August 2015 News and Matters of Interest

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

PHGE Is Contracted Build Waste-To-Energy Facility in East Tennessee

Sevier Solid Waste, Inc (SSWI) of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has contracted with PHG Energy (PHGE) to build a $2.25 million biomass gasification plant capable of cleanly converting more than 30 tons of composted material daily into thermal energy while producing a valuable high-carbon biochar. SSWI operates a garbage compost plant that processes more than 100,000 tons annually from the Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. All the municipal solid waste (MSW) is processed through the plant, with 60% of it being made into compost. Tom Leonard, director of SSWI: "This new installation will help us reduce the amount of compost we need to transport by converting it into a biochar material, creating a new revenue stream for us. The energy from the gasification system will be used in a thermal oxidizer promoting odor control in the buildings and will allow us to defer other upgrades. This represents a significant savings from our current disposal and operating costs." PHGE’s gasification plants employ a thermo-chemical process that cleanly converts biomass to a combustible fuel gas. Around 90% of the biomass that is gasified in the PHGE system becomes fuel gas, and the only remaining residue is the charcoal-like biochar, that SSWI will sell to a local industrial user as a renewable source of fuel to displace coal consumption. The facility is scheduled for completion in mid-2016. 08/28/2015

Ensyn Receives Key US EPA Regulatory Approval for its Renewable Diesel

Ensyn Corporation (Ensyn), has announced that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted Ensyn a key regulatory approval for its renewable diesel product, RFDiesel. This approval, pursuant to Title 40 CFR Part 79 of the Clean Air Act, is required for the sale of RFDiesel into U.S. commerce. RFDiesel, a drop-in diesel transportation fuel, is created by processing Ensyn's renewable crude (RFO), a liquid cellulosic feedstock, with customary petroleum feedstocks in conventional petroleum refineries (RFO Coprocessing). Ensyn is developing and commercializing RFO Coprocessing in a strategic alliance with Honeywell UOP, a global leader in technology solutions for the refining industry. 08/28/2015

Due 10/23/2015: Public Comment to DECC's Proposed Feed-in Tariff Plans

The United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) is seeking public comment and has released a report detailing the opening of public consultation on its proposed Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme. The report is focused on a set of measures to control costs and providing a review of the Government’s subsidy scheme for generation of renewable electricity from small-scale installations. Links on DECC's program web page provide an Overview and the full proposed FIT scheme. Nicholas Gubbins, Chief Executive of the non-profit Community Energy Scotland laments that the proposed FIT "offers no long-term positive vision for the small-scale sector- it seems likely that the UK Government will find reasons to apply tariff reductions and remove the generation tariff altogether from January 2016." Public comments are due by October 23, 2015, and the DECC has provided an on-line form to assist comment filing. 08/28/2015  

US DOE Awards $9M to Improve Feedstock Supplies for Bioenergy Facilities

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the award of up to $9 million for the design of sustainable bioenergy systems that maintain or enhance the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of cellulosic bioenergy through the improvement of feedstock production, logistics systems, and technology development. The project will involve landowners and multi-disciplinary stakeholders in the landscape design process, establish field research to quantify and improve sustainability metrics, and assess logistics systems needed to provide high quality cellulosic feedstocks to conversion facilities for bioenergy. The Maryland based Antares Group, Inc will receive up to $9 million to enable more stable and diverse future feedstock supplies (corn stover, switchgrass, and other warm season grasses) for three cellulosic biorefineries in Iowa and Kansas, while increasing both profitability and ecological benefits in those areas. The project will incorporate a broad range of conservation practices, develop and validate advanced landscape management tools, and collect data on key sustainability indicators and feedstock logistics performance. 08/27/2015

Biomass Projects Qualify for Ontario IESO's Large Renewable Procurement

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) of Ontario, Canada has released the list of renewable energy projects proposed by companies pre-qualified to participate in the Large Renewable Procurement (LRP). The LRP is a competitive process for procuring renewable energy projects larger than 500 kilowatts. Two of the 42 qualified applicants are proposing biomass projects, both focused on the Township of Nairn and Hyman. Hydroméga Services Inc. is proposing the Nairn Center Biomass Cogen Project of up to 12 megawatts (MWac) for provincial Crown Lands located south of the Nairn Centre sawmill. EDF EN Canada has proposed the Woodstream Biomass Energy Center for generation of up to 35 MWac of biopower. Both projects have developed requisite community engagement programs, and intend to submit final proposals to Ontario's IESO by September 1, 2015 in order to obtain a power purchase contract for their projects. Contract preference will be given to projects that demonstrate additional community support and participation from Aboriginal communities. The IESO will evaluate the proposals received and expects to offer contracts to successful proponents by the end of the year. Successful proponents will then have to obtain all required licenses and approvals, such as a renewable energy approval or completing an environmental assessment. 08/27/2015

Due 09/11/2015: Suggestions for CalRecycle's 2016 Disposal, Recycling Reports

In its last monthly meeting, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) solicited public suggestions for new topics to be added to the 2016 State of Disposal and State of Recycling in California reports currently under development. CalRecycle is beginning its preparations for the 2016 Reports, and as a part of that preparation, the Department is soliciting suggestions for new topics that were not covered in the 2015 report. The 2015 editions of the State of Disposal and State of Recycling reports are available online. CalRecycle has asked the public to send any topic suggestions to <> by September 11, 2015. CalRecycle's contact person is <>. 08/27/2015

Due 10/19/2015: LOIs from Potential Tenants for Austin [re]Manufacturing Hub

The City of Austin, Texas has set a goal to reach zero waste by 2040 and already has a robust collection and sorting infrastructure for recycling with three single-stream Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the region, an above-average diversion rate, and new regulations requiring businesses and apartment complexes to recycle. Now the City needs more companies that can remake the recyclables it collects into new products. The Austin [re]Manufacturing Hub is a 105 acre eco-industrial park, located in Austin's southeast quadrant on the site of a former city landfill. Redeveloping this land to house recycling and reuse firms will provide local recycling markets, reduce transportation costs, and keep jobs and investment in Austin. The project will leverage private sector investment, create living wage job opportunities, and help Austin meet its waste diversion goal in a sustainable and efficient manner. Businesses interested in leasing land at the Hub are encouraged to submit Letters of Interest (LOIs) using this form now through October 19, 2015. You can email your questions to < >. 08/27/2015

Noble Purification Schedules Launch of Euglena Bio-Filtration Pilot Plant

The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster (GPIC) has announced that the grand opening of the Noble Purification Inc. bio-filtration plant in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, will be on Tuesday, September 01, 2015. Noble Purification is a Peterborough-based start-up company and a founder client of the Innovation Cluster’s “The Cube” technology incubator program. The Euglena BioFiltration System idea derives from algae blooms and their ability to extract nearly all nutrients from their surroundings. Noble Purification employs a unique alga (Euglena gracillis) that can be tricked into absorbing minerals, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the environment. Though algae blooms wreak havoc on our ecosystems, the company has applied the same philosophy to achieve beneficial results. Euglena BioFiltration™ creates a cleaner, more controlled way of removing excess nutrients and contaminates while preventing their release into the environment, while the algae by-products become an alternate sources of revenue as a biofuel feedstock. The pilot facility launch is set for September 1, 2015. Contact Adam Noble, CEO, cell 705-930-2396, email: < > or Martin Yuill, president and CEO, GPIC, cell 705-875-8188 email: < >. 08/26/2015    

Webinar on Wood Pellet Production in US Through Co-Firing Industrial Pellets

World Bio Markets is hosting a free webinar to share insight and knowledge around the topic of “Capitalising on lessons learnt from Europe and exploring the long term potential for wood pellet production in the USA through co-firing industrial pellets.” The webinar will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM BST. Co-firing wood pellets with coal is a well established strategy in Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), Korea, Japan, and soon China for lowering carbon emissions while leveraging existing baseload coal generating assets. The same reliable grid-supporting power stations are part of the CO2 emissions mitigation solution. The US's Clean Power Plan has the potential to enable a similar strategy in the US. This webinar will review the important components of the Clean Power Plan and will show how the policy can support co-firing. Register on-line; contact Robert Wilson, Portfolio Director, World Bio Markets at +44(0)20 3384 6210, < > for more information. 08/26/2015 

Australian Researchers Find that Grape Waste Could Make Competitive Biofuel

University of Adelaide researchers have found that solid waste left over from wine-making could make a competitive biofuel. Global wine production results in an estimated 13 million tonnes of grape marc waste each year. Nationally it is estimated that several hundred thousand tonnes are generated annually and it is generally disposed of at a cost to the winery. The researchers' report, "Grape marc as a source of carbohydrates for bioethanol: Chemical composition, pre-treatment and saccharification," showed that up to 400 liters of bioethanol could be produced by fermentation of a tonne of grape marc (the leftover skins, stalks and seeds from wine-making). PhD candidate Kendall Corbin analyzed the composition of grape marc from two grape varieties, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. She also investigated pre-treatment of the grape marc with acid and enzymes. Ms Corbin found that the majority of the carbohydrates found in grape marc could be converted directly to ethanol through fermentation with a yield of up to 270 liters' per tonne of grape marc. The leftover product was suitable for use as an animal feed or fertilizer. Ethanol yields could be increased by pre-treatment with acid and enzymes up to 400 liters per tonne. 08/24/2015

DECC Releases Guidance for 400MW Cap on New Dedicated Biomass Projects

United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has introduced a cap of 400MW on the total new build dedicated biomass capacity in England and Wales that can expect grandfathered support under the Renewables Obligation (RO). Grandfathering is a policy goal that the ROC levels applicable at the time of full accreditation of the generating station will be maintained for the accredited capacity of the station for the entire duration of its RO support. Once the 400MW cap is triggered, DECC will consider excluding any further new build dedicated biomass deployment from its grandfathering policy. A notification process allocates places within the cap. This process is now open for applications from developers and guidance is provided. 08/24/2015

Global Bioenergies' Isobutene Process Successfully Uses Wood Sugar

French company Global Bioenergies has announced that it has produced isobutene by fermentation based exclusively on xylose (wood sugar) as a feedstock. The performances using xylose were similar to those obtained when running the process on wheat-derived glucose or sugar beet-derived sucrose. The production strain’s central metabolism has been fundamentally remodeled using an innovative synthetic biology approach. The isobutene process was first developed by Global Bioenergies using glucose derived from cereals such as wheat or corn. Early in 2015, the company announced that the process was compatible with crude “second generation” sugars derived from agricultural and forestry waste. These resources are composed of a complex mix of various sugars including glucose, a six-carbon molecule, and sugars composed of five carbon atoms and in particular xylose, literally “wood sugar.” 08/24/2015

New Zealand WWTP Installs Biological Sulfur Removal, Increases Capacity

Oregon based Clean Methane Systems LLC (CMS) has announced its selection to supply the biogas conditioning system for the Rosedale Wastewater Treatment Plant's (WWTP) new biological sulfur removal system and upgrade of its biogas to electricity output to 1,200kW. The Rosedale WWTP outside of Auckland, New Zealand, one of the country’s largest wastewater treatment facilities, serves close to 220,000 residents and is able to produce the majority of its own power. However, due to the age and corrosion of the current engine and an increase in biogas production, the WWTP must install a robust conditioning system along with the new engine that can handle up to 412 scfm of flow, 3,000 ppm of H2S, and 60 mg/Nm3 of siloxanes. The CMS system consists of three major phases: The biological BioStrip Sulfur Removal System reducing sulfur to below 300 ppmv, the SAGPack Conditioning, and Siloxane Removal System. The Rosedale system will consist of two stainless steel vessels set up in a lead/lag configuration and filled with SAG media. The installation will require a 2 month outage, during which time power will be imported or the back-up diesel generator will be used. 08/24/2015 

BETO Schedules BioenergizeME Webinar: Biomass Basics

The US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the Biomass Basics webinar on August 27, 2015, from 4:00-4:40 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The webinar will provide general information about bioenergy, how it is produced, and how it can be used. Bioenergy feedstock types include agricultural residues, logging residues and forest thinnings, municipal solid waste, energy crops, and algae. The webinar is the first in the BioenergizeME Office Hours webinar series, which is hosted by BETO for high school students in conjunction with the 2016 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge. However, anyone interested in bioenergy is invited to attend. Registration for the webinar is available online. 08/21/2015

Scottish Biofuel Programme Secures £219,000 in Additional Funding

Following its successful run, the Scottish Biofuel Programme has been awarded a combined £219,000 from funders Zero Waste Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and Transport Scotland as part of a quarter of a million pound program to continue its support to Scottish business until the end of 2015. The Programme, which is hosted by the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, supports businesses to realise value from unavoidable organic residues by processing to renewable energy, and offers tiered support: awareness raising; identification and evaluation of opportunities; development and implementation of opportunities, and; development of networks and partnerships. 08/21/2015

New Research Considers Acidosis Process Failure in Anaerobic Digesters

Volatile fatty acid intoxication (acidosis) is a common process failure recorded in anaerobic reactors that leads to drastic losses in methane production. Unfortunately, little is known about the microbial mechanisms underlining acidosis and the potential to recover the process. A study by researchers from Luxembourg, France, and Germany has just been published in the online journal Biotechnology for Biofuels: Microbial community dynamics in replicate anaerobic digesters exposed sequentially to increasing organic loading rate, acidosis, and process recovery. In this study, triplicate mesophilic anaerobic reactors of 100 L were exposed to acidosis resulting from an excessive feeding with sugar beet pulp and were compared to a steady-state reactor. The results show that once the replicate reactors are confronted with sub-optimal conditions, their microbial populations start to evolve differentially. In addition, the alterations of commonly used microbial parameters to monitor the process, such as richness, evenness, and diversity indices were unsuccessful to predict the process failure. The researchers tentatively propose the replacement of the dominant Methanosaeta sp. in this case by Methanoculleus sp., to be a potential warning indicator of acidosis. 08/21/2015 

4FRI Thinning Project Begins on Williams Ranger District in Northern Arizona

Tree removal has begun on a 1,646-acre project on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI). The Pomeroy Task Order area is located in the vicinity of KA Hill just south of Scholz Lake and about 5 miles south of Interstate 40. Pomeroy is part of the 4FRI Phase One Stewardship Contract held by Good Earth Power AZ LLC. Forest managers said they hoped at least 500 acres of thinning could be completed within the 1,646-acre project area before any snow falls. The objectives of the thinning operations in the Pomeroy Task Order area are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health. The goal of the 4FRI is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities – from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning. One of the key objectives is creating and developing sustainable industries. Appropriately-scaled businesses are playing a key role in the effort by harvesting, processing, and selling wood products. 08/20/2015

WELTEC Biomethane Plant in France Is Now Live and Feeding Grid

Germany based WELTEC BIOPOWER has announced that the Longchamps biomethane plant in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France went live on August 5th. WELTEC received the order for the plant last fall. 70 standard m3/h are now continually supplied to the natural gas grid of the French gas distributor GrDF (Gaz réseau Distribution France). Plant operator David Peterschmitt uses about 6,000 t of agricultural leftover such as cattle manure, pig manure, intertillage, and starch per year for the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion. To ensure effective biogas processing, flexible, compact membrane technology was deployed, which delivers a methane yield of about 99 percent. 08/20/2015

Greenbelt Resources Selected to Compete in Food Waste Start-Up Challenge California based Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it has been selected to compete in the Food Waste Start-Up Challenge hosted by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) during the Global Sustainability Summit. Greenbelt Resources will also be exhibiting at the Food Waste Innovation Zone at the Summit. The FMI/GMA Global Sustainability Summit is partnering with the USDA and entrepreneurs who are developing new approaches for preventing or recycling food waste or recovering food for those in need. The Summit will be held in Denver at the Sheraton Denver Downtown from August 19-21, 2015. Darren Eng, CEO of Greenbelt Resources: "I'm honored that Greenbelt was chosen for this opportunity to discuss our award winning technology and its potential to positively impact the world. We see strong opportunities to collaborate with the food and beverage industry to further their sustainability goals." 08/20/2015 

Harris Gas Begins Distribution of MagneGas Fuel in California and Nevada

MagneGas® Corporation has announced that Harris Industrial Gases (Harris Gas) will begin distributing MagneGas2® for metal cutting. Harris Gas will source their fuel from MagneGas partner Placer Power, LLC of California. Harris has multiple locations throughout Northern California and recently Northern Nevada, and has received their first order in Northern Nevada from a demolition company. Harris anticipates placing additional orders in the coming weeks. MagneGas 2® is made of a renewable source and has a higher temperature than propane, acetylene, and the original MagneGas™. Aaron Haupt, Operations Manager for Harris: "We have worked extensively with MagneGas2 and are impressed by its cutting speed and pre-heat time.  We are excited to distribute MagneGas2 and see it as a game changer -- a door opener for business expansion." 08/18/2015

Due 08/28/2015: Interest in Small Scale Waste-to-Energy Project in Alaska

Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) has announced the release of a Request for Expression of Interest and Qualifications (RFIQ) from the Metlakatla Indian Community (MIC), located in Southeast Alaska. The purpose of the RFIQ is to identify companies that might be determined to be Qualified Proposers relative to a potential small scale Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility for processing municipal solid waste (MSW) on Annette Island. Through the RFIQ, the MIC intends to evaluate and short-list companies and WTE technologies that offer an affordable solution providing local jobs, creating energy, and capable of processing at least 5 tons per day of MSW as currently generated by MIC, with an allowance for an increase of feedstock to around 10 tons per day. The deadline to submit responses is Friday, August 28, 2015, at 5:30 pm EST. Contact John Carlton at (908) 319-5992 or < > for more information. 08/18/2015

Due 09/03/2015: Renewable Power Proposals to San Francisco CleanPowerSF

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has issued Request for Offers (RFO) CS-1032 seeking eligible renewable energy and resource adequacy supplies for CleanPowerSF, San Francisco's Community Choice Aggregation program. Two bid options are provided to meet the supply requirements of the first phase of CleanPowerSF starting early 2016. A non-mandatory pre-submittal conference is scheduled for August 19, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Call (888) 278-0296 and use Participant Code 875005. The deadline for proposals is September 3, 2015 by 5:00 pm. 08/18/2015

EPA Proposes Additional Methane Emission Reductions from MSW Landfills

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued two proposals to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Under these proposals, new, modified, and existing landfills would begin collecting and controlling landfill gas at emission levels nearly a third lower than current requirements. Combined, the proposed rules are expected to reduce methane emissions by an estimated 487,000 tons a year beginning in 2025 – equivalent to reducing 12.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the carbon pollution emissions from more than 1.1 million homes. Combined costs of the proposed rules are estimated at $55 million in 2025. The proposals would strengthen a previously proposed rule for new landfills that was issued in 2014, and would update the agency’s 1996 emission guidelines for existing landfills. The proposals are based on additional data and analysis, and public comments received on a proposal and Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking EPA issued in 2014. EPA will take comment on the proposed rules for 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register. 08/17/2015

EU Consumer Food Waste Results in Lost Water and Nitrogen Resources

Environmental Research Letters has published an article on Lost water and nitrogen resources due to EU consumer food waste to address a lack of data on national food waste statistics, and finding that Europe as a whole wastes 22m tonnes of food a year. The European Parliament recently called for urgent measures to halve food waste in the European Union (EU), where consumers are responsible for a major part of total waste along the food supply chain. The article quantifies: (1) EU consumer food waste, and (2) associated natural resources required for its production, in term of water and nitrogen, as well as estimating the uncertainty of these values. Total EU consumer food waste averages 123 (min 55–max 190) kg/capita annually (kg/cap/yr), i.e. 16% (min 7–max 24%) of all food reaching consumers. Almost 80%, i.e. 97 (min 45–max 153) kg/cap/yr is avoidable food waste, which is edible food not consumed. The authors calculated the water and nitrogen (N) resources associated with avoidable food waste. Among all the food product groups wasted, meat accounts for the highest amounts of water and N resources, followed by wasted cereals. 08/17/2015  

Viridor's Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility Turns Merseyside's Waste into Fuel

United Kingdom (UK) based Viridor has announced that operations began last month at its Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) under a new residual waste contract between Viridor and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). Commissioning of the facility began in February. The new contract ensures that 20,000 tonnes of waste will be diverted away from landfill in a short-term partnership that brings immediate environmental and economic benefits for Merseyside. Viridor has partnered with local business WSR Recycling Ltd for pre-treatment of leftover residual waste (waste which cannot be recycled by householders) at their Widnes base, including some extraction of any remaining valuable recyclables such as metals and the production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), a processed fuel which is produced from shredding and sorting of solid waste. Once prepared, the fuel will be transported on modern bulk haulage vehicles which minimise the number of road movements to Viridor’s ERF, which provides renewable energy in the form of electricity and heat into the adjacent INEOS Chlor site. Runcorn ERF can handle up to 850,000 tonnes of RDF a year, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe. 08/14/2015

eXtension Foundation Schedules 2nd Free Biochar Webinar

The non-profit eXtension Foundation has scheduled a free webinar for August 21, 2015, on the Agronomic and Environmental Uses of Biochar, Part 2. Biochar is a charcoal-like material generated during the pyrolysis of biomass. The high carbon (C) content of biochar and its recalcitrant nature has led to much interest in using biochar to sequester C from the atmosphere by incorporating it into soils. In this 2nd webcast in the series, presenters including Dr. Jeff Novak, USDA Agricultural Research Center, South Carolina will provide a general overview of the history of biochar use, how biochar is produced, and give examples of how biochar is being used for agronomic and environmental purposes. Advance registration for Part 2 is requested; the Part 1 webinar may also be reviewed on-line. The eXtension Foundation's on-line service is an interactive learning environment delivering knowledge from America's land-grant universities. 08/14/2015

EREF Releases Report on Using Municipal Solid Waste as Biofuel Feedstock

The non-profit Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) has published and made available at no cost a new report entitled, Using Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) as a Biofuel Feedstock. Using a first-of-its-kind Life-Cycle Assessment model of biofuel production using MSW, this report includes an assessment of the environmental impacts associated with MSW conversion via landfill gas-to-energy, waste-to-energy, and gasification/Fischer-Tropsch. How current infrastructure could be used to support an MSW-to-biofuels industry is also explored using North Carolina as a case study. Direct questions regarding EREF’s Internal Research Program to < >, or call (919) 861-6876. 08/13/2015  

Neste's NEXBTL Renewable Diesel Expands into Southern California

Finnish company Neste has announced that its NEXBTL renewable diesel is now available to drivers in Southern California at retail stations After a successful debut in Northern California. Propel Fuels is the first retailer in the world to sell essentially neat NEXBTL renewable diesel to consumers under the brand name Diesel HPR (High Performance Renewable). NEXBTL based Diesel HPR proved an instant hit in March 2015 when it was launched at 18 Propel stations across Northern California. Within the first three months, Propel experienced a 300% increase in sales volume and customers provided great feedback on the fuel which both improves performance and significantly reduces harmful tailpipe emissions such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and particulates. Produced from 100% renewable raw materials, NEXBTL renewable diesel can achieve up to 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its lifecycle in comparison to petroleum diesel. In addition, it can reduce levels of local emissions that have a negative impact on air quality. 08/12/2015

Green3Power Will Build $175M Renewable Energy Facility at Florida Landfill

BioPower Operations Corporation (BioPower) has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Green3Power Operations Inc (G3P) through its subsidiary Green3Power St. Lucie LLC (Company) has executed an agreement to build, own, and fund a $175 million Renewable Energy Facility (REF) at the existing St. Lucie County Solid Waste Landfill Management Facility site in Florida. The REF will convert approximately 1,000 tons per day of municipal solid waste, green waste, construction and demolition waste, and used tires into approximately 80,000 gallons per day of ultra-low sulfur synthetic green No. 2 diesel fuel. All incoming organic waste will be processed by the REF. If additional waste is needed, it will be excavated and recovered from the County's landfill, creating more landfill air space, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill The facility will utilize G3P's exclusively licensed thermal gasification process to produce synthesis gas (syngas) and then through the Fischer-Tropsch process, produce diesel fuel. G3P will have ownership in the facility, and will operate and maintain the facility for twenty years after it is funded. 08/12/2015

Oregon DEQ Plans to Restart Materials Management Grants

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) plans to restart their Materials Management Grants Program this September with a new round of solicitations. The DEQ’s Materials Management program, part of Oregon’s 2050 Vision, supports local solid and household hazardous waste prevention and recovery projects. Materials Management takes a holistic view of environmental impacts across the full life cycle of materials, as well as actions that can be taken to reduce those impacts. It includes resource extraction and use of recovered materials, the design and production of materials, their use, and end-of-life management, including solid waste disposal and recovery. DEQ will announce more details later this month, but we have learned that the agency expects to open applications in September and award up to $500,000 in grants in early 2016. Under current DEQ rules, grants this fall will be available only to local governments, who may subcontract with other entities. DEQ has started rulemaking to allow grants to other public and private entities as well as local governments. It expects those rules to be in place for the next grant round, planned for summer 2016. Grant funds have become available due to the passage of SB 245 this year. which authorizes part of the fee paid to dispose of certain solid wastes in Oregon to go to funding grants. Pete Pasterz is DEQ's contact for questions regarding the Materials Management program and its up-coming solicitations (503-229-5731; ). 08/11/2015  

Ener-Core Receives $2.1M PO and Initial License Payment from Dresser-Rand

California based Ener-Core, Inc has received a $2.1 million purchase order (PO) from Dresser-Rand for two 1.5-2MW Power Oxidizers that will be integrated into Dresser-Rand’s KG2-3G/PO Power-station, and represents the first commercial order of the system. Ener-Core also received the initial license payment from Dresser-Rand, a Siemens Business, as part of the license amount previously announced, within the Commercial License Agreement executed between both parties in November 2014. Ener-Core's technology generates base-load, clean power from polluting waste gases, including methane. Separately, on August 3, Ener-Core publicly announced the success of the Sub Scale Acceptance Test (“SSAT”), which is considered a vital technical step in the scale-up effort, enabling Ener-Core’s license partner Dresser-Rand to begin quoting and closing additional purchase orders. 08/10/2015

Copper Clusters Capture and Convert Carbon Dioxide to Make Fuel

Illinois based Argonne National Laboratory has announced a process that stops the greenhouse gas before it escapes from chimneys and power plants into the atmosphere and instead turns it into a useful product. Called a copper tetramer, it consists of small clusters of four copper atoms each, supported on a thin film of aluminum oxide. These catalysts work by binding to carbon dioxide molecules, orienting them in a way that is ideal for chemical reactions. The structure of the copper tetramer is such that most of its binding sites are open, which means it can attach more strongly to carbon dioxide and can better accelerate the conversion. One possible end product is methanol, a liquid fuel and the focus of a recent study conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory. The chemical reactions that make methanol from carbon dioxide rely on a catalyst to speed up the conversion, and Argonne scientists identified a new material that could fill this role. 08/10/2015  

Pacific Ag Raises $7 Million from Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners

Oregon based Pacific Ag has announced a $7 million investment from Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners LP to accelerate the expansion of its crop residue supply business across the country. The growth capital will be used to fund acquisitions, technology, equipment, sales, and marketing to meet the increasing demand for agricultural biomass in the bio-refining, animal protein, composting and other markets. Alongside the investment, Pacific Ag also announced two industry acquisitions that will result in growth of 40,000 acres harvested in the Pacific Northwest with corresponding growth in volume under sales contracts. The growth represents a 40 percent increase for Pacific Ag in the Pacific Northwest and 25 percent overall. Pacific Ag develops and operates commercial-scale biomass supply chains for crop residue and hay products, and offers a set of supply chain services for developers and market participants that need a dedicated feedstock supply chain. 08/07/2015

Alliance BioEnergy Plus Partners with RRDA to Develop 56 CTS Plants

Florida based Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc (Alliance) has entered into a non-exclusive development agreement with Delaware company Renewable Resources Development of America, LLC (RRDA) for the construction and operation of up to 56 cellulose conversion plants both domestically and abroad. The plants will utilize Alliance’s licensed, patented Cellulose to Sugar (CTS™) technology, which is able to produce cellulose sugars, various fine chemicals, plastics, carbon fibers, and other valuable products. RRDA specializes in construction, finance, municipal solid waste recovery, plastics, metals, papers recycling, and cellulosic conversion. The first CTS™ plant under the agreement will be located in central Georgia with construction starting this fall, and will process up to one thousand metric tons a day of agriculture and forestry waste. RRDA is in advanced negotiations with local municipalities and expects to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2016. In addition, RRDA will invest $4 million in Alliance in exchange for a 10% ownership stake, 2 million warrants, and a license to the first commercial plant to be built by RRDA in Vidalia, Georgia. 08/07/2015 

CSU Fresno to Host Summit on San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Future

California State University, Fresno (CSU Fresno) will host a one-day summit to explore the opportunities to build a clean energy economy in the state's San Joaquin Valley. The summit will feature discussions with industry leaders, community members, elected officials, environmental stakeholders, utilities, opinion leaders and media; and clean energy workshops for residents and businesses, and those interested in entering the renewables workforce. Ken Alex, senior advisor to Gov. Jerry Brown and director of the Office of a Planning and Research, will deliver the morning keynote address at the “Unlocking Renewables: A Valley Summit” on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015 at Fresno State. The free, public summit will be held from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the North Gym, Room 118. Commercial organizations may also participate by contacting organizers below for door fee details). The report “Unlocking Renewables: Exploring the Clean Energy Potential in the San Joaquin Valley,” will be released at the summit. The report examines the economic and development potential of a range of clean energy technologies in the San Joaquin Valley. 08/06/2015

SWANA and CRRA Form Partnership for Zero Waste Course and Certification The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) have announced the approval of a strategic partnership to develop and offer a Zero Waste Principles and Practices course and certification program throughout the United States and Canada. Members of both associations are the industry professionals often tasked with implementing integrated waste management systems in cities and counties. The course will provide tools to help draw aspects of existing programs and new efforts together into community-specific Zero Waste Programs. The Zero Waste Principles and Practices Certification will be issued jointly by CRRA and SWANA and administered by SWANA as part of its certification program recognized in both the United States and Canada. The first classes will be offered in California and in the Washington, D.C. area, beginning mid-2016. 08/06/2015

Mitsubishi Contracts to Build 245 tpd MSW Incineration Plant In Japan

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), has received an order from the Kouza Clean Association, an organization encompassing three municipalities in central Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, for the construction and operation of a municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration plant. The order calls for the construction of two stoker type incinerators with capacity of 245 tons per day (tpd), as well as operation of the facility for a period of twenty years. The new plant will replace an existing superannuated facility currently operating two incinerators with capacities, respectively, of 150 and 200tpd. The total value of the order is 28.9 billion yen (excluding taxes). Construction of the newly ordered plant will be performed by a joint venture to be formed between MHIEC and Fujita Corporation. Plant operation will be handled by Kouza Eco-Creation Co., Ltd., an entity founded in Ebina with financial backing from MHIEC and Jukan Operation Co., Ltd., a Yokohama-based MHIEC group company. The new plant is scheduled to go online in April 2019. 08/06/2015 

WEF Honors Carbon Clean Solutions as 2015 Technology Pioneer

Carbon Clean Solutions (CCS) has been honored as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “technology pioneers”, a selection of the world’s most innovative companies. CCS was chosen by a professional jury among hundreds of candidates as one of the 49 companies selected as the most promising Technology Pioneers in 2015. CCS was founded by two graduates from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (India) and has received strong support from the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Energy and Climate Change as well as the US Department of Energy. The company’s patented solvents extract CO2 and other unwanted gases from flue gas streams, replacing conventional amines. CCS’s technology dramatically reduces the cost of capturing CO2, making it cost effective for industrial and power plants to re-use waste CO2 to produce economically viable products. 08/05/2015

United Nations Proposes Final Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda

The United Nations (UN) is in the process of defining a sustainable development agenda for post-2015. The Secretary-General presented a draft synthesis report in December 2014 of the full range of inputs from various working groups in the lead up to the Summit in September 2015. After many rounds of comment and revision, a final document has been released and is now proposed for adoption. The synthesis report identifies 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets, including developing "…a world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy … a world in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources – from air to land, from rivers, lakes and aquifers to oceans and seas - are sustainable." Goals 9 and 12 specifically address waste management for resource recovery: Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities. Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses; substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. Once adopted, the new agenda will become effective January 1, 2016. 08/05/2015  

LWARB Setting Up Private Equity Fund to Grow London’s Circular Economy

The London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) has announced its strategy to invest up to £3 million into a private equity fund. The aim will be to invest in venture-stage or growth-stage businesses that will help accelerate the move to a circular economy in London. LWARB has already contributed £18 million to the London Green Fund, launched in 2009, and over the last four years has directly invested in a number of waste infrastructure projects in London. The new fund‘s focus is likely to be on innovative waste management technologies, and may also emphasise less capital-intensive, asset-light business models in the wider circular economy sector. 08/04/2015

UK’s DECC Issues Waste Heat to Electricity Conversion Equipment Guidance

The United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Energy & Climate Change has released the eligibility criteria for products in the waste heat to electricity conversion equipment category to be included on the Energy Technology List. The criteria is part of the energy demand reduction in industry, business and the public sector policy. The Energy Technology List (ETL) comprises the technologies that qualify for the UK government’s energy-saving Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme and their energy-saving eligibility criteria. In order to claim an ECA, a product from the list needs to be selected at the time of purchase. 08/04/2015 

ENER-G CHP Reduces Manchester Town Hall and Library's Carbon Footprint

United Kingdom (UK) based ENER-G has announced the role of its combined heat and power (CHP) technology in the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Manchester Town Hall Extension and Central Library. Main contractor Laing O' Rourke worked with ENER-G, NG Bailey, and BDP to design, develop, and supply the energy efficient system. The ENER-G CHP technology is reducing the buildings' carbon dioxide emissions by 710 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to the environmental benefit of removing 237 cars from the road or the carbon offset in one year by 582 acres of forest. The two 230kWe ENER-G trigeneration engines produce the majority of heat, cooling, and electricity required by the historic buildings, making a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption and utility bills. A key principle set by the design team was that all waste heat would be utilized to maximize overall energy efficiency. The Town Hall CHP project is the first phase of the proposed Greater Manchester Heat Network program, which will provide a low carbon district heating supply for four city center clusters, including Manchester, Bury, Oldham, and Stockport. The district heating masterplan was completed by Ramboll Group in 2013. 08/03/2015

BioLite Raises $5M to Fuel Growth in Off-Grid Energy Products

New York based social enterprise BioLite, Inc has announced that it has raised $5 million in growth capital to accelerate the expansion of its off-grid energy products. The funding consisted of a Series B equity round led by Acumen with additional investment from Clif White Road Investments, RRE Ventures, and the Disruptive Innovation Fund, as well as debt and grant funding from Deutsche Bank and USAID. BioLite’s clean cooking technologies reduce harmful emissions by more than 90 percent while converting waste heat into usable electricity to charge mobile phones and LED lights off the grid. Acumen’s Chief Investment Officer Sachin Rudra, who will be joining BioLite’s Board of Directors: "Access to clean cooking, lighting, and power for mobile phones are three of the most pressing needs among low-income, energy-deprived households." In March, the company launched the BioLite NanoGrid, expanding its technology portfolio to include rechargeable LED lighting and power storage. 08/03/2015

BTEC to Create 1st Thermal Test Method for Commercial Biomass Boilers

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) has announced plans to release a draft of the first thermal efficiency test method designed specifically for commercial-sized boilers that utilize solid biomass as a fuel stock (including pellets, chips, briquettes, and cordwood). The project responds to concerns that a lack of reasonable testing standards for biomass systems can make it difficult for specifiers to provide the owner of a biomass system with a clear distinction between the performance of high-efficiency, low-emission equipment and less satisfactory performers. The project has already received $175,000 in committed support from the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. BTEC plans to hold a series of regional scoping meetings to gather public feedback on the standard in the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016. Once drafted and tested in an accredited lab environment, the efficiency test procedure is slated to be published as a voluntary BTEC document and made publicly available. The final goal of the project will be evaluation and adoption of the new standard by industry, federal agencies and regulatory bodies, as well as state governments. 08/03/2015 

Renewable Energy Group to Acquire Imperium Renewables Assets

Iowa based Renewable Energy Group, Inc (REG) and Imperium Renewables, Inc announced that they have signed an asset purchase agreement where REG would acquire substantially all the assets of Imperium. The assets include a 100-million gallon nameplate capacity biomass-based diesel refinery and deepwater port terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor, Washington. The BQ-9000® certified biodiesel plant currently refines from a variety of purpose grown oils including canola and soy instead of waste vegetable oils. Under the terms of the agreement, REG will pay Imperium $15 million in cash and issue 1.5 million shares of REG common stock in exchange for Imperium’s assets. In addition to these payments, REG will pay either $1.75 million in cash or 175,000 shares of REG common stock at closing as elected by REG. For two years post-closing, Imperium may receive up to a $0.05/gallon payment for biomass-based diesel produced and sold. In addition at closing, Imperium will retain its net working capital value of approximately $25 million. REG will also assume $5.2 million of Imperium’s debt from Umpqua Bank, which has agreed to provide REG Grays Harbor, LLC with an additional loan capacity of up to $5 million to fund capital expenditures and improvements at the Grays Harbor facility. 08/01/2015

EPA Schedules August 13th Webinar on 2015-2016 SBIR Solicitation

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scheduled an informational webinar on EPA’s 2015-2016 SBIR Phase I solicitation for August 13 2015, from 2:00 to 3:00pm, Eastern Daylight Time. The webinar will cover EPA’s SBIR program, this year’s solicitation topics, and how to apply for an SBIR contract. Two of the seven research topics could be applicable for biomass / residual conversion projects: Cookstove-Heating-Electricity Generation for Small Homes, and resource and/or energy recovery efforts associated with Water. EPA’s 2015-2016 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitation is anticipated to open this month. The purpose of the solicitation is to support eligible small businesses in the development and commercialization of innovative environmental technologies. SBIR program experts will be available to answer questions during a question & answer (Q&A) session following the presentation. A copy of the webinar presentation and Q&A will be posted at www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir for those who cannot attend the webinar. The webinar is free but registration is required online. For questions, contact April Richards at < >. 08/01/2015

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