Biomass News

Malaysia will carry out biomass projects using waste from the oil palm industry to produce electric power, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the feedstock from oil palm waste would be also used to produce other products such as sugar and even vaccines.

Technology companies from the United States, with the capacity to invest and produce products from oil palm biomass, will be matched with Malaysian companies to garner profits for the country which is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, Najib said following the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) for Malaysia inaugural meeting which he chaired at the New York Academy of Sciences here today.

(Source: My Sinchew, 18 May 2011)

More on rise of oil palm residue for export and power generation, will be addressed by our distinguished speakers at 2^ndBiomass Pellets Trade Asia conference from7-8 September 2011 in Seoul. Featured presentation topics include:

Rise of Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) for Power Generation – Supply/Export Outlook from Indonesia and Practical Guidance
Presented by: Mr. Andrea Alessandrini, Director
PT Trenergy Biomasse Indonesia

Practical Experience in Bulk Handling of Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) – Post Facilities & Ship Safety
Presented by: Mr. Albert Law, Business Development Manager
Global Green Synergy Sdn. Bhd

Click here for the full 1.5-day agenda or email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg today for information on registration.

GS Electric and Power Services, a power subsidiary under GS Group, said that it will build a “green” high-efficiency liquefied natural gas combined cycle power plant in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province.

The firm spent 460 billion won ($420 million) for the plant which will be completed by August 2013. GS EPS currently operates two other power facilities there. The new 400 megawatt-facility boasts eco-friendliness and high-efficiency as it consumes less fuel than existing LNG combined cycle power plants and thus emits less carbon, GS EPS officials said.

“Through the construction of the plant, GS EPS aims to become a leading power provider in Korea. The facility will be an eco-friendly one which minimizes emission amid global climate change,” GS EPS CEO Lee Wan-kyoung said at the event. In addition to its domestic operation, GS EPS has been stepping up efforts to expand its offshore business. GS EPS has launched the construction of a biomass power plant in Shandong, China earlier this month and is planning to begin a clean development mechanism business, a kind of carbon trading, there. (Source: The Korea Herald, 20 Apr 2011)

Scheduled to take place in Seoul, Korea on 07-08 September 2011, 2nd Biomass Pellets Trade Asia will bring together an international panel of experts including speakers from PT Trenergy Biomasse Indonesia, Plantation Energy Australia, Pinnacle Pellet Inc., Georgia Biomass, Control Union, POYRY, APAC Commodities, Global Green Synergy Sdn Bhd, plus more!

A major highlight at this event is a Post Conference Workshop on 8 Sep 2011 on Torrefaction Technology for Biomass, with special focus on Non-Woody Biomass.

The program is being finalized & will be uploaded online shortly. For more information, click here to submit enquiries or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg to pre-register your interest now.

Wood pellet exports from the U.S. and Canada to Europe have doubled in the past two years, with 1.6 million tons of wood pellets shipped from the two countries to the Netherlands, U.K. and Belgium in 2010, according to a report by Wood Resources International LLC.

The European Union’s goal of reaching 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 can be attributed to the increased demand, as many countries have ramped up their consumption of woody biomass in the form of wood pellets and wood chips in the past few years to meet the renewable target, the report said. More than 11 million tons of wood pellets were consumed in the EU in 2010, up 7 percent from the previous year.

The report also predicts that higher oil prices will benefit wood pellet exporters in North America, and that shipments to Europe can be expected to increase during 2011.

(Source: Biomass Magazine, March 8, 2011)

Among the key presentations at 2nd Biomass Rotterdam Trade & Power conference in Rotterdam is one by leading biomass company Enviva LP, touching specifically on the supply chain of wood pellets from US to Europe.

2 other papers to lookout for are from latest additions to the already authoritative panel from international supply markets – Ekman & Co AB will touch on supply growth and outlook from the Baltic and Scandinavian region, while Africa Renewable Ltd. will give an address on emerging biomass pellets exports from Africa.

For more information on the full program, click here. Or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg with any registration enquiries now.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it will defer greenhouse gas permit requirements for biomass energyproduction for at least three years for reconsideration of the science and rulemaking.

(Source: Environment News Service, Jan 13, 2011)

According to the US EPA, the three-year delay will commence in coming July. During the next few years, the agency will study the effects of burning biomass in order to conclude whether biomass facilities are eligible to stay exempt from GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions regulations.

Senior biomass executives will convene in Atlanta for the Biomass Trade & Power Americas, to be held on 23-24 February 2011. The international panel will discuss latest biomass rulings and global industry outlook in the future, as well as provide clarity on wood pellets production & trade considerations.

Send any questions on registrations or program to Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg.

In the past month, both the US and UK Governments announced new schemes designed to help boost the renewable energy markets in their respective countries. For the US, the final revised rules for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) have been rolled out, while the UK released details for the highly-anticipated Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Both governments hope to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions through replacement of fossil fuels and ensure more fuel security by encouraging production and use of dedicated energy crops.

Mr. Dean Tiessen, President of leading producer and supplier of biomass energy crops company New Energy Farms will join a panel of senior industry executives at the Biomass Trade & Power Americas in Atlanta on 23-25 February 2011, to address the development of energy crops – from crop to energy products, for domestic use & exports. Specifically, Mr. Tiessen will provide much-sought utilities’ perspective on this emerging biomass for energy applications.

For more information on the conference or for registration, click here or contact Ms. Hafizah at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg.