Archived Webinars - 2013

Archived 2013 Webinars

This special event brings together respected experts and industry leaders from ASHRAE, EPA, DOE, BTEC and MDDNR to discuss barriers to biomass energy deployment.

Acronyms might represent agencies, NGOs or companies that interact and influence acceptance and sales. Or, many regulations, codes, standards and certifications, also having acronyms are required or favored variably at national, state and local levels, creating a complex maze. Broad use of acronyms and the content they represent makes it hard for companies with limited time and financial resources to expand into some of the markets that most need biothermal energy to lower cost and improve carbon efficiency. The content will help as the industry considers certification and other steps to build acceptance.

Among topics covered:

• Why is ASHRAE frequently referenced in federal and state laws and in regulations and codes at all levels?
• Why have ASHRAE publications and standards not included wood energy and how can we change that?
• What is the importance of an output performance certification to an HVAC designer?
• How can we as an industry ask developmental help and increase joint goal setting across Department of Energy, USDA and EPA for common and public benefit?
• What other factors must biothermal equipment companies address to satisfy energy design engineers and equipment specifiers?
• How can state experiences in resource needs and air quality protection be treated as learning experiences to solve problems with acceptance?
• How do we address outdated rules and public misperceptions?
• What is the most accepted organization through which combustion equipment thermal output is certified?
• Can we get help documenting the comparative values of biothermal and other renewable technology as peak capacity and annual total thermal output per total dollar invested?
• What is the experience of a biothermal equipment maker who opened the door to vertically integrating fuel supply networks with forest landowners and supply firms?
• Is the prospect of biothermal technology hurt or helped by the integrative design process?
  

Speakers for this event:

• C.R. Cary, Principal, Biomass Combustion Systems, Inc. and BTEC member
• James Critchfield, Director Clean Technology Initiatives, U.S. EPA
• Michael Deru, Ph.D., Engineering Manager | Commercial Buildings Research Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Frank Mills, Technical Director, Low Carbon Design Consultants
• Daniel R. Rider, Supervisor, Forest Stewardship & Utilization, Maryland DNR Forest Service

This is an informational webinar hosted by the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) and funded in part by the Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC).

Green building strategies are a fixture of modern architecture and design as developers and architects look to reduce environmental impacts and energy use. Biomass thermal energy can meet baseload heating and cooling needs renewably, yet building professionals may not know how the technology fits into today's sustainable programs like U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). 

View the webinar from  November 6th and hear how biomass thermal systems are addressed within the USGBC's LEED program.  This webinar will include a description of eligible biomass thermal credits, special considerations, and two case studies of real world buildings using biomass thermal that took separate credit approaches.

This is an informational webinar hosted by the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) and funded in part by the Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC).

View the Webinar and Learn: 

• How renewable energy production is included in the current version of LEED (2009) and the forthcoming LEED v4
• The considerations, requirements, and special circumstances where biomass heating qualifies for LEED credits
• Two case studies on biomass thermal projects; why one pursued LEED credits and why one did not
• A status on the current LEED program and the forthcoming LEED v4  
• Q&A with the speakers

Speakers & Presenters

• Gail Hampsmire, Energy/HVAC, Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)
• Mark Herter, AIA, LEED AP, Associate, Centerbrook Architects
• Moderated by: Joseph Seymour, Executive Director, Biomass Thermal Energy Council

For more information on the event or if you have any questions, email Emanuel Wagner.

For more information on USGBC's LEED program, visit here >>

Biomass thermal policies are on the move across the U.S., especially in the Northeastern states and at the federal level.  This webinar spans these federal-to-state policy incentives and regulatory developments.  Whether it's a Farm Bill energy program or state Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) modification, these developments are critical for understanding today's bioenergy markets and future implications on project development.

During the webinar, speakers first share a federal policy outlook on newly introduced thermal legislation and the Farm Bill, followed by a more focused discussion on biomass state policy in the hotbed of the Northeast region (e.g. New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, and Massachusetts). Finally, the speakers describe the specific case study of Maryland and learn about that state's successes and challenges working to implement biomass thermal energy policies from scratch.   

Watch the Webinar and Learn: 

• The federal policy outlook for biomass thermal energy, including the Farm Bill and BTU Act 
• Top Northeast U.S. biomass thermal policy developments, addressing items like pilot programs and RPS revisions
• Discussion of current incentives for biomass thermal systems among the Northeastern states   
• Case study on Maryland's biomass thermal energy campaign, its successes and challenges
• Additional topics during the live Question and Answer session  

Where Does Biomass Energy Policy Stand? An update on biomass thermal in the halls of government from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

Speakers & Presenters

• Pat Rita, Partner, Orion Advocates
• Charlie Niebling, Partner, Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC
• Daniel Rider, Maryland Department of Natural Resources 
• Moderated by: Joseph Seymour, Executive Director, Biomass Thermal Energy Council
  
  

BTEC Stakeholder Session #3 on CO Off-Gassing: An update on pellet practices, safety, and research 
A BTEC/NYSERDA Webinar - July 23, 2013, 1 PM ET   

Join the third and final BTEC Stakeholder Session on CO off-gassing from the bulk storage of wood pellets. As part of this year-long project, BTEC seeks to engage the biomass thermal industry domestically and internationally on safety, storage, and related standards surrounding the handling of bulk wood pellet fuel.  During the July 23rd session, speakers from the private, non-profit, and educational sectors will share updates on the safe storage of wood pellet fuel from research and regulatory perspectives.

 

Access to the Webinar Click on the recording to the left Print Materials Download pdf here >>

2013-07-23 13.01 BTEC Stakeholder Session #3 on CO Off-Gassing Update on pellet practices, safety, and research from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

Attend the Webinar and Learn:  

• Introduction and review of the BTEC project
• Bulk storage survey results
• Literature review and standards update
• Preliminary CO off-gassing research update from Clarkson University
• Examples of integrating CO safety into confined space/safety training
• Open Question and Answer session with the speakers 

Speakers & Presenters

• Joseph Seymour, Executive Director, BTEC 
• Ray Albrecht, Technical Consultant, BTEC
• Tim Cullina, Senior Consulting Engineer, Fauske & Associates
• Philip Hopke, Professor, Clarkson University 
• Alan Rossner, Professor, Clarkson University

More Information

To view the previous two archived webinar sessions, visit BTEC webinar page and look for Sessions #1 and #2.

 

 

 

Biomass Cooling 101 – Opportunities and Challenges of a Potential Gamechanger
June 18, 2013

Description:

Biomass thermal energy is an efficient sustainable conditioning heat source and represents a growing market in the northern states. However, a largely overlooked market is still waiting to be utilized – renewable cooling with biomass.

Join us June 18th, 1 PM ET, for a webinar providing the basics and application of biomass cooling with three leading experts. This webinar will provide a succinct explanation of cooling technologies, a case study showcasing a successful installation, and a background of potential costs involved in a retrofit or new installation.

This is an informational webinar hosted by the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) and funded in part by the Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC).

Biomass Cooling 101 – Opportunities and Challenges of a Potential Gamechanger from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

Access to the Webinar Click on the recording to the left Print Materials Download pdf here >>

Watch the webinar and learn:

• How cooling technology works
• How cooling can integrate with biomass cogeneration or trigeneration
• An overview of expected costs and payback periods
• How Middlebury College’s tri-generation plant has succeeded
• Q&A with the speakers

Speakers:

• Tom Lopp, VP of Marketing at Power Partners, Inc.
• Wes Livingston, Design Engineer at Power Partners Inc.
• Jack Byrne, Director of Sustainability Integration at Middlebury College
• Moderated by: Emanuel Wagner, Programs Manager, Biomass Thermal Energy Council

 

 

Innovation and the NSPS: How can the EPA encourage innovative new technologies
May 9, 2013

Description:

EPA regulations for biomass heating devices often have addressed one set of problems, and inadvertently led to others as technology developed. The EPA has stated that in the next wood heater New Source Performance Standard (NSPS), it wants to “minimize potential loopholes.” How can the NSPS encourage and not discourage new technologies that may be cleaner and more efficient, but have difficulty with approved test methods? What lessons have we learned from the existing NSPS and EPA voluntary programs?

This webinar was held in the lead up to the Wood Stove Design Challenge, a national competition to promote extremely clean, efficient, innovative and affordable cordwood technology.

Innovation and the NSPS - How can the EPA encourage innovative new technologies from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

Access to the Webinar Click on the recording to the left Print Materials Download pdf here >>

View the webinar and learn:

• How the NSPS applies to residential biomass heating equipment
• What procedures, qualifications, emissions limits, and technologies are under consideration for the draft NSPS rule
• The comparative changes from the existing and draft NSPS
• How the new NSPS would promote and handle innovative technologies

Speakers:

• Mr. Gil Wood, Project Lead, NSPS Program, Environmental Protection Agency
• Moderated by John Ackerly, President, Alliance for Green Heat
• Introduction and Welcome by Joseph Seymour, Executive Director, Biomass Thermal Energy Council

 

 

Area & Major Source Biomass Boiler Update: BTEC Members -Only Session with EPA
February 19, 2013

Description:

Join your fellow BTEC members and staff on Tuesday, February 19 at 3PM ET for a special 1 hour presentation and discussion with EPA Air Quality personnel on the new Boiler MACT rules for Area and Major Source Biomass Boilers.  EPA staff will take BTEC members' questions on compliance dates, obligations, limits, etc. as they relate to biomass technologies.

Access to the Webinar Members: Free of charge, log in to the Members Only site >> and see the password there

EPA Speakers from the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards:  

• Mary Johnson  
• Jim Eddinger  
• Robert ("Bob") Wayland  

 

 

 

BTEC Stakeholder Session #2 on CO Off-Gassing: Sharing Industry updates and relevant US Safety Standards
February 19, 2013

Description:

Join the second BTEC Stakeholder Session on CO off-gassing from the bulk storage of wood pellets.  During this project, BTEC seeks to engage the biomass thermal industry on safety, storage, and related standards surrounding the handling of bulk wood pellet fuel. This project is funded in part by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).  

Topics Include:

• Current status of the BTEC-led literature review on pellet storage safety
• Update on Bioenergy 2020 and the Safe Pellet Project
• Overview of European efforts to promote safe pellet storage
• Relevant US standards for combustible dust, fuel storage, and confined spaces
• Question and Answer session with the project members

BTEC Stakeholder Session #2 on CO Off-Gassing Sharing industry updates and relevant US safety standards from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

Access to the Webinar Click on the recording to the left Print Materials Download pdf here >>

Speakers:

• Waltraud Emhofer - Researcher, Bioenergy 2020
• Christian Rakos - President, European Pellet Council
• Tim Cullina -Safety Consulting Engineer, Fauske
• Raymond Albrecht - BTEC Project Partner

 

 

Improving Biomass Heating System Efficiency: Introducing new technology to reduce downtime, emissions and slag, and increase revenue
January 31, 2013

Description:

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) held a free webinar on 31st January, 2013 at 12 PM ET for a discussion on improving thermal energy efficiency of biomass combustion systems. The webinar is sponsored by BTEC member Carbonomics. 

Though heating is among the most efficient pathways for converting biomass to energy, improvements can still be made.  Periodic shutdowns due to slagging, boiler choke-ups, and other factors can lead to losses in revenue and resources. Incomplete combustion results in higher CO levels and significant amounts of unburnt carbon; high moisture in biomass means lower Net Calorific Value and reduced boiler efficiency, directly leading to higher fuel costs.  

The webinar discussed the issues common to biomass facilities around the world. It provided potential solutions, including a unique combustion catalyst that utilizes part of the moisture content to facilitate faster and more complete combustion.  This catalyst has been utilized in numerous biomass-firing boilers in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa for several years.   

Presenters shared a case study from a biomass energy plant in Europe and provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions about the challenges faced by biomass facilities around the world.

• Common issues faced by the biomass-fired boiler industry globally
• A detailed explanation combustion catalysts and how they affect and improve problematic areas
• A specific case study on a plant highlighting before and after use of the catalyst
• A generalized, tangible economic benefit analysis of the technology
• Live Q&A with the presenters

Click here to download the Presentation Slides>>

Improving Biomass Heating System Efficiency from Biomass Thermal Energy Council on Vimeo.

 

Speakers:

	Shashank Kumar, Regional Manager of the Atlantic Coasts, Abhitech Energycon Ltd., India Shashank Kumar (Mumbai, India) is the representative of the combustion catalyst manufacturing and marketing company, Abhitech Energycon. This young engineer (ex-Cisco) is in charge of business in the four continents bordering the Atlantic Ocean. He has hands-on knowledge of different types of boilers operating over a spectrum of conditions, fueled by a variety of biomass feedstocks.
	Jochen Allenstein, Founder, Wambesco GmbH, Germany   Jochen Allenstein is a chemical engineer residing in Duisburg, Germany. Professionally, he has been involved with heavy industries of various kinds for almost 40 years. Most recently he separated from E-ON, Europe's largest power producer, to form his own company, Wambesco GmbH, which deals primarily in chemical trading for industries courtesy.
	Moderator Joseph Seymour - Biomass Thermal Energy Council, Executive Director