Scott Bax of Pinnacle Renewable Energy, Inc., speaks at Wels' 2018 European Particle Conference, Austria.
The European Particle Conference (EPC) was held in Wels, Austria, from February 27th to March 1st, 2018. Scott Bax from Pinnacle Renewable Energy, John Arsenault, Director of Market Access and Marketing at WPAC, and I participated in the meeting. EPC It is one of the world's largest annual global wood particle activities, with approximately 560 participants. The activity is mainly focused on commercial and residential applications of wood particles. Spokespersons and participants come from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
On February 27, we participated in a field visit to the gasification site of wood pellets and sawdust heating: (1) We visited the home ÖkoFEN founder Herbert Altena, where we saw his mixed wood particle condensing boiler - GBP Engine - Solar Panel - Battery System, providing Mr. Otner's family thermal, 100% demand for electricity and electric vehicle charging. Mr. Otner's home does not depend on any external electrical or grid; (2) Visit ultra-modern ÖkoFEN wood pellet boiler plant; (3) We visited one of Europe's largest biomass boiler manufacturers, Ferring. Froling, for the production of logs, chips and pellet boilers. It is worth noting that Froling's combined heat and power (CHP) system Fixed air supply gasifiers. Their system produces syngas, which burns internal combustion engines to generate electricity and heat. Froling has installed 130 such CHP systems; (4) Commercial facilities use multiple frooling cogeneration systems in tandem to provide electricity, Sale to the grid and generate heat for drying cereals; (5) Municipal district heating system using several Hargassner wood chips boilers connected in series for municipal buildings and People residential heating.
The conference was held on February 28th and March 1st. A number of symposiums were held on the 27th of February. The conference on March 1st focused on the reports provided by representatives of various countries on the conditions of their home market. Scott Bax introduced The safe operation of wood pellet factories; Gordon Murray is the host of the Pellet News Worldwide conference.
Important meeting topics include:
• Dr. Ute Collier of the International Energy Agency reported on IEA's bioenergy roadmap. It is projected that by 2060, bioenergy will account for 17% of all energy, which is higher than today's 4.5%. Bioenergy deployment needs to be accelerated. Currently 80% of Europe's Renewable heat source comes from bioenergy.
• Nathalie Hemelers of the European BioEnergy Association outlined the European Union's clean energy package, which will define the regulatory framework from 2020 to 2030. The specific details of the clean energy program are currently being negotiated by the EU, the European Commission and the European Council.
• Jan Steinbach of the Fraunhofer Institute reviewed the research in the field of heating in Europe. He predicted that the future of residential particle combustion can depend on the flexibility of the fuel, efficient operation in the condensing mode and almost zero emissions. These functions will Support for further market penetration of particulate combustion equipment and increase public acceptance of new technologies and market share.
• Dr. Ingwald Obernberger introduced how to improve the design of small particle boilers by increasing fuel flexibility, further reducing emissions, and integrating advanced flue gas condensers to improve efficiency, further enhancing their competitiveness in the residential-scale heating market.
• Maura Adams of the Northern Forest Center of the United States described the NFC's initiative to re-granulate pellets to educate the public about automatic pellet heating systems.
• Windhager's Manfried Faustman emphasized the important role boiler installers play as frontline representatives for our industry. Usually installers recommend which systems to use. Boiler installation quality will affect word of mouth communication, which has a huge impact on the success of the biomass boiler market.
• Lukas Kranzl of the Technical University of Vienna, Austria, discussed the potential for coupling heat pumps with wooden pellet boilers to improve the economics of heating systems.
• DBFZ's Kay Staubach introduced the global wood pellet industry and trade research. The EU accounts for 75% of global consumption, which accounts for 54% of production, of which 64% of pellets are used for heating and 36% is used for generating electricity. 12% of global consumption - almost entirely for heating - accounts for 35% of global production. Japan and South Korea are rising, and China is still an unknown.
• Stan Elliott of the Research Institute of Granular Fuels reports that exports account for about 80% of the 6.9 million tons of granules produced in the United States. Domestic particle consumption stagnates for the following reasons: Competition with the cost of low-cost heating oil , Frequent warm winters, and lack of government incentives and technological backwardness. He said: 'The vast majority of particulate equipment are black box room heaters.'
• Martin Bentele of DEPV (German Particle Research Institute) and Christian Rakos of Austria's proPellets made a report on their two countries, which are strong wooden particles. Germany produces 2.3 million tons per year and consumes 2.2 million tons at the same time. Austria produces 1.3 million tons and consumes 1 million tons. Both countries use highly automated wooden pellet boiler systems instead of ordinary pellet furnaces.
The European Pellet Conference is a good place to learn about the latest developments in European and international biomass policies and how they influence future business strategies. Here you can learn about new technologies and obtain first-hand information on the state of the global wood grain market. The conference has more than 500 participants, which is an ideal opportunity to contact with customers, competitors and suppliers.
Original written by WPAC Executive Director Gord Murray
