The companies are specifically interested in assessing the feasibility of jointly investing in, and operating, a commercial-scale bio-pellet production facility in the US by 2011.
Depending on the success of a joint feasibility study, more facilities could follow in addition to an initial production plant.
The bio-pellets will be produced using wood-based biomass targeted from US-sourced sustainably managed forest resources or by-products and sold to utilities and industrial users for energy production.
Mitsubishi currently operates two bio-pellet facilities in Japan and is also actively involved in the management of Vis Nova Trading, a major producer of bio-pellets in Germany.
Bio-pellets are made from biomass, which can include by-products from forest management. The biomass is compressed and moulded into small, cylindrical pellets. Co-firing bio-pellets with coal has proved effective in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions at coal-fired power plants.
Fuel production takes to water with ‘artificial leaves’
Really, are you that naive enough to think that we can be trusted to ensure that these 'Leaves' are reliably policed and recycled? How will they be prevented from being washed away during floods and...