Click on the link below to view a statement on the benefits of bioenergy signed by 89 organizations and led by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute and Sustainable Northwest!
National Bioenergy Day–Statement of Support_10.24.18
Bioenergy Providing Huge Economic Benefits in Maine
Exciting news from Maine! A new report documents nearly $21 million in annual economic benefits from modern wood heating of commercial and institutional buildings in Maine.
See the full report below:
Updated 2018 Bioenergy Day Participation Guide
Hello 2018 Bioenergy Day participants! We are very excited to post our updated participation guide to help you with your preparation for Bioenergy Day 2018. Bioenergy Day is October 24th, so there’s still plenty of time to plan for a successful and engaging Bioenergy Day. In this guide you will find suggestions for Bioenergy Day activities, template invitations to the press and community, and general tips and guidelines to make sure your Bioenergy Day runs smoothly. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions as we get ready to celebrate Bioenergy Day with you!
Carrie Annand with Biomass Power Association at [email protected] or (202) 494-2493.
Business, energy and education combine for fifth annual bioenergy day
Photo: The ceremonial “ribbon cutting” was replaced by tossing special wood chips into the wood energy system.
Biofuel is a hot topic in the Grand Rapids area lately. Only a few weeks ago the NRRI Coleraine Research Lab revealed its new compressed biofuel and on Wednesday, Oct. 18, ICC worked with Minnesota Power to host the Fifth Annual Bioenergy Day.
Bioenergy Day was comprised of a presentation from NRRI on utilizing woody biomass, a tour of Minnesota Power’s Rapids Energy Center, a presentation on Itasca’s woody biomass project and finally a tour and “ribbon cutting” of ICC’s woody biomass energy system.
With Northern Minnesota holding one of the largest naturally occurring wood baskets in the US and parts of the US actively trying to move away from coal (some more aggressively than others), research into renewable energy is becoming increasingly relevant. Almost more important than research though, is the ability for average citizens to learn about the outcomes of energy research first hand.
In Itasca County, the best and most readily accessible demonstration of efficient and productive biomass use is ICC’s revamped wood boiler. The old boiler sat idle due to resource cost and inefficiency but with a little bit of international financial help from the Swedish Bioenergy Association, Swedish Energy Agency and Skogforsk Swedish Forestry Research, and a lot of community support and hard work, ICC was able to improve the system and start taking advantage of Itasca County’s local wood basket.
“As an institution, our goal is the educational opportunities with our students,” said ICC Provost, Bart Johnson. “Behind every success, there is a story and the story behind our wood boiler is a student project where we had a group of people in the community want to see something happen.”
The wood boiler represents more than just an educational opportunity, it also brings jobs to the area and gives local lumber companies like Rajala Lumber a perfect outlet for their wood waste.
ICC’s new boiler can use much lower quality woody biomass than what would usually be required. This allows the system to utilize woody biomass that is wet or even frozen (within reason) and let’s suppliers ditch more of their lumber waste.
The boiler will heat 180,000 sq. ft. across ICC’s campus and is expected to last at least 20 years with yearly updates from Messersmith Manufacturing, the company that built the new system.
Something to keep in mind is that only 50 percent of the buildings on campus were built after 1980 which means that almost none of the buildings are built with energy efficient materials and yet, the boiler is still able to efficiently operate. A future upgrade is planned for each building to have meters installed that allow energy data to be collected for increased optimization and extra education opportunities.
The system is more than an energy resource though; it also incentivizes nearby lumber companies to partner with education and give back to local communities. It basically creates a cooperative environment between business, education, and energy.
Companies like Minnesota Power and Rajala Lumber are getting unprecedented exposure in regards to getting youth involved in the energy and lumber industries. Increased exposure means that areas that are built on natural resources can continue to thrive and grow.
Woody biomass and energy isn’t something that is talked about every day though, at least not yet. One of the primary reasons that wood energy is so scarce in the renewable energy market is because people are thoroughly afraid of deforestation. In recent years, lumber companies have become so responsible with their clearing methods that they are actually adding biomass to natural areas. This means that, especially in the Itasca area, woody biomass is the most accessible renewable energy by a long shot. Unfortunately, wood is not cheaper than natural gas (though it is close), however, using wood based fuels allows local energy companies and organizations to put money directly back into the local economy.
In the case of the NRRI solid biofuel, there is even an opportunity to bring money into the area from states that are aggressively trying to move away from non-renewable energy. In the case of ICC’s wood boiler, local businesses simply get to work together in moving towards clean energy. It seems Northern Minnesota and specifically Itasca County is on the forefront of renewable energy education and research and is working hard to make major local businesses a part of the process.
For more information on the ICC project, visit http://www.itascacc.edu/
Source: Grand Rapids Herald Review
Organic waste to biogas projects secure awards from Energy Vision
To coincide with National Bioenergy Energy Day, New York based not-for-profit firm, Energy Vision, has made awards to three innovative companies advancing renewable natural gas (RNG) from organic waste: Ameresco, Quantum Biopower, and CCI Bioenergy.
To coincide with National Bioenergy Energy Day, New York based not-for-profit firm, Energy Vision has made awards to three innovative companies advancing renewable natural gas (RNG) from organic waste: Ameresco, Quantum Biopower, and CCI Bioenergy.
In Southington, Connecticut, Quantum Biopower built the New York area’s first food waste-to-energy facility (pictured above).
Quantum’s facility processes 40,000 of the 500,000 tonnes of food waste Connecticut generates annually, converting it via anaerobic digestion to 420,000 cubic feet (11,900 cubic metres) of biogas, avoiding 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually
According to Energy Vision, RNG production capacity is also ramping up elsewhere in the New York tri-State area, including at Brooklyn’s Newtown Creek and Long Island’s American Organic Energy.
The organisation said that regionally produced RNG could be used to fuel NYC municipal vehicles, improving New York’s air quality while helping meet its GHG reduction goals.
In Ontario, CCI BioEnergy is piloting compact bioQUBE microdigesters which convert organic wastes into RNG and bio-fertilizer.
Fitting inside a shipping container, they allow on-site processing of organic waste where it is produced, extending the availability of anaerobic digestion to individual sources, including Ontario’s Algoma Orchards, the largest Canadian apple grower and processor east of British Columbia.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, Ameresco worked with Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale to develop/design/build/own/operate a wastewater treatment biogas facility to serve the region: Phoenix’s 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant.
It will be the largest wastewater treatment biogas-to-RNG facility in the U.S., with enough RNG capacity to displace more than four million gallons of diesel annually.
“Capturing and using biogas from organic waste is essential for addressing climate change,” commented Joanna Underwood, founder and chair of Energy Vision.
“Since we began focusing attention on this, more than 40 plants have been built or converted to produce RNG, and more than 20,000 heavy-duty trucks are using it,” she concluded.
At Rio Bravo Fresno, IHI Power celebrates Bioenergy Day: photo
Via Rick Spurlock (@spurlock_rick) on Twitter: “IHI Power Services celebrates #BioEnergyDay at Rio Bravo Fresno. @IHIPower @USAbiomass @AD26Mathis pic.twitter.com/7ucclPYy4V”
Xcel Energy teaches about bioenergy production in La Crosse
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Local electricity providers spent part of Wednesday afternoon teaching people about bioenergy.
Xcel Energy representatives talked about their use of wood and other organic materials as a sustainable, renewable and carbon-friendly energy source. The event, hosted at American Home Fireplace and Patio, was held in observance of the fifth annual National Bioenergy Day.
Xcel’s bioenergy plant in La Crosse provides another source of electricity while helping the environment.
“At some of our smaller plants, we’re trying to use the resources that are out there that would normally be landfilled, so you’re saving landfill, you’re producing energy, and we’re able to do it in a very environmentally friendly way with the technology we put into our plants,” said Xcel Energy Community Service Manager Mike Herro.
Xcel Energy’s bioenergy plant in La Crosse provides electricity to about 12,000 homes. Each year the plant burns nearly 40,000 pounds of wood waste alone.
Source: news8000.com
Bioenergy Day: Western Area Power Administration Administrator’s Award
“At WAPA we are dedicated to delivering on our mission, providing at-cost, renewable hydropower that serves more than 40 million people throughout the West.
One of the things we enjoy most about our work is the opportunity to recognize our customers for their shared commitment to serving their communities and using energy wisely. I am proud to be here today, honoring South Sioux City for their dedication to service and best business practices with WAPA’s Administrator’s Award.
Despite South Sioux City’s small size – the population is a little more than 13,000 – the city has delivered innovation along with affordable, reliable power year after year. But these accomplishments feel almost secondary to the vision that made them happen.
I am impressed by South Sioux City’s initiative in pursuing clean, low- carbon electricity through a unique mix of projects. In January they began operation of a 21-acre, 2.3-megawatt solar park, which generates 5 percent of the city’s total energy needs. They have also recently selected a firm to build 15 MW of new wind power, and signed an agreement to begin receiving generation from it in 2018. These projects represent mutually beneficial public-private partnerships.
They have also taken impressive initiative to maximize energy from biomass. Of course, that’s a fitting initiative to be spotlighted during National Bioenergy Day. They have several projects that reclaim natural gas from biomass, including three food processing plants and the Siouxland Ethanol Plant.
The innovation in South Sioux City is not limited to finding and developing new energy resources. South Sioux City has performed energy audits on all city facilities to identify energy-saving opportunities.
The improvements they have made include adding variable speed drives, converting street and signal lighting to LED and installing LED office lighting. Additionally, they have implemented energy-efficient heating and cooling measures and practices in city buildings.
Partnering with state agencies, energy services providers and, most of all, customers has been the secret of South Sioux City’s ability to deliver reliable, affordable power and innovation. That neighborly attitude has given them a strong base upon which to build a successful future.
At WAPA, we share South Sioux City’s dedication to good business practices and strong customer service. We also strive every day to build and maintain powerful partnerships.
As you may have heard, WAPA is currently moving forward with Southwest Power Pool membership for our Loveland Area Projects and Colorado River Storage Project. We are in the 45-day public comment period as we speak. Around two years ago our Upper Great Plains region joined SPP, and we saw greater-than-expected cost savings as a result. We look forward to bringing similar benefits to even more customers.
Earlier this month we also entered into new 50-year contracts with Hoover Dam. This milestone was the culmination of a nine-year remarketing effort by WAPA staff, and it widens the reach of the hydroelectric power generated at Hoover. For the past 80 years, Hoover Dam’s hydropower served 15 utility customers. Now it serves 46.
Our Continuous Process Improvement program has also recently reached $50 million in saved and avoided costs. This is the direct result of WAPA employees identifying areas to improve processes and enhance efficiency of operation, then taking the initiative to place those improvements into action.
We care deeply about the service we provide to customers, here and throughout our 15-state footprint. Employees work constantly to identify new and better ways to perform the work that WAPA does every day.
We are seeing dynamic change across the energy industry. Like South Sioux City, WAPA continues to strive for business, technology and organizational excellence, powerful partnerships and evolution of services.
South Sioux City, your collective approach to innovation, partnership, governance and trust would be impressive in a city many times your size. I am proud to honor you with the Administrator’s Award.
I look forward to our continuing partnership as a means to carry on our shared objectives for powering the energy frontier.”
(photos below)
U.S. to spend $7 million in effort to expand wood markets
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is taking grant applications for projects that expand wood products and wood energy markets, especially in areas with high wildfire risk. Applications may be submitted through Jan. 22, 2018.
Grants provided through the agency’s Wood Innovations program not only help reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health, but also create jobs to promote economic vitality in our communities.
In 2018, the program will invest up to $7 million in projects designed to have a long-term impact on lands managed by the agency and other forest lands by leveraging the market for low-value wood. Funding is available to support a diverse range of activities, from completing engineering designs, cost analyses, permitting, or other requirements for the final stages of commercial construction projects using wood as a primary building material as well as developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a specific geographic area. Funding may also support business planning and efforts to accelerate the manufacturing, market adoption, and demonstration of innovative wood products, such as cross-laminated timber.
Since 2005, almost 280 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, institutions of higher education, tribes, states, and local governments to improve forest health while creating jobs, renewable energy and healthy communities. Since 2013, this funding has also helped establish 22 Statewide Wood Energy Teams and eight Statewide Wood Utilization Teams that collectively expand and support wood energy and wood products markets.
This week is National Forest Products Week (Oct. 15-21), when we celebrate the value of America’s forests and the products they provide while recommitting to sustainably manage these splendid natural resources to meet our nation’s needs now and in the future.
October 19, is National Bioenergy Day, a day to unite organizations across the country that support bioenergy to demonstrate the many benefits that bioenergy provides at the local level. A diversified wood products industry enhances resiliency of our ecosystems, sequesters carbon, and creates jobs in rural communities.
Read the full article at: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood/pricing-supply/us-spend-7-million-effort-expand-wood-markets
LePage invites bio-based businesses to call Maine home
Touting its vast forests and his administration’s ability to cut through red tape, Gov. Paul LePage pitched Maine as the perfect place for bioenergy executives to make investments.
LePage offered his remarks to open the third day of the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference in San Francisco. The conference, which drew a crowd of more than 300, was convened to bring together investors, reseachers, policy makers, executives and others interested in tapping renewable natural resources for new industrial uses.
Maine has more than 17 million acres of forestland, and its economy has been hampered by the closure of five paper mills in three years — mills that used to be a primary market for wood and pulp. In its wake, several initiatives have sprung up, including proposals to build bioenergy parks that can revive unused biomass power plants and support new, connected businesses.
“I want to be sure that the word is out there that we are open for business,” said LePage, in his remarks.
He noted that the state supports 24,000 forest-related jobs, about half of what it was years ago when all the mills were running and robust.
But the state is reinventing itself, trying to attract companies like Ensyn Fuels Inc., which now provides wood-based biofuel to help power Bates College in Lewiston. He also noted that the University of Maine received $3.3 million from the Defense Logistics Agency to help its research in converting wood fiber into jet fuel.
In January, he expects the Legislature to begin debate on a $50 million commercialization bond intended to bring new products to market, something that could help attract bio-based companies to Maine. This session, a bill that would have authorized a $55 million bond to accelerate growth and capital investment stalled and was ultimately held over.
Read the full article at: http://www.pressherald.com/2017/10/18/lepage-invites-bio-based-businesses-to-call-maine-home/
