Renewable Energy
At Weyerhaeuser, we believe in releasing the potential in trees to solve important problems for people and the planet. The need for imaginative, sustainable solutions to the world's challenges has never been greater. For decades we’ve used greenhouse gas neutral carbon biomass to provide a portion of the energy to run our manufacturing operations.
Weyerhaeuser believes that forests and related biomass can be a prime source of raw material for a variety of products that will benefit a carbon-constrained economy. We're continuing our strong tradition of ingenuity, research and sustainability by exploring ways that our assets can be used to generate renewable energy. We currently collaborate with several research universities, national laboratories and technology-based companies in research on conversion of forest products into ethanol and other biofuels.
Biofuels Joint Venture: Catchlight Energy
In February 2008, Chevron and Weyerhaeuser announced the creation of a 50-50 joint venture company focused on developing the next generation of renewable transportation fuels from nonfood sources. The joint venture, Catchlight Energy LLC, will research and develop technology for converting cellulose-based biomass into economical, low-carbon biofuels. The formation of Catchlight Energy is the first milestone of a biofuels alliance announced by Chevron and Weyerhaeuser in April 2007.
The partnership reflects the view that cellulosic biofuels will fill an important role in diversifying the nation's energy sources and addressing global climate change by providing a source of low-carbon transportation fuel. Many states nationwide are seeking opportunities to diversify fuel sources with secure, renewable, low-carbon and environmentally sustainable alternatives. Ethanol produced from biomass such as forest and agricultural residuals does not conflict with food supply sources such as corn and is considered greenhouse-gas-neutral, providing climate change benefits.
Switchgrass as a Biofuel
One such source could be switchgrass—a prairie grass native to the southeastern United States. Once successfully developed, the production and use of fuel made from switchgrass would reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to that of gasoline.
Testing of the production of and logistics around producing biomass from switchgrass and from other understory vegetation is underway across different growing regions and environments. For instance, a large pilot test of 2000 acres of switchgrass is underway on the company’s forestland in Mississippi.
Weyerhaeuser scientists expect to learn how efficiently switchgrass could be grown between rows of trees. Results will be assessed each year during this several-year study. Advantages of switchgrass include that it grows easily, quickly and resprouts after harvest continually for seven to nine years. Other types of understory vegetation are being tested as well.
Large, landscape level studies are underway with a variety of collaborators including research institutions and government agencies. These studies will assess the ecological effect of biomass crops on factors including carbon, species diversity, water quality, and water quantity.
Exploring Potential of Biorefineries
In October 2008, Weyerhaeuser and Lignol Energy Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for developing cellulose fiber and lignin-based products from Lignol’s biorefining process. A number of Weyerhaeuser biomass feedstocks will be tested at Lignol’s pilot-scale plant in Burnaby, B.C., to determine the feasibility of a commercial biorefinery at or near a Weyerhaeuser mill site.
"Lignol and Weyerhaeuser," says Ross MacLachlan, Lignol president and CEO, "share a vision of developing markets and manufacturing plants that utilize technology for converting abundant cellulose-based, nonfood biomass into economical and environmentally sustainable cellulose fiber and biochemicals."
Geothermal Exploration
Weyerhaeuser has agreed to allow AltaRock Energy to explore the potential for developing Engineered Geothermal System projects on 612,000 acres of company-owned geothermal rights in Washington, Oregon and California. AltaRock can convert up to 40 percent of this acreage to geothermal development leases within two years. Generating clean, renewable energy from geothermal sources is another way Weyerhaeuser is exploring the possibility of releasing additional potential from its land and related holdings.
Many areas of the American West have high heat flow in the earth’s crust that is close enough to the earth’s surface to tap with conventional drilling techniques. Once a promising area is found and drilled, AltaRock plans to cycle water through a closed loop system to create steam that’s used to generate electricity. The water is recycled to continually capture more heat and produce more electricity. Once developed, such systems can produce electricity for decades and provide power on a twenty-four hour basis.
