May 20, 2011 – UBC Biomass Pelletization Workshop

Originally set to be an small workshop for 30 grew exponentially into a group of more than 90, leaving organizers scrambling to meet space restrictions. Attending the event was industries key wood pellet manufacturers, equipment suppliers and industry professionals hailing from around the world. The intensive two day workshop was hosted by the Biomass & Bioenergy Research Group (BBRG) of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C.

Among the attendees, producers such as Pacific Bioenergy with operations in Prince George, Biomass Secure Power Inc. and other manufacturers mixed with the likes of long standing equipment and other technology suppliers such as Büttner and Siemens.

For two days, attendees packed into the BBRG lecture classroom to listen, discuss and debate the latest developments and research in wood biomass industry. The sessions were not the typical glossy estimations and projections that have become typical for a growing industry, instead the sessions boasted hard facts based on extensive research into wood pellet production, storage, handling, life cycle torrification and market trends. Key industry professionals such as Cogent Industrial Technologies added their field experience and case studies in building, controlling, managing and improving world class biomass facilities.

Although there was a hockey playoff game, attendees stayed to the very last minute proving that the workshop was a refreshing injection of informative useful knowledge.