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biomass
FUEL FOR THOUGHT Using wood biomass as a carbon-neutral fuel is gaining ground in countries across the world, with several big players making their mark
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ome countries have been benefitting from demand from abroad for biomass, even if its use within the individual countries remains problematic. One of the issues is whether wood biomass can be considered as a carbonneutral fuel and opinions differ on this issue within the industry and among environmentalists. One country involved in the trade is the US, where there is a flourishing biomass fuel production industry that is serving foreign customers – although US federal and state policy has yet to catch up and classify biomass as a clean energy source. Companies such as Enviva Partners are continuing to invest in production of wood biomass and benefit from the expansion in demand from abroad. “If governments and industry are genuine about tackling net-zero, we need to deploy negative emissions technologies urgently and at scale,” Enviva chairman and
chief executive John Keppler said in an interview recently. “The only way to get there is with sustainably sourced bio-energy with carbon capture and storage, which doesn’t just offer opportunities to decarbonise the energy sector, but also heavy industries such as steel, lime and cement, making it an overarching tool to achieve our climate goals.” Sustainable biomass production and supply company Drax, meanwhile, has started construction on the second of three satellite pellet plants in Arkansas. Work is underway at the site in Russellville, Pope County in northwestern Arkansas, with commercial operations expected to begin at the plant in 2022. The move is part of a $40m investment by UK-based Drax in the state. Arkansas secretary of commerce Mike Preston says: “The investment that Drax is making throughout Arkansas is proof that the state’s timber industry is poised for a bright future and is a great example of how a global economy works.”
DRAX POWER STATION, NORTH YORKSHIRE,UK
BULK TERMINALS
international | AUTUMN 2021
“Through this partnership, these three Arkansas communities will experience further growth and opportunities, and Drax will be able to continue working toward its mission to provide renewable electricity for millions across the pond.” The three pellet plants are expected to produce a total of around 120,000 metric tons of sustainable biomass pellets a year from sawmill residues, supporting the renewable energy company’s plans to increase self-supply to its power station in the UK. The development of the “satellite” pellet plants, which are situated near sawmills, is part of Drax’s strategy to increase biomass self-supply to five million tons by 2027, improving supply chain resilience while reducing pellet costs. Matt White, Drax Biomass senior vice president, says: “Drax has made great progress in delivering our $40m investment in Arkansas, with the second of three satellite pellet plants now under construction.” Drax has transformed its power station in the UK to become the largest decarbonisation project in Europe by converting it to use sustainable biomass instead of coal. The company announced recently that it aims to source 80% of the construction materials and services needed to deliver its climate saving negative emissions technology bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) from the UK supply chain.
