2007 Residual Wood Conference a Big-Time Success

Logging & Sawmilling Journal’s Residual Wood Conference—held in October in Vancouver—was a tremendous success, selling out for both attendees and exhibitors

By Paul MacDonald

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Craig Sutherland, deputy chief forester of BC, said that there are going to be increasing amounts of residual wood in the province because of the mountain pine beetle infestation. “Fibre supplies in BC are more dynamic than ever,” he said. “New markets are emerging, and competition is increasing for residuals.”

Janice Larson, of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum, said that the province has “enormous” bioenergy and renewable energy resources. “The mountain pine beetle can be the platform upon which we expand and develop bioenenergy opportunities.”

The dinner speaker at the Residual Wood Conference, Fred Deneke, spoke about the “25 x 25” initiative, the goal to have America’s forests, farms and ranches provide 25 per cent of the total energy consumed in the United States by the year 2025.

Woody biomass, Deneke noted, is available year round from multiple sources, and its net energy ratios are large and positive. “Rising fuel and energy costs and advances in technology are improving the economy of forest-based biorefineries.

“Forestry and agriculture can play a major role in helping the United States achieve energy independence,” he said. “An enormous and historical opportunity is on the horizon. We have the technology, capacity and leadership to offer new energy solutions.”

At the mill level, Bill Adams of Domtar Pulp and Paper Products spoke about green power generation at the company’s Kamloops, BC, facility, and the industry’s tapping into biomass energy.

“The BC pulp and paper industry is already North America’s single largest producer and consumer of biomass energy.” Kamloops Pulp, in particular, employs three turbine generators and four biofuel boilers as part of its green power generation system. The 60 MW of biomass power generation produced by the Kamloops operation supports BC’s goal of green energy production and provides surplus energy for the community, said Adams.

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