On May 27, the USDA announced more than $8.8 million in awards through its Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which makes payments to producers for advanced biofuels produced from renewable biomass other than corn kernel starch.
Though an Idaho pellet plant project announced last spring hasn't yet come to fruition, the project is still alive and working to overcome final hurdles. Centennial Renewable Energy plans to build the project on the site of a former timber plant.
Trestle, Larksen partner to reduce CO2 from ethanol, coal power
By Trestle Energy LLC
May 31, 2016
Trestle Energy LLC and Larksen LLC have announced a collaboration to commercialize a new fuel pathway management platform to enable ethanol producers to reduce their fuel carbon intensity and facilitate the use of biomass pellets at power plants.
INL successfully tests oxidation catalyst in torrefaction system
By Advanced Torrefaction Systems LLC
May 27, 2016
Advanced Torrefaction Systems LLC has collaborated with the Idaho National Laboratory to test a catalytic oxidation technology designed by ATS to address problems that have hampered the development of large-scale torrefaction plants.
Estonia-based Hekotek has made two announcements regarding the development of pellet plants in recent months, including the development of a new pellet plant in Latvia and a pellet plant expansion in Belarus.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled for June 13-14 in Washington, D.C. Members of the public can observe the business of the committee.
Enviva Forest Conservation Fund awards 2016 conservation grants
By Enviva Holdings LP
May 26, 2016
The Enviva Forest Conservation Fund, a $5 million, 10-year program designed to protect tens of thousands of acres of bottomland forests in northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia, has announced the recipients of its 2016 grants.
In mid-May, the owner of U.K.-based Lynemouth Power Ltd. issued a brief statement confirming plans to convert the power station to biomass are proceeding according to schedule. Doosan Babcock has been awarded a contract to convert the facility.
The Tip of the Industry's Spear
May 25, 2016
Heavy logging equipment is the epitome of the tip of the spear when it comes to biomass harvesting, the area of focus of the June issue of Biomass Magazine.
The USDA Farm Service Agency has announced incentives will resume this month through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. According to the USDA, $3 million is available for BCAP during fiscal year 2016.
Rallying for a Rebound Year
By Anna Simet, photos by Lenn Long Photography
May 23, 2016
Low oil, dipping power prices and a warm winter have presented the biomass industry with a challenging year.
The USDA has announced the availability of $21 million in funding through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative to support the development of regional systems in sustainable bioenergy and biobased products, as well as education and training.
A Proliferation of Fuel Standards
By Ben Bell-Walker
May 22, 2016
Where there are already accepted and useful standards in place, the creation of another standard may cause uncertainty and confusion in the industry, as well as present another hurdle for fuel suppliers.
Foraging for Efficiency
May 21, 2016
New Holland is plowing the path to commercial use of woody biomass crops for bioenergy.
Workhorses of the Woods
By Ron Kotrba
May 20, 2016
The Big Four equipment manufacturers in the forest harvesting space discuss product offerings and technological advancements to improve emissions, operator comfort and safety, productivity and efficiency.
The U.K.-based Port of Tyne has announced plans to start building new facilities to handle, store and transport wood pellets for Lynemouth Power Ltd., which is making good progress with its plan to convert from coal to biomass.
What is “Green” Heating?
By John Ackerly
May 19, 2016
If the country is serious about renewable energy, it means getting a lot more serious about all renewable heating options.
SBP approves third certification body
By Sustainable Biomass Partnership
May 19, 2016
The Sustainable Biomass Partnership has announced that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), Canada has become the third SBP-approved certification body. PwC has been approved for certification of biomass producers in Canada and the U.S.
PFI: 2 additional plants qualify for PFI standards program
By Pellet Fuels Institute
May 19, 2016
The Pellet Fuels Institute recently announced the qualification of two additional pellet plants into the Pellet Fuels Institute standards program, including NWP Jasper LLC and New England Wood Pellet's Allegheny plant.
Northeast Wood Products LLC commenced pellet production in December at its retrofitted 120,000-ton-per-year pellet plant located in Jasper, Tennessee, and now is poised for ramp up, but will wait on the sidelines until the market rebounds.
Expanding the Bioenergy Workforce
By Betsy Fradd
May 17, 2016
Skilled, professional, and motivated technicians and operators are in demand for first-generation, advanced biofuel and cogeneration plants, and other bioenergy facilities.
University of Montana researchers will use a grant awarded by the USDA and U.S. Department of Energy to identify and overcome the barriers to using biomass from fuels-reduction and forest-restoration treatments.
Wood Pellet Association of Canada announces leadership change
By Wood Pellet Association of Canada
May 17, 2016
Effective May 12, Michele Rebiere has resigned as president of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. Former vice president Rene Landry will serve as president until the next general meeting of the membership is held in September.
On the court's own motion, the U.S. EPA's Clean Power Plan oral arguments scheduled for June 2 have been pushed back to Sept. 27, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit announced on May 16.
The U.S. Forest Service has announced more than $8.5 million to expand and accelerate technologies and strategies that promote the use of wood in heat and power generation, commercial construction, and other wood product innovations.
More Art Than Science
May 13, 2016
The May/June issue of Pellet Mill Magazine covers the industry's relationship with feedstock, the market dynamics impacting feedstock buyers and sellers, as well as industry requirements ensuring sustainability within a feedstock program.
Stockpiled inventory throughout the pellet supply chain is putting downward pressure on raw material prices—a possible advantage for some producers long-term.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released the May edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting total renewables used in the electric power sector will increase by 11.3 percent in 2016 and 4.4 percent in 2017.
Earlier this month, FutureMetrics LLC published a white paper that discusses why an editorial the Washington Post published at the end of April, and the letter to U.S. Congress the article was based on, are wrong about biomass for energy.
Change the Game
By Michele Rebiere
May 11, 2016
Diversification and sustainability are key to the future of the pellet sector. Rebiere says the industry must band together to invest in the long-term development effort of a domestic industrial market to support pellet producers of all sizes.
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