Forest Stewardship is critical to the health of Maryland’s environment and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. But, healthy forests are the result of deliberate maintenance and management, which costs money to accomplish. Creating markets for the wood material products that are generated by forest maintenance could help cover these costs and provide local economic benefits, jobs, and wages. Demand for wood material products not used for construction and manufacturing could also serve as an affordable, sustainable, locally accessible, source of energy using advanced energy technologies. How does this renewable energy opportunity balance with forest conservation and preservation priorities?
This five-session webinar series will highlight available technologies, economic competitiveness, ease of installing and operating biomass energy systems to examine how Maryland commercial and institutional consumers can benefit from the adoption of thermal biomass energy solutions.
Speakers will share case study examples of successful projects and discussions will cover a range of economic, operational, environmental, policy, and regulatory considerations. During the sessions covering Biomass Energy Systems, presenters will examine system types and operations, emissions, economics, financing, and incentives.
Registration is free!!! You can sign up for the entire series or just the sessions that appeal to you by visiting www.mdcleanenergy.org/biomass
SESSION DETAILS
WEBINAR 1: Economic & Environmental Opportunities for Woody Biomass Energy in Maryland
Tuesday, June 2, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Description
Maryland has an untapped supply of energy that could diversify our renewable energy portfolio, help local economies, and maintain or improve forest health without increasing carbon emissions: woody biomass. In this series of webinars, we will share information, listen to concerns, and address challenges to using woody biomass to meet MD's energy needs and support sustainable forest management.
Agenda
10:30 AM Welcome Moderator- Gary Allen: President, Maryland Forestry Foundation
10:35 AM Introduction- Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio: Secretary, MD Dept. of Natural Resources
10:45 AM Woody Biomass 101- Kathryn Fernholz: President/CEO, Dovetail Partners
11:15 AM Biomass and the New England Experience Maura Adams- Program Director, Northern Forest Center
11:40 AM Environmental Perspective- Josh Kurtz: Director of Policy Development, The Nature Conservancy MD/DC
11:55 AM Q&A Discussion
NOON Adjourn
WEBINAR 2: Economic Framework – Supporting Forest Conservation with Woody Biomass Energy
Tuesday, June 9, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Description
Using woody biomass for energy has positive impacts on forest health when the right policy framework is in place. It is important for educated stakeholders to work together to create sound policies for sustainable forest management using woody biomass for energy.
Agenda
10:30 AM Welcome Moderator- Donnelle Keech: Resilient Forests Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
10:35 AM Introduction- Kelly Schulz (Invited): Secretary, MD Dept. of Commerce
10:45 AM Wood Energy-The Economic Development Impacts- Wade Haerle: Agribusiness & Energy Program Manager, MD Dept. of Commerce
11:00 AM Biomass and Forest Conservation Brian Kittler- Senior Director of Forest Restoration, American Forests
11:30 AM Science Perspectives- Forest Inventory, Biomass Sources, and Forest Management David Wear: Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future
11:45 AM Q&A Discussion
NOON Adjourn
WEBINAR 3: Environmental Framework – Incentivizing Woody Biomass Energy & Regulating Carbon Emissions
Session Description
Using woody biomass for energy has neutral impacts on carbon emissions when the right policy and regulatory framework are in place. It is important for educated stakeholders to work together to create sound policies and regulations for the harvest and use of woody biomass for energy.
Agenda
10:30 AM Welcome Moderator- Kenneth Jolly: Acting State Forester of MD Dept. of Natural Resources, Maryland Forest Service
10:35 AM Introduction- Ben Grumbles (Invited): Secretary, MD Dept. of the Environment -OR- Suzanne Dorsey: Assistant Secretary, MD Dept. of the Environment
10:45 AM Forest Management and Carbon Accounting- Dr. Elliott Campbell: Director, Center for Economic and Social Science, MD Dept. of Natural Resources Kendall DeLyser: Senior Manager of Forests and Climate, American Forests
11:15 AM State Policies & Laws for Climate Action and Clean Energy- Role of Woody Biomass & Air Quality Impacts TBD: MD Dept. of the Environment
11:30 AM Maryland Perspective- Biomass Market and Policy Constraints Dan Rider: Forest Stewardship & Utilization Program Manager, MD Dept. of Natural Resources
11:45 AM Q&A Discussion
NOON Adjourn
WEBINAR 4: Biomass Energy Systems - Operation
Tuesday, June 23, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Description
Woody biomass is already available in abundance in Maryland but, the use of this renewable fuel source for energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, has not been widely adopted. Best management practices of ‘right-sizing’ designs for modern current and evolving technologies allow for this type of energy solution to be cost-effective and meet air quality standards.
This session offers a high-level synopsis of various wood energy applications: low-temperature boiler, thermal storage, distributed heating, etc. These examples cover diverse uses: industrial processing, university campuses, hospitals, schools, and part-year heating.
Agenda
10:30 AM Welcome Moderator- Katherine Magruder: Executive Director, Maryland Clean Energy Center
10:35 AM Choice of Systems and Case Studies of Existing Applications- Dan Wilson: PE, Wilson Engineering
Examine examples of right-sized systems for biomass thermal energy production, which are clean, cost-effective, and utilize cutting edge technologies. Why did the owners of these facilities choose wood over other energy sources?
11:00 AM A Closer Look at the Economics- Lew McCreery: Forest Products Technologist, USDA Forest Service
A presentation of actual data from over 40 projects spanning a wide array of applications, as well as the financial impacts of wood fuels- positive for the facility making the investment, and to the broader community.
11:15 AM Air Quality Regulations and Permitting Matt Hafner- Regulatory & Compliance Engineer, MD Dept. of the Environment
How does the technology of related systems meet or exceed the Maryland air and water quality requirements for permitting? What incentives or disincentives for project implementation exist in state policies and regulations? What steps & requirements are necessary to qualify for access to the existing Thermal Renewable Energy Credit?
11:30 AM Operations and Sustainability Concerns and Challenges of Woody Biomass Use- Kyla Cheynet: Sustainability Manager, Drax Biomass
11:50 AM Q&A Discussion
NOON Adjourn
WEBINAR 5: Biomass Energy Systems – Economics & Finance
Tuesday, July 7, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session Description
Woody biomass is already made in abundance in Maryland. However, the use of this renewable fuel source for energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, has not been widely adopted. Project design and financing technical assistance are available.
Agenda
11:00 AM Welcome Moderator- Katherine Magruder: Executive Director, Maryland Clean Energy Center
11:05 AM Project Proforma & Financing Wyatt Shiflett- Director of Finance Programs, Maryland Clean Energy Center
11:15 AM Grants and Incentives- Garry Aime (Invited): Energy Program Manager, Biomass & EM&V Contract Manager, MD Energy Administration
11:30 AM Federal Resources- Bruce Weaver: USDA Rural Development
11:50 AM Q&A Discussion
NOON Adjourn
This program is brought to you by the Maryland Forestry Foundation and The Clean Energy Center in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and theSustainable Forestry Council withfunding from the Rural Maryland Council.
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