Equipment Changes Make Harvesting More Efficient, Less Stressful
In May, modifications to the New Holland FB130 coppice header debuted for the second harvest at the Pilchuck poplar demonstration farm. The header is now framed by revolving augers that help guide the poplar stems and branches into the rotating drums drums of the machinery.
The Devil is in the Details: Understanding Poplar’s True Potential as an Energy Feedstock through Biomass Studies
Although sunny field tours through towering, leafy poplars are lovely, it’s really after the harvest that AHB poplars earn their keep. Following the harvest of the hybrid poplar demonstration farms at Jefferson, OR and Hayden, ID, GreenWood Resources sent sizable biomass samples to several laboratories for analysis and chemical characterization.
Field and genetic research investigates poplar bioenergy farm sustainability
Over the past five years, AHB researchers have investigated soil and water impacts, wildlife presence and biodiversity, air quality concerns, and strategies for genetic containment of poplar bioenergy farms.
Poplar and Willow Take Center Stage at National Working Forum
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension | June 2016 Participants of the Poplar and Willow Forum toured the wastewater treatment plant in Woodburn, Oregon where poplar is grown with irrigated wastewater and biosolids. “The most promising…
Inspired Young Students Research Poplar Phenotypes
By Adriene Koett-Cronn, Oregon State University | June 2016 Nearly 100 third grade scientists gathered to present their findings to researchers at GreenWood Resources in Westport, Oregon after studying hybrid poplar phenotypes. The field trip…
Solar, Bio, or Thermal? Energy Lessons for Young Learners Spark Interest and Possibilities
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension | June 2016 Sarah Lane, WSU Extension Energy Intern, brought energy lessons to classrooms this spring. It could be that veggie burger they had for lunch, the shower taken the…
Bioenergy Workforce:
Expanding Program Provides New Courses and Industry Experience to New and Returning Students By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension Chris Madsen needed to change careers. After owning and operating his own construction business for over twenty…
Breakthrough on Catalysts for Poplar-based Jet Fuel
New research is identifying catalysts to produce bio-jet fuel from simple organic molecules such as ethanol. The research is being conducted by the AHB conversion team working in the University of Washington (UW) Biofuels and Bioproducts Laboratory in collaboration with ZeaChem.
Taking Stock of Hybrid Poplar Bioenergy Plantings
Measurements are critical to predicting the yield and market potential of a poplar bioenergy farm. The AHB feedstock team measures poplars annually at the demonstration sites to track intermediate growth. This data will be used to help future growers estimate their biomass yields in order to make contracts with buyers.
