COMMENT/IN THIS ISSUE INDUSTRY NEWS Editorial comment C
oncerns expressed by some environmental activists about damage to New World forests resulting from the demand for wood pellets to fuel power stations in Europe have been countered in a new report by scientists working for the US Forest Service. Their study has found that European demand for wood pellets to generate renewable bioenergy will, in fact, lead to more land being devoted to growing forests in America as exports of wood fuel products increase. Policies formulated by the EU and other organisations around the world that require the use of renewable and low greenhouse gas-emitting energy is building demand for wood pellets used in the generation of biomass energy. This, in turn, could create lucrative new markets for US timber, boost wood prices and lead to substantial increases of forested areas. According to Karen Abt, research economist with the Economics and Policy Unit of the Forest Service and lead author of the report, “Southern forests and some Northern forests as well, are being used to produce pellets for export to the EU. Current and proposed production levels have the potential to increase prices, but may also lead to an increase in timberland area”.
The team used a computer model to simulate timber markets in the US Coastal South up until the year 2040 (the EU’s renewable requirement has been extended through 2030). The scientists modelled two scenarios – one ‘business as usual’, which continued the current level of wood production and another, which increased the production of wood bioenergy. This found continued bioenergy demands based on the most recent projections of wood consumption by pellet mills and other bioenergy producers. There are studies underway by the EU Environment Agency on the effects of the Renewable Energy Directive on the sustainability of Southern forests, but all indications are that pellets from Southern forests will continue to meet current EU requirements.
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Issue 25 marks the start of the fi fth volume of Forest Bioenergy Review since it was fi rst published in December, 2010. The title has grown to 20 pages and is now complemented by E-Newsletters and a website for which marketing plans combining any aspects of these are available on request from Vince Maynard, our Publisher.
David Young Editor
FOREST BIOENERGY REVIEW Volume 5, Number 25 - Spring 2015 Contact information
PUBLISHER &
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vince Maynard KVJ Enterprises Tralee, Hillcrest Road,
Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6JS, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724 Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 002286 Email:
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EDITOR David Young
Tel: +44 (0) 1737 551687 Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 796826 ISSN 2045-8514
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PRODUCTION Anthony Wiffen Anton Print Solutions Tel: +44 (0) 1622 850063 Mobile: +44 (0) 7557 280 769 Email:
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PRODUCTS
Introducing new equipment and services EVENTS
Conferences and exhibitions past and future
Front cover: Hadfi eld Wood Recyclers, one of the UK’s biggest exporters of biomass fuel, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year – see page 6.
Spring 2015 1 1
Innovative solution for handling biofuels BHSL TOPLOADER
Fast-track project for American paper mill BIOMASS BOILER
6 8 10
In this issue INDUSTRY NEWS
What’s happening in the world of forest bioenergy?
2
2 AEBIOM
Low oil price provides window of opportunity WOOD RECYCLING
Consistent supply is the key to Hadfi elds’ success 4 6
10 14 17
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