Posts Tagged: USFS
2014 Hawai'i Workshop Presentations Now Available
Wood Utilization in Hawai'i: From Bioenergy to Buildings
July 14, 2014 and July 22, 2014
Background
The Woody Biomass Utilization Group recently hosted two workshops in Hawai'i. The first was held in Hilo on July 14, 2014, and the second in Wailuku on July 22, 2014. These workshops focused on types of wood biomass products and wood utilization opportunities available to forest operations there. The presenters included specialists from UC Berkeley, the University of Hawaii, and USDA R5 State and Private Forestry.
Agenda
Bioenergy Overview
- Fundamentals of Bioenergy – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
- Public Funding Opportunities – Larry Swan, USDA R5 State and Private Forestry
- Considerations for Successful Bioenergy Facilities – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
Hawaii Energy
- Overview – Scott Turn, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii – Manoa
- Biomass Fuel Resources – Scott Turn, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii – Manoa
- Facilitated Discussion of Local Bioenergy Potential – Moderator: John Shelly, University of California, Berkeley
Wood Properties and Market Integration
- Higher Value Properties of Wood – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
- Challenges to Entering New Markets – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
Please visit the workshop information page to download and view the presentations above. Recordings of the proceedings will soon be made available through our Youtube page.
/span>/h3>/h3>/h3>/h2>/h2>
2014 Wood-to-Energy Program Overview Webinar
2014 USFS Wood to Energy Grant Program Overview
Friday May 15, 13:30 - 15:00
Background
The Woody Biomass Utilization Group hosted a webinar on the US Forest Service Wood to Energy Grant Program. As the deadline for submission is nigh, this webinar was dedicated to answering questions applicants developing proposals. The presenters included application reviewers from previous years as well as successful applicants from the region.
Recording
Agenda
Introduction and Objectives -- 5 min -- Peter Tittmann (UC Berkeley)
W2E Grant Program Overview -- 15 min -- Larry Swan (USFS R5 State and Private Forestry)
-
Large file application upload link
Tips on a successful application -- 10 min -- Mark Knaebe (USFS Forest Products Lab)
-
Repetition in the application is a negative, be kind to reviewers and site appropriate sections instead of repeating.
-
Create text-searchable pdf applications. Generate pdf directly from the word processing program used (eg Word). Don't print ad scan
-
Adjust image resolution to reduce file size
Case Studies:
Mik McKee: Sierra Institute for Community and Environment -- 10 min
“A compelling story with no holes”
-
economically sound
-
ecological impact
-
letters of support
-
feasibility studies
-
financial pro-formas for a range of technologies
-
how is your project innovative and viable?
Elissa Brown: North Fork Community Development Corporation -- 10 min
- Feasibility study may provide most of the information needed for the application
- Feasibility studies are critical
-
2 bids for engineering services
- System Impact Study necessary for interconnection (Rule 21) PG&E does the work $40-50k but can be more or less.
- Proven technology and experienced management team.
Q&A -- 40 min
Presenter Contact Information & Links
Peter Tittmann UC Berkeley Center for Forestry (510) 665-3518 |
Mik McKee Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (530) 284-1022 |
Larry Swan US Forest Service Region 5 State and Private Forestry (707) 562-8917 |
Elissa Brown North Fork Community Development Corporation (559) 877-2432 |
Mark Knaebe USFS Forest Products Lab (608) 231 9422 |
Large file application: |
/table>/h1>/h1>/span>
Webinar: 2013 USFS Woody Biomass Utilization Grant program
What: The UC Berkeley Center for Forestry will host a webinar focused on providing information to interested parties about the recently announced USFS Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program. The webinar will cover:
- An brief overview of the program goals and objectives
- Details on requirements for applications
- Funding levels, matching funds, individual application limits
- Other sources of funding for forestry activities, and business development related to bioenergy
- Technical assistance available to applicants.
When: Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 10-11:30 AM
Where: Your nearest web-connected computer
How: Register here and we will send you information about how to connect.
Further information about the WBUG solicitation is available on the Woody Biomass blog, USDA Forest Products Lab, and the Federal Register
Background
The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State and Private Forestry (S&PF), Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, has requested proposals for wood energy projects that require engineering services. These projects will use woody biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, forest management due to catastrophic weather events, and/or thinning overstocked stands. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, electrical or liquid/gaseous bioenergy.
USFS announces 2013 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program
The Request for Proposals for the 2013 WBUG program is in the Federal Register. It looks like the solicitation is similar to last years with a focus on later stage projects designed to convert wood biomass to energy products (heat, electricity, biogas, etc.). The deadline for proposals is April 8.
Update!
The USFS Forest Products Lab Technology Marketing Unit has put together a web resource on the 2103 solicitation which includes guidance, forms, and contact infomation. You can access it here.
WBUG program vitals
Match | 20% | |||
Total allocation | +/-$3M | |||
Max request per applicaiton | $250,000 | |||
Deadline | April 8, 2013 |
Critical application components
- A Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment of the project by qualified and credible parties,
- a Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment and,
- past three years of financial statements (balance sheets, income statements and cash flow analysis) shall be considered
From the Federal Register program announcement
Goals of the grant program are to:
- Promote projects that target and help remove economic and market barriers to using woody biomass for renewable energy.
- Assist projects that produce renewable energy from woody biomass while protecting the public interest.
- Reduce the public's cost for forest restoration by increasing the value of biomass and other forest products generated from hazardous fuels reduction and forest health activities on forested lands.
- Create incentives and/or encourage business investment that uses woody biomass from our nation's forestlands for renewable energy projects.
Grant webinar California
The USFS and the University of California, Berkeley Center for Forestry will be hosting a webinar focused on providing information and preparing for this solicitation on February 28th. Stay tuned to this blog, our twitter feed (@UCBWoodProducts) and the UC Biomass Utilization website for more information.
Sign up for the webinar here.
/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>/h2>