August 2014 News and Matters of Interest

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