CONFERENCE¦
Members of all sectors of the biomass industry connected at the 2014 International Biomass Conference & Expo. BY ANNA SIMET PHOTOS BY MAGNAFOTO
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ttendees at the 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla., March 24-26, came from 41 counties, 48 states and eight Canadian provinces. The event kicked off with two inaugural preconference seminars—the Pellet Supply Chain Summit and Bioenergy Project Development Seminar—which were followed by the expo hall ribbon cutting by New Holland and ensuing grand reception, where attendees seized the opportunity to network with over 200 exhibitors. The follow morning, a state-of-the-industry general session featured seven trade association leaders who discussed the past year’s accomplishments, setbacks and the industry outlook. Topics included the huge successes the U.S. pellet export sector has experienced during the past year, which saw the export of 3 million metric tons of pellets and achievement of policy certainty overseas, as well as the obstacles the advanced biofuel industry has faced in the wake of the U.S. EPA’s lowered renewable fuel standard renewable volume obligations. Following the general session, the 1,100-plus attendees heard from 136 speakers during two days of current workshop panels, which covered biomass power and thermal, pellets and densified biomass, biogas and advanced biofuels. Attendees were able to continue networking and discuss conference content at the Wednesday evening social event at the Rosen Plaza Backstage Night Club and Sports Bar. The seventh annual International Biomass Conference & Expo concluded with two industry tours Harvest Power Orlando’s organic waste-to-power project and Viesel Fuel’s 7.5 MMgy biodiesel facility in Stuart, Fla. Next year, the conference will be held in Minneapolis, Minn., April 20-22.
MAY 2014 | BIOMASS MAGAZINE 11