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.
From the forest to the sea, a NIU professor is researching the possibility of building the world's first biomass pipeline, an idea with revolutionary potential for the future of biomass transportation. Throughout the years, transportation of large and consistent feedstock has been a limiting factor to biomass’ ability to replace fossil fuels. Mahdi Vaezi, associate professor at Northern Illinois University, has an innovative solution to this problem: hydro-transport of biomass, such as wood chips, wheat straw and sawdust, via pipeline. Now, he and his team are researching what it would take to make the world’s first biomass pipeline a reality.
The Surface Transportation Board is soliciting nominations to fill six vacancies on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee. One of those vacancies is to be filled by a biofuel producer or feedstock provider.
Every day, sites across North America store millions of tons of raw and processed biomass used for a wide range of applications. These piles are several stories high and are constantly moving, piled by front loader or stacker conveyor, lifted with heavy equipment, and loaded for transport—all of which cause dust emissions.
CPM's mission to innovate the pellet mill has resulted in a significant savings in operating costs, as well as a reduction of plants' carbon footprints. As the biomass pellet industry began to take off, it was clear that pelletizing wood was not going to be the same as pelletizing anything else. The consistency and properties of wood cause the pellet mill to run rougher, and requires significantly more power to achieve throughput than most other materials.
Delta Biofuel will utilize Louisiana's copious sugar industry waste to produce fuel pellets for overseas customers. It was just over two years ago when Jeanerette, Louisiana-based Delta Biofuel and Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Iberia Parish was under consideration for the site of a first-of-its kind, $70 million renewable fuel plant utilizing bagasse, a byproduct of sugar manufacturing. for fuel pellet production.
The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association has welcomed the U.K.'s Biomass Strategy, which underscores the essential role that sustainable biomass plays in supporting the country's energy security and its path to net zero.
The cover of this issue of Pellet Mill Magazine is a bit unconventional being sugarcane bagasse, the waste material that sugar mills end up with post-process.
Saskatchewan-based Prairie Clean Energy has announced it will start buying flax straw from Canadian producers on the prairies this fall as the company starts its first foray into scaling up production of its flax pellets.
Renewables are expected to account for 22 percent of U.S. electricity generation this year, expanding to 25 percent next year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released Aug. 8.
The U.K. government on Aug. 10 released its Biomass Strategy, which describes the steps the government intends to take to strengthen biomass sustainability. It also disucsses how sustainable biomass can be used to meet the U.K.'s net-zero goals.
The U.S. DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office awarded $2.18 million in funding to three projects as part of the 2023 Cooperative Research and Development Agreement call by the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium.
The U.S. exported 865,995.4 metric tons of wood pellets in June, up from both the 820,057.5 metric tons exported the previous month and the 832,092.2 metric tons exported in June 2022, according to data released by the USDA FAS on Aug. 8.
Enviva Inc. on Aug. 3 announced that construction on its Epes wood pellet plant in Alabama is progressing well, with the plant scheduled to be operational in 2024. The company may, however, delay the in-service date of its Bond, Mississippi, plant.
Core Industries has entered into an agreement with CM Biomass to construct a wood pellet processing and storage facility in Mobile, Alabama, according to information released in July by the Mobile Chamber and Industrial Development Authority.
The DOE's BETO often requires FOA award recipients to comply with technical and economic validation of their novel technologies. The agency has released a new set of web resources to help awardees and applicants under the process.
Drax Group plc on July 27 announced its pellet plants produced approximately 1.9 million metric tons of wood pellets during the first half of 2023, down slightly when compared to the 2 million metric tons of production reported for Q2 2022.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., on July 20 introduced the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, which aims to strengthen the USDA's BioPreferred Program. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., are cosponsoring the bill.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 860,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in April, with sales reaching 610,000 tons.
The U.S. DOE's BETO on will host a Bioenergy Cybersecurity Workshop on Sept. 11. The virtual event will focus on the identification of cybersecurity risks in biofuel and bioproduct manufacturing as well as ways to address those risks.
Drax has issued a formal response to “BECCS Done Well: Conditions for Success for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage,� an independent report completed by Forum for Future in 2022 at the request of Drax.
ENplus on June 22 announced the launch of its 2023 market surveillance project is and urging stakeholders, individuals and other parties to support the project by submitting samples of ENplus-certified wood pellets.
The USDA is making $21.25 million in technical assistance grants available through the REAP to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is encouraging innovators, researchers and manufacturers to partner with the DOE's national laboratories to accelerate wood heater innovation.
Musser Biomass and Wood Products will invest $7.5 million to expand operations and more than double its production of dried hardwood chips and sawdust. A portion of that material is supplied to wood pellet companies.
The USDA will invest $300 million through President Biden's Investing in America agenda to improve measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification of GHG emissions and carbon sequestration in climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
Renewables are currently expects to account for 23 percent of U.S. electricity generation this year, increasing to 25 percent next year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 11.
When faced with excessive amounts of dust and spillage from conveyor systems, operators logically focus on cleanup, maintenance and downtime mitigation to maintain production levels.
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