April 2015 News and Matters of Interest

Remember to check our Highlights for new postings on other areas of Teru Talk.

Viridor's Beddington EfW Plant Gets Judicial Approval to Proceed

Viridor has announced that the final judicial ruling has been issued confirming that due process was followed by the London Borough of Sutton when deciding to grant planning permission for the company’s proposed Energy Recovery Facility in Beddington. Viridor entered into a 25 year waste treatment contract with the South London Waste Partnership in 2012 that included a requirement to construct the facility. In March 2014, the London Borough of Sutton granted planning permission with an associated section 106 legal agreement that includes significant benefits for the local community: Since then, a legal challenge filed by Mr Sasha Khan’s legal team has resulted in the London Borough of Sutton’s decision to be further scrutinized by the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Beddington ERF facility will process 275,000 tonnes of residual, post-recycling waste with substantial environmental benefits including the landfill diversion of up around 95 percent of waste delivered to the facility. It will generate 26MW of electricity to be supplied to the National Grid – enough to power around 30,000 homes and contributing towards a more resource efficient Britain. 04/29/2015

RSB Releases Draft Standard for Low Indirect Impact iLUC Biofuels

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has released the draft “Low iLUC Risk Biomass Criteria and Compliance Indicators.” iLUC refers to the indirect impacts of biofuels due to land-use changes induced by the expansion of croplands for ethanol or biodiesel production in response to the increased global demand for biofuels. By complying with this new criteria, producers will be able to demonstrate that biomass was produced with no indirect impact on food production or biodiversity. For example, they could do this through an increase in yield, intercropping, using unused/degraded land, or waste/residue materials. The new criteria and indicators will form the basis of an add- on module to the RSB standard for biofuels and bio-products is based on the Low Indirect Impact Biofuels (LIIB) Methodology, developed in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Ecofys. RSB-certified operators that comply with the new criteria and compliance indicators will be entitled to an extra “low iLUC risk” on-product claim. The new iLUC standard is undergoing consultation with RSB members and will be finalized by the Assembly of Delegates at the June 1st General Assembly meeting in Geneva. Companies may contact the RSB Secretariat at <> for details on preparing for the low iLUC audit process. 04/29/2015

Due 05/21/2015: Proposals to City of Palo Alto for Renewable Electric Power

The City of Palo Alto, California has released a Request for Proposals RFP 156876 to provide electric power generated by renewable resources to meet the City’s long-term renewable portfolio needs. The City intends to negotiate and execute one or more Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), for terms of 5 to 30 years. The City’s resource eligibility standards are the same as those established by the California Energy Commission. However, the City has a very strong preference for Proposals that would qualify as Portfolio Content Category 1 (PCC1). Eligible resources include biodiesel, biomass, biomethane (digester or landfill gas), fuel cell using renewable fuels, or municipal solid waste, as well as other renewable sources. A non-mandatory, pre-proposal teleconference is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.  In order to participate, call 1-877-336-1831 using Access Code: 5301570. Questions or comments must be received no later than 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Inquiries shall be e-mailed to <> and <>. All Proposals shall be submitted via email to <> no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015. Proposal material submitted in hard copy will not be considered. 04/29/2015 

European Parliament Supports 2nd Generation Waste and Residual Biofuels

The European Parliament has voted to put a 7% maximum cap on land based biofuels, those made from maize, sugar cane, corn or rapeseed. The draft law also accelerates the shift to alternative feedstocks, such as wastes and residuals, for the production of 2nd generation biofuels. The adopted text of the bill has just been made available on-line in the Parliament's briefing packet (scroll to P8_TA-PROV(2015)0100: Fuel quality directive and renewable energy directive). Much of the decision is based on detailed analyses of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) related to indirect land use change (ILUC): "Based on forecasts of biofuel demand provided by the Member States and estimates of indirect land use change emissions for different biofuel feedstocks, it is likely that greenhouse gas emissions linked to indirect land use change are significant, and could negate some or all of the greenhouse gas emission savings of individual biofuels." The decision expands upon past legislation in support of making biofuels from wastes and residuals: "Advanced biofuels, such as those made from wastes and algae, provide high greenhouse gas emission savings, with low risk of causing indirect land use change, and do not compete directly for agricultural land for the food and feed markets." Member states must enact the legislation by 2017. 04/28/2015

Global Bioenergies Receives Tech40 Designation from French Ministry

France headquartered Global Bioenergies reports that it has been selected as only one of two French companies in the field of biotechnology to receive the Tech40 designation. Global Bioenergies' patented fermentation process converts low-value renewable feedstock to high-value biochemicals. Last month, the company reported the first production of isobutene from waste biomass. The newly launched Tech40 label highlights 40 high-tech companies listed on the European trading platform Alternext, indicating highly performing companies which are now regrouped in a dedicated market index. The list of the 40 companies that constitute the Tech40 label was revealed on April 27, 2015 during a ceremony held at the French Ministry of Economy and Industry. Companies included in the Tech 40 group are listed on Euronext markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon or Paris. 04/28/2015

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant to Celebrate 5 Years, Dedicate New Bioreactors

Bio Base Europe has released an invitation to attend the organization's celebration of 5 years of Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant and the Inauguration of 15,000 Liter Bioreactors. The Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is a flexible and multipurpose pilot plant that develops and scales up biobased products and processes to production scale. The facility custom manufactures bioproducts and operate from the kilogram to multi ton scale, within a "one-stop-shop" that can perform the complete bioprocesses, from biomass raw material to the pure and refined bioproduct. Technologies include biorefining, biomass pretreatment, biocatalysis, fermentation, downstream processing and green chemistry, and operations are designed to serve companies and research institutes worldwide. The 5 Year Celebration will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from 14:00-18:00 at Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. Participation is free, but online registration by June 9th is required. 04/28/2015 

All US Nestle Factories Achieve Zero Waste to Landfill

Nestle USA has announced that all 23 of its factories are now landfill-free. The industry spans confections, dairy, frozen and refrigerated meals, ice cream, baking ingredients, and beverages. Nestlé USA notes that the company is continually looking for new ways to reuse, recycle, and recover energy when disposing of manufacturing by-products. The company's current efforts include composting, recycling, energy production, and the provision of safe products for animal feed. Globally, Nestlé has committed to improving resource efficiency in its operations, pledging in 2013 to achieve zero waste to landfill across its business by 2020. Fifteen percent of all of Nestlé's factories worldwide (72 in total) achieved zero waste for disposal for all of 2014. This achievement exceeds Nestlé's goal of having 10 percent of its global factories at this stage by 2015. 04/23/2015

Battelle Team Passes Important DOE Biomass Pyrolysis Milestone

Ohio based Battelle Memorial Institute has announced its success in the US Department of Energy (DOE) challenge of making commercially viable transportation fuels from biomass pyrolysis. Battelle demonstrated the durability of a continuous process that converts bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis into transportation and aviation fuels with more than 1,200 hours on its hydrotreatment catalysts. The DOE's specific challenge was to demonstrate at least 1,000 hours of bio-oil hydrotreatment on a single catalyst charge, while producing a fuel product suitable as a transportation fuel-blend stock at commercially realistic yield. Longevity of hydrotreatment catalysts has long been the Achilles' heel for converting biomass pyrolysis oils to biofuels. Scientists and engineers have now set their sights on achieving the commercial standard of 4,000 hours in the near future. Marathon Petroleum Corporation provided Battelle with some support in the DOE and helped in assessing the biofuel product. Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed bio-oil stabilization catalysts for Battelle's process. 04/23/2015 

Biome Bioplastics Leads £3m Sustainable Chemicals Development Program

United Kingdom based Biome Bioplastics has begun a major development program to advance successful bio-based chemicals research through to industrial scale production. The program's aim is to harness industrial biotechnology techniques to produce bio-based chemicals from lignin at a scale suitable for industrial testing. Lignin is an abundant waste product of the pulp and paper industry. The extensive £3m, three-year work program led by Biome Bioplastics has received significant support from Innovate UK, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), among others. The scale-up work will involve several parallel projects undertaken in partnership with specialist units at the Universities of Warwick, Liverpool and Leeds as well as the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) on Teesside. In addition to converting lignin feedstocks, Biome Bioplastics will also be leading a one-year feasibility study with the University of Liverpool into the possibility of extracting similar organic chemicals from the cellulose portion of lignocellulose. This work is expected to broaden the possible raw materials that can be used in the manufacture of bioplastics to include waste streams such as agriculture. 4/22/2015

Valmet and Metsä Finalize Technology Order for Äänekoski Bioproduct Mill

Finnish company Valmet Corporation and Metsä Fibre have signed the agreement for supply of key technology to Metsä Fibre's new Äänekoski bioproduct mill in Finland.  Valmet announced the letter of intent of the delivery on February 13, 2015. Valmet;s delivery includes recovery boiler, pulp drying line, gasification plant, lime kiln, and a mill wide Valmet DNA automation system. The estimated value of Valmet's delivery, which includes only the core equipment supplied by Valmet, is about EUR 125-150 million. The construction of the bioproduct mill will start immediately and the production at the new mill is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2017. The new bioproduct mill in Äänekoski is the largest investment of the forest industry in Finland. Metsä Fibre's total investment will amount to approximately EUR 1.2 billion and the mill's annual pulp production will be approximately 1.3 million tonnes. 04/22/2015  

Detroit Zoo Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Zoo Poo to Bioenergy

The Detroit Zoological Society has begun raising funds toward installing an anaerobic digester at the Detroit Zoo to convert about 400 tons per year of animal manure into biomethane. The effort is the latest project in the Zoo's "Greenprint" initiative, along with lighting and energy efficiency upgrades and introduction of solar-powered carts. The biogas will power the 18,000-square-foot Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex at the Detroit Zoo, the state-of-the art veterinary hospital for the animals. The campaign is through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, where additional details of the project are available. If the Zoo can reach its current goal of $55,000 by June 15, 2015, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will provide a matching grant. Go to the Patronicity website to donate. 04/21/2015

Blue Sphere Forms JV for 3.2 MW Biogas Generation Facility in Rhode Island

Israel based Blue Sphere Corporation has announced the closing of a Joint Venture (JV) with an affiliate of York Capital Management to develop, construct, and operate a 3.2 MW biogas generation facility in Johnston, Rhode Island (Project) under the management of Entropy Investment Management. Under the terms of the Joint Venture, Blue Sphere owns 22.75% of the Project and received an initial payment of $1,481,900 in cash at the closing. Two payments of $562,500 each are expected to be paid later this year upon the Project achieving mechanical completion and commercial operation milestones.  Orbit Energy, Inc ("Orbit"), based in Raleigh, North Carolina, co-developed the Project. Blue Sphere has made arrangements for the inclusion of two of Orbit's high solid anaerobic digester units to work in parallel with the digesters of Austep S.p.A., the Project's EPC contractor, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions. Blue Sphere CEO Shlomi Palas: "We closed on a joint venture to develop a second significant food waste to energy facility in the United States, which, under the current construction timeline for the Project, is anticipated to commence production and sale of electricity during the fourth quarter of 2015." Blue sphere announced a JV closing in February for a new biogas facility in North Carolina. 04/21/2015

UC Davis ITS Releases April 2015 Status Review of California's LCFS

University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) has released the April 2015 Status Review of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The LCFS is a key element of California's greenhouse gas reduction strategy. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) as administrator of the program, researches and certifies the carbon intensity (CI) of renewable, alternative, and standard transportation fuels. Increasingly, CARB's tracking identifies pathways for the conversion of wastes and residuals to fuels as providing the lowest possible CI values. The 2015 ITS report reviews LCFS compliance metrics from 2011 through 2014: credits and deficits generated and transport fuel energy, fuel carbon intensity, and credit trading and prices. The report explores in-state biofuel production and consumption, revisits fuel price impacts of the LCFS and the Cap-and-Trade Program, and interactive effects of the two. A summary of the proposed changes in the LCFS re-adoption is also provided. ARB is expected to vote on re-adoption of the LCFS in July 2015 in response to a ruling by California Court of Appeal’s Fifth Appellate District. The report notes that re-adoption would likely involve a new compliance schedule to 2020, a credit price cap plus provisions for limited deficit rollover under special circumstances, adjustments in carbon intensity ratings including indirect land use change (ILUC), and a streamlining of fuel pathway certification. 04/21/2015 

SCOPE Releases Report on International Bioenergy and Sustainability

The Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) has released "Bioenergy and Sustainability: Bridging the Gaps". The SCOPE rapid assessment process workshop on Bioenergy and Sustainability has engaged 137 contributors from 82 institutions in 24 countries, building on over 2,000 scientific studies and major assessments. The authors of the 700-page e-publication considered how bioenergy expansion and its impacts perform on energy, food, environmental and climate security, sustainable development and the innovation nexus in both developed and developing regions. The report also highlights numbers, solutions, gaps in knowledge and suggests the science needed to maximize bioenergy benefits. With current knowledge and projected improvements, 30% of the world’s fuel supply could be biobased by 2050. SCOPE is an international nongovernmental organization founded in 1969 as a cross-sectoral and trans-disciplinary network, connecting experts and institutions around the world. It collaborates with inter-governmental agencies such as UNESCO and UNEP and with other partners in the development of its scientific program and outreach activities. 04/17/2015

USDA Awards Funds for Wood Energy and Wood Product Markets in 23 States

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced award of over $9 million to expand and accelerate wood energy and other wood product markets. The federal funds will leverage $22 million in investments from partners, resulting in a total investment of $31 million in 23 states. This year over 100 proposals were received for the Wood Innovations grant program, highlighting the expanding use of wood as a renewable energy source and as a building material. The awarded funds are intended to stimulate the use of hazardous fuels from National Forest System lands and other forested lands to promote forest health while simultaneously generating rural jobs. 43 projects in 23 states received awards. The USDA also announced a new partnership agreement between USDA and the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) to help coordinate research, demonstration and market development for innovative wood building technologies in the built environment. 04/17/2015

Shanks Secures 6 Year Contract Extension for ICOPOWER® Energy Pellets

United Kingdom based Shanks Group plc has secured an important six year contract extension with Heidelberg Cement Group for the supply of ICOPOWER® energy pellets. Under the contract, Icopower, part of Shanks’ Solid Waste Division, will supply Heidelberg Cement Group with an increased volume of 54,000 tonnes per year of its unique ICOPOWER® energy pellets. The fuel is used to power cement kilns and is also used to produce cement clinker. This strategic partnership provides Heidelberg Cement Group with guaranteed high-quality sustainable fuel while also securing an outlet for Shanks’ fuel production for the next six years. Shanks uses specifically collected industrial waste to ensure the high calorific ICOPOWER^® energy pellets meet strict production specifications. Unlike solid recovered fuel (SRF) or refuse derived fuel (RDF), ICOPOWER^® energy pellets are not classified as a waste product in the Netherlands (Case C-417/98, Arco Chemie), due to their consistent and specific chemical composition. Shanks is investing in a 2,300m2 storage shed at its Icova site in Amsterdam which will optimize operations, increase efficiency and reduce costs. 04/15/2015

LanzaTech Teams with ORNL and NCSU on Biofuels Bug DNA Dataset

Illinois based biofuels firm LanzaTech commercialized microbial fermentation of industrial emissions and other waste and synthesis gases laden with carbon dioxide, into liquid biofuels. Recently the company teamed with scientists at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and North Carolina State University (NCSU) to map the DNA of the primary bacterium responsible for this bioconversion, Clostridium autoethanogenum. The findings and underlying raw data have now been published as a publicly-accessible Nature Science Data paper, enabling researchers can modify and optimize the microbes to convert waste into fuel or chemicals. The research was supported by the DOE Office of Science (Office of Biological and Environmental Research), LanzaTech, and NCSU. 04/15/2015

Minnesota Schedules First Stakeholder Meeting for CHP Deployment in State

The Minnesota Department of Commerce was awarded a US Department of Energy grant to carry out a strategic stakeholder engagement process and develop an action plan for combined heat and power (CHP) deployment in Minnesota. As part of this project’s scope, a series of stakeholder meetings is being held to provide information and facilitate discussion on CHP issues involving Minnesota’s regulatory framework, technical/economic potential, and education/training needs. CHP Stakeholder Meeting #1 is scheduled for September 3, 2015, and will cover the CHP baseline, explore the value proposition, and discuss the path forward. A webinar is set for April 28, 2015 to review the stakeholder engagement process and draft action plan; free webinar registration on-line is requested. If you have any questions about the upcoming webinar, please contact Michael Burr (Microgrid Institute) at 320.632.5342 or. 04/15/2015

Cambi Awarded Contract for South Korean Sewage Treatment Plant Project

 Posco E&C, one of South Korea's largest EPC Turnkey contractors, has awarded Norway based Cambi a contract for a Cambi B12 Thermal Hydrolysis Process plant (CambiTHP TM) for the Anyang Sewage Treatment and co-digestion Project. The CambiTHP TM system will treat all the sludge from a new underground wastewater treatment plant serving 700,000 people in the municipality of Anyang, one of 15 satellite cities surrounding Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The CambiTHP TM system is designed for a maximum capacity of 84 metric dry tons per day, and will co-digest about 27,000 dry tons of organic waste per year, of which 65 per cent is sewage sludge and 35 food waste. The biogas produced from the co-digestion plant will be turned into renewable energy, both as green electricity and as heat for the CambiTHP TM and digestion processes. The remaining high dry solids dewatered product after digestion will be dried and blended with millet grass to produce a renewable biomass fuel for co-firing in existing power plants. 04/15/2015 

Ontario Canada Adopts Cap and Trade System to Reduce GHG Pollution

The Canadian province of Ontario joins California and many other jurisdictions in the Western Climate Initiative by adopting a Cap and Trade system to impose a hard ceiling on the pollution allowed in each sector of the economy. The control mechanism is designed to effectively reduce the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in our atmosphere by setting a limit on emissions, rewarding innovative companies, providing certainty for industries and creating more opportunities for investment in Ontario. The government will reinvest the money raised through cap and trade into projects that reduce greenhouse gas pollution and help businesses remain competitive. In California's Cap and Trade implementation, GHG off-site protocols can include forestry and livestock residual waste conversion efforts. Ontario will host a Climate Summit of the Americas from July 7-9, 2015, to advance collaborative action on climate change ahead of the Conference of the Parties in Paris in December. 04/14/2015

Cool Planet Wins Bloomberg Award for CoolFuel™ and CoolTerra™

Colorado based Cool Planet has been named winner of the New Energy Pioneer Award 2015 for its hydrocarbon and biocarbon products that address three of the world’s largest markets: energy, food, and water. The award from Bloomberg’s New Energy Finance annually recognizes 10 global, game-changing companies for their transformative potential and scale, technological innovation and business momentum. Cool Planet accepted the award at The Future of Energy Summit 2015, a global summit that brought together leaders in energy, finance and policy. Cool Planet’s hydrocarbon CoolFuel™ products such as gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel are chemically identical to fossil fuels. These products can be blended into the current fuel supply and reduce greenhouse gases without sacrificing performance or increasing prices at the pump. CoolTerra™ Biocarbon is an enhanced biochar that is highly porous, acting like a sponge to retain water and nutrients at a plant’s root zone, increasing water use efficiency and reducing the need for fertilizer. 04/14/2015

Cascades Invests in New Technology for Biorefinery Project at Cabano Plant

Quebec based Cascades Inc. has announced its investment in a new technology at its Norampac - Cabano facility that is used to extract hemicellulose, a cellulosic sugar with high value-added potential from wood chips. This project is worth a total of $26M and will replace the Cabano plant's current process with this new, more environmentally friendly and economical one that was developed in conjunction with a US partner. This new process – the extraction of hemicellulose from deciduous woodchips – will replace the use of chemical products. Hemicellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls, presents opportunities ranging from power generation to biofuels such as ethanol, as well as the production of natural sugar-based value-added products. Mario Plourde , President and Chief Executive Officer. "This project represents a unique advance in biorefinery technological development. This new process will enable improvements in the efficiency and competitiveness of our Cabano plant's current corrugated paper production process, thus making existing jobs more secure." 04/14/2015

SeAB Launches New Generation Flexbuster Micro-AD Power Plant

United Kingdom based SEaB Energy has launched its new generation Flexibuster™ micro power plant that convert food scraps into energy, with guest of honor, Caroline Nokes MP, Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North, opening the site on the 10th April 2015. The Flexibuster™ is a self-contained anaerobic digester, designed to process food and organic waste. The patented system turns food and organic waste into heat, electricity, water and fertilizer, all of which can be re-used on site. The new Flexibuster™ is now housed in a compact 20 foot container making it easier for customers to site. SEaB Energy has also boosted the performance of the unit further by lowering the parasitic load and increasing the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion. The system configuration has also been markedly simplified to allow for plug and play installation and reduced footprint. 04/14/2015

Council Plans North Fork Community Forest Bioenergy Plant Meeting

The North Fork Community Development Council (NFCDC) will hold a community meeting on April 29, 2015 in the North Fork Fire Station at the town's old sawmill site to provide an update on their recently-funded North Fork Community Power Forest Bioenergy Facility Demonstration project. NFCDC was assisted in application toward a California Energy Commission grant by the Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) in Hayfork, Trinity County. WRTC will coordinate and administer the grant of $4,965,420 with funds coming from the CEC's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC; PON-14-305). The grant will fund the installation and demonstration of a commercial scale forest waste bioenergy gasification-to-electricity facility utilizing Phoenix Energy's thermal biomass conversion system. Incorporated in 1994; NFCDC's primary project is the North Fork Mill Site Reuse Project designed to convert the former South Fork Sawmill into economically productive and environmentally safe property. This project will remove excess woody forest material in order to provide renewable energy, thereby resulting in reduced fire risk, watershed protection, air quality benefits, greenhouse gas benefits, local jobs, and forest ecosystem protection. The grant recipient and administrator WRTC is a community-based non-profit organization based in Trinity County in northern California. 04/13/2015

Due 05/08/2015: Clean Energy Generation Proposals to NYSERDA

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has issued  Request for Proposals (RFP) 3084 to procure the environmental attributes created by eligible generation resources under the Renewable Portfolio Standard Program (RPS Attributes). This funding will support significant private investment in renewable energy sources such as wind farms, fuel cells, biomass facilities, renewable biogas and the upgrading of small- to medium-sized hydropower projects that provide power to the electric grid. The $160 million competitive solicitation promotes development of a broad range of new clean energy resources. Contracts for these projects will be awarded for a term of up to 20 years. Recognizing the maturation of fuel cell equipment, for the first time ever, fuel cell projects will also be eligible for 20-year contracts. While not required, NYSERDA encourages entities interested in participating in this procurement to submit the Notice of Intent to Bid Form (Attachment F to the RFP) as soon as possible. Those entities filing a Notice of Intent to Bid Form will be notified by email of any changes to this RFP.Application Packages must be receivedby NYSERDA by 5:00 pm. Eastern Time on May 8, 2015. 04/13/2015 

Clean Methane Systems Upgrades Orange County Biogas Conditioning Plants

The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) is upgrading two biogas conditioning systems to meet more stringent emission regulations at their Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach locations. Oregon company Clean Methane Systems, LLC (CMS) was selected to provide four larger vessels and was able to reutilize one of the original vessels. The more robust system means the 1.4 billion cubic feet of digester gas produced each year will now be able to meet the stricter air quality standards. That’s enough gas to power eight engines with a total capacity of 23.5 MW. The CMS system incorporates three carbon-based media to filter the biogas. Media are stacked in each vessel with gas flowing into one vessel then onto the others. Based on this system, the average flow rate, and the makeup of the biogas, the OCSD should only have to change out the media four times a year. The initial project was built in 1994 for $25 million. The project saves OCSD $3.5 million per year with a 7.2 year payback period. 04/11/2015  

Energy Vision and Urban Future Lab to Host Power of Waste Reception

Energy Vision and the Urban Future Lab will host The Power of Waste: Extracting the Greatest Value from NYC's Organics, introducing New York City's (NYC) organic waste and recycling efforts on May 20, 2015 at the Urban Future Lab's downtown NYC office. Energy Vision notes that New York City has made great strides over the last 18 months in implementing residential and commercial organic waste collection programs. At this special reception, guests will learn more about how our organic wastes can be turned into biogas fuel, where composting fits into the picture, what the best uses of biogas may be, and how this strategy can save money, help tackle climate change and bring cleaner air to New Yorkers. The event is free, but space is limited and on-line registration is required. 04/10/2015 

Bouygues Energies to Design and Construct UK WtE Gasification Plant

AssetGen Partners, a specialized investment fund, has signed a contract worth roughly £82 million with Australia based Bouygues Energies & Services for the turnkey construction of a waste-to-energy (WtE) gasification plant in the Hertfordshire town of Hoddesdon in the United Kingdom. Bouygues Energies & Services will be responsible for the engineering and construction of this 10 MWe facility and procurement of equipment, followed by operation and maintenance for a period of ten years. The gasification plant will generate 41.6 MW thermal, which, once converted through a steam turbine generator, will deliver 10 MWe. This represents a yearly net export of green electricity to the grid of 76,000 MWh which is enough to meet the annual demand of roughly 7,000 homes. Over 90,000 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel sourced from local commercial and industrial sectors will be supplied by two of the country’s leading specialists in waste. This will be the largest waste-to-energy gasification plant in the United Kingdom. 04/09/2015

US DOE Announces Webinars on Biofuel Sustainability and More

The US Department of Energy (DOE) offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to training for the clean energy workforce. The DOE will present a live webinar titled “Biofuels for the Environment and Communities” on Wednesday April 22, 2015, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT. Biomass-derived fuels are a promising, domestically sourced replacement for fossil-based fuels that can provide benefits to the environment, the economy, and society. The DOE, through the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), is supporting research and development to ensure the long-term sustainability of biofuels. In this webinar, Drs. Virginia Dale (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) and Cristina Negri (Argonne National Laboratory) will discuss the results of their BETO-sponsored research on how to develop biofuels that positively impact the environmental, socioeconomic, and technoeconomic sustainability of biofuel development in the United States. There is no cost to participate, but advanced registration is required. 04/09/2015

SCS Is Now Applicant Certification Body for Sustainable Biomass Partnership

California based SCS Global Services (SCS) has announced that it has been accepted as an applicant Certification Body for the Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP). SBP is an industry-led initiative formed in 2013 by major European utilities to ensure that woody biomass producers meet the rigorous requirements of energy production in Europe while simultaneously supporting countries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The SBP Framework enables producers to demonstrate compliance with legal, regulatory and sustainability requirements, with certification based upon a set of standards and processes established through the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders. SBP also creates an efficient system for biomass producers to meet industry-specific requirements, such as energy and carbon data collection, and ensure a sustainable biomass supply chain. 04/08/2015

Ener-Core Partners with Hofstetter B.V. for European Market Access

California company Ener-Core, Inc. has announced a partnership with The Netherlands based Hofstetter B.V. that is expected to expand the company’s revolutionary technology to markets throughout Europe. Ener-Core designs and manufactures Power Oxidation systems that generate base load, clean power from polluting waste gasses, including methane. Hofstetter specilizes in flaring technology and degassing systems, and will provide Ener-Core, through its distributor, Holland Renewable Energy Technologies, with significant European market access. Ener-Core executives estimate the amount of waste gases that are discharged annually into the atmosphere in the form of wasted methane could be used to generate enough clean energy to power 100 million homes. 04/08/2015

Virginia Tech Researchers Make Low Cost Hydrogen Fuel from Corn Stover

A team of Virginia Tech researchers have discovered a way to create hydrogen fuel using a biological method that greatly reduces the time and money it takes to produce the zero-emissions fuel. This method uses abundantly available corn stover – the stalks, cobs, and husks – to produce the hydrogen. The team’s findings, published in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could help speed the widespread arrival of the hydrogen-powered vehicles in a way that is inexpensive and has extremely low carbon emissions. Unlike other hydrogen fuel production methods that rely on highly processed sugars, the Virginia Tech team used dirty biomass — the husks and stalks of corn plants — to create their fuel. This reduces the initial expense of creating the fuel and enables the use of a fuel source readily available near the processing plants, making the creation of the fuel a local enterprise. The team already has significant funding for the next step of the project, which is to scale up production to a demonstration size. 04/08/2015 

CalRecycle to Present  Eligibility Criteria for Organics Grant Program

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) staff will present details and receive comments regarding proposed eligibility criteria for the up-coming Organics Grant program cycle during the April 21, 2015 Business Meeting. The 2015-2016 grant cycle is focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs: Organics Grant Program; Recycled Fiber, Plastic, and Glass Grant Program; and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Loan Program (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Loan Fund). Contact <> for information regarding this agenda item. 04/07/2015

USFS Releases 5-Year Report on Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration

The US Forest Service (USFS) is celebrating the five-year anniversary of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program this year, and has released a public version of its report to Congress. The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) was created under Title IV of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. Title IV established the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, providing funding authority to receive up to $40,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2009 through 2019. Proposals were selected in 2011 and 2012 to advance beneficial use of residual biomass. The purpose of the CFLRP is to encourage the collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes. The CFLRP expands collaborative landscape partnerships to encourage ecological, economic, and social sustainability; leverage local resources with national and private resources; facilitate the reduction of wildfire management costs, through re-establishing natural fire regimes and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire; demonstrate the degree to which various ecological restoration techniques achieve ecological and watershed health objectives; and encourage utilization of forest restoration by-products to offset treatment costs, to benefit local rural economies, and to improve forest health. 04/07/2015

Due 06/15/2015: Pre-Proposals to NFF for US Forest and Grassland Innovation

The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2015 Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge. Sponsor Craig R. Barrett, former Chairman and CEO of Intel and current Chairman of the NFF Board of Directors, described the purpose of this competition as "stimulating new ideas and cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurial natural resource and business leaders." The NFF recently announced the Challenge's 2014 winners in Washington, DC. The 2014 winning proposal seeks to grow a commercial agricultural market for biochar, a soil amendment that can be made from low-value woody biomass left over from forest restoration projects. Qualifying pre-proposals must be submitted by 11:59 pm MDT, Monday, June 15, 2015.  Visit the website for more information on the Barrett Foundation Business Concept Challenge. 04/07/2015 

ILG Hosts Webinar on Streamlining Planning Process for Recycling Facilities

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) will host a free webinar from 10:00am to 11:00am on April 14, 2015 entitled, Tips to Streamline the Planning Process for Recycling Facilities. This webinar will focus on methods for streamlining the planning process to help site these recycling projects. Panelists will provide an overview of the planning process and opportunities to streamline the process. The benefit of developing a local zoning overlay for recycling facilities will be explained, and a case example will be presented of how Butte County streamlined the planning process for recycling infrastructure process. Register on-line for the webinar. You may also contact <> with any questions. 04/04/2015

Due 05/01/2015: Proposals to Develop Certification Course for Zero Waste P&P

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) have jointly released a Request for Proposals seeking a Contract Project Manager for the development of a Zero Waste Principles and Practices Certification Course. A pre-proposal conference call has been scheduled for April 9, 2015 at 2:00pm EST; call details will be provided to respondents expressing an interest. The conference call is mandatory for prospective prime contractors, but not mandatory for subcontractors. Proposals are due May 1, 2015. For more information and the dial-in information, contact SWANA Deputy Executive Director Sara Bixby at <> or 240-494-2236. 04/04/2015  

VTT Spin-off Spinnova Spins Yarn Directly from Wood Fiber to Make Fabric

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd has announced its latest spin-off, research, and product development company Spinnova Ltd, which was launched in January. Spinnova is developing fiber to yarn (F2Y) technology which is totally different from traditional textile yarn production. F2Y technology uses no dissolution chemicals to dissolve wood fiber to a polymer level and regenerate cellulosic filaments. Instead, the technology allows the production of novel, low cost, and environmentally friendly textile yarns for filaments made directly from wood fibers through a wet spinning process. Spinnova's technique is ideal for refining Finnish long fibre length woods, such as that of pine and spruce species. It is the only technology which can be used to manufacture yarn directly from wood fibers without chemical processing. 04/01/2015

IH2 Thermal Catalytic Platform Licensed to Global Forest Products Company

A leading global forest products company headquartered in Northern Europe has entered into an FEL-1 license agreement with Texas based CRI Catalyst Company (CRI). IH2 technology is a thermal catalytic process, which produces liquid transportation fuels from forest residues, and other renewable resources. The forest products company will collaborate with CRI and its partners to further evaluate implementation of the technology with the aim of producing commercial volumes of high quality transportation range renewable hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuels) once the proposed plant is constructed. The design feedstock for the facility includes a broad range of forest residues including slash, sawdust, bark, and wood chips. IH2 hydrocarbons produced from these feed stocks currently meet the ASTM specifications for their respective fuels, positioned for the US market as an E10 gasoline fully renewable product, or as a 100% renewable diesel. CRI Catalyst Company is part of CRI/Criterion Inc, the global catalyst technology company of the Shell Group.04/01/2015

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