Leslie
July 24, 2016
Chip quality market data will enable Baltic States to further capitalize on the energy chip export industry as it expands.
A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service's Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the European Union's biofuel market, including data on wood pellets and biogas.
On July 19, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a briefing to discuss the U.S. Department of Energy's 2016 Billion-Ton Update, its methodology and data collection strategies, findings and goals.
Subsidies, rebates to install wood heat available in Vermont
By Northern Forest Center
July 20, 2016
Residents of the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont who switch to modern wood heating systems are currently eligible for subsidies and rebates of up to $10,500, including funding from the state and Northern Forest Center.
The U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy are inviting suppliers and providers of clean energy, smart grid and energy efficiency solutions to participate in an interactive directory of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.
Clarkson University researchers believe they have figured out the cause of wood pellet-derived carbon monoxide, and a potential solution involving the treatment of wood fiber with ozone. The researchers expect to scale-up the study later this year.
Taming the Power-Hungry Beast
By Ron Kotrba
July 15, 2016
New federal regulations went into effect June 1 that require motor manufacturers to produce an even broader scope of more efficient designs for the U.S. industrial market.
On Our Behalf
July 15, 2016
Anyone who has worked in the renewable energy sector generally and the wood pellet sector specifically understands how important public policy is to industry growth and stability, a notion underscored multiple times in the July/August issue.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have crossed American sweetgums with their Chinese cousins, creating hybrid sweetgum trees that have a better growth rate and denser wood than natives, and can produce fiber year-round.
A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the Russian federation's biofuels industry, including data on likely growth with wood pellet production and exports.
When Good Intentions Become Counterproductive
By Charlie Niebling
July 14, 2016
Niebling says sometimes well-intended incentives, such as those associated with Renewable Heat New York, can become de facto regulations. These initiatives and others must better align with marketplace realities to build market penetration.
(Just a Little On) Ag Pellet Potential
July 14, 2016
Cofiring is one of the themes for the December issue of Biomass Magazine, along with conversions and integrations.
Newly appointed U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has abolished the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change as part of a larger ministerial overhaul. The functions of the DECC will be transferred to other government departments.
Perennial Battles
July 13, 2016
Whether on the road toward complying with new regulation or championing for equal consideration in policy, the pellet industry persists in its ongoing conviction.
Optimizing Efficiency Through Quality Management
By Chris Wiberg
July 13, 2016
If implemented correctly, a well-designed quality management plan should target increased production efficiency to optimize pellet tonnage produced with the least amount of customer complaints or other product performance related issues.
Within 25 years, the U.S. could produce enough biomass to support a bioeconomy, including renewable aquatic and terrestrial biomass resources that could be used for energy and to develop products for a variety of uses and benefits.
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