Biomass-to-energy collaboration
Mitsubishi has signed a memorandum of understanding with $8bn (£5bn)-a-year US forestry company Weyerhaeuser, which will see the two companies explore the possibility of collaborating in the biomass-to-energy business.
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.
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
Water Sector Talent Exodus Could Cripple The Sector
Maybe if things are essential for the running of a country and we want to pay a fair price we should be running these utilities on a not for profit...