Wood pellet-derived carbon monoxide has been a cause of concern for indoor storage scenarios, but research suggests it's an easy fix.
The USDA has released a report detailing the impacts investments made by its Rural Development team have had on rural America. Bioenergy investments are among those highlighted in the document.
Baltic Boom
January 22, 2016
Although still not large consumers of pellets, the Baltic states' increasing production capacities have resounded in the export market.
Clean Power Plan Stays…For Now
January 22, 2016
Another attempt to quash the Clean Power Plan bites the dust—for the time being.
On Jan. 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Colombia denied a request for a stay that would have prevented the U.S. EPA from implementing the Clean Power Plan until legal challenges are resolved.
Paris and Pellets: Riding the Winds of Change
By Christiane Egger
January 21, 2016
The climate agreement in Paris sent a strong message to the energy sector. Egger says the pellet sector could undoubtedly play a more important role in the transformation of the energy systems in many countries around the globe.
Defusing the Tinderbox
By Ron Kotrba
January 20, 2016
Cost-effective techniques to mitigate dust-related risks are available to less sophisticated wood pellet mills, where a lack of capital, education, code knowledge, and proper cleaning and maintenance protocols may exist.
NDC Technologies delivers moisture measurement system to Zilkha
By NDC Technologies
January 20, 2016
NDC Technologies has delivered a comprehensive, in-process near-infrared (NIR) moisture monitoring system to one of the world's largest producers of advanced black pellet fuel, Zilkha Biomass Energy.
The Fall Continues
January 15, 2016
Just over a month ago, I wrote a blog on how oil had dipped below $36 per barrel, and speculated a little on its implications to the wood pellet and wood-using energy industries.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting total renewables used in the electric power sector will increase by 9.5 percent this year.
On Jan. 12, FutureMetrics released a white paper author John Swaan said could be called "wood pellet making 101." The paper highlights several critical areas in the process of making wood pellets.
Czech utility buys UK-based Lynemouth Power Station
January 12, 2016
On Jan. 8, RWE Supply and Trading announced it has sold the Lynemouth Power Ltd., the operator of the U.K.-based Lynemouth Power Station, to EP UK Investments Ltd. (EP UK), a subsidiary of Czech utility company Energeticky a prumyslovy holding (EPH).
BBI International announced the agenda for the technical sessions of the 9th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo, North America's largest and fastest growing biomass conference, taking place April 11-14 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In mid-December, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is seeking the democratic presidential nomination, introduced legislation that aims to enact long-term extensions of several clean energy tax credits that benefit the bioenergy and biofuel sectors.
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the U.K.'s plans to support the conversion of part of the Drax coal power plant to operate on biomass are in line with European Union state aid rules.
The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has released third quarter energy statistics, reporting total energy production increased by 11.9 percent when compared to the prior year. The share of renewables also increased.
Maintaining Profitability
December 30, 2015
Energy markets have always been a low-margin game, but current conditions leave producers little margin for error. Thoughtful, well considered operations and maintenance strategies may well be the surest path to profitability.
FAO publishes global pellet statistics for 2014
December 30, 2015
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations recently published updated data on the global wood products industry that shows wood pellet production set a new record in 2014, growing by approximately 17 percent.
The University of Northern Iowa's Tallgrass Prairie Center recently released a final report for its Prairie Power Project, which studied biomass production of four different native species seed mixes over three different soil types for five years.
COP21 and Clean Power Plan Good News for Pellet Industry
By William Strauss
December 28, 2015
Current market conditions for pellets may be challenging, but in a world that needs to lower the net CO2 added to the atmosphere, the future for pellets is bright.
The Untold Upside of Low Oil Prices
By Ron Kotrba
December 27, 2015
Alternative energy companies typically prosper when oil prices are high, but it's not all doom and gloom when the cost of crude nosedives.
Biomass Gets Budget Boost
By Neil Harrison
December 26, 2015
Now that we know the RHI is being continued, and with a budget that will allow the entry of many thousands of new projects, there is some certainty in the U.K. biomass heat sector for the foreseeable future.
Chasing Down Bottlenecks
December 24, 2015
A few years ago, Viridis Energy resurrected the former Enligna Canada Inc. pellet mill and renamed it Scotia Atlantic Biomass Co. The operation occupies a 157-acre property, inhabiting 20 operating buildings with an additional 22-acre wood lot.
Marching into Development & Construction
December 23, 2015
I write this blog fresh off of the March Biomass Magazine planning meeting. The theme that month is project development and plant construction, one of my favorite themes, and arguably one of the most important issues of the year.
On Dec. 21, FutureMetrics released a new dashboard, which shows state specific information as it pertains to compliance with the Clean Power Plan and estimates pellet demand if some of the selected states' coal power stations cofire with pellets.
UK reports increased bioenergy generation
December 21, 2015
The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has released renewable energy statistics for the second quarter of 2015, reporting that the renewables share of electricity generation was 25.3 percent during the quarter.
This Year's Standout Stories (My Picks)
December 18, 2015
As 2015 comes to a close, the Biomass Magazine staff has already been working on 2016 issues for a couple of months. Today, I'm going to share with you my personal favorites from each section.
Report illustrates growing pellet market in Italy
December 17, 2015
A report filed with the USDA's Global Agricultural Information Network addresses the Italian wood pellet market, noting Italy consumed 3.4 million tons of wood pellets last year. Consumption is expected to grow to 5 million metric tons in 2016.
Enviva Partners acquires Southampton pellet plant
December 15, 2015
Enviva Partners recently announced it has acquired a 510,000-ton-per-year pellet plant located in Southampton County, Virginia. The facility was developed by its sponsor under a joint venture with affiliates of John Hancock Life Insurance Co.
REA: UK supports high-carbon power at expense of renewables
By U.K. Renewable Energy Association
December 11, 2015
The winners of the U.K.'s second Capacity Market Auction were released Dec. 11 and reveal the continued subsidization of polluting energy forms, side-tracking the renewable energy transition, according to the U.K. Renewable Energy Association.
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