Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022 by ASTAC

Industry News

Review & PIM Renewable Energy Volume 10 Number 53

2 Industry News

9 Events

11 bp & Clean Planet Energy

12 Wärtsilä

Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry News

Moving forward together in changing energy markets

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Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

Industry News

Comment

Contents

n my ‘Comment’ just over a year ago, when the world’s population was still suffering from the ongoing impact of Covid-19, I pointed out that the diversity of technologies now seen as renewable has continued to grow and that the encouraging pace of R&D effort must be converted into practical technologies

that can be adopted by suppliers of the energy we consume. Due to the unexpected eruption of what is euphemistically termed a ‘special military operation’ by Russian forces against its sovereign neighbour, the generation and distribution of energy in all its forms has become a major preoccupation of both developed and emerging economies around the globe. Even the most ardent climate change activist is going to balk when their lights go out and there’s no hot water coming out of the tap, so cutting CO2 is probably

going to take a back seat for a while. In fact, the German Government, whose industrial base is particularly reliant

Industry News Hydrogen fuel tests to decarbonise power plant

on Russian gas, is already planning to open mothballed coal plants to generate electricity, as well as auction gas supplies to industry as an incentive to reduce consumption. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, is a member of the country’s Green Party and has reluctantly stated: “This is bitter, but in this situation essential to lower the use of gas”. Hopefully just a temporary move, the decision nevertheless goes against Germany’s policy to phase out coal by 2030! As with hybrid cars, it would seem that in an increasingly uncertain world, the answer is to diversify the sources of energy that we rely on, with power plants increasingly turning to a mix of renewable biomass, coupled with greater use of commercial and domestic waste allied, where feasible, with wind, solar and hydropower.

Events EPC shows how to fuel the energy transition with pellets

Vince Maynard, Publisher

Front cover picture: Wärtsilä page 12

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Wärtsilä Green hydrogen blending project in Portugal Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry News

Hydrogen fuel tests to decarbonise power plant

he technology group Wärtsilä, in collaboration with WEC Energy Group (WEC), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Burns & McDonnell (B&McD), has been contracted to carry out hydrogen fuel testing at the A.J. Mihm power plant in Michigan, USA. The project supports WEC’s ambition to reduce the CO2 emissions from its electric generating fleet by 60% by the end of 2025 and by 80% by the end of 2030 from 2005 levels, and to be net carbon neutral by 2050. This will be one of the first cases where hydrogen is tested for use to reduce the carbon footprint of an existing gas-fuelled power plant delivered by Wärtsilä. The 55 MW plant currently operates with three Wärtsilä

50SG engines running on natural gas. The parties will aim for testing fuel blends of up to 25% hydrogen mixed with natural gas, thus demonstrating the capability of the plant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Wärtsilä engines can operate with this level of hydrogen blended with gas with little to no modification needed. Though Wärtsilä engines can be operated on even higher hydrogen-blend levels, these tests will be restricted to the limit of 25% hydrogen for natural gas systems, according to the international equipment standard IEC/EN 6007920-1. “These hydrogen tests reinforce the viability of the internal combustion engine as a future-proof technology that plays a key role in decarbonising

the power industry. We have long had a focus on creating solutions that enable zero-carbon power generation and are excited to begin this hydrogen testing project in the USA as a natural next step in developing our products to meet customer needs for a decarbonised future. Our engines already have the flexibility for both balancing the input of renewables into the power system, and baseload generation with a continuously increasing range of fuels,” commented Jon Rodriguez, Director, Engine power plants, Wärtsilä North America. One engine will be selected for the test programme, during which time it will continue to deliver power to the grid. For defined engine load levels, the hydrogen content within the fuel will

A demonstration project will test blends of hydrogen and natural gas to be used in a Wärtsilä engine unit at a power plant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (picture © Burns & McDonnell). be gradually increased to a maximum of 25% volume. Measurements of the engine’s performance will be made throughout the testing. Wärtsilä has already successfully carried out engine tests at its testing facilities in Vaasa, Finland, and Bermeo, Spain, to assess the optimum engine parameters for operating with hydrogen fuel. In addition to the A.J. Mihm power plant, Wärtsilä has also supplied WEC Energy Group with seven Wärtsilä 50SG gas engines for the F. D. Kuester power plant in Michigan.

Biochar launched in the UK Positive BioCarbon is launching its high quality, responsiblysourced biochar to the UK market, targeting commercial horticulture, arboriculture, agriculture and largescale environmental projects. Biochar is made from carbonised organic material and it has two main environmental benefits. Used as an additive, it improves soil quality and structure while locking away huge 2

Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

amounts of carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere. Caroline Morris, Head of Sales at Positive BioCarbon, said: “Biochar has incredible potential, with almost limitless horticultural, agricultural, environmental and construction applications. “Heating any organic material without oxygen can create this product, but we produce extremely high-quality

biochar. Our product is made by small-scale Namibian farmers, who are already clearing an invasive thorny tree species from bushland. Farmers bake this plant to create biochar, providing an income for small, often nomadic, communities in rural, deprived areas of Southern Africa.” In 2021, for example, Positive BioCarbon worked with Blue Green Glasgow to support phase one of The

Govan Wetlands Project. Launched to coincide with COP26, this project has revitalised old docklands to create a wetland ecosystem. By adding biochar to this degraded land, the project has improved the soil quality and permanently locked away 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide. More information: sales@ positivebiocarbon.com www. positivebiocarbon.com

Industry News

Going green with GoodWe

world leader in photovoltaic (PV) solutions, GoodWe has joined Environmental Roofing Services (ERS) and ADS Laser Cutting to provide a green supply of energy and protection from rising energy costs. Once the site of Fox’s Glacier Mints, the ADS factory in Leicester now bears an array of iceberg-saving solar panels and GoodWe inverters. In January, 2022, four GoodWe 100kW HT inverters were installed to convert PV energy generated by solar panels on the company’s East-West roof. Eugene Lucarelli, Marketing Manager at GoodWe UK, said: “We are very happy with ADS Laser Cutting’s decision to make the switch to solar power. We designed the HT inverter to save users money on installation and energy bills, and they have taken great steps with GoodWe to future-proof themselves against further energy price increases”. Following the successful installation, another 400kW of GoodWe solar inverters have been authorised, bringing the total capacity to 800kW once the project is completed. ADS Laser Cutting’s solar setup will save an estimated 414,000kg of carbon emissions, similar to the annual carbon

produced by 90 cars driven for one year. ADS Laser Cutting chose GoodWe’s

HT inverters for their high efficiency and small size. Exceeding 100kW, they are designed to reduce the

LCOE (Levelised Cost of Energy) and maximise wattage in a small footprint, making them the natural fit for commercial sites in the UK. The carbon savings of ADS Laser Cutting’s installation will equal slightly below 1,000 barrels of oil. Duncan Keates, Managing Director at ADS Laser Cutting, stated: “We are proud to double-down on our commitment to renewable energy. Solar has come a long way in the past several years and we are glad to be using it to power our site, knowing the good we’re doing for the environment”. Solar energy is a crucial element for many businesses facing skyrocketing energy costs. According to the Office for National Statistics in February, 2022, 12-month inflation rates for gas and electricity are at their highest level since early 2009, with gas at 28.1% and electricity at 18.8%. Mark Powell, Sales Director at ERS, added: “It’s great to see ADS Laser Cutting deciding to go solar. The technology is more affordable than ever and, with energy prices increasing, it’s not surprising companies like ADS Laser Cutting are making the smart choice to have solar panels and inverters installed”. More information: www.goodwe. com

New global partnership for forestry On 4 May, it was announced at the World Forestry Congress in Seoul, South Korea, that as governments around the world turn to the benefits of sustainable forest management and forest products to support climate action and postpandemic economic recovery, a new agreement struck at the World Forestry Congress will help advance forestry solutions and policy dialogue around the world. The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat and the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA), of which Cepi is a member,

announced a new partnership that will make ICFPA the focal point of the forest sector globally, providing a framework for the two organisations to work together to discuss and implement forestrelated policies and agreements that are good for people and the planet. Barbara Tavora-Jainchill, Programme Management Officer, Forest Affairs, United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, stated: “The United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 calls for a

world where forests are sustainably managed, contribute to sustainable development and provide economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for present and future generations. An estimated 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests for their subsistence needs, livelihoods, employment and income. The private sector is fundamental in the promotion and implementation of sustainable forest management, so working with our partners in the forest industry will be critical to our ultimate success and we are delighted to have ICFPA supporting

the UN Forum on Forests in this important work”. Derek Nighbor, President, ICFPA, added: “There is no path to a lower carbon economy without sustainable forest management and sustainably-sourced forest products. This new collaboration between ICFPA and UNFF will allow us to advance policy insights and learnings across international borders to build a resilient global economy – one that creates greater economic and social opportunities for the nearly two billion people who live in or near forested communities around the globe”. Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry News

Planning consent for solar park

he Renewables Obligation (RO) has gained planning consent for a 5MW solar park on 20 acres of land at Potash Farm, located to the West of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. RO Energy will own the entire solar park asset and will trade the power that is generated from it. Over time RO Energy will look to expand its solar interests as the right opportunities present themselves. Edward Rowlandson, Group Managing Director, the RO, stated: “We are incredibly proud to be launching a clean energy company, which reflects our group commitment to helping shape a more sustainable future and reducing our carbon footprint. The launch comes at a time when the UK is looking to rely on renewables more than ever for a multitude of environmental, economic, and geopolitical reasons. Although still very modest in size this initiative complements other group wide sustainability initiatives. “Once built, our new facility at Potash Farm is expected to generate enough electricity for more than 1,800 homes, resulting in a reduction of more than 2,300 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. It will therefore constitute a very tangible and significant commitment to our Group’s wider carbon reduction strategy and

we hope to grow the business over time.” The launch of RO Energy is part of a wider commitment to ensure that the Group acts responsibly in managing its ESG impact. This includes the use of companies like Green Zone, which offers commercial cleaning solutions with sustainability at the core and without the need for chemicals that harm the planet; and Element Four, who are a specialist sustainability and wellbeing consultancy and who have helped attain Fitwel Certification for a number of developments within the portfolio.

Edward Rowlandson explained further: “The Group provides substantial support to local community charitable projects and causes, and we place an important emphasis on integrity throughout our businesses with a rigorous approach to health and safety and ethical business practices. In addition, our Capital Partners arm actively invests in business opportunities with positive environmental and social impacts to help support our sustainability goals, as well as facilitating the deployment of innovative solutions across the Group real estate portfolio and other

Two projects for Sumitomo On 11 May, it was announced that Sumitomo SHI FW (SFW) has been selected as the preferred gasifier supplier to Protos Biofuels Ltd, a project developed by Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd (ABSL) and Greenergy. Protos announced that its first municipal waste advanced biofuels project has progressed into the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase. Petrofac has been appointed to deliver the FEED with SFW to supply the fluidised-bed gasifier that converts the household waste into synthesis gas (syngas) as part of ABSL’s RadGas process in which the syngas is cleaned in a direct current plasma arc furnace. 4

Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

The clean syngas is then converted into biomethane and biohydrogen. The commercial scale Protos plant will incorporate ABSL’s RadGas process technology and be the first to produce grid-grade biomethane and biohydrogen from municipal waste. Located on the Protos site in the North-West of England, the project site is part of HyNet North West, one of the UK’s leading industrial decarbonisation projects. Due for completion in 2025, the project will divert 150,000 tonnes of household waste annually, the amount produced by a large town, from landfill and incineration, converting it into renewable low-

carbon fuel. By using waste as a feedstock, the plant will avoid 160,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, equivalent to the emissions of 107,000 cars, through the replacement of fossil fuel with waste-based fuel alternatives and the capture of carbon dioxide. Two weeks later, the company was awarded a contract to deliver a new 77 MWt bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) boiler plant to Jämtkraft AB in Sweden. The new boiler will be part of the Lugnvik plant in Östersund and will use biomass as fuel, ensuring secure supply of heat and power to Jämtkraft customers. It will also contribute to an increased production

Group activities to support our ESG commitment. “Furthermore, we are currently reviewing the procurement and ethical sourcing of office supplies, as well as looking more closely at our energy consumption through monitoring, efficiency, recycling, and waste management. There is a clear recognition that the commitment to improving our environmental impact across all our businesses is a long term objective and therefore will remain under constant review.” More information: www.wearero. com of renewable electricity as one-third of the energy production of the plant will become electricity and two-thirds district heating. The contract was signed on 6 May, which is also the Notice to Proceed (NTP) date. Jämtkraft is a longstanding SFW customer with two circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boilers delivered in 1985 and 2002. The large-scale design and erect (D&E) delivery will include the boiler with auxiliary equipment, flue gas condensing plant and flue gas cleaning equipment up to stack outlet, electrification, instrumentational and control system, as well as the boiler building with turbine building as an option. More information: www.shi-fw. com

Industry News

Environmentally-friendly heat for Finnish city

ext year, a Unicon Renefluid (15MW) bio-plant will produce heat for the residents of the city of Kuhmo and also for Kuhmo Oy’s sawmill. The plant will use bark, sawdust and wood chips as fuel. The commissioning of the district heating bio-boiler plant will take place in the Autumn of 2023 and will be delivered as a turnkey solution that includes, in addition to the environmentally-friendly Unicon Renefluid fluidised bed boiler, electrical and automation, a modular boiler building and fuel handling. The bio boiler plant will also include KPA Unicon’s own Bag filter, which ensures that the plant’s emissions are clean and the air quality in the surrounding area remains good. Bag Filter is a cost-effective way to effectively filter out hazardous particles from the air. The plant will be equipped with KPA Unicon’s PlantSys digital

service platform and will have a secure remote control room system (PlantSys Operation), as well as a digital operating log (PlantSys Diary) and a reporting system (PlantSys Reporting). The modern system will be supported for years to come. During

the warranty period, the plant will be optimised and monitored with the help of artificial intelligence, so that even the smallest possible problems are noticed immediately. Extensive reporting covers production, consumption and emissions reporting.

“The boiler investment will enable an increase in the production capacity of Kuhmo Oy’s sawmill and the expansion of the district heating network in the city of Kuhmo. The increase in heat production is both technically and logistically environmentally-friendly and energyefficient as the biomass used in the plant comes from a sawmill on the same site. The boiler investment will also improve the security of district heating supply and maintenance planning in the future,” explained Janne Heikkinen, Managing Director, Kuhmon Lämpö Oy. “Together with Kuhmon Lämpö Oy, we get a well-designed entity that will complement Kuhmon Lämpö Oy’s district heating and sawmill’s heat production by utilising the sawmill’s by-products as biomass. Bag filter, on the other hand, ensures the cleaner environment and better air quality,” concluded Jukka-Pekka Kovanen, Managing Director, KPA Unicon.

Start-up accelerator to focus on hydrogen One of the world’s first hydrogencentric start-up accelerator programs will initially operate out of Hamburg, Germany. The global innovation platform Plug and Play Tech Center announced a new initiative focused on hydrogen by launching the H2 Start-up Accelerator. Initiating partners are Shell and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), along with the founding members – City of Hamburg and Phillips 66/JET. The program can be a vehicle to foster the necessary dialogue and co-operation to accelerate the development of a hydrogen ecosystem in Europe and beyond. In the new hydrogen economy, there is a worldwide momentum, with more and more countries developing national hydrogen strategies and establishing partnerships to collaborate on hydrogen-related projects. It is clear that collaboration is key for realising the potential of the

hydrogen transition, as building up and to scale its value chain requires co-ordination amongst policymakers, entrepreneurs, corporations and investors. Sallar Faridi, Director of Plug and Play Hamburg, extended an invitation: “Join us in building an ecosystem of change-makers who are interested in shaping an innovative hydrogen ecosystem in Europe and beyond…we will run innovation programs twice a year, connecting the world’s best start-ups with the most innovative corporations through networking, events, worldclass mentoring, and potential for investment”. Michael Westhagemann, Hamburg’s Minister for Economy and Innovation, commented: “We are very pleased that Plug and Play, together with internationally-renowned players such as Fraunhofer, EPRI, and Shell, have chosen Hamburg

as the location for the new H2 Start-up Accelerator. With the target to establish the infrastructure for a green hydrogen economy by 2030, Hamburg is one of the global trailblazers of this cutting-edge technology. Due to the concentrated expertise along the entire value chain and the proximity to some of the most powerful renewable energy regions, Hamburg is the perfect place to develop new business models for sustainably-produced hydrogen”. The purpose of the program is to connect hydrogen start-ups from all over the world with corporate partners and other stakeholders to pilot and roll out their technologies. The goal is to create an open innovation and start-up ecosystem connecting the Northern German and European regions to the global hydrogen economy. The platform will serve as the interface between research, industry and

other institutions, and represent a homeport for the inception and development of start-ups and their technologies. Experienced industry players will be an instrumental pillar of the platform, who, according to their respective hydrogen strategies, will collaborate with these start-ups across a multitude of areas The platform will be supported by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Solar Energy Systems and Open Communication Systems in the field of hydrogen technologies and energy transition, digital transformation, and innovation management. The main task of the science partners is to conduct an in-depth assessment of submitted business ideas, including the identification and closing of technology gaps within the pilot projects with partners. More information: www. plugandplaytechcenter.com Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry News

BEIS funding for Futraheat

actories of the future may be able to slash their fuel use by adopting a new British technology that paves the way to zero carbon industrial heat processes. London start-up Futraheat has developed a groundbreaking high temperature heat pump – known as Greensteam, which can help industrial users recycle heat and radically reduce fuel use – delivering energy reductions of up to 90%. The company has gone into partnership with manufacturing integration specialist Projective to secure £149,000 Phase 1 funding from the BEIS Industrial Fuel Switching competition to investigate the feasibility of its product with leading food and pharma businesses. The project will identify potential partners for a potential £1.5 million Phase Two where, with BEIS support, Futraheat and Projective will deliver two commercial scale 500kW Greensteam heat pumps for use in an industrial process, with two customers to be confirmed from Phase 1. It is hoped that Futraheat and Projective will secure in kind support for Phase 2, which could begin early next year, from one manufacturer in the food and drink sector and one from the pharmaceutical industry. Futraheat’s modular, Greensteam heat pump uses a new type of patented turbo compressor, known as TurboClaw®, which cost-effectively recovers low grade waste heat – a by-product of many industrial processes – and boosts it up to 150 degrees C, where it can be successfully reused onsite.

Tom Taylor of Futraheat poses with the TurboClaw®. Tom Taylor, founder and CEO of Futraheat, explained: “Up to 70% of all industrial energy demand is for heat in sectors such as pharmaceutical and food manufacturing. “This heat is commonly provided as low-pressure steam and, in many cases, it is used once and then released to the atmosphere as a waste stream. Our ground-breaking Greensteam heat pump can recover much of this lost heat – as low as 70 degrees C – and boost it costeffectively to the high temperatures that industrial customers require.

This can deliver CO2 reductions of around 80-90%, rising to 100% if electricity from renewables is used. Even with a switch to electrical power, users can expect a fuel cost saving of between 25-40%. “Our high temperature heat pumps will pay for themselves in two to three years and are a ‘no regrets’ technology, which will remain relevant whatever future energy source is used.” Greg Hands, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy, stated: “As we accelerate the UK’s energy independence

by boosting clean, home-grown, affordable energy, it’s crucial that our industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. “This investment will help them to not only cut emissions, but also save money on energy bills, on top of supporting jobs by encouraging green innovation across the UK.” The Surbiton-based firm has already developed a 300kW prototype and is identifying industrial customers for their beachhead 500kW commercial Greensteam high temperature heat pump.

Lhyfe and Trelleborgs Energi join forces Lhyfe, a world pioneer and pure player in renewable green hydrogen, and Swedish energy company Trelleborgs Energi have joined forces in a pre-study that aims to build a local renewable hydrogen production system in the South of Sweden. As committed changemakers, both companies are set to act now for the climate, focusing on 6

Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

green hydrogen as a solution. The results are due to be presented this Summer. The initial study focuses on 5MW of green hydrogen production capacity in Trelleborg. The study covers the questions of energy supply, production capacity, technology selection and location, as well as utilisation of waste heat

and oxygen. Trelleborg is a major transport hub that will require hydrogen to supply refuelling stations, as well as hydrogen vehicles that have already been ordered. The number of heavy trucks passing through Trelleborg harbour is forecasted to increase from today’s 800,000 per year, to 1.8 million in 2026.

Situated in the Öresund region, this project study in Trelleborg may contribute to securing hydrogen supply for both transport and industry in efforts to reach zero carbon emissions. The utilisation of waste heat and oxygen (a byproduct of hydrogen production) is already being discussed with potential partners.

Industry News

Climate-neutral energy solution for Clariant plant

ith the official opening of Clariant’s bioethanol plant in Podari, Romania, GETEC’s climate-neutral biomass cogeneration plant has also started producing energy smoothly and on schedule. GETEC supplies the entire bioethanol plant with heat and electricity from lignin, the residual material left over from bioethanol production, providing a doubly climate-neutral and innovative solution, which is the ideal sustainable complement to the new method of bioethanol production. “Residual materials are valuable raw feedstock. This lighthouse project shows this in two respects and thus testifies to the sustainability claim of Clariant and GETEC. The circular economy will and must play an increasingly important role in energy production if we want to achieve climate targets and the energy transition is to succeed. We are building both sustainable and economical solutions for our customers and are thus jointly treading the path to Net Zero. We are proud of this,” claimed

GETEC biomass cogeneration plant based on lignin-to-energy for Clariant bioethanol plant in Podari, Romania. Thomas Wagner, CEO, GETEC Group. Dr Thomas Stephanblome, platform CEO of GETEC Plattform

Deutschland, added: “The project was a technological challenge that our project team mastered

superbly. In the future, our focus will be even more on incorporating our customers’ local conditions, such as accumulating residual materials, into energy production and thus significantly conserving valuable resources. With Lignin-to-Energy, GETEC has developed exactly the right sustainable energy solution for this highly innovative method of bioethanol production by Clariant. We look forward to further milestone projects”. The carbon-neutral biomass plant designed by GETEC supplies Clariant’s cellulosic bioethanol plant in Podari with a revolutionary technology whereby lignin – a residual product of the bioethanol production process – is converted into climate-neutral energy. The combination of using lignin from wheat straw in a fluidized bed boiler is also unique in the world. In combination with a backpressure steam turbine, the boiler supplies steam and electricity to the Clariant plant. GETEC has taken over all services for this, from planning, financing and construction to operation, maintenance and repair.

Lhyfe and Chantiers de l’Atlantique sign MoU On 15 June, Lhyfe and Chantiers de l’Atlantique announced at the Seanergy forum dedicated to renewable offshore energy that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of offshore hydrogen production platforms. This agreement comes as Lhyfe and Chantiers de l’Atlantique, who have already been working together for 18 months as part of the SEMREV project on the co-development of a pilot system for offshore hydrogen production, prepare to launch the world’s first offshore renewable hydrogen production

demonstrator off the coast of Saint-Nazaire, France, in September this year. On the strength of this first demonstrator, the two companies

wanted to reinforce their partnership to deploy the system on a large scale. Lhyfe and Chantiers de l’Atlantique will collaborate on offshore renewable hydrogen

production projects with on-grid or off-grid wind farms. Chantiers de l’Atlantique will design, build and install the platforms, while Lhyfe will be in charge of the design and operation of the renewable hydrogen production facilities. This agreement aims not only to develop the renewable hydrogen fuel chain at sea, but in port areas as well. For offshore projects, the two partners plan to develop production solutions with a minimum capacity of 100MW, which will be installed on existing fixed structures or mounted on seabed foundations or floating platforms. Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry News

Wind to power Koskenkorva distillery

nora and Fortum have signed a wind power supply agreement regarding the Kalax wind farm in Närpiö, Finland. The deal will allow up to half of the electricity used by Anora at the Koskenkorva distillery to be replaced by local wind power. The agreed-upon collaboration will continue through 2023–2025. Wind power is one of the most important sources of renewable energy for the future, and the conditions for wind power production in the area are excellent. The Kalax wind farm, with a total capacity of 90MW, was commissioned in 2021 and consists of 21 wind turbines. “Climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality are challenges that we all share. We are very pleased to support Anora in achieving its climate goals. Fortum’s goal is to build more emission-free wind and solar power. Implementing these projects, together with our customers, is of paramount importance to us,” confirmed Kalle

Kuokka, Fortum’s Vice- President in charge of power trading. “Anora’s goal is to be a pioneer in sustainability and reduce the fossil CO2 emissions from its production operations to zero without compensations. This wind power agreement is a natural continuation of the previous investments in the circular economy and bioenergy that reduces emissions at the Koskenkorva distillery. We have been working with Fortum

for a long time and this agreement deepens our co-operation in a natural way,” said Miika Jokinen, Business Unit Director, Industrial Products & Services, Anora. Anora’s bioenergy plant has already reduced the emissions from the Koskenkorva plant by around 60% since 2014. Meanwhile, geothermal energy accounts for 70% of the energy used by Anora’s Gjelleråsen plant in Norway. At the Koskenkorva distillery –

situated in the village of Koskenkorva in Southern Ostrobothnia – grain spirit is produced following the principles of the circular economy, thanks to which Anora was awarded the title of Green Company of the Year in 2018. Fortum’s strategic focus is on growth in zero-emission power generation and the building of partnerships with industrial and infrastructure customers. It aims to increase its solar and wind power capacity to several gigawatts.

Indian partnership invests in green hydrogen Adani, India’s fastest-growing diversified business portfolio, and TotalEnergies of France have entered into a new partnership to jointly create the world’s largest green hydrogen ecosystem. In this strategic alliance, TotalEnergies will acquire a 25% minority interest in Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL) from Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL). The new partnership, centered on green hydrogen, is expected to transform the energy landscape both in India and globally. Both Adani and TotalEnergies are pioneers in energy transition and clean energy adoption, and this joint energy platform further strengthens the public ESG commitments made by both companies. ANIL’s ambition is to invest over $50 billion over the next ten years in green hydrogen and its associated ecosystem. In the initial phase, ANIL will develop green hydrogen production capacity of 1 million tons per annum before 2030. “The strategic value of the Adani8

Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

TotalEnergies relationship is immense at both the business level and the ambition level,” said Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group. “In our journey to become the largest green hydrogen player in the world, the partnership with TotalEnergies adds several dimensions that include R&D, market reach and an understanding of the end consumer. This fundamentally allows us to shape market demand. This is why I find the continued extension of our partnership to hold such great value. Our confidence in our ability to produce the world’s least expensive electron is what will drive our ability to produce the world’s least expensive green hydrogen. This partnership will open up a number of exciting downstream pathways.” “TotalEnergies’ entry into ANIL is a major milestone in implementing our renewable and low carbon hydrogen strategy, where we want to not only decarbonise the hydrogen used in our European refineries by 2030, but also pioneer the mass production of green

hydrogen to meet demand as the market will take off by the end of this decade,” agreed Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. “We are also very pleased with this agreement, which further strengthens our alliance with the Adani Group in India and contributes to the valorisation of India’s abundant low-cost renewable power potential. This future production capacity of 1 million tons per annum of green hydrogen will be a major step in increasing TotalEnergies’ share of new decarbonised molecules, including biofuels, biogas, hydrogen and e-fuels to 25% of its energy production and sales by 2050.” This partnership builds on the exceptional synergies between the two platforms. While Adani will bring its deep knowledge of the Indian market, rapid execution capabilities, operations excellence and capital management philosophy to the partnership, TotalEnergies will bring its deep understanding of the

global and European market, credit enhancement and financial strength to lower the financing costs, and expertise in underlying technologies. The complementary strengths of the partners will help ANIL deliver the largest green hydrogen ecosystem in the world. This, in turn, will deliver the lowest cost of green hydrogen to the consumer and help accelerate the global energy transition. ANIL aims to be the largest fullyintegrated green hydrogen player in the world, with presence across the entire value chain, from the manufacturing of renewables and green hydrogen equipment (solar panels, wind turbines, electrolysers, etc), to large scale generation of green hydrogen, to downstream facilities producing green hydrogen derivatives. With this investment in ANIL, the strategic alliance between the Adani Portfolio and TotalEnergies now covers LNG terminals, the gas utility business, renewables and green hydrogen production.

Events Industry News

EPC shows how to fuel the energy transition with pellets

he European Pellet Conference (EPC), the largest annual pellet event worldwide brought the bioenergy community together on 6 April, 2022, as part of the World Sustainable Energy Days 2022. Over 650 experts from 55 countries took part in the special hybrid edition of the WSED, more than 60 % of them on site in Wels, Austria. The new ‘Fit for 55’ package aims to put the EU on track towards climate neutrality. Energy accounts for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and as a CO2-neutral fuel, biomass is a key pillar for decarbonisation and for the success of the clean energy transition in Europe and globally. With the motto ‘Pellets – fuelling the energy transition’, the European Pellet Conference 2022 was once again the meeting place for the global pellet community. Organised by the OÖ Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria, it presented new trends in markets, policies, technologies and innovations – helping the participants stay on top of developments in the pellet and bioenergy world. After the second year of Covid-19, the WSED 2022 was among the first events in its field with significant international participants on-site. Over 650 experts from 55 countries took part in the four conference days. Participants from across the global biomass value chain came together for the European Pellet Conference 2022,

Visitors gather outside the Stadthalle before the EPC in Wels (picture ©OO Energiesparverband). where more than 40 international experts presented updates on markets, policies, technologies and innovations. A trade show on sustainable energy with a strong focus on pellet-related exhibitors (Webuild-Energiesparmesse) was held in parallel to the conference where Austrian and international companies presented their latest product innovations. Valuable networking opportunities rounded off the comprehensive package. The conference was launched with a strategy session ‘Fuelling the energy transition with pellets!’, which showed how firing up pellet markets can boost the energy transition and how to position pellets as an important climate solution! Afterwards, in the ‘Pellet Leadership Forum’ leading biomass experts shared their views and insights on burning topics about the future of pellets and the development of pellet markets. In the afternoon, the ‘Pellet Innovation

Biogas in Brussels The European Biogas Association has announced that the European Biogas Conference will take place in Brussels from 25-26 October, 2022. The European Commission has recognised the strategic role of biogas and biomethane in the recent release of the REPowerEU detailed plan. the sector is set to deploy 35 bcm of sustainable biomethane by 2030. The European Biogas Conference will provide a

space for discussion on the key features of a successful energy transition assessing the challenges and opportunities presented by the current political and economic context. This event has become a landmark event for the biogas and biomethane sector in Europe and is holding its tenth edition this year. The European Biogas Conference brings together policymakers

Factory’ showcased innovations in pellet technologies, projects and solutions across the bioenergy value chain. During the ‘World of Pellets Session’, international experts offered updates and outlooks on pellet markets around the world. Upper Austria, one of Austria’s nine regions, holds a leading position in biomass heating: 15% of the primary energy comes from sustainable biomass; 37% of all dwellings are

heated with clean biomass; and there are over 6,000 jobs in the biomass heating industry. The region is home to leading biomass companies – more than 25 % of all modern small-scale biomass boilers installed in the EU are manufactured by Upper Austrian companies. Clean biomass heating systems have become a standard solution. Stringent emission standards and cutting-edge technologies have contributed to rapid market development. Over 100 million Euros per year are invested in new pellet boilers and fuels and over 2.8 billion Euros are invested annually in sustainable energy. Bioenergy has emerged as an important economic driver for the region and plays a key role in its ambitions in achieving the energy transition. This makes Upper Austria an ideal location for this annual event. The next edition will be held in Wels, Austria, from 1-3 March, 2023. More information: office@esv. or.at www.wsed.at

More than 40 international experts presented updates on markets, policies, technologies and innovations (picture ©OO Energiesparverband). from EU institutions and member states, senior private sector executives, academics and other civil society partners. It counts on the participation of over 200 delegates and around 40 speakers. The European Commission VicePresident, Frans Timmermans, has already confirmed his participation in the 2022 edition and other high-level speakers will be soon confirmed. Key topics for discussion will include: National perspectives on the implementation of REPowerEU

and National energy and climate plans (NECPs); Decarbonising the EU economy, transport and buildings; Investing in the biomethane value chain; Driving the energy and agroecological transition; and Developing circular solutions and innovations. More information: info@ europeanbiogas.eu www. europeanbiogas.eu Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

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bp and CleanIndustry Planet Energy News

Agreement to help advance the circular plastics economy

Clean Planet Energy’s first facility is under construction on Teesside.

ten-year offtake agreement has been signed by bp with Clean Planet Energy, a UK-based company that is developing facilities to convert hardto-recycle waste plastics into circular petrochemical feedstocks (naptha) and also into ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). Clean Planet Energy designs and builds facilities, which they refer to as ecoPlants, that are expected to process plastics typically rejected by traditional recycling centres and so would otherwise be sent to landfill or incineration. Under the new agreement, bp will initially receive the output of Clean Planet Energy’s first facility, currently under construction on Teesside in the North-East of England. The Teesside facility is designed to have the capacity to process 20,000 tonnes a year of waste plastics into naphtha and ULSD. The naphtha can be utilised as

Clean Planet Energy is currently in the process of developing 12 of its ecoPlants globally. From these facilities alone, the company aims to divert 250,000 tonnes of hardto-recycle waste plastic annually from landfills and the environment

feedstock into circular plastics value chains, which is aligned with bp’s aim of unlocking new sources of value through circularity, keeping products

and materials in use for longer. Clean Planet Energy will provide bp with the opportunity to expand the relationship by offtaking products from its future plants beyond Teesside. bp is already leading a series of major hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects being developed in and around Teesside that will support decarbonisation of the region’s industries. Clean Planet Energy is currently in the process of developing 12 of its ecoPlants globally. From these facilities alone, the company aims to divert 250,000 tonnes of hard-torecycle waste plastic annually from landfills and the environment, creating more than 700 green jobs in local communities. Clean Planet Energy plans to announce further ecoPlants in the UK, EU, South-East Asia and the Americas later this year. Sven Boss-Walker, SVP Refining

& Products Trading at bp, said: “This long-term agreement with Clean Planet Energy for the offtake of naphtha will help bp unlock new sources of value through circularity, while helping divert plastic waste away from landfill, incineration and the environment. Clean Planet Energy’s first facility in Teesside should help accelerate this journey”. Dr Katerina Garyfalou, Director of Business Development at Clean Planet Energy, confirmed: “We set out to find an international energy company to work with that we felt understood our vision. bp not only put sustainability performance at the heart of their discussions with us from day one, but their global-leading refining and trading businesses means our naphtha product can have an impact in helping to advance a circular economy”. More information: www.bp.com Summer 2022 Forest Bioenergy Review

Industry Wärtsilä News

Green hydrogen blending project in Portugal

echnology group Wärtsilä will collaborate with the Portuguese energy solutions provider and independent power producer Capwatt in the testing of a green hydrogen and natural gas blend fuel for a Capwatt power plant located in Maia, Portugal. The project will start in the first quarter of 2023 and aims at testing blends of up to 10% volume green hydrogen. The combined heat and power plant (CHP), which provides energy for Sonae Campus and the national grid, currently operates with a Wärtsilä 34SG engine running on natural gas. This will be one of the first cases where green hydrogen is used to lessen the carbon footprint of an existing gas-fuelled Wärtsilä power plant. The Wärtsilä engine at the site is already capable of operating on gas with up to 3% hydrogen. In order to reach the targeted level of 10% blending to meet the specific needs of Capwatt, modifications will be made to the engine, as well as its control system and the plant automation system. Capwatt intends to produce green hydrogen using an electrolyser powered by renewable energy. “We are committed to decarbonising our operations and

Wärtsilä is researching various sustainable fuels in order to provide customers with future-proof solutions to support the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future (picture ©Wärtsilä Corporation). we see the blending of hydrogen and natural gas for fuelling this plant as a significant step towards achieving this goal. Wärtsilä is a company with great experience and know-how in this field and we look forward to working closely with them in this groundbreaking project,” commented Sérgio Rocha, CEO at Capwatt. “This project concretely shows how existing power plants can

take steps towards carbon-neutral power generation,” said Sushil Purohit, President, Wärtsilä Energy and EVP, Wärtsilä Corporation. “As a technology, the combustion engine represents a viable solution for enabling the transformation to utilising future fuels. The flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines already plays an important role in allowing a far greater share of renewable energy to

The study of progressive integration of hydrogen in cogeneration units will take place in Capwatt’s CHP plant in Maia, Portugal (picture © Capwatt). 12 Forest Bioenergy Review Summer 2022

be incorporated into power systems.” The project is in line with the country’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to increase the share of hydrogen in energy consumption by 5% by 2030 in the industry sector. During the coming decade, the aim is to have 2.0 to 2.5 GW of installed hydrogen production capacity and to have 10-15% hydrogen injected into the natural gas grid. Capwatt has a portfolio of nearly 160 MW of cogeneration plants that can benefit from this project’s knowhow, which will play a significant role on decarbonisation of thermal energy demand, enabling the energy transition of its industrial clients. Wärtsilä engines can be operated on hydrogen/natural gas blends with up to 25% hydrogen and the company is working towards an engine and power plant concept for pure hydrogen operations by 2025. Wärtsilä already has engine generating sets operating successfully on a natural gas and hydrogen blend in a ‘new’build’ power plant at an offshore floating testbed in Singapore. More information: www.wartsila. com

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European Pellet Conference 2023 1 — 2 March 2023 WELS, AUSTRIA

The largest annual pellet event worldwide!

www.pellets23.eu

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