Forest Bioenergy Review & PIM Renewable Energy Winter 2021

Industry News

Review & PIM Renewable Energy Volume 10 Number 51

2 Industry News

10 Kincardine Windfarm

12 Equipment Review

14 Bowhill Conversion Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

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Industry News

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Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

Industry News

Comment

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elcome to the Winter issue of Forest Bioenergy Review (FBR).

As ever, the magazine strives to deliver the best coverage of the latest news, together with opinions and current topics of interest as they become relevant to our readers in what is a rapidly-changing world. This issue is no exception and our research over the past six months has further confirmed the diversity of our readers, who are receptive to different types of forest technology and feed stocks employed to generate power, as well as the machinery and ancillary services necessary for growth.

In 2022, FBR and PIM Renewable Energy (https://www. processindustrymatch.com/green-industry) will be joining forces to offer a combined and enhanced approach to the growing demand for a more sustainable and greener provision of energy. This will involve first moving the FBR website in full, including all historic data, over to the PIM renewable energy website. The magazine’s annual re-registration has now also been completed and – when combined with those pre-registered via PIM-FBR and PIM Renewable Energy – will initially be circulated in print, full issue pdf and digitally on-line via the website to over 21,500 individuals around the world four times a year.

To find out how you can be part of this exciting development and take an active role by including editorial/advertisements in our pages, please contact me via e-mail at: pulppaperlogistics@virginmedia.com or processindustrymatch@virginmedia.com Vince Maynard, Publisher

Contents

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Industry News

The Netherlands on track to phase out coal power by 2030

Green Hydrogen

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Large-scale Hydrogen facility for Orkney

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Kincardine Floating Windfarm

The world’s largest now delivering green energy

Greencoat Renewables

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Greencoat Renewables announces first transaction in Sweden Front cover picture: Green Hydrogen – see page 8

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FOREST BIOENERGY REVIEW Volume 10, Number 51 – Winter 2021 Contact information PUBLISHER &

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Einar Johansson

Vince Maynard

Mobile: +46 70 234 80 85

KVJ Enterprises, Tralee, Hillcrest Road,

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Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6JS, UK

PRODUCTION

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724

Anthony Wiffen

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ASTAC Business Publishing

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PRINTING

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Brown Knight and Truscott

E: youngeditorial1@btinternet.com

Tunbridge Wells, Kent,

ISSN 2045-8514 ©2021 KVJ Enterprises

TN2 3BW, UK Tel: +44 (0)1892 511678

Equipment Review

The new version of IBC introduces operatorassist features

Bowhill Conversion

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Bowill House undergoes heat pump conversion

Next issue: Spring 2022 Editorial deadline: 4th Feb Advertising deadline: 12th Feb Please contact Vince Maynard for more details: Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724 Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 002286 E: pulppaperlogistics@virginmedia.com

Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

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Industry News

The Netherlands on track to phase out coal power by 2030, says GlobalData

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he Netherlands is on track to phase out the use of coal for power generation by 2030, according to GlobalData, which notes that the country’s coal power capacity is expected to decline from 3.31 GW in 2020, to 3.18 GW in 2025, before being phased out altogether in 2030. The leading data and analytics company highlights that the implementation of the Dutch Government’s minimum carbon price floor, introduced in 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19, will only help efforts towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Rohit Ravetkar, Power Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The Dutch Government’s ban on coal power generation follows its efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions by 49% by the end of 2030, as compared to 1990, levels. The minimum carbon price floor announced by the Government will discourage the use of fossil fuels for power generation. By heavily penalising the greenhouse gas emitters, the carbon price floor will result in increased adoption of renewables. The carbon price floor was introduced in the UK in 2013 and resulted in significant growth for the renewable sector.

A similar result is expected in The Netherlands”.

According to GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Netherlands Power Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2021 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape’, The Netherlands’ thermal power

generation is expected to sharply decline to 32.9% in 2030, from a share of 70.4% in annual generation in 2020.

Ravetkar continues: “One requirement of the Government’s ban is that coal-based power plants have to switch to alternate fuels such as sustainable biopower.

Coal power plant owners are expected to spend a significant amount to retrofit their plants for switching to biopower. This will result in biopower capacity increasing from 1.21 GW in 2020, to 3.11 GW in 2030”.

The Government’s plan to phase out coal power has been challenged by several major utilities. For instance, RWE and Uniper have invoked the Energy

Charter Treaty to sue the The Netherlands for more than $2bn as compensation.

Ravetkar adds: “In the last decade, the Dutch Government has encouraged power utilities to build coal power plants in the country. A few of the coal-fired plants were commissioned in 2015, with utilities spending more than $3bn for the construction of these plants. Now, utilities are unhappy with the compensation offered by the Dutch Government for closing down their coal power plants as it will massively affect their profits”.

The Government also plans to phase out nuclear power by 2033.

As of August 2021, the country had only one operational nuclear power reactor having a capacity

of 482 MW, which is owned and operated by Pzem Energy BV and RWE AG. This reactor is expected to be decommissioned in, 2033.

Ravetkar concludes: “Rapidly phasing out coal and nuclear power – two major power generation sources – in such a short timeframe may reduce the reliability of the country’s electricity supply. The country needs to effectively balance its retiring power generation fleet with proper base-load capacity to continue uninterrupted power generation in the future. It is highly likely that renewable power sources, especially solar PV and onshore wind, will fill the capacity void caused due to the phase out of coal and nuclear power”.

VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities completes £30m acquisition of first UK flexible power project VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a London-listed investment company advised

by Victory Hill Capital Advisors LLP, is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of 2

Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

the first £30m tranche out of its total £78m commitment to fund innovative net zero flexible power generation projects in the UK. The initial tranche will fund the construction of one project in

Nottinghamshire, UK, consisting of a 10 MW high efficiency combined heat and power with carbon capture and re-use plant to provide a clean, net-zero, flexible and dependable electricity solution for

the UK. This acquisition was first announced upon signing of the purchase agreement on 9 September, 2021. www.vh-gseo.com

Industry News

Wood and HYGEN Energy to accelerate green hydrogen production in the UK

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ood, the global consulting and engineering company, has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HYGEN Energy to accelerate the production of green hydrogen for decarbonising transportation in the United Kingdom (UK). This marks a tangible step towards delivering the UK Government’s strategy to achieve 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.

The MoU will see Wood bring together its decades of hydrogen experience along with its consulting, projects and operations expertise to develop solutions for future hydrogen production plants across the UK, beginning with the conceptual design for the facility at Herne Bay, Kent.

The Herne Bay facility will generate green hydrogen from existing offshore wind farms to be used in zero emission mobility transport solutions in the SouthEast of England. It is planned to commence production by the middle of 2023 and on final completion the plant will have a production capacity of between eight and nine tonnes of green hydrogen per day, making it a true driving force in the UK’s journey towards a lower carbon future.

Craig Shanaghey, President, Operations across Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “At Wood, we are committed to working with our clients to tackle global energy challenges and we know that producing hydrogen – economically and at pace – will be critical as we transition to a more integrated, lower carbon energy mix.

“With our hydrogen project track record and expertise across the full life cycle, we are delighted to be working with HYGEN Energy and look forward to developing and delivering the impactful solutions, which will play a key role in contributing to the UK government’s hydrogen strategy and ambitious net-zero carbon emissions targets.”

Jo Bamford, founder and Executive Chairman of HYGEN Energy, said the MOU with Wood marked a positive step forward for the UK’s hydrogen sector: “We’re proud to be working alongside a company with as much expertise and hydrogen knowledge as Wood.

They share our belief that the acceleration of green hydrogen production is vital if we are to drive the hydrogen economy forwards in the UK.

“At HYGEN Energy, we have ambitious plans to build a network of green hydrogen production plants across the UK to provide zero-emission fuel for a number of uses, create strong jobs and to help position the UK as a world-leader in the hydrogen sector. With partners on board such as Wood, we’re confident that we will realise those ambitions.”

Hydrogen plays a key strategic role in Wood’s future. This contract award follows a series of wins in the first half of 2021, with Wood securing over 30 separate hydrogen contracts spanning green, blue and bio-hydrogen projects. In July, Wood announced it became a steering member of The Hydrogen Council to ensure hydrogen plays a vital role in accelerating the energy transition and the journey towards a more sustainable future.

Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

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Industry News

Biogas specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER takes over operations of AD AGRO

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ith immediate effect, the operations of the biogas plant manufacturer AD AGRO have continued under the umbrella of the WELTEC Group in Germany. ”Through the merger of the business fields of AD AGRO and WELTEC, we establish promising synergies in the entire value chain of biogas and biomethane,” explained Jens Albartus, Director of the biogas specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER. “AD AGRO was faced with the decision of implementing a suitable succession strategy. The goal was to perpetuate the successful use of the expertise and experience gained in almost 200 biogas projects. The profile of AD AGRO fitted snugly in WELTEC BIOPOWER‘s spectrum of products and services,” explained Uwe Heider, Managing Partner of AD AGRO. 4

Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

“Both companies are specialised in custom-tailored, technically mature plants. Thus, this step drives the expansion of our market position and our growth,” underlined Albartus. He continues: “In this respect, we are happy to join forces with Mr Heider, a market expert who will henceforth perform sales activities for WELTEC.” AD AGRO had been established as BD Agro Renewables by the Big Dutchman Group in May, 2006. In the context of a management buy-out, the business was taken over by its Director Uwe Heider as of 10ctober, 2012 and continued to operate under the name ‘AD AGRO systems GmbH & Co. KG’.

“We guarantee AD AGRO customers continuity in the business relationship, and with our WELTEC Group, we will be able to offer an even broader range

of products and services. Our team of process engineers, biologists, service engineers and other specialists boasts a wealth of experience gained in more than 350 biogas plants that we have planned and built,” said Albartus, drawing attention to the benefits of bundling the businesses.

Expressing his confidence that by means of the takeover, WELTEC will further expand its international market position, he adds: “In the coming years, the biogas landscape will change and play an even more important role in reducing carbon emissions. Our positioning enables us to effectively take part in this process”.

Director Jens Albartus: “Through the merger of the business fields of AD AGRO and WELTEC, we establish promising synergies in the entire value chain of biogas and biomethane”.

With immediate effect, the operations of the biogas plant manufacturer AD AGRO have continued under the umbrella of the WELTEC Group in Germany.

Left to right: Jens Albartus, FranzJosef Sextro, WELTEC-Group, and Uwe Heider AD AGRO.

Industry News

UK Government biomass policy statement

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his is a hugely significant announcement by the UK Government and one that clearly defines the key role biomass will play in future net zero and heat decarbonisation policy.”

That’s the view of representatives of the UK Pellet Council who have very much welcomed the publication of the Biomass Policy Statement, announced by the UK Government as part of ‘Energy Day’ at COP26.

The Statement, released at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, includes a strong commitment to biomass across the economy including heat generation, especially for rural and off-grid areas. It stated that the Government ‘recognises that not every home off the gas grid will be suitable for low temperature heat pumps’ and how in most of these cases, ‘solid biomass will be a suitable alternative’. This will provide a fit-for-purpose solution for a significant number of homes using fossil fuels such as oil, coal and LPG. It also outlines how ‘biomass has a role to play in all areas and is a vital resource for the key green technologies’, how it should be used in ‘hard to decarbonise sectors with limited or no low carbon alternatives’, how ‘71% of renewable heat is currently produced from biomass,’ and how ‘individual sectors are expected

Mark Lebus, Chair of the UK Pellet Council. to contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, all touching on either the production or use of biomass.’

Furthermore, it highlights that the Biomass Strategy, due for release in, 2022, will also consider how biomass can best support decarbonisation across the wider economy, to help create jobs, improve air quality and the environment, supporting the green industrial revolution which the Prime Minister set out in his Ten Point Plan.

Mark Lebu,s Chair of the UK Pellet Council, said: “This is huge progress and a massive step forward towards achieving UK carbon reduction

targets. The policy statement encompasses all aspects of biomass as an integral and much-needed low carbon technology, not just within future heat decarbonisation policy, but also how the biomass heat sector works hand in hand with sustainable forestry management, creating green jobs and a successful, circular rural economy.

“In particular, The UK Pellet Council and Biomass Heat Works! have worked tirelessly to address, highlight and reiterate the need for biomass for heating, especially in rural off-grid areas. To see this commitment and intention laid out by the Government

UK nuclear stations reach historic clean power milestone Industry with Government has launched COP26 hub to highlight nuclear’s green credentials. Britain’s current nuclear fleet passed a significant milestone, clocking up 2000 terawatt hours of clean power generation. That’s enough zero carbon electricity to power all the UK’s 29 million homes for 18.5 years.

The current fleet are the most productive low-carbon assets in British history, saving 1.4 billion tonnes of carbon emissions

between them. That is higher than all UK emissions from 2018, through 2020.

Hinkley Point B in Somerset and Hunterston B in North Ayrshire were the first of today’s fleet to come online in 1976, and were joined by six more stations, which have been powering the UK for 45 years.

In total, nuclear has saved the UK more than 2.3 billion tonnes of carbon emissions, far more than any other green energy source.

To tell the story of nuclear’s important role in cutting carbon emissions, the nuclear industry, with the support of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, have launched a specially developed website Net Zero Needs Nuclear, netzeroneedsnuclear.com.

The site has been designed to help people understand how nuclear contributes to the fight against climate change and its different capabilities to deliver green energy

will secure the role of biomass as an integral part of the renewable energy mix in the long-term.

“We will of course continue to work very closely and collaboratively with ministers and representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy to help support and deliver their ambitions and net zero targets moving forward.”

The Biomass Policy Statement sets out a high-level summary of the UK Government’s position on the role of biomass for net zero and sets out specific information about policies in England. Go to Biomass policy statement (publishing.service.gov.uk). in the future.

Commenting on the milestone, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Nuclear has made an historic contribution to the UK’s fight against climate change. Since all but one of the current nuclear fleet will be offline by 2030, we can only sustain this contribution if we build new nuclear power stations that will provide the firm, low-carbon power we need for net zero.

“That is why the Government’s introduction of a new nuclear financing model is critical to mobilise new investment and close the clean power gap.”

Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

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Industry News

ANDRITZ and Pohjolan Voima commission Metris BOA measurement and analysis system at Hämeenkyrö CHP biopower plant, Finland

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nternational technology group Andritz and Finnish energy company Pohjolan Voima have commissioned a Metris BOA measurement and analysis system for the combined heat and power plant at Metsä Board’s Kyro mill in Kyröskoski, Hämeenkyrö, Finland.

The system, which is the first of its kind to be installed in Finland, is used to extend the life cycle of the power plant’s boilers, as well as to reduce maintenance and cut emissions.

The Metris BOA system was installed as part of Hämeenkyrön Voima’s switch from fossil fuel to recycled fuels. The latter create new requirements with regard to condition monitoring of the boilers as the risk of erosion and corrosion damage on heating surfaces increases when these types of fuel are used.

Andritz Metris BOA is a web app that utilises live data as well as historical data from the plant to optimise and analyze power plant processes and monitor the

equipment installed. Indicators and advisors increase the operators’ awareness of opportunities to optimise consumption of utilities, improve efficiency, or keep the combustion process running at the optimum level. Machine-learning algorithms trained using historical data, monitor important equipment and processes to reduce unplanned shutdown time and identify deviations at an early stage before

any serious failure occurs. Initial results show that emissions from the plant have decreased, the quality of ash has improved and the plant availability has increased with Metris BOA. Jarmo Tervo, Manager, Technology and Projects, Pohjolan Voima, says: “When making the switch to recycled fuel, we already knew that the varying quality of the fuel and the impact of the new fuels on the

boiler would pose challenges to us. In addition, abandoning peat has required changes to the boiler technology.”

Pohjolan Voima is a Finnish energy company producing electricity and heat using hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power. The company’s share of the total electricity generated in Finland is approximately 20%, with 96% of this energy being carbon neutral.

Suzano’s sustainable eucalyptus fluff Eucafluff has a lower environmental footprint than pine fluff with improved softness, thickness and absorbency.

It is the result of over a decade of R&D in collaboration with the consumer goods industry for application in products, including diapers, feminine care products and pet pads.

Suzano, the world’s leading eucalyptus pulp producer and one of Latin America’s largest companies, showcased its new innovative fluff pulp, Eucafluff, for the first time at Index 20 in Geneva in October this year.

Suzano believes in the power of eucalyptus and innovation 6

Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

to provide solutions to the environment’s great challenges. It is within this context that it developed Eucafluff: the world’s first 100% eucalyptus fluff, a renewable raw material with a lower carbon footprint than most equivalent pine fluff-based products which simultaneously provides consumers with efficient and high-quality products. It is these properties which mean Eucafluff has the potential to transform the hygiene market.

Eucafluff has a global reputation as the highest quality and most sustainable fluff available. Currently, 75% of Eucafluff’s sales are overseas, in which 70% are sold in

Asia, including in major markets such as China and Japan. Eucafluff has been adopted by leading companies in the global market producing hygiene products for millions of people.

Suzano has a rich history of innovation in the fluff market. In the 1960s, Suzano developed the first hardwood fibre to the pulp market, revolutionising the sector which had previously only used softwood.

Eucafluff is the result of nearly 15 years of R&D combining Suzano’s expertise in both innovation and sustainability (known as innovability), which it employs across all areas of the business.

As well as being more

sustainable, Eucafluff outperforms competitors when it comes to rewetting, net retention and comfort due to the unique morphology of Suzano’s eucalyptus hardwood, which is smaller, thinner and highly compressible. Thanks to this, absorbent panels made with 100% Eucafluff are more comfortable, flexible and discreet providing great well-being to end consumers. Furthermore, these thinner panels reduce consumption of packaging material by 14%, generating significant savings for the industry as well.

Eucafluff is made from eucalyptus trees planted on sustainably managed farms across Brazil.

Industry News

Smurfit Kappa announces sustainable new heating solution for local community

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murfit Kappa has announced a new project at its Nettingsdorf Paper Mill in Austria that will utilise waste heat generated at the mill to help power a sustainable district heating solution for the local community of Ansfelden.

Construction is already underway on the new heat extraction plant, which is a joint venture with Bioenergie Group. The project is a further example of how Smurfit Kappa works with local communities to minimise waste and find uses for by-products.

The Nettingsdorf Paper Mill has recently completed the Future Energy Plant project, which invested €134 million in a new, state-of-the-art recovery boiler to achieve significant reductions in both the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.

In the latest district heating project, up to 25 megawatts of heat generated in the production

process will now be captured and converted through the new heat extraction plant. This heat will be supplied to the district heating network that connects to 10,000 households in Ansfelden, providing a sustainable and secure energy source and demonstrating the positive environmental impact of the collaboration on the local community.

Commenting on the

announcement, Günter Hochrathner, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Nettingsdorf, said: “This project is another important step forward in advancing sustainability here at our mill in Nettingsdorf. We will capture the waste heat in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, to significantly reduce the discharge of heat into the environment.

“We anticipate that this will significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of the surrounding district by as much as 20,000 tonnes per annum.”

Smurfit Kappa has reached 37.3% CO2 emissions intensity reduction for its paper and board mills since 2005.

Jakob Edler, Managing Director of Bioenergie Group, said: “As a result of this project, we will feed into an untapped energy potential at the mill in Nettingsdorf. Together with Smurfit Kappa, we will be able to provide an environmentally-friendly form of energy to thousands of households, eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels, and save a significant amount of carbon dioxide in the process”.

The project is similar to another example of close collaboration with the local community in which Smurfit Kappa used secondary heat from its Piteå Paper Mill to develop an efficient district heating scheme for local residents.

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Industry Green Hydrogen News

Large-scale Hydrogen facility for Orkney Green Investment Group, TotalEnergies and RIDG partner with Repsol Sinopec and Uniper to develop largescale green hydrogen facility in Orkney

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ffshore Wind Power Ltd (OWPL), the consortium formed by Macquarie’s Green Investment Group, TotalEnergies and Scottish developer Renewable Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG), has announced it is studying the use of offshore wind to power the production of green hydrogen on an industrial scale on the island of Flotta in Orkney, Scotland.

The OWPL consortium has submitted a proposal to the Crown Estate Scotland’s offshore wind leasing round (ScotWind) to develop the N1 plan option area West of Orkney. If successful, its proposal, called the West of Orkney Windfarm, could deliver renewable power to a green hydrogen production facility at the Flotta Terminal.

Plans to power the proposed Flotta Hydrogen Hub are being developed by OWPL in partnership

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with Flotta Terminal’s owner Repsol Sinopec and Uniper, a leading international energy company and pioneer in the field of hydrogen.

The proposal is also supported

locally by EMEC Hydrogen who have spearheaded Orkney’s leading position in green hydrogen production.

Edward Northam, Head of Green

Investment Group Europe, said: “We believe that green hydrogen could provide a critical alternative route to market for some of Scotland’s largest offshore wind projects and play a

Green Hydrogen Industry News

Edward Northam, Head of Green Investment Group Europe. significant role in creating wider economic benefits as the North Sea goes through its energy transition.

We look forward to working with the Flotta partners to continue to develop this proposal”.

Julien Pouget, Senior VicePresident Renewables, TotalEnergies said: “TotalEnergies, believes in the potential of renewable offshore wind power to produce green hydrogen, supporting our companies to meet their ambition in terms of carbon neutrality. With our proposed West of Orkney windfarm, there is an opportunity to create one of the world’s first green hydrogen plants in Orkney. It is an exciting plan and we look forward to working on it with our

partners and Orkney stakeholders.”

Mike Hay, RIDG Commercial Director, commented: “The production of green hydrogen is a hugely exciting opportunity for both offshore wind and the Scottish supply chain. Projects with substantial capacity factors, such as the West of Orkney Windfarm, could deliver highly competitive power to facilities like the Flotta Hydrogen Hub which could, in turn, supply demand for hydrogen both nationally and internationally.

“We’ve therefore committed to working exclusively with our partners to investigate this opportunity thoroughly and have already completed cable routing assessments and nearshore geophysical surveys to better understand the practical aspects of project delivery.”

James Stockan, Leader of Orkney Islands Council, said: “Flotta is an ideal location for green hydrogen production – it is surrounded by the best wind resource in Europe, it lies close to major shipping routes within the vast natural harbour of Scapa Flow. The time is right to maximise the incredible natural assets and geography of the Flow and Orkney to ensure a long-term sustainable, climate-friendly future for our communities.

“We are very much open for business and ready to work with potential investors and operators

to develop the significant strategic and international opportunities we know that our islands offer. The potential here is immense and we, as a Council, will do everything we can to support and enable this bright new opportunity”.

Dr Axel Wietfeld, CEO, Uniper Hydrogen, added: “Uniper is a pioneer in the field of hydrogen production and we’re already bringing our expertise and experience to an everexpanding portfolio of projects across a number of markets, in Europe and in the UK. The Flotta Hydrogen Hub is an exciting concept, with the potential to deliver green hydrogen for the domestic and export markets.

We now await the outcome of the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, in anticipation that the proposal can be then realised.”

José Luis Muñoz, Chief Executive Officer of Repsol Sinopec, commented: “We fully support our industry’s transition to clean, green energy and a secure future for skilled oil and gas workers in Scotland and across the UK. We have a strategic roadmap, supported by our shareholders and aligned with each of their strategic ambitions, including energy transition.

“The Flotta Terminal has been in operation since 1976 and has made a significant contribution to Orkney’s economy and communities

for more than 40 years. This project would enable the terminal to be progressively transformed over time into a diversified energy hub where conventional oil and gas operations continue, co-existing alongside the development of a sustainable longterm green future for the facility. The repurposing of Flotta will require local stakeholders’ support, retaining and upskilling the current workforce, as well as the creation of long-term skilled jobs during both construction and hydrogen operations.”

Neil Kermode, Managing Director of EMEC said: “Orkney is well advanced in its ambition to be the global centre of excellence for research and demonstration of how the hydrogen economy of the future will work. We generated the world’s first tidal-powered green hydrogen in 2017 at EMEC’s tidal test site and have led various green hydrogen projects exploring generation, logistics and end use.

“For this project to go ahead, a number of vital elements will have to fall into place, including a market for green hydrogen. We are pleased to be collaborating with our offshore wind partners in pursuit of this goal and we are already in discussion with the Scottish and UK governments to explore the mechanisms required to make this vision happen.” www.flottahydrogenhub.com

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Industry News Kincardine Floating Windfarm

Kincardine floating offshore windfarm The world’s largest floating windfarm is now fully commissioned and delivering green electricity to Scotland’s grid.

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he 50MW Kincardine Offshore Windfarm is located 15 km off the coast of Aberdeenshire, in water depths ranging from 60m to 80m.

The project consists of five Vestas V164-9.5 MW and one V80-2 MW turbine, each installed on WindFloat semi-submersible platforms designed

by Principle Power.

The Kincardine project was started back in 2014 by Allan MacAskill and

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Lord Nicol Stephen, now both directors of Flotation Energy plc. In 2016, Cobra Group became the main investor in Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Ltd. (KOWL) Cobra Wind, a subsidiary of Cobra Group, has been responsible for delivery of the project, including engineering, construction, installation and commissioning.

Cobra’s Senior Manager, Jose Antonio Fernández, said: “The

Kincardine project is not only the world’s largest. It has also been a fantastic foundation for other joint venture projects between Cobra and Flotation Energy. Our Round 4 success with the 480MW Morecambe project, our 7GW of bids into the Scotwind leasing round and our White Cross 100MW floating project in the SouthWest are all signs of our confidence in Scotland and the UK. Floating wind is set for massive growth in the future –

and we want to do more”.

In addition to being the largest floating windfarm in the world, the development also features another first, using the highest capacity wind turbines ever installed on floating platforms.

Kincardine will generate over 200GWh of green electricity a year, enough renewable electricity to power more than 50.000 Scottish households.

Valmet

Kincardine Floating Windfarm Industry News

About Kincardine Floating Offshore Wind Developer: Kincardine Offshore Windfarm Ltd. (KOWL).

Established in 2014 by Allan MacAskill and Lord Nicol Stephen.

Majority owned by the Cobra Group EPC Contractor: Cobra Wind International Limited (CWIL) Turbines: 5 x Vestas V164-9.525MW turbines and 1 x V80-2MW Blade tip height: 190mtrs Foundation: WindFloat (floating, semi-submersible type) Project Capacity: 50MW Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Distance from Shore: 15km Water Depth: 60-80mtrs Nominal Voltage: 33kV Number of homes powered annually: over 50.000 Expected life: at least 25 years

Jaime Altolaguirre, KOWL Project Director from Cobra, said: “The completion of Kincardine comes at a pivotal time in determining Scotland’s leadership in the floating offshore sector. Kincardine offshore windfarm has shown that the largest and most advanced wind turbines available can be installed on floating platforms in the challenging North Sea environment.

The project proves that floating wind can play a vital role in tackling climate

change not only in Scotland and the UK, but also around the world”.

The Kincardine team has also announced the selection of Aberdeen as its operations and maintenance base.

Jaime Altolaguirre continued saying: “Our local team, managed by Cobra, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project. We will be using Scottish-based companies with proven North Sea capabilities, drawing

on their experience maintaining offshore semi-submersibles and platforms over the last 50 years. It could not be a better fit”.

Aaron Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, Principle Power, said: “Kincardine is further showing the readiness and commercial potential of floating technology. With 80% of the world’s offshore wind resources in deep water areas, floating technologies like the WindFloat open several new

geographies to harness the boundless supply of clean energy contained therein. The UK has led the way in realising the potential of floating wind and is now recognised globally as a key market for floating wind developments.

Kincardine demonstrates the readiness of floating wind to support the government’s net zero ambitions ahead of the forthcoming lease awards in ScotWind, floating wind leasing rounds managed by Crown Estate Scotland”.

Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

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Greencoat Industry News Renewables

Greencoat Renewables announces first transaction in Sweden

T

he acquisition of 101.1MW Ersträsk South Wind Farm, has increased total installed generating capacity to

787MW Greencoat Renewables PLC (Greencoat Renewables), the renewable infrastructure company invested in euro-denominated assets, is pleased to acquire the 101.1MW wind farm in Norrbotten County, Sweden from Enercon.

The Ersträsk South wind farm consists of 26 Enercon E103 and 10 Enercon E126 turbines and was fully commissioned in January, 2021.

Enercon will continue to provide longterm operations and maintenance services.

The acquisition is Greencoat Renewables’ first transaction in Sweden, expanding the company’s operating presence in the Nordics,

12 Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

which benefits from the ability to develop renewable energy projects on an unsubsidised basis.

Ersträsk South forms part of a large emerging cluster of renewable generation in the Markbygden area, with a potential installed capacity of 4GW. Currently, the wind farm is contracted as a merchant asset exporting electricity into Nordpool, but has the flexibility in the future to contract the electricity produced via a corporate PPA. The acquisition will be financed by a drawdown from the company’s existing revolving credit facility.

Following the acquisition and post the closing of the recent fundraise1, Greencoat Renewables’ total borrowings will represent 40% of Gross Asset Value.

Paul O’Donnell, Partner at Greencoat Capital, the Investment

Manager, said: “Securing our first asset in Sweden and expanding our presence in the Nordics is a significant milestone for Greencoat. Sweden is becoming a major hub for green energy, with the combination of lowcost generation, significant capacity in development and a number of

attractive routes to market, including access to Nordpool and a rapidly developing corporate PPA market.

We are delighted to secure such a high-quality asset from Enercon and are well- positioned to take advantage of future opportunities in the market”.

3

Industry News BioConstruct

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Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

13

Equipment Review Industry News

The new version of IBC introduces operator-assist features The milestone in forest machine technology, John Deere’s Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), is available for all John Deere WCTL forest machines. The new IBC 3.0 version is again a technology milestone because it also enables the roll-out of also future smart functions to facilitate the operator’s work and improve productivity.

T

he latest IBC, version 3.0, introduces operator-assist features that guide operators to the correct work methods, increase productivity and improve the machine’s resale value. Features include: c Harvester head’s over-rotation prevention protects against hose damage. c Feeding assistant guides the operator to avoid feeding stems towards the machine or the cabin. c Sawing assistant guides the operator to avoid sawing towards the cabin.

The feed function significantly slows down when feeding stems 14 Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

towards the machine and stops when encountering a defined safety zone. A pop-up window appearing on the control system display provides guidance in the correct work method. Sawing assistant helps to prevent sawing towards the cabin. The harvester head’s over-rotation prevention protects against hose damage. All these features enable the operator to focus on work planning. The operatorassist features and the functions that guide operators to the correct work methods not only protect the machine from external damage, they also lower maintenance costs and improve the machine’s resale value.

IBC 3.0 is available for the 1270G

(H425, H425HD and H424) and 1470G (H425 and H425HD) harvester models.

John Deere’s advanced IBC A boom equipped with the IBC is fast, easy to use, and precise.

Sensors in the IBC detect the position of the harvester head and the algorithms adjust the boom’s trajectories into one easilycontrolled motion.

In harvester work, IBC adjusts to the machine’s work cycle. The trajectory and function of the boom automatically adjust as the boom is taken to a tree and to the load in the harvester head. The operator doesn’t have to manoeuvre the different

sections of the boom individually.

IBC ensures precise and efficient work methods. The electronic end dampening makes the work smooth and efficient, and reduces stress on the entire boom. IBC improves work ergonomics and guides the operator in the correct use of the boom, which is directly reflected in the increased productivity of the machine and in the daily working capacity of the operator.

Further information: Sakari Suuriniemi Product Marketing Manager John Deere Forestry Oy Tel. +358 40 8475 443 SuuriniemiSakari@JohnDeere.com

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Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review

15

Bowhill Conversion Industry News

Bowill House undergoes heat pump conversion

Historic Bowhill House to be heated by one of Scotland’s largest ground source heat pumps.

T

he green credentials of a leading 19th century Scottish heritage attraction are set to be transformed by installation of one of the country’s largest ground source heat pumps.

Bowhill House, a five-star mansion house on Buccleuch’s Borders Estate, is be heated by the ground-breaking wholly renewable energy system.

A 24km pipe network is to be laid in the grounds of the estate, connecting the ground source heat pump to the house.

The project, which is being delivered by borders-based company Renew Green Energy, will provide green energy for the house and surrounding buildings. The heat pump is a bespoke unit, which has been custom-built by Danish firm European Energy.

An existing anaerobic digester at the Borders Estate, which

16 Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021

already converts waste from the estate’s agricultural operations into electricity, will supply power for the

GSHP to operate.

Believed to be the first historic mansion house in Scotland to install

Lord Walter Dakeith (left) with team from Renew Green Energy.

such a system, the CO2 savings are estimated to be 444 tonnes per annum – the equivalent of planting 1770 trees every year.

Lord Walter Dalkeith, ViceChairman of the Buccleuch board, said: “Buccleuch have a long tradition of environmental stewardship and the project is hugely important to the business, in keeping with its guiding principles and ambitions to become net zero”.

Brian Middleton, Managing Director at Renew Green Energy, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Duke of Buccleuch and the estate on this exciting and significant renewable energy project. The climate crisis is all around us and renewable energy is hugely important in driving an environmental shift towards net zero carbon. This project is testament to the Duke of Buccleuch’s ambition to Go Green and drive the house and estate to a target of net zero”.

Industry News

Tel: +353 (0) 86 0440956 Fax: +353(0) 69 85927 Email: sales@biomass.ie Winter 2021 Forest Bioenergy Review 17 www.biomass.ie

People 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:

18 Forest Bioenergy Review Winter 2021