Happy Spring Everyone!
On behalf of the entire Heating the Midwest Steering Committee, we would like to thank 
those who were able to participate in this year’s 2017 Heating the Midwest event that was co-located with the International Biomass Conference and Expo in Minneapolis earlier this month. As always, it provided an excellent opportunity to hear and learn about the latest happenings in the biomass thermal and combined heat and power sector. It was nice to meet and network with many of you as we continue our work in advancing the industry forward.
those who were able to participate in this year’s 2017 Heating the Midwest event that was co-located with the International Biomass Conference and Expo in Minneapolis earlier this month. As always, it provided an excellent opportunity to hear and learn about the latest happenings in the biomass thermal and combined heat and power sector. It was nice to meet and network with many of you as we continue our work in advancing the industry forward.
Those on-hand heard about the suite of activities taking place in the areas of state and federal policy, deployment case studies, opportunities for unique applications, as well as approaches for system design. The day was packed full of valuable insights and productive conversations that has all of us energized to further the growth of biomass heating in the Midwest!
This time together also offered the Heating the Midwest Steering Committee the opportunity to meet in-person to discuss how we can continue to advance the mission of Heating the Midwest and deliver further value to all of our stakeholders. As an organization that is volunteer-driven, we aspire to further grow our network and influence. In order to do so, please consider joining our effort as a Steering Committee member, Action Team participant, or by making a meaningful contribution here to support the work of Heating the Midwest!
Thanks again for your continued engagement and hope you enjoy the renewal that springtime brings!
Gregg Mast
Steering Committee Member
Heating the Midwest Inc.
Steering Committee Member
Heating the Midwest Inc.
In This Newsletter:
- Bioenergy supports rural jobs, minimizes wildfires
- U.S. Energy Use Rose a Bit in 2016
- U.S. Primary Energy Consumption/Production by source
- Future supplier of wood pellets and biomass briquettes
- How GM’s Oats Provide Power & Purpose
- Biomass Thermal Production Incentive in MN
- Lunch ‘n Learn Tour
- Wood Stove Design Challenge
- Funding Opportunities
- Free Publications
- Ideas for SWET
- Become an Action Team Volunteer
- Call for news
Bioenergy supports rural jobs, minimizes wildfires
What is there was an endless fuel source that came from widely available natural waste products? And what if converting these products to energy supported tens of thousands of local rural jobs?
Wood can be just that fuel. In many places, it already is.
The U.S. Forest Service is working to expand renewable wood energy markets by providing technical assistance and grants to public and private sector partners through its Woody Biomass Utilization program.
Read full story here.
U.S. Energy Use Rose a Bit in 2016; Rise in Renewables Offsets Coal Drop
Big increases in renewable energy consumption more than offset a deep drop in use of coal, pushing U.S. energy consumption up slightly in 2016, says the latest data from DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA)
More information can be found here.
Future supplier of wood pellets and biomass briquettes
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How GM’s Oats Provide Power & Purpose
General Mills in Fridley, Minnesota has been using a biomass boiler since 2010. Their biomass boiler represents one of the biggest successes in their commitment to sustainability. Since 2010, the boiler has burned thousands of tons of oat hulls, which are considered waste after separated from the part of the oat used to make flour for Cheerios and other products.
As a result, they have moved away from a dependence on natural gas – burning 10 percent of their oat hulls in the boiler provides 90 percent of the steam used to heat the Fridley plant and make oat flour. And the boiler also heats the sidewalks and loading areas at the plant, to melt snow and ice in the winter.
They are featuring their biomass burner and projects with oat hulls in the latest episode of the “A Taste of General Mills” podcast. Hear from the team at the Fridley plant, Koda Energy and Mountain & Company.
Click here to view the full article and listen to the podcast.
Biomass Thermal Production Incentive Program in Minnesota
New or additional production of thermal energy in Minnesota obtained from biomass is eligible for the incentive program (“new or additional” means that the production was not in place before July 1, 2015). Thermal energy production from biomass combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion qualifies for the incentive.
Learn more here.
Lunch ‘n Learn Tour: Commercial Poultry Heating Alternatives
Please join the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and the West Central MN Clean Energy Resources Team for a “Lunch ‘n Learn Tour” on Commercial Poultry Heating Alternatives to be held in Albany, MN on May 19, 2017. A light lunch is included. Additional details and registration information are available here.
Wood Stove Design Challenge
The Alliance for Green Heat has annouced the fourth Wood Stove Design Challenge, returning to the National Mall in Washington, DC in November 2018.
The event will be free and open to the public and includes rigorous testing of the next generation of technology that can make wood stoves consistently cleaner, more efficient, easier to use and, like solar energy, a renewable source of electricity.
Read full article here.
HTM has joined LinkedIn
Heating the Midwest Incorporated has created a LinkedIn page. Follow the page to stay up to date with what we’re working on!
Click here to follow us.
Funding Opportunities
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant Open for Applications:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency
Free Publications
Biomass Magazine and Pellet Mill Magazine are free to subscribers in the USA. Here’s link to sign up and there is also free e-newsletters, free webinars and more:
BTEC Newsletter: If you are interested in receiving the Biomass Thermal Energy Council’s weekly biomass newsletter and other news releases, you are encouraged to sign-up at: http://biomassthermal.org/mailingForm.asp
Have Biomass Project Ideas for SWET?
Michigan Statewide Wood Energy Team
Contact: Ray Miller- rmiller@anr.msu.edu
Minnesota Statewide Wood Energy Team
Contact: Mark Lindquist- mark.lindquist@state.mn.us
Wisconsin Statewide Wood Energy Team
Contact: Olivia Shanahan – PSC – Olivia.Shanahan@wisconsin.gov
Website: http://www.wisconsinwoodenergy.org/
Heating the Midwest- Become an Action Team Volunteer!
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