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New tool for solid biofuel regional supply planning

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

Over half of New Zealand’s process heat demand is met by burning fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas, and in 2016 burning fossil fuels to supply process heat emitted 8.3 million tonnes of CO2e or about 28% of New Zealand’s overall energy emissions.Some of these emissions can be reduced by redesigning the underlying processes, but decarbonising the remaining …

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Fonterra reduces emissions by 11% by switching to biomass

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

Fonterra says it has reduced its greehouse gas emissions from coal by 11 per cent in a year, primarily due to the conversation of its Te Awamutu site to using renewable wood pellets. The reduction was reported as part of its yearly sustainability scorecard, which shows progress towards environmental and human resources targets. The 11 per cent reduction in emissions …

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Bioenergy Wood Energy Knowledge Centre expands

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

With the increased interest in transitioning heat boilers from using fossil fuels to wood fuel the Bioenergy Association of NZ has been receiving a significant increase in enquiries. To help answer questions about technology, fuel availability and consenting, the Association has expanded the Wood Energy Knowledge Centre which is hosted on the UsewoodfuelNZ portal www.usewoodfuel.org.nz. This website is a portal …

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Wood-fed hydrogen plant to be built in NSW

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

Emerging renewables energy business, Sweetman Renewables Limited, has inked a lucrative, multi-million dollar joint venture agreement with CAC-H2 Private Limited of Singapore to establish a hydrogen production centre of excellence in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. The AUS$15 million deal aims to establish Australia’s first wood fed hydrogen production plant, and the country’s largest green bio-hydrogen production eco-hub. CAC-H2 …

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Wood wastes for green hydrogen

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

Mountains of wood waste could be broken down into hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas to reduce fossil fuel consumption, University of Canterbury researchers say. Chemical engineers Shusheng Pang and Alex Yip are developing a novel way to make climate-friendly hydrogen, which is being touted as a replacement for natural gas. Today, green hydrogen is made using electricity, though about 20 …

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Tools from forestry bioenergy project

In WoodResidues by ken.wilson@innovatek.co.nz

Attempts are being made to shift the focus of energy production globally more and more towards renewable energy sources. In Finland, the use of renewable energy increased by 1 % in 2019 compared to 2018, and it covered 38 % of total energy consumption. The use of wood fuels continued to grow and their use in 2019 reached a record …