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Wood Education and Resource Center Update
July 19, 2013
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New Cooperative Agreement Opportunity: Statewide Wood Energy Teams
The U.S. Forest Service, Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) is soliciting proposals for collaborative, statewide wood energy teams that advance the installation of commercially viable wood energy systems. Public-private statewide teams are invited to seek funding through this initiative to support the development of geographic or business sector-based clusters of wood energy projects. Activities may include, but are not limited to, workshops and assistance that provide technical, financial, and environmental information; preliminary engineering assessments; and community outreach needed to support development of wood energy projects in both the public and private sectors.
Completed applications are due to WERC on or before 11:59 p.m. EST, August 5, 2013. To view and download an application and instructions, click here or contact Ed Cesa at 304-285-1530.
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Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) Project Highlights
Biomass Thermal Energy Council Releases New Tools for Engineers, Developers
Document developed to improve understanding of biomass among key groups
Washington, DC - July 9, 2013 - The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) today announced the official release of two new tools to help manufacturers, project developers, engineers, and architects better understand biomass heating and cooling systems for the commercial building sector. The work to create a resource library and stakeholder document is supported by a grant from the Wood Education and Resource Center of the U.S. Forest Service.
"We've encountered a surprising lack of understanding of the option to heat and cool buildings with renewable biomass among many building architects and engineers," said John Karakash, Managing Consultant of the Resource Professionals Group and author of the 2010 survey "Architects and Energy Professionals - The Missing Link in Wood Energy." "The resource library features a comprehensive database of the key questions these individuals have, allowing them to better understand the opportunity for renewable heating," Karakash added.
The resource library hosts more than 100 documents on a variety of subjects, from technical and financial topics to information on policy, case studies, and health and environment. Each entry features a brief description and a download function. A list of keywords and full text search provide direct access to documents on a specific issue.
The second tool is a stakeholder document that outlines the individuals and groups in a community that project developers should consider when deliberating the development of new projects.
"This stakeholder document is about knowing how to approach key groups. Firefighters, forest owners, and zoning officials can be natural and powerful allies if approached early and with the right information," stated Joseph Seymour, Executive Director of the Biomass Thermal Energy Council. "Too many projects take much longer than anticipated because the developers overlooked engaging key stakeholders in a community. And a lack of information is the fastest way to invite opposition. The stakeholder document provides a clear approach on how to avoid such situations."
These two documents are a part of a larger effort by BTEC to develop biomass opportunities in the commercial building sector. Click here for the resource library and here for the stakeholders document.
For additional information, contact Emanuel Wagner at 202-596-3974.
International Scientific Conference on Hardwood Processing - ISCHP 2011
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, VA Tech (WERC Award Number 2010-DG-149)
This project's goal was to conduct an international conference on hardwood processing to bring the latest international information about opportunities for eastern U.S. hardwood producers to industry participants. The conference was held on October 16-18, 2011, in Blacksburg, VA. Key presentation themes included European markets and certification, hardwood industry, certification, and tree genetics. View conference details, presentations, and papers here and the final accomplishment report for this project.
For additional information, contact Urs Buehlmann at 540-231-9759.
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WERC's Woody Biomass Technical Assistance Team
WERC's Woody Biomass Technical Assistance Team developed a brief titled The Use of Wood and LEEDŽ Certification. The brief provides an overview regarding the opportunities for using wood as a sustainable building material or as a renewable energy source to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building energy requirements. Click here to view the document and supporting appendix.
For additional information, contact Lew McCreery lmccreery@fs.fed.us at 304-285-1538.
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WERC Wood Energy Technical Assistance Program Partners with the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund
WERC and the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (the Fund) are working together to provide technical assistance to building owners interested in using wood energy within the Fund's service territory in western Pennsylvania. Projects underway include the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA; Meadow Run Community District Heating System in Farmington, PA; and the St. Vincent College District Heating System in Latrobe, PA. Feasibility studies, funded in part through the Fund, are underway at each location. The Fund may also provide additional financing for the projects if they prove feasible.
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Aerial view of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
(Photo: Google Earth)
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The Abbey at St. Vincent College.
(Photo: Lew McCreery)
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Workshops
Visit the WERC training Web page or WERC Webcast archive
Lean Energy for Wood Manufacturers Workshop
October 10, 2013
WERC Facilities, Princeton, WV
For additional information, contact Henry Quesada Pineda at 540-231-0978.
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Update on the Housing Market
From Urs Buehlmann, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science. View all housing reports here.
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From Don Deckard, Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry
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Acting Under Secretary Discusses USDA's Role in Building Support for Aviation Biofuels
A new report shows a clear path toward cleaner, more economical, and more secure energy alternatives through the increased use of advanced aviation biofuels developed in the Midwest.
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Private Forest Owners Make Significant Contribution to U.S. Economy, New Report Shows
On June 27, 2013, the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) released new data confirming the strong support that forest owners provide to the U.S. economy. "The Economic Impact of Privately-Owned Forests in the United States" reveals that forest owners support 2.4 million jobs, $87 billion in payroll, $223 billion in sales, and 5.7 percent of all U.S. manufacturing. In addition to the full report, NAFO's interactive U.S. map provides a convenient snapshot of individual State data.
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Transitioning from the Bucket to the Barrel: Educational Biofuels Webinar Series
The advanced biofuels industry will eventually move from research and development to full-scale commercial production of biofuels and byproducts using a variety of advanced biomass feedstocks approved by the EPA. For more information about this educational biofuels Webinar series, go here.
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In the Northeast, Forests with Entirely Native Flora are Not the Norm
This new study is the first to reveal the abundance of non-native plants across 24 States. Click here for details.
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Environmental Performance of Wood-Based Biofuels
The environmental performance of using wood for energy and value-added products was the focus of a recent special edition of the Forest Products Journal. Access the contents of this issue at the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials Web site.
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European Union Timber Regulation
New European timber regulations went into effect March 3, 2013. For additional details, go here and here.
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Wind Wood Utilization
Wind Wood Utilization is the hub for information specifically related to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from major wind events and the utilization of downed and damaged timber and woody debris that can be generated.
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New Wood Products Extension Web Site
This Web site will create an online wood products community of practice (CoP) that will connect stakeholders with experts in wood products through different mechanisms. These include e-learning modules, an "Ask the Expert" section, a "Frequently Asked Questions" section, and technical articles. Approved wood products CoP topics include wood drying and processing, manufacturing process improvement, business management, marketing of wood products, product development, and environmental impact. For details, go here.
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The North American Forest Sector Outlook Study: 2006 - 2030
Published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Food and Agricultural Organization. View the report here.
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Forests of the Northern United States
This publication provides a broad overview of forests in the 20-state region that is bounded by Maine, Maryland, Missouri, and Minnesota. It was authored by nine people across the region and is accompanied by a Web site that describes current resource conditions, unique forest characteristics, and the challenges faced by this tier of States. The report's findings also highlight the complexities facing those making today's forest management, policy, and investment decisions that, in turn, will prepare and shape the region for a sustainable future.
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Hardwood Checkoff Program
The Hardwood Checkoff is an initiative led by a group of U.S. hardwood industry leaders who have developed a Commodity Checkoff program for the hardwood industry. Checkoff programs are industry-funded research and promotions programs tailored to a specific commodity. For additional details, click here.
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Archived Webinars
Heat Treatment of Firewood and Logs Using Steam and Vacuum Seminar
May 21, 2013 (Award number 2011-DG-058)
This Webcast provides results of a study funded at the VA Tech Department of Sustainable Biomaterials to evaluate using a vacuum/steam treatment process for sanitizing firewood.
Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call on Urban Wood Utilization and Markets
April 9, 2013
This quarterly Webcast includes updates on the Tree Care Industries Association's A300 ANSI draft standard for urban tree harvesting, Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team, southeast Michigan ash-urban wood utilization activities, and an overview of Missouri's urban wood utilization workshop.
Profitable Firewood Processing Workshop and Webcast
September 27, 2012 (Award number 2011-DG-057) This workshop provided an educational and networking event for the firewood processing industry pertaining to the latest knowledge on the processing, kiln drying, and marketing of firewood.
2012 Wood Industry Week @ WERC
View this series of workshops online. Topics include ROMI 4.0, enhancing economic competitiveness, developing new marketing strategies, mass customization, lean manufacturing, making effective use of technological advances, product costing, and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the U.S. wood products industry. Biomass Thermal Energy Council's Educational Webinar Series
A series of 14 educational Webinars about emissions, combined heat and power, thermal markets, and advanced technologies, among others, were completed with the assistance of a WERC-sponsored grant. Home |
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Wood Education and Resource Center Staff
Steve Milauskas, Director, (304) 487-1510, smilauskas@fs.fed.us
Ed Cesa, Deputy Director, (304) 285-1530, ecesa@fs.fed.us
Lew McCreery, Biomass Coordinator, (304) 285-1538, lmccreery@fs.fed.us
Debbie Hawkins, Office Administrator, (304) 487-1510, dhawkins@fs.fed.us
Nathan Delimont, Maintenance, (304) 487-1510, ndelimont@fs.fed.us |
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