Resources from NEWBio: The Northeast Woody/Warm-season Biomass Consortium

The Northeast Woody/Warm-season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio) is a regional network of universities, businesses, and governmental organizations dedicated to building robust, scalable, and sustainable value chains for biomass energy in the Northeast. Driven by the broad societal benefits that sustainable bioenergy value chains could provide, NEWBio aims to overcome existing barriers and dramatically increase the sustainable, cost-effective supply of lignocellulosic biomass while reducing net greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing ecosystem services, and building vibrant communities.

 

NEWBio Research Topics

• Leadership, Stakeholder Involvement, and Knowledge-to-Action
• Human Systems and Marketing Opportunities in the NE Regional Bioeconomy
• Feedstock Improvement and Production of Perennial Energy Crops
• Harvest, Preprocessing, and Logistics of Biomass Supply Chains
• System Performance and Sustainability Metrics
• Safety and Health
• Extension Programs and Resources
• Education Programs and Curriculum

NEWBio Biomass Resources by Media Type

• Fact Sheets; Research Summaries; Case Studies, Webinars and Videos, Social Media, Journal Publications,  Book Chapters, White Papers, Trade Journals, Miscellaneous Publications

 

Leadership, Stakeholder Involvement, and Knowledge-to-Action

Human Systems and Marketing Opportunities in the Northeast Regional Bioeconomy

NEWBio Team Defines Human Systems Driving the Bioeconomy Transition

 

Feedstock Improvement and Production of Perennial Energy Crops

 

Harvest, Preprocessing, and Logistics of Integrated Biomass Supply Chains

 NEWBio Harvest, Preprocessing, and Logistics Team Optimizes Biomass Supply Chain Processes

 

System Performance and Sustainability Metrics

Fact Sheets

• Bioenergy Crops Provide Valuable Ecosystem Services – Harlow

Research Summaries

• Sequestration of Carbon by Shrub Willow Offsets Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Volk
• EcoWillow 2.0: An Updated Tool  for Financial Analysis of Willow Biomass -Heavey and Volk

Case Study

• Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion

Journal Publications

• Living snow fences show potential for large storage capacity and reduced drift length shortly after planting. Heavey, J.P. and T.A. Volk. 2014. Agroforestry Systems 88(5): 803-814. DOI: 10.1007/s10457-014-9726-1.
• Uncertainties in Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Advanced Biomass Feedstock Logistics Supply Chains in Kansas. Nguyen, L., K.G. Cafferty, E.M. Searcy, S. Spatari. 2014. Energies 7(11), 7125-7146. DOI: 10.3390/en7117125
• Seasonal Dynamics of N, P, and K in an Organic and Inorganic Fertilized Willow Biomass System. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. Quaye, A.K., T.A. Volk, and J.J Schoenau. 2014. Article ID 471248. DOI: 10.1155/2015/471248
• Untapped potential: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable bioenergy production from marginal lands in New York and the Northeast USA. Stoof, C.R., Richards, B.K., Woodbury, P., Fabio, E.S., Brumbach, A., Cherney, J., Das, S., Geohring, L., Hornesky, J., Mayton, H., Mason, C., Ruestow, G., Smart, L.B., Volk, T.A., Steenhuis, T.  2014. Bioenergy Research. DOI: 10.1007/s12155-014-9515-8

 

Safety and Health in Biomass Feedstock Production and Processing Operations

Fact Sheets

• Master Gardeners’ Safety Precautions for Handling, Applying and Storing Biochar (PDF) – Schwab and Hanna

Research Summaries

• Safety and Health Risks of Producing Biomass on the Farm – Schaufler and Murphy

Webinars

• Safety Issues in On-Farm Biomass Production – Schaufler

Instructional Video

Journal and Other Publications

• Assessing Biomass Processing Fire Hazards and Community Fire Response Capabilities. Richard Orange, CFI, LCS, STS; Douglas Schaufler, P.E., Ph.D; Dennis Murphy, Ph.D., CSP.  Penn State Extension Code EE0188 02/17pod
• Safety and Health Hazards in On-Farm Biomass Production and Processing. Schaufler, D., A. Yoder, D. Murphy, C Schwab, A. DeHart.   2014. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. DOI 10.13031/jash.20.10639
• Safety and Health in Biomass Production, Transportation and Storage. Yoder, A.M., C. V. Schwab, P. D. Gunderson, and D. J. Murphy.   2013. Journal of Agromedicine. DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2014.886539.
• A Technical Review on Safety in On-Farm Biomass Production and Storage Systems: Status and Industry Needs. Yoder Aaron M., D.J. Murphy, and A.F. DeHart. 2013. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Technical Paper No. 1620568.

 

 Extension Programs to Support a NE Biomass Supply Chain

Demonstration Sites

Willow Equipment Access Program

Shortcourses

Curriculum: Manufacturing Wood and Grass Pellets – Ciolkosz

NEWBio Webinars – Upcoming & Archives

NEWBio Blog

 

“Formal” Educational Programs and Curriculum

 

In order to prepare the next generation of workers for the emerging bioeconomy, NEWBio is providing interdisciplinary training and engagement opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students; and developing a bioenergy curriculum core for the Northeast region of the United States.

• Bioenergy Teacher Training Workshops – one-week summer workshops in PA and WVa for grade school and college teachers – scholarships available.
• Bioenergy Scholars Program – summer internship program for undergraduate students interested in bioenergy
• Graduate Distance Education Program – tuition assistance for graduate-level online classes in bioenergy
• Curriculum: Manufacturing Wood and Grass Pellets – Ciolkosz

 

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NEWBio Resources by MediaType

Fact Sheets, Guides and Articles

Shrub Willow Biomass Producer’s Handbook
Abrahamson, L.P. et al.
2010. Fact Sheet. State University of New York.

Introduction to Processing Feedstocks into Biofuels
Ciolkosz, D.
2016. Article.

EcoWillow 2.0—Economic Analysis of Shrub Willow Crops
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2014. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Willow Crop Production Scenarios Using EcoWillow 2.0
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2014. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

EcoWillow 2.0—Summary of Model Updates
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2014. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Commercial Willow Production for Biopower in Northern NY State
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk
2014. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Site Preparation for Willow Bioenergy Crops
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2015. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Site Selection for Willow Bioenergy Crops
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2015. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Planting and Maintenance
Heavey, J. and T. A. Volk.
2016. Fact Sheet. Research Foundation for the State University of New York.

Evaluation of Anthracnose Severity on Switchgrass Cultivars and Accessions
Hoffman, L. et al.
2016. Article.

NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: “Shrub Willow Fact Sheet”
Jacobson, M.
2012. Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, PA.

NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: “Miscanthus Fact Sheet”
Jacobson, M.
2012. Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, PA.

NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: “Switchgrass Fact Sheet”
Jacobson, M.
2102. Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, PA.

Willow Harvesting Equipment Considerations
Jacobson, M.
2016. A Penn State Extension Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet.

Miscanthus Budget for Biomass Production
Jacobson, M., et al.
2013. A Penn State Extension Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet.

Shrub Willow Budget for Biomass Production
Jacobson, M., et al.
2014. A Penn State Extension Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet.

Switchgrass Budget for Biomass Production
Jacobson, M. et al.
2014. A Penn State Extension and Renewable Energy Fact Sheet.

NEWBio in West Virginia: “A Peek at the Process of Developing a Willow Demonstration Area in Rupert, West Virginia”
Owen, S. C., S. Grushecky and H. Nobert.
2013. WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.

NEWBio in West Virginia: “Exploring New Opportunities for Sustainable Bioenergy Resources in the Mountain State”
Owen, Sarah Cross, S. Grushecky and J. Skousen.
2013. WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.

NEWBio in West Virginia: “Giant Miscanthus: A Bioenergy Crop Profile for West Virginia”
Owen, Sarah Cross, S. Grushecky and J. Skousen.
2013. WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.

NEWBio in West Virginia: “Switchgrass: A Bioenergy Crop Profile for West Virginia”
Owen, Sarah Cross, S. Grushecky and J. Skousen.
2013. WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.

NEWBio in West Virginia: “Shrub Willow: A Bioenergy Crop Profile for West Virginia”
Owen, Sarah Cross, S. Grushecky and J. Skousen.
2013. WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.

Improving the Yield of Shrub Willow Bioenergy Crops
Smart, Larry Smart and M. Jacobson.
Ag Progress Days. Rock Springs, PA. August 2013.

Demonstrating Yield of Shrub Willow Bioenergy Crops
Smart, Larry.
Big Flats Field Day, Elmira, NY. July 2013.

Bipolaris Leaf Spot on Switchgrass: Bipolaris species
Songsomboon, K. et al.
2017. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

BCAP Helps Commercialize Shrub Willow for Bioenergy in Northern New York
Volk, T. and S.J. Harlow.
2016. Article.

Market Analysis for Biomass Growers: Example Analyses of the Wood Chips and Paperboard Manufacturing Industries as Biomass Markets – Ruamsook and Thomchick

 

NEWBio Commercial Collaborators: Building a Sustainable Energy Future in the Northeast United States

•  
• Shrub Willow Production Fact Sheet Series – adapted from the Willow Biomass Producers Handbook (2010) by SUNY-ESF:
  • Introduction to Shrub Willow [PDF]– Heavey, Volk
  • Willow Bioenergy in New York State [PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • EcoWillow 2.0 – Economic Analysis of Willow Bioenergy Crops [PDF]– Heavey, Volk
  • Willow Crop Production Scenarios Using EcoWillow 2.0 [PDF]– Heavey, Volk
  • Updates to EcoWillow 2.0 [PDF]– Heavey, Volk
  • Willow Crop Production Cycle [PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • Site Selection for Willow Bioenergy Crops  [printable PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • Site Preparation for Willow Bioenergy Crops   [printable PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • Planting and Maintenance of Willow Bioenergy Crops  [printable PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • Harvesting Willow Biomass [PDF] – Heavey, Volk
  • Crop Removal of Shrub Willow [PDF] – Heavey, Volk
• BCAP Helps Commercialize Shrub Willow for Bioenergy in Northern New York – Volk
• Introduction to Processing Feedstocks into Biofuels – Ciolkosz
• NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: Giant Miscanthus – Jacobson
  • NEWBio Miscanthus Budget for Bioenergy Production – Jacobson et.al.
  • Miscanthus Costing Estimator Spreadsheet
• NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: Switchgrass – Jacobson
  • Switchgrass Budget for Bioenergy Production
  • Switchgrass Costing Estimator Spreadsheet
• NEWBio Energy Crop Profile: Shrub Willow – Jacobson
• Willow Harvesting Equipment Considerations [PDF] – Jacobson
• NEWBio Energy Crop Comparison – Jacobson
• Evaluation of Anthracnose Severity on Switchgrass Cultivars and Accessions – Hoffman et. al.
• Bioenergy Crops Provide Valuable Ecosystem Services – Harlow

Research Summaries

Exploring on-farm pyrolysis processing of biofuels
Boateng, A. K. and S. Harlow.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Characteristics of willow biomass chips produced using a single-pass cut-and-chip harvester
Eisenbies, M., T. A. Volk, and J. Posselius.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Development of a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvesting System for Short Rotation Woody Crops
Eisenbies, M., T. A. Volk, and J. Posselius.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Biomass Crop Production Benefits from a Wide Spectrum of Marketing Opportunities
Harlow, S., K. Ruamsook, and E. Thomchick.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Modeling and optimization of woody biomass harvest and logistics in the northeastern United States
Hartley, D.
2014. Ph.D. Dissertation. Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 219 pp.

Maximizing Planted Area and Biomass Production in Shrub Willow Bioenergy Fields
Heavey, J. and I. Knipfing.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

EcoWillow 2.0: An Updated Tool for Financial Analysis of Willow Biomass
Heavey, J. and T. Volk.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

U.S. Billion-Ton Update Shows Farms and Forests Have Huge Potential for U.S. Bioenergy Future
Langholtz, M. and S. Harlow.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Safety and Health Risks of Producing Biomass on the Farm
Schaufler, D., D. Murphy, and S. Harlow.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Triploid Hybrids of Shrub Willow Yield More Biomass Than Diploids and Tetraploids
Smart, L.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension.

Sequestration of Carbon by Shrub Willow Offsets Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Volk, T.
Research Summary. Published on eXtension

 

• Maximizing Planted Area and Biomass Production in Shrub Willow Bioenergy Fields -Heavey and Knipfing
• EcoWillow 2.0: An Updated Tool  for Financial Analysis of Willow Biomass -Heavey and Volk
• Triploid Hybrids of Shrub Willow Yield More Biomass Than Diploids and Tetraploids – Smart
• Sequestration of Carbon by Shrub Willow Offsets Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Volk
• Development of a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvesting System for Short Rotation Woody Crops – Eisenbies, et.al.
• U.S. Billion-Ton Update Shows Farms and Forests Have Huge Potential for U.S. Bioenergy Future – Langholtz
• Exploring On-Farm Pyrolysis Processing of Biofuels– Boateng
• Safety and Health Risks of Producing Biomass on the Farm – Schaufler and Murphy
• Characteristics of Willow Biomass Chips Produced Using a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvester – Eisenbies et.al.
• Biomass Crop Production May Benefit from a Wide Spectrum of Marketing Opportunities – Ruamsook and Thomchick
• Overview of Comparative Injury Risk Between Annual Corn and Perennial Switchgrass Production – Ryan, et.al.

Case Studies

ReEnergy Holdings: Offering Markets for Biomass in the Northeast
Harlow, S.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

Renmatix Turns Biomass into Sugars for Industrial Use
Harlow, S.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion
Harlow, S. and T. Causer.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

Ernst Conservation Seeds Transforms Leftover Biomass into Energy Product
Harlow, S. and C. Ernst.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

New Holland Agriculture Expands Offerings for Biomass Harvest and Handling
Harlow, S., J. Posselius, and J. Heavey.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

Double A Willow Strengthens Biomass Supply Chain by Providing Willow Plantings to Biofuels Industry
Harlow, S., D. Rak, and J. Heavey.
Case Study. Published on eXtension.

 

• NEWBio Commercial Collaborators: Building a Sustainable Energy Future in the Northeast United States
• Double A Willow Strengthens Biomass Supply Chain by Providing Willow Plantings to Biofuels Industry
• Ernst Conservation Seeds Transforms Previously Unused Leftover Biomass into Energy Product
• New Holland Agriculture Expands Offerings for Biomass Harvest and Handling
• ReEnergy Holdings: Offering Markets for Biomass in the Northeast
• Renmatix Turns Biomass into Sugars for Industrial Use
• Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion

Webinars – Upcoming & Archived

Video

• NEWBio Educators and Scholars Investigate, Utilize and Engage
• Willow Videos
  • Shrub willow harvest using New Holland 130FB cutting header
  • Shrub Willow – A Renewable Energy Resource
  • Willow Production and Harvesting
  • Shrub Willow – Carbon Sequestration & Renewable Energy
  • Commercial Willow Biomass Crops in New York State
  • Pennsylvania School Grows and Utilizes Shrub Willow Biomass
  • Willow small plot harvesting
  • Willow Biomass Boiler
  • Planting, growing and harvesting shrub willow crops
  • Shrub Willow Planting Demo of operation
  • …and more

 

Technical Reports

Biomass Resources, Uses, and Opportunities in West Virginia 2013
Grushecky, S., J. Wang, S. Owen, and L. Osborn.
2014. Final Technical Report to the West Virginia Division of Energy. Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. 128pp.

Market Opportunity Identification for Lignocellulosic Biomass
Thomchick, E. and K. Ruamsook.
February 2014. White paper.

Patents or Licensures

Willow plant name ‘Preble’.
Abrahamson, L.P., R. F. Kopp, L. B. Smart and T.A. Volk.
2014. U.S. PP24,537, filed February 29, 2012, and issued June 10, 2014.

 

Classroom Curriculum – see below

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Social Media

• NEWBio Blog
• Twitter @NEWBioProject
• Facebook NEWBioProject

 

Book Chapters, White Papers, Trade Journals, Miscellaneous Publications

Advancements in Wood Pretreatment for Bioenergy and Biofuel Applications
DeVallance, D., T. Wang, X. Xie, J. Wang.
2014. In: Practices and Perspectives in Sustainable Bioenergy: A Systems Thinking Approach. (M. Mitra, ed.), Springer. Accepted.

Wood-Based Energy in the Northern Forests
Jacobson, M. and D. Ciolkosz (Eds)
2013. Springer.

Domestication and Conservation of Populus and Salix Genetic Resources (Chap. 4.)
Stanton, B.J., Smart, L.B., and Serapiglia, M.J.
2014. In: Richardson, J. and Isebrands, J.G. (eds.) Poplars and Willows: Trees for Society and the Environment. CABI and Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy. pp 124-199

Agriculture and Forestry Integration
Richard, T.L., and H. El-Lakany.
2015. In: Bioenergy and Sustainability: Bridging the Gaps. G. M. Souza, R. L. Victoria, C.A. Joly and L.M. Verdade (eds.). Scientific Committee on Problems in the Environment (SCOPE) – FAPESP – BIOEN – BIOTA+10 – FAPESP Climate Change. Sao Paulo, Brazil, pp 468-489.

Development and Deployment of Willow Biomass Crops
Volk, T. A., L. P. Abrahamson, T. Buchholz, J. Caputo and M. Eisenbies.
2014. In: Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems. (D. Karlen, ed.) John Wiley and Sons, pp 201-217

• Market Opportunities for Lignocellulosic Biomass: Analysis of Industry the Paperboard in The United States (White Paper) – Ruamsook and Thomchick
• Market Opportunity For Lignocellulosic Biomass. Background Paper: Multi-tier Market Reference Framework. (White Paper) – Ruamsook and Thomchick.
• Markets For Bioenergy Crops – Scully, http://countryfolks.com/

Journal Publications

• Dale, B.E., J.E. Anderson, R.C. Brown, S. Csonka, V.H. Dale, G. Herwick, R.D. Jackson, N. Jordan, S. Kaffka, K.L. Kline, L.R. Lynd, C. Malmstrom, R.G. Ong, T.L. Richard, C. Taylor and M.Q. Wang. 2014. Take a Closer Look: Biofuels Can Support Environmental, Economic and Social Goals. Environmental Science and Technology. DOI: 10.1021/es5025433.
• Eisenbies, M. H., Volk, T. A., Posselius, J., Foster, C., Shi, S., & Karapetyan, S. 2014. Evaluation of a Single-Pass, Cut and Chip Harvest System on Commercial-Scale, Short-Rotation Shrub Willow Biomass Crops. BioEnergy Research, 1-13, June 3, 2014. DOI: 10.1007/s12155-014-9482-0.
• Gan, H.Y., Gan, H.M., Savka, M.A., Triassi, A.J., Wheatley, M.S., Smart, L.B., Fabio, E.S., and Hudson, A.O. 2014. Whole-Genome sequences of thirteen endophytic bacteria isolated from shrub willow (Salix) grown in Geneva, New York. Genome Announcements. 2(3):e00288-14. DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00288-14.
• He, X., Zheng, J., Serapiglia, M.J., Smart, L.B.,  Shi, S.,  Wang, B. 2014. Development, characterization and cross-amplification of eight EST-derived microsatellites in Salix. Silvae Genetica (in press).
• Kenaley, S.C., Smart, L.B., and Hudler, G.W. 2014. Genetic evidence for three discrete taxa of Melampsora (Pucciniales) affecting willows (Salix spp.) in New York State. Fungal Biology 2014 Aug;118(8):704-20. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2014.05.001.
• Marra, M., T. Keene, J. Skousen, and T. Griggs. 2013. Switchgrass yield on reclaimed surface mines for bioenergy production. J. Env. Qual. 42: 696-703
• Schaufler, D., A. Yoder, D. Murphy, C Schwab, A. DeHart. 2014. Safety and Health Hazards in On-Farm Biomass Production and Processing. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health (in press).
• Serapiglia, M.J., Gouker, F.E., Smart L.B. 2014. Early selection of novel triploid hybrids of shrub willow with improved biomass yield relative to diploids. BMC Plant Biology 2014, 14: 74. DOI:10.1186/1471-2229-14-74.
• Stoof, C.R., Richards, B.K., Woodbury, P., Fabio, E.S., Brumbach, A., Cherney, J., Das, S., Geohring, L., Hornesky, J., Mayton, H., Mason, C., Ruestow, G., Smart, L.B., Volk, T.A., Steenhuis, T. 2014. Untapped potential: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable bioenergy production from marginal lands in New York and the Northeast USA. Bioenergy Research (in press).
• Yoder Aaron M., D.J. Murphy, and A.F. DeHart. 2013. A Technical Review on Safety in On-Farm Biomass Production and Storage Systems: Status and Industry Needs.  American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Technical Paper No. 1620568.
• Yoder, A.M., C. V. Schwab, P. D. Gunderson, and D. J. Murphy. 2013. Safety and Health in Biomass Production, Transportation and Storage. Journal of Agromedicine. DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2014.886539.