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Wood Utilization in Hawai‘i: From Bioenergy to Buildings Workshop
 
Presented by:
John R. Shelly, Ph.D.
University of California Berkeley
 
Hawai‘i Island
Monday, July 14th, 2014
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Conference Room
60 Nowelo Street Hilo, Hawai’i 96720

Hilo Workshop Presentations

 
Maui
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cameron Center, Conference Room 1
95 Mahalani St, Wailuku, HI 96793

Maui Workshop Presentations

 

Program Agenda

I.                Introductions

II.              Fundamentals of Bioenergy

a.      Woody Biomass fuel characteristics

b.     Bioenergy conversion technology

III.            Public Funding Opportunities

IV.            Considerations for Successful Bioenergy Facilities

a.      Size and scale

b.     Fuel supply

c.      Cost considerations

d.     California examples

V.              Hawaii Energy (40 min.)

a.      Overview

b.     Biomass (fuel) resources

c.      Hu Honua Powerplant update

VI.            Lunch Break

VII.         Facilitated Discussion of Local Bioenergy Potential

VIII.       Higher Value Properties of Wood

a.      Properties of a few Hawaii wood species

b.     Potential products

IX.            Challenges to entering new markets

a.      Quality assurance

b.     Competition and marketing

c.      Building codes and “green” standards

 

Workshop Speakers

Biographic Summary
John R. Shelly, Ph.D.
Cooperative Extension Advisor – Woody Biomass Utilization
University of California Forest Products Laboratory
1301 south 46th Street
Richmond, CA  94804
Phone: 510/665-3491
 

John Shelly is a Cooperative Extension Advisor in Biomass and Forest Product Utilization at the University of California at Berkeley, Richmond Field Station. He teaches, presents workshops, and conducts research in a wide variety of forest products manufacturing processes, woody biomass utilization, and bioenergy. John’s educational background is in Wood Science and Technology (BS– Penn State, MS and PhD — University of California at Berkeley). His academic career began in 1978 and includes positions at UC Berkeley and the University of Kentucky. His primary area of interest and expertise is in the physical properties of wood and manufacturing technology with an emphasis on woody biomass, including underutilized urban and timber species. Current efforts are focused on the technology needed to wisely use these underutilized resources to enhance forest health and economic development. Recent projects include research focused on the utilization of non-commercial western hardwood species, small diameter trees, diseased and dying trees, sudden oak death diseased wood, and urban tree removals. John has authored over 60 scientific and extension publications and presented papers and talks at over 100 conferences and workshops. John is also the chair of the University of California Woody Biomass Utilization Workgroup, former board member of the California Biomass Collaborative, and former President of the Forest Products Society and recipient of the Forest Products Society Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

 

Biographic Summary
Scott Turn, Ph.D.
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
University of Hawaii
1680 East-West Rd., POST 109
Honolulu, HI  96822
Ph. 808-956-2346                                

 

Dr. Scott Turn is a Researcher on the faculty of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii. Over the past 20 years, his research has focused on biomass resources in Hawaii and their utilization.  This work has been supported by both the public and private sectors.  Research efforts have included biomass resource assessment, biomass feedstock processing and characterization, thermochemical conversion, and hot gas cleaning.   

 

Biographic Summary
Larry Swan, M.S., California Licensed Forester
Wood Utilization and Biomass Specialist
USDA Forest Service
1323 Club Dr.
Vallejo, CA  94592
Phone: 707/562-8917

 

Larry Swan is a Wood Utilization and Biomass Specialist for the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (California and Hawaii), Vallejo, California.  He provides technical assistance to businesses, agencies and organizations related to forestry, harvest, utilization bioenergy, and marketing of wood products and biomass.  Larry also is Program Manager for a variety of grants and agreements related to bioenergy and wood utilization.  He started with the U.S. Forest Service as a seasonal firefighter in 1975 and has held a variety of positions in various locations in the Western U.S.  In addition to Larry’s duties related to wood and biomass utilization, he continues to take fire line assignments in the summer and works internationally on a regular basis, primarily in Latin America.  Larry’s educational background is in anthropology/archaeology, university-level administration and forestry (BA- University of Arizona, MS Long Beach St. University and Forestry Specialization Certificate-Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).  Larry is also a Registered Professional Forester in the State of California.

 

Workshops Sponsored by
DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife
USDA Forest Service-Region 5, State and Private Forestry
Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association

 

Workshop Presnters L to R: Dr. John Shelly, Dr. John Shelly, Larry Swan; Dr. Scott Turn.

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