August 2014 News and Matters of
Interest
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Remember to check our Highlights for new postings on other areas of
Teru Talk.
N-Viro Relocates Bioorganic Fuel Division to Central Florida
Ohio based N-Viro International Corporation has announced that it has relocated company assets from northeast to
central Florida as part of a strategic plan to focus on international growth. Its newly-formed development and
capital-sourcing entity of the Company, United Kingdom based N-Viro Energy, Limited, has brought capital funds for international
projects to further the commercialization of N-Viro Fuel™. Experience in Israel and other countries indicates that
N-Viro can produce a coal-compatible fuel for biomass co-firing existing coal-fueled power plants. The
company's patented process converts paper waste, biosolids, the organic fraction
of municipal solid waste and other wastes and residues into commercially viable products using kinetic, thermal
and chemical stabilization. Coal fired power plants burning high sulfur coal inject limestone for SOx removal;
The N-Viro Fuel™ process recycles the alkaline ash by-product using waste heat from the power plant in the form
of exhaust gas, steam or cooling tower water provide power for the process. N-Viro Fuel also adds ammonia,
reducing ammonia / urea injection expenses for nitrogen oxide removal. Recently, N-Viro International received
a determination from the US Environmental Protection Agency that its
patented process satisfied federal requirements as a "non-waste fuel product" when substituted for 20% or less
of a coal fuel required to operate a combustion unit. 08/29/2014
B&W Hosts Congressman in South Florida Waste-to-Energy Plant #1
Tour
The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) hosted Congressman Patrick Murphy for a tour of its Facility #1 waste
to energy (WtE) plant in the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Renewable Energy Park. Facility #1 is
the country’s first new WtE plant to be built since 1995. Construction began on the plant in April 2012. B&W’s WtE
technology includes the advanced Vølund DynaGrate®, a selective catalytic reduction system, a dry flue gas
desulfurization unit, and other equipment. The new facility is designed to have high combustion efficiency and
eliminate 90 to 99 percent of acid gas, heavy metal, and dioxins emissions. B&W and its consortium partner,
KBR Inc., are now developing the Facility #2 WtE plant within the Energy Park, scheduled to be completed in
mid-2015. At capacity, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s Renewable Energy Park is designed to
process more than 1.7 million tons of solid waste per year and generate enough renewable energy to power more
than 85,000 homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WtE is a "clean, reliable, renewable
source of energy" for generating electricity. There are 86 WtE facilities across the U.S. B&W believes that
as communities focus on reducing their carbon emissions, WtE can be an increasingly important part of America’s
energy mix. As a reliable and non-intermittent source of renewable energy with the most modern environmental
control equipment, WtE technology is poised to be a much larger part of America’s energy mix, particularly in
the context of the EPA’s new rules on carbon emissions from power plants. 08/29/2014
Farmers in Central America Generate Energy From Coffee
Wastewater
Amsterdam based UTZ Certified has published the results of a four-year project to prove that is possible
to generate energy, tackle climate change, and protect water resources by treating discharges from coffee mills.
The Energy from Coffee Wastewater project began in 2010 with the goal of addressing environmental and health
problems caused by the wastewater produced in the coffee industry. Tailor-made coffee wastewater treatment
systems and solid-waste treatment mechanisms were installed in eight coffee farms in Nicaragua, ten in Honduras,
and one in Guatemala. The positive impact of the project on over 5,000 people in the region has inspired UTZ
Certified to replicate the initiative in other countries. Latin America produces around 70% of the world's
coffee and is the continent where 31% of the world's freshwater resources are located. Yet coffee production
generates a great amount of wastewater that is regularly released untreated into rivers, affecting aquatic fauna
and flora as well as downstream communities. UTZ Certified is currently introducing the technology in Peru and
Brazil. UTZ hopes to get further funds and industry's support to replicate the initiative in Africa and Asia.
08/28/2014
Eisenmann & Forester University to Co-Host Anaerobic Digestion
Webinar
Forester Communications has joined forces with the German based multi-national; Eisenmann
Corporation to host an informational webinar on Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Waste Streams,
scheduled for September 24, 2014. Presenters include John McDowell from Eisenmann and Paul Relis of CR&R
Environmental Services. CR&R is currently integrating Eisenmann's large scale anaerobic digestion (AD) systems into the company's Perris, California
materials recovery facility (MRF) to convert green waste into vehicle fuel for powering their waste haul truck
fleet. The webinar will provide an overview of current state regulations and drivers for organics diversion,
focus on AD technologies specifically for high solids yard and food waste, explore various project development
considerations from feedstock security to financing and biogas utilization, and discussed CR&R's biogas to
truck fuel initiative. Space is limited, and early on-line registration is recommended.
08/28/2014
Paulee CleanTec Competes to Represent Israel in Global Clean Tech
Open
Israeli waste conversion company Paulee CleanTec has been selected as one of six clean technology start-up companies to compete
in Israel's national Clean tech Open finals being held on September 10, 2014 at Tel Aviv University. From the
finalists, one winner will be selected to represent Israel in the global competition being held during Global
Entrepreneurship Week in November. Founded in 2008, Paulee CleanTec is developing revolutionary, green solutions
for eliminating and recycling human and animal waste in an eco-friendly manner. The concept came about because
of the ever increasing amount of animal waste being produced and how best to manage it, from both a sanitary and
an ecological perspective. CleanTech Open Global Ideas Competition is an international competition about green
technology, which takes place every November in California's Silicon Valley. The competition is held as part of
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a global initiative with nearly 150 participating countries all aimed at
developing and promoting new ideas, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit. The purpose of the CleanTech Open competition is to identify and promote breakthrough
solutions in a number of areas, including: energy generation, energy efficiency, water and waste, smart grid
technology, energy distribution and storage, green building, and smart transportation. The 2014 Global Forum is
being held in the heart of San Francisco. The soon-to-be-announced venue will feature state-of-the art
technology, world-class conference and exhibit space, and a variety of accommodation options.
08/27/2014
Ballard Deploys ElectraGen™-ME Fuel Cells at Global Telecon in
Manila
British Columbia, Canada based Ballard Power Systems, Inc has announced that deployment of the first 20 Ballard methanol-fuelled
ElectraGen™-ME backup power systems has been completed with Globe Telecom, a major provider of telecommunications services in the Philippines. Ballard’s
methanol-fuelled ElectraGen™-ME backup power systems have been installed on rooftop locations in Manila by our
channel partner, AECi, providing a cost-effective alternative to batteries and diesel generators. ElectraGen™-ME
systems are quiet, lightweight, reliable and are fuelled by HydroPlus™, a mixture of methanol and water that can
be readily hand-carried to rooftop sites for refueling purposes. Each system includes a 225 liter (60 gallon)
fuel tank and fuel processor, enabling approximately 100 hours of extended runtime, subject to load requirement.
With the advent of small-scale methane-to-methanol (M2M) conversion systems such as waste gas conversion
modules introduced by Maverick Biofuels earlier this year, almost any source
of methane gas – biogas from anaerobic digestion, “stranded” natural gas - can be turned to fuel for Ballard's
ElectraGen-ME power plants. 08/27/2014
John Deere and Hillco Harvest Corn and Bale Corn Stover in One
Pass
Idaho based Hillco Technologies, Inc, working in developmental partnership
with John Deere, has developed a new system for harvesting corn and baling
corn stover in one simple step. The Hillco Single Pass Round Bale System delivers the next generation of
versatile, innovative and economical corn residue collection process with minimal impact on corn harvesting
efficiency and speed. The Hillco Single Pass Round Bale System is fully automated and offers continuous round
baling with no stopping necessary. Harvesting and baling are accomplished in one pass, with less equipment, time
and manpower required. This process maximizes overall efficiency and productivity while minimizing costs. Lenny
Hill, owner and president of Hillco: "The ability to harvest and bale in one pass speaks to farmers'
efficiencies and economics, requiring less equipment, time and manpower. The SPRB System's bales consist of a
high percentage of cobs and husks and the feed quality is higher than other corn stalk bales. Because the baled
material comes directly out of the back of the combine and the material never touches the ground, SPRB System
bales are cleaner and contain far less ash, or 'dirt', than traditional stalk bales."
08/25/2014
California BOF Requests Input on Forest Practices and Carbon
Storage
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) is requesting public and stakeholder input on the scope and analysis
methodologies to help guide the agency's response to the Carbon Sink Act of 2010 (Assembly Bill 1504). The Carbon Sink Act
amends the Z’Berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (PRC § 4512.5) to require that the California Board of
Forestry and Fire Protection’ (BOF) regulations governing commercial timber harvesting take into account the
capacity of forests to sequester carbon dioxide and meet the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emission-reduction goals
mandated for the state’s forestry sector by California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32,
2006). A public meeting will be held September 5, 2014 from 9am to 12pm in the main auditorium of the Natural
Resources Building, Sacramento. The project team will provide stakeholders with the background and scope of the
effort; will outline opportunities to provide feedback and; seek input on specific technical issues. The
meeting agenda is available, and on-line registration is requested for both in-person and webinar
participation. 08/25/2014
MBP Group Earns RSB Sustainability Certification
Swiss based multinational company MBP Group has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability
certification for waste material collection, trading, and distribution
activities. MBP Group focuses on feedstock traceability as they source a wide
range of waste materials, residuals and by-products to the biofuels and bioenergy sectors, specializes in
finding optimal markets for bio-derived fats and oil as well as solids and powders. Through extensive product
knowledge and experience of the technical requirements for raw material in various sectors and applications, MBP
is able to provide customers with environmentally sustainable as well as cost efficient products and raw
material substitutes. MBP markets products in the areas of: biofuel, technical oils, animal feed, fertilizer and
anaerobic digestion substrates. The RSB is a European Commission approved system for the sustainability
certification of biomaterials including biofuels. Based on 12 key principles, RSB provides a holistic approach
towards sustainability assurance, covering social, environmental, economic and operational aspects in its
analysis. 08/22/2014
Biomass Innovation Centre Hosts Seminar and Biomass to Bioenergy
Training
In conjunction with Ontario, Canada's Bioeconomy Week in Thunder Bay, the Nipissing University's Biomass
Innovation Centre (BIC) will be delivering a community seminar focused on developments in northern Ontario's
bioeconomy, as well as a training session titled "Biomass to Bioenergy." The half-day community seminar will he
held September 8, 2014; "Waking the Sleeping Giant: Developments and Opportunities in Northern Ontario’s
Bioeconomy" will focus on current and upcoming developments in northern Ontario’s bioeconomy. As part of this
Community Seminar, attendees will also receive a tour of the OPG BioEnergy Learning and Research Centre at
Confederation College. BIC will also be delivering a short course titled “Biomass to Bioenergy” on September 12,
2014 designed for practicing (and soon to be) engineers and engineering technologists to build the background
needed for the development and use of biomass materials, composites, fuels, and energy in Ontario.
On-line registration is available on the CanBio Conference page; for
additional information contact Jeff Borisko at <> or (705) 474-3450 x 4132.
08/22/2014
PNNL Shows Water Leads to Chemical that Gunks Up Biofuels
Production
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have discovered that water in the conversion process of plants to
biofuels helps form an impurity that slows down key chemical reactions. The study, which was reported online at
the Journal of the American Chemical Society in July, can help improve processes that produce biofuels from
plants. The study examines the conversion of bio-oil, produced from biomass such as wood chips or grasses, into
transportation fuels. Researchers used computer simulations to explore what happens to a common bio-oil
byproduct. Water, everywhere during biofuels production, turns the byproduct into an impurity that disrupts and
blocks the reactions that lead to biofuels. The results apply not only to water but to related liquids in
bio-oil such as alcohols and certain acids. Co-author Roger Rousseau, a scientist at the PNNL: "We are getting
to the heart of the fundamentals of biofuels catalysis. The work tells us that the impurity is unavoidable and
we need to make sure it does not build up enough to interfere. Although this is a very fundamental issue, it
points out for us what types of things we can do to help extend the lifetime of the catalysts we are using to
make bio-oil." In the next step, PNNL colleagues at the Bioproducts, Sciences & Engineering Laboratory will use this work
to guide development of pyrolysis oil transformation into biofuels. 08/22/2014
Construction to Begin on MBT and Waste Gasification Power Plant in
Derby
Shanks Group plc (Shanks) has announced that Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Ltd (RRS), a joint venture with Interserve Group plc, has agreed to funding terms for construction of a new waste
gasification power plant in south Derby, United Kingdom (UK). The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) will provide long-term loan financing
alongside Germany’s Bayerische Landesbank and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, with each bank
providing a third of the loan funding, totaling up to £195m. RRS has been providing interim waste management
services to the residents of Derby and Derbyshire since 2010, working with the Councils to secure planning
permission for the new £145m Sinfin Lane facility. Having secured the required funding for the PPP contract, EPC
Contractor Interserve Group plc can now commence construction of a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)
facility and an on-site gasification facility, which Shanks will operate alongside the existing waste management
facilities. The new facility is expected to divert up to 98% of residents’ residual waste from landfill, while
also generating enough green electricity to power approximately 14,000 homes. This electricity will be supplied
to the national grid, offsetting the cost of the waste treatment to the Councils. The new facility is expected
to be completed by April 2017 08/22/2014
Due 10/03/2014: Applications to Minnesota for Biomass Thermal Energy
Grants
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2015 Biomass Thermal
Energy Grant Round. Projects must increase the use of Minnesota’s bioenergy resources, encourage self-reliance
and security, or promote sustainability, and involve bioenergy with a focus of woody biomass thermal
application. $577,500 in funding has been allocated for this round of funding. Up to half of the total project
cost may be covered by the grant, with a maximum award amount of $150,000. All questions regarding the RFP
should be submitted in writing to the grant administrator at <>. All questions
received, along with the answers to those questions, will be posted on the FAQ site. The application form in the RFP should be used to apply. Applications are due by October 3, 2014
at 4:00 pm. 08/21/2014
JBEI Researchers Produce Bionic Liquids from Waste Lignin
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has announced that researchers at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE)
Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have developed “bionic liquids” from lignin and
hemicellulose, two by-products of biofuel production from biorefineries. JBEI is a multi-institutional
partnership led by Berkeley Lab that was established by the DOE Office of Science to accelerate the development
of advanced, next-generation biofuels. Blake Simmons, JBEI’s Chief Science and Technology Officer: "What if we
could turn what is now a bane to the bioenergy industry into a boon? Lignin is viewed as a waste stream that is
typically burned to generate heat and electricity for the biorefinery, but if other uses for lignin could be
found with higher economic value it would significantly improve the refinery’s overall economics." Simmons and
Seema Singh, who directs JBEI’s biomass pretreatment program, are the corresponding authors of a paper
describing this research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The paper is titled
“Efficient biomass pretreatment using ionic liquids derived from lignin and
hemicellulose.” 0820/2014
GM Renaissance Center Composts Food Scraps for Detroit Urban
Farms
General Motors (GM) has announced that it now composts food preparation scraps from its
various Renaissance Center restaurant kitchens for use in urban farming initiatives throughout the city of
Detroit, Michigan. The Renaissance Center covers 5.5 million square feet, houses the Western Hemisphere’s
tallest all-hotel skyscraper, 11 other businesses, 20 restaurants, and 27 retailers. Local composting
startup Detroit Dirt collects coffee grounds and fruit and vegetable pieces
and mixes them with herbivore manure, some of which ends up in a rooftop garden at the complex. Now, when
Andiamo Riverfront chefs peel and chop onions, carrots, and potatoes in the morning, they scrape the scraps into
a special container that Detroit Dirt picks up. Brad Schmidt, Andiamo executive chef: "Our collection bin is on
rollers, so our chefs can easily move it to our various prep stations. You don’t realize how much waste you
generate. We thought we’d fill one container a week, but we’ve been averaging two a day." Leftover food waste
from diners' plates is converted to energy at a facility a few blocks away, creating renewable energy that
powers other Detroit businesses. 08/20/2014
Cowpower Will Power 'The Fair at The PNE' on Vancity Member
Day
Vancity will be furnishing Cowpower’s renewable electricity at The Fair at The PNE
on Vancity Member Day again this year to power every exhibit, ride,
concession, building and attraction that uses electricity. The Fair at The PNE returns for its 104th year from August 16th until
September 1st. Cowpower’s renewable electricity is made from dairy manure and food waste from
local farms in British Columbia (BC). The organic waste is processed by anaerobic digestion and converted to
biogas for heat and electricity that is sold to the national grid. The renewable electricity is available to BC
customers for purchase. 08/20/2014
Saxlund Will Provide Clean Burn Technology for UK Biomass CHP
Plant
Southampton based Saxlund International has announced securing a significant contract to supply proven biomass
combustion and fuel handling solutions to Twinwoods Heat & Power in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom (UK). The
state-of-the-art clean burn solution will enable Twinwoods Heat & Power to finalize development of their
3.4MWe waste wood biomass power station, which is expected to go live in 2015. The combined heat and power (CHP)
plant will produce over 27,000
MWhr of electricity and 8000 MWhr district heating annually, establishing the plant as a locally important
source of renewable energy. The plant will burn approximately 40,000 tonnes of waste wood from commercial and
domestic recycling centers per annum, a fuel source that would otherwise be sent to landfill or exported. Under
the contract, Saxlund will manage all aspects of design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of the
plant with a biomass solution guaranteed to deliver at least 8,000 hours operation
between shutdown inspections. Key components include the fuel handling system with push floor and conveyors, the
Saxlund combustion grate, integrated high pressure steam boiler, and steam pipework to feed a Siemens turbine
system. 08/20/2014
Due 10/10/2014: Young Researchers Papers to 2015 WSED Conference,
Austria
The OÖ Energiesparverband, organizers of the 2015 World Sustainable Energy
Days (WSED) fourth annual international conference, have released a Call for Papers for two Young Researchers' Conference programs on Energy Efficiency and
Biomass. The conferences will be held in Wels, Austria from February 25 through the 27th, 2015. Submissions (in
English only) can address a wide range of energy efficiency and/or biomass topics including technology &
engineering, economic and social sciences, architecture, law, and the arts, but are only accepted from young
researchers born after 1979. Applicants can be students working on advanced degrees (e.g. master's degrees,
PhDs, etc.) or young professionals, independently in groups of no more than three. The organizer covers the
costs of accommodation, meals, participation and local transport (3 conference days) for up to 60 selected
participants (between 23 and 28 February). The participants must cover their travel costs. A panel of specialist
judges will select the best two papers for an award of 1,000 euro each in prize money, and other papers for oral
presentation to the audience. Submissions selected as speakers will also receive admission to all other WSED
co-located events, to include the European Pellet Conference 2015, the European Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
Conference, the European Energy Efficiency Watch Conference, the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings
Conference, scheduled site visits, evening events. Speakers will also be given free entry to the
"Energiesparmesse" tradeshow, one of the largest tradeshows on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in
Europe (100,000 visitors and 1,600 exhibitors every year), and be invited to participate in the "R & D
Networking Platform for young researchers", a platform to establish new partnerships among researchers.
On-line submission of papers must be completed by October 10, 2014.
Detailed information is available on the WSED program website. 08/20/2014
Microbial Fuel Cell Bacteria Form Nanowires to Break Down
Waste
Research led by University of Southern California (USC) assistant professor Moh
El-Naggar has reversed the commonly held theory regarding how so-called "electric bacteria" used in microbial
fuel cells (MFCs) shoot out tendrils that conduct electricity. The collaboration included scientists from
the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Penn State, the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. The results will help scientists
understand how bacteria build up or break down minerals and wastes, and help researchers harness the bacteria to
make microbial fuel cells, batteries, or to turn waste into electricity. Rather than grow pili, Latin for
"hair", this odd and useful class of bacteria literally generate nano-wires composed of the bacteria's outer
membrane to transfer electrons to minerals and other "feed" sources. The research has the potential to inform
the foundation of hybrid biological-synthetic electronic devices. The new study has been published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences. The research was funded at USC by the U.S. Department of Energy and Air Force Office of Scientific
Research and made possible by facilities at the USC Centers of Excellence in NanoBioPhysics and Electron
Microscopy and Microanalysis. 08/19/2014
Construction Financing Arranged for £74m Speyside Biomass CHP
Facility
John Laing and the United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank (GIB) have announced plans to invest in a new £74m green energy facility in
Speyside, Scotland being developed by Edinburgh and London based Estover Energy Ltd (Estover). The new biomass Combined Heat and Power
(CHP) plant near Craigellachie, Moray, will generate 87.4 GWh per year of renewable electricity to the national
grid, enough to power more than 20,000 homes. It will also generate 76.8 GWh per year of renewable heat to the
new distillery proposed at The Macallan, providing 90% of all of the steam needed in the
distillation process. Planning consent for the project was granted in March 2013. The plant will be fuelled with
sustainable forestry by-product sourced from the local area. A consortium of local growers and forest industry
suppliers including Stobart Biomass Products Ltd. and UPM Tilhill will supply the plant. John Laing and the GIB intend to make a £26m equity investment in the project. The
remainder of the funding, in the form of debt, will come from a bond to be issued by the project company and
listed on the London Stock Exchange. When issued, the bond will be guaranteed by Infrastructure UK, part of HM
Treasury. The bond marketing commenced today. GIB and John Laing’s investment is conditional on the successful
conclusion of the bond process. Graham MacWilliam, General Manager-Distillation, The Macallan: "The Macallan is
delighted to have received planning permission for our new distillery from The Moray Council, which in turn has
enabled the Estover project to move forward." 08/18/2014
Mohegan Sun Massachusetts Will Be Greenest Resort Casino in the
Nation
Mohegan Sun Massachusetts (MSM) has announced that it is expected to be the greenest resort casino in the
nation with one of the highest scores of any such facility from the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification
program. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, MSM will be a $1.3 billion LEED Gold project with sustainability and
environmental efficiency incorporated into all aspects of design and construction. Included in the design of the
42 acre campus is a 1 MW gas-fired co-generation plant to offset power grid demands, and a solid food waste
recycling program and anaerobic digestion system to generate renewable energy. In a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Massachusetts
Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA MA) praised the MSM design for its creativity, sustainable
features and strong connections to public transportation, the beach and the surrounding community. resort The
MSM is proposed to be located in Revere, Massachusetts at Suffolk Downs. It is a project by the Mohegan Tribal
Gaming Authority, an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut
08/18/2014
New ISO Standards Reflect Growth in Solid Biofuels Industry
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has announced that work on
international standards for solid biofuels continues and the first seven standards have been published. Work has now begun on part eight of the series. The
seven standards were published in April 2014 are as follows: ISO 17225 Solid
biofuels — Fuel specifications and classes — Part 1 General requirements; Part 2 Graded wood pellets; Part 3
Graded wood briquettes; Part 4 Graded wood chips; Part 5 Graded firewood; Part 6 Graded non-woody pellets; and
Part 7 Graded non-woody briquettes. The new project, Part 8, will cover thermally treated and densified biomass
fuels. The ASABE is accredited by the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) as the administrator for the US technical advisory group to the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) committee on solid biofuels, TC 238, which was established in 2007 in response to growing
global trade in the subject commodities. Currently, there are over two dozen projects in development within ISO on solid biofuels. The solid
biofuels standards are available for purchase at webstore.ansi.org. 08/16/2014
CARB Schedules Workshops on Technology and Fuels Assessments
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hosting a series of
public workshops to discuss technology and fuels assessments for
trucks and buses, transport refrigeration units, rail, fuels, ocean-going vessels, commercial harbor craft,
cargo handling equipment, and aviation. The CARB’s 2012 Vision modeling showed that California must incorporate advanced
technology and fuels to meet future greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. The technology assessments will
address the maturity of commercial development of technologies and fuels, best applications, and next steps to
further development and deployment. The results of the technology assessments are intended to help move
California towards a sustainable freight transport system that is characterized by increased efficiency and zero
or near zero emissions, and will also help develop future State Implementation Plans for ozone. These efforts
follow the May 5, 2014 initial workshop that broadly addressed Sustainable Freight. Separate workshops focusing
on the Sustainable Freight Strategy will be held later in September. The workshops will be held on three days
and will each cover different technology and fuels sectors. the first workshop will explore Truck and Bus
Sectors, to be held in Sacramento on September 2, 2014. A second Sacramento workshop on September 3, 2014 will
address Transport Refrigeration Units, Rail infrastructure and Fuels. The third workshop will be held in Diamond
Bar on September 9, 2014 and will consider Ocean Going Vessels, Commercial Harbor Craft, Cargo Handling
Equipment, and Aviation. Presentations and agendas will be available online prior to each workshop. For additional questions regarding the
workshops, contact Renee Littaua, Staff Air Pollution Specialist, at (916) 324-6429 or via email at
<>. 08/16/2014
NEB Plans Cellunolix® Waste Sawdust to Ethanol Plant in
Finland
Finnish investor North European Bio Tech Oy (NEB) has made a decision concerning the construction of a bioethanol plant on
the Renforsin Ranta industrial estate in Kajaani, Finland. The raw material for the plant will be sawdust from
local sources. The plant will be delivered by St1 Biofuels Oy, which is responsible for design, permits and
coordination, and will be operating the plant once it is completed. Implementation planning will begin
immediately, and construction will be launched in summer 2015. The plant is projected to begin production in
mid-2016. The production capacity of the plant, 10 million litres of bioethanol per year, will be leased
to North European Oil Trade Oy (NEOT), which engages in oil and
bioproduct wholesale trade. The Cellunolix® plant to be built in Kajaani represents an overall investment of EUR
40 million, of which 30% is covered by an investment subsidy granted by the Ministry of Employment and the
Economy for biorefineries producing transport biofuels. 08/15/2014
POET-DSM Schedules Grand Opening Celebration for Project
LIBERTY
South Dakota based POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC has announced that Project LIBERTY will open its doors to the public at the Grand Opening
celebration on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Showcasing first-of-its-kind technology, the
Grand Opening will feature plant tours, a formal ceremony, a flyover by the ethanol-powered Vanguard Squadron,
booths, music and more. The public is invited to attend, and lunch will be provided. Project LIBERTY will
process 770 tons of corn cobs, leaves, husk, and some stalk daily to produce 20 million gallons of cellulosic
ethanol per year, later ramping up to 25 million gallons per year. Plant personnel are currently running the
biomass through the pretreatment process and preparing for the first gallons of ethanol. Farmers in the
region harvested corn crop residuals from the 2013 season last fall for
Project LIBERTY's 2014 opening. The plant will be the flagship in POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels’ plan to license
this technology to companies across the US and internationally. 08/14/2014
Due 11/07/2014: Applications to CEC for Bioenergy Demonstration
Projects
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has issued Program Opportunity Notice (PON)-14-305 to fund demonstration
and deployment projects of pre-commercial biomass conversion technologies, generation systems, and development
strategies. The purpose of the projects is to demonstrate and appraise the operational and performance
characteristics of biomass conversion technologies. Funding under PON-14-305 will be provided through the
Electric Program Investment Charge program for "Demonstrating Bioenergy Solutions That Support California's
Industries, the Environment, and the Grid." There is up to $27 million available for grants awarded in four
project groups under this solicitation. Match funds of at least 20% will be required. CEC staff will hold two
Pre-Application Workshops to discuss the solicitation with applicants. Applicants may attend either of the
optional workshops in-person, or via WebEx. The workshops will be held in Sacramento on August 21, 2014 and in Diamond Bar on
August 26, 2014. Questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Sandra Raymos at
<> or (916) 654-4584. The deadline to submit applications is November 7, 2014 by
3:00 pm. 08/14/2014
Virent's Drop-In
Bioform Gasoline Receives EPA Registration
Wisconsin based Virent, Inc has announced that it has received fuel registration for its BioForm®
Gasoline in blends of up to 45% from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a registered fuel,
Virent's biogasoline can now be used in on-highway motor vehicles. Virent BioForm® Gasoline blended with conventional gasoline underwent testing
at Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) with the results demonstrating that the emissions from the blended fuel
were well below the maximum permitted by current regulations. The fuel was manufactured by Virent at its
demonstration plant in Madison, Wisconsin, which is capable of producing up to 10,000 gallons of biofuels and
biochemicals per year. The EPA testing work was funded by Virent partner Royal Dutch Shell. Virent BioForm®
Gasoline is a high octane, direct replacement fuel that can be made from conventional feedstocks (beet sugar,
sugar cane, corn starch), as well as cellulosic feedstocks (bagasse, corn stover, grasses, sorghum and wood).
08/13/2014
Due 11/13/2014:
Applications to CEC for
Distributed Generation Demos
Note: Dates Revised (Addendum 1)
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released Program Opportunity Notice (PON)-14-303 to fund applied
research and development activities associated with distributed biopower and photovoltaic technologies. Awards
will support development, lab-scale, and pilot-scale demonstrations of pre-commercial technologies and
strategies that are designed to solve specific problems in the electricity sector. Funding under PON-14-303 will
be provided through the Electric Program Investment Charge program for " Advancing Cleaner, Less Costly, More
Reliable Distributed Generation to Enable Customer Solutions and Zero-Net Energy Communities." There is up to
$19.5 million available for grants awarded under this solicitation in four project groups. There is no match
fund requirement, however applications that include match funds will receive additional points. CEC staff will
hold two Pre-Application Workshops to discuss the solicitation with applicants. Applicants may attend either of
the optional workshops in-person, or via WebEx. The workshops will be held in Sacramento on August 21, 2014 and in Diamond Bar on
August 26, 2014. Questions regarding the solicitation should be directed to Tonya Heron at
< > or (916) 654-4484. The deadline to submit applications is November 13, 2014
by 3:00 pm. 08/13/2014
Vega Biofuels to Ship Large Biochar Order to International Client for
Testing
Georgia based Vega Biofuels, Inc has announced that it has received an order for its Biochar product to be shipped to an institutional client for testing.
The Biochar will go through various testing procedures to determine whether or not it is acceptable to the
client. If accepted, Vega could receive a Purchase Order that could grow to 100% of its total current production
capacity. Vega recently announced that it had purchased a Colorado corporation that held a Worldwide Reseller
Agreement with Biochar industry leader, Biochar Now, LLC. The unique Reseller Agreement is the only one of its
kind and gives Vega the rights to market the Biochar product to all industries worldwide with a "favored nation"
status on pricing. 08/12/2014
ReEnergy Resuming Operations at Biomass-to-Energy Facility in
Maine
New York based ReEnergy Holdings has announced plans to resume operations at its biomass-to-electricity
facility in Ashland, Maine. The 39-megawatt ReEnergy Ashland facility generates renewable energy from responsibly
harvested green forest residue biomass and unadulterated wood. It is capable of producing approximately 284,000
MWh of electricity each year, enough to supply nearly 37,000 homes. The facility, which opened in 1993, was
acquired by ReEnergy Holdings in December 2011 as part of a multi-facility portfolio purchase from Boralex
Industries Inc. It has been idled since March 2011. It is anticipated that the facility will be fully
operational by December. ReEnergy Chief Executive Officer Larry D. Richardson: "We are very pleased to be
resuming operations of this critical energy asset. This will restore jobs, improve forest health, and enhance
reliability and stability in the delivery of electricity in northern Maine."
08/12/2014
IBI Launches 2014 Global State of the Biochar Industry
Survey
The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) has announced its 2nd annual State of the Biochar Industry survey for 2014
that has been designed to identify ongoing trends in the evolution of the industry. The survey collects data on
activities related to commercial production, distribution, and marketing within three biochar business sectors:
1) biochar production and/or sales; 2) biochar production equipment manufacturers; and 3) other biochar-related
enterprises. The data collected will be analyzed and published in aggregated form later this year in our 2014
State of the Biochar Industry Report. Survey respondents will be directed to answer questions based on the type
of biochar business sector in which they are involved. The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete. The deadline for
responding is September 15, 2014. Last year’s survey results are available for review in the 2013 State of the Biochar Industry Report.
08/11/2014
Notre Dame Researchers Make Low-Energy CO2 Capture
Breakthrough
The Brennecke Research Group at the University of Notre Dame has made an
unexpected discovery in the study of ionic liquids, widely considered to be greener alternatives for a
broad range of processes that currently use toxic solvents. While studying one of the materials that
Dr. Joan Brennecke’s team at the Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame had developed, a graduate
student accidentally turned the heat off during an experiment when it was supposed to be on with an unexpected
result. That substance was solid at room temperature. But when CO2 was added, the substance grabbed onto the gas
molecules and condensed into a liquid, effectively removing the CO2 from the air flow without adding heat. Dr.
Brennecke explained that this process could dramatically reduce the energy required to capture CO2. The new
substance from Brennecke’s lab can potentially do the same job using less than a quarter of a plant’s energy
production, compared to current methods, which eat up nearly a third of the output. The discovery is
being presented today at the 248th National Meeting & Exposition of the
American Chemical Society (ACS). 08/11/2014
Briefing Scheduled on State of Organic Waste Management in
California
Cleanworld has announced that it is hosting a press briefing on the State of Organic
Waste in California on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 4:30pm on the west steps of the state capitol. The briefing
is co-hosted by Energy Vision and Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), and will
celebrate the progress made by California state policy leaders in establishing a successful policy framework for
organic waste recycling. The event will also recognize private and public sector champions, and will illustrate
that it can be cost-effective, scalable, and a critical tool and investment in increasing climate resiliency in
California. Cleanworld is a California corporation. 08/10/2014
USDA Approves Gilchrist Mill to Receive Biomass to Fuel Lumber
Kilns
Vancouver based Interfor Corporation has announced that its Gilchrist Division in Oregon has been selected by
the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accept biomass deliveries under the federal Biomass Crop Assistance
Program (BCAP). The sawmill uses biomass to create clean heat and electricity to dry lumber. Gilchrist is one of
36 energy facilities across the US chosen by the USDA to accept forest or agricultural residues through BCAP,
authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill as part of the national strategy to improve domestic energy security and reduce
carbon pollution. Chuck Burley, Government Affairs Manager with Interfor's Pacific Northwest Operations:
"Gilchrist dries all of its lumber products in kilns fueled entirely by biomass. Under this federal program, we
can buy more biomass from operations that are improving the health of our public forests by reducing the threat
of fire and infestations." 08/08/2014
ElectraTherm Commissions 10 Waste Heat to Power Machines in
Slovakia
Nevada based ElectraTherm has announced commissioning 10 Green Machine 4400s in Levice, Slovakia in June 2014. ElectraTherm's
Czech distributor, GB Consulting, facilitated the deployment of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems on a
centralized district heating system in Slovakia as a means of increasing on-site efficiency and generating clean
energy. To date, the site has accumulated over 12,000 hours, and ElectraTherm's entire installed base has
surpassed 230,000 hours (26 years) of runtime with 41 machines in the field. ElectraTherm's Green Machine
generates fuel-free, emission-free power from low temperature waste heat. The 10-machine installation utilizes
the waste heat from two Rolls Royce gas turbines through a combined cycle. Exhaust from the turbines goes
through a heat recovery steam generator, and lower temperature exhaust gas that cannot be utilized produces hot
water to meet demand for heating on the municipality's district heating system. The remaining heat runs through
ElectraTherm's Green Machines to generate clean energy and attain attractive feed-in-tariff incentives.
08/08/2014
NY Casino Would Combine LEED with Closed Loop Food Waste to
Biogas
Director of Lago Resort & Casino, Thomas C. Wilmot, Sr., has unveiled ten environmentally friendly features planned for the Lago
Resort & Casino in New York, including achieving LEED Silver Certification. In addition, Lago has entered in
an agreement to purchase 2.1 kWh/year of renewable energy from an existing methane power plant located on a
local farm less than 20 miles from Lago. The plant will convert food waste from Lago into power for a closed
loop system. Other improvements include a Photovoltaic solar system, use of Energy Star equipment and low-flow
plumbing fixtures, and a geothermal water-to-water heat pump for heating the outdoor swimming pool. The facility
is proposed by Wilmont Casino & Resort by Wilmorite, Inc. The Lago application is now before the state Gaming Commission siting board, which will be deciding which
of three applications for Region 5 will be awarded a license.
08/08/2014
VCS Approved as Offset Project Registry for California's
Cap-and-Trade
The non-profit Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) organization has announced that it is now approved as an Offset Project Registry under the California Air Resources Board's
(CARB) Cap-and-Trade program (AB 32), which includes the key Compliance Offset Program. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generators
subject to the Cap can satisfy up to eight percent of their regulatory obligations through market transfer of
Credits generated by projects applying a CARB Compliance Offset Protocol. CARB continues to add applicable
project types to the list that currently includes manure digesters, urban and forest woody biomass conversion,
mine methane capture, and the destruction of ozone depleting substances. VCS is now certified to support market
participants within the California system, and is encouraging Offset Projects developers to get registered by
waiving their own fees for the rest of 2014; applications are currently being accepted. VCS will host a free
webinar on September 9 to outline how their registry system works.
Contact Garrett Russo, VCS Director of Communications for further information at (202) 470-5663,
<>. 08/07/2014
University of Alberta BCN Launches 3 New Collaborative Biomass
Projects
The University of Alberta (UA) Biorefining Conversions Network (BCN) has announced three new collaborative biomass projects, scheduled to run
until March 15, 2015. The first project, Enzymatic Treatment of Wood Pulp to Produce Cellulose
Nanocrystals, is a collaborative effort between BCN's Dr. David Bressler and Alberta Innovates Technology Futures to examine wood pulp hydrolytic
enzymes pre-treatments to increase the yield of cellulose nanocrystals from the acid digestion process. Dr. Paul
Tiege from the Olds College Center for Innovation (OCCI) will head the second project
to evaluate conversion of biodiesel-derived glycerin to value-added products. The third project, titled
Characterization and Utilization of Forest-based Ash and led by Dr. Vivek Bindiganavile (UA Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering), will characterize and evaluate forest-based ash for use as a supplementary
cementing material. The BCN supports provincial research communities in the areas of biorefining and biomass
conversion technologies. 08/07/2014
BIOGEN Starts Up Largest Food Waste to Electricity AD Plant in
Wales
Biogen (UK) Ltd has announced that construction is complete at the largest food waste
anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Wales and the plant is now in operation. Biogen’s Waen plant in Denbighshire will recycle 22,500 tonnes of food waste
every year, and will generate 1MW of renewable electricity for the national grid, enough to power 2,000 homes.
The AD plant will also produce a valuable biofertilizer for use on nearby farmland. The food waste is being sent
to the plant from a consortium of Denbighshire, Conwy, and Flintshire local authorities,
all of which carry out weekly food waste collections from residents and businesses. Construction work on Waen,
located on the site of a former abattoir, began in July 2013 and took around 12 months to complete. The Waen AD
plant is the company’s fourth operational plant in the UK, bringing the total amount of waste processed across
all Biogen sites to more than 150,000 tonnes per year. 08/06/2014
NIB Finances Biomass District Heating Project in Norway
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has announced signing a 13-year-maturity loan totaling EUR 27 million with
the Norwegian energy company Eidsiva Energi AS to finance a new biomass district heating plant at
Kallerudlia in Gjøvik, Norway. Eidsiva Energi will also use the funding to continue to develop its district
heating network in Gjøvik. The commissioning of the wood-chip fuelled plant is scheduled for September 2014.
Heat production is expected to gradually increase to an estimated 60 GWh in 2018. The new heat boiler will have
a base load capacity of 12 MW and a reserve capacity of 30 MW. The Kallerudlia plant will replace several oil
based heating plants and will reduce annual CO2 emissions in Gjøvik by around 14,800 tonnes.
08/06/2014
US Releases Biogas Opportunities Roadmap to Reduce Methane
Emissions
The United States (US) government has released the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap to support the "Climate Action Plan – Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions," and
outlines voluntary actions to support the expansion of the American biogas industry. Methane is the second most
prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the US from human activities, responsible for about nine percent of US
greenhouse gas emissions. Use of
biogas reduces emissions of methane, reduces the emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels, and
supports the Administration’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. 08/05/2014
UC Riverside
Researchers Enhance Biofuel Yields from Biomass
The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) has announced that researchers at the Bourns College of Engineering have developed a versatile,
relatively non-toxic, and efficient way to convert lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and chemicals.
Lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural and forestry residues and other plant matter, is the most abundant
organic material on Earth. The patent-pending method, called Co-solvent Enhanced Lignocellulosic Fractionation
(CELF), brings researchers closer to solving the long elusive goal of producing fuels and chemicals from biomass
at high enough yields and low enough costs to become a viable alternative or replacement for petroleum-based
fuels and chemicals. The key to the UC Riverside technology is using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a co-solvent to
aid in the breakdown of raw biomass feedstocks to produce valuable primary and secondary fuel precursors at high
yields at moderate temperatures. The fuel precursors can then be converted into ethanol, chemicals or drop-in
fuels. 08/05/2014
Hawaii Presents $1.6MM to US Ag Center for Zero-Waste Biofuel
Program
The governor of Hawaii has presented a $1.6 million check on behalf of the Hawaii Department
of Agriculture’s (HDOA) Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to the Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin
Agricultural Research Center’s (DKI-PBARC) zero-waste biofuel and high-protein feed program on Hawaii Island.
DKI-PBARC, and Florida-based BioTork LLC, have invested more than $1 million to successfully
develop an economically sustainable zero-waste conversion project producing biofuel and high-protein
animal feed from unmarketable papaya and other low-value agriculture feedstock. The conversion process takes
fewer than 14 days to cycle in a heterotrophic environment, meaning no sunlight is needed using organically
optimized algae/fungi developed and patented by BioTork. Governor Neil Abercrombie: "Our investment promotes
further use of agricultural crops to provide clean energy and leads us on a more definitive path towards food
sustainability. We need to focus on projects like this as Hawaii emerges as a global leader for biofuel and feed
research and development." 08/05/2014
Zilkha Biomass Plans New Black Wood Pellet Plant in Monticello,
Arkansas
Texas based Zilkha Biomass Energy has announced that it is planning to build a $90 million facility in
Monticello, Arkansas, to manufacture its Zilkha Black® Pellet, a wood pellet that can be easily integrated into
coal-fired plants to create cleaner emissions. The pellets are water resistant and durable, which allows them to
be transported and stored outside like coal. Wood pellets are made from a variety of waste wood feedstock, such
as mill residuals and other low-grade wood. Jack Holmes, CEO of Zilkha Biomass Energy: “This plant in Monticello
will be one of Zilkha’s largest and will help us capture more of the growing biomass energy market. Our Black
Pellets have a set of beneficial qualities, such as water-resistance, that make it a more attractive option than
traditional wood pellets.” 08/04/2014
Harmonic Energy Seeks Partners for Expansion of Waste Tire
Reprocessing
United Kingdom based Harmonic Energy has announced that it is now taking open calls for additional partners for
feedstock procurement (scrap tire providers) and commodity off-take (end users) for its expansion plans. The
company's business model incorporates remanufacture, recycling of steel, carbon and oils, and pyrolytic
conversion to syngas for generation of combined heat and power. Harmonic has exclusive rights to the
Kouei pyrolysis technology developed in Japan. The company has been
aggressively contracting for waste tire feedstock and signing agreements for carbon, steel, and other off-take
products. Harmonic signed a Letter of Intent for an 18,000 ton per year tire supply last
month. 08/04/2014
USDA Releases Greenhouse Gas Modeling for Farms, Ranches and
Forests
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has completed and released a detailed report outlining science-based methods for
assessing and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon storage mechanisms related to farming, ranching, and forest management. The
report, titled Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale
Inventory, will help the USDA evaluate current and future GHG conservation programs,
as well as develop new tools and update existing ones to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners
participate in emerging carbon markets. The USDA recently established Regional Climate Change Hubs to assist
landowners with management challenges that arise from weather variability and climate change. The methods report
and the tools provided in it will aid the Hubs in giving landowners information on management options to improve
agriculture production, soil health, and resource conservation. The methods in the report are comprehensive,
addressing a wide variety of cropland, grazing land, livestock, and forest management practices.
08/02/2014
CDFA Requests CPUC to Implement SB 1122 to Support Anaerobic
Digesters
The State Board of the California Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA) has sent a formal request to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for its support of
anaerobic methane digesters as a key tool in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide clean
renewable energy in the state. The CDFA believes that this can be accomplished through the CPUC's implementation
of Senate Bill (SB) 1122 (Chapter 612, Statutes of 2012) with these
steps: 1) The CPUC can place dairy projects in a separate subcategory to ensure that they receive consideration
commensurate with their potential importance to the state; 2) The CPUC should allow digester project developers
to receive an adequate price that incorporates avoided environmental costs; and 3) The CPUC should determine
that the allocation of shares of the total energy purchase requirement among the investor owned utilities (IOUs)
aligns with the resource potential for dairy bioenergy in their respective territories.
08/01/2014
Funding Approved to Construct Gas to Liquid Plant at Oklahoma
Landfill
London based Velocys plc has announced that the final investment decision has been made to proceed
with construction of a commercial gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant using the company's technology. The project is
being funded by a joint venture (JV) between Waste Management, NRG Energy (NRG), Ventech Engineers International (Ventech), and Velocys,
formed to develop a series of GTL plants in the United States and
other select geographies. Velocys and Ventech partnered in 2012 with the goal of developing GTL plants across North
America. This plant, which is designed to be profitable on a standalone basis, will be located at Waste
Management's East Oak Landfill in Oklahoma, US. It will provide a commercial
reference site for the Velocys technology and will deploy a number of the company's full scale Fischer-Tropsch
reactors. 08/01/2014
FCC Environment Is Reducing Waste to Landfill for Imperial
Tobacco
United Kingdom based FCC Environment has announced that it is working with Imperial Tobacco to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill from
its Nottingham site as part of a three year waste management contract. The £750,000 contract which started in
November 2013 is centered on Imperial Tobacco's manufacturing plant in Nottingham, which produces nearly 5,000
tonnes of waste per year. This includes a variety of materials such as paper and cardboard, metal, and wood, as
well as tobacco and general waste. FCC collects waste from Imperial Tobacco and it either goes to a materials
recycling facility in Derbyshire for reprocessing or an energy from waste (EfW) plant in Nottingham to generate
electricity and heat; both sites are operated by FCC. Imperial Tobacco has now achieved zero waste to landfill
and recycling rates of 85% after just six months. 08/01/2014
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