In November 2014, Resolute cut the ribbon at a new industrial wood pellet plant in Thunder Bay (Ontario) that is now converting sawdust, a by-product of our adjacent sawmill into wood pellets, a reliable source of renewable energy.
Resolute has already signed a ten-year agreement with Ontario Power Generation to provide 45,000 metric tons of wood pellets each year for a new green power generating station in Atikokan. Atikokan’s one-unit, 207-megawatt station, will help Ontario meet its needs during peak power consumption periods on the Ontario grid.
At one time, this state-of-the-art facility burned coal, but it recently underwent a $170 million retrofit that now allows it to burn wood pellets. Unlike coal or natural gas, energy generated from wood pellets is fully replaceable and produces power that is essentially carbon-neutral. The Atikokan sawmill is currently the largest electrical power plant in North America fuelled by 100% biomass.
Part of an over $90 million investment in northern Ontario, Resolute’s new wood pellet plant has created 8 new jobs, for a total of 217 jobs including the adjacent Thunder Bay sawmill.
Wood pellets are a clean, renewable energy source, and together with other biofuel opportunities, a natural diversification target for Resolute. This project provides the opportunity to enhance the use of the wood we harvest to produce innovative products and will give Resolute some valuable manufacturing experience in commercial biomass production.
Sources:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1076819/resolute-forest-products-to-build-wood-pellet-plant
http://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/news/atikokan-generating-station-operating-on-biomass/1003256371/?&er=NA
6 Comments. Leave new
[…] that signify an entrance into the burgeoning “green economy.” Our company’s commitment to renewable power generation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions and energy efficiency were the main points highlighted in this […]
Great information. Thanks for sharing. Wood pellets are now a trending fuel choice for sure.
Very interesting, I have 2 question:
How many carbon emission will produce when wood pellet is burning?
Does it produce an air pollution?
What is the difference between industrial pellets and home pellets . Wich pellets you produce, industrial or Home pellets. Thank you in advance for your response.
tony@grindex.ca
Hi Tony,
Thanks so much for your comment. The pellet plant has the capacity to produce up to 45,000 metric tons of wood pellets annually from residual sawdust, and we have signed a ten-year agreement to supply OPG’s Atikokan power plant utility with that full capacity annually. You can read more about the partnership here: http://www.opg.com/generating-power/thermal/stations/atikokan-station/Pages/atikokan-station.aspx
Hi Christian,
The carbon neutrality of biomass harvested from sustainably-managed forests has been recognized by an abundance of studies, agencies, institutions, legislation and rules around the world, including the guidance of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the reporting protocols of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here’s a great summary of the issues for those interested in a bit more information: http://www.twosidesna.org/download/Miner_R_-_NCASI_Clearing_the_Air_about_Biomass_Carbon_Neutrality_Paper_360_March_2007.pdf