Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

Industry News

Volume 10 Number 50

2 Industry News

11 Valmet

12 Equipment

18 Events

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

1

Industry News

2

Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

Tel: +353 (0) 86 0440956 Fax: +353(0) 69 85927 Email: sales@biomass.ie www.biomass.ie

Industry News

Comment

W

elcome to the Autumn issue of FBR, which goes to press as activity escalates ahead of the COP26 meeting scheduled to convene in Glasgow on 31 October. Discussions on how the British Government can commit to investing £550 million into the Climate Investment Fund and UK PACT to help tackle climate change globally have already begun, but as the UK is still suffering from the impact of Covid-19 many are asking just how this level of commitment can be afforded at a time when the country’s National Health Service struggles to maintain even routine appointments.

Leadership to reduce pollution to a sustainable level is both necessary and urgent, but given the progress already made by Britain, perhaps the role of setting new standards should fall to those nations that are currently the biggest instigators of global pollution?

The benefits of solar, wind, wave and even nuclear power have all been advanced as a means to an end, but let us not forget the role of forest-based energy. Many years ago, I witnessed first-hand how a single purpose-grown tree from a sustainable forest could be used – not a single part of the tree was wasted and for every tree felled, three were planted. This aspect of today’s managed forestry receives very little attention in terms of renewable

Contents

Bouygues UK subcontractor saves 3,614kg C02e on Brighton University

Valmet

Vince Maynard, Publisher

11

Valmet to deliver district heating automation to Energie AG in Austria

12 BioContruct

13

New AD plant will turn 95,000 tons of food waste per year into biomethane

Front cover picture: BioContruct – see page 13

14

FOREST BIOENERGY REVIEW Volume 10, Number 50 – Autumn 2021 Contact information PUBLISHER &

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Einar Johansson

Vince Maynard

Mobile: +46 70 234 80 85

KVJ Enterprises, Tralee, Hillcrest Road,

E: einar.lennart@gmail.com

Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6JS, UK

PRODUCTION

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724

Anthony Wiffen

Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 002286

ASTAC Business Publishing

E: pulppaperlogistics@virginmedia.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1460 261011

CONSULTANT EDITOR

Mobile: +44 (0) 7557 280 769

David Young

E: anton_print_1@mac.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1737 551687

PRINTING

Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 796826

Brown Knight and Truscott

E: youngeditorial1@btinternet.com

Tunbridge Wells, Kent,

ISSN 2045-8514

Tel: +44 (0)1892 511678

©2021 KVJ Enterprises

TN2 3BW, UK

Equipment

John Deere Introduces 330 horsepower option for the 853M and 853MH machines

energy, but it is a fact that we have also seen a boom in demand for sustainable packaging to replace plastics. To satisfy this need, it is necessary to fell trees for virgin fibre, resulting in the creation of multiple products for a variety of industries.

Forest owners are in a sustainable business, so cannot simply cut down all their trees and take the cash. They invest for the future via re-planting and do so at a rate that improves rather than decimates their stock.

2

Industry News

Andritz/ Dillinger

ANDRITZ Hydro and Dillinger:from water to wire

Events

18

2022: Pellets – fuelling the energy transition!

20

People

THREE60 Energy Group launches sustainability advisory service Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

1

Industry News

Bouygues UK subcontractor saves 3,614kg C02e on Brighton University construction project

C

ole Groundwork Ltd, the UK’s leading road construction specialist has been appointed

by Brighton University to work on the new student accommodation on Lewes Road.

The five new towers, ranging in height from eight to 18 floors, will provide over 800 affordable student bedrooms and space at ground level for new Students’ Union and fitness facilities. The visually striking development is being built on the site of the university’s car park and was due to be ready for students starting courses from September, 2021.

The entire campus development is being built to the highest environmental standards with an emphasis on sustainability.

As part of its environmental consciousness pledge, the University asked the company to also ensure it reduced its carbon emissions and improved the local air quality in the built-up area around the construction site.

Cole Groundwork Contracts selected GreenD+, a high performance low emission HVO fuel supplied by

2

Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

Green Biofuels Ltd, in order to achieve the goals set by Brighton University, without incurring any additional capital expenditure to deliver the project in line with its sustainability goals. The alternative fuel is ready to use in any existing diesel engines without any prepatory mechanical enhancements.

Cole Groundwork Contracts monitored the CO2 emissions from the site and calculated the fuel economy during the works. The company has reported a 90% reduction in green house gas (GHG) emissions, a NOx reduction by approximately 30% and a particulates reduction by 70%. In total, Cole Groundwork Contracts has saved 3,614 kg of CO2 over the course of the construction project.

The partnership between Green Biofuels and Cole Groundwork Contracts will extend beyond the Brighton University project, and see the company use approximately 2 million litres of Green D+ in the next 5 years, saving an equivalent 5,640,000 kg of CO2e in the process.

Green Biofuels Ltd was a sponsor of the inaugural Net Zero Week,

which was held in July, a UK Business Climate Leader and the first HVO supplier to be approved by Zemo’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.

Other contractors on site are now looking to follow Cole Groundwork Contracts’ example.

Cole Groundwork Contracts is also a subcontractor to the civil engineering company Bouygues, a joint venture partner working on HS2.

Commenting on the use of Green D+, Clayton Parsons, Site Manager, Bouygues UK, said: “Bouygues UK is conscious of our environmental impact as a result of our core activities in construction and are constantly adapting in an effort to reduce this impact. We are proud to partner with Cole Groundworks to advance initiatives which will reduce our carbon footprint. We welcome the use of Green D+ fuels on our project here in Brighton and congratulate our supply chain partners for their efforts in this regard and encourage any others which are willing to take part too.”

Commenting on the findings, Conor Cole, Managing Director, Cole

Groundwork Contracts, said: “We are delighted to be the first Irish company to be using this advanced HVO fuel in all our sites across the UK, we plan to introduce this to all our sites now in Ireland also. We are passionate about being the best in our field; and know that Green D+ is allowing us to help our customers hit their sustainability goals, and more importantly all our staff have noticed improved efficiency with Plant, better air quality on site, and no heavy diesel plumes from cold plant. This is what we believe is a true revolution for air quality in our area of expertise, and an innovation that will help the entire Construction Industry.”

William Tebbit, CEO, Green Biofuels, added: “It is great news when the supply chain leads the charge to reduce carbon in construction, driven by a passion for innovation, and a drive to efficiency.

Cole’s have a GBF smart tank on site, that allows them to monitor fuel efficiency, energy used by plant, and report their CO2e reductions. We can deliver fuel in the confidence that it is needed and there are no wasted delivery miles”.

Industry News

Sustainable and innovative energy solution for Clariant reaches important milestone

G

ETEC has reached a key milestone in the construction of the innovative biomass cogeneration plant for the leading specialty chemicals company Clariant in Podari, Romania. With the installation and commissioning of the complex water treatment system and the redundancy boilers of the combined heat and power plant, GETEC is now ready to generate and provide all the media required to launch production at the Clariant bioethanol plant.

GETEC can now supply treated water and steam to its customer Clariant. This is a huge step closer to the commissioning of the innovative bioethanol plant. The carbon-neutral biomass plant designed by GETEC will supply Clariant’s cellulosic bioethanol plant in Podari with a rev olutionary technology that allows lignin - a residual product from the bioethanol production process – to be converted into carbon-neutral energy.

“The project is special in every respect and testifies to the sustainability aspirations of the two market leaders Clariant and GETEC. Clariant produces bioethanol

Sketch of the biomass cogeneration plant of GETEC in Podari (Source GETEC). from the wheat straw residue, while GETEC uses the residue from this production to supply heat and electricity to the entire plant. With the supply of steam and water, we have reached a milestone that now makes the two companies’ shared goal tangible. Clariant and GETEC are moving forward together on the path to Net Zero, something that

we are extremely proud of,” explains Thomas Wagner, CEO of the GETEC Group.

GETEC is building a climate-neutral energy generation plant for Clariant in Podari, Romania, which uses lignin, a residual material from bioethanol production, as fuel. The combination of lignin from wheat straw in a fluidised bed boiler is also unique

Gazprom Neft and Aeroflot join forces to develop ‘green’ aviation fuel Gazprom Neft has entered into a partnership with Aeroflot to produce Russia’s first-ever minimum carbon footprint sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), under an agreement signed by Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov and Aeroflot CEO Mikhail Poluboyarinov at this year’s Eastern Economic Forum.

This partnership between Gazprom Neft and Aeroflot will lead to the development of aviationfuel formulations which comply with international requirements on limiting greenhouse gas emissions and the International Civil Aviation

Organisation’s (ICAO) CORSIA environmental programme. The new aviation fuel will be adapted for use on various types of aircraft, and will be certified under Russian and international aviation safety standards. A working group on developing Russian SAF is also expected to include Russian and international aircraft manufacturers.

Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft said: “In light of the urgent need to cut hydrocarbon intensity in air transportation, there will be growing demand for ‘green’

fuel both from our own country’s aviation industry and globally. By running the project from Gazprom Neft’s Industrial Innovation Technology Centre in St Petersburg, we will be able to devote our full technological and R&D expertise to its success. Partnering with Russia’s leading airline can only make the process of developing a low hydrocarbon-footprint aviation fuel even more efficient.

Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO, Aeroflot said: “Ecology is fast becoming one of the most important issues in aviation and the pandemic has only served to

worldwide. The fluidized bed boiler, in combination with a backpressure steam turbine, will supply steam and electricity to power the Clariant plant.

GETEC provides all services, from planning, financing and construction to operation, maintenance and repair.

The system will be commissioned in coordination with the Clariant plant this year. make this still more relevant.

“Aeroflot Group has been committed to reducing harmful emissions for many years. Upgrading our fleet has cut our carbon footprint by 30% over the last decade and this new agreement with Gazprom Neft marks a major step forward in our commitment to reducing not only our own environmental impact but that of other airlines too.

Many international air carriers are starting to use SAF on a test basis and are planning to increase their proportional usage over the next ten to 20 years.

“We look forward to our partnership resulting in SAF becoming both an environmentally and economically compelling solution for the Aeroflot Group and the wider industry too.”

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

3

Industry News

Washington utility provider Douglas PUD turns to renewable hydrogen for back-up power

G

enCell Energy, (TASE: GNCL), a leading Israel-based manufacturer of fuel cell energy solutions, recently announced that Douglas PUD, the Douglas County Public Utility District, located in East Wenatchee, Washington, will deploy the GenCell G5™ hydrogen-fueled alkaline fuel cell, a resilient, zero-emission backup power solution. The G5 will run on renewable hydrogen produced by the PUD’s own hydrogen production facility to provide a failsafe, green, long-duration and weather-resistant auxiliary power supply.

Douglas PUD is a not-for-profit public utility which has a long history of generating clean, renewable electricity from the Wells Hydroelectric Project, a unique hydro-combine providing capacity of 840MW from Wells Dam. It provides the community with reliable service at low rates, while meeting its commitment to prudent and effective environmental stewardship to protect and preserve the Wells Dam watershed.

Douglas PUD elected to use its excess electricity to make and sell

renewable hydrogen gas which can be used for consumer and industrial purposes, including the operation of the GenCell backup power solution.

To this end, the utility initiated construction of a renewable hydrogen production facility and a new substation. They looked for a proven and highly resilient back-up solution for the substation that could supply utility-scale fuel cell functionality and comply with all the strictest IEC, ISO, IEEE and OSHA safety and quality certifications for utilities. After

considering other solutions, Douglas PUD determined that GenCell was able to meet all of its specifications and its G5 will run on the hydrogen fuel produced by their new facility.

PUD will also deploy the GenCell IoT Remote Manager software to monitor the mission-critical equipment, readying the system for an emergency and optimising its performance.

“Douglas PUD has always been an innovator in the utility industry. As the state looks toward low and zero emission technologies, our customer-

owners want their local PUD to be prepared for the future,” explained Gary Ivory, General Manager, Douglas PUD. “Part of that preparation includes the ultra-reliable, weather-resistant GenCell G5 electrochemical generator that leverages innovative alkaline fuel cell technology to run on our renewable hydrogen for substation back-up power.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of this landmark project and to work with Douglas PUD to scale up the U.S. hydrogen economy,” commented Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell Energy.

“Climate conditions are causing utilities across the United States to invest in hardening the grid and in many cases, this involves using backup diesel standby generators, which are expensive and environmentally unfriendly. We are very proud to supply Douglas PUD with a failsafe hydrogen back-up power solution that is fully aligned with their sustainability goals and will enable them to consume the renewable hydrogen produced on-site, at the lowest possible emissions, highest reliability and maximum energy and cost efficiency.”

ANDRITZ to supply another New Wrightbus MD flue gas desulphurization celebrates Dublin plant to Tata Projects hydrogen bus launch International technology Group ANDRITZ has received another order from Tata Projects Ltd, India, to supply the process engineering for a complete flue gas desulphurization (FGD) plant, comprising basic engineering and the detailed engineering for the absorber internals and equipment as well as other core components for the Jojobera power plant (output: 4 x 120 MW), near Jamshedpur, East Singhbum District, Jharkhand State, India.

Start-up is scheduled for the first half of 2023.

For desulphurization purposes, the exhaust gas is washed in 4

Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

counter-current flow with a limestone suspension, reducing the content of SO2 and other acidic components to concentrations in line with the current environmental requirements.

With further oxidation, process gypsum can be produced that is either landfilled or sold to the construction industry.

ANDRITZ has comprehensive experience with FGD technologies and many successful references around the world. This project is another important step towards establishing Andritz’s flue gas treatment technology on the Indian market.

Ballymena-built zero emission hydrogen double decker Wrightbus vehicles will be carrying passengers on the streets of Dublin very soon, the firm’s new Managing Director, Neil Collins, said he couldn’t be prouder.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Collins said: “This launch marks a true allIreland sustainability solution that will help us reach the ambitious Net Zero targets that we must all strive towards. We’re incredibly proud that zero-emission hydrogen buses made

by Wrightbus here in Ireland, powered by energy produced in Ireland, will soon be in service for passengers in Dublin, thanks to the progressive

outlook of Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority.

“It’s not only fantastic from an environmental point of view, but from a wider perspective, it signals a huge opportunity for positive economic growth across the island of Ireland.

Our world-first double deck hydrogen buses and our recently launched EV counterparts - along with the clean fuels that power them - utilise the very latest technological advances. This in turn gives scope for the creation of hundreds – if not thousands – of new highly-skilled jobs that will put the island of Ireland at the fore of the sustainable transport revolution.”

Industry News

Adven orders a carbon dioxide reducing bio-boiler from KPA Unicorn

A

dven, the leading provider of energy and water solutions in the Nordic and Baltic countries and KPA Unicon have signed a contract for the supply of a 30 MW boiler plant to the Naantali harbor area in Western Finland. The delivery includes 10 MW Unicon Renegrate bio boiler plant and back-up and peak load boilers (2 x 10 MW).

The plant will produce steam for Adven’s end-user Finnfeeds Finland Oy, which produces betaine separated from sugar beet- based solutions.

Betaine is used in the cosmetics, feed, nutrition and chemical industries. The plant will be completed by the end of 2022.

The plant will be delivered as a turnkey solution to Adven from the ground up. Adven has been responsible for the design of the overall solution and once completed, will also be responsible for its operation and maintenance.

The plant will use renewable

wood-based fuels. The new bioplant will reduce Finnfeeds Finland Oy’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2000-3000 tonnes.

“I am delighted that our longterm co-operation with Adven will continue and we will work together to reduce CO2 emissions. We

believe that our co-operation will be smooth, as in our previous joint projects,” says Pertti Sipola, Sales Manager, KPA Unicon.

Lhyfe produces its first hundred kilos of renewable hydrogen from wind power Renewable hydrogen produced directly from wind power has become a reality. At the end of August, just a year after the foundation stone

was laid for an industrial facility like no other, Lhyfe, began producing its first hundred kilograms of ecological hydrogen and is ready for industrial

scale production.

Site construction began in Bouin, Vendée, France only a year ago.

Following a few days testing Lhyfe

has now produced 627 kilograms of renewable hydrogen, using an electrolyser powered by wind turbines just a few metres away.

The purpose of this initial production was to finalise tests, before the end of September when industrial production and sales will start for new partners whose names will be revealed soon. Lhyfe will henceforth produce 300 kilograms of renewable hydrogen a day, before ramping up to a tonne a day in the coming months.

This industrial production facility for renewable hydrogen, connected directly to a wind farm, is a unique technical achievement and the first of its kind in the world. This site is fully in line with the acceleration of hydrogen deployment around the world and in the strategic plans of a growing number of countries.

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

5

Industry News

New forest strategy misses the opportunity to maximise climate mitigation effect of the forest-based sector

T

he new Forest Strategy is an important piece of the European Commission architecture to deliver on the European Green Deal.

There is a consensus on the need for the new forest strategy to foster a European circular bioeconomy and the sustainability of Europe’s forests to achieve the 2050 climate neutrality target.

However, Cepi does not see the coherence between different policies addressing and impacting forests in the proposed strategy.

“The strategy focuses much on the sink function of forests and simply misses the holistic contribution that wood-based products can bring to a greener and more circular economy: to keep fossils in the ground! The European forests and the forest-based sector provide integrated solutions to the global climate challenge on a very large scale. Together with the product substitution effect, the overall positive climate effect is estimated at 20% of all fossil emissions in the European Union,” commented Jori Ringman, Cepi Director General. “And there is plenty of potential that remains untapped with the proposed Forest Strategy.”

In addition, some sectors depending on fossils will now have free allocation, a carbon border measure and an earmarked sink in the forests that these sectors have nothing to do with.

“Bioeconomy will not have a level playing field competing with such fossil sectors,” concludes Ringman.

Cepi supports the initiative to plant three billion additional trees, we need more forests in Europe but protecting our forests with a short-term treeplanting exercise or converting them into nature restoration areas will not be sufficient to reach our climate objectives.

“The European Paper industry is ready to help make the three billion trees initiative a success for the longterm sustainable growth of forests. We believe this is the right policy, forests 6

Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

need to be grown more, rather than their use limited,” says Ringman.

Instead, the proposed strategy sets the focus on addressing developments that are caused by external factors, and risks undermining the contribution of the forest and forest-based sector as a whole: By reserving trees as sinks only, the full benefits of the bioeconomy substituting fossil materials and fuels is lost.

Setting aside forests for conservation purposes and prescribing forest owners particular management practices is underestimating the diversity of practices already existing and needed within sustainable forest management across the continent.

Both the European Parliament and EU Member States have positions where the balance between the various functions of forest is preserved and the Commission should have

taken their guidance better into consideration.

Member States already flagged the importance of respecting the diversity of sustainable forest management practices. A prescriptive forest management approach risks increased forest calamities and misses the chance to adapt our forests to climate change in the way required by the different local circumstances. “Climate change and biodiversity require us to manage more and better, not less,” says Ringman.

Cepi welcomes the acknowledgment of the cascading use of wood principle. This principle is working well in the forest sector when there are no distorting subsidies. The latter needs to be addressed in the energy legislation. Cepi also points out to the danger of low-efficiency power generators moving extensively to use pulp wood as certain types of biomass

will be restricted for bioenergy use by the proposed legislation. Market distortion between energy use and raw material uses need to be carefully followed.

However, the attempt to use cascading principle for allocating wood for certain uses and the re-interpretation of the principle to prioritise production of certain products over others in the forest strategy is not in line with the European Commission’s own guidance from 2018, this could hamper the EU bioeconomy potential as investments in forest and investments in bioeconomy will be lost.

Finally, the strategy could be an opportunity to fine-tune the risk-based approach demonstrating that wood comes from sustainably managed forests regardless where it is used, in close cooperation with Member States.

Cepi is ready to engage in this process.

Industry News

SCA and St1 enter joint Sustainable forest venture to produce and management and fossil develop liquid biofuels substitution to enable EU’s green growth

S

CA and St1 have entered a joint venture to produce and sell liquid biofuels. SCA will supply tall oil to the joint venture and will invest approximately SEK 0.6 billion in the company. SCA and St1 will be equal shareholders of the joint venture, which will itself have a 50% share in the St1 Gothenburg Biorefinery, which is now making an investment in a biorefinery with total capacity of 200,000 tonnes of liquid biofuels, estimated to a total investment cost of SEK 2.5 billion. The new biorefinery will be operational in Q2, 2023.

“Partnership with SCA is a key element in the implementation of our renewable fuels investment program and it secures the supply of renewable feedstock materials to meet the ambitious Nordic climate targets for 2030,” says Henrikki Talvitie, CEO of St1 Nordic Oy. “In line with our communicated long term strategy, we will now with the joint venture with St1 go from being a supplier of tall oil to the chemical and fuel industries to becoming active in the further refining of our renewable raw materials,” says Ulf Larsson, President and CEO of SCA. “We will continue to develop the business potential of the renewable by-

products we have from our forests and industries in order to further develop our value chain and to contribute to the EU’s ambitious climate strategy.”

The new biorefinery is under construction on the St1 refinery site in Gothenburg and will have a total capacity of 200,000 tonnes of liquid biofuels. It is designed to optimise production of renewable HVO diesel and biojet fuel and to use tall oil-based feedstock. The joint venture will have access to SCA’s tall oil, a by-product from the kraft pulp production at SCA’s mills in Östrand, Obbola and Munksund. The biorefinery will also be capable of using a wide range of other feedstocks and is expected to be operational in Q2, 2023.

As part of the agreement, St1 also becomes a 50% owner of SCA Östrand Biorefinery. The Östrand biorefinery project has recently received environmental permits for the production of 300,000 tonnes of liquid biofuels based on black liquor (a by-product from kraft pulp production) and solid biomass (such as sawdust or bark). The biorefinery in Östrand is a development project where a number of technological challenges remain to be solved before a project design can be finalised.

The European Commission has published an extensive set of proposals on climate and energy policies, framing the pathway to carbon neutrality by 2050. These proposals begin a lengthy process to agree on the details. UPM is committed to supporting EU’s climate goals and has committed to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C. “We are in a unique position to offer positive climate impact through sustainable forestry, emission reductions in operations and by providing climate-friendly alternatives for substituting fossil consumption. The proposal sets a clear signal for the need to reduce emissions and focus on zeroemission energy,” states Stefan Sundman, Vice President, Public Affairs, UPM. In recent years, UPM has strongly invested in innovations that provide renewable drop-in solutions to substitute fossils. For example, UPM has invested heavily in biorefineries that provide new sustainable alternatives in advanced biofuels and biochemicals.

“UPM calls for predictable

regulation that enable green growth investments and further transformation beyond fossils.

EU policies and the upcoming negotiations between the European Parliament and the member states must ensure sustainable forest use and availability of wood as a key resource for the circular bioeconomy and green growth,” Sundman concludes.

Renewability and circular material use in production and consumption open large potential for effective climate change mitigation. The use of sustainably sourced renewable materials offers a unique solution to replace fossil consumption.

UPM is committed to Climate Positive Forestry, which focuses on increasing the biomass in the forests and their growth through economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable forest management. We make sure that our forests remain carbon sinks and thus support efforts to mitigate climate change.

UPM continues to investigate in more detail the various proposals by the European Commission and will publish further insights on upm.com.

Fernandez Holdings acquires Nortrax and Schmidt Equipment to become United Construction & Forestry Fernandez Holdings Inc, which owns a diverse portfolio of businesses, including 57 John Deere Ag and Turf dealerships in the North-East and South Central US, has acquired 14 John Deere Construction and Forestry stores, nine locations from Nortrax, Inc. in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, and five stores in Massachusetts from Schmidt Equipment Inc. The business operates as United Construction & Forestry, LLC.

“Fernandez Holdings is excited to be able to expand our relationship with John Deere into the Construction and Forestry markets,” said Kirk Fernandez, CEO and founder of Fernandez Holdings. “We see incredible opportunity in the north-east to continue to expand the John Deere brand with a strong organisation that is committed to delivering best-in-class equipment, service, and support to our customers.

Fernandez Holdings will also

continue to invest heavily in the region, building new facilities, updating and upgrading operations, and empowering the business to continue to bring on talented, hard-working people to the team. This is just the beginning for United Construction & Forestry, and we’re thrilled to support and help drive the organisation’s growth in the region.”

Eric Driscoll, CEO of United Construction & Forestry and United Ag & Turf NE said: “At United, we

believe in maintaining a culture of high morale, where hard work and strong performance are rewarded, and we know that this creates an empowered team that is motivated to deliver for our customers. This is an exciting organisation to be a part of and the acquisition of Nortrax and Schmidt Equipment creates tremendous opportunities for everyone in both organisations as well as everyone who will be joining the team as we continue to grow.”

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

7

Industry News

Valmet to deliver a turnkey biopower plant to produce green electricity and heat for the city of Salzburg, Austria

T

he order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the third quarter 2021.

The value of the order is not disclosed. The plant will be commissioned and started up in August, 2023.

“We are constructing the Siezenheim II plant in Salzburg to increase the share of CO2-neutral district heat production to 40%.

With the plant, it will be possible to provide 8,300 additional homes with bio district heat and 7,000 additional homes with ecologically-produced power in Salzburg in the future. We have found Valmet to be an ideal partner for building our power plant,” says Siegfried Müllegger, Head of Energy Technologies, Salzburg AG. “This is the first modular BioPower plant that Valmet will deliver to Austria, so it is a great opening for

us in decarbonising the local energy sector. High fuel flexibility, innovative technology and serviceability play key roles in this solution. The use of local renewable biomass fuels ensures reliable and sustainable energy supply and creates jobs locally,” says Markus Bolhàr-Nordenkampf, Director, Energy Sales and Service Operations, Central Europe North, EMEA, Valmet.

Valmet will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the modularised BioPower 5 power plant. The scope of supply includes fuel handling, a boiler, a turbine, a flue gas cleaning system and the Valmet DNA automation system. The plant will have a maximum electrical output of about 4 megawatts (MW) and a maximum

heat output of 17 MW. Valmet’s modularised BioPower power plant is based on proven combustion technology combined with factory manufactured and tested modules. Manufacturing the modules in the factory enables faster project implementation, shorter site time and completion with better quality and lower implementation risks.

Salzburg AG is a digital technology company that offers digital solutions, products and services. The company provides the inhabitants of Salzburg an access to sustainable and climatefriendly supplies of clean energy, telecommunications, Internet and cable TV. Additionally, the company is a full-service provider in e-mobility and photovoltaics. In 2020, Salzburg AG had approximately 2,300 employees and net sales of € 1.4 billion.

Cindy Tindell, appointed as managing director, head of US for Matrix Renewables Matrix Renewables, the TPGbacked global renewable energy platform, has announced the addition of Cindy Tindell to its executive team as Managing Director, Head of US. In her new position, Tindell will lead the strategy and execution of Matrix Renewable’s growth in the US, building out a US-based presence, aligned with corporate goals to develop, construct, acquire, and operate renewable energy and storage assets. Tindell joins an experienced management team that has come together over the past year with the support of The Rise Fund, TPG’s global impact investing platform.

Prior to joining Matrix Renewables, Cindy was Vice-President of M&A at NextEra Energy. She held several diverse leadership positions at the company where she led investment 8

Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

decisions, managed P&L for multiple regions, helped develop a competitive transmission business, as well as overseeing the development of Florida Power & Light’s conventional and solar thermal fleet. Previously, she held a Vice-President position in investment banking and served as an official at the US State Department.

Speaking of her new position, Tindell notes, “I’m delighted to

undertake this new opportunity to work with the Matrix Renewables team. I’m looking forward to helping further develop Matrix Renewables’ global growth goals in the US in promoting renewable and clean energy, backed by the sponsorship of The Rise Fund, TPG’s global impact investing platform and a global climate and environmental leader.”

In recognition of Tindell’s

About Matrix Renewables Matrix Renewables is a renewable energy platform created and backed by global alternative asset manager TPG and its more than $11 billion impact investing platform TPG Rise. Matrix Renewables’ current portfolio is comprised of 1.5 GW of operational, under construction, or near readyto-build solar PV projects and a further 3.2 GW pipeline of renewable energy projects under development, across Europe, US and LATAM. For more information, visit matrixrenewables.com or send an e-mail to info@ matrixrenewables.com

appointment, the Matrix Renewables Board issued a statement: “We are pleased to have Cindy join as the Head of the US for Matrix Renewables. The US is a geography of strategic focus for growth of the business. Cindy brings decades of relevant sector experience that will be instrumental in Matrix building a significant presence in the US renewables market.”

Matrix Renewables was founded in 2020 and is supported by global alternative asset manager TPG and its impact investing fund The Rise Fund. Matrix currently has a significant solar and storage portfolio in operation, under construction, and at different phases of development across Europe and Latin America.

The organisation plans to materially increase its presence in the US over the coming months.

Industry News

‘Barely credible’: REA responds to ‘report’ from Fair Fuel APPG

T

he Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology’s (REA) have responded to a new report published by the Fair Fuel for UK Motorists and UK Hauliers APPG, saying it is ‘barely credible’ and promotes ‘climate change denialism.’

The report, described as ‘groundbreaking’ by its authors, seeks to undermine the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. Questionable figures provided include: ‘Even if 10,000 charging points were installed every single day between 1 January, 2021, and 31 December, 2030, that would still deliver under 10% as many charging points as vehicles needing to use that.’ The basis for this claim is unclear, but, if correct, it would mean that over 300 million electric vehicles would be on the UK’s roads.

There are currently around 33 million registered cars in the UK today.

The REA says that, with transport being the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, a ‘do-nothing’ approach is simply not an

option. It is considered that consumers will make the choice to switch to electric vehicles, with the cost and usability of the technology already accessible and rapidly improving.

There are also concerns about the effect of rising fuel poverty, but the recommendations put forward in the report will have little to no impact.

Decarbonisation can help tackle this growing issue.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, CEO of Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said: “This ‘report’ is barely credible and not the ‘ground-breaking’ document as its authors would have you believe. The REA would not usually respond to fringe publications of this nature, but we cannot simply stand by and allow the peddling of misinformation.

“At the risk of being called a ‘fanatic’ by the report’s backers, the reality is climate change is happening. The effects are already starting to materialise all around us and we are out of time. We simply

cannot do nothing.

“We are reducing emissions across all areas of UK society, but we have made limited progress when it comes to transport. Reports such as this have contributed to an amount of inaction that has made transport the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. “Decades of high-value automotive innovation have resulted in electric vehicles emerging as the most viable like-for-like replacement to petrol and diesel cars. Not just in the UK, but across the world.

“The Government’s plans will not force all UK residents to drive an electric vehicle by 2030. The plans only cover brand new petrol and diesel vehicles, and new hybrid vehicles will still be available until 2035. Anyone who wants to purchase and drive a secondhand petrol or diesel vehicle after this point is free to do so. However, far from ‘rebelling against this madness’, we believe the overwhelming majority of consumers will make their own choice

to switch to electric cars because: The technology is already able to meet the needs of the vast majority of UK motorists, and it is still improving rapidly; The UK has the most comprehensive public charging infrastructure network in Europe, and it is growing every day; Long before 2030, electric vehicles are forecasted to cost the same or even less than their petrol and diesel equivalent; The running costs are already lower because electricity is cheaper than petrol and diesel, and electricity prices are not dictated to us by foreign oil producers.

“In short, if certain people want to spend their time aiding climate change denialism then that’s their prerogative.

However, our industry will continue to take its responsibilities seriously by tackling climate change, offering a better deal to consumers and securing a sustainable, innovative, worldleading car manufacturing industry in the UK.”

Are you a member of the Wood Recyclers’ Association?

Providing a voice for wood recyclers & reprocessors Influencing legislation and regulation Raising industry standards Promoting the sector at home and overseas Providing networking opportunities

0330 325 0490

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

| www.woodrecyclers.org

9

Industry News

Doosan Lentjes and Arikon to supply the Wiesbaden waste-to-energy plant

D

oosan Lentjes and ARIKON have been awarded the contract in a consortium for the turnkey delivery of the new waste-to-energy (WtE) plant in Wiesbaden, Germany. Doosan Lentjes, a specialist in environmental technology, will be responsible as general contractor for the turnkey planning, delivery, assembly and commissioning of the entire plant.

ARIKON Hoch- und Ingenieurbau

10 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

GmbH, meanwhile, will be responsible for the civil works. The commissioning of the new plant is expected to start early 2024.

The new power plant will comprise one process line, including grate, boiler and dry flue gas cleaning, as well as water-steam cycle. The owner and operator will be MHKW Wiesbaden GmbH. After completion, the facility will thermally treat about 200,000 tonnes of municipal and commercial

waste from the greater Wiesbaden area per year.

“We are pleased to be able to support our client in establishing safe and future-proof disposal capacities,” says Gerhard Lohe, Director of Thermal Waste Treatment at Doosan Lentjes.

“MHKW Wiesbaden GmbH benefits from our proven technologies, which enable reliable plant operation with high availability. At the same time, the processes can be flexibly adapted to changing fuel properties. Thus, even possible changes in the composition of the waste will not prevent the plant from reliably operating over its lifetime.

“Together with Doosan Lentjes, we are building one of the most modern plants in Europe on behalf of MHKW Wiesbaden GmbH. As ARIKON Hoch-und Ingenieurbau GmbH with its focus on industrial construction, the project is a great opportunity to bundle our competences together with Doosan Lentjes and to contribute to the establishment of modern environmental technologies in the field

of energy generation,” continued Ingo Habig, Managing Director of ARIKON Hoch-und Ingenieurbau GmbH. In the overall technological process, the plant technology applied will produce electricity and district heating from the energy contained in the waste. The use of this energy, which is largely of biogenic origin, represents a sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels. Thus, the MHKW will make an important contribution to saving climate-damaging CO2 emissions.

Wiesbaden will be the first project of this kind that Doosan Lentjes and ARIKON deliver together. The two companies have a long history of working together on various power plant projects outside the field of waste incineration. The results showed that customers can trust that they will receive a reliable solution tailored to their individual needs with an optimal cost-benefit ratio.

Doosan Lentjes is a specialist in thermal waste utilisation and supplies proprietary technologies along the entire value chain.

Valmet

Industry News

Valmet to deliver district heating automation to Energie AG in Austria

V

almet will deliver district heating automation to Energie AG’s waste recycling plant and the municipal district heating plant in Wels, Austria.

The company and the city of Wels are currently expanding the production of district heat from waste to meet the growing need and boost sustainability in the area.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2021. The value or the order is not disclosed. The deliveries will take place from the third quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022.

“Valmet’s comprehensive product portfolio and complete process solutions with high technological standards met our distinctive quality requirement and led to this order.

The company’s long experience in automation and process technology paired with sustainability and reliability convinced us,” says Günther Gruber, Power Plant Manager, Energie AG. “We have built an excellent relationship with Energie AG over the past 15 years by providing them with advanced automation solutions and a wide range of lifecycle services to

their two waste incineration lines. This is now Valmet’s first order for district heating automation and optimisation in Austria,” says Mustafa Began, Service Area Manager, Automation, Valmet.

Technical information about Valmet’s delivery Valmet’s delivery includes an extension of the existing Valmet DNA Automation System and a Valmet DNA District Heating Manager application for the waste recycling plant’s district heating extension.

Additionally, Valmet delivers a

Valmet DNA Automation System for the new hot water boilers of the district heating plant owned by the city of Wels. Both deliveries include application engineering and project implementation.

Valmet DNA District Heating Manager is an Industrial Internet based online application for district heating network optimisation. It ensures optimized district heat production.

For further information, please contact: Mustafa Began, Service Area Manager, Automation, Valmet, tel. +43 1 795 52

Energie AG’s waste recycling plant in Wels, Austria.

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

11

Equipment Industry News

John Deere Introduces 330-horsepower option for the 853M and 853MH machines

L

ooking to meet the needs of the most demanding forestry applications, John Deere now offers a 330-horsepower option for the 853M Tracked Feller Buncher and 853MH Tracked Harvester equipped with the optional Dedicated Travel System feature.

The combination of the travel and horsepower options on the 853M and 853MH machines enables John Deere to deliver enhanced performance in harsh conditions.

“We know that machine performance is critical for our customers, and we strive to find new solutions that further enhance operation, even when working in challenging conditions,” said Jim O’Halloran, product marketing manager, John Deere. “This new horsepower option on the 853M and 853MH further enhances the functionality of the Dedicated Travel System, ensuring our machinery always surpasses expectations. Now, operators will have the option to further improve overall productivity

and efficiency on their job site.”

The Dedicated Travel System feature provides focused hydraulic functionality for the tracks, while providing independent hydraulic power and performance to the swing, boom, and attachment functions. This hydrostatic control of the travel function increases overall machine efficiency, especially during heavy multifunctioning.

The additional horsepower is fully

available for additional work, adding to the increased performance and productivity of the equipment.

The horsepower update further adds to the customer-driven features found on the M-Series and MH-Series machines. The operator station was designed by loggers, for loggers, with maximum comfort in mind. Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise visibility, and ergonomically designed controls

further enhance the operator experience. The Rapid Cycle System allows for low-effort joystick control of all boom functions, considerably reducing operator fatigue and increasing productivity.

To learn more about the 853M Tracked Feller Buncher and 853M Tracked Harvester, as well as the complete John Deere lineup of forestry equipment, visit www. johndeere.com

John Deere introduces new H423 & H425 harvester heads This fall, John Deere introduces the new, small-size H423 harvester head and the large-size H425 and H425HD. These new attachments replace the previous H413, H415 and H415HD models. Like its predecessor, these heads have 4WD feed.

The H423 harvester head works on the 1070G, 1170G and 1270G base machines and is ideal for thinnings and other fellings, where the tree diameter at chest height (BHD) is 150-350 mm. With improved hose routing from boom to harvester head, and from valve block to feed motors, this attachment offers improved durability, easy hose replacement and improved hose protection with modifications to the frame. It has an operating range of minimum diameter 12 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

at chest height (BHD) 40 mm to a maximum 500 mm.

The H425 harvester head for the larger size class is available on the 1270G and 1470G base machines.

This attachment is ideal for final fellings and other fellings where the tree diameter at chest height (BHD) is 250-500 mm. Also including

improved hose routing from loader to harvester head and from valve block to feed motors, the hoses are routed through the frame and well protected within the structures, improving durability. Additionally, the H425HD harvester head added to the H425 model offers an HD tilt frame, expander pins in the upper end of the

tilt cylinder, feed motor arms, and lower delimbing knives.

“The new harvesting heads provide excellent performance, durability, measuring accuracy and economy,” said Sakari Suuriniemi, product marketing manager Wheeled Harvesters and Heads at John Deere Forestry. “So far, we’ve received great customer feedback on the latest updates and can’t wait to see the updated harvester heads in action this season.”

A wide selection of saw motors and saw bars are also available for the H425 and H425HD harvester heads.

For more information on the H423, H425 and H425HD models or the full portfolio of John Deere products, visit www.johndeere.com.

Industry News BioConstruct

New AD plant will turn 95,000 tons of food waste per year into biomethane at Evercreech junction in Somerset

B

ioConstruct builds a waste to energy wet AD plant in Somerset generating renewable natural gas sufficient for approximately 5,500 homes, as part of Adapt Biogas’s ambitions to increase renewable energy production across the UK. The project had been in development for a significant period of time following redesigns and securing of construction finances.

However, after original planning consent was granted in October 2010, construction works have commenced in May, 2021. The site incorporates an ambitious programme to produce first biomethane along with meeting RHI deadlines, no later than end of March, 2022. BioConstruct has already demonstrated in previous projects an ability to work to and achieve its subsidy driven deadlines and as such, working with a team of experienced subcontractor’s and suppliers,

are confident in their ability to manage construction against the agreed programme to achieve the given deadline. “We have an experienced team both within BioConstruct, as well as within our selected key subcontractors and we feel very comfortable to progress construction works in time,” comments Andreas Bröcker from the BioConstruct Group. “In fact, civil works are already well underway thanks to extensive preparational works prior to financial close.”

The parties entered into a lump sum EPC contract comprising civil works and gas upgrading technology to convert biogas into biomethane.

The project will convert. 95,000 tons of food waste per annum into approximately 850 standard cubic metres of biomethane to be injected into the Wales and West utilities gas network. Furthermore, the plant will create and secure local jobs necessary for logistics, operations

and connected industries.

Key components of the plant will be a depackaging & waste processing building capable of receiving and processing industrial food and kerb side waste from households and restaurants. After the depackaging process, the food waste will be digested in a two-stage system

About BioConstruct BioConstruct GmbH is a leading provider for design and construction of turnkey biogas, wind energy, and photovoltaic projects. Over 20 years, the enterprise has implemented more than 300 renewable energy projects in different countries and gained expertise in plant engineering, project development, funding and operation and maintenance services. In addition, BioConstruct owns and operates 21 of its own plants.

consisting of continuously stirred primary and secondary digesters. After taking out nearly all of the methane and CO² from the food waste, the digestate will be pasteurised to a valuable fertilizer giving nutrients back to agricultural processes. The whole concept is an important step towards diverting food waste from landfill, reducing usage of artificial fertilizers, as well as producing green energy and protecting the climate at the same time.

Bioconstruct will be partnering with Adapt Biogas to collaborate on the operations and management of the AD plant at Evercreech. This progressive addition will be the second AD site to join the Adapt Biogas portfolio, marking plans for exciting growth across the business. The first site in the Adapt Biogas portfolio based in Murrow commissioned for gas export in 2020, following previous success at generating renewable sources of electricity export.

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

13

Andritz/Dillinger Industry News

ANDRITZ Hydro and Dillinger: from water to wire Working together on outstanding pumped-storage technology

T

he fixing by the UN Climate Conference of all-signatory targets for the containment of global warming has resulted in a rapid rise in the significance of the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources and, concomitantly, also of the need for energy-storage facilities. The most important and cost-efficient method of storing energy on a major scale – pumped-storage technology – thus also underwent a steep upward trend.

ANDRITZ Hydro, based in Vienna and one of the world’s leading suppliers of electromechanical equipment and services for hydropower plants also became a partner in great demand for especially challenging projects.

For the development of sophisticated concepts in steel, large component dimensions and high individual item weights, this hydropower expert puts its faith in Dillinger, the world’s technological leader in tailor-made heavy plates, domiciled in Dillingen, in the Saarland region of Germany.

The power-generation projects of Kaunertal (Austria), Nant de Drance (Switzerland) and Abdelmoumen (Morocco) stand as examples of this highly fruitful co-operation between the two companies.

The strengths of pumped-storage plants (PSP) can be found in their

rapid reaction to fluctuations in the supply of and demand for electricity. Their technology assures high availability, high capacity and high flexibility, and involves only low operating costs and risks. This, for the energy corporations, guarantees the necessary grid stability and black-start capability in case of a sudden power failure. ANDRITZ Hydro is one of the largest global suppliers of the market for hydroelectric power generation: world-market leader in the field of bulb turbines, technology leader in Pelton turbines and an acknowledged leader in the field of service and modernisation for enhancing the output of existing hydropower plants. Its portfolio includes the entire spectrum of electromechanical equipment: turbines, generators, hydroelectric engineering in steel, accessory equipment and services for hydropower plants of all types and sizes, ranging up to more than 800MW output per turbine unit.

Some 7,000 employees, at 25 global locations in Europe, Asia and North and South America, demonstrate the company’s proximity to its markets.

Up to now, ANDRITZ Hydro has equipped more than 500 pumpedstorage plants, with a total output of 40,000 MW. As Vice-President Penstocks &

ANDRITZ Hydro backs Dillinger’s outstanding capabilities in the development of demanding concepts for steel materials, large component sizes and high item weights.

14 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

The grades of steel required and the high wall thicknesses necessary are major challenges in the construction of pumped storage hydropower plants, with diameters of 5 metres or more for the penstocks.

Gates, Helmut Friedl is responsible globally at ANDRITZ Hydro for the steel-engineering sector for hydropower plants, with a particular focus on penstocks, armouring, branched distribution pipes, grills, gates and the appurtenant equipment.

He has also played a leading managerial role in the Kaunertal, Nant de Drance and Abdelmoumen projects.

Kaunertal: Toughness indices well beyond the standard The expansion of the existing generating plant at Kaunertal, in the

Austrian Tyrol, marked the inception of even more intensive co-operation with Dillinger. At a height of 2,000 metres in a high alpine valley, generating capacity was to be increased by just on 1,000MW, to a total of 1,370MW, via the addition of an artificial storage lake as the upper reservoir, a second lower reservoir and a second power plant. This would convert the existing flow-through power plant to a pumped-storage configuration.

Rockfalls on the surface of the slope additionally necessitated replacement of the existing penstock by a new duct located below the slip line. The design

Haulage of the 6 metre pipe segments fabricated down in the valley for the Kaunertal pumped storage plant for subsequent prefabrication of the 12 metre long segments needed high on the mountain.

Industry News Andritz/Dillinger

Pre assembly of a bifurcation of the penstock for the Kaunertal hydropower plant seen on the fabrication site in the rock. and installation of this duct was also to take prior account of the upcoming increase in the output of the powergenerating plant.

ANDRITZ Hydro was commissioned for the construction of this penstock following an exceptionally complex short-listing procedure. The potential suppliers of this duct received from the client plates, which they then had to weld using specially developed processes in their welding shops on the basis of the weld-filler materials selected. An independent test institute evaluated the results for suitability for use in the rock using the sophisticated TOFD and phased-array inspection procedures. The verdict was incorporated here into an initial applicant evaluation. Subsequent forming of the plates into a pipe with a diameter of more than four metres, with various wall thicknesses, and welding of circumferential and longitudinal welds, were the definitive elements of evaluation in the next

stage. In addition, the candidates also had to locate a steel supplier capable of demonstrating significantly higher toughness indices than specified in the relevant standard. The customer permitted steels of Grade S620 as the maximum allowable yield strength.

Special requirements concerning the size and thickness of the plates to be used also applied in the case of the bifurcations – the branching elements of the penstock, with a diameter of five metres. The search for a suitable supplier of the steel was by no means easy, in view of the relatively small quantity required (900 tonnes) and of the challenges associated with the validated requirements – optimised Charpy V-notch indices in the parent material and in the weld, and the required cost-efficiency, with on-time production and minimal failure rates. ANDRITZ Hydro located the sought for partner in Dillinger and was commissioned for supply, design, fabrication and installation

Installation of a bifurcation in the headrace tunnel of the Kaunertal hydropower plant.

The TIG hot wire welding system used by ANDRITZ Hydro in the tunnel of the Kaunertal pumped storage plant minimises hydrogen content in the deposited metal and thus the risk of hydrogen induced cracking. of the penstock for the Kaunertal power-generating plant. “Dillinger is the absolute expert when it comes to high wall thicknesses,” notes Helmut Friedl on his selection at the time.

He adds: “In addition, Dillinger also had a larger hardening quench than other producers and was thus able to supply these demanding plates not only in the required thickness, but also in correspondingly large lengths and widths.” After extremely intensive discussions between the client, ANDRITZ Hydro, the operator, Tiroler Wasserkraftwerke (TIWAG) and Dillinger, the steel concept elaborated by Dillinger was approved.

On this basis, the steelmaker then produced at the Kaunertal generating plant, specially for the bifurcations, high-strength DILLIMAX S620 QL proprietary steel in thicknesses of 90 to 120 millimetres. “One of the greatest challenges in building pumpedstorage hydropower plants with pipe diameters of five metres or more is the particular grade of steel used,” remarks Helmut Friedl on the importance of the corresponding capabilities on the part of the steel producer. Wall thickness will also increase in parallel to diameter. Cost-effective production of the hydropower-plant components is made possible only by high-strength steels with good weldability that also permit fabrication using thinner wall thicknesses and thus allow shorter fabrication and installation times.

The carbon equivalent (CEV/ECC) assists in achieving higher mechanical strengths. Good steel weldability necessitates the lowest possible carbon equivalent, however. “Dillinger

was willing and able to develop for Kaunertal a solution with a CEV below the standard rating which nonetheless met the requirements for maximum allowable yield strength and dimensions,” enthuses Friedl.

Another special feature of the Kaunertal project was a small fabrication shop which ANDRITZ Hydro created, due to the restricted transport possibilities, at the top of the mountain. Here, the plant engineer welded together the six metre pipes fabricated down in the valley to make the required twelve metre long segments of differing diameters. These were then transported and lowered into the rock. Another definitive reason for ANDRITZ Hydro winning the project became apparent in installation in the tunnel: the hot-wire TIG welding system used by the plant engineer for the entire sloping tunnel at Kaunertal.

The preheated uncoated solid wire used by the automated welding unit minimises the hydrogen content in the deposited metal and thus the risk of cracking. All the branch elements for the penstock were also delivered in single pieces up the mountain.

There they were welded together into formats that could then be transported into the tunnel and assembled. The new penstock for this hydropower plant at Kaunertal was commissioned in 2016. Commissioning of the upper reservoir is anticipated in 2032.

Nant de Drance: Superlative hydropower engineering project Co-operation between ANDRITZ Hydro and Dillinger proved its worth Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

15

Andritz/Dillinger Industry News

The dam restraining the Lac d‘Emosson reservoir for the Nant de Drance pumped storage hydropower plant in Switzerland’s Valais Alps. yet again in the expansion project for the pumped-storage generating plant of Nant de Drance in the Valais Alps of Switzerland. This generating plant, of 900MW installed capacity, is presently one of the highest-powered in Europe. Six Francis turbines, each of 150MW output, make Nant de Drance highly flexible: in less than five minutes, the plant can, if necessary, change from full-power pumping to full-power turbine operation. It has an efficiency of above 80%, making it a benchmark for electricity storage. Nant de Drance exploits in a closed circuit the difference in height between two existing reservoirs. These are linked by two parallel vertical headraces, each of which serves three pump turbines located in a gigantic powerhouse cavern at a depth of 600 metres. Each of these headraces consists of a twokilometre long penstock tunnel and a 425 metre long vertical shaft of up to seven metres in diameter.

The contract awarded to ANDRITZ Hydro comprised planning and design, delivery of equipment, installation, and commissioning of the entire system for

the two headraces. These are situated, like the cavern, in the interior of the mountain and are accessed by means of a five kilometre long tunnel. The project package awarded to ANDRITZ Hydro also included the butterfly valve shutoff systems for the upper knifegate valve chambers, the rolling sluice gates for the lower gate chamber and the inlet grill for the inflow and outflow structures. The large dimensions of the system components, the stresses acting on them and the on-site works made implementation an extremely demanding hydropower project.

The components for the headrace had, for example, to be very largely prefabricated in a very confined space on the site. In addition, the client stipulated, regarding the armouring of the vertical shafts, the lining only of the upper and lower pipe elbows with steel, and the armouring of the less pressure-stressed parts using prestressed concrete. In selecting the steels for use here, ANDRITZ Hydro again backed to the utmost highquality grades supplied by Dillinger.

A total of 3,276 tonnes of steel in

Installation of a bifurcation for the breeches pipe at the Nant de Drance pumped storage hydropower plant.

16 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

Trial assembly of a bifurcation with an external sickle plate for the Nant de Drance pumped storage plant. thicknesses of up to 130 millimetres were supplied by the heavy-plate specialist for the penstock. “In the larger thickness ranges, and with S355 ML, we simply felt safer using Dillinger materials,” is how Helmut Friedl reasons this decision.

In front of the cavern, the vertical shafts divide into branches of various diameters. In the upper zone, where pressures are not yet so high, thermomechanically rolled S355 plates supplied by Dillinger were used.

These permitted welding with a higher specific heat input. For the armouring of the pipe elbows, ANDRITZ Hydro chose DILLIMAX proprietary steel S690 QL1: in the upper branch, this was used for all thicknesses of between 29 and 90 millimetres. In the lower elbow, at the bottom of the vertical shaft, this steel was used for armouring of up to 55 millimetres in all branch elements.

The housings of the gates were also made of this high-strength quenched and tempered steel. For components exposed to especially high transverse tensile stress, such as the flanges in the upper elbow on the access tunnel and the internal sickle plates of the branches, the plant engineer used heavy plates of Grade S690 QL1+Z35 in thicknesses of up to 130 millimetres.

Wet commissioning of the Nant de Drance pumped-storage powergenerating plant took place in late May of 2020 with the filling for the first

time of the two headraces. Ultimate complete commissioning of the plant is scheduled for 2021.

Abdelmoumen: The challenge of an exposed penstock ANDRITZ Hydro supplied the entire electromechanical equipment for the new Abdelmoumen pumpedstorage generating plant located in the South-West of Morocco, 70 kilometres to the North-East of Agadir: “A genuine from-water- to-wire package,” enthuses Helmut Friedl. The contract covered not only the design, construction, delivery, installation, and commissioning of two reversible 175MW pump turbines, but also – jointly with the consortial leader, Vinci Construction – the building of the technically demanding threekilometre-long headrace. The pump turbines are designed for twenty highspeed mode reversals per day, assuring fast reaction and regulation of the transmission grid. The steel-lined water feed route consists of a partially exposed two-kilometre-long penstock, more than 700 metres of tunnel and three shafts of depths of more than 60 metres.

Unlike the two projects mentioned above, ANDRITZ Hydro produced all the facility components on site for the Abdelmoumen power-generating plant. The high materials requirements

Industry News Andritz/Dillinger

Section of an elbow element being installed for the steel lined headrace of the Abdelmoumen, Morocco, pumped storage plant. for the steels to be used and special challenges in the context of fabrication and installation once again argued in favour of Dillinger. The fast reactions and development capabilities of the steelmaker during the tendering phase also played a major role in the selection of this supplier. “Sometimes, we need the information very quickly, we have increasingly short times to draft a quotation. And Dillinger’s service in this respect really is very, very good,” Helmut Friedl explains. Also of importance to him is that “… Dillinger always plays with an open hand if one has problems” and “they have very amicable access to solutions to problems”. In his view, such service is also underlined by Dillinger’s extremely dependable metallurgical prediction models, used for testing customers’ specifications for their feasibility.

Neural networks continuously train these smart models, with the result that the Saarland steelmakers can provide reliable information on the implementability of the required properties and risk assessment even prior to production. Dillinger supplied all steel requirements for the new pumped-storage powergenerating plant in Morocco, with a total scope of supply of 9,600 tonnes, comprising not only S500 QL and S690 QL, but also high-strength thermomechanically rolled S690 ML steel. “We were highly satisfied with Dillinger’s services and products at Kaunertal, and also how Nant de Drance was managed,” affirms Helmut Friedl on yet another decision in favour of this steel supplier. For ANDRITZ Hydro, not only the suppliable parentplate sizes, but also the out-of-theordinary supply capability counted:

“In the past, Dillinger has always had extremely good delivery times, even for high-quality grades, and Dillinger can also agree these delivery times for large quantities of steel.”

In view of the dimensions of S690 grades for the exposed penstock and in the thickness direction of the vertical shafts, the achievable item weights were, at Abdelmoumen, again of special importance for ANDRITZ Hydro. “Plate length is always a function of diameter, and that was up to five metres here. Higher individual item weights necessarily mean less limitation on lengths, particularly in the case of thick plates,” notes Helmut Friedl, adding: “As a result, only one longitudinal weld is necessary, even for the large diameters necessary here.” For the exposed portion of the penstock – apart from the upper area, where 20 millimetre thick plates were used – 40 millimetre thick thermodynamically rolled plates were selected. For the branch, ANDRITZ Hydro chose 60 millimetre thick plate of Grade S690 QL, and a thickness of 100 millimetres of the same material for the internal sickle plate in this branch. In addition, Dillinger was also responsible on this project for all welding edge preparation and for cutting-to-size for the fabrication of shapes, such as pipe bends.

Unlike the use of thermal cutting, no overhardening occurs in steels of Grade S690, in particular, on these milled edges. There is thus no effect on materials properties and the danger of quench cracking is minimised. The benefit for ANDRITZ Hydro as a result was the fact that it was possible to omit almost completely the manual grinding off of up to two millimetres

The pre machined edges of the plates supplied by Dillinger for the Abdelmoumen pumped storage hydropower plant reduce working and fabrication times and simplify installation. of overhardened material on the plate edges, which would have been necessary if thermal cutting had been used. In addition to the therefore significantly shorter processing and fabrication times, the milled edges supplied by Dillinger also simplified assembly. “An exposed penstock of a diameter of up to 4.80 metres with multiple connections must adapt to the terrain and is thus much more difficult to install than such a pipe in a tunnel,” notes ANDRITZ Hydro’s expert. The climate prevailing in Morocco makes things even more complicated, since exposure to the sun has also to be taken into account during assembly. To balance out the heat from solar radiation absorbed by the steel, ANDRITZ Hydro employed special installation methods, such as systematic predeformation with simultaneous allowance for such deformation during assembly and securing. For the welders required to make welds at ambient temperatures of above 40° Celsius in the pipe, such material-dependent preheating of the welds necessary to up to 150° Celsius is an additional burden. Commissioning

of the new pumped-storage plant at Abdelmoumen is scheduled for 2022.

ANDRITZ Hydro is currently undergoing the tendering phase – with Dillinger steel – for two other pumped-storage projects in Austria.

In general, Helmut Friedl is convinced that pumped-storage will still gain very greatly in significance around the globe – and with ever larger pipe diameters. And these necessitate the use of high-strength steels and high item weights to shorten construction times and assure the project’s economic efficiency. He knows that he is in good hands with Dillinger at his side. The more so, since ANDRITZ Hydro also sees itself as a dependable partner for planners and clients on extremely demanding projects: “We have the declared intent, the technical capabilities and the necessary staff to also be sure to complete such projects in the specified time,” emphasises Helmut Friedl. “But, on the other hand, we also need for such success a partner that we can rely on also putting everything into solving a problem if one occurs. And we know we can depend on Dillinger.”

Section of a closing installation element for the exposed part of the penstock at the Abdelmoumen pumped storage plant in Morocco.

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

17

Industry Events News

2022: Pellets – fuelling the energy transition!

P

leading annual conference on the energy transition and climate neutrality with more than 650 participants from over 60 countries each year.

What’s new in 2022? c c c c c

Fit for 55 Booting pellet markets The new EU directives Pellet Leaders Forum Meet2Talk

What is it all about?

The new ‘Fit for 55’ package aims to put the EU on track towards climate neutrality. Energy accounts for 75 %

of GHG emissions. As a CO2-neutral fuel, sustainable bioenergy is a key pillar for decarbonisation.

In 2022, the European Pellet Conference – the largest annual pellet event worldwide – shows how firing up pellet markets can boost the energy transition and how to position pellets as an important climate solution. Learn and discuss about how businesses and citizens can profit from this, how we can increase acceptance, trigger investments, and get things moving – full speed!

Call for Papers and Speakers Take the opportunity to share your work, expertise, ideas and insights with key stakeholders along the bioenergy value chain! Deadline: 12 October 2021, further details: www. wsed.at/call For more information: conference website: www.pellets22.eu and the organiser OÖ Energiesparverband, Landstrasse 45, 4020 A-Linz, T: +43-732-7720-14386 office@esv.or.at www.esv.or.at

Images: ©OOe Energiesparverband

ellets – fuelling the energy transition! is the focus of the next European Pellet Conference on 2-3 March, 2022, in Wels, Austria. Next year’s edition of the event will show how firing up pellet markets can boost the energy transition and how to position pellets as an important climate solution. The European Pellet Conference is the largest annual pellet event worldwide.

It is organised by the energy agency of Upper Austria, OÖ Energiesparverband, and held in the context of the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) – a

Programme overview c Strategy session: Fit for 55 • New directives and funding programmes • New research results • Best practice examples

c World of Pellets: Updates and outlook on European and global markets by international speakers

c Pellet Innovation Factory & Pellet Leaders Forum: Showcasing innovations in products, services, financing and policies • Pellets as a key climate solution

c Young Biomass Researchers Conference: Presenting the work of young researchers • Best Young Biomass Researcher Award

c Technical site visits on pellets and wood chips: A full day of technical site visits • First-hand information on fuels, equipment and exemplary installations from users and technology suppliers 18 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

c Poster Presentation: Displaying bioenergy projects, products and EU project results to an international expert audience c Leading tradeshow on renewable energy and energy efficiency 100,000 visitors and over 100 pellet-related exhibitors

Industry News

European Pellet Conference 2022 2 — 3 March 2022 WELS, AUSTRIA

www.pellets22.eu

Pellets - fuelling the energy transition!

Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review 19

People Industry News

THREE60 Energy Group launches sustainability advisory service and appoints industry leaders to drive growth

T

HREE60 Energy Group, a leading independent energy service company offering complete asset life cycle solutions, has launched a new sustainability advisory service, which will be led by recently appointed specialists Guro Tveit, HSEQ & Sustainability Manager and Anette Svendsen, Discipline Lead Sustainability.

The new service spans the following areas c Full exploration and production (E&P) lifecycle support; including the planning and implementation of sustainable engineering solutions and expert advice on aligning operating requirements with sustainability strategies. c Investment advice and due diligence; this includes advisory services related to applicable investment taxonomy, whilst supporting the relevant due diligence processes to ensure the operator is successful in securing the investment. c Strategy and corporate governance; this includes policy development which helps operators to effectively and

accurately prioritise their approach to managing sustainability across their organisation and maintain momentum when it comes to the energy transition. c ESG performance monitoring and reporting; THREE60 Energy will help its customers to effectively report and communicate on ESG factors and sustainability performance to key stakeholders, whilst providing recommendations for improving their performance.

THREE60 Energy’s sustainability advisory services are based on the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

The new THREE60 Energy service will be managed by Guro Tveit, HSEQ & Sustainability Manager, who has worked with energy companies including Equinor, AkerBP, Lundin and Suncor during her career to drive their environmental and sustainability strategies.

Anette, who will report to Guro, joins THREE60 Energy from Avinor, a state-owned company operating most of the civil airports in Norway via the Norwegian Ministry of

Anette Svendsen, Discipline Lead Sustainability.

20 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021

Transport and Communications.

Guro will help to drive company growth through business development activities. This will see the Group become a leading provider of sustainable solutions and advisory in this area globally. In the newly created role, she will also provide academic leadership in the discipline and will be responsible for growing THREE60 Energy’s sustainability credentials.

HSEQ & Sustainability Manager at THREE60 Energy, Guro Tveit, said: “I’m very pleased to lead the launch of THREE60 Energy’s new sustainability service and to also welcome Anette to the team.

She brings impressive experience to the role having worked on transformational energy projects during her career. Her expertise in sustainable energy practices will further enhance the advisory services in this important area.

“Anette joins at a critical time not only for the energy industry, but for the entire planet. As

Guro Tveit, HSEQ & Sustainability Manager.

a result of increased investor appetite for greater visibility of a business’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, and more accurate methods of tracking and improving this, in addition to heightened scrutiny from nongovernmental organisations and the general public, energy companies are under more pressure than ever to prioritise sustainability.”

THREE60 Energy Group has strengthened the skills and experience within its team in all of its service lines across key geographies during the past six months to support its growth strategy. Walter Thain, Group CEO, commented: “This is an extremely exciting time for the business and the energy industry.

“The launch of our new service, supported by the experience of Guro and Anette, will only serve to enhance the diversity of our offering and further demonstrate our drive to leverage our expertise and technologies to support the energy transition.”

Walter Thain, THREE60 Energy Group CEO.

Reducing FireNews Risk Industry

www.wsed.at Autumn 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

21

Industry News

Welcome to the leading international event for the forest industry The next PulPaper event will be held in Helsinki on 29-31 March 2022. PulPaper is the forum for the latest technology and offers optimal business and networking opportunities in a multinational environment. The global industry will once again be gathered in Helsinki.

For more information and contact details: pulpaper.fi #PulPaper2022

• Exhibition • Conferences • Business Forum • Excursions • Social events

BUILDING TOMORROW’S BIOECONOMY

PULPAPER IS ORGANISED AT THE SAME TIME WITH the leading Nordic chemistry and biotechnology event ChemBio Finland and the international chemistry conference Helsinki Chemicals Forum.

Organized by:

22 Forest Bioenergy Review Autumn 2021