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Japan And China Imported 83% Of Traded Hardwood
North American wood pellet exports reached a new record of over one million tons in first month of this year. There has been a steady growth in shipments from both the US and Canada the past few years, mainly as a result of the continued increase in demand for pellets in the United Kingdom by S. C. Pellet exports from the two primary pellet-producing regions on the North American continent – the US South and British Columbia – showed no signs of slowing in early 2013, with the rate of growth likely to accelerate in the second half of the year. In the US South, pellet export volumes to Europe resumed their double-digit growth after a brief pause in the 4Q/12. Export volumes, based on information from industry sources as well as trade data in Europe and North America, showed exports in excess of 1.7 million tons in 2012, as reported in the North American Wood Fiber Review (www.woodprices.com). Canadian exports also rose in 2012 to 1.5 million tons, but this increase was less than that seen in the US. During the 1Q/13, total pellet exports from North America reached a new record of over one million tons for the quarter. This can be compared to the annual shipments of 750,000 tons just four years ago. The United Kingdom continues to strengthen its claim as the primary destination for North American pellets with over two-thirds of the export volume from the US and Canada going to the UK in the 1Q/13. The story of Drax’s plans for its large power plant conversion from coal to biomass in Selby, England, continues to make news across North America. Earlier in the spring, Drax Biomass International Inc (DBi), a US-based subsidiary to Drax Power, announced that it will develop, construct and manage two pellet plants, a port storage and a loading facility in the US South, which will be sending pellets to fuel the company’s UK facility. Also, in Eastern Canada, pellet producer Rentech announced an off-take agreement with Drax Biomass, which will result in new investment in ports to increase pellet-loading capacity, and in rail transportation, along with the construction and operation of two pellet facilities themselves. The increase in pellet production in Western Canada has pushed sawdust prices upward the past few years, with 2013 prices being about 15 % higher than they were in 2010, as reported in the NAWFR. In the US South, where smaller logs from thinnings and treetops are commonly used for pellet manufacturing, there has not yet been any region-wide upward price pressure as a result of the new wood-consuming sector in the region. by S. C. 02 September 2013 Teatro Naturale International n. 9 Year 5 Continue reading
Open Day On Woody Biomass Hosted At AFBI Hillsborough
Published on 01/09/2013 14:09 The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), in partnership with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural enterprise (CAFRE), is holding a Woody Biomass “Field to Furnace” open day on Tuesday 17th September 2013, at AFBI Hillsborough. The open day will commence at 11.00am. During the day there will be opportunities to hear short presentations on the latest DARD funded research at AFBI, and to view a range of technologies relating to the growing, drying and burning of woody biomass crops. In addition, AFBI and CAFRE staff will be available throughout the day to discuss all aspects of the ongoing research programmes. Topics which will be addressed on the day include: Biomass Production Linda Walsh (AFBI) will discuss issues related to growing short rotation coppice willow biomass for energy production. This presentation will include information on planting techniques and management requirements to ensure the successful establishment of a willow crop, ‘best practice’ in terms of genetic selection, and the importance of local genetic testing. Bioremediation Dr Alistair McCracken (AFBI) will give an overview of DARD funded research at AFBI into the multifunctional use of short rotation coppice willow plantations. This will focus on their use for the treatment of waste waters of agricultural and commercial origin. Willows are fast growing, have a high evapo-transpiration rate (they ‘take up’ a lot of water) and utilise nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This ‘bioremediation’ technology is beginning to be utilised by the commercial sector. Post Production & Processing Chris Johnston (AFBI) will outline aspects of post production processing, specifically harvesting options and requirements for onward biomass processing. The biomass drying process, together with the research carried out at AFBI Hillsborough into drying woody biomass crops, will be discussed. Information on drying methods, costs of drying and the final energy content of the willow chip will be presented. Biomass Utilisation Greg Forbes (AFBI) will discuss a number of energy conversion technologies currently available, and outline the findings of DARD funded research programmes carried out by AFBI which have examined ‘farm’ and ‘forest’ sourced biomass fuels. The physical, chemical and energetic properties of these fuels will be discussed, together with their potential energy output and gaseous emissions during their burning. Carbon & GHG Savings Dr Rodrigo Olave will give an overview of greenhouse gas emissions from the AFBI Hillsborough site, and will discuss the impact of adopting a renewable energy scheme on total emissions during the last few years. Rodrigo will also outline the benefits of decreased oil use, energy costs, CO2 emissions and energy efficiency with a specific focus on the function of biomass fuels. Information on DARD funded research at AFBI into ‘carbon pools’ and ‘carbon sequestration’ will also be presented. Marketing (and RHI, ROCs) Nigel Moore (CAFRE) will discuss the practical implications of using biomass for heating. This will include information on best practice for installation, fuelling, running and maintaining biomass heat systems, as well as issues to be considered in relation to biomass procurement systems and fuel contracts. Continue reading
UK Government Sets Biomass Power Rules
Electricity from biomass is expected to save 70% of greenhouse gas emissions 22/08/2013 UK government sets biomass power rules Financial support only available if sustainable Helen Tunnicliffe THE UK government has set new sustainability criteria for biomass to ensure that it contributes effectively to the country’s emissions reduction targets. Electricity from biomass is expected to save 70% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, but concerns have been raised that some of the wood chips and pellets used in biomass power stations is no better than coal and in some cases worse if it has been harvested in an unsustainable way, from a badly-managed plantation or shipped from thousands of miles away. The new standards announced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are designed to address these concerns and apply to all companies generating 1 MW or more of energy from solid biomass or biogas which are claiming financial support under the Renewables Obligation (RO). The RO means that all generating companies must source a set proportion of their electricity from renewable energy, but receive a premium for doing so. From April 2015 onwards, electricity generating companies could face losing these financial incentives if they cannot prove that the biomass fuel for their plants meets the tough new standards. The sustainability criteria look at the way the source forest is managed, including ensuring that harvesting rates are sustainable, that biodiversity is protected and that indigenous populations retain their land use rights. DECC has also pledged not to make any more changes to the sustainability criteria before April 2027. Greg Barker, the minister of state for energy and climate change says that biomass is an important part of the UK’s energy mix. “The new criteria will provide the necessary investor certainty and, crucially, ensure that the biomass is delivered in a transparent and sustainable way,” he adds. The news has been welcomed by the Renewable Energy Authority (REA), which represents UK companies in the renewable energy industry. “These sustainability criteria ensure that the UK can reap the benefits of biomass, safe in the knowledge that it is making a real dent in our carbon emissions and that ecologically sensitive land is being protected. Biomass is a great way to bridge the looming capacity gap because it has all the same benefits as fossil fuels, such as reliability and flexibility of supply, but without the carbon impacts,” says REA CEO Nina Skorupska. The REA, however, warned that all biomass generation must be supported by the government. Earlier this month, RWE closed its Tilbury power station in the UK, which it had been converting from coal to biomass, when the government withdrew subsidies under the Contracts for Difference scheme which invests in low carbon technologies. Only combined heat and power (CHP) projects are now eligible for subsidies under this scheme, but REA points out that many otherwise suitable sites have no users for the heat generated. Continue reading
