The global leader in conveyor safety is disputing the idea that putting conveyor equipment out of reach or inconveniently placed away from workers -- known as “Guarding by Location” -- is a valid form of safety.
The USDA’s Forest Service on Oct. 18 announced it is making nearly $50 million in grant funding available through the agency’s Wood Innovations Grant, Community Wood Grant and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grant Programs.
Drax Group plc in early October announced that the U.K. government has signaled its intent to allow large-scale BECCS projects to be eligible to participate in an expansion of the Track-1 carbon clustering process.
The number of U.S. households that use wood as a primary heating fuel is expected to fall by 1 percent this winter, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook 2023-24, which was released on Oct. 11.
Renewables are expected to account for 25 percent of U.S. electricity generation next year, up from 22 percent in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released Oct. 11.
A coalition of environmental groups is working to prevent wood pellet producers from accessing the 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit, a tax credit that aims to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness and clean energy supply chains.
The U.S. exported 1.01 million metric tons of wood pellets in August, up from both 651,698.8 metric tons in July and 819,986.5 metric tons in August 2022, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Oct. 5.
Biomass continued to be the second largest source of renewable electricity in the U.K. last year, trailing only offshore and onshore wind, according to a report released by the U.K. Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology on Oct. 4.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to convert the country’s two remaining coal-fired power plants to biomass. A whitepaper issued by FutureMetrics predicts how those conversions could boost demand for wood pellets.
The Surface Transportation Board on Sept. 26 announced that it intends to renew the charter of the Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, which provides guidance on the rail transport of energy resources, including biofuels.
Drax has announced the appointment of Miguel Veiga-Pestana to the new executive committee role of chief sustainability officer, reporting into Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner. Veiga-Pestana is a seasoned leader of strategic sustainability.
The Vermont Climate Council discussed revised recommendations regarding the use of biomass to generate electricity during a Sept. 25 meeting. A formal decision on the revised document is expected at the next council meeting.
Carbon Streaming Corp. on Sept. 20 announced it will provide Microsoft with carbon removal credits from the Waverly Biochar project, which will be collocated at a wood pellet production facility in Waverly, Virginia.
U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 910,000 tons of densified biomass fuels in June, according to the September edition of the U.S. EIA’s Monthly Densified Biomass Fuels Report. Sales of densified biomass reached 870,000 during the month.
FutureMetrics LLC on Sept. 17 published a new white paper that shows modern wood pellet fueled central heating systems can be a more affordable heating option than heat pumps for buildings in some climates.
CW Mill Equipment Co. Inc. is celebrating 50 years of operations. The Kanas-based company's products include HogZilla brand industrial grinding machines and high performance hammer mill cutting and grinding tools.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts renewables will account for 25 percent of U.S. electricity generation next year, up from 22 percent this year, according to the agency’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released Sept. 12.
Biomass power generation in Great Britian was down approximately 20 percent during the second quarter of 2023. The decline primarily resulted from unprecedented wood pellet prices, according to Drax's latest Electric Insights Quarterly report.
The U.S. DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office, in collaboration with BNL, LBNL, and the Alliance for Green Heat, has announced the winning teams for the Wood Heater Design Challenge, offering a total of $120,000 in prize funds.
The USDA on Aug. 30 awarded $266 million to 1,334 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under the Rural Energy for America Program. Biofuel, biobased power, biogas and wood pellet projects are among those that will benefit from the funding.
The U.S. exported 651,698.8 metric tons of wood pellets in July, down from 865,995.4 metric tons the previous month, but up slightly when compared to the 651.104 metric tons exported in July 2022, according to data released by the USDA on Sept. 6.
Drax on Aug. 29 announced its membership to the First Movers Coalition, playing its part in the development of the nascent carbon dioxide removals (CDR) market and working toward becoming a global leader in the potentially trillion-dollar sector.
The European Union consumed a record 24.8 million metric tons of wood pellets in 2022, according to a report filed with the USDA FAS's Global Agricultural Information Network. Consumption is expected to grow to 25.6 million metric tons this year.
The Canadian government on Aug. 30 announced it is investing up to $5.3 million in an initiative that aims to support the development of biomass supply chains and cutting-edge technologies to produce biomass and value-added agricultural products.
U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 900,000 tons of densified biomass fuels in May, according to the August edition of the U.S. EIA's Monthly Densified Biomass Fuels Report. Sales of densified biomass reached 840,000 tons during the month.
Port of Tyne and Drax Group plc have signed a new four-year agreement that aims to ensure an uninterrupted supply of sustainably sourced biomass pellets to Drax Power Station, a biomass-fired power plant in the U.K.
Japan has been dramatically increasing its wood pellet imports for its feed-in-tariff (FIT) program, with wood pellet imports expected to reach an estimated 4.25 million bone-dry tons this year, according to a report filed with the USDA.
A bill introduced in Massachusetts last winter offers a definition of "net zero" builidng that specifically excludes combustion as a means of primary space heating. In mid-July, a bill initially introduced in February by Rep. Simon Cataldo to the 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was heard by the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee. The bill, officially H.3151, offers a definition of “net zero” building initially called for when the Commonwealth established the Office of Energy Resources and outlined its powers and duties.
Though it varies based on each individual case, small-scale wood pellet production can be profitable. Since more and more countries are adopting sustainability and renewable energy policies, the wood pellet industry has experienced rapid growth rates. Pellets function as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation and heating. In recent years, we have repeatedly seen new records set for maximum capacities, which have now reached the seven-figure territory.
Advertisement