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Sustainability
Western Canadian boreal no longer a sink?
Feb 4, 2012 - According to an article on the science site Phsyorg.com, the boreal forests of Western Canada may no longer be acting as carbon sinks. Based on a report by researchers from Quebec and China, the article suggests long-term drought conditions may be the cause.
Forest data yields better analysis of forests
Feb. 1, 2012 - In a study in Nature Climate Change, different forests were analyzed for their ability to sequester carbon, and used to predict what would happen if they disappeared.
Renewable energy deals rise 40%
Jan. 30. 2012 - Renewable energy mergers and acquisitions rose 40 percent last year when compared to the previous year, according to consulting firm PwC.
Agricultural residues could boost jobs
Jan. 25, 2012, Copenhagen, DM - Bloomberg New Energy Finance launched its report “Moving towards a next-generation ethanol economy,” which estimates the socioeconomic prospects of deploying advanced biofuels.
Genomatica secures rights to BDO process
Jan. 24, 2012, San Diego, CA - Genomatica has obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to the PROESA process for the production of BDO from biomass, through any fermentation-based process, pursuant to a definitive agreement signed with Beta Renewables.
Tropical biofuels making matters worse?
 Jan 22, 2012, Uxbridge, ON - Most biodiesel production is making climate change worse not better, according to an article in Ecology & Society. Biodiesel from
palm oil plantations may be the world's
dirtiest fuel - far worse than burning diesel made from oil when the
entire production life cycle is considered.
Washington biomass expansion set to proceed
Jan 15, 2012, Longview, WA - Three Puget Sound-area conservation groups have dropped their challenge to construction of a biomass energy expansion at Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, the largest of its kind in the state.
Renewable energy subsidies are increasing, says IEA
Jan. 12, 2012 - The International Energy Agency released its report on 2010 energy subsidies with a focus on fossil fuels, but does make note that renewable energy subsidies are increasing.
World biomass investment to reach $104 billion by 2021
Jan. 11, 2012, Boulder, CO - According to a new report from Pike Research, worldwide biomass power generation capacity will grow to at least 86 gigawatts (GW) by 2021, and a total investment of $104 billion from 2008 to 2021.
EPA releases fuel standards, reduces cellulosic biofuels
Jan. 2, 2012 - The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the new renewable fuel standards for biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuels, cellulosic biofuels and total renewable fuels for 2012.
Loss of subsidy ends tough year for corn ethanol
Dec 30, 2011, Washington, DC - The United States has ended a 30-year tax subsidy for corn-based ethanol that according to an article in the Detroit News cost taxpayers $6 billion annually. It also ended a tariff on imported Brazilian ethanol.
Hydro-Québec buys biomass power
Dec. 21, 2011, Montreal, QC - Hydro-Québec has launched a program that seeks to buy 150 megawatts of power from forest biomass plants.
Bio-based chemical and material markets double by 2016
Dec. 19, 2011, Boston, MA - The bio-based chemicals and materials industry, has reached a tipping point, and capacity will double in market potential to $19.7 billion in 2016 according to a recent report by Lux Research.
US electricity trends for the next 20 years
Dec. 19, 2011 - With energy needs increasing, where will the United States obtain its electricity? According to Grist magazine, it's not where you think.
Burning biomass could damage furniture industry
Dec. 19, 2011 - British furniture makers are becoming increasingly worried that the burning of woody biomass will increase the cost of timber and have detrimental effects on their industry.
How to save forestry
Dec. 15, 2011 - New Democrat MP John Rafferty brought up three forestry related motions in the House of Commons, to help support the struggling sector.
Danes to phase out fossils by 2050?
Dec 12, 2011, Copenhagen - The newly elected Danish centre-left government has set Denmark on a radical decarbonisation course. It has raised the CO2-reduction target from 20 to 40 per cent by 2020 and wants a complete phasing out of all fossil fuel use by 2050.
Sawlog prices declining for first time since 2009
Dec. 12, 2011 - Weaker lumber markets are causing global sawlog prices to fall for first time since early 2009, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.
Greenhouse gas project registry released
Dec. 6, 2011, Calgary, AB - GHG Emissions Corp. announced that the much anticipated Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions Registry, for voluntary carbon offset projects, is now in operation and showcasing projects for private investment and industrial offset commitments.
Shotgun Solutions
Any decent PR hack knows that if you want to lead people to a specific conclusion, you must phrase your question accordingly.
Martin Engineering opens office in Lima, Peru
Nov. 29, 2011, Neponset, IL - A worldwide leader in bulk materials handling technology has announced a new sales and service location, as Martin Engineering opens its offices in Lima, Peru.
Biochar Solutions Canada formed
Nov. 29, 2011, Edmonton, AB - Biochar Solutions Inc, a Colorado Corporation, and Carbon Basis Company, an Alberta Corporation, today announced the formation of Biochar Solutions Canada Ltd.
UK's Renewable Heat Initiative open for applications
Nov. 29, 2011, UK - After a long delay, the United Kingdom's Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) is now open and accepting applications.
UNBC gets grant to study biomass ash
Nov 28, 2011, Prince George, BC - Researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia have received a grant in the new Canfor Pulp Grants Program to study uses for ash from biomass combustion.
One fifth of energy could come from biomass
Nov 28, 2011, London, UK - A new report suggests that up to one fifth of global energy could be provided by biomass without damaging food production. The report reviews more than 90 global studies.
Pembina report taken out of context?
Nov 26, 2011, Ottawa - Policy analysts with the Pembina Institute say that recent claims aside, their work on the role of bioenergy in Ontario is not a blanket endorsement of the GHG benefits of using forest biomass.
Canada's harvest at half of sustainable level
Nov 24, 2011, Ottawa - According to the latest Natural Resources Canada overview The State of Canada's Forest: 2011 Annual Report, harvest levels nationwide have fallen sharply in recent years to levels far below those deemed sustainable by provincial regulations.
Biochar can increase soil moisture, says USDA
Nov. 10, 2011 - Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been investigating the possible beneficial properties of using biochar (the resulting biomass created from plant material, wood and manure) in agriculture.
Global energy from biomass to reach 83.1 GW by 2017
Nov. 10, 2011, San Jose, CA - Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA) announced the release of a comprehensive global report on the Biomass and Waste-to-Energy markets, forecasting the energy capacity to reach 83.1 GW by 2017.
Integrated bio-refinery in Colorado complete
Nov. 9, 2011, Los Angeles, CA - Rentech Inc. announced today that all systems required to start up a new integrated bio-refinery (IBF) in Commerce City, Colorado are mechanically complete.
Biofuel a fossil fuel alternative by 2020
Nov. 9, 2011, BC - Fuel made from wood could become a competitive commercial alternative to fuel made from corn by 2020 if the wood biofuel industry is supported, according to a new University of British Columbia study.
First ever algal biomass fueled plane lands
Nov. 8, 2011, Chicago, IL - The first US commercial flight powered by algal-based biofuel successfully landed in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport yesterday afternoon.
Montreal greenhouse goes green
 Nov. 8, 2011, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Châteauguay, QC - Later this month, a Montreal greenhouse will install a high-technology biomass heating system, using the same technology utilized for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Biomass makes a "biomess," says Greenpeace
Nov 3, 2011 - A new report released by Greenpeace Canada states that the large-scale burning of biomass is unsustainable and a potential "environmental fiasco."
Minister touts biomass, smart grid in Houston
Nov 2, 2011, Houston, TX - The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today addressed the World Energy Council Houston Business Forum, touting the potential role of biomass and smart grids in the future energy mix.
Canadian professors call for biofuel plan
Oct 17, 2011, Toronto - Canadian university professors from Queens and McGill have made a public call for a concerted approach to second-generation biofuels.
Activist shows how to beat biomass plants
Oct 10, 2011, Vancouver, WA - An anti-biomass power plant activist presented tactics to a local group fighting a proposed biomass plant in Clark County, Washington.
Bioenergy from Beetle-wood
Economic heartache and headache—that’s what mountain pine beetle (MPB) initially represented for the forest industry in Canada’s West.
How the Dutch Do It
While visiting the power plant owned by NV Elektriciteits Produktiemaatschappij Zuid-Nederland (EPZ) in Borssele, the Netherlands, I was reminded of the story of the little Dutch boy who saved his country by plugging a leaking dike with his finger.
Keeping it Simple
Sometimes it just makes sense to keep things simple. That has definitely been the case for Pine Star Logging in Prince George, British Columba, which has gone from a full-scale stump to dump logging operation to a two-man show that produces wood fibre for a major wood pellet production facility.
Where’s the Money?
The number one stumbling block for a Canadian bioenergy project is a lack of adequate financing.
Newfoundland Wood Yard
The January 14, 2010, announcement is another step in a series of projects that will mean greater self-sufficiency for the province’s Northern Peninsula region, hard hit since the closure in fall 2008 of two pulp and paper mills and the idling of a paper machine at the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill.
One Home at a Time
In comparison to mainstream forestry, Canada’s pellet sector is booming. Sure, maintaining a fibre supply with so many sawmills down can be a challenge, and this winter was not as cold as many had hoped.
Demolition Power
Not all that long ago, wood waste from construction and demolition sites would have been landfilled in this part of Quebec, about 100 km east of Montreal.
Good Picking
For many in Canada’s forest or energy sectors, biomass and bioenergy are one and the same. But not for the staff at the Girardville Forestry Cooperative, who have been creating and commercializing a wide range of bioproducts for over 15 years now. The company extracts slash and other nontimber products from the stands it works in northern Quebec, with nary an ounce going up in flames.
Fuel for Feed
The Groupe Dynaco Agri-Food Cooperative has been reaping the benefits of biomass power for almost a year now. The co-op’s feed mill, located in Saint-Philippe-de-Néri in eastern Quebec, is the first in the province, and possibly all of Canada, to use biomass as energy for livestock feed processing.
Residues to Riches: To Chip or To Grind?
Should one purchase a chipper or a grinder? This is a very relevant question in the design of an efficient supply chain for forest-origin biomass for two reasons. The comminution phase determines the product quality, and the equipment is the second most costly component in the system after transportation.
Biomass Sustainability: Lessons from Sweden
In my last column, I discussed various guidelines adopted by Canadian provinces for forest biomass harvesting. I recently came across an interesting report produced in a country that is further down the road relative to Canada in the development of its bioenergy-from-biomass industry and its regulation.
Editorial: The Future Is Not Yet
If you could bank potential, the forest biomass sector would already be rich off of the biofuel sector. After all, there is no shortage of promising technology that will use mountains of biomass as raw material to create renewable fuels and other bioproducts.
Biomass Sustainability: Biomass no free-for-all
Jurisdictions around the world are developing or updating their biomass harvesting frameworks. Three Canadian provinces have recently issued new policies or guidelines: Ontario in August 2008, New Brunswick in October 2008, and Nova Scotia in May 2009.
Editorial: Biomass Abounds?
I love the contrarian’s view. In almost 20 years of forestry writing I’ve even made a decent living at it. No matter how sensible a viewpoint seems, I get nervous when too many heads are nodding agreement. So when Jimmy Girvan, a fibre supply analyst from Victoria, BC, asked if I’d like to hear about a forecast model that shows a less than rosy picture of biomass availability in BC some 10 years out, I said hell yeah.
Biomass Sustainability: Cleaner is better?
Over the past year, I have been touring Canada to talk about the consequences on the ecosystem of removing too much biomass, presentations mostly given to industry and biomass promoters. Afterwards, I was often pressed about the consequences of NOT removing biomass from the forests. “Forests need to be cleaned of biomass; we are helping the ecosystem by removing it.” But how much scientific support is there for such common perceptions?
Fibre to Burn?
Nowhere in Canada is the buzz about forest biomass and its use for energy production heard more often than in British Columbia. In 2007, the BC Government announced the BC Energy Plan (the Plan), a key component of which was the development of the BC Bioenergy Strategy.
Biomass Sustainability: What Should We Sustain?
For the past several years, I’ve been working on defining sustainable levels of forest biomass harvesting that can be used as guidelines for decision making.
Sustainable Biomass: How much is enough?
The forest bioenergy sector is developing rapidly across Canada, and great efforts are being devoted to the development of new technologies for converting forest biomass to energy.
Editorial: Sustainable Issues?
Sustainability means many things for biomass. First, there’s site sustainability, or the question of how much we can harvest, where, and how.
A World of Bioenergy
You can’t spend more than an hour driving through southern and western Sweden without noticing this country’s dependence on biomass and bioenergy. |
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