Biomass Week - August 16, 2017

August 16, 2017

DOE, AGH launch fourth wood stove design challenge The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the launch of the fourth Wood Stove Design Challenge in partnership with the Alliance for Green Heat. Teams from around the world will compete for up to $25,000 in prizes. READ MORE SHARE
IWI to build Ontario sawmill paired with pellet plant International Wood Industries is moving forward with a plan to build a sawmill and colocated wood pellet mill in northeastern Ontario. The target construction date is in the spring 2018, with startup in January 2019. READ MORE SHARE
	FutureMetrics publishes analysis of Japanese pellet market FutureMetrics has published a new white paper on the Japanese industrial wood pellet market. The report predicts most of demand growth for industrial wood pellets after 2019 will come from Japan and South Korea. READ MORE SHARE
RWE discusses plans to cofire biomass at 2 Dutch power plants On Aug. 14, Germany-based RWE AG released second quarter financial results. A quarterly financial report released by the company briefly discusses plans to cofire biomass at two coal-fired power plants. READ MORE SHARE
Report provides updated EU pellet data A report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network notes wood pellet production in the EU reached approximately 14.8 million metric tons in 2016, accounting for about half of global production. READ MORE SHARE
BioAmber reports record quarterly revenue BioAmber Inc. recently released second quarter financial results, announcing quarterly revenue of $4.1 million. The company also discussed plans to develop a second biorefinery in North America. READ MORE SHARE
BTEC: Testing of boiler efficiency test method to begin soon The Biomass Thermal Energy Council recently announced that validation testing of its biomass boiler efficiency protocol will begin in September at ClearStak LLC, a Connecticut-based testing laboratory. READ MORE SHARE
Legislation aims to repeal Energy Title of 2014 Farm Bill In late July, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., introduced legislation that aims to repeal bioenergy programs contained under Title IX of the 2014 Farm Bill. A total of 10 programs, including the Rural Energy for America Program, would be eliminated. READ MORE SHARE
Rentech: Challenges continue in second quarter On Aug. 10, Rentech released second quarter financial results, reporting the quarter continued to be challenging. During an investor call, Keith Forman, president and CEO of Rentech, discussed factors resulting in lower quarterly revenues. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers help Idaho find a use for tainted alfalfa A collaboration between the state of Idaho and Idaho National Laboratory could help turn 6,000 tons of alfalfa containing elevated levels of bromide into biopower used for industrial heat and electricity. READ MORE SHARE
Study to measure impact of biofuels on climate Clemson University scientists have received a federal grant to evaluate the effectiveness of producing biofuels to mitigate climate change.The research will quantify the impact that growing feedstock has on local temperature and carbon sequestration. READ MORE SHARE
Project turns state roadways into a renewable energy source The Illinois Department of Transportation has approved implementation of a renewable energy demonstration project using grasses collected from mowing highway rights-of-way (ROW). READ MORE SHARE
Sandia tests Salton Sea-grown algae as new fuel source Sandia National Laboratories is testing whether one of California’s largest and most polluted lakes can transform into one of its most productive and profitable using algae. READ MORE SHARE
A new chloroplast role for making biofuels Michigan State University researchers are experimenting with harvesting seed oil to make biofuels that could someday power our jets and cars. READ MORE SHARE