2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo Awards



Produced by BBI International, the 2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo is currently accepting nominations for the Groundbreaker of the Year Award and the Excellence in Bioenergy Award. These awards are designed to help recognize those individuals and companies who have contributed and helped build the bioenergy industry. In addition, the awards will reach out to and encourage the next generation of leaders in the industry.

Groundbreaker of the Year Award


Significant quantities of money and energy must be invested into a bioenergy project before construction can begin. Companies and organizations that reach the groundbreaking stage represent the minority of potential bioenergy projects. The dedication and perseverance needed to navigate design, funding, permitting, purchase agreements and community acceptance indicates extreme aptitude worthy of acknowledgement. The “Groundbreaker of the Year” Award recognizes a company or organization that has broken ground and made meaningful headway on a commercial-scale biomass-to-energy project, or completed construction within the past year.

Nominate your Candidate for the 2025 Groundbreaker of the Year Award

Nomination Deadline is February 7, 2025.
Winners will be announced during the General Session on Tuesday, March 19th.

If you have questions please contact us at service@bbiinternational.com.

Excellence in Bioenergy Award


Dynamic leaders in industry, academia and public policy are fundamental to the growth of the bioenergy industry. Numerous hurdles obstruct advancement, and without these individuals’ efforts, the bioenergy industry would not be where it is today. The Excellence in Bioenergy Award recognizes the individual whose drive and effort to clear financial, technological, or political hurdles has had the greatest impact on economic sustainability and environmental prudency over the past year.

Nominate your Candidate for the 2025 Excellence in Bioenergy Award

Nomination Deadline is February 7, 2025.
Winners will be announced during the General Session on Tuesday, March 19th.

If you have questions please contact us at service@bbiinternational.com.


Past Award Winners


2024
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Jason Kessler, KESCO Inc.
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Montana Renewables
2023
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Rob Davis, Forest Energy
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Biomass One LP
2022
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Harold Arnold, Fram Renewable Fuels
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Project Assai, Archaea Energy
2021
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Bob Cleaves, Biomass Power Association
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Nothern Pellet LP
    (Pinnacle Renewable Energy and Tolko Industries)
2020
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Bruce Lisle, Energex America
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities
2019
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Gordon Murray, Wood Pellet Association of Canada
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Goddard College
2018
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Northern Forest Center
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Calgren Dairy Fuels, LLC
2017
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Richard Hess, Idaho National Laboratory
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Highland Pellets
2016
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Dorothy Thompson, Drax Group plc
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Roeslein Alternative Energy LLC
2015
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Christiane Egger, Oekenergie-Cluster
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Ontario Power Generation
2014
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    John Ackerly, Alliance for Green Heat
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Abengoa Bioenergy
2013
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Charlie Niebling, New England Wood Pellet LLC
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Dominion
2012
  • Excellence in Bioenergy
    Dr. William Strauss
  • Groundbreaker of the Year
    Ameresco, Inc. & U.S. Dept. of Energy

Platinum Level Sponsors

Gold Level Sponsors

Supporting Organizations

Media Partner

Produced By