BANZ Courses

Presenter: Michael Wild - President, International Biomass Torrefaction Council

Date: 7 September 2022

Duration: 1 hour

Cost: free courtesy of EECA

About this webinar

Torrefied biomass is a solid biofuel which can be used for various applications such as being co-fired with coal in existing large heat plant, pulverised coal fired power plants, in cement kilns, and for steel making.

In the torrefaction process, biomass is heated to a temperature of approx. 250-350°C in a atmosphere with low oxygen concentrations. As a consequence, all moisture is removed as well as a fraction of the volatile matter of the dry biomass.

Michael Wild provided a general intro to thermal treatment and effects, the processes and technologies and the resulting products, trade formats, regulations and general market views.

The International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC) was founded by Bioenergy Europe and resulted from the joint efforts of major torrefied biomass stakeholders who decided to create a discussion platform of companies with similar interests.

About the presenter

Michael Wild has been active in renewable energies for 24 years of his professional career. He has pioneered biomass fired district heating systems in Austria.

Since 2007, he has been taking a leading position in torrefaction technology development forming also a consortium with Andritz AG. Today he is acting in project development, as supply chain consultant and represents selected producers, traders and consumers in both torrefied and regular biomasses. In 2012, he assisted with the creation the Internationl Biomass Torrefaction Council IBTC within Bioenergy Europe.

Link to flyer(external link)

Presenter: Dr Elizabeth Heeg (Te Uru Rakau - New Zealand Forest Service)

Date: 6 September 2022

Cost: free courtesy of EECA

About this webinar

The Minister of Forestry has released the draft Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan for consultation.

This presentation discussed the main points of the draft plan and show how bioenergy and biofuels fit within the framework for getting greater value from wood residues.

The Industry Transformation plan - creating a high value and resilient forestry and wood process sector to under pin our low emissions future.

The key change in the draft plan is to encourage the sector to process more logs and wood residues onshore, leading to an increase in value-added wood products and residues necessary for the growing bioeconomy.

The plan aims to:

• help New Zealand capitalise on new technologies so that we can process the lower grades of logs, which we typically export into higher value products
• promote new high-paid jobs in the regions, support economic growth, and produce greater amounts of woody residues
• support New Zealand's goals to lower emissions in construction, transport, and in sectors that rely on coal
• support the development of biochemicals, bioplastics, and biopharmaceuticals
• diversify our plantation forests to enable us to produce new products, find new markets, and build the sector's resilience.

About the presenter

Dr. Elizabeth Heeg is currently the director of Forestry System for Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service which includes responsibility for the Forest and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan, Sector Investment, Operational Policy and Indigenous Forestry.

Most recently she was head of the Aquatic Unit at the Department of Conservation leading a team of science and technical advisors who deliver research and advice to support the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems and species. She has a strong understanding of resource management systems and the regulatory and policy frameworks supporting them.