Pellets & Densified Biomass

November 21, 2019

Enviva receives Virginia DEQ approval to expand Southampton plant

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsEnviva Partners LP announced on Nov. 20 the Virginia DEQ has approved requested modifications to its existing air permit that will allow for increased production capacity and increased use of softwood at Enviva’s Southampton pellet plant. READ MORE

November 20, 2019

Drax plans to boost annual wood pellet capacity to 5 million tons

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, PowerDrax Group plc released a trading statement on Nov. 19 announcing the company plans to have 5 million metric tons of annual pellet capacity in place by 2027. The increased capacity is expected to help reduce biomass costs. READ MORE

November 19, 2019

Biofuel, bioenergy groups applaud release of GREEN Act

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced FuelsThe House Ways and Means Committee released a discussion draft of the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now (GREEN) Act on Nov. 19. The draft includes several tax incentives to support biofuels and bioenergy. READ MORE

November 19, 2019

Biomass heating system commissioned in New York

BY New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Found In:Pellets, ThermalThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Adirondack Park Agency, and New York State Police on Nov. 14 formally commissioned a renewable biomass heating system at the State Office Campus in Ray Brook, New York. READ MORE

November 15, 2019

Pinnacle reports progress with plant improvement projects

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsPinnacle Renewable Energy released third quarter financial results on Nov. 12, reporting progress with upgrades at several existing wood pellet plants. Revenue also increased despite issues with ongoing sawmill curtailments in British Columbia. READ MORE

November 14, 2019

DOE: Biomass R&D technical advisory committee to meet Nov. 19-20

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe U.S. Department of Energy has announced its Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on Nov. 19-20 in Washington, D.C. The event is open to the public. READ MORE

November 13, 2019

EIA updates 2019, 2020 bioenergy production, capacity forecasts

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, BiogasThe U.S. Energy Information Administration released an updated Short-Term Energy Outlook on Nov. 13 predicting that non-hydro renewables will provide 10 percent of total U.S. utility-scale power generation this year, increasing to 12 percent in 2020. READ MORE

November 12, 2019

USDA: Pellet exports reach 738,300 tons in September

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsThe U.S. exported 626,471.8 tons of wood pellets in September, according to data published by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Nov. 5. Exports were down when compared to August, but up from September 2018. READ MORE

November 11, 2019

Trump nominates Brouillette to serve as energy secretary

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsPresident Trump on Nov. 7 formally nominated current U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette to serve as the next secretary of energy. Brouillette will replace current Secretary of Energy Rick Perry if confirmed by the U.S. Senate. READ MORE

November 07, 2019

Agenda released for 2020 International Biomass Conference & Expo

BY BBI International Found In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsBiomass Magazine has announced the agenda for the 13th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo taking place February 3-5, 2020 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. READ MORE

November 07, 2019

Report: European pellet consumption, production up in 2019

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe 28 European Union member states produced nearly 17 million metric tons of wood pellets last year and consumed nearly 27 million metric tons, according to date recently released by Bioenergy Europe. READ MORE

November 05, 2019

FutureMetrics paper discusses Japan, South Korea pellet markets

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsA recent white paper published by FutureMetrics LLC discusses wood pellet markets in Japan and South Korea and provides insight into how policies in those countries impact power producers’ ability to pay for pellet fuel under long-term contracts. READ MORE

November 05, 2019

Solariant closes financing on 50 MW biomass plant in Japan

BY Solariant Capital Found In:Pellets, PowerSolariant Capital and its equity parnters Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. Ltd., and Bio Fuel Co. Inc. recently announced financing has closed on a 50 MW biomass power generation project in Japan. READ MORE

November 01, 2019

EIA: Densified biomass fuel sales reach 730,000 tons in July

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsThe Energy Information Administration hasreleased data showing U.S. manufacturers produced 790,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in July, with sales at 730,000 tons. Inventories of both premium/standard pellets and utility pellets were up in July. READ MORE

October 31, 2019

Enviva discusses new capacity development in Q3 earnings call

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsEnviva released Q3 financial results on Oct. 30, reporting its highest ever quarterly adjusted EBITDA. During an earnings call, company officials discussed planned capacity increases, including the construction of a new plant in Mississippi. READ MORE

October 29, 2019

In Depth: The Complex Web of Dryer Safety

BY Ron KotrbaFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe responsibility chain for dryer safety is a complex web of disconnected factions. READ MORE

October 28, 2019

In Depth: Dealing with Combustible Dust

BY Anna SimetFound In:Pellets, ThermalFlamex and IEP Technologies equip customers with the knowhow and tools they need to protect assets and employees. READ MORE

October 25, 2019

USDA, DOE partner to promote rural energy, technology development

BY USDA Found In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsThe USDA and U.S. Department of Energy have announced a memorandum of understanding to promote rural energy and the development of technologies that will support and advance rural and agricultural communities and domestic manufacturing. READ MORE

October 24, 2019

Clemson researcher improves turfgrass, switchgrass

BY Clemson University Found In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsClemson University College of Science professor Hong Luo has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop genetically improved and more robust turfgrass and switchgrass. READ MORE

October 23, 2019

Forest Service offers $8 million through Wood Innovations Program

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe U.S. Forest Service announced Oct. 22 that it will invest up to $8 million in grants for projects designed to expand wood products and wood energy markets that support sustainable forest management, particularly in areas of high wildfire risk. READ MORE

October 23, 2019

Graanul Invest acquires Texas pellet facilities

BY Configure Partners LLC Found In:PelletsConfigure Partners LLC announced European pellet producer Graanul Invest has acquired the operating assets of Texas Pellets Inc. and German Pellets Texas LLC through a bankruptcy auction held earlier this year. READ MORE

October 22, 2019

Pinnacle signs off-take contract with Mitsui

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, PowerPinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. announced Oct. 17 it has secured a new long-term, take-or-pay off-take contract with Japan-based Mitsui & Co. Ltd for the supply of 100,000 metric tons of industrial wood pellets annually beginning in 2023. READ MORE

October 21, 2019

USDA seeks nominations for forest restoration advisory panel

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe U.S. Forest Service is seeking nominations for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Panel, which evaluates and provides recommendations on Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program proposals. READ MORE

October 21, 2019

Energy Secretary Rick Perry announces plans to resign

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, Biogas, Advanced Fuels, ChemicalsU.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Oct. 17 announced plans to resign from his post, effective later this year. The White House has not yet announced a nominee to replace Perry following his departure. READ MORE

October 21, 2019

Opinion: Q&A with Brian Rogers, Future Forests + Jobs

BY Anna SimetFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe recently launched Future Forests + Jobs is an initiative aimed at pushing back against anti-forestry and anti-biomass activists. READ MORE

October 18, 2019

ENplus opens public consultation on newly drafted standards

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:PelletsPellet quality certification scheme ENplus announced Oct. 7 it is undergoing a major overhaul of its requirements and procedures. As part of that effort, ENplus has opened a second public consultation on its newly drafted standards. READ MORE

October 17, 2019

Drax strengthens biomass sustainability policy

BY Drax Group Found In:Pellets, PowerDrax has strengthened its biomass sustainability policy and set up an independent advisory board (IAB) of scientists, academics and forestry experts to ensure the biomass the company uses to generate renewable electricity meets the highest standards. READ MORE

October 14, 2019

PFI to hold board meeting, other events in Washington, DC

BY Pellet Fuels Institute Found In:PelletsThe Pellet Fuels Institute will host its fall board meeting in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 29-30. The two-day event will also include discussions with other aligned associations, including BTEC, and visits with elected officials on Capital Hill. READ MORE

October 11, 2019

EIA: Densified biomass sales reach 780,000 tons in June

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, ThermalThe U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced 770,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in June, with sales reaching 780,000 tons. Exports reached more than 648,000 tons for the month. READ MORE

October 09, 2019

EIA: 2 million households to heat with wood this winter

BY Erin VoegeleFound In:Pellets, Power, Thermal, BiogasThe U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts that nearly 2 million, or approximately 2 percent, U.S. households will use cord wood or wood pellets as a primary residential space heating fuel for the 2019-’20 winter. READ MORE