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■ table of contents

www.woodbioenergymag.com

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14 6

FROM THE EDITORS How We Got Here

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POWER GENERATION How It Could Shake Out

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IN THE NEWS Western Landscape Under Attack

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PRODUCT NEWS Scales, Chippers, Road Builders

Cover Photography:

14 FOUR VOICES FOR BIOMASS Question & Answer Session

Ritu Linhart stands tall as general manager at Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s industrial wood pellet mill in Aliceville, Ala. (Jessica Johnson photo)

18 WOOD YARD TECHNOLOGY Getting It Done Up Front 23 EDITORIAL INDEX Our Top Stories In 2020

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table of contents ■

advertising index Advertiser Index is a free service for advertisers and readers.

The publisher assumes no liability for errors or omissions.

Acrowood

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Baker Rullman Manufacturing

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Bandit Industries

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Bruks Siwertell

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CEM Machine

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CW Mill Equipment

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Europe Forestry

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FMW North America

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Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. Street Address ■ 225 Hanrick Street Montgomery, AL 36104-3317

Fulghum Industries

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800.841.5980

Metal Detectors

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541.345.7454

Mailing Address ■ P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery, AL 36102-2268 Tel: 334.834.1170 ■ Fax: 334.834-4525

Mid-South Engineering

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501.321.2276

MoistTech

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941.727.1800

Publisher/Adv. Sales Manager ■ David H. Ramsey Chief Operating Officer ■ Dianne C. Sullivan

Polytechnik

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Rawlings Manufacturing

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866.762.9327

Schaeffer Oil

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Schutte Hammermill

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Stela Laxhuber

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Publisher/Editor Emeritus ■ David (DK) Knight

Tamtron Group

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Art Director/Production Manager ■ Cindy Segrest Ad Production Coordinator ■ Patti Campbell Circulation Director ■ Rhonda Thomas Online Content/Marketing ■ Jacqlyn Kirkland

Ultra Air Systems

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Vermeer Manufacturing

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Wolf Material Handling Systems

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Advertising Sales

Wood Bioenergy (ISSN 1947-5306) is published six times annually by Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc., 225 Hanrick St., Montgomery, AL 36104. Wood Bioenergy is free to qualified readers in the United States, including owners, managers, supervisors and other key personnel. All non-qualified U.S. subscriptions are $50 per year, Canadian subscriptions are $60 and foreign subscription are $95 per year (U.S. funds).

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Volume 12

Number 6

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Editor-in-Chief ■ Rich Donnell Senior Editor ■ Dan Shell Senior Associate Editor ■ David Abbott Senior Associate Editor ■ Jessica Johnson Associate Editor ■ Patrick Dunning

North American Sales Representative Susan Windham ■ P.O. Box 2268 Montgomery AL 36102-2268 334.834.1170 ■ Fax: 334.834.4525 E-mail: windham.susan4@gmail.com International Sales Murray Brett ■ 58 Aldea De Las Cuevas, Buzon 60 Benedoleig 03759, (Alicante) Espana +34 96 640 4165 ■ Fax: +34 96 640 4048 E-mail: murray.brett.aba@abasol.net Classified Advertising Sales Bridget DeVane ■ Tel: 334.699.7837 ■ 800.669.5613 E-mail: bdevane7@hotmail.com A Hatton-Brown Publication Other Hatton-Brown Publications:

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■ from the editors

Where It All

Started C

areer trajectories aren’t always clear-cut, and one thing is for certain: In the wood-to-energy sector, just like most things, a little bit of tinkering sometimes yields the best results. For the women in our industry, that’s especially true, and you’ll read about those beginning on page 14. They come from different places, backgrounds and point of views, but they always seem to quietly find their space, carving out a way to move the industry forward. Not unlike the staff of the very magazine you’re reading.

The editorial staff of Wood Bioenergy traveled various routes to the wood industry. Raised in a family of piney woods people from Butler County, Ala., Senior Editor Dan Shell spent hours as a youngster riding with his grandfather, a roads crew supervisor for legendary Rocky Creek Logging Co., and later in high school he worked for a tree surgeon north of his hometown Auburn who also ran a shortwood truck with perilous PTO and spiderweb windshield and hauled suburb wood to a long defunct Kimberly-Clark wood yard near Waverly, Ala.—so he had a clue. He’s been here for 32 years.

Senior Associate Editor David Abbott had a path similar to Shell’s—growing up in a forest industry focused family and community, with childhood weekends often spent in the woods or in the shop, working in or on skidders, loaders or a Mack truck, or felling and trimming with a chain saw. After high school his intention had been to get a forestry degree, but circumstances set him on a different path that led to being a writer for the Hatton-Brown portfolio. The last 15 years, as they say, is history for Abbott.

Associate Editor Patrick Dunning, the youngest with just shy of two years under his belt here, was a sportswriter for Auburn University’s school paper, The Plainsman, with no intention of writing for a forestry magazine. A quick learner, with a head for researched based reporting, Dunning is making a mark for himself already.

Editor-in-Chief Rich Donnell, after graduating from Auburn University in journalism, worked four years in the newspaper business, and then received his master’s degree in journalism from Penn State. Donnell wanted to switch to business magazines. Having moved to

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Montgomery with his wife, a native of Montgomery, Rich applied to numerous publishing entities in the area, and then one day received a phone call from DK Knight, the co-publisher of Hatton-Brown Publishers, Inc. in Montgomery, a publisher of several forest industries trade journals. Knight was mostly interested in Rich’s journalism savvy, which was a good thing because Rich had no experience in wood products. That was 37 years ago.

Senior Associate Editor Jessica Johnson, certainly not the sole female employed by Hatton-Brown Publishers, but the only female member of the editorial staff, followed a different path. A born and bred city slicker, Johnson now wears the self-bestowed title of “Queen of Wood Pellets,” having been in more pellet production facilities in North America than probably anyone else in the world—her total is 15. Feel free to email her and argue the point, she loves getting feisty.

The fresh from The University of Alabama co-ed Johnson bee-bopped into the H-B office in high heels with no concept of what a merchantable tree even was. That was 10 years ago.

Just like for the five editors of the magazine, for our four panelists, in the end it doesn’t matter how they got to their respective “here,” but what they’ve done since to make positive impacts in the industry. And they are just getting started.

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■ in the news Western Forests Hammered By Fire

growth with volumes of 150MBF/ acre and above. Dubrasich estimates at least 50 billion BF overall burned in a week. To put that into perspective, annual harvests in Oregon have averaged around 4 billion BF annually the past 20 years.

Oregon is hugely important as the nation’s largest lumber-producing state. All segments of the state’s forest industry are going to be impacted by the loss of such a huge amount of inventory. And it’s not just the standing sawlogs: A huge loss is thousands upon thousands of acres of submerchantable timberlands, from recently planted to 2530 years old, that will create timber supply gaps years into the future.

Landowners and log purchasers and all involved in timber management across all ownerships are shift-

Conflagrations across the West— many still burning as this report is compiled in late October—have incinerated millions of acres of timberland and forest products infrastructure, including more than 100 pieces of equipment destroyed or damaged in Oregon alone.

Meanwhile, California had a record fire season of more than 7 million (and growing) acres burned, and in other states fires have diverted resources, caused evacuations and added to economic costs.

Oregon has garnered many of the headlines for its hellish, wind-driven fires in early September that completely overwhelmed firefighting authorities and broke into wellpopulated areas east of Eugene-Springfield and Salem and in southern Oregon, completely obliterating several small towns and thousands of structures as tens of thousands were forced to evacuate.

According to a mid-October Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) report, 2020 has seen 2,027 fires across all jurisdictions in Oregon and 1,221,324 acres burned.

Oregon, California forests take heavy hit.

That includes 912 fires on 551,000 acres of ODF-protected ing priorities to focus on restoring lands so far this year, more than 10 lost timberlands. This will be a matimes the annual average of state jor priority in the near future to salland acres burned. Another factor is vage what’s possible, treat some that much more private land was afareas and re-establish growing fected than average—more than stock, especially on the 400,000+ 40%. Private timber supplies play a acres of damaged private timbercritical role in the region, where lands where such activities can compublic timber is plentiful but access mence immediately. is almost always uncertain.

Associated Oregon Loggers ExForester Mike Dubrasich of ecutive Director Rex Storm says Lebanon, Ore. notes that some of the timber losses alone are “busithe most impressive and wellness altering” events, and the losses stocked forests in the world were into contract logging capacity will cinerated: The Willamette and Mt. have both immediate and long-term Hood national forests, the top two effects on timber operations in the across the national forest system in state. He notes that significant terms of standing timber volume, amounts of Oregon logging capaclost a combined 700,000 acres; the ity was “burned, idled, displaced, Umpqua NF lost 175,000 acres. closed, and at best deprived of the Many of those areas are in oldincome necessary to sustain small

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business equity investment.”

Following the fires, to gauge the impact on its state loggers, AOL in October completed a membership survey that yielded remarkable results concerning the depth and severity of this fire season’s impact on loggers and logging capacity: l An estimated 360 million BF of annual timber harvest capacity in the state is currently displaced or disrupted. (Representing around 9% of annual timber harvest, the impact of this number can’t be overstated.) This includes contractors that have lost some and all of their harvesting assets. l Well over 100 pieces of equipment were completely destroyed. More was damaged and some of that will also have to be replaced. l Somewhere between 100 to 200 million BF in additional annual logging capacity is likely to exit the supply chain in the next six months, with loggers either completely leaving the industry or remaining at a lower capacity. l Of the burned assets reported—more than $100 million—only a third were fully insured.

During the next 18 months, Oregon loggers who’ve suffered economic losses will be making lots of decisions. It’s a safe bet that August 2021 will see less logging capacity in the state than pre-fire capacity in August ’20.

Storm says the urgency of the situation requires a clear-eyed look at how to maintain viable and sustainable logging capacity. With many logging and related contract activities commanding premium prices after the fires, loggers need to ensure they receive adequate compensation to not only reinvest in their businesses but also ensure business sustainability in the future.

Logger Don Meng, whose home and shop are located in the Cascade foothills near the entrance to a large Weyerhaeuser and Port Blakely timber farm on the south

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in the news ■

side of Mollala, says he’s lucky despite sustaining a major hit. The fires came within three miles of his home, which survived, but his logging equipment wasn’t as fortunate. His shovel-logging side that included a feller-buncher, shovel, processor and loader, was a complete loss, and his other crew, a hybrid winch-assist shovel logging side, had some damage.

As of mid October Meng had replaced some equipment and had some new machines on order and was back to work. Looking forward to a couple years of gritty salvage work, Meng, an optimist by nature, says, “There’s no use crying over spilled milk; we’re happy to be back working.”

J.P. Price Kept Expanding Horizons John Porter Price, an inventor of the rotary drum debarker for debarking treelength logs and who developed a highly successful business on the concept of starting up and operating independent chip mills to supply contract chips to paper companies, died October 13 in Biloxi, Miss. He was 80.

Price was born in Monticello, Ark. His older brother, Ben, taught him the love of the outdoors and hunting—hobbies that subsequently led him to the timber industry, fol-

Price drum debarker, 1988

“It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for continuously debarking treelength logs in a rotating drum debarker, by continuously feeding groups of treelength logs generally axially into the drum with a continuously driven main conveyor, and along a low friction region or auxiliary feed means between the discharge end of the main conveyor and the inlet of the drum.”—excerpt from Price patent lowing in the footsteps of his father.

Price grew up working at his father’s transportable sawmill in the woods. After putting himself through college at Arkansas A&M by cutting pulpwood, Price served a stint in the Air National Guard before returning home to work for L. D. Long, first as a logger and subsequently to build a hardwood sawmill. Price later purchased the sawmill in 1965 and started his own company at the age of 25 as J. P. Price Lumber Company.

Price often commented that although he had a college degree in forestry, he learned more about the timber industry from watching and working for his father and L. D. Long, as well as working among the loggers deep in the woods of southeast Arkansas.

By the late 1970s, in addition to producing lumber he had pieced together a chip mill and become a major chips supplier to the International Paper plant in Monticello.

But as bark requirements became more severe, he realized conventional debarking wasn’t going to do the job. Then, as Price said, “Necessity got us into the drum debarker business.” In 1981 he started up a drum debarker built mostly with parts Price fabricated himself. The 9 ft. diameter by 60 ft. debarker operated with hydraulic drive and was mounted on truck tires. The setup also enabled more efficient merchandising of the sawlog butts off larger pulpwood logs.

Always the entrepreneur, Price

saw an opportunity to market the design, fabrication, erection and installation of chip mill equipment. He formed Price Industries, Inc. and sold his first drum debarker in 1983.

By the late 1980s he had sold 30 drum debarkers and related chip mill machinery. “We’ve made improvements to every one of them,” Price said, pointing to modifications to the bark chute and infeed hopper and also building drums as large as 12x90 ft.

John Porter Price, left, and Dick Carmical at the grand opening of Gloster Chips in Mississippi, 1988

Price’s visionary thinking did not stop there. He believed paper companies would move from their own chipping operations to out-sourcing the wood yards and chips production, just as the industry had shifted from company logging crews to contractors. Price formed The Price Companies, Inc. and in 1988 started up his first two chip mill operations: Coastal Chips in Fernandina Beach, Fla. as a supplier to ITT Rayonier, and Gloster Chips supplying James River in Gloster, Miss., the latter

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■ in the news

also where Price provided his first rotary log crane.

The Price Companies ultimately became one of the largest chip producers in the world. In 2007, Price retired, handing over the reins to his right-hand man, Dick Carmical.

Price went on his first duck hunt when he was 11 years old and never lost the love of seeing mallards land in the green timber. In the 1960s, he formed Firehunt Duck Club, which is well known today for its management programs for wildlife and for always leaving the land “better than you found it.” He had an incredible sense of humor and once he gave you a nickname, it would stick to you for life. He was a prolific reader of books and a philosopher.

Carmical says that Price during his retirement continued reading, hunting, fishing. “He loved to travel.

He would drive cross country listening to audio books to explore some old cavalry trail or some old histori-

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cal point of interest,” Carmical says.

Carmical adds of Price, “Above all else he was a gentleman.”

Price is preceded in death by his parents, Olyn and Helen Price; his brother, Dr. Ben Olyn Price; and a granddaughter, Savannah Ashley Dearman. Survivors include his beloved wife, Kay Reed Price, of Monticello, Ark.; his daughter, Mary Ashley Price, Biloxi, Miss.; and an extended family.

Barge Access Grant Paves Way For Enviva U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the University of West Alabama, Livingston, Ala., to improve barge access at the Port of Epes Industrial Park. The EDA grant will be matched with $540,000 in local

funds and is expected to create 85 jobs and generate $175 million in private investment.

The grant complements a $175 million investment that industrial wood pellet producer Enviva is expected to make toward the construction of a wood pellet facility in Sumter County. Enviva states it is expected to make a final investment decision on the Epes project around the end of the year.

Last December Enviva received approval for an air construction permit from the Alabama Dept. of Environmental Management (ADEM) for a facility expected to be located at the Port of Epes Industrial Park.

The plant’s planned permitted capacity is expected to be 1,150,000 metric tons of wood pellets per year.

The plant would initially be constructed to produce 700,000 metric tons per year, with the possibility to expand in the future to reach full production capacity.

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in the news ■

The sustainably sourced wood pellets from the Epes plant are expected to be transported by barge via the Tennessee-Tombigbee River to Enviva’s planned deepwater marine terminal to be located in Pascagoula, Miss., where they would be exported to Europe and Asia.

The plant would principally utilize a mix of softwood and mill residuals sourced from areas within approximately 75 miles of the plant. The rich fiber basket and supply in Alabama, along with favorable transport logistics and a great local workforce, are what makes this project sustainable and attractive to Enviva.

The EDA funding goes to one of Alabama’s 158 Opportunity Zones.

Created by President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Opportunity Zones are spurring economic development in economically distressed communities nationwide.

Govt. Of Canada Plans Bioenergy Funding

The Government of Canada and its Natural Resources wing announced nearly $13 million in funding for six projects in Northern Ontario: — $1,670,000 to Askii Environmental Inc. to install biomass heating systems in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Pikangikum First Nation, which will offset the fossil fuel used to heat schools in these communities.

—$2,452,750 to Wikwemikong Development Commission to demonstrate the effectiveness of forest-based biomass and efficient residential heating sources in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory through the installation of pellet stoves, biomass boilers, wood pellet furnaces and wood pellet storage silos.

—$2,532,000 to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to replace existing wood stove heating appliances in six of the nation’s communities with upgraded high-efficiency wood stoves, which will reduce fossil fuel

heating use by lowering demand on the community’s diesel-generated electricity supply.

—$1,051,000 to Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek to replace the community’s sawmill diesel heat source with a biomass system and to install biomass-compatible heating systems in three new housing units in preparation for future biomass heating expansion, which will demonstrate the economic development benefits and cost-effectiveness of biomass heating.

—$4,168,000 to Sagatay Cogeneration Lt. Partnership to develop engineering plans for a biomass cogeneration system, which, once constructed, would reduce the community’s dependence on diesel fuel for heat and electricity.

—$983,000 to Wahgoshig First Nation to install a forest-based biomass heating system for four community buildings, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These projects will help Indigenous communities reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, decrease emissions and demonstrate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of biomass heating, according to the government. Funding these initiatives will also increase local Indigenous economic development by providing an opportunity to participate in the bioeconomy by using renewable sources of heat, all while creating local employment.

Funding for these projects comes from the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program: BioHeat Stream. The six-year, $220 million program aims to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity. It is part of the Government of Canada’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Enviva, Finite Carbon Focus On Landowners Enviva, the world’s larger producer of industrial wood pellets, and Finite Carbon, a developer of forest carbon offsets, are teaming up to engage small forest landowners across the U.S. Southeast to voluntarily participate in global greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs. The partnership, leveraging Finite Carbon’s CORE Carbon online platform, is intended to help address climate change while generating new annual income for small landowners based on forest stewardship and extended rotations of mature bottomland hardwood forests.

“Enviva’s partnership with Finite Carbon will deliver on the promise of continued forest growth and carbon sequestration across the U.S. Southeast by creating an additional incentive for small forest landowners to protect their forests, especially sensitive, bottomland hardwoods,” comments John Keppler, Chairman and CEO of Enviva. “This partnership will move our mission of fighting climate change and displacing coal forward by opening new avenues for forest owners with less than 5,000 acres to generate income from the growing carbon offset market by choosing not to harvest their timberlands right now, enabling them to be a critical participant in addressing the global climate crisis.”

While CORE Carbon will be available to more than 1.5 million family and non-industrial forest owners in the U.S., this partnership will leverage Enviva’s focus on bottomland hardwood forests in the U.S. Southeast.

The partnership will significantly increase the availability of global carbon offset programs to privately held forestland by leveraging Enviva’s well-established landowner network along with Finite Carbon’s CORE Carbon Platform, which utilizes remote sensing technologies to reduce the costs and barriers to market entry

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■ in the news

for smaller forest landowners with as little as 40 acres of forestland.

The initial phase of CORE Carbon will focus on a deferred harvest methodology, co-authored with American Carbon Registry, focusing on high conservation value forests such as mature bottomland hardwood stands in the U.S. Southeast.

Over the next decade, the program will seek to make sustainable forestry a more feasible proposition by opening the carbon offset market to over 1.5 million small forest landowners and generating $1 billion in carbon offset revenue for participating landowners.

Davies comments, “I have known the company for many years and have long admired their sense of ambition and entrepreneurship. I am excited by the opportunity to lead a company of Pinnacle’s stature in the next stage of its development and look forward to helping build significant and sustainable value for its shareholders, customers, employees and the communities in which it operates.”

Davies will be based at the company’s headquarters in Richmond, BC.

Pinnacle Names Davies As CEO

Raul Kirjanen, Chairman of the Management Board of Graanul Invest AS, has been elected Chairman of the Management Board of the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Assn. According to the new chairman, the forest and timber sector has great potential in light of the European Green Deal.

“We need to work to ensure that the general quality of Estonian forests improves, that our forest and wood industry is internationally competitive, and that we are able to sufficiently contribute to innovation to create new value chains for wood with high added value,” Kirjanen says. He adds that the Estonian society benefits from a well-operating forest and wood industry, and that the wood industry is and will continue to be one of the flagships of Estonian economy.

“I believe that a sustainable and modern forest and wood industry will ensure a self-sufficient country and allow us to pass down healthy and strong forests for the next generations,” Kirjanen adds.

The Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Assn., established in 1996, is a non-profit umbrella organization comprising 67 members, including four educational institutions. CEO of the association is Henrik Välja.

Graanul Invest group includes 12 large and modern pellet factories, two sales organizations,

Pinnacle Renewable Energy has appointed Duncan Davies as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, replacing Rob McCurdy, whose retirement plans were announced earlier this year.

Davies will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors, which he joined in April 2020.

From 2000 to 2019, Davies served as president and CEO of Interfor Corp., a publicly traded forest products company with operations in Canada and the U.S. In that role he led the transformation of Interfor from a small regional producer, located primarily on the BC Coast, into one of the largest lumber companies in the world.

“Duncan is an accomplished leader with extensive industry knowledge and the experience necessary to drive Pinnacle’s growth and profitability in the years ahead,” comments Greg Baylin, Chair of the company’s Board of Directors. “He has worked actively with Rob McCurdy and our management team since joining the Board this spring and has already made a significant contribution to our company. I would also like to thank Rob McCurdy for his significant impact on the growth and development of the business during his Pinnacle career.”

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Kirjanen Elected Chair Of Estonian Group

six combined heat and power plants, three companies engaged in forest management and one company focused on biotechnology.

Graanul Invest Group employs more than 660.

Graanul IG Welcomes Denmark Stance Graanul Invest says it welcomes a political agreement that sets into law new sustainability requirements for wood biomass used in Denmark. The law, which is supported by the Danish government and a majority coalition, replaces a voluntary industry agreement that has regulated sustainable biomass use since 2014. It provides greater assurance that the biomass used is as sustainable and climate-friendly as possible.

“We welcome Danish politicians, scientists and experts’ consensus over strong sustainability criteria that will help Denmark reach its climate goals with sustainable biomass,” says Graanul Invest CEO Raul Kirjanen.

“Biomass is absolutely crucial to ensure that our electricity and heat are not made from coal imported from countries we do not want to depend on,” says Morten Messerschmidt of the Danish People’s Party. “With the agreement we are able to ensure it is sustainable and that Danes continue to have a stable supply of heat.”

The law sets firm sustainability criteria for preserving carbon stocks and carbon sinks in source forests, and for protecting natural areas and biodiversity, among other measures. The legal requirements state that the biomass must come from legally felled trees and that felled trees must be replanted.

Renova Continues Focus On Biomass Renova, an independent renewable energy developer and power producer, has reached financial close on a 75 MW biomass power plant under development in

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in the news â–

Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, 225 miles northeast of Tokyo.

The facility, named the SendaiGamo Biomass Project, will be fueled by wood pellets and palm kernel shells. Full construction on the facility is expected to begin by February 2021, with operations expected to begin in November 2023.

Renova states it is working to develop the project with four cosponsors, including Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd., United Purpose Management Inc., Mizuho Leasing Co. Ltd., and Daiwa Energy and Infrastructure Co. Ltd. Renova operates its power generation business based on locally entrenched renewable energy resources including biomass, solar, wind and geothermal power. Renova reports it has been accumulating knowledge through development and operation of wood biomass-fueled power plants including

the Akita Biomass Project, under which the power plant has been in healthy operation since its completion, as well as the Kanda Biomass, Tokushima-Tsuda Biomass, Omaezakikou Biomass and Ishinomaki Hibarino Biomass projects, which are under construction.

Pellets Production On Upswing In Europe Bioenergy Europe announced the publication of the fifth chapter of its Statistical Report 2020 focusing on pellets and highlighting the key contribution of wood pellets to the EU sustainable recovery, and to the 2050 carbon neutrality target.

In 2019, the EU28 produced nearly 18 million tonnes of pellets (corresponding to about 7.6 Mtoe), showing a growth of 5% in 2019 compared to that of 2018. Across the EU, the primary source of

feedstock is wood processing residues, making pellets a true example of resource efficiency. Furthermore, pellet production endows an economic purpose to the damaged wood, making sanitary cuttings and other necessary management operations viable. In fact, in several EU member states such as Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Belgium, this already represents a solution to incentivize damaged wood removal from the forests.

With 16.4 million tonnes consumed within the EU28 in 2019, heating with pellets is increasing in popularity in many member states.

Nonetheless, there is still a high share of residential heating appliances running on fossil fuel in EU28. As confirmed by the State of the Energy Union report, fossil fuels still enjoy different forms of subsidies (over EUR 50 bn in 2018, up 6% compared to 2015). Such ➤ 38

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■ q&a

Women

Weigh In

EDITOR’S NOTE: Wood Bioenergy magazine reached out to several of the industry’s female leaders for a question and answer session on where they see the industry going and the challenges along the way.

Meet The Players Ritu Linhart

Elizabeth Woodworth

Ritu Linhart is the General Manager for Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s wood pellet manufacturing plant in Aliceville, Ala. After spending six years in senior management at a large wood pellet plant in Georgia, she was hired by Pinnacle’s first U.S. wood pelletizing plant in 2018 and is now likely the first woman heading up a pellet operation in North America. During her leadership at Pinnacle, she has safely led the Aliceville plant to record-breaking production and profitability. Having started her career as a Process Engineer at a startup bio-fermentation plant 27 years ago, Linhart has continued to develop expertise in plant startups and scale-ups with a focus on safe management practices and strong team building. Linhart is a strong proponent of building on synergies between local industry and the community to establish programs that provide a highly skilled workforce for local businesses as they acquire hands-on training at the job site on a pathway towards a career. She has been instrumental in getting a registered apprenticeship program established with the University of West Alabama to provide meaningful experiences that continue to build Alabama’s competitive workforce and create accessible training opportunities for local Aliceville area residents as they develop critical skills and demonstrate new strategies in workforce development. Linhart graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Science degree from Auburn University.

After founding Wood & Co. in 2016 after more than 20 years working in marketing and communications, Elizabeth Woodworth is an avid and practical environmentalist, who holds a fundamental belief that efforts to improve our planet’s health are most successful when the interests of conservation, public and private sectors intersect. She also believes that an organization’s commitment to sustainability is only truly realized if it can effectively communicate that commitment. During her career, Woodworth has held positions in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and served on the European Biomass Assn. (AEBIOM) Board from 2012-2014.

Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Institute for American Universities (IAU), a nonprofit educational institution based in France. She received the 2014 Argus Biomass Award for Sustainability.

Elizabeth received a BA in International Studies and French from the University of Richmond, an MBA from The Wharton School, and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with her husband Erik, her son and daughter and multiple pets.

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Kyla Cheynet

Tauna Rignall

As the Director of Sustainability for Drax Biomass, Kyla Cheynet assists with sustainability verification of Drax’s North American pellet suppliers in the U.S. and Canada. A significant portion of her time is spent on certification and attention to developing policies and regulations that affect Drax’s ability to source forest biomass for the pellet production process. Her interest in wildlife led to a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management. Soon after starting to work as a biologist, Cheynet realized the key to wildlife management was active forest management, so she returned to college to get a master’s degree in Forest Management. She’s worked as a forester for a paper company, a biologist for the largest corporate forest landowner in the U.S., and now as a sustainability director for Drax. Cheynet has worked with environmental non-governmental organizations and federal and state wildlife agencies on conservation initiatives, as well as regulatory and policy issues.

Throughout Tauna Rignall’s career and work experience one theme is prevalent—a commitment to the energy industry.

Early in her career Rignall worked for The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a research chemist, conducting enzyme studies on bioethanol.

After pursuing and earning a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, she then decided to move into the oil and gas industry as a design engineer before accepting a project role at DCP Midstream, one of the largest gatherers and processors of natural gas and natural gas liquids in the U.S. It was at DCP Midstream where the opportunity to gain experience in operations from Plant Supervisor, to Director, to General Manager of NBU Operations came up for her.

Currently, she is the Vice President of Capital Projects and Construction at Enviva—the world’s largest producer of sustainable wood pellets that provide power and heat utility companies around the globe with a lowcarbon alternative to fossil fuels.

Here’s What They Said WB: What led you to the woody biomass industry and can you reflect on your various experiences and satisfaction in the field to date?

Woodworth: The well-known pellet producer Enviva led me to this industry. I joined the company as a part-time consultant in 2010 to help with rebranding— Enviva had recently changed its name and re-focused its product line. They needed marketing and communications help. Within a few weeks, it was clear that there was more work than just a part-time consultant could manage, so I joined the company full-time. These were the early days of Enviva, and the industrial-scale wood pellet industry was just beginning to emerge. I learned a lot in those early years about forestry, bioenergy and manufacturing. I became an ardent believer in the important role that wood-based biomass plays and will play going forward in the world’s search for sustainable

energy solutions. One of the most exciting things about being a part of the wood-to-energy industry in those early years was watching the groundwork being laid for not only the wood pellet export business, but for future applications as well. The supply chain that now efficiently transports wood pellets around the world for industrial-scale electricity and heat will someday also transport biomass for advanced biofuels, biochemicals, nano-cellulosic technology, and more. There is so much potential in this sector.

WB: What are the greatest challenges you see facing the wood-to-energy industry moving forward?

Linhart: Challenges facing the wood-to-energy industry include ongoing legislation around climate change, natural gas availability and pricing, and public perception of the wood industry. With millions of acres

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“The supply chain that now efficiently transports wood pellets around the world for industrial-scale electricity and heat will someday also transport biomass for advanced biofuels, biochemicals, nano-cellulosic technology, and more. There is so much potential —Woodworth in this sector.” of woodlands available to us in North America, we forest a significant portion of our land, and without full knowledge of our extensive forest management principles and practices, it is easy for someone to question the sustainability of our environment. People often misunderstand the full extent of the wood industry and draw conclusions that might not necessarily be totally factual.

Our industry ends up having to devote a significant portion of time and resources towards educating the public in the industry’s processes and practices.

Woodworth: Sustainability, transparency and messaging. The industry has grown quickly over the past decade, but it is still quite small vis-a-vis other forest product industries. And yet, due to this rapid growth, and because there are subsidies linked to the end-use of biomass, the sector continues to be closely scrutinized and criticized. The challenge for the forest industry is to ensure that supply chains are sustainable and that companies are clear about what they are and are not sourcing. Companies must be as transparent as possible about their wood supply. That is not an easy task. While U.S. forestland owners have a strong sustainability ethic, they are also fiercely protective of their privacy. For this sector to move forward, the entire supply chain will need to recognize that the market increasingly demands transparency and sustainability above all.

And finally, finding the right messaging is critical. The industry’s audiences include family forest owners and other supply chain actors, energy producers, environmental NGOs, and policymakers, among others. Targeted communications that reach each of these stakeholders are critical to the success and future of the industrial-scale pellet industry and future bio-energy sectors.

Cheynet: I think we can all agree that forests are special. Not only do they provide valuable wood products, they filter our water, clean our air, support a diversity of plant and wildlife species, and provide a haven for outdoor recreation. The market provided by the bioenergy industry encourages good forest management and incentivizes landowners to maintain their land in forests. The challenge for us is to communicate how our biomass sourcing contributes to the long-term health of the forest. At Drax we have been working with the Earthworm Foundation on a “Healthy Forests Landscape” initiative, the focus of which is to develop a methodology for measuring key forest health attributes in areas from which we source. It’s through innovations like this that I think we can expand knowledge and better engage with people outside the forest sector.

Rignall: The biggest challenge the woody biomass industry has and will continue to face is educating the public about the significant role biomass plays in the transition to a low-carbon, renewable energy future.

When it comes to woody biomass, the positive impacts of proper forest management and incentivizing forest landowners to continue to grow forests instead of converting their land to development or agriculture is key to keeping forests healthy and growing, while also sourcing and supplying low value wood for our industry. As a whole, the biomass industry needs to better educate the public on renewable and sustainable energy and how biomass is part of a multi-pronged approach for mitigating climate change both in the short and long term.

WB: How has being a woman in this particular industry aided your success?

Linhart: I am not sure if being a woman has necessarily aided my success in any way. If anything, I feel that it has actually created more challenges than a male in the same position. My success as a woman in this field has really come from my technical expertise, which I would definitely encourage every woman to aspire to in their careers. In today’s technologically advancing environment, women need to keep up with the ever-evolving technical advances so that they are able to be competitive in the market for the same jobs that men are applying for. If a man and a woman have the same exact skills in this industry, unless the woman can prove superiority in some shape or manner, she is not likely to be considered for that same position.

“There are a lot of opportunities for women in the energy field, but the industry needs to continue identifying, recruiting and nurturing top talent. I am fortunate to have had worked with several supportive mentors and champions that have helped shape my career. In return, I am always looking to pay it forward with —Rignall mentoring and supporting young female professionals.”

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Woodworth: There are many factors contributing to my success, though I would not say that being a woman was one of them. However, given that women are significantly underrepresented in the forest and energy sectors (and many others, too) there is always a surprise element in a woman’s presence on stage at a conference or in meetings, which demands and captures people’s attention. My experience, with a few exceptions, has been a positive one in this industry. I have enjoyed being a small part of the industry’s success and have made some good friendships along the way.

Cheynet: I am not sure if being a woman has necessarily aided my success. I work alongside both men and women who, like me, are passionate about sustainability. I believe it’s this passion that is key to success—in any field. My combined background in wildlife management and forestry has played an important part in my career. I would encourage the next generation of natural resource professionals to seek programs that offer well-rounded curriculums in resource management, with firm grounding in conservation and active resource management.

Rignall: I don’t think being a woman aided my career trajectory. In the professional world, diversity is key, but diversity goes beyond gender, race and ethnicity. I believe that my education and diverse career experience equipped me with invaluable insights that appealed to my current and former employers. Traditionally, the energy industry has been dominated by males, but as more women pursue careers in science, engineering and energy and as we embrace more renewables and technology, I believe our industry will look quite different in the next 5-10 years.

There are a lot of opportunities for women in the energy field, but the industry needs to continue identifying, recruiting and nurturing top talent. I am fortunate to have had worked with several supportive mentors and champions that have helped shape my career. In return, I am always looking to pay it forward with mentoring and supporting young female professionals.

WB: Given that many enter this industry with minimal prior knowledge on renewable energy, what steps do you think we can take to improve education for the upcoming generation?

Linhart: I am a strong proponent of internships by high school and college students. I have mentored numerous students throughout my career in the renewable energy industry and am always pleasantly surprised to hear from them as they come across a topic relating to our industry. Even though some of them are not working directly in the wood sector, they are still well-informed of our industry practices and can carry on intelligent conversations with those who may not be as familiar, thus exerting any necessary influence as needed in their particular roles. I also make a conscious effort to build partnerships with local high

schools, community colleges, and universities wherever I go. I feel this is a great forum for any wood-toenergy employer to build awareness for our industry and share the vast opportunities available to future generations in this field.

“I make a conscious effort to build partnerships with local high schools, community colleges and universities wherever I go. I feel this is a great forum for any wood-to-energy employer to build awareness for our industry and share the vast opportunities available to future genera—Linhart tions in this field.”

WB: What would you like to give a shout-out to?

Linhart: I feel our renewable energy professional organizations such as Argus, USIPA, WPAC and PFI do an amazing job in supporting the industry in not only promoting and sharing best practices relating to safety but also educating the public on the everevolving governmental policies and keeping the industry informed of its future growth prospects or challenges. I make it a point to always reside in the local community wherever my plant is located and end up forming great partnerships and friendships with the local businesses and residents. I want to give a special shout-out to a local Aliceville farmer, Annie Dee from Dee River Ranch, who goes out of her way to use every opportunity she encounters to promote sustainability in not only her own agricultural field but in all wood-related or forestry industries, especially promoting opportunities for women in every way she possibly can.

Woodworth: Yes! There is an exciting initiative in the forest community that’s gaining momentum and calling for more gender diversity in the sector—the Women’s Forest Congress. I have enjoyed being a part of this as a member of the Congress Steering Committee. I encourage anyone interested in being a part of this initiative to email info@womensforestcongress.org for more information.

Cheynet: I will give a plug to my alma mater, Virginia Tech! There are other nationally recognized universities offering programs in the Natural Resources (i.e. UGA, MS State, NC State…). The field of sustainability is developing as the world becomes more aware of its importance and as a result there are many more programs of study designed to prepare students for careers in the natural resources and renewable fields.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The following companies submitted these editorial profiles and images to complement their advertisements that appear elsewhere in this issue. All statements and claims are attributable to the companies.

Acrowood Acrowood has been supplying heavy duty equipment for the wood products industry for more than 100 years. Debarking, chipping, chip and particle screening, and treatment of over-thick chips is our specialty.

Acrowood’s Rotary Debarker can remove bark in difficult applications and difficult environments with low loss of white wood. No pre-treatment with steam or hot water is required.

A full line of chippers and re-chippers includes whole log units in 98 in. and 116 in. disc diameters and knife counts up to 15. The unique Slant Disc Design is available in disc sizes from 52 in. to 84 in. and knife counts up to eight. Disc re-chippers are available in 42 in. and 61 in. disc sizes with 10 knives. All units are designed to optimize chip quality and minimize maintenance.

The Acrowood Disc Scalper removes large, oversize Acrowood DiamondRoll screen material from bark and chip flows. Our unique disc design is highly effective at removing this large material. Our unique pillow-block bearing design provides years of trouble-free service.

Acrowood’s Dual Drive Suspended Screen is supplied with multiple decks and can separate and segregate material using punched plate or wire mesh. We are experienced with screening of wood chips, sawdust, wood waste, pellets and bark.

Acrowood’s Air Density Separator (ADS) can remove heavy contaminants from a flow of wood chips or sawdust. Wire, rocks, metal and knots can be effectively removed from a flow of material.

DiamondRoll screens offer a means of screening all wood-based material and pellets in a non-vibrating, totally enclosed design. The DiamondRoll screen is highly selective, and the screen opening can be changed with a simple shim change.

Trillium Disc Screen offers an aggressive means of separating layers of OSB and other materials that tend to stick together.

Acrowood’s Chip Cracker offers the most efficient means of treating over-thick chips with the lowest production of fines and pins. Where thickness and size reduction is required Acrowood’s Chip Slicer offers an alternative to cracking or re-chipping.

Bruks Siwertell Due to increased customer demand for corrugated products, Packaging Corp. of America has turned to Bruks Siwertell to increase capacity and improve efficiencies of its operations in Wallula, Wash.

The current manually operated wood yard will be upgraded to the latest automated technology available on the market. The new design will incorporate fully enclosed Bruks Siwertell truck receiving and conveying systems. These systems will include dust control systems to help mitigate any emissions that occur as chips are received, stored and transported.

Chips will be transported using a combination of the latest conveying designs, including the patented Bruks Siwertell “The Belt Conveyor.” Wallula will see significant benefits with this system including lower capital Bruks Siwertell supplied a complete wood yard system for the costs, lower operating costs and an overall improvement to site conditions due to the fully enclosed design. Colombo Energy (Enviva) pellet plant in Greenwood, SC. Storage will include two Bruks Siwertell Circular Blending Bed Stacker Reclaimers (CBBSR)). The stacker reclaimers are designed to provide 360° pile storage. Bene-

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fits of this machine design include improved inventory control and homogenized material reclaim.

Bruks Siwertell is acting as a turnkey supplier for this system in Wallula. The scope of supply includes geotechnical evaluation, system design, foundation design, foundation supply and installation of the equipment. Once complete, Bruks Siwertell will have commissioned a fully functional new wood yard for Wallula all without disrupting current operations at the mill. Expected project completion is in 2022.

Bruks Siwertell is a leading supplier of dry bulk handling and wood processing systems. The company designs, produces and delivers systems for loading, unloading, conveying, storing, and stacking and reclaiming dry bulk materials, alongside equipment for chipping, screening, milling and processing wood for the biofuel, board, sawmill, pulp and paper industries.

All equipment is designed to ensure environmentally friendly and efficient operations.

CEM Machine CEM Machine, Inc., Carthage, NY, produces heavy duty high production disc chippers with disc diameters ranging from 96 in.

(2.4 m) to 140 in. (3.55 m) and with disc knives from 8 to 18, and in certain models as many as 20. Chipping lines with more knives will be capable of the highest production rates. The number of knives is especially essential when cutting small size conventional chips and microchips since maximizing the number of cuts per minute is critical to providing maximum chipper and log line production.

Owners who recognize the need to replace an outdated or underperforming chipper frequently choose CEM to supply a new chipper into their existing chipping lines. These upgrades often require few infrastructure modifications besides replacing the chipper to achieve significant performance improvements. CEM’s latest retrofit project, a 124 in. (3150 mm) 18 knife chipper unit replacing an existing 116 in. (2950 mm) 10 knife chipper, will com- Disc for CEM model 18 knife UltraChip chipper, replacmission in 2020 Q4. ing owner’s original disc chipper that had fewer knives CEM offers the industry’s leading repair services for many dif- and disc cracking problems ferent wear parts in your chipper. Many wear parts CEM can return to a like-new condition offering a much quicker return on your investment.

CEM’s chippers for either high-quality conventional size chips for pulp production or energy efficient microchips for pellet, biofuels or biochemical processes have also been included in new log lines and chipping systems provided in conjunction with or as a component of well-respected systems suppliers such as FiberPro (Hot Springs, Ark.) and Raumaster Oy (Rauma, Finland).

CEM is a 100% employee-owned U.S. based supplier of chippers, chipper parts, and technical services for CEM’s products. CEM’s equipment, operating on six continents, is furnished with patented technologies such as our LiteKnife system shown assembled to disc in the photo that provides owners and operators of chipping lines with exclusive advantages in areas of wood yard safety, reliability, production capability, and both conventional wood chip and microchip quality.

FMW The Blended-Bed Stacker/Reclaimer is the flagship of FMW’s product line. Having developed this pioneering technology in the 1970s, FMW has delivered many more machines than all other suppliers combined. Recognized as the world’s leader for the supply of chip storage and reclaim systems, many of the most respected companies in our industry are FMW repeat customers.

At FMW, we firmly believe that process consistency creates process efficiency. It is a fact that mills benefit when FMW has established FMW North America, Inc. maximizing consistency at the beginning of the process. The homogenization provided by Blended-Bed technology contributes benefits that are unheard of in other means of chip handling. The result is a high return for your investment and many years of exemplary process benefits.

Innovation is in our DNA. Our newest development, the S-DAX, is the only 21st century over-pile stacker/reclaimer

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available. Completely automated and providing true first-in/first-out pile management, the S-DAX is one of a kind. The TREX reclaimer is a retrofit that offers the ability to update antiquated over-pile machines with blended-bed capabilities.

FMW product enhancement efforts are led by dedicated R&D engineers whose sole function is continuous improvement. We routinely work with industry partners to test ideas under actual production conditions. Everything that we learn from these efforts, and through the experience of our many installed systems, is immediately incorporated into the latest generation of FMW stacker/reclaimers.

To enhance our service availability in North America, we are pleased to announce the opening of FMW North America, Inc. Our goal is to simplify the customer-supplier interface while providing our customers with local and immediate contact.

Furthermore, our new parts and service center and our growing team of North American and European service engineers have made our responsiveness even better than you have come to expect.

There is so much more to say, but the fact is that FMW has developed an outstanding reputation for innovation, engineering, quality, and customer service during its almost 60 years in business. When considering chip handling projects, whether individual machines or complete systems, give us a call. At FMW, we are your Engineers of Progress.

Fulghum Industries Fulghum Industries, Inc. of Wadley, Ga. recently manufactured and installed their improved 170 ft.

Variable Radius 25-ton two-bite Electric Log Crane at the Biewer Lumber sawmill in Newton, Miss.

Biewer Lumber has expanded its state-of-the-art sawmill in Newton and is expected to increase mill production by more than 100MMBF per year. The corporate investment for this updated facility is projected to result in more than 30 new jobs and includes an expanded wood yard, a third continuous kiln, a stacker and a third strapper; all designed to support the addition of a second saw line.

This newly installed crane is the 166th that Fulghum has produced and offers a new improved crane cab with exceptional operator visibility and additional floor space. The Fulghum crane is built in accordance with the Crane Manufacturer’s Assn. of America New 170 ft. 25-ton Fulghum log crane at Biewer Lumber in New(CMAA) Class “F” rating in terms of load class and ton, Miss. load cycles. The Fulghum crane is capable of handling loads approaching the rated capacity continuously under severe service conditions throughout its life. Fulghum is steadily developing ways of evolving with the constant changing needs of the forest products market by paying attention to detail, quality and innovations in technology.

Schutte Hammermill The Schutte Hammermill Hogerizer produces a fine, clean, marketable grind in just one pass. With capacities surpassing 10 TPH, the Hogerizer pallet and scrap grinder thoroughly and completely grinds whole or partial pallets to a finely ground mulch in a single pass. Hump tunnel magnets remove all nails and the powerful material handling fan conveys the clean material to storage. The custom designed electrical controls package allows entire system startup and shutdown from a single panel. Built in system logic sequentially starts and stops each individual component.

The Hogerizer is available in three standard sizes: Model 56-35 is designed to easily process whole pallets. The smaller, Model 42-35 and 30-35 efficiently process pallet scrap and boards.

The Schutte Hogerizer offers the innovative features and Schutte high production pallet and wood scrap grinder uncompromising quality in construction and workmanship that

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you can only get from Schutte Hammermill. Our Hogerizer models are ideal for lumber mills, furniture plants, recycling facilities and other operations for processing trim scrap, pallets, boxes, paper products and more.

The Schutte Hogerizer is the practical, efficient and environmentally safe way to get rid of scrap wooden pallets. The completely integrated system feeds pallets automatically, removes all nails, screws and staples, and produces a finely ground mulch—in just a single pass. No secondary operations are needed.

Standard 48 in. wide pallets are placed on the vibrating steel bed, nails and all, and fed into the mouth of the unit where four rows of heat-treated steel hammers “hogerizes” them. The finely ground particles, along with the nails and other tramp iron, are sucked into an automatic rotary drum magnetic hump tunnel by a powerful 40-50 HP materials handling fan.

In a specially-designed automatic rotary drum magnetic hump tunnel, the mixture suddenly changes direction, momentarily reducing its velocity. Eriez Superbrute permanent plate magnets “reach out” and pull the nails and other metal objects from the flow. The ground wood continues through the fan blades and into a trailer to be hauled away, into storage, or for further processing.

Tamtron Tamtron has launched a new generation timber scale, the One Timber. This new technology includes a completely redesigned display and weighing link.

One Timber scale features the new-generation Tamtron One touch screen display and an innovative strain gauge weighing link. The weighing link is based on strain gauge technology so there are no moving parts or hydraulics that cause friction to affect the weighing result. This eliminates the possibility of irregularities in the weighing results.

“The One Timber scale is extremely accurate and enables optimized load performance in all conditions,” says Harri Pentinniemi, Product Manager at Tamtron, who adds they have done a complete overhaul of the timber scale. “We cooperated with a design agency to create a new user-interface for the scale and special attention was paid to its simplicity. The display’s durability in different environmental conditions was also increased.”

The scale transmits data 24 hours a day wirelessly to the One Cloud, which can be integrated into a customer’s own record-keeping software. With the Tamtron One Cloud service and real-time data transfer, weighing results are immediately transmitted to the customer, and orders can also be sent directly to the scales, locate the scale’s activity and view work done on a PC. According to Tamtron Sales Manager Juhana Ruupansalo, this new technolNew scale offers real-time, exact data. ogy will increase the transparency between all parties involved. At the same time, the possibility of human error is eliminated and the work is more flexible when loaded amounts are not recorded manually.

The One Timber scale has been in use by test customers for over a year now. According to Ruupansalo, customers have given very good feedback, especially on the durability, quality and usability of the scale.

“Tamtron has the advantage of decades of know-how in the production of weighing solutions, which has allowed for our scales to be extremely reliable. The One Timber’s development sought to actively search for the variations in the user experience of the scale in different situations and users over a long period of time. This is now reflected in the successful outcome of the scale.”

Vermeer Vermeer offers two electric-powered trommel screen models for biomass producers looking for ways to help reduce exhaust emissions, noise levels and maintenance. The newest addition to the Vermeer electric-powered recycling product line, the TR5300EM trommel screen, can produce up to 100 cubic yards (76.5 m3) per hour with .50 in. (12.7 mm) screens when material moisture is at less than 40%. For larger production needs, choose the Vermeer TR626EM trommel screen with the capability of running up to 200 cubic yards (152.9 m3) per hour in with similar material.

The Vermeer TR5300EM is powered by an industrial-duty, fan-cooled 60 HP (44.7 kW) electric motor and delivers a drum speed of 0-24 revolutions per minute to handle multiple material types, including biomass. The quiet-operating TR5300EM also features a low hopper infeed with a capacity of 5.5 cubic yards (4.2 m3) and includes new service and operating enhancements.

The hydraulically driven drum on the TR5300EM is 15 ft. (4.6 m) long and 5 ft. (1.6 m) in diameter to optimize material processing and deliver a high-quality end product. Quick-change screens and a quick-change drum help make it convenient

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to perform sizing adjustments. The TR5300EM also features several access doors to help with servicing and a set of dual-hinged doors on both sides of the machine for full access to the drum at ground level.

The Vermeer TR626EM features a 6 ft. (1.83 m) drum and a hopper that holds 6 cubic yards (4.6 m3) of material, and is powered by two industrial-duty, fully enclosed and fan-cooled electric motors. A single 150 HP (112 kW) motor powers the hydraulic pump stack while a .75 HP (.6 kW) motor powers the cooling fan for the hydraulic system. It can be outfitted Vermeer electric-powered trommel screens with a 180° arc radial stacking conveyor to increase the amount of material being stacked on the ground. The adjustable stacking height aids with dust control and helps to prevent material from blowing away.

Both Vermeer electric-powered trommel screens provide access to service areas and can be operated through either the Vermeer DP10 display mounted on the control panel or through a handheld transceiver remote. From either control, the operator can choose from four programmable presets or adjust on the fly based on the incoming material.

Wolf MHS Wolf Material Handling Systems is the premier designer and supplier of fuel yard systems for the biomass power and conversion, pulp and paper, power generation, resource recovery, mining, chemical, manufacturing and other industries that require material handling. Wolf MHS provides complete in-house design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and installation for systems using conveyance, stacking, reclaim, truck dumpers, receiving hoppers and ash/biochar receiving, handling, storage, and removal.

Wolf understands the challenges required to handle biomass and its byproducts, taking full responsibility for every aspect of the process from fuel receiving, sizing, storage, reclaim and boiler feed. With a long history of delivering performance and innovation, Wolf is often considered not just a Wolf is an established supplier of fuel yard systems to the material handling systems provider, but a technology partner wood energy industry. in the development of projects, by providing complete interdisciplinary systems and support beginning with the conceptual phase through commissioning.

IR1 Group LLC, the EPC contractor for the Red Rock Biofuels biorefinery project in Lakeview, Ore., awarded Wolf MHS the engineering services and equipment agreement to receive, stockpile and reclaim a variety of wet woody biomass and size it for consistent delivery to the biorefinery’s gasifier system. This south central area of Oregon offers an abundant source of waste woody biomass and excellent transportation access to the major low carbon fuel markets in the Western U.S. and Canada.

Wolf partnered with the IR1 Group project development team to develop the initial concept, work through environmental and site challenges, develop budgets, offering Wolf’s depth of knowledge and practical experience that supported the IR1 Group team’s efforts beyond the capabilities of other vendors. Wolf was also tasked with the recovery, transfer, storage and the preparation for sale of the biochar created by the process. Wolf provided structural and concrete engineering for their supplied systems, along with electrical controls and integration for a complete material handling package.

Red Rock Biofuels’ first project is nearing completion and anticipates startup in spring 2021. When in full operation, this renewable fuel facility will convert approximately 166,000 dry tons of waste woody biomass into 16.1 million gallons/year of low-carbon, renewable jet, and diesel fuels.

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2020

Editorial Index

FEBRUARY From The Editors Wood Bio Conference On Stage. Page 6.

Sixth Wood Bio Agenda Set. Page 8.

Post-Michael Salvage Effort. Page 20.

2019 Wood Bio Guide.

Pages 24-38.

APRIL From The Editors Wood Bio Conference Delivers. Page 6.

Wood Bio Conference Information Blitz.

Page 14.

Dryer Island. Page 26.

JUNE From The Editors EPA Bails On Biomass. Page 6.

Pinnacle In Alabama The South’s Newest Player.

Page 12.

Wood Bio Part Two Projects, Air Emissions. Page 20.

Choosing The Right Conveyors For Biomass. Page 26.

Raw Materials Processing. Page30.

AUGUST From The Editors No Place To Go. Page 6.

The Great Adjustment Suppliers Repond To Virus.

Page 14.

New Drax Biomass Leader Matt White. Page 14.

Enviva Hosts Webinar. Page 16.

Advanced Pellets Lead Wood Energy Discussion. Page 18.

Remaking The Forest After Michael. Page 18.

Safety Technologies. Page 24.

DECEMBER

A Decarbonized Future With Wood Pellets. Page 24.

Dry End Production. Page 27.

From The Editors Where It All Started.

Page 6.

OCTOBER

Women Weigh In. Page 14.

From The Editors Pellet Exports On The Rise.

Page 6.

Wood Yard Technology. Page 18.

Power Generation In The Future. Page 24.

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Power Generation

In The Future

By William Strauss

S

trategies and policies for reversing the impacts of climate change are needed now more than ever. To get from where we are today to future goals for lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will require a portfolio of complementary solutions.

That future is typically seen as relying on electricity generated from wind turbines and solar farms. This white paper will show that deploying more wind turbines and solar farms will require massive battery storage at a scale that is difficult to imagine as achievable. As this paper will show, grid level battery storage sufficient to support the reliable supply of electricity in a decarbonized power sector is probably decades (or more!) away. One strategy for maintaining grid reliability during this long transition from where we are today to a 100% carbon free generation portfolio is discussed in the final section this paper.

The final section of this paper looks at the U.S.’ coal fueled power plant fleet and how a select number of existing units could be put to work lowering the carbon intensity of electricity generation.

Toward Zero Carbon For the power generation sector, the expected pathway to decarbonization is via the use of wind power and solar power supported by grid-scale battery storage.

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The storage is needed to solve the variability and intermittency of those sources. But there are very challenging hurdles in that pathway. Grid-scale battery storage sufficient to meet the reliability standards of our power grids is probably decades or more away.

The above chart shows the power mix for England (UK) for one week in August 2020. The arrow shows a period in which both wind and solar generation were very low. The difference between demand and supply from the low-carbon baseload generation (nuclear and wood pellets) plus what wind and solar added to the stack was about 19,400 MW. That gap was satisfied with natural gas.

Battery storage would not only have to supply some 19,400 megawatt-hours (MWhs) for many hours but it

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would have to depend on being charged up during other hours.

There is no time in the chart or anywhere in the UK’s history where there was more power from wind and solar than there was total demand. In other words, it is not possible unless a lot more wind and solar generating capacity is installed, and very large battery systems are deployed.

The potential for prolonged windless days and the certainty of long winter nights adds to the capacity contingency needed for grid reliability.

The UK is used as an example because another characteristic of the UK mix is the steady reliability of power generated by two large generating stations using wood pellets rather than coal, and the significant proportion of the UK’s total demand that is produced using wood pellets.

Deploying wind and solar generation is easy to envision. It is the necessary energy storage component that presents a challenge. The concept of having a large stock of stored power in batteries that can supply power when wind and solar cannot is easy to envision. But there is a vast gap between where we are today and a system that can provide reliable power based on energy storage.

In North America, the regional transmission organization (RTO) with the largest battery storage capacity is PJM, shown in the chart above. The PJM region covers all or parts of 13 states in the U.S. Northeast.

Even though PJM leads in the deployment of battery storage, the PJM region still has an exceptionally long way to go to solve the problem of how to replace fossil fuels with wind and solar and battery.

Fossil fuels add well over 50,000 MW to supply (see

chart below). Wind and solar average output in the period in the chart were 2,836 MW; far insufficient to recharge the massive and as yet unbuilt 50,000 MWs of battery capacity while simultaneously powering the grid.

It is MWhs that define how long the batteries can provide power. The MWhs stored in the batteries are not from the instantaneous generation of electricity from the conversion of other forms of energy (such as coal, wind, etc.) into electricity. Thus they deplete and have a limited amount of time they can supply power.

In the U.S. in 2018 there was 868 MW of instantaneous grid level battery storage that held about 1,236 MWhs of energy capacity (about 1.4 times the rated instantaneous power capacity). Batteries deplete rapidly when the load is substantial.

PJM battery storage in 2018 was about 282 MW. Assuming that the batteries have to carry most of the load other than the other non-fossil fuel generation (nuclear and, if daytime, solar and, if the wind is blowing, wind), and assuming MHhs = 1.4 x MW, then 282 MW of battery will last between 11 and 18 minutes depending on if the demand is during peak or off-peak. If the wind is not blowing and it is night, it would be a few minutes less. If all of the 868 MW of U.S. grid dedicated battery storage that was in place in 2018 were supplying the PJM area they would last between 34 and 55 minutes (peak or off-peak).

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that the U.S. will have 1,623 MW of grid-scale battery storage by 2023. If all of that battery capacity were dedicated to PJM and required to keep the lights on if there were no fossil fuel generated power, it would last about

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63 or 102 minutes at current peak and off-peak demand.

This is assuming that nuclear continues to generate at around 30,000 MW and wind and solar are generating at the average output that they produce now. And then the batteries would require recharging even though there is no excess power after what is still generating tries to satisfy demand.

But the system could not satisfy demand. Once the batteries are depleted, if there were no fossil fuel generation, the lights would go out in large areas. There is a long way to go to be 100% dependent on wind and solar (and nuclear).

Note that PJM total biomass generation (primarily waste-to-energy) was less than 1%. Coal was about 11.8% during the period used for the chart.

The coal fired generating units in the PJM RTO and in the rest of the U.S. (and the world) offer a real potential to supplement baseload power with low carbon generation that is there when it is needed.

The experience in the UK and in other jurisdictions that use pellets in what were once 100% coal burning power plants, proves that a strategy for substituting sustainably produced wood pellets for coal is technically feasible.

To make it economically feasible requires that the external costs of CO2 emissions be internalized into how energy is priced. That is, policy that recognizes the costs of carbon pollution and prices carbon emissions is necessary.

Carbon Taxes!

Most economists agree that taxing carbon emissions is the most efficient and potentially most equitable way to incentivize a transition away from fossil fuels.

Carbon trading schemes such a “cap and trade” can also be effective. A trading scheme sets a limit on the quantities of CO2 that can be emitted and the regulator issues permits that allow a specific quantity of emissions. The price of carbon is set by trading carbon credits in the markets and that price will vary with supply and demand. This is more or less the opposite of a carbon tax scheme where the price is set by policy and the businesses work out the profit maximizing (or loss minimizing) quantities of CO2 emissions. Both can be effective, but a carbon tax is a more direct instrument that clearly places the costs of carbon pollution on the polluter while generating easy to define revenues.

In many conversations about policy, suggestions of

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raising any tax is a “third rail.” However, as in all cases with any tax policy, the revenues from the taxes are used to fund government spending. So what matters is how the funds are spent, and who within society benefits and who pays. Taxes are a necessary and fundamental component for supporting and maintaining social well-being if the spending programs they support are defined with social welfare as the primary objective.

A well-crafted carbon tax phased in over several years will obviously result in a net positive to social and environmental welfare in the long term; but it can also be a net positive in the short term as well.

With a carbon tax, it is not so simple that only the

polluter pays. There will be negative social welfare impacts from the higher cost of using fossil fuels. For example, lower income households tend to spend a higher proportion of disposal income on energy (transportation, electricity, heating fuels). Furthermore, increases in the cost of production and transportation will likely increase the cost of some final goods. Thus, without an equitable strategy for how the carbon tax revenues are spent, a carbon tax would be regressive in the short term.

In a study from 2015, it was calculated that a $40 tax per short ton of CO2 equivalent emitted would add about $0.36 cents to the price of a gallon of gasoline (about $0.095 per liter). A $40/ton tax, based on the same 2015 paper, would be expected to add about $0.02/kWh to the average price of electricity. Changes in the power grid’s generation source mix since 2015 will likely lower that impact in 2021 (more natural gas, more renewables and less coal). But there will still be an impact on power costs that, for lower income households, would be a real burden.

Using the substantial revenues from a carbon tax for rebating lower income households based on a measure of per capita income could reverse the regressiveness.

Lowering income taxes for some could also be part of

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an equitable policy.

And some of the revenue could be dedicated to R&D in critical technologies for lowering atmospheric CO2 concentrations such as energy storage, to facilitate more wind and solar, and biomass carbon capture and sequestration (BCCS).

If well-crafted, and not distorted by special interests, a carbon tax will not harm economically vulnerable households and will accelerate decarbonization.

The fundamental purpose of the tax would not change: Polluters would still pay, and the use of fossil fuels would be gradually reduced. How energy is produced and used for manufacturing, transportation and heating will evolve. The efficiency of energy use will improve. The amount of energy a household needs for a decent standard of living will evolve.

If anthropogenic CO2 emissions are to be curbed, a carbon tax is the most practical, effective and equitable option for guiding meaningful action soon enough to matter.

Carbon taxes or carbon trading schemes are already in place in many countries that are taking climate change seriously.

Coal Factors In This paper has shown that a simplistic view of wind, solar and battery as an easy pathway to decarbonization does not capture the real challenges of supplying sufficient and reliable renewable power.

A proven, low cost, and ready to deploy solution is to substitute sustainably sourced biomass solid fuel for coal. FutureMetrics and many others have documented the efficacy of this strategy.

Globally in 2019 about 43,730,000 MWhs of baseload electricity will be produced by wood pellets. The comparison with battery capacity of about 2,272 MWhs in the U.S. in the year 2023 is meaningless.

Every tonne of coal that is replaced by wood pellets lowers net CO2 emissions by at least 85% in most locations and each tonne of pellet fuel supplies about 4.8 MWhs of continuous renewable on-demand energy.

When (not if!) the U.S. creates policy that will support this well-proven strategy, there are a number of coal stations in the U.S. that could benefit from co-firing or, in selected locations, conversion to 100% renewable carbohydrate-based fuel instead of hydrocarbon-based fuels mined from the earth.

This existing fleet could continue to supply on-de-

mand power to balance the grid as wind and solar generation increases. The carbon intensity of the power would be proportionally lowered as the ratio of pellets to coal is increased. That on-demand reduced carbon intensity generation can contribute to goals for lower CO2 per MWhs of electricity while transitioning to that day out in the future when grid-level battery storage is sufficient.

The chart on the opposite page shows the age distribution of all 529 of the U.S. coal power generating units (some power plants have more than one coal fired unit). There are 41 units that are less than 15 years old.

There are at least three decades of life left in these newer high efficiency units representing about 22,000 MW of capacity.

Some of these assets can be used rather than discarded to contribute to a lowering of carbon emissions in the power sector.

The map shows the locations of the 41 newer units.

Some are in areas with an abundance of otherwise nonmerchantable byproducts from forestry operations. But those areas are too far from ports and/or have no rail or barge options for moving pellets to an export terminal.

In other words, there are areas around existing relatively new coal power stations in parts of the U.S. that are capable of producing perpetually renewing biomass based solid fuel for power generation.

If the concentration of available sustainable wood is close enough to the power station, there is no need to make pellets first. Pellets are a way to maximize the energy density in a cubic meter of space to minimize the cost to transport the energy they contain to the power plant. If transport distances are short enough within the wood supply region to the power plant, a processing plant can be located directly next to the power station.

Waste heat from the power station can be used for drying the wood and then it only has to be milled to the

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small particle size that the pulverized fuel system needs for combustion. Pulverized fuel systems are typical in most of the large-scale utility power boilers in coal generating units.

Under that scenario, without an investment in a full sized pellet factory, without the operating costs associated with densifying milled dried wood into pellets, and without transport costs for moving pellets to a power plant, the cost of that sustainable fuel will be significantly lower than pellet fuel from farther away.

The supply chain carbon footprint of the pellets will significantly lower yielding reductions in CO2 emissions versus coal of more than 90%.

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There is no question that currently the cost per unit of energy (gigajoule per metric tonne or BTU per pound) for coal is less than it is for wood pellets. But, as in those jurisdictions that are using pellets for power production (primarily Western Europe, the UK, Japan and

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South Korea), there is policy in place that compensates the generator for the higher cost of pellet fuel and/or allows them to avoid costs associated with CO2 pollution.

A combination of policy instruments are used in those countries to compensate the utilities. Feed-in-tariffs (FiT), contracts for difference (CfD), and carbon pricing are common.

The preceeding image shows that if a 500 MW coal station is modified to co-fire pellets, based on the other assumptions in the dashboard including a co-firing ratio sufficient to lower the units CO2 emissions by 50%, the increase in the cost of generation versus 100% coal is about $28/MWhs or less than three cents per kWh. If only a carbon tax is used, at a rate of about $50 per metric tonne (about $55 per short ton) or higher, the power station would have better cash flows co-firing by avoiding the carbon tax it has to pay on the coal it is consuming. That is, the increase in the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE22) versus using 100% coal is fully offest by the avoided carbon tax.

The benefit of a carbon tax is that the revenues, which in the example above would be based on the 655,000 tonnes of coal still being used, will pay for programs described in the opening section of this paper.

Conclusion Business-as-usual (BAU) in the case of CO2 emissions will result in unimaginable negative changes to the world that we and the rest of living things have evolved in. To change that trajectory in time to prevent catastrophic outcomes, effective and meaningful policy has to make change happen in the near term.

Policy is needed because changing is more costly than business-as-usual. Although as FutureMetrics has suggested here, the increasing frequency and severity of climate change consequences are making BAU more costly anyway. That dynamic will support policy that makes CO2 pollution costly.

A world powered by wind turbines and solar farms is possible. But not without massive investments in generation capacity and major investment and advances in battery technology. It will likely happen but most likely not in the next decade or more.

Sustainably using the natural solar energy collectors (growing trees and other plants) that convert that energy into carbohydrates and other organic molecules that can be used for many purposes, including energy production, is a solution that is already deployed in some places.

Sensible carbon reduction strategic planning in the U.S. and elsewhere will take a serious look at the ideas in this paper. Then they should be incorporated into policy.

William Strauss is President of FutureMetrics, LLC, 207357-8708; email: WilliamStrauss@FutureMetrics.com. Contact him for references and sources associated with this paper.

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Europe Forestry Offers EC 640

that the pipe never is blocked.

Loading of all logs and branches is done with the Europe The Dutch company Europe Forestry Crane EFC 2050 that can Forestry BV presents its EC 640 lift two tonnes and has a reach of Europe Chipper, which provides 5 m. The chipper infeed opening maximum chipping performance is 600 mm wide and 400 mm mounted on a trailer chassis with high. Logs with diameter of 40 road legal documents and push centimeters still go in. brakes. Total weight is 3500 kg and Included in the total package is that is inclusive of the engine, crane, one hydraulic driven top roller chipper and the galvanized chassis. with down pressure. The PLC in 3500 kg is the maximum weight the europecontroller is prothat can be towed by regular car but grammed with “constant chip.” As the two axles of the chassis can take soon as the PLC indicates that the 2500 kg each. Components are engine is giving less rotations per heavily overdesigned to adsorb minute, it slows down the infeed more forces as needed. speed in the same ratio. Therefore chip size will remain constant and the engine will hardly need the automatic no stress.

The other program in the PLC is “vario chip.” With one push on the button, clients can make bigger chips or smaller chips by adjusting the infeed speed in combination with the rotor speed.

Clients can choose for a bigger crane, for tracks, for extra bottom infeed roller with gear reducer and for hydraulic legs instead of mechanical legs and for any color Top chipping performance while mounted other than yellow and black. on a trailer chassis Europe Forestry BV has a 20The heart of the EC 640 is a C4.4 year long tradition in supplying inCaterpillar diesel engine with an novative Europe Chippers as well output of 140 kw/200 HP between as the documentation that comes 1800 and 2000 rpm. The power with the chippers. from the engine goes directly to the Call 0031-625-070107; visit chipper drum by powerbelt. Bewww.europeforestry.com cause the drive train is designed with great efficiency, the consumpJohn Deere Expands tion of fuel in practice is less than TimberMatic Maps 10 liters per hour average.

The two knives of the chipper Increasing job site visibility drum rotate with less than one mm and visualization, John Deere exdistance along the special hardened pands its TimberMatic Maps and counterknive; this results in perfect TimberManager software to wood chips without any dust. What seamlessly incorporate data from also helps to reduce dust producthe Waratah H-16 Measuring Systion is that EC 640 has no augers tem. With the new capability, the and no chip blower: The two air TimberMatic Maps system colcompressors on both sides of the lects production data from hardrum in combination with the venvesting heads equipped with the turi mounted in the transition beWaratah H-16 system, providing tween drum and pipe that work as a real-time production data of carburetor take full responsibility processed timber linked to loca-

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tion through the in-cab monitor and synched to the cloud-based TimberManager. Job site progress data is then accessible to off-site managers or employees through a phone, tablet or computer using the TimberManager software.

The software pairing is available for John Deere tracked harvesters or forestry swing machines equipped with harvesting heads using the Waratah H-16 Measuring System. Additionally, the TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager are included in-base on new machines ordered with a factory H-16 Measuring System. A retrofit option

can be downloaded and installed at no additional charge on existing machines utilizing the H-16 system.

Machines must be equipped with 4G MTG and an active JDLink Telematics subscription.

Launched in 2018, TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager enhance machine connectivity and communication. The TimberMatic Maps solution features mapping software for use in the field, leveraging a mobile network to share real-time production data between operators and office managers in the office. Data is collected through sensors on the equipment,

while production location is gathered through GPS technology.

Visit johndeere.com.

Werk-Brau Enhances Loader Buckets

Werk-Brau loader bucket

New Werk-Brau high performance loader buckets are designed for strength and durability, whether digging in virgin soil or re-handling material up to 2,000 lbs/cubic yard in density. A 3º inclined bottom reduces loading forces, allowing the bucket to do more and last longer, with less wear and tear. The bucket top channel has a strong design to withstand the high digging forces exerted by today’s more powerful machines. This allows the bucket to be used is harsh conditions without worry of overloading or breaking.

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Werk-Brau loader buckets are available in various widths with capacities from 1 to 9 cubic yards, with special designs and capabilities available upon request.

High strength abrasion resistant steel is utilized in all critical components, ensuring strength and allowing easier dumping. All seams are welded solid to ensure extra durability. A curved side wall allows for greater capacity and higher yield, allowing users to dig and load more material per scoop. Auxiliary edge and teeth are available upon request to make digging even easier.

All Werk-Brau loader attachments are manufactured to OEM specifications for all makes and models of all wheel loaders.

Werk-Brau manufactures a complete line of OEM and replacement attachments for excavators, mini

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excavators, backhoes, mini and full-size loaders, and crawler loaders. Visit werk-brau.com

Doosan Expands Road Builders Line Doosan Infracore North America, LLC, extends its log loader product offering with two new road builders. The new Doosan DX300LL-5 and DX380LL-5 road builders complement the current DX225LL-5 road builder in offering comfort, power and durability.

The DX300LL-5 and DX380LL-5 road builders are designed for use in forestry and logging applications. Within the forestry industry, they are operated in access road development, timber harvesting, log loading and mill work. The road builders are

often the first machines on a site, used to build access roads or clear a path for other forestry equipment. Customers can also find uses for them in construction demolition or crushing tasks.

Due to the nature of work that the DX300LL-5 and DX380LL-5 perform, they offer exceptional power and operator comfort. Operators can stay comfortable in the enclosed excavator cab or optional forestry cab.

Doosan road builders provide flexibility.

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A standard excavator cab simplifies machine transport due to its lower height. Extra cab guarding is available, further protecting the machine to reduce downtime.

The road builders pair parts of Doosan log loaders and excavators for maximum efficiency and power. The models combine a log loader mainframe with an excavator boom and arm front configuration. Traditional excavator attachments are available to pair with the new road builders. Road builders and attachments can remove tree stumps and logs, and clear paths for access roads to the harvesting sites.

The high, wide undercarriage travels across exposed stumps, brush and forest foliage. Heavyduty track links and full-length track guiding guards increase undercarriage durability.

Customers can monitor their equipment with DoosanCONNECT Telematics, so even in remote locations the Doosan equipment’s location and health are accounted for with satellite device communication. In addition, Doosan dealers can monitor their customers’ machines and respond to parts and service needs in a timely manner.

Visit Doosan.com

Büttner Pairs Dryer And Energy Systems

Büttner offers single source systems.

With the acquisition of the Metso energy system division in 2007, Büttner expanded its product portfolio from dryer system solutions for MDF, particleboard, OSB and pellets, to complete dryer islands for all

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biomass and wood-based material industries.

For Büttner, this decision was both strategic and a step toward “returning to the roots.” The company, which was established in 1874 by August Büttner, started out by engineering and manufacturing energy systems. Büttner started focusing on dryer solutions in 1928. The 2007 acquisition resulted in numerous advantages and benefits for plant operators.

Büttner offers, designs and supplies dryer and energy systems from a single source. With a combined engineering effort, the design work is not only significantly reduced, but more importantly a completely integrated energy-dryer system concept is developed and implemented. The traditional concept of energy system “A” exchanging limited data via “handshake” with dryer system “B” is obsolete. A fully integrated energy-dryer system concept, supplied by Büttner, allows for faster reaction times for heat transfer, significantly faster drying temperature adjustments needed for varying infeed moistures, better drying quality of the dried fiber/material with regard to moisture variation and tolerance, and last, but not least, improved system emissions. The logistics processes, as well as assembly and startup, have also become more efficient.

From the process point of view, energy and dryer systems clearly belong together. With their approach, Büttner already went one step further. Büttner not only supplies an energy system together with a dryer system, it also designs and engineers all from one source.

As energy source Büttner offers two concepts:a multi-fuel suspension burner system for fuels such as wood dust, natural and syn gas, as well as a step-grate furnace for fuels like hog fuel, bark and wood trimmings. Both concepts allow for the utilization of the fuels in any combination or concentration.

For the step-grate furnace concept, course material injection or dust/gas suspension burners can be added as an option. With such, wet fuel for the grate and dry fuel are separated and individually combusted in a controlled manner. Sparking, typically occurring when wet and dry fuels are not properly mixed, is greatly reduced. Both course material injection as well as dust/gas suspension burners can be retrofitted to all existing furnaces. For engineered board plants, Büttner also designs and supplies thermal oil and steam generation with the energy systems.

From 2007 to now, a total of 38 complete dryer islands have been

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supplied and commissioned, many of them to the industrial wood pellet industry.

Nokian Promotes Tractor Tire Durability Since its introduction five years ago, the block-patterned Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI tractor tire has gained a reputation for being a true all-season tire with superior winter capabilities. The size range has

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Nokian adds tractor tire sizes.

been gradually expanded to fill the needs of different kinds of contractors. The latest addition to the

Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI range are six new sizes made specially for compact tractors and other compact machinery.

Nordic all-season tires must face a truly wide range of temperatures and driving conditions through the course of a year. From hot tarmac to icy roads, Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI offers a superior all-season performance with unsurpassed winter properties. This versatility has made it a favorite among contractors that have varying jobs in different seasons.

Thanks to a block pattern and radial structure, Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI offers outstanding speed and comfort on the road transports. This makes modern, versatile contracting work smoother and faster.

The proof of any tractor tire are the real challenges of everyday contracting work. This is where Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI boosts the working efficiency as well as brings savings.

In addition to 20 sizes already in production, Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI is now available in sizes 360/70R20, 480/80R30, 340/80R24, 440/80R30, 300/80R24 and 360/80R28.

These sizes make the superior allseason capabilities available to compact tractors operating in varying weather conditions. Visit nokiantyres.com

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Innovation, Service Drive Bandit WTCs

Bandit whole tree chippers are the most productive and durable chippers. A wide array of models are available with capacities ranging from 18 in. to 36 in. diameter capacity and engine options up to 1,200 HP. Most of these units can be equipped with steel track undercarriages or optional cab and loaders adding to the machine’s versatility.

Bandit’s slide box feed system provides a tremendous amount of pulling and compressing power, making the chipper easier to feed and reduces the number of times material needs re-positioned. Each chipper is available with a stationary discharge system making it easy to load chip vans to their maximum capacity. Bandit’s clean feed system reduces the amount of chips that will carry around to the

back of the machine meaning more product in the chip van instead of on the ground. Each machine is designed to chip trees using less horsepower with fuel increasing productivity and making your operation more profitable.

At Bandit the commitment for quality, innovation and dedication is instilled in every Bandit employee and is one of the main reasons why Bandit became an EmployeeOwned Company (ESOP) in 2018.

These core values ensure each Bandit machine will leave the factory ready to exceed your expectations.

Most of Bandit’s product lines are covered by a highly trained dealer network consisting of more than 200 dealer locations worldwide. All dealers have qualified sales, parts and service personnel that receive ongoing training from Bandit. Each dealer carries a wide variety of parts and machines to support your needs and are supported with a Bandit regional sales and parts representatives. For the areas served directly, each area has highly trained sales representatives backed by factory service techs who will assist in conducting demonstrations and servicing

equipment. To schedule a demonstration visit banditchippers.com.

Vecoplan Midwest Enhances Operations Vecoplan Midwest, LLC has hired two personnel to place a higher emphasis on customers and projects in the wood sector.

Dan Dinan, based in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area, will be specializing in grinder and shredder equipment sales for the Northeast region. He brings to Vecoplan more than 20 years of experience in general management, sales and marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Akron.

In the company’s Indiana office, Chuck Clemmons has been added to the engineering team. Clemmons has more than 25 years of experience in engineering mechanical design, creating layouts in AutoCAD, Inventor and Vault software programs for various materials including stainless steel, galvanized steel and aluminum. He has a certificate in precision machining and tooling from the Prosser Career Education Center in New Albany, Ind.

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13 ➤ measures undermine the competitiveness of renewable solutions, thereby delaying the transition towards carbon neutrality, according to the report.

The proposed EU target to reduce emissions by at least 55% GHG by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2050 requires a rapid phasing out of fossil fuels in all sectors of the European economy.

In this regard, both heating and industry sectors are lagging behind, the report states. Pellets is one of the readily available and economically affordable solutions to phase out fossil fuels from the power sector, industrial processes, and residential heating.

Overall, the Statistical Report on Pellets sets out a number of essential recommendations for policy makers moving forward. A stable policy framework is essential for giving a sufficiently long-term perspective to companies to further invest in pellet production and use, helping further climate change mitigation efforts. Allowing citizens to switch from fossil fuel appliances to modern and efficient pellet solutions is very key. Lastly, tailored measures to support the upscaling of bioenergy solutions in medium scale markets such as schools, hospitals and residential buildings should be carefully designed and implemented.

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Earthworm, Drax Working Together Earthworm Foundation and energy company Drax Group have launched a new evidence-based approach to measure and evaluate the health of a forest, enabling the forestry industry to identify opportunities to support communities, biodiversity and tackle climate change.

The new tool, known as Healthy Forest Landscapes (HFL), will ensure that working forests continue to benefit the communities that depend on them, as well as the environment, amid increasing demand for sustainable wood products across a wide range of industries.

By using HFL, the forestry industry will be able to more accurately identify opportunities for positive interventions which support healthy forests and help to drive improvements across the sector.

The HFL approach assesses four key areas: forest cover, carbon stock, biodiversity and community well-being.

Richard Peberdy, Head of Sustainable Forests at Drax, comments, “As a major user of sustainable biomass, Drax is committed to continuously raising standards across the industry to ensure the biomass we use makes a positive contribution to our climate, the environment and the communities in

which we operate.

“The HFL tool provides a consistent framework for evaluating different types of forests in different regions and countries. It gives us a clearer picture of forest health and allows us to obtain the evidence that the forests we source from are replanted, continue to store carbon and remain biodiverse and healthy while sustaining jobs and other opportunities.”

The HFL tool is important because it gives businesses like Drax the information needed to ensure its operations positively impact the forests where it sources its biomass.

HFL does this by measuring changes in the forest landscape using empirical evidence such as big data from government statistics, and input from remote sensing technologies, such as earth observation from satellites. HFL also uses an Earthworm-developed socio-economic evaluation methodology to assess community well-being.

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Wood Bioenergy / December 2020

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