August 2012 News and Matters of Interest
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Comment Period
Closed on Air Permit for Puerto Rico Waste to Energy Plant
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Office closed the public comment period today on an air permit for a waste to energy facility
proposed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The comment period was extended in order for the EPA conduct five public
hearings on August 25, 26 and 27. This permit is another crucial step toward development of the proposed 77
megawatt direct combustion municipal solid waste to energy facility to be constructed at the former site of the
Global Fibers Paper Mill in Barrio Cambalache, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The municipal waste combustors will be
primarily fueled by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) that is shredded municipal solid waste with most of the metal
content removed and recycled, and permitted at a maximum combined RDF consumption rate of 2,106 tons per day.
Additionally, the municipal waste combustors will be capable of combusting, when available, supplementary fuels
consisting of auto-shredder residue, tire-derived fuel, and processed urban wood waste. Air quality analysis
performed indicates that the project will not exceed any National Air Quality Standards or increments for the
pollutants regulated under this PSD permit. A separate permit is being issued by the Puerto Rico Environmental
Quality Board, to address the other pollutants emitted by this project. Since the proposed project meets all PSD
requirements, EPA proposes to approve this project subject to public review. All background documentation is
available on-line from the Recinto de Arecibo Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico,
from the EPA’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division at City View Plaza III-Suite 7000 in Guaynabo, or at
the EPA’s New York offices at 290 Broadway in New York City. Appointments are necessary; contact John Aponte by
email at , or phone at (787) 977-5853. 08/31/2012
Xergi to Install Biogas Plant for Holton Turkey Waste
to CHP Project in UK
Danish company Xergi A/S has announced that it will supply anaerobic digestion (AD) technology for the Holton Renewable Power Ltd. renewable combined heat and power (CHP) turkey waste to energy
facility. The project is a joint venture between Bernard Matthews, the United Kingdom’s (UK) largest turkey
business, and Glendale Power, a development company specializing in AD project development in the UK. The biogas
plant will be located close to Bernard Matthews’ current processing site in Holton in Suffolk, converting about
29,000 tonnes per year of liquid production plant waste piped to the digesters from the processing plant's
existing effluent treatment system. Biogas generated from the waste will be piped back to the plant to run a
generator supplying 500 kilowatts for on-site electrical demand, while engine and exhaust heat will be captured
to provide from 16% to 18% of the processing facility's thermal demand. Digester residue will be processed to
reclaim the ammonia to make the fertilizer ammonium sulphate for sale to local farmers. Remaining effluent will
be pumped back to the secondary treatment stage of the onsite effluent treatment works, to be cleaned up to
discharge consent levels. Once fully operational, the plant will process all waste on-site, saving "over 1000
lorry journeys per annum" resulting in a carbon dioxide emission reduction of 2,800 tonnes. Colin Steel Xergi’s
Country Manager for the UK and Ireland: "The project shows the many opportunities provided by Xergi’s biogas
technology in the handling of waste and other organic resources. We have built an efficient plant based on
vegetable waste with the grower Staples Vegetables, and now we will be building a plant based on waste from a turkey
processing plant. This underlines the fact that our technology is able to create value out of waste and organic
residue across a range of industries.” 08/31/2012
Nexterra and Stopford Form
Strategic Alliance for UK Waste to Energy Projects
Canadian biomass gasification company Nexterra has announced a strategic alliance agreement with Stopford Projects Ltd. of the United Kingdom (UK) to develop and market Nexterra’s
energy-from-renewable-waste gasification systems for the industrial and district energy markets in the UK.
Nexterra’s core technology is a fixed-bed updraft gasification system, ranging in output from 2 to 40 megawatts
of thermal energy (MWth, equal to 8 to 140 MMBtu/hr) and 2 to 15 MWe, of electricity generation. Nexterra
recently started full operation of its systems at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge
National Laboratory. Stopford Projects Ltd. is a recognized UK leader in the assessment of gasification
technologies and design of complete waste-to-energy systems for both the UK and global markets. Stopford has
over 30 years of engineering design and project management experience with multinational clients within the
petro-chemical, bio-technology, pharmaceutical and environmental sectors. The partners were brought together by
BAE Systems, a global defense, aerospace and security company. “BAE Systems and Nexterra have been working with
Stopford for some time. We are looking forward to helping both these companies be successful, and the formation
of their strategic alliance is a great step to them securing their first energy-from-waste project in the UK,”
said John Rossall, BAE Systems Director, Industrial Participation Programmes. 08/31/2012
Neste Oil Completes Phase I Waste to Microbial Oil
Plant in Finland
Neste Oil has announced completion of the first phase of its microbial oil production pilot plant in
Porvoo, Finland. The three-stage process is designed to convert a wide array of wastes and agricultural residues such
as straw and sidestreams from the pulp and paper industry into biofuels. Fractionation of biomass to diverse
sugars is followed by digestion using yeast and other fungus strains, then harvesting the oil from the microbial
mass as a feedstock for the company's NExBTL biodiesel refining. Neste announced the pilot development last December; this initially completed phase focused
on the microbial processing stage. The following phases will concentrate on raw material pretreatment and oil
recovery. The goal is to yield commercial volumes of microbial oil for use as NExBTL feedstock, with
commercial-scale production expected by 2015 at the earliest. Petri Lehmus, Neste Oil's Vice President, Research
and Development: "Work on the pilot plant has progressed according to plan and the technology has performed
excellently. The plant is already generating microbial oil containing biomass, which is a great achievement.
Extending our feedstock base is a central component of our cleaner traffic strategy, and our aim is to focus on
making use of waste and residues with the smallest possible carbon footprint for producing our renewable fuels.
The new microbial oil pilot plant will make a very valuable contribution to achieving these goals. Our microbial
oil pilot plant is the first of its kind in Europe, and Finnish research in the area is highly advanced
worldwide." 08/29/2012
LanzaTech Chosen as 2013 Technology Pioneer by
World Economic Forum
New Zealand's emissions-to-bioproducts company LanzaTech has announced that the World Economic Forum has named the company as one of 23 Technology
Partners for 2013 based on their innovation, potential impact, growth and sustainability, proof of concept, and
leadership. LanzaTech has developed a proprietary platform for producing lowest-cost liquid biofuel that can be retrofitted
to industrial facilities, using the carbon monoxide component of waste flue gases as a feedstock. The process is
now being integrated into steel manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and more recently has established a
US foothold by acquiring the defunct Range Fuels facility in Georgia. The World Economic Forum chooses the new Technology Pioneers from hundreds of applicants
nominated by the public, by members, constituents and collaborator. The industry-changing companies'
achievements will be honoured at the Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 in Tianjin, People’s
Republic of China, from 11-13 September. “These companies are more than pioneering the way we use technology;
they are transforming how we as a society are growing and interacting with each other,” said Silvia von Gunten,
Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “They are also providing new opportunities for people
to harness the potential of technology.” 08/29/2012
Novozymes, Terranol Partner to Speed Cellulosic
Ethanol Commercialization
Danish companies Novozymes and Terranol have announced a partnering agreement intended to increase the rate of commercialization
for cellulosic ethanol production from wastes and residues, energy crops, and other types of biomass. Novozymes
specialization in biocatalysis enzyme development is complemented by Terranol's expertise in yeast strains
efficient in fermentation of 5-carbon (C5) sugars. The agreement will allow Terranol to optimize its yeast
development, and give Novozymes rights to register and market Terranol’s C5 yeast technology to
Novozymes' global market within the cellulosic ethanol marketplace. Terranol's technology platform is based on its Strain V-1 ferments glucose and xylose into
ethanol with high yield and low production of the byproduct xylitol. Glucose and xylose are both fermented at a
high rate when glucose concentration is below 20 g/l. A yeast strain capable of efficient conversion of the
various sugars in residual biomass from agriculture facilitates further modification of the strain for
production of other compounds that can substitute for oil based chemicals used in the industry today.
Poul Ruben Andersen, Vice President Bioenergy at Novozymes: “We want to make sure there are no biotech-related
hurdles to the creation of a cellulosic ethanol industry. Terranol’s C5 yeast is currently one of the best
strains developed, and by getting it registered and marketed around the world, we can help make it available to
the biofuel industry. This will provide a higher degree of certainty in the commercialization of cellulosic
ethanol.” 08/29/2012
7th Annual California Bioresources Alliance Symposium
Agenda Finalized
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pacific Southwest Region 9,
has released the full details and published a final agenda for next month's California Bioresources Alliance 7th Annual Symposium. The event is scheduled for September 11 and 12 and will be held
in the Coastal Hearing Room of the CalEPA Building, downtown Sacramento. Session 1 will tackle governmental
policies and environmental issues associated with organics digestion for energy generation. Last week,
Teru interviewed Neil Black, President of California Bioenergy LLC and a key speaker
in the Session 2 panel addressing the economics of dairy manure digestion. The afternoon Sessions 3 and 4 will
outline what works, what doesn't, and where digestion technologies best fit in California. Sessions 5 and 6 on
the morning of Day 2 will explore Urban and Forestry-sourced residuals, respectively. A field trip is planned
for the afternoon of the second day, visiting Clean World Partners' two stage, phased-solids anaerobic digestion facilities with an integrated biogas vehicle filling station.
Registration for the symposium is available on-line via the UC Davis Renewable Energy Systems website. For additional information, contact EPA Region
9's conference coordinator, Lauren Fondahl
() at (415) 972-3514. 08/28/2012
BioNitrogen Signs Development MOU with Hardee County,
Florida
Florida's biomass to fertilizer company BioNitrogen has announced signing an agreement with the Development Authorities of Hardee County for its proposed Florida conversion facility. The pledge of support comes just
days after BioNitrogen secured a 3-year agreement for supply of gasifiers from PRM Energy. Subject to final approval, the Memorandum of Understand
(MOU) provides $2 million for building a railroad spur onto the Florida Fertilizer property where the urea plant
will be constructed. The County has also agreed to provide tax credits and other incentives for the plant's
construction. BioNitrogen converts low value non-food biomass first into synthetic gas, then through catalysis
turns the syngas into urea, a high-nitrogen fertilizer compound usually produced from petroleum. Bill Lambert,
Director of Hardee County Economic Development, said, “The County is focused on fostering economic development
in the region and we believe that the BioNitrogen plant will be a significant step in that direction by bringing
both jobs and revenue to the area. We will be working closely with BioNitrogen management in the ensuing months
to facilitate the project.” 08/28/2012
Sapphire Energy's Demo Green Crude Farm in New Mexico
now Operational
San Diego's algae biorefinery company Sapphire Energy has announced that all elements of Green Crude Farm construction have now been completed
on time and on budget. A shift to winter-hardy algae has begun and full-systems operational shake-down will
continue into 2013. Sapphire expects to bring the operation on-line late in 2014 at a production scale of 100
barrels of Green Crude per day. The New Mexico facility began construction in June 2011; since then, Sapphire
has harvested 81 tons of algal biomass from its 1/8 mile long ponds, which are equipped with auto-harvesting
systems. Once at full build-out, the operation will consist of about 300 acres of ponds producing 1.5 million
gallons of green crude each year. Sapphire's Green Crude process converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and algae into a bio-sourced
crude oil is a fossil-fuel analogue ready for further refining to advanced biofuels. The carbon dioxide can be
separated from the atmosphere and/or sequestered directly from industrial emissions. Development of the Green
Crude Farm has been supported by both public and private funds; in April of this year, the company secured $144
million in a Series C investment round backed by a USDA loan guarantee and a $50 million grant from the
Department of Energy. Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner, CEO and chairman of Sapphire Energy: “Bringing our Green Crude Farm
online is not only an important accomplishment for Sapphire Energy, but a critical step toward a viable
alternative energy future. What was once a concept is now becoming a reality and model for growing algae to make
a renewable crude oil for energy. We look forward to sharing our progress as the Green Crude Farm moves to its
next stage.” 08/27/2012
First SEFA Grant Awarded to African Green Tech
Financial Facility Concept
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced that the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has awarded
a grant of $825,000 (US) to develop the Green Tech Financial Facility. SEFA is a joint effort of the AfDB and
the Government of Denmark (DKK). The SEFA was brought on-line in January of this year to support the
implementation of the AfDB Private Sector Development (PSD) Strategy by providing untied grants and equity
support to smaller-size renewable energy and energy efficiency developers. This first grant will be coordinated
and monitored by a task team from the Private Sector Department of the AfDB, working closely with the African
Biofuel and Renewable Energy Company (ABREC) and the SEFA Secretariat, to structure and launch an investment
facility aimed at increasing private capital flow channeled to private sector-led projects that implement
carbon-reducing and clean technologies for Africa. The SEFA is currently operating under two components: 1)
Project Preparation Grants to facilitate the preparation of small and medium-scale renewable energy (RE)
generation and energy efficiency (EE) projects requiring total capital investments of USD 30 -75 million. 2)
Equity Investments seeking to address the lack of access to start-up and growth capital for SMEs, as well as
their limited managerial and technical capability, and targeting RE and EE projects in the USD 10-30 million
range. SEFA is structured to be used as a flexible multi-donor/multi-purpose platform to support the access to
sustainable energy agenda in Africa, and one of Africa’s potential instruments under the UN’s Sustainable Energy
for All Initiative. 08/27/2012
Weltec Enters Polish Energy Market with 2.4MW Ag
Waste to Biogas Project
Germany based Weltec Biopower has announced that it will start construction next month on a 2.4 megawatt (MW)
anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Darżyno, Pomerania, Poland about 80 kilometers
west of Danzig. The facility will digest agricultural residues and animal manure slurry to produce biogas for
generation of electricity and sale into the national grid. The substrates will be fed into the four 4,438 cubic
metre stainless-steel fermenters via four storage tanks and a 50 cubic metre dosing feeder with operations
expected to start in the summer of 2013. Apart from maize and liquid manure, which will be supplied by farmers
from the vicinity, the operator NEWD will also ferment potato waste of a chip manufacturer. Previously, NEWD,
which is also an investor in Weltec's first biogas plant in Poland, had concentrated on wind power plant
construction and operations. Poland has the third-largest stock of AD feedstock resources in Europe, especially
liquid manure from cattle, pigs and poultry. Decentralized power and heat generation are subsidized, and a
highly developed infrastructure is available for the transport of gas and district heat. To reach the European
Union climate goals, Poland plans to increase the share of renewable energies in energy generation from 5 to 15
percent by 2020, with an upward trend that is to reach one third by 2030. Poland promotes the development of
decentralized energy, especially for biomass and biogas; as outlined in the "Biogas Development Programme 2010-2020“, Poland wants to have at least one
agricultural biogas plant installed in every municipality by 2020. 08/27/2012
California Agencies Release 2012 Bioenergy Action
Plan
California's Bioenergy Interagency Working Group has released the 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan, a coordinated state agency approach to addressing challenges and
maximizing opportunities for the development of bioenergy projects that promote economic development and provide
the greatest environmental benefit. The Working Group is chaired by Julia Levin, Deputy Secretary of the
California Natural Resources Agency. The first Bioenergy Action Plan for California was published July 2006. The 2012 Plan
updates and builds on the 2011 Plan, providing a more detailed set of recommendations for ways that state agency
actions can meet California’s renewable energy, waste reduction, environmental, and public safety goals: (1)
Increase research and development of diverse bioenergy technologies and applications, as well as their costs,
benefits, and impacts; (2) Continue to develop and make accessible information about the availability of organic
wastes and opportunities for bioenergy development; (3) Streamline and consolidate permitting of bioenergy
facilities and reconcile conflicting regulatory requirements to the extent possible; (4) Assess and monetize the
economic, energy, safety, environmental, and other benefits of biomass; and (5) Facilitate access to
transmission, pipelines, and other distribution networks. 08/26/2012
WM and Renmatix to Develop Municipal Waste Conversion
to Sugar Platform
Waste Management, Inc. (WM) and bio-sourced sugar specialist Renmatix have
announced a joint development agreement (JDA) to explore conversion of low-value urban
post-consumer waste into sugars for manufacturing biobased materials. Renmatix is privately held, with
operations in Georgia currently capable of converting three dry tons of cellulosic biomass to Plantro™ sugar per
day. The Renmatix technology platform utilizes its proprietary Plantrose™ process of two core steps (1)
fractionation of biomass and separation of the remaining solids which contain cellulose and lignin, and (2)
cellulose hydrolysis of the pretreated solids under more severe conditions utilizing "super-critical" hot
compressed water as the primary solvent. The two step approach allows separation of the less resilient C5 sugar
molecules, before breaking down the more stabile C6 sugars. Combined, the processing can "economically and
efficiently deconstruct a wide range of non-food plant material in a continuous reaction down to the base sugars
that enable a high-volume, low-volatility, building block for the bioeconomy." William Caesar, President, Waste
Management Recycling Services: "This collaboration is a continuation of our commitment to extract the value we
see in waste and convert it into valuable resources. We are working with Renmatix to further scale its
technology, which has quickly emerged as the lowest-cost conversion method for producing the biobased sugar
intermediately demanded by global markets.” 08/25/2012
PRM Energy Will Build Gasifers for BioNitrogen's
Biomass-to-Urea Plants
Florida's BioNitrogen Corporation has announced a 3 year agreement whereby PRM Energy Systems, Inc. (PRME) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, will build gasifiers for BioNitrogen's patent-pending
biomass-to-urea production facilities. In the last year, BioNitrogen has changed its name, secured funding and a
Texas development site, and then shifted to a Florida site predicated upon feedstock cost and availability. BioNitrogen continues to work with Granherne, Inc.,
a KBR company, on the engineering report, which will be completed shortly. Granherne
will work on the design of the plant, which includes the PRME gasification systems; the initial engineering work
completed for the Texas plant has been transferred over to the Florida plant. The PRME® Gasification Technology is fixed bed, up-draft, sub-stoichiometric,
multi-zoned gasification air and staged combustion air. PRME® Gasification Systems are available in a
wide range of sizes to gasify from 20 - 2,000 tons per day. BioNitrogen's focus is on cleaning, upgrading and
catalytic conversion of bio-sourced synthetic gas (syngas) to the high-nitrogen fertilizer component urea. Mr.
Carlos Contreras, President and CEO of BioNitrogen, said, “This agreement is a major step forward in the process
of constructing our first urea manufacturing plant. We are pleased to be working with PRME, which is a
world-class company with a long track record of building first-class gasification systems. This brings
BioNitrogen another step closer to providing domestically produced urea fertilizer for the North American
market.” 08/25/2012
Due 09/19/2012: Proposals to the City of Palo
Alto for Renewable Electricity
The City of Palo Alto, California, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) #147538 for Utility Commodities, "Fall 2012 Renewable Electric Power", with Bidder's
Information Form (Attachment A) and a Sample Power Purchase Agreement (Attachment E). Palo Alto has set a renewable energy supply target of 33% by 2015. The
solicitation seeks electric power generated by renewable resources to meet the City’s renewable portfolio needs.
The City’s resource eligibility standards are the same as the specific eligibility criteria for
renewable energy established by the California Energy Commission. However, Proposals for the sale of Renewable
Energy Credits (RECs) alone will not be considered. The City intends to negotiate and execute one or more Power
Purchase Agreements (PPA), for terms of 5 to 30 years and a preference for 20 year or longer contract terms with
one or more Selected Bidders. Each proposal must address only one like-kind power generation package; bidders
may submit more than one proposal. The City has a preference for projects located within California; however it
will consider any project with a delivery point located within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council
(WECC) region. Projects outside of California must have an online date on or after January 1, 2005. All projects
must have a projected online date on or before January 1, 2017. A pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for
September 6, 2012 at 10:00 am; although not mandatory, the pre-bid conference is strongly encouraged, and
call-in capabilities are provided. The proposal submittal deadline is 3:00 pm on September 19, 2012. Questions
or comments must be put in writing and received by the City no later than 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11,
2012. Address correspondence to Carolynn Bissett, Contract Administrator, City of Palo Alto, 250 Hamilton
Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mailed to . 08/25/2012
Aemetis Licenses Drop-in Biofuel Technology from
Chevron Lummus Global
California based biofuels company Aemetis, Inc, has obtained a license from Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) for the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION Process for production of
to-specification biodiesel and jet fuel. The process is based on patented Catalytic Hydrothermolysis (CH)
reactor technology developed by Applied Research Associates (ARA), which utilizes water as a catalyst to convert plant oils
into "green crude". The intermediate oils are then processed with hydrogen using CLG’s ISOCONVERSION™ catalysts
to produce drop-in jet fuel and diesel. The renewable fuels produced are direct replacements for petroleum-based
jet and diesel fuel. Aemetis (formerly AE Biofuels) has developed a patent pending ambient temperature starch
hydrolysis (ATSH) process that uses low-cost enzymes to effectively convert cellulose and hemicellulose to
reducing sugars. Aemetis acquired the patented Z-Microbe to then convert these sugars to biofuels. The license
agreement expands Aemetis' technologic capability and grants Aemetis Advanced Fuels Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Aemetis, the use of the process for biofuel production in Aemetis biorefineries throughout North
America. “This technology is ideally suited for the conversion of existing biofuels production facilities by
utilizing the rail siding, feedstock unloading, raw material storage tanks, power generation units, Clean In
Place system, neat fuel storage tanks and loadout equipment,” said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis.
“Expanding or converting existing biofuels and refining facilities to use the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION Process
accelerates the scale up of production to supply the 70 billion gallon per year global market for jet fuel and
the 50 billion gallon US market for diesel.” 08/24/2012
GE Develops CHP plus CO2 Fertilization for Houweling's
Tomato Greenhouses
GE has announced a natural gas combined heat and power project that captures and delivers engine
exhaust carbon dioxide to fertilize plants in Houweling Tomatoes' 125 acre greenhouse complex in Camarillo, California. The installation
will use two of GE's 4.36 megawatt (MW) ecomagination-qualified Jenbacher J624 two-staged turbocharged natural gas engines and a GE-designed CO2
fertilization system, delivering 8.7 MW electrical power and 10.6 MW of thermal energy. The concept of a power
plant being able to generate heat and power at nearly 100 percent overall efficiency is made possible by
condensing out water vapor created in the combustion process. Thermal energy is recovered in exhaust gas heat
exchangers for use in this ultra-efficient greenhouse, which utilizes very low water temperatures in its heating
system to cool down exhaust temperatures below the dew point. “This CHP system will provide the necessary heat,
power and CO2 for the growth of our fresh greenhouse tomatoes,” says Casey Houweling, the owner of the
greenhouse facility. “However, the impact of this project on the region goes far beyond the vegetables produced
in the greenhouse. This ultra-high-efficiency CHP plant also will provide flexible power to our local utility
with a very short response time. GE’s proven technology and industry-leading efficiencies allow us to have one
of the lowest CO2 footprints and water usage in the region for a power plant of this size. In fact, we plan to
use the water condensed out of the exhaust gas in our operations—this will save approximately 9,500 gallons per
day of usage from local water sources. We felt this project was the right thing to do for both our company and
our community.” 08/24/2012
Chemtex Secures $99MM USDA Loan Guarantee for
Cellulosic Biorefinery
North Carolina based Chemtex International, Inc has announced receipt of a conditional letter of commitment for a $99 million loan guarantee
from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program funding support is
intended to enable financing for engineering and construction of the "Project Alpha" cellulosic biofuels plant.
Chemtex is in discussions to locate the 20 million gallon per year facility in the Sampson County region of
North Carolina. Chemtex will use Beta Renewables’ PROESA® technology to produce biofuel using non-food biomass feedstock, as
in its commercial-scale demonstration biorefinery in Crescentino, Italy coming on-line this year. “Chemtex
wishes to thank the USDA for their vision and their confidence in our project. Realizing a first
industrial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant here in the USA and proving that it can produce cost competitive
sustainable ethanol is an important milestone in the commercialization process of advanced biofuels. We believe
that Project Alpha can become a model for future cellulosic ethanol production in America. Local economies and
U.S. energy security will benefit,” said Guido Ghisolfi, President of Chemtex and the CEO of Beta Renewables.
Chemtex and its other North Carolina based partners - the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, Novozymes, BB&T
and the pork industry – will work closely with USDA and the State to move the project forward, targeting a
start-up date in 2014. Peder Holk Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Novozymes: “Novozymes is excited to partner with Chemtex to convert energy crops into
cellulosic ethanol in North Carolina. It is a great step forward for the U.S. biofuels industry and an
endorsement of the technologies Chemtex and Novozymes have each developed. I am confident our collaboration will
become a benchmark for the advanced biofuels industry in the U.S.” 08/24/2012
POET and Agrivida Sign Technology Collaboration
Agreement
POET Research Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of POET LLC has announced a collaborative technology agreement with Massachusetts-based Agrivida, Inc to
jointly develop and integrate Agrivida's advanced feedstock proceeding pathways with POET's cellulosic biofuels
production. Agrivida’s technology platform is centered on proprietary cell wall-degrading enzymes grown
within the plant itself that are activated after harvest, reducing subsequent costs for production of cellulosic
biofuels and chemicals. Agrivida is developing both seeds engineered with pretreatment and cellulose-degrading
traits, and processing techniques for activating the plants' cell wall-degrading enzymes in industrial and
agricultural processes. The company's most advanced product in development is engineered corn for
lignocellulosic conversion of corn stover and cobs into sugar. Energy crops such as switchgrass and sorghum are
also being developed for use as dedicated feedstocks. Programs for sugarcane bagasse and woody perennials are in
earlier stages of development. POET and Agrivida will collaborate to develop and test Agrivida’s engineered corn
stover feedstock and feedstock processing technology for integration with POET’s existing commercial cellulosic
technology. Mark Wong, Agrivida CEO said: “We are excited to be working with POET to improve the economics of
advanced biofuels production. POET has one of the most advanced commercial cellulosic programs in the world with
strong research, development and commercial deployment capabilities. POET will be a great partner as Agrivida
transitions its technology from research and development to a commercialization phase.” 08/24/2012
Next in California ARB Chair's Lecture Series: Low
Carbon Transportation
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has announced the next Chair's Lecture Series session, "Low Carbon Transportation: A Crucial
Link to Economic and National Security", scheduled to start at noon on September 4, 2012 in the Byron Sher
auditorium, CalEPA Building in Sacramento. The lecture is open to the public at no charge. Speaking will be
David L. Greene, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy, University of Tennessee
and Corporate Fellow, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. From the announcement: "Petroleum dependence is a serious
economic and national security problem for the U.S. High levels of consumption and imports, coupled with the use
of monopoly power in global oil markets and a historical lack of alternatives, have imposed significant costs on
the U.S. economy. Today, direct economic costs from petroleum dependence are higher than they were during the
oil embargoes of the 1970s and are estimated to have exceeded $2 trillion since 2005. These costs represent
wealth transfer out of the country and lost economic output due to monopoly pricing and price spikes. (They do
not account for indirect costs related to congestion, defense, or health impacts). Reducing petroleum dependence
by transitioning to a low carbon transportation system can generate hundreds of billions of dollars annually in
economic and national security benefits for the U.S. By greatly increasing energy efficiency and substituting
hydrogen, electricity and biofuels produced with low net greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. can develop a
sustainable and diverse transportation system while fostering a crucial link to economic and national security."
The lecture will also be webcast; for more information on this Lecture and the Series please contact: Peter
Mathews at (916) 323-8711 or . 08/23/2012
NYSERDA Grants $470K to American Biogas Conditioning
for Dairy AD Demo
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced a grant of $470,000 to Syracuse, New York based American Biogas Conditioning (ABC)
for demonstration of the company's biogas clean-up technology on diary biogas. ABC has developed a very
cost-effective method for removal of hydrogen sulfide contaminants (H2S) from biogas generated by anaerobic
digestion (AD), estimating that the solution costs about one tenth as much as the current industry standard
methodology. ABC is a joint venture between the firm Blue Electron and TS Umweltanalagenbau GmbH, a major manufacturer of biogas conditioning equipment in Germany. ABC
will manufacture biogas conditioning systems for customers in North America, and Caribbean countries. The first
Blue Electron biological desulphurization plant made in the US is currently under construction and will be used
for the Cayuga County Regional Digester plant in Auburn, New York. The new funding supports application of the
biologically-based contaminant removal process at Twin Birch Farms in Skaneateles, New York, for biogas
generated from the farm's existing AD systems, with expected operational savings of $90,000 per year for the
dairy. In addition to Twin Birch, American Biogas has launched demonstration projects at Roach Farm in Venice
Center and at the Cayuga Regional Digester Facility in Auburn. All three projects will help the company refine
its product. “When we started American Biogas, we were sure we could offer a much cheaper alternative to
removing H2S from biogas, thus making anaerobic digestion more affordable,” said Kamyar Zadeh, President and CEO
of American Biogas. “Now, thanks to NYSERDA and Twin Birch, we are going to prove it.” 08/23/2012
Vision Plasma Systems Supplies Units for Fukushima RadWaste
Conversion
Based in Reno, Nevada, the modular plasma waste conversion company Vision
Plasma Systems, Inc. has announced entering into a contract with the Japanese firm Cell Runner, Inc. for two Arc
Master I units, valued at about $5.8 million per unit. Cell Runner will use the plasma conversion modules to
vaporize over 5,000 radioactively contaminated hazmat suits worn by clean-up workers at the Fukushima Nuclear
Facility. Up to 5 tons per unit per day of the contaminated rubberized coveralls will be converted into
electricity, heat, and a recyclable metal ingot, needing no outside power and generating about 240 kilowatts in
excess of the power needed to run the equipment. Each module of the Arc Master I is built inside two standard
ISO 40 ft metal containers, enabling transport by truck, rail, ship, or plane, simplifying remediation for all
forms of waste. With positive performance of these initial units, the company expects to provide additional
systems. Japanese officials, negotiating through their intermediary, Cell Runner of Japan, have requested enough
units to not only handle the daily flow of 5,000 suits a day, but also enough to get rid of the backlog of
contaminated suits, currently isolated in a warehouse. "Japanese officials have acknowledged that the Arc Master
I technology is the only feasible option for the safe handling and remediation of what has become a major
environment cleanup operation," stated Timothy P. Volk, CEO of Vision Plasma Systems, Inc. "Their nation is
looking to them for an answer, and they are eager be the first ones to receive our units." 08/21/2012
Update: DTSC Extends Green Chemistry Comment Period to
October 11, 2012
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has released a notice extending the formal comment period by one month for the Safer Consumer
Product "green chemistry" proposed regulations. Comments are now due by 5pm on October 11, 2012. The public
hearing date remains the same, scheduled for September 10, 2012. For further information, contact Krysia Von
Burg, DTSC Regulations Coordinator at (916) 324-2810, or email to . See original
Teru Talk news item. 08/20/2012
Dynamic Fuels Receives EPA Part 79 Registration for
Renewable Gasoline
Oklahoma based Syntroleum Corporation has announced that its subsidiary Dynamic Fuels LLC, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Part
79 registration for its Renewable Gasoline Blendstock 10. Dynamic Fuels' 75 million gallon design capacity
Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery should produce approximately 7.5 million gallons of renewable gasoline Blendstock
10 annually. Previously, Dynamic Fuels received Part 79 registration for Renewable Diesel Blendstock for up to a
20% blend with petroleum diesel in 2009 and registration for Renewable Diesel for use at up to 100%
concentration in 2011. The parent company's Bio-Synfining® technology converts animal fat and vegetable oil
feedstocks into middle distillate products such as renewable diesel and jet fuel using inedible fats and greases
as feedstock. Their Syntroleum® Process for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalysis converts synthesis gas into liquid
hydrocarbons and the Synfining® Process then upgrades the FT liquid hydrocarbons into middle distillate products
such as synthetic diesel and jet fuels. Dynamic Fuels LLC is a 50/50% joint venture between Syntroleum and
Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork.
08/20/2012
Genuine Bio-Fuel Expands to New Jersey with 2nd
Biodiesel Refinery
Indiantown, Florida based Genuine Bio-Fuel Inc has announced its plans to expand operations by building a second advanced biodiesel production
plant at the Lincoln Park Airport in New Jersey. The company's low energy, high-yield biodiesel production process utilizes its patent-pending continuous-flow ultrasonic shear-mixing
technology to produce biodiesel from a wider variety of feedstock types. Advanced finishing processes use
centrifuges and ion-exchange polishing instead of conventional water washing, requiring much less water. Genuine
Bio-Fuel has developed an Oil-to-Fuel waste vegetable oil and grease trap collection program that provides
sealable containers and a flexible pick-up schedule. The privately funded company's biodiesel was awarded EPA
Part 79 registration in April 2012 as an RFS2 Fuel Producer, and in July received one of
the largest US Department of Agriculture 2012 advanced biofuel production payments totaling $504,938. Executive Vice
President of the company, Jeff Longo expressed, “Genuine Bio-Fuel's goal is to build an environmentally
responsible facility, create jobs, and aid in the economic growth of the Lincoln Park community and surrounding
areas." The company's Bryan Harrison added: “Genuine Bio-Fuel is looking forward to opening our facility at the
airport in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. The local municipality has been very supportive of this renewable energy
endeavor." 08/20/2012
GE's Jenbacher Engine Surpasses 50K Hours Running on
Brewery Biogas
General Electric (GE) has announced that its J312 gas engine installation at the Bitburger Brauerei (brewery) in Germany has surpassed 50,000 hours of run time fueled from
biogas produced on-site from brewery waste. The brewery is located near Trier and the Luxembourg border. Founded
in 1817, today its product ranks among Germany’s best selling beer. GE's combined heat and power equipment
generates over 600 kilowatts of electricity and 700 kilowatts of thermal energy. The biogas is produced by
anaerobic digestion (AD) of brewery by-products and wastewater, ultimately providing the operation an energy
savings of around 10% while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 10,000 tons per year. Initially, the AD
biogas fueled the brewery's boilers; the current Jenbacher application has demonstrated greater efficiency and
economy, while provide fuel flexibility between biogas and natural gas. Collaboration at the Bitburger Brauerei
is within GE’s "ecomagination" focus on the global food and beverage sector, bringing energy management,
CHP, and other waste-to-value solutions to the industry. Breweries are a traditional segment for distributed
power generation to meet on-site power needs. In general, CHP applications are growing in Germany specifically
to support the country’s energy turnaround efforts, as well as throughout Europe, based on the CHP incentives
that are a key part of the European Union’s 20-20-20 initiative. “Working with Bitburger allowed us to develop a
customized technology solution that met their specific needs,” said Rafael Santana, president and CEO of Gas
Engines for GE Energy. “Our gas engine technology provides a high degree of fuel flexibility with the capability
to operate on a wide range of gases such as biogas or natural gas for the Bitburger brewery. Its proven
reliability and availability are keys to achieving the successful 50,000-hour operating milestone.”
08/18/2012
BASF, Cargill, and Novozymes Collaborate on Bio-Based
Acrylic Acid Process
Formalizing and expanding upon a four year old agreement with Novozymes, food and
ag giant Cargill has announced expanding collaboration to include the global chemical company BASF for the development of processes to make bio-based acrylic acid from renewable raw
materials. Novozymes and Cargill have worked to develop microorganisms that can efficiently convert
renewable feedstock into 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), a precursor to acrylic acid. BASF has now joined the
collaboration to develop the process for conversion of 3-HP into acrylic acid. Acrylic acid is a high-volume
chemical that feeds into a broad range of products. One of the main applications is in the manufacture of
superabsorbent polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid and are used mainly in baby diapers and other
hygiene products. Acrylic acid is also used in adhesive raw materials and coatings. The annual global market
volume of acrylic acid is around 4.5 million tons with a value of $11 billion1 at the end of 2011. The market
has been growing at a rate of 4 percent per year. BASF is the world´s largest producer of acrylic acid;
Novozymes develops industrial enzymes and bio-catalysts, with deep experience developing technologies for
bio-based production of chemicals. “Cargill is pleased to bring its global expertise in sourcing renewable
feedstocks and large-scale fermentation to this collaborative project”, said Chris Mallett, Cargill Corporate
Vice President of research and development. “The work with BASF and Novozymes underscores our commitment to
developing innovative new technologies that help our customers meet their business objectives.” 08/18/2012
Due 02/19/2013: Applications to NSF under Energy for
Sustainability Program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a notice soliciting applications to the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering
Environmental and Transportation's (CBET) Energy for Sustainability program, Opportunity Number PD-13-7644.
Fundamental research on innovative approaches for the intensification of biofuel and bioenergy processes is an
emphasis area of the Biomass Conversion, Biofuels and Bioenergy program. Specific areas of interest include:
biological, thermochemical, or thermocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels beyond
cellulosic ethanol; microbial fuel cells for direct production of electricity from renewable carbon sources;
process-based, scalable approaches for the biological or bio-mimetic generation of electricity directly from
sunlight; hydrogen production from autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms; hydrocarbons and lipids from
autotrophic or heterotrophic microorganisms. Duration of unsolicited awards is typically three years; average
annual award is $100,000. Detailed program guidelines for exploratory contact and for later full application
submission is provided in the notice, generally following revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies &
Procedures Guide (NSF11-1). Full proposals may only be submitted between January 15, 2013 and February 19,
2013; preliminary discussions with the program directors prior to the open submissions window are encouraged.
The application and instructions can be downloaded from Grants.gov. The primary point of contact for NSF's Energy for Sustainability program is Ram
B. Gupta, , (703) 292-8320. 08/18/2012
German Assessment Identifies Renewable Waste as Best
Bioenergy Source
The German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, has announced release of a report, "Bioenergy - Chances and Limits" identifying waste as the only viable feedstock for
bioenergy, while cautioning that there isn't enough waste generated and accessible to meet the country's needs.
The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the bioenergy component to German energy policy, as an update
to earlier, broadly collaborative work “Concept for an integrated energy research programme for Germany." The
report begins with a discussion of availability / sustainability of biomass as an energy source, addresses
conversion to "marketed energy carriers", finishing with potential bio-sourced hydrogen socio-economic aspects.
Three crucial difficulties arising from biocrop development for bioenergy and biofuels are examined: (a)
unavoidable linkage between the carbon cycle and the nutrient cycles of nitrogen results in increased need for
fertilization with increased removal of biomass, which in turn induces greater release of nitrous oxide (N2O), a
more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide; (b) substantial land management and animal husbandry impacts
must be internalized when biocrop life cycle emissions are assessed, and (c) CO2 fixation by plant growth does
not in itself justify neglecting the CO2 emissions upon combustion of the harvested biomass. The Deutsche
Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina has been the German National Academy of Sciences since 2008. It addresses
key issues of particular significance for the future of society from a scientific perspective and independently
of economic or political interests, shares its findings with policymakers and the public, and puts these issues
up for discussion on a national and international level. 08/17/2012
Novozymes Develops Fungus that Converts Sugar to
Malic Acid
Biocatalyst specialist Novozymes has announced the successful development of a fungal strain that converts sugar directly
to malic acid, instead of to an alcohol or oil. Malic acid occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables and is
widely used in the food production industry. It is also an intermediate four-carbon (C4) building-block chemical
that, along with succinic and fumaric acid, can be converted to the plastics and polymer precursor
1,4-butanediol (BDO). The market for BDO and derivatives is around 1.4 million tons at a value of $2.8 billion
and with an annual growth rate of 3%. Novozymes' platform continues to facilitate advances in identification and development of
enzymes, gene modification to optimize the enzymes, and selection and development of microorganisms that can
effectively express that genetic enzyme production. Novozymes is now out-licensing the technology to partners
who are interested in producing and commercializing malic acid and derivatives made from renewable raw
materials. Novozymes’ Executive Vice President Thomas Videbæk: “This is our first biochemical building block and
a major milestone towards building a biochemical industry together with partners. Oil-based products are all
around us, and biochemicals produced from renewable raw materials meet a global need for sustainable
alternatives. This need is growing due to concerns about crude oil scarcity and price fluctuations.”
08/16/2012
Verdezyne Patents Bio-Based Adipic Acid
Production Method
Based in Carlsbad, California, the green chemistry company Verdezyne
has announced the award of patent “Biological Methods for Preparing Adipic
Acid” (US Patent No. 8,241,879) for one of the company’s proprietary processes for selectively converting
non-petroleum oils into adipic acid. The bio-based chemical is a key component used to manufacture renewable and
sustainable nylon 6,6, thermoplastic polyurethane resins, and coatings. The new proprietary adipic acid fermentation process has been designed specifically to promote the
production of renewable nylon 6,6 with base materials that are less environmentally damaging and more cost
effective. Verdezyne opened its first pilot plant for adipic acid production just last December at their Carlsbad
headquarters. The technology platform is feedstock flexible, allowing the microorganisms to ferment sugars,
bio-based oils or alkanes. “Building on the patent we secured earlier this year on engineered microorganisms,
this intellectual property protection for our adipic acid production process is another strong milestone in our
technology development program,” said E. William Radany, Ph.D., president and CEO of Verdezyne. “Our
feedstock-flexible approach is just one of many factors that sets Verdezyne apart from other players in the
renewable chemicals landscape.” 08/16/2012
Lignol Energy Acquires Shares in Australian Renewable
Fuels for CAD$4.3MM
Canadian advanced biofuels and bio-sourced chemicals company Lignol Energy Corporation has announced a non-brokered private equity placement of up to CAD$2.4 million. The leading
Private Placement investor with CAD$1 million is Difference Capital Funding Inc., a growth-oriented Canadian
merchant bank. Concurrently, Lignol will acquire CAD$4.3 million of common shares in Australia's largest
biodiesel producer, Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd. The shares are being purchased from Wasabi Energy Ltd, who will then hold from 19% to 29% share interest in Lignol. Wasabi is an
energy development company based on commercial application of the low-grade heat driven Kalina Cycle®, through a
majority equity position in the company Global Geothermal Ltd An executive director at Wasabi since 2006, Stephen Morris will resign
from Wasabi and join Lignol's Board upon closing of all transactions; Mr. Morris's company Jace Ltd. also
acquired Lignol shares. Lignol’s fractionation technology produces clean inputs for
cellulosic ethanol, pulp and paper, and green chemical industries. Lignol's modified solvent based pre-treatment
technology facilitates the rapid, high-yield conversion of cellulose to ethanol and the production of
value-added biochemical co-products, including the high purity HP-L™ lignin. Ross MacLachlan, Lignol's
CEO: "The diversification of the asset base of Lignol, combined with the confidence of a new group of investors
to strengthen our balance sheet, is a very positive development for Lignol shareholders. This transaction will
provide Lignol with cash and balance sheet assets with which to leverage new government funding in completing
the remaining pilot plant in support of commercializing our technology." The transactions are expected to close
the week of August 20, 2012. 08/16/2012
MagneGas (MNGA) Begins Trading on
the NASDAQ
Florida based waste to fuel company MagneGas announced receipt of approval to list common shares and initiate sales on the NASDAQ Capital
market. MagneGas has also announced stock pricing, and increased the offering of 2,850,000 shares as a result of
participation in the sale by three current shareholders at a price to the public of $3.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Underwriters have a
45-day option period to purchase an additional 427,500 shares. The offering is expected to close around August
21, 2012. Northland Capital Markets is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering and MLV &
Co. LLC is acting as the co-manager for the offering; a full prospectus will be available once filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company's patented MagneGas® hydrogen-rich metal cutting fuel
syngas is created using plasma arc reduction of waste liquids such as sewage sludge. MagneGas
is a cost competitive and clean burning fuel interchangeable with Natural Gas, with lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions than comparable fossil fuels. The fuel can be used for metal cutting, cooking, heating, or powering
natural gas bi fuel automobiles. The company has been steadily expanding its customer base, providing all
cylinder-contained cutting gas supplies for numerous Florida-region large-scale demolition projects. Last
month, General Motors selected MagneGas for testing at GM's Grand Blanc Weld and Tool Center
in Flint, Michigan. 08/16/2012
Texas AgriLife Research and BP
Biofuels Collaborate on Biomass Energy Crops
Texas AgriLife Research, part of the Texas A&M University System, has
announced signing a three-year agreement with BP Biofuels to develop and commercialize cellulosic feedstocks for the production of
advanced biofuels. The collaboration will utilize AgriLife Research’s diverse high biomass energy crop breeding
program and BP Biofuels’ position as one of the few global energy companies growing commercial-scale biomass
crops for liquid fuels. The AgriLife center has been engaged in a variety of biomass to biofuels projects,
including assessment of juniper and mesquite for biopower, and closed-loop aquaculture/biofuels, coupling shrimp production with Salicornia
biocropping. This new research and development project has two integrated components: plant breeding and
production agronomics. The integration of plant breeding and production agronomics will enable BP Biofuels and
AgriLife Research to develop elite genetics and production guidelines for future growers. “This partnership with
BP Biofuels is a fine example of how the public sector and private industry can combine resources to create
unique solutions for our world,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M System. “The innovation of our
researchers ensures that AgriLife will play a role in meeting our energy needs.” 08/15/2012
EPA and Mexico's Border 2020 Agreement Addresses
Waste Management
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced entering into a new environmentally-focused cooperative border agreement
with Mexico. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson met with Mexico’s Secretary for the Environment and Natural
Resources Juan Elvira Quesada to sign the Border 2020 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program agreement, refreshing the previous
Border 2012 program ending this year. The eight-year Border 2020 agreement will focus on high priority
environmental and public health problems in the 2,000 mile border region, in particular: (1) Reducing air
pollution by promoting vehicle inspection programs, road paving, and anti-idling technologies at ports-of-entry;
(2) Improving access to clean and safe water and water quality in the bi-national watersheds; (3) Promoting
materials and waste management, and addressing contaminated sites as well as management practices for addressing
electronics, lead acid batteries, tires, and trash; (4) Enhancing joint preparedness for environmental and
emergency response; and (5) Enhancing compliance assurance and environmental stewardship. The agreement
does not address the environmental and safety impacts stemming from human and drug trafficking and other illegal
activities arising from people who are illegally crossing the border. According to EPA Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson: "Addressing the environmental issues along the border has long been a priority we share with our
colleagues in Mexico, because we know that environmental degradation, pollution, and the diseases they trigger
don’t stop at the national boundaries. Thanks to help from our partners in government, industry, academia and
local communities, the Border 2020 agreement will build upon the significant progress already made, and families
on both sides of the border will continue to benefit from cleaner, healthier communities for decades to come.”
08/15/2012
Iowa State Turns Ethanol Waste to MycoMeal, a
High-Protein Animal Food
Iowa State University researchers have announced successful initial animal feeding trials using its patent-pending MycoMeal, a
food-grade fungal product the team has been growing on ethanol fermentation residuals. Dr. Hans van Leeuwen, an
ISU professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and his team have been developing the
production methods for quite some time, winning numerous awards along the way. The MycoMeal process was moved
from lab to 400 gallon pilot scale last year. With lots of research and optimization work still
to do, they now know that the fungi produce a high-energy feed for chickens; Mike Persia, an assistant professor
of animal science belies that "there's some value there." For every gallon of ethanol produced, standard
fermentation methods leave about five gallons of residual slurry. Solids are centrifuged, leaving "thin
stillage" which usually is of little value. Professor Leeuwen's team inoculates this broth with the fungus
Rhizopus microsporus, which grows to a harvest-ready mass in less than one day - what the team
refers to as "lightning speed farming". The fungal growth also helps clean up and improve for re-use the water
it is separated from. Once dried, MycoMeal is rich in protein and also contains certain essential amino acids,
oils and nutrients. The process was recently named the Global Grand Winner in the category of Applied Research,
in the International Water Association's Project Innovation Awards in Applied Research. 08/15/2012
Camco SEA Develops 2 MW Anaerobic Digestion to Biogas
Plant in Malaysia
Global clean energy company Camco International Ltd has announced that its subsidiary Camco Southeast Asia (Camco SEA) will develop its first anaerobic digestion (AD) to biogas plant in Malaysia. The
2 megawatt AD facility will convert palm oil mill effluent (POME) to methane-rich biogas. Malaysia is the
world's largest palm oil exporter, and the "environmentally unfriendly" POME accounts for the greatest fraction
of milling residuals, with an estimated 58 million tons produced annually. The Malaysian government recently
introduced a renewable energy feed-in tariff to increase conversion of waste into power; palm oil producers are
seeing increasing pressure to reduce waste from their production processes, especially to address compliance
issues for export of sustainably produced biofuel to the European market. Camco SEA has acquired the rights to
develop an existing project by acquiring Biopower Climate Care Holding SDN Bhd, a fully owned subsidiary
of Rhodia Energy GHG (France), who in turn is a subsidiary member of the Solvay Group.
Camco SEA intends to complete the plant expected in early 2013, at a cost of about $4 million. A
build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) revenue sharing agreement has been reached with a palm oil mill owner, who
will provide POME feedstock at no charge in exchange for a share of the generated electricity and carbon
credits. Kent Carter, Managing Director of Camco Southeast Asia: “I am very pleased with our acquisition of the
Palong biogas project, as it strengthens Camco SEA’s market position in the biogas development business, one of
the fastest growing areas of renewable energy development in the region.” 08/14/2012
BioNitrogen Expands Florida Site Contract to
Include Feedstock Purchase
Florida based BioNitrogen Corporation has announced entering into a feedstock purchase agreement with the Florida Fertilizer
Company to purchase biomass from a 40 acre parcel of land in Hardee County, Florida. The land is part of a
larger parcel that BioNitrogen is leasing for its new biomass-to-urea plant. The feedstock consists of tree
trimmings, agricultural waste, and wood chips that will be cleaned, ground, and gasified. The resultant syngas
will then pass through a series of cleaning steps to remove any elements that could be detrimental to downstream
processing. The clean syngas will then pass through a series of catalytic reaction stages for transformation
into the desired end product, industrial urea. During this stage of processing, specific chemicals will be separated
out and recycled back into the process. Earlier this year, BioNitrogen announced that it had signed a Letter of
Intent to construct a fertilizer plant in West Texas. Due to a reassessment of both the
availability of appropriate biomass and the potential market for urea in the region, the company has decided to
postpone any expansion in West Texas and focus its resources and capital in Hardee County, Florida. The region
produces large amounts of landscape organics suitable for conversion; BioNitrogen can receive a fee for
accepting the feedstock while providing diversion from the usual option of landfilling. Carlos A. Contreras,
President & CEO of BioNitrogen, stated, “The biomass, or plant feedstock, is a material cost in our plant
business model. In the planned operation being set up in Hardee County we can source the biomass and generate
revenues at the same time, on a year-round basis.” 08/14/2012
Canada and British Columbia
Invest in Biocoal, Biofuels from Ag Residuals
The Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia (BC)
(IAFBC) has announced that the BC Ministry of Agriculture has joined the federal Agriculture
Ministry under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement. The Canada-BC Agri-Innovation
Program supports innovation, enhanced profitability and competitiveness, on-farm and throughout the supply
chain, while BC's new Agrifoods Strategy supports new businesses and market innovations including participation
in energy and carbon efficiency, renewable energy, and bioproducts development. A total investment of $289,175
will go toward two projects to explore turning agricultural waste into quality biofuels that will create new or
additional revenue streams for farmers: (1) $142,575 for Diacarbon Energy Inc to convert agricultural wastes such as anaerobic digestate,
poultry litter and spent mushroom substrate into biocoal, and to research use of biocoal as an industrial fuel
and energy source; and (2) $146,600 for GreenScene AgriTek Inc to create a quality biofuel from used horse bedding. The
Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia was established in 1996 as an industry-led, not-for-profit
organization. We represent a significant component of the agriculture and agri-food community, from farm supply
to primary production to post-farm gate and food processing. “Projects like these demonstrate the opportunity
for agriculture to play a role in the development of new energy solutions and responsible environmental
practices,” said Peter Levelton, chair of IAFBC. “The IAF is proud to connect the BC agriculture sector with
funding to make these kinds of partnerships in innovation possible.” 08/14/2012
4FRI Project Restoration Contractor Announces Biomass
Conversion Partner
The Montana-based company Pioneer Forest Products has announced its team for the
new restoration contract under the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI): Arizona-local Cooley Forest Products and biomass conversion partner Western Energy Solution, LLC /
Concord Blue USA, Inc. Pioneer has made considerable progress in the three months following
selection in May 2012 for one of the largest forest restoration contracts ever awarded
by the US Forest Service. As part of the 4FRI, Pioneer is contracted for restoration treatments on 300,000 acres
in the Coconino, Tonto, Apache-Sitgreaves and Kaibab national forests in northern Arizona. The team
has selected a 500 acre site near the Winslow airport for the timber mill and associated biofuels facility and
has the main engineering contracts in place. Pioneer is building a state-of-the-art mill to convert small
diameter timber into high value material. Residual from the restoration work and some of the woody debris from
the mill will then become feedstock for Concord Blue's ceramic-ballast-assisted "Blue Tower" downdraft gasification system, which converts woody biomass to pyrolytic
gas then applies steam reforming and catalysis to produce liquid biofuel. Herman Hauck, President of Pioneer
Forest Products: “Pioneer has contacted many loggers from Arizona as well as across the West, and many are ready
to begin operations when we start next year. For the most part, we are planning to hire locals to carry out
operations for Pioneer and we expect this will mean several hundred new jobs throughout rural Arizona.”
08/13/2012
California Governor Launches "Climate Change:
Just the Facts" Website
California Governor Jerry Brown's Office of Planning and
Research has launched a new website, "Climate Change: Just the Facts" that lays out the evidence and reasoning of Climate
Science. California's aggressive package of regulations and policies regarding climate change stem from
passage of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32; Stats. 2006,
Chapter 488) (AB 32). The bill and attendant Executive Orders authorized the California Air Resources Board
(ARB) to implement a comprehensive, multi-year program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California.
This includes the ARB's roll-out of the Cap and Trade Program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and The
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery's (CalRecycle) implementation of AB 341 for Mandatory
Commercial Recycling. The controversial measures are often attacked on the grounds that Climate Change is a
false premise and the new website seeks to set the record straight. It presents the Climate Science and the Scientific Consensus, then calls out the Deniers and their common arguments. According to the website: "While California is taking action, some
of those who oppose the move to renewable energy and cleaner transportation have mischaracterized the science of
climate change in an effort to create artificial uncertainty about the existence and causes of climate change.
The fact is that on the key issues, the science is clear: climate change is real and happening now; human-made
greenhouse gas emissions are affecting our planet; and we need to take action. Just as we reached a point where
we stopped debating whether cigarette smoke causes cancer, we need to end the climate change debate and focus on
how to solve the problem." 08/13/2012
INVISTA and LanzaTech Collaborate on Waste CO Sourced
Bio-Butadiene
Global biotech giant INVISTA and New Zealand's LanzaTech have concurrently announced signing a joint development agreement focused conversion of
waste carbon monoxide (CO) from industrial emissions into the foundation biopolymer butadiene. Initially, the
collaboration will develop a two-step process for conversion of LanzaTech's CO-derived 2,3-butanediol (2,3 BDO)
into butadiene. Later, the team will investigate a single-step gas fermentation pathway. INVISTA is globally
recognized as a leader in integrated production of polymers and fibers, and is known for breakthrough polymer
developments such as Lycra® and Dacron®. LanzaTech's unique technology platform can convert carbon monoxide containing gases produced by
industries such as steel manufacturing, oil refining, and chemical production, as well as gases generated by
gasification of forestry and agricultural residues, municipal waste, and coal into valuable fuel and chemical
products. Butadiene is an important intermediate chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber and various
plastics. It is also a key intermediate chemical used by INVISTA in its proprietary, butadiene-based
adiponitrile (ADN) production technologies. ADN is a critical intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of
nylon 6,6. Bill Greenfield, executive vice president of INVISTA’s nylon intermediates business: “As we seek
innovative solutions to increase the global supply of butadiene, we believe developing a cost competitive
biological route to butadiene will help assure ample supply and reduce price volatility. We believe this
collaboration effort is a great opportunity to leverage our own internal biotechnical research with the unique
and impressive capabilities that LanzaTech has developed.” 08/13/2012
Republic Starts Up 110 Ton/Hour MRF at Recycling Complex in San
Jose
Municipal waste management company Republic Services has announced the dedication and start-up of its massive 110 ton per hour
capacity materials recovery facility (MRF) in San Jose, California. Partnering with the Oregon firm Bulk
Handling Systems (BHS), Republic has completed expansion and modernization of its
342-acre Newbury Island Recycling Complex with installation of BHS's highly automated and custom designed
multiple waste stream sorting and processing system. The reconfigured MRF is expected to receive and process all
of the commercial waste generated by San Jose businesses, as directed by the new regulatory and policy goals
of AB 341, California's new Mandatory Commercial Recycling bill. The City
is already engaged in an ambitious Zero Waste Strategy involving essentially every element of municipal
waste and resource management and extends to numerous public private partnerships. and contract relationships
such as with Republic. The overall program views waste as a resource, provides standard recycling services for
all, and introduces the recycling of organics using advanced technology that generates energy from waste. City of San Jose
Mayor Chuck Reed: "Our businesses and community will benefit from this new approach to commercial waste
recycling. The new service will include the recycling of organic waste which will help businesses and the City
alike achieve their sustainability goals. The investment in advanced waste processing facilities generates new
green jobs, turns waste into energy, and once again demonstrates San Jose's innovative leadership toward a
sustainable future and moves the City significantly closer to achieving its Green Vision goal of diverting 100
percent of its waste from landfills and converting that waste in to energy." 08/11/2012
Trimble's cBin Uses GPS to Remotely
Track and Monitor Recycling Bins
Tirmble Environmental Solutions has announced the launch of its GPS enabled cBinTM waste collection and materials management modules.
The cBin solution consists of a remote sensor in a container that sends fill level and asset status information
via wireless communications, sending hourly updates to a web portal to improve container inventory control and
pickup routing efficiency; immediate updates are sent if fill levels exceed action levels. The cBin solution
includes web interface routing tools to customize collection routes based on container status. The summary
screen provides a quick "at a glance" view of all containers in a community for rapid evaluation of container
status. Elmar Lenz, director of Trimble's Environmental Solutions Business Area: "Trimble's cBin solution can
redefine how recycled materials are being collected. Hauling operations no longer need to use fuel, labor or
incur truck wear and tear to go pick-up empty or partially full containers. Optimal route planning and
scheduling are essential to remain competitive. The cBin solution allows customers to plan collection routes to
pick-up only full containers and estimate the amounts of recyclable materials that each truck will collect on a
route before leaving the shop. With cBin, recyclers and fleet managers can reduce collection cost, improve their
forecasting process, and utilize their fleets more efficiently." 08/11/2012
Indian River BioEnergy Center Receives
EPA Registration for Cellulosic Ethanol
INEOS Bio has announced that its joint venture project INEOS New Planet BioEnergy
(INPB) has been granted fuels registration under EPA's Part 79 and 80 for production and sale of advanced
bioethanol from non-food vegetable waste feedstock. Construction of INPB's Indian River BioEnergy Center in Velo
Beach, Florida, broke ground in February 2011, was completed in June 2012, and the
plant has been undergoing commissioning, on schedule for start-up later this year. The development has benefited
from a $75 million USDA loan guarantee a year ago, and successfully
petitioned for local tax abatement last December. The INEOS technology platform starts with the gasification of a wide variety of
feedstock types, reclaiming heat as the syngas is cooled and cleaned, then infusing the cooled gas into
fermentation vessels charged with naturally-occurring strains of bacteria. The fermentation produces ethanol,
which is then dewatered and refined to produce anhydrous ethanol at greater than 97% purity. When the Center is
at full production, it will produce eight million gallons (24,000 tons per year) of advanced bioethanol and six
megawatts (gross) of renewable power annually from renewable biomass including local yard, vegetative and
agricultural wastes. INEOS Bio has plans to run municipal solid waste at the Center after the initial start-up.
"We have completed this new facility on schedule and on budget and look forward to further advancing this
bioenergy technology and making it commercially available around the world," said Peter Williams, CEO of INEOS
Bio and Chairman of INPB. "Building more facilities and licensing this technology globally provides a new
platform for waste disposal while providing energy security, local jobs and local bioenergy. New technologies
like this will also move us further away from and eventually change the food-vs-fuel debate."
08/11/2012
Due 09/10/2012: Comments on Placer
County Bioenergy Project Draft EIR
Placer County has released a Notice of Availability initiating a public comment period for the
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) addressing potential impacts of development and operation of a
bioenergy facility. The Executive Summary from the DEIR provides a brief synopsis of the proposed project and
project alternatives, environmental impacts and mitigation, areas of known controversy, and issues to be
resolved during environmental review. The project is part of the Placer County Biomass Program, intended to (1)
determine the feasibility of removing woody biomass from forest lands in the County; and (2) examine the options
for using excess biomass to generate economically sustainable forms of energy or other beneficial products.
The Cabin Creek Biomass Facility will be a gasification-based wood waste
conversion plant, sited on 3.7 acres on the southeastern portion of a 292 acre County-owned property, within
which the Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Cabin Creek operates on about 40 acres. The
bioenergy plant will convert between14,000 and 17,000 bone dry tons (bdt) of woody biomass annually into 2
megawatts of electricity and from 420 to 850 tons of biochar. The location on Highway 89 between the Tahoe Basin
and the town of Truckee facilitates feedstock transport from a 30-mile radius. The gasification system vendor
will be selected later in this planning process. A public hearing seeking comment specifically on the adequacy
of the DEIR is scheduled for August 30, 2012 in Tahoe City. A second hearing yet to be scheduled will address
the merits of the proposed project. Comments on DEIR adequacy should be submitted in writing to Maywan Krach,
Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, Environmental Coordination Services, 3091 County Center
Drive, Suite 190, Auburn, CA 95603, fax (530) 745-3080 or email . For more
information regarding the project, please contact Project Planner, Gerry Haas, (530) 745-3084.
08/11/2012
Due 10/05/2012: Proposals
to USACE for Renewable/Alternative Energy IDIQ
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through its Engineering and Support Center
in Huntsville, Alabama has issued "Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production for Department of Defense
Installation, Solicitation # W912DY-11-R-0036". The solicitation is a Multiple-Award Task Order Contract (MATOC)
Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy through power
purchase agreements. The USACE intends to award the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-delivery (IDIQ) $7 billion
capacity contracts for nearly 30 years for the purchase of energy from renewable energy plants that are
constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing. This final RFP follows an extended
industry and government draft review period during which over 900 comments were received and analyzed. Further
detail can be found on the FedBixOpps.gov site notice issued for the pre-solicitation draft, including links to the
current version of the RFP. A pre-proposal conference has been scheduled for August 22, 2012; information on
attending the workshop is to be issued as an upcoming amendment to this RFP. Proposals are due October 5, 2012
no later than 2:00pm CST. Questions should be directed to Sarah M. Tierney in Huntsville at (256) 895-1219 or
, or to others within the USACE Huntsville Public Affairs Office. Editor's Note: There are difficulties in contacting staff and in
accessing and viewing solicitation documents as of this posting. 08/10/2012
Eco Ventures Group Secures Local Permits for Florida
Biofuels Plant
Florida based company Eco Ventures Group Inc (EVG) has announced that both Lake County and the City of Groveland, Florida have now formally
approved permits for the company's biofuel systems fabrication and manufacturing, and for the production and
sale of biofuel on all of its Groveland headquarters property. At present, EVG's Eco Energy Group is developing a 3.6 million gallon per year biofuel plant on the property;
the all-inclusive permits will allow expansion in the future to around 90 million annual gallons production. EVG
has developed a cost-effective Raptor modular biodiesel production system at the relatively small scale of 3.6 million
gallon annual rate, capable of converting high free-fatty acid (FAA) content waste "yellow grease" and oil-rich
seed crop feedstock. Through EVG's joint venture with Raptor Technologies Group, the company intends to diversify its advanced biofuels beyond
biodiesel production. The Company hopes to begin biofuel test manufacturing near the end of the fourth quarter
2012 or beginning of the first quarter of 2013. Randall Lanham, Eco Ventures Group Chief Executive Officer: "We
appreciate the diligence of Lake County and the City of Groveland throughout the complex process for permitting
biofuel manufacturing and sales at our Groveland headquarters. We look forward to working closely with federal
and state agencies to prepare for the Company's safe and responsible commercial scale biofuel production in the
months ahead." 08/09/2012
Technical Options Presented for Biochar
Analysis
Micrometrics Analytical Services (MAS) has announced availability of a technical biochar analysis paper presented during the 2012 US Biochar Conference held at Sonoma State University at the end of July. The paper,
Analytical Options for Biochar Adsorption and Surface Area, was co-authored by MAS and
numerous other specialists in the field of analytical protocols, instrumentation, and testing to differentiate
properly manufactured biochar from other carbon rich natural products based on its ability to interacts in the
soil dynamics of moisture, fertilizer and microbial populations, and how stable it is to degradation in that
environment. Use of biochar is still new enough to not have developed a thorough suite of analytical protocols
capable of standardizing testing and characterization. The paper differentiates between adsorption and
absorption pertinent to biochar, compares biochar production methods and results, and contrasts current testing
methodologies for both adsorption and surface area assessment. The paper's conclusion points out the highly
variable nature of the material, complicating characterization: "One underlying driver is the variability that
is encountered within a homologous series of biochars, created by varying one set of carbonization conditions
and realizing that many things are happening simultaneously within the char. Biochars are basically a class of
materials that extends from “over-torrefied biomass” to a molecular-scale mixture of ash and graphite."
08/09/2012
Eco Starts Commissioning Tests for West Dorset Food
Waste AD Plant
A leading organics recycling firm in the United Kingdom, Eco
Sustainable Solutions (Eco) has announced final testing of its £3.3 million anaerobic digester (AD) at Piddlehinton, which
is due to be officially launched in September. The new AD facility will convert up to 15,000 tonnes of food
waste and agricultural residues, and another 6,000 tonnes of pig manure slurry into biogas. The biogas will be
used to generate almost 500 kilowatts of renewable electricity for the adjacent Mole Valley Farmers' Dorchester Feed Mill. Eco currently processes around 150,000 tonnes per
year of organics into agricultural and landscaping materials. The residual from the AD plant will be locally
used as a soils amendment. The Mole Valley Farmers cooperative was formed in 1960 and today boasts over 22,000
coop members. With the addition of a photovoltaic bank, the Feed Mill will be operating completely on renewable
energy. David Pope, Operations Manager, Mole Valley Farmers: "Our Dorchester Feed Mill produces 85,000 tonnes of
animal feed each year. Farmers will, therefore, be buying feed produced entirely using renewable energy. Mole
Valley Farmers has long since recognised the opportunities that renewable energy production affords farmers, the
rural economy and the environment and producing animal feed using renewable technology is central to our vision
for the future of farming.” 08/08/2012
GRES Forming JV for Puerto Rico Landfill Remediation,
Recycling, Conversion
Green Energy Renewable Solutions (GRES) of Las Vegas, Nevada has announced signing a Letter of Intent to form a 50/50% joint venture (JV) with Puerto Rico
based Landfill Solutions, Inc to manage and remediate the 50-acre Yabucoa municipal landfill. The companies have
been collaborating since the landfill was closed last year; the JV will be formed with to bring the site into
full compliance with current operating standards, and reopen the site in four to six months while developing
waste conversion and recycling facilities. The completed operations are expected to divert up to 90% of incoming
municipal solid waste (MSW) for separation and processing of recyclable materials, converting the remainder to
energy and fuels. The Company believes the planned operations will reduce the volume impact to landfill by 90%
or more when fully operational. The team already has secured a no-cost 30-year lease for the landfill at no cost
with contracts for 500 tons of MSW per day from four Puerto Rico municipalities. When completed the estimated
$100 million project will have a projected capacity to process at least 1,000 tons of MSW per day, with an
estimated output of 200 tons per day of recycle materials, 350 barrels of sweet crude oil equivalent and up to
15 Megawatts of electrical power output. GRES' business model calls for development of strategic alliances with
technology and systems manufacturers of commercially proven recycling, processing and waste to energy (“WTE”),
for incorporation of conversion technologies to produce renewable fuel, electricity, compost and other
marketable green products from waste materials. 08/08/2012
EPA Awards Tetra Tech Two $32MM Methane Emission
Reduction Contracts
California based engineering consultancy Tetra Tech has received two contract awards totaling around $32 million from the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to provide technical and outreach support for reduction of methane emissions. The
smaller of the two contracts, a $10 million blanket purchase agreement, will provide support for the EPA's
national AgSTAR outreach program directed toward reduction of methane emissions from livestock and
agro-industrial waste management, primarily by promoting anaerobic digestion, and biogas recovery and
utilization for production of combined heat and power. The larger contract for $22 million is a five year
indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract to support EPA's Natural Gas STAR voluntary program to engage oil and gas companies in overall operational
efficiency improvements that reduce methane emissions. AgSTAR and Gas STAR's promotion of biogas technologies
and oilfield methane emissions reductions extend beyond U.S. borders, as part of the EPA's Climate Change
Division’s collaboration with the Global Methane Initiative. “The Natural Gas STAR and AgSTAR programs aim to help EPA and
industry partners improve efficiencies, reduce emissions, and generate additional revenues through clean energy
applications,” said Dan Batrack, Tetra Tech’s Chairman and CEO. 08/08/2012
DOD and DOI Partner for Renewable Energy to Serve US
Military Bases
The US Departments of Defense (DOD) and of the Interior (DOI) have announced a partnership to facilitate development of renewable energy projects and resources
in federal jurisdictions on and adjacent to US military bases. The agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding late last month outlining collaborative concepts, policies,
roles, and responsibilities needed to open millions of acres for both onshore and offshore energy development to
improve energy security and to reduce the DOD's $4 billion per year energy bill. Most of the emphasis is on
delivery of energy directly to single military installations; in some large project efforts, secondary power
sales to regional grids may be considered. Although the plans emphasize large-scale wind, solar and geothermal,
the MOU recognizes that access improvements are needed for proven biomass resources within the nation's
patchwork of state and federal ownership. The Interagency Land Use Coordinating Committee (ILUCC) is currently
addressing the specific status of federal land controls, particularly where lands have been withdrawn for
defense-related purposes. The new MOU augments and expands upon the ILUCC's work with the DOD and DUI
(especially the Bureau of Land Management) and will seek legislative clarification where needed on the real
property and resource aspects of renewable energy project development plans, including designation of renewable
energy zones within future BLM landscape planning efforts. A separate section of the MOU addresses current DOD
and DOI activity within the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and
Permitting in Alaska (per EO 13580), directing the agencies to focus on development of "standardized small-scale
renewable energy packages that can help address power needs for remote, off-grid locations, including potential
deployment in isolated Native Alaskan Villages." 08/08/2012
Viridor Is Top Bidder to Build/Operate
Peterborough Energy from Waste Facility
The Peterborough City Council has announced that the United Kingdom's waste management company Viridor Ltd has been selected as the recommended preferred bidder to build and operate a new
energy from waste (EfW) facility under a 30 year contract. The decision comes only a couple weeks after Viridor
signed the agreement for a similar integrated waste management and energy generation facility for the City of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently, Peterborough generates about 90,000 tonnes of waste
annually with 43% recycled and the remainder sent to landfill; generated tonnage is expected to approach 140,000
by 2040. Costs for disposal are also increasing rapidly; in 2010/2011, the city council spent around £3 million
sending waste to landfill at a cost of around £70 per tonne. By 2014/15 the same amount of waste will cost £100
per tonne or £4.60 million, an increase of more than 50 per cent (£1.6 million) in four years. The City had
developed plans to invest about £76 million to revamp its waste management processes and build the EfW plant
adjacent to the Peterborough Power Station. Councillor Lee will now consider the proposal before announcing his
decision on 10 August. There will then be a three-day ‘calling in’ period for the decision to be challenged,
before it can be implemented on 15 August. Speaking about the plans, Councillor Matthew Lee, Deputy Leader of
Peterborough City Council, said, “This contract heralds a whole new, and very exciting, approach to the way in
which we manage our waste. We have been very fortunate to have two excellent proposals from the two final
bidders. I will now consider the recommendation carefully before making my decision.” 08/07/2012
Fulcrum Receives $105MM USDA Loan Guarantee for Sierra
Biofuels Project
California based Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. has announced that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed to a $105 million
conditional loan guarantee, key to securing project financing to fund construction of Fulcrum's Sierra BioFuels
Plant. The plant will be located in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in the City of McCarran, Storey County,
Nevada, and is expected to begin production by the end of 2013. The 10 million gallon per year plant will
utilize Fulcrum's gasification technology to thermally convert post-recycling municipal solid waste (MSW)
first into synthetic gas, and then catalytically into renewable liquid transportation fuel. Fulcrum has already
obtained the necessary local and state regulatory permits necessary to begin site preparation, has begun
detailed engineering of the plant design, contracted for feedstock, and have entered into an off-take agreement
for the full output of the Plant. The modular design of Fulcrum’s plants has been developed to replicate
large-scale national commercial development. Last November, Fulcrum closed a strategic investment with Waste Management, Inc, bringing $70 million into the company's
coffers for the project's development. E. James Macias, Fulcrum’s President and Chief Executive Officer: “This
USDA loan guarantee provides a key piece of financing to move our Sierra BioFuels project forward. It allows us
to secure private bank financing at reasonable prices and with favorable terms. This is a real example of how
USDA’s Rural Development Program helps bring new and innovative technologies and jobs to some of the areas
hardest hit by the economic downturn.” 08/07/2012
ZeroPoint's 2nd Biomass Gasification Plant is Connected
to Grid
New York based ZeroPoint Clean Tech, Inc has announced that its second biomass gasification facility is now grid-connected and selling
power to the regional utility in Newry, Northern Ireland. The company's first combined heat and power biofueled
plant is fully operational in operating in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany. ZeroPoint's technology platform gasifies biomass in absence of oxygen, without combustion, to produce a
clean-burning synthesis gas (syngas) that can then fuel engines either alone or mixed with other hydrocarbon
fuels. The syngas can also be reformed to produce liquid fuels. The process also generates biochar, a
fixed-carbon porous form of charcoal that is useful as a soils amendment and for carbon sequestration. ZeroPoint
is currently working with strategic relationships to assemble and deploy similar projects across North America
and Europe. "Biomass technologies are fundamentally differentiated from wind and solar technologies," said
Company Chairman, John Blend. "We see biomass filling a growing role in renewables as well as delivering highly
attractive returns to project investors. I believe, at the moment, we are the only solution provider in the
world to enable two, grid-connected, carbon-negative power plants and we plan to empower additional sites in the
near future." Traditional wind and solar voltaic power are intermittent with weather and nightfall whereas
biomass projects deliver base load energy and integrate more easily with utility grids. 08/07/2012
BiogenGreenfinch, Now Biogen, Secures £24.4m Investment
from Kier
United Kingdom's anaerobic digestion (AD) company BiogenGreenfinch has
announced that the construction and property rights firm Kier has invested £24.4 million, adding to the investment already made by
BiogenGreenfinch's parent company Bedfordia Group. Kier will become a 50/50 joint venture partner with Bedfordia in
BiogenGreenfinch because of the investment. To mark the occasion and improve its marketing impact, the company
has officially changed its name from BiogenGreenfinch to Biogen. Biogen specializes in anaerobic digestion of
food waste and manure to generate biogas for combined heat and power, and has been aggressively advancing
projects in England and Wales, ranging in through-put rate from 10,000 to about 50,000 tonnes per year. Biogen
has a design and process engineering base and R&D laboratory in Ludlow, Shropshire, and is the UK’s only AD
business which designs, builds and operates all its own plants. John Ibbett, Chairman of Bedfordia Group and
Biogen says, “This partnership confirms Biogen’s place at the forefront of the green energy industry. Kier
recognises the demand for anaerobic digestion to recycle food waste, generate sustainable electricity and cut
greenhouse emissions both now and for the foreseeable future. In addition to Biogen’s recognised experience and
expertise in the food waste AD industry we are now able to benefit from Kier’s considerable track record and
skills in environmental services and construction to help us accelerate the roll out of our AD plant pipeline.”
08/06/2012
HM3 Energy Receives $86K from Oregon BEST for
Coal Replacement
The Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center
(Oregon BEST) has announced an award of $86,000 to Gresham, Oregon based HM3 Energy for testing and
systems optimization in making torrefied wood as a clean, energy-dense, low-emissions substitute for coal.
HM3 Energy’s proprietary TorrB™ torrefaction technology takes biomass energy to a new,
cleaner and more energy efficient level. It converts biomass such as wood waste and agricultural residue into
clean fuel suitable for co-firing in coal-fired electric power generation plants. HM3 Energy has demonstrated
the technology using woody debris as feedstock to produce TorrB™ torrefied biomass briquettes. As an example, the process receives
biomass from urban wood waste collection, forest thinning, logging slash, and agricultural residue. The biomass
feedstock is ground in a horizontal grinder, dried then heated at high temperature by torrefaction, then
pulverized and pressed into TorrB™ torrefied briquettes. The grant is part of $1 million in 2012
Commercialization Grants that Oregon BEST will award to commercialize clean tech being co-developed by
university researchers and private businesses. Michael Milota, a professor in OSU’s Dept. of Wood Science and
Engineering, will lead precommercial emissions testing of common Oregon biomass fuels (ponderosa pine, western
juniper, Douglas-fir and red alder) dried in a rotary biomass dryer to provide key baseline data. This would
produce enough fuel to replace all of the coal burned in PGE’s 585 MW Boardman plant. HM3 Energy also plans to
license its technology both in the US and abroad. 08/06/2012
Industry Associations Form Biofuel Producers
Coordinating Council
Eight biofuel industry organizations have announced the formation of the Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council to jointly
advocate for national policy for increased energy security through domestic biofuel production. The new Council
will include Michael McAdams from the Advanced Biofuels Association; Brooke Coleman from the Advanced Ethanol Council; Mary Rosenthal from the Algal Biomass Organization; Brian Jennings from the American Coalition for Ethanol; Brent Erickson from the Biotechnology Industry Organization; Tom Buis from Growth Energy; Anne Steckel from the National Biodiesel Board; and Bob Dinneen from the Renewable Fuels Association. The Renewable Fuel Standard sets goals for energy
security, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a cleaner, healthier environment by establishing annual standards
to increase production and use of biofuels in the United States. The members of the Council jointly pledged
support for maintaining this policy and continuing to achieve its goals. Since adoption of the Renewable Fuel
Standard, U.S. production of biofuels has tripled and reliance on foreign oil has been cut by nearly one-third.
08/06/2012
SWACO Signs Landfill Gas to Pipeline Deal with
Renewco
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) announced that it has signed a contract with Georgia based Renewco to clean, compress and inject landfill gas (LFG) into the regional natural gas
pipeline infrastructure. The methane-rich gas from the Franklin County Sanitary landfill is currently destroyed
by burning in two flares on landfill site. SWACO and Renewco have agreed to a 20-year term to build, fund, and
manage the on-site LFG processing facility. The project is now subject to regulatory approvals, and needs an
executed land lease agreement and signed off-take contracts for the sale of the renewable gas. Renewco is
expected to begin development in February 2013 and to be in operation by the fall of 2014; the experienced LFG
company typically can have a project completed and generating revenue within 16-20 months. The first step is an
analysis of landfill and of the gas collection / containment system (GCCS) characteristics, highlighting
potential efficiency modifications while assuring environmental compliance. The landfill gas must be processed
to remove toxins, moisture and unwanted trace compounds to meet quality standards and environmental regulations.
Once "to specification", the 150 years of pipeline construction experience of Renewco's parent company AGL
Resources ensures the necessary infrastructure will meet Utility and agency requirements. Renewco is a joint
venture between AGL Resources and Keystone Renewable Energy, a leader in solid waste management, landfill gas collection
system design and optimization, and multiple high-BTU, pipeline-quality landfill gas projects. “We are very
pleased to be working with SWACO on this project. The high quality of this landfill makes it an ideal site for a
renewable gas project,” said Ira Pearl, Chief Executive Officer of Renewco, LLC, and Vice President, AGL
Resources. 08/06/2012
Oregon DEQ Schedules Next Conversion Technology
Rulemaking Meeting
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has scheduled a public meeting in the ongoing Conversion Technology Rulemaking, for
August 16, 2012 in the agency's Northwest Regional Office in Portland. The agenda's main topics for this meeting includes four proposed rule amendments: (1)
Definitions and Applications (draft division 93) including DEQ's interpretation of the definition of Solid
Waste; (2) review and discussion of proposed rules for Anaerobic Digestion and Composting (draft division 96);
(3) a discussion and review of new rules broadly impacting Conversion Technologies (also part of draft division
96); and (4) presentation of proposed Fees (draft division 97). A focused discussion led by Mr. Joe Miller,
Oregon Physicians for Social responsibility, will address Type 4 Composting Feedstock and the challenges
presented by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or "mad cow disease". Background information is available
on-line, and now includes the Advisory Committee Rulemaking Charter. The Conversion Technology Rulemaking is running
concurrent to Oregon DEQ's development of the Draft 2050 Vision and Framework for Action, which includes
revision of the State Solid Waste Management Plan formed around a holistic concept of Materials Management. Interested parties unable to come in person may attend remotely
via Oregon's iLinc web service; further call-in details are available on the
meeting notice. For further information, contact Bob Barrows,
541-687-7354,. 08/05/2012
RES Polyflow Formed to Advance Plastic Waste
Conversion Systems
Ohio based Polyflow LLC. has announced formation of a joint venture Renewable Energy Systems of Polyflow, or
RES Polyflow. The new company is a joint venture with the private equity firm
Ambassador Enterprises, a for-profit, philanthropic, equity firm launched in 2008,
whose clients include businesses, individuals, and nonprofits. The new company will commercialize Polyflow's
patented low-temperature pyrolytic technologies and proprietary equipment, which is capable of continuous-feed
conversion of mixed polymer waste such as plastics, tires, rubber, and carpets into transportation fuels, octane
enhancers, and aromatics without significant handling or cleaning. RES Polyflow's current system can depolymerized up to 60 tons per day. The finished
product is a highly marketable liquid known as pygas (pyrolysis gasoline), equivalent in quality and consistency
to benchmark crude oil. Diesel fuel, octane enhancers and gasoline blendstocks can then be reformed from this
end-product, and additional refining equipment can be installed to further extract valuable aromatics from the
finished product. RES Polyflow’s marketing plan is now focused on establishing independently operated energy
recovery facilities as well as selling licensed equipment to energy park developers, recyclers, landfill
operators and organizations managing large polymer waste streams. In addition to implementing and scaling up the
technology in North America, the company is seeking opportunities with strategic partners for export to Europe,
China, India and Australia. Jay Schabel, RES Polyflow’s Chief Executive Officer: “Our goal is to be the
worldwide standard for profitable energy recovery from plastic waste." 08/05/2012
Solazyme Receives EPA Fuel Registration for
Algal-Derived Soladiesel®RD
California's heterotrophic algae to biofuels and bioproducts company Solazyme
Inc has announced completion of all testing and receipt of EPA part 79 registration of its
algal-derived biodiesel, Soadiesel®RD. Solazyme's proprietary microalgae are heterotrophic, and capable of being grown in the
dark using standard industrial fermentation vessels. The algae consumes a wide variety of waste- and
crop-derived sugars for accelerated, commercially viable rates of algal oil production. Soladiesel®RD is the
first algal derived biodiesel to receive full EPA fuel registration; this follows closely on registration
of KiOR's thermally derived biofuel late last month and is an encouraging sign of
advanced biofuels commercialization. The fuel has been successfully tested in blended and unblended (R100) form
in unmodified diesel engines, and meets or exceeds all ASTM D975 specifications for conventional diesel fuel,
while reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission by 10% and improving a cetane number of 78, substantially higher
than standard diesel. this year, Solazyme and marine shipping giant Maersk successfully tested Soladiesel for marine use. Bob Ames,
VP Fuels Commercialization, Solazyme: “Our Soladiesel®and Solajet™ fuels have been extensively demonstrated in a
wide array of platforms from cars, light trucks and buses, to commercial and military jets, helicopters, large
commercial shipping vessels and Navy destroyers. These higher performing advanced biofuels will lead the path
forward to reducing emissions and increasing energy independence. This registration is another key milestone in
Solazyme’s mission to commercialize drop-in replacement fuels as we continue to build out our renewable oil
production capacity.” 08/03/2012
AFS BioOil Wastewater-to-Algae
Oil: $2 per Gallon at 1MM Gallons per Year
South San Francisco based AFS BioOil has announced that initial testing confirms a price of about $2.00 per gallon for
production of biodiesel when produced at small commercial plant scale of only 1 million gallons per year. The
company is a 2010 spin-out subsidiary and licensee of Algal Floating Systems, Inc to commercialize its proprietary algal
processing system. The company has developed and applied for patent on a wastewater nutrient extraction
processes in-house and coupled this with algal growth and harvesting technologies licensed from its parent
corporation. In May of this year, AFS BioOil held an open house at its operating facility on the grounds of the Fairfield Suisun
Sewer District's wastewater treatment plant to demonstrate a fully integrated wastewater processing and
algal oil facility they believe can generate 5 megawatts of electricity while producing from one to three
million gallons of biodiesel per year. AFS BioOil is now seeking collaborative partners capable of providing sources of carbon dioxide and
wastewater, licensees for the nutrient extraction system, and off-take agreements for resulting biofuels and
bioproducts. "Next project for us is one to three million gallon/yr system," said CEO Vadim Krifuks, "and we are
putting all our efforts in preparing to execute it. We are inviting interested parties from around the world to
join our development." 08/03/2012
Genomatica Completes $41.5MM Funding Round, Drops
IPO Plans
San Diego's integrated bioprocessing company Genomatica has announced successfully raised an additional $41.5 million in a Series D round of preferred stock
financing, while withdrawing last year's registration statement from the US Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) for an initial public offering (IPO). Genomatica's proprietary biotechnology platform customizes microbial metabolic pathways to convert numerous
renewable feedstock types including sugars derived from both conventional and cellulosic biomass and
thermally-produced synthetic gas (syngas) into high-value foundation and intermediary chemicals, including
the industrial chemical, 1,4-butanediol (BDO). In January of this year, the company secured a global license from CHEMTEX / Beta Renewables for the PROESA platform for
cellulosic sugar production, for Genomatica’s integrated production of BDO. Speaking about the successful
funding round and decision tom withdraw the IPO registration, Christophe Schilling, Ph.D., CEO of Genomatica
said: “After evaluating all of our financing options, we determined that this private financing was the most
attractive option for Genomatica and in the best interest of our shareholders.” The investment featured
strategic partners, including new investor and partner Versalis, the largest Italian chemical company. Existing investors Alloy Ventures,
Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Waste Management
also joined the new round. “Genomatica has demonstrated superior abilities to develop economically attractive
process technologies that can enable a new approach for our industry,” said Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis.
“We share a common view of how the industry can evolve and we’re excited about joining forces on bio-based
butadiene.” 08/03/2012
Argus Launches California LCFS Credit Commodity Price
Assessments
United Kingdom (UK) based market price analysts Argus Media has announced the launch of the first published market price assessment for credits issued under
the California Air Resource Board's (ARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), including weekly spot-market assessments of traded credits. The LCFS program utilizes
a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach to assign a Carbon Intensity (CI) value to specific fuel production
pathways. LCFS credits are generated by selling low CI transport fuels for use in California, such as biofuels,
natural gas, or low-carbon electricity. Fuel producers are rewarded with LCFS credits by the ARB for the amount
that they reduce their transport fuel's carbon intensity below their annual target. Argus' tracking of LCFS
credits joins the company's existing on-going monitoring of California's carbon allowances under the Cap and Trade program, California renewable energy certificates (RECs), and Green-e
voluntary RECs for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council area. In other North American carbon markets,
Argus publishes volume-weighted average indexes for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states, as well as
price assessments for Alberta Carbon Offsets and carbon offsets issued by the Climate Action Reserve. "The
increased trading and interest in North American renewables markets has been dramatic," Argus Media chairman and
chief executive Adrian Binks said. "We are happy to continue expanding our coverage and increasing transparency
for these growing markets." 08/03/2012
Bion Receives Final WQ Permit for Dairy Farm Nutrient
Recovery System
Colorado based Bion Environmental Technologies Inc. has announced receipt of a full and final Water Quality Management Permit (WQMP) for Bion’s
micro-aerobic livestock waste treatment facility located at the Kreider Dairy Farm in Manheim, Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. Incorporated within the permit is Bion’s verification plan approval which spells out the sampling
and reporting requirements for the issuance of verified credit reductions from the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection (PA DEP). Bion's Comprehensive Environmental Management System removes up to 95% of the nutrients (nitrogen
and phosphorus) from the livestock waste effluent and substantially reduces air emissions, including ammonia (as
great as 90% or more), greenhouse gases, hydrogen sulfide, VOC's and others. The system extracts renewable
energy from the waste stream in the form of cellulosic biomass in a process that is much more efficient than
others seeking to exploit this energy source. The on-going system pilot and testing program at the Kreider Dairy is demonstrating Bion’s ability to separate a
substantially greater amount of particulates from the bioreactor’s discharge stream, allowing the capture of
more nutrient solids for reuse, as well as production of a high-value, liquid soluble nutrient stream. Increased
capture of nutrients will also result in an increase in the number of verified nitrogen and phosphorus credits
produced by the system. Bion received its first nutrient control credit certification from the PA DEP last year. The full permit now allows
Bion to offer environmental credits for sale in Pennsylvania's PENNVEST nutrient credit trading program. 08/03/2012
USDA Bioenergy Program Awards $19.4MM to 125 Advanced
Biofuel Producers
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced payments totaling $19.4 million to 125 advanced biofuel producers and business
owners across the country. Awards are in support of production from non-food sources, including a wide variety
of waste-sourced feedstock. Examples of eligible feedstock include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal,
food and yard waste material; vegetable oil; and animal fat. The top award of $1,868, 965 went to Renewable Energy Group in Iowa for transesterification of virgin and waste vegetable oil and
animal fat (tallow) to produce biodiesel. Other awards were made to companies for pellet fuel, biogas and
biodiesel production, for landfill gas capture, cleaning and utilization, and for non-corn production of
ethanol. The funding is being provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces
from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. According to USDA Secretary Vilsack: "Advanced biofuels
are a key component of President Obama's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy to reduce the Nation's reliance on
foreign oil and take control of America's energy future. These payments represent help spur an alternative fuels
industry using renewable feedstocks grown in America, broadening the range of feedstock options available to
biofuels producers, helping to create an economy built to last." 08/02/2012
$9MM Awarded in Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator
Challenge
The US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (DOC/EDA) and
the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office have announced winners in the multi-agency Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge
program, selecting 13 winners from 62 applicants across 12 states. Economic development partnerships and
initiatives in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia will receive awards ranging from nearly $200,000 to over
$1 million. New Hampshire's Northern Tier Farm and Forest Jobs Accelerator was awarded $708,750 to assist an
economic development partnership of the Northern Community Investment Corporation of Lancaster and the Northern
Forest Center Inc., of Concord. Their project will implement a broad strategy across both food and wood fiber
clusters intended to create jobs, lower energy costs, increase value-added processing and marketing, retain
local wealth and enhance local transportation, telecommunications infrastructure, and the entrepreneurial
environment in eight rural, economically distressed counties in northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The
federal agencies are partnered for program co-funding and administration by the Delta Regional Authority
(DRA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The Rural Jobs Accelerator Challenge is a national initiative to support rural partnerships as a
cluster initiative that leverages local assets to help entrepreneurs and small businesses
foster innovation, increase competitiveness and employ highly skilled workers, all of which are critical to
long-term economic growth in their regions. 08/02/2012
NIB Finances New EUR 67MM Bioenergy CHP Plant in Växjö
Sweden
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has announced approval of a loan totaling SEK 600 million (EUR 67 million) to the Swedish energy
company Växjö Energi AB. The 20-year maturity loan will finance construction of a new combined heat and power
(CHP) plant by the municipally-owned utility under the NIB’s Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable
Energy Facility (CLEERE) support program. The city is the site of Sweden's first municipal power station, which
was built in 1887. Växjö Energi’s new power plant will be fueled exclusively with biomass to provide district
heating and cooling and to generate electricity. “NIB is pleased to participate in a project that contributes to
the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels, which is in line with our mission to promote sustainable growth.
Due to this project, the use of fossil fuels will diminish in Växjö Energi’s power production,” says Henrik
Normann, NIB President and CEO. In January of this year, NIB provided a seven year, EUR 18 million financing
package for development of the 140 megawatt biomass gasification plant in Vaasa, Finland. In June 2012, NIB committed EUR 33 million to
support the Danish company Haldor Topsøe’s research and development efforts toward catalysis for biofuels. The Nordic
Investment Bank (NIB) is the common international financial institution of the eight Nordic and Baltic
countries. NIB provides long-term financing to the energy, environmental, transport, logistics and
communications, and innovation sectors for projects that strengthen competitiveness and enhance the environment.
08/02/2012
Furuya Selects Tetronics GasPlasma to Recover Platinum
Metals from Waste
United Kingdom based Tetronics Ltd has announced selection of its GasPlasma technology for reclamation of
Platinum Group Metals (PGM) from waste catalysts by the Japanese precious metals production specialist Furuya
Metal Company Ltd. Wastes include automotive catalytic converters and spent industrial catalysts as used in
chemical and petrochemical industries. The principal advantage of Tetronics patented plasma technology is that
it couples the highest technical recovery/operational flexibility with the lowest environmental impacts and cost
base. The process chemistry in Tetronics’ plasma waste recovery technology is designed to smelt and
preferentially separate the precious metals from the less valuable material, which is vitrified into an inert,
safe reusable product called Plasmarok®, in a single processing step. When PGMs are recovered from segregated
recycled materials, these waste streams are typically orders of magnitude richer than their naturally occurring
ore equivalents. The high specific values of these waste streams can justify the capital investment in a plasma
based precious metal recovery plant with payback typically achieved within 1 to 2 years at waste throughputs of
1,500–2,000 tonnes per year. Stephen Davies, CEO for Tetronics: “We are delighted to be working with Furuya
Metals on this project, it is an application we know very well and we have a number of systems that have been
running for many years. Our objective on the project is to ensure Furuya maximises their return from the plant
as well as providing them with a competitive advantage that the recovery performance makes possible.” Tetronics
won the UK's Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycler of the Year earlier this
month. 08/01/2012
Total Reaffirms Partnership with
Amyris and Commits $82MM for Biofene
California based Amyris, Inc has announced signing an amendment to its existing agreement with Total
S.A. that extends their existing research and development partnership for deployment of Amyris' patented
Biofene. The amendment includes dedication of up to $82 million funding over the next three years by Total,
extending last November's initial agreement. The details of the funding agreement
were announced in conjunction with Securities and Exchange documentation reporting the company's Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results. Amyris has developed its
Industrial Synthetic Biology Platform for microbial engineering and
screening processes that optimize precision fermentation of a wide range of C5 and C6 sugars into a variety of
commercial chemicals. Amyris' first commercialization efforts focused on a molecule called farnesene (Biofene®),
which forms the basis for a wide range of products varying from specialty chemicals such as detergents,
cosmetics, perfumes and industrial lubricants, to transportation fuels such as diesel. The company operates a
pilot research and development facility in California and another in Brazil. Philippe Boisseau, President,
Supply-Marketing and member of Total's Executive Committee: "Amyris's best-in-class technology to produce
renewable hydrocarbons has proven performance attributes. With this refocused partnership, we'll reach our
business objectives, expand our ability to become a key supplier in renewable fuels and better meet our
customers' highest demands." 08/01/2012
Due 08/30/2012: Comments to ARB Cap
& Trade Proposed Provisions
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has posted the presentation on two technical aspects of the Cap and Trade
program that were addressed in the Emissions Leakage Workshop held July 30, 2012. The last page of the
presentation requests comments on the potential to increase allowance factors for low-risk production
categories, and on a proposal to collect facility-level economic data as a major mechanism for leakage
monitoring. The three hour plus workshop covered background of the Cap and Trade program's concepts and
methodologies encompassing "emissions leakage", a reduction in emission of greenhouse gases from facilities
within California that are offset by an increase in emissions outside of the state. Research teams are working
on data collection sources, baselines and analytical protocols based largely on Appendix K to the October 2010 Board packet addressing Leakage
Analysis. Board Resolution 11-32 required staff to "initiate a study to analyze
the ability of the agricultural sector, including food processors, to pass on regulatory costs to customers",
and to make recommendations to the Board regarding any needed changes to the leakage risk allocation approach
prior to the second compliance period (before November 1, 2014). Production profiles and emissions baselines by
are needed to set decreasing allowances to offset the impacts of program costs, with the intent to encourage and
support in-state production. Two conditions indicating high risk of leakage were discussed: (a) industries with
relatively high intensity of emissions generation from production, and (b) industries where there exists strong
out-of-state competition for that production, resulting in high "trade exposure". ARB staff ask that interested
and affected parties review the presentation, review Appendix K for assessment methods, and provide comments by
August 30, 2012 using the online comment form. Questions should be directed to ARB's Jason
McPhee at (916) 322-8116 or via email at . 08/01/2012
Due 09/18/2012: Applications to UK
Defra for Rare Metals Recovery from Waste
The United Kingdom (UK) Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Defra) has announced funding for an Innovation Challenge to encourage development
of local community closed loop efforts that recover high-value metals and minerals from waste. A briefing document is available on-line; the competitive program is
coordinated by the Technology Strategy Board through the Small Business Research
Initiative (SBRI). The scope of this competition is the identification and assessment of new technological
approaches, business models, and collaborations to develop closed loop models for a local economy. Defra will
invest up to £200,000 for up to five feasibility studies "to evaluate novel technical methods and business
processes that can deliver high-value opportunities for the extraction of metals and minerals from domestic and
commercial waste streams." Defra is particularly interested in the recovery of materials identified by the
European Union as critical raw materials, but other metals and minerals are in scope for
this competition where they lead to high-value opportunities. In Defra's recent Resource Security Action Plan the UK Government recognised the
importance of security of mineral and metals resources to the UK economy, setting out a framework for joint
action between Government, business and civil society. To apply for funding through this competition and to get
further details you must register your interest and download the documentation via the Competitions section of
SBRI's website. The on-line registration is required by September 11, 2012 to access the
application process, and completed applications must be submitted by noon on September 18, 2012.
08/01/2012
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