I recently read news stories about two new uses for wood that may help with different aspects of energy production. If they can be commercialized, they could be great new options for wood producers.
The USDA noted earlier this week in a press release that Alaska Airlines today landed the first commercial flight powered in part by a new renewable fuel made of wood waste salvaged from private lands in Washington, Oregon and Montana. The demonstration flight used a 20 percent blend of jet fuel made from cellulose derived from limbs and branches that typically remain on the ground after the harvesting of sustainably managed private forests, known as harvest residuals. You can read more about the flight and the biofuels project from the USDA press release here.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison noted a new use for wood pulp in a news story back in October. By using wood pulp which is chemically treated to hold a charge in to create flooring material, they are potentially able to produce electricity as people walk around. You can read more about this innovative new alternative energy source at https://news.wisc.edu/move-over-solar-the-next-big-renewable-energy-source-could-be-at-our-feet/.
