March 2013 News and Matters of Interest

Alliance Federated Plasma Waste to Energy Project Proposed for Saipan

Wisconsin-based renewable energy and infrastructure company Alliance Federated Energy (AFE) is proposing a plasma gasification waste to energy project for the island of Saipan, according to a report in the Saipan Tribune today. Saipan is an island located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, part of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island (CNMI) about 190 kilometers north of Guam on the eastern edge of the Philippine Sea. AFE selected adaptiveARC's plasma technology platform in 2011, using the company's patented Cool Plasma gasification as a cost-effective solution to the conversion of waste to syngas and heat. The local news report said that AFE is partnered with CNMI's Joeten Enterprises, whose spokesman indicated that the $40 and $50 million project would be developed at no cost to the CNMI government. The plasma conversion would fuel generation of about 5 megawatts of electricity per 100 tons of waste; local waste management said about 81 tons of waste was being received for processing and disposal daily. Vice Speaker Frank Dela Cruz (IR-Saipan), vice chair of the House Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee, said the proposed project "definitely will prolong the longevity of the landfill if not totally eliminate it. With regards to lowering the cost of power, the numbers have yet to be discussed until the company finalizes its assessments. All things considered, I believe that this will be good for the CNMI." 03/29/2013

Carrefour Trials Food Waste Sourced Biomethane to Fuel Supermarket Lorries

French grocery giant Carrefour Group has announced that it is now testing its first fleet of biomethane fueled lorries (delivery trucks) with the biofuel generated from anaerobic digestion of food waste from its stores. Carrefour is the second largest retailer in the world and the largest in Europe, with four major grocery retail formats: hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, and convenience stores. The biomethane trials are being run in collaboration with GDF SUEZ Group subsidiary GNVERT that operates a series of regional fueling stations, hauling company Perrenot and manufacturing company Iveco. Three vehicles will be making carbon-neutral deliveries to around fifteen Carrefour stores in the Lille region of France; the transport will reduce emissions levels by 80%, cut noise pollution, completely stop emissions of fine particles and recycle the stores' non-consumable waste. The Carrefour Group currently has over 9,990 company-owned and franchise stores with 4,500 in France and a presence internationally in China and Brazil in addition to Europe. 03/29/2013

CEC Approves Amendment of Delta Diablo Biosolids to Energy Contract

The California Energy Commission (CEC) heard as item 5 and approved staff's recommendation to amend the Delta Diablo Sanitation District's 2011 grant award contract 500-10-034 during its March 20, 2013 business meeting. Approval of Resolution No. 13-0320-05 extends the term to March 31, 2015, revises the scope of the contract to reflect that the Florida firm Chemergy Inc. is added as the new biosolids to energy technology, and adds the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for third party testing as a subcontractor. The goal of the project is to develop, demonstrate, and implement systems for converting biosolids to energy that will maximize the energy production from the biosolids and minimize the solid and liquid waste disposal requirements while meeting California's environmental standards including air emission limits. The primary initiative will be demonstrating an innovative technology that will process wastewater and biosolids at moderate temperatures and pressures to produce high-grade fuel suitable for energy generation, heat, and useful solid by-products (primarily micro-nutrient fertilizer). The initial technology vendor Intellergy, Inc., acting as subcontracted project developer, was unable to secure the needed cost share funding to run the project. This amendment will ensure that the original goal of this agreement is met, which is to develop, demonstrate, and implement a system or systems for converting biosolids to energy. The grant was initially awarded to the Bay Area Biosolids to Energy (BAB2E) Coalition, a consortium of nineteen Bay Area public agencies seeking innovative, local, sustainable solutions to biosolids management by utilizing the latent energy contained in the material. 03/29/2013

Vista Starts Construction on Pilot Plant for Waste Gasification to Energy

Colorado based Vista International Technologies Inc. (VITI) has announced that it has started construction on its waste conversion to energy pilot facility in an undisclosed location in the northeastern United States. The project will utilize the next generation of Vista's gasification technology, the MFG-8 Thermal Gasifier, and is the beginning of a multiple phase plan by the host company to reduce the amount of waste in landfills. The MFG-8 Thermal Gasifier expands on the success of Vista's previous installations, which span three continents, and is capable of converting virtually any hydrocarbon-based feedstock into usable energy. Upon successful completion of this project, the second phase of the plan will involve the installation of a larger, permanent waste-to-energy installation at the host company's site. This project is being fully funded by the host company. VITI has been producing waste-to-energy gasification systems for over twenty years, with installations across three continents. The Company's technology processes virtually any hydrocarbon-based waste product, including municipal solid waste, waste tires, waste coal, sewage sludge, animal waste, and biomass, among others. The company's waste-to-energy systems can be used to produce heat, steam, and/or electricity. CEO Tim Ruddy: "The beginning of construction on our initial third generation unit represents a giant step forward for the company, and is the result of a significant amount of hard work by the entire Vista team. We are excited to show the renewable energy community the advances in our newest design." 03/28/2013

Myriant and Bayegan Collaborate to Commercialize Bio-Sourced Chemicals

Massachusetts based Myriant Corporation has announced a new collaborative agreement with the Turkish chemical production and trading company Bayegan Group. The broad collaboration agreement is focused on the commercialization of Myriant’s bio-succinic acid in markets across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa (Territory). Bayegan has committed to annually purchase a pre-determined amount of Myriant’s bio-succinic acid for supply to customers in the Territory, while Myriant has granted exclusive distribution rights of bio-succinic acid to Bayegan in the Territory. The two companies have also agreed to negotiate a potential joint venture to build a bio-succinic acid plant in Turkey subject to certain commercial milestones being met. Myriant's technology platform utilizes feedstock flexible biocatalysis designed to consume sugars from a variety of sources, including glucose from corn and grain sorghum, sucrose from sugarcane, cellulosic sugars from waste biomass, and glycerol. Once digested, the sugar slurry is put through precision fermentation for production of succinic and other acids. Cenan Ozmeral, Chief Operating Officer for Myriant: "Myriant has a vibrant and growing bio-succinic acid business and we are delighted to partner with Bayegan to extend our global reach and accelerate our ability to deliver renewable chemicals to customers across the globe. We're confident that teaming with Bayegan, a leading chemical company in the region, is an important, strategic step towards amplifying our global sales and marketing presence." 03/28/2013

DECC Releases UK's Heat Strategy to Reduce Carbon Emissions

The United Kingdom (UK) Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced publication of the government's Heat Strategy as the most recent Action Plan of the overall Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The DECC estimates that around 80% of business and industry's heating and cooling is produced by fossil fuel combustion, producing about one third of the country's total carbon emissions. The new Action Plan expands on implementation with around £10 million to help local authorities set up district heating networks, funds for a green tech apprentice program, and substantial rebates for renewable heating system installation training. A new Heat Network Delivery Unit will be established within the DECC to work with individual industrial sectors and communities to lower the carbon footprint of heating. Last month, DECC released the RHI for commercial and industrial sectors; plans now indicate a residential RHI will establish tariff levels by mid-2013 and extends the Renewable Heat Premium Payments for another year. In addition to the heat Strategy, DECC has updated the overall RHI and issued a review of the RHI including all tariffs. DECC's study indicates a probable increase in tariffs for large biomass projects but not for small and medium scale efforts, and removes biomethane projects from tariff consideration; this latter shift brought accolades from Charlotte Morton, Chief Executive of the UK's Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA): "DECC is right to exclude biomethane and biogas from the review of the RHI tariffs, as we have suggested to them since they announced the potential for reviews in January. …The government’s focus should now be on issues which are holding back projects, such as the lack of preliminary accreditation for biomethane, the 200 kWth limit on support for heat from biogas combustion, and clarity on overall RHI budgets after 2015." 03/28/2013

University of Georgia Researchers Tame Ocean Heat Vent CO2 Eating Bacteria

The University of Georgia has announced that Michael Adams and his team at the Bioenergy Systems Institute in collaboration with North Carolina State University's Professor Bob Kelly have succeeded in harnessing an ocean heat vent thermophyllic bacterium that feeds on carbon dioxide. Initial assessments of the bacterium Pyrococcus furiosus, or "rushing fire-ball", were funded by a $2.7 million grant from the US Department of Energy, with results soon to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The micro-organism was genetically engineered to thrive in non-superheated waters and act as a catalyst to convert carbon dioxide into useful products. The early test involved using the micro-organism and hydrogen gas to make a common industrial chemical with the carbon dioxide in the air, giving Adams hope for broader applications. Adams and his colleagues created a P. furiosus strain capable of feeding at much lower temperatures on carbon dioxide, and then used hydrogen gas to create a chemical reaction in the microorganism that incorporates carbon dioxide into 3-hydroxypropionic acid, a common industrial chemical used to make acrylics and many other products. With other genetic manipulations of this new strain of P. furiosus, Adams and his colleagues could create a version that generates a host of other useful industrial products, including fuel, from carbon dioxide. When the fuel created through the P. furiosus process is burned, it releases the same amount of carbon dioxide used to create it, effectively making it carbon neutral, and a much cleaner alternative to gasoline, coal and oil. Michael Adams notes: "Basically, what we have done is create a microorganism that does with carbon dioxide exactly what plants do - absorb it and generate something useful ... Obviously, this is basic, basic research. And going from basic research into something you put into your car is a long road ... I’m biased, but I think there’s enormous potential in that we’ve proved it could be done.” 03/28/2013

BioNitrogen Partners with Alberta Co-Op for Biomass to Urea Feasibility Study

The Florida woody waste conversion company BioNitrogen has announced a partnering agreement with Canada's Battle River Agri-Ventures Co-Op (BRAV-C) to assess the feasibility of one or more biomass to urea plants in Alberta. The companies have agreed to mutually conduct a feasibility study to assess market conditions for urea consumption, the availability of biomass in the region to provide feedstock for such a plant and the viability of potential off takers. If the study finds that supply and demand justify a plant, BioNitrogen will work with BRAV-C to identify sites and viable options to build. The Alberta-based co-op aggregates agricultural waste from farmers, such as straw, which will likely be a feedstock for urea production. Originally known as the Straw Co-Op, BRAV-C has re-registered as a "New-Generation Co-Op" under Canada's Cooperatives Act, allowing it to expand both its membership profile beyond farmers to non-farmers, and to expand its engagement in projects such as the agreement with BioNitrogen, and the subsequent urea production development. BioNitrogen's process dries, cleans, grinds, and gasifies low-value biomass, then cleans and up-grades the resulting synthetic gas (syngas) prior to the final catalysis conversion to end products. The company is currently developing its initial biomass to urea plant in Hardee County, Florida, and last month received state permission to issue $17 million in tax free bonds to further the development. 03/27/2013

GS Caltex to Commercialize Biobutanol Production in South Korea in 2013

Global Post coverage of South Korean Yonhap News Agency news reports that GC Caltex is on track for commercial scale production of bio-sourced butanol fuel this year in its biorefinery in South Korea. GS Caltex Corporation was formed in 1967 in a 50-50 joint venture between Chevron and GS Holdings. Chevron notes that GS Caltex operates one of the world's largest refineries in Yeosu, and has a large network of GS Caltex® service stations. It also is active in power generation and distributing natural gas to industrial, commercial, and residential customers. GS Caltex will convert wood waste to biobutanol in a production process co-developed with the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) based on an improved strain of bacteria in research led by Prof. Sang-Yup Lee of KAIST's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department. Standard Clostridia-based fermentation for butanol production also produces ethanol and acetone (a hydrocarbon blend known as ABE). Dr. Lee's genetically engineered strain stops acetone production and reduces the ethanol to one part in six of butanol, eliminating later separation stages and greatly improving the economics of the process platform. 03/27/2013

S4CO2 and Quinlan Agree to JV for Shrimp Waste to Co-Products Facility

Canadian waste to co-products development company Solutions4CO2, Inc. (S4CO2), has announced a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with Quinlan Brothers Ltd. to build a waste to co-products facility to extract oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and astaxanthin from Quinlan's waste streams. Quinlan is a Canadian processor and exporter of cold water shrimp, capelin, snow crab, mackerel, squid, and turbot at its plant located at Bay De Verde, Newfoundland and Labrador. S4CO2 and Quinlan have entered into the PDA to build a commercial waste to co-products system that will be integrated with the existing Quinlan process. The system extracts oil from the shrimp by-product and enriches the EPA, DHA, and astaxanthin in the oil. Most shrimp by-products are either disposed in landfills at a dollar cost to the shrimp processors or discarded in the sea at an environmental cost. S4CO2's proprietary Bio-Extraction Process utilizes supercritical CO2 fluid extraction to extract high-value co-products from shrimp by-products. Under the terms of the PDA, both S4CO2 and Quinlan will complete the economic feasibility study prior to entering into a final agreement. As part of the PDA, the companies will create a new 50 /50 joint venture corporation. An economic feasibility study is under mutual development; if satisfactory, the companies will enter a final agreement by April 30, 2013. 03/27/2013

Canada's 2013 Economic Action Plan Includes $325MM for Clean Tech

The Honorable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced the Canadian Government's 2013 budget this past week and detailed how the government's Economic Action Plan is intended to build on the Harper Government's "record for delivering results." The Minister is now touring Hong Kong and Bangkok to promote Canada's plan to encourage the opening of new markets and expansion of trade and investment, following on an historic November 2012 bilateral trade agreement with China. The non-profit foundation Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has released a congratulatory statement lauding the government's commitment of over $325 million allocated for the next eight years to support Canadian clean technology development. SDTC has a total portfolio value of over $2 billion, and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil, operating two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $590 million SD Tech Fund™ has allocated $592 million to 245 clean technology projects, leveraged by $1.5 billion primarily from industry. The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund™ supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels. Vicky Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC: "The investment announced today will continue Canada’s leadership in commercializing innovative clean technologies, supporting a thriving part of Canada’s economy, a source of high-paying jobs and growth for Canadian companies and an important part of Canada’s future prosperity. This support will allow SDTC to continue putting innovation to work in a sector that could bring in as much as $62 billion and employ 126,000 by 2020." 03/26/2013

UK Green Investment Bank Funds Bioenergy Center for Cambridge U Hospitals

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) has announced that it will provide £18m in funding towards a new energy innovation center for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This fund forms part of the GIB's allocation of funding into one of its priority sectors, non-domestic energy. The total investment required for the project is approximately £36m and is being made in partnership with the Aviva Investors REaLM Infrastructure Fund. It was orchestrated in part by the strategic outsourcing company MITIE, who will develop and operate the new center. The new bioenergy center will house a combined heat and power unit, biomass boiler, efficient dual fuel boilers, and heat recovery from medical incineration. It will provide heat and power to the Trust including the Addenbrooke's and Rosie Hospitals with savings of over £20 million in energy costs over the 25 year operational term of the project and expected CO2 savings in excess of 25,000 tonnes per year. The GIB was formed as a public company in May 2012 and became fully operational in October 2012 when it was granted State Aid approval by the European Commission to make investments on commercial terms. The UK's Business Secretary Vince Cable: "We are delighted to be working with Aviva Investors, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and MITIE on this project. The UK Green Investment Bank's £50 million commitment to the new Aviva Investors REaLM Energy Centres Fund will help to deliver much needed energy and financial savings for NHS hospitals." 03/25/2013

Welsh Government Releases Report on End Destinations of Recyclates

An assessment of where Welsh recyclates go for reprocessing was commissioned by Alice Maxwell-Lyte, Waste Strategy Advisor of the Welsh Government, and the final report prepared by SKM Environs was just released entitled Dry Recycling End Destinations, a Report for Local Authorities in Wales . Accounting was completed on all 22 of the Welsh Local Authorities covering the period from April 2011 to March 2012. End destination reprocessing facility locations and respective tonnages are provided for each major category of recyclate. The report's detailed tables indicate that of roughly 1.5 million tonnes of waste collected, 800,000 was recycled or reused compared to 700,000 sent to final disposal. It also shows that although some of the waste segregated for recycling was listed as destined for brokerage and export, the majority was sent to reprocessing facilities located in northwestern England and in South Wales. This careful work relied on waste collection data submitted to the Welsh Government and Environment Agency Wales within its WasteDataFlow (WDF) reporting program. The data covers the waste sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), outputs sent for recyclate reprocessing, the quantity of post-recycling residuals sent to energy recovery, and the amounts ultimately sent to landfill. WDF is completed on a quarterly basis by the local authorities; the data is then reviewed by the EA Wales and is available for the reporting of waste management targets and public enquiry through StatsWales and WDF.The topic of where the United Kingdom's collected recyclates end up, how to increase in-country reprocessing and improve recyclate quality has been of increasing interest. 03/25/2013

Viridor and E.ON Partner on EfW & District Heating in Trident Park Project

United Kingdom based integrated waste management firm Viridor has announced a partnership with both the local Cardiff Council and with Germany's E.ON energy firm to explore the incorporation of district heating into Viridor's Trident Park Energy from Waste (EfW) combined heat and power plant in Wales. The finished facility will convert about 350,000 tonnes per year of post-recycling waste residuals to around 30 megawatts of electricity (MWe) and an additional 20 megawatts of thermal energy (MWt). The heat and generated steam can then be used for heating and cooling in surrounding Cardiff municipal, industrial and residential buildings. Construction began in April 2012 and is scheduled to be completed in 2014. This will be the first integrated EfW and district heating project in Wales. In February 2013, Prosiect Gwyrdd (Project Gwyrrd), a partnership between Caerphilly Borough County Council, The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff, Monmouthshire County Council, Newport City Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council, recommended Viridor as the provisional preferred bidder to deliver an environmentally sustainable solution for treating the partner's waste, which cannot be practically recycled or composted, and formally agreed on Viridor's status this month. Viridor will receive a 25 year waste derived feedstock supply contract and a guaranteed minimum payment based on projected waste generation tonnage. The project conforms with the Welsh Government's "Toward Zero Waste Strategy." 03/24/2013

Maersk Group Focuses on Conversion of Lignin to Marine Bio-Oils

Dutch shipping giant the Maersk Group has announced its focus on conversion of lignin from cellulosic biomass into a bio-oil replacement for petroleum-sourced marine oil fuels. In February of this year, Maersk signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Progression Industry, a commercial spin-off of Eindhoven University of Technology, to develop a viable marine fuel from lignin that meets stringent parameters on price, technical performance, sustainability, and emissions. The agreement between Maersk and Progression Industry states that if Progression can produce a lignin based fuel that meets Maersk’s criteria then Maersk will buy 50,000 tonnes of this fuel. A separate project called "Biomass for the 21st Century" is co-funded by the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation and involves Maersk, DONG Energy, and several other companies and academic institutions. Jacob Sterling, head of Environment and CSR in Maersk Line: "For the past 75 years, the shipping companies have used oil, but looking at the next 75 years this is likely to change. In the longer term, oil is simply going to run out, so we need to start looking for alternatives. The great thing about biofuels is that they would not only secure a future fuel supply, they will also greatly reduce our CO2 and SOx emissions." 03/23/2013

Due 04/10/2013: Applications to CEC for Renewable Energy/Planning Grants

The California Energy Commission (CEC) released a Program Opportunity Notice (PON-12-403) seeking proposals toward the Renewable Energy and Conservation Planning Grants, and has posted the pre-application presentation given by staff during the public workshop held on March 21, 2013. This solicitation is only available to qualified California counties that meet specific eligibility requirements defined in the PON. From the PON: "For qualified counties in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) planning area, or in the planning area of another natural community conservation plan, planning grants provide resources to facilitate eligible renewable energy resource development and ensure the protection of ecosystems through the successful implementation of the DRECP or other applicable natural community conservation plans." CEC first sought stakeholder comment toward the program last December for the program (see our Comments here), identifying total available funding of around $7 million for qualified counties with a cap on any one grant of $700,000. The staff presentation incorporates consideration of early comments, and clarifies that Preference Points will be awarded for proposals that ensure a county will develop a renewable energy element in their general plan that will facilitate the development and siting of eligible renewable energy resources that utilize multiple renewable energy technologies. Applications are due no later than 3:00 pm on April 10, 2013. 03/23/2013

Due 05/14/2013: Comments to ARB on Approaches to Regulating Alt Diesel Fuels

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has announced a day-long workshop on April 23, 2013 to discuss concepts for the regulation of alterative diesel fuels, including biodiesel, renewable diesel, and other emerging diesel fuel substitutes. Staff released a White Paper last month that will provide the background and substance of the workshop: Discussion of Conceptual Approaches to Regulation of Alternative Diesel Fuels delves into the need for, and the degree of, regulation regarding California motor vehicle alternative diesel fuels (ADFs) and diesel fuel blendstock substitutes. From the paper: "The ARB’s current diesel fuel regulations are geared toward providing a pathway for certifying hydrocarbon-based variations on petroleum diesel formulations, but they are ill-suited to providing a market pathway for newer, innovative alternative diesel fuels that are now coming into California in limited quantities." Each major type of alternative diesel and fuels additive is considered, and fuels certification pathway flowcharts are presented. Specific proposed modifications to the existing California Code of regulations pertinent to alternative diesel fuels and additives are presented for discussion. General information about the ADF regulation can be found online. For questions, contact Floyd Vergara (916) 322-6312, Jim Aguila (916) 322-8283 or Lex Mitchell (916) 327-1513 or email <>. The workshop will also be webcast.ARB staff intends to bring regulatory recommendations to the Board in the fall of this year; public comment is requested during the meeting and in writing by May 14, 2013 by email to <>. 03/23/2013

Canadian RFA Forms New Next Generation Biofuels Committee

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) has announced formation of a new committee focused on ensuring that the nation's advanced biofuels development continues to grow. Next generation renewable fuel companies in Canada are already commercializing new technologies to produce biofuels from forestry and agricultural residues, non-recyclable municipal waste, and special purpose energy crops. This growth is supported in part by funding from the NextGen for Biofuels Fund (NGBF) program led by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) which attracts private investment for the commercialization of the new generation of biofuels technologies following their development, testing, and demonstration. CRFA supports preserving the current funding available in the NGBF through SDTC and maintaining the existing eligibility criteria for applicants. The inaugural members of CRFA’s Next Generation Biofuels Committee are: Enerkem, a Quebec-based company, developing one municipal solid waste-to-biofuels project in Edmonton, Alberta and another (in partnership with GreenField Ethanol) in Varennes, Quebec; Inbicon, a Denmark-based company, focusing on the production of ethanol from agricultural residues; and Mascoma, a US-based company, developing a project in Drayton Valley, Alberta utilizing its low-cost proprietary Consolidated BioProcessing technology for the conversion of biomass into cellulosic ethanol, xylose, Isopropanol and green electricity. CRFA President W. Scott Thurlow: "Canada is building on the success of its established biofuels industry to create a new wave of biofuels facilities that will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits. However, to realize Canada’s full green energy potential, programs and policies that spur innovation and foster investment are essential." 03/21/2013

CEC EISG Awards Include Three Waste Conversion Projects

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced awards totaling $1,815,274 to fund 20 research projects from the CEC's Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) program. The projects approved by the Commission include research in the areas of transportation, electricity, and natural gas, providing funding to small businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals, and academic institutions to establish the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts. The EISG solicitation program provides up to $95,000 for hardware projects and up to $50,000 for modeling concepts. Three awards focused on some form of conversion of waste to energy: (1) Humboldt State University was awarded $94,993 to investigate the use of biomass to convert waste heat energy into chemical energy; (2) San Diego State University will receive $95,000 to study a pretreatment method for algal biomass used as feedstock for anaerobic digesters to increase methane gas production; and (3) C/e Solutions, Inc, based in West Sacramento, was awarded $94,959 to determine the feasibility of using a catalyst to transform food waste into fuel in a single unit, thus simplifying production and lowering costs. "These small grant projects will help seed innovation and investment in energy technologies throughout California," said Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller. "The EISG program is an innovative model that encourages growth in California's clean tech industry while attracting further investments. The program has led to $1.8 billion in follow on funding, most of which came from private investors." The next round of EISG competition opened March 1st; applicants have until April 26 to submit their applications. 03/21/2013

Buster Biofuels Awarded $2.6MM for Biodiesel Manufacturing, Fueling Facility

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced awards totaling $5,580,773 for clean-energy transportation projects, with funding coming from Assembly Bill 118, the CEC's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. Buster Biofuels, LLC, based in the San Diego area, will receive $2,641,723 to convert a 7,300 square foot industrial warehouse building into a biodiesel manufacturing and fueling facility. The facility will create biodiesel from renewable waste-based materials such as used cooking oil from restaurants. The chemical process used separates the glycerin from fats or oils, leaving biodiesel and glycerin. Glycerin can be used in the production of soaps, cosmetics and other products. The biodiesel is typically blended with petroleum diesel, and can be used in place of conventional diesel, usually with no modifications to the vehicle. Besides being renewable, biodiesel produces fewer greenhouse gases than conventional fossil-fuel diesel. Buster Biofuels initiates, establishes and services “green initiatives” for restaurants and companies in San Diego County, reclaiming used cooking oil for conversion to biodiesel. About $90 million is available during this fiscal period from the AB 118 funds, paid for annually through surcharges on vehicle and boating registrations, and smog check and license plate fees and matched by funds from the awardees. 03/21/2013

KiOR Ships First Commercial Cellulosic Diesel from Mississippi Biorefinery

Texas based KiOR, Inc. has announced shipment of its first cellulosic biodiesel from its first commercial scale biorefinery in Columbus, Mississippi. KiOR's proprietary Biomass Catalytic Cracking (BCC) technology platform utilizes fast pyrolysis and catalysis to convert lignocellulosic biomass into bio-crude suitable for refining directly to standard transportation fuels. KiOR's facility uses pine wood chips previously feeding a shut down paper mill at Columbus and produces gasoline and diesel, the first renewable hydrocarbon fuels in the US manufactured at commercial scale and derived solely from non-food feedstocks to avoid competition with human food needs. KiOR's renewable gasoline is also the first renewable cellulosic gasoline ever registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for sale in the US. Fuels are identical to petroleum based fuels made from conventional methods and will drop in to the existing fuels infrastructure. Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi instrumental in attracting KiOR to Mississippi, remarked, "The shipment of this first fuel from KiOR's Columbus, Mississippi, facility is the culmination of a vision to establish Mississippi as the birthplace of the wood-to-fuels production technology. This progress highlights our highly skilled labor force, abundant natural resources and supportive government climate for innovative companies like KiOR seeking a home to expand their businesses. Mississippi has partnered with KiOR throughout this history-making project, contributing economic development support ranging from research and testing projects within our world class universities, to technical training within our superb community college system." 03/20/2013

ForceField Secures Financing Commitments for Waste Heat Conversion Projects

New York headquartered multi-technology company ForceField Energy Inc. has announced that it has secured specialized project financing commitments from two leading US banks, enabling the company's clients to more rapidly and with greater certainty arrange up to 100% project financing. The commitments are based upon lengthy due diligence by the banking institutions of ForceField's proprietary renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Among these are waste heat recovery organic Rankine cycle engine systems. ForceField's subsidiary, TransPacific Energy Inc. ("TPE"), has patented an ORC technology which uses proprietary multiple component fluids that are environmentally sound, non-toxic and non-flammable. Systems can efficiently capture and convert waste heat at temperatures from 75° F to 950° Fahrenheit, a broader recovery range than other systems. Allstate Capital, a major U.S. commercial equipment leasing and equipment financing company, acted as the Company's financial advisor and lead arranger. Mike Ramazio, EVP of Allstate Capital based at the corporate office in Pompano Beach, Florida: "After completing our due diligence it was clear that ForceField has the technology, products and solutions to meet the growing needs of the marketplace. We are pleased that we were able to secure premier lending partners to support and accelerate the Company's growth potential. Allstate Capital remains committed to providing our clients with financing solutions to address the unique needs of their business or industry." 03/20/2013

Air Liquide Plans 450 tpd CO2 Plant at Calgren's Tulare County Ethanol Facility

With its US headquarters in Houston, Texas, Air Liquide has announced its intent to expand its California operations with the development of a facility to capture, purify and liquefy around 450 tons per day (tpd) of food grade carbon dioxide from Calgren Renewable Fuels' 55 million gallon ethanol plant in Tulare County. Liquid carbon dioxide provides manufacturers the benefit of quickly freezing and preserving their products and helps maintain safe temperatures that improve quality in certain manufacturing processes. The development is in parallel with Air Liquide's expansion of its existing CO2 plant in Wilmington, California. The Wilmington plant is one of seven U.S. Air Liquide carbon dioxide liquefaction facilities that have received the Food Safety System Certification 22000 (“FSSC 22000”), an internationally-recognized standard for food safety systems. Mark Lostak, president of Air Liquide Industrial US LP: "Today’s announcements signify Air Liquide’s continued commitment to growth in California and, most importantly, high quality products and service to customers throughout the region." 03/20/2013

Sapphire Secures Algal Green Crude Supply Agreement with Tesoro Refining

California based Sapphire Energy, Inc has entered into a commercial supply agreement with Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Tesoro Corporation. Sapphire will ship refinery-ready bio-oil to Tesoro from its Columbus, New Mexico "Green Crude Farm" research, demonstration, and production facility as the first step in full commercialization. The Green Crude Farm became operational in August 2012, and is now shipping barrels of bio-oil for further refinement. In initial testing by Sapphire Energy, Green Crude oil was refined into on-spec ASTM 975 diesel fuel, proving its compatibility with the existing network of pipelines, refineries and transport systems. Sapphire's technology platform produces and harvest algae grown in sunlit open ponds, fed with atmospheric and/or industrially-sourced carbon dioxide. Harvested algae are processed wet to bio-oil, eliminating the time and expense of drying. Moving forward, the company plans to grow production significantly to further expand its commercial demonstration and begin the transition towards commercial-scale production. Joel Larkins, Tesoro's vice president of Renewable Development: "Tesoro is continuously looking at new technologies for producing renewable fuels. We are pleased to become a purchaser of Sapphire Energy’s Green Crude, which shows promise as an alternative fuel solution." 03/20/2013

Foster Wheeler Secures South Korea Biomass CFB Steam Generator Contract

Swiss engineering company Foster Wheeler AG has announced that a subsidiary of its Global Power Group has been awarded a major contract to design and supply a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) gasification to steam generation system for a biomass power plant in South Korea. The biomass energy technologies will be installed in the Dangjin 4 Biomass Power Plant Project for GS EPS, a subsidiary of the GS Group. The plant will be located in Dangjin, a city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Foster Wheeler will design and supply the 105 megawatt (MWe) CFB steam generator and auxiliary equipment for the boiler island, including a Foster Wheeler baghouse for flue gas cleaning. The steam generator will be designed to burn palm kernel shells with co-firing of coal, and wood pellets as back-up fuel, while meeting applicable environmental regulatory requirements. FW's Global Engineering and Construction Group designs and constructs processing facilities for the upstream oil and gas, LNG and gas-to-liquids, refining, chemicals and petrochemicals, power, mining and metals, environmental, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare industries, with a focus on combustion and steam generation technology. Gary Nedelka, Chief Executive Officer of Foster Wheeler’s Global Power Group: "Biomass residue from palm oil industries is an abundant renewable energy fuel in Southeast Asia. We are pleased to have yet another opportunity to demonstrate Foster Wheeler’s CFB technology as a solution to meet energy needs while addressing environmental concerns." 03/19/2013

Environmental Waste International Completes $885K Private Placement

Ontario, Canada based Environmental Waste International Inc (EWI) has announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement funding round, placing 4.425 million units and raising $885,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and a two year warrant to purchase another one half common share. EWI has spent over fifteen years engineering systems that integrate its patented Reverse Polymerization (RP) process and proprietary microwave delivery system. Each unit is designed to be energy efficient and where possible, create an economically positive model for the recovery of various hydrocarbon oil and gasses. The company's microwave energy technology platform is centered on the proprietary Microwave Delivery System (MDS), currently enabling depolymerization of waste tires, advanced wastewater sterilization, food waste processing for dehydration and sterilization and medical waste sterilization. EWI installed the TR900 waste tire conversion Plant at the Ellsin Environmental facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and will work with the Ellsin facility to continue developing and improving the tire system’s design and operation. The company has also completed installations for wastewater treatment in Maryland and Chicago, a ship-board food sterilization application for the United Kingdom's (UK) Minister of Defense, and medical waste sterilization at sites in the UK; for these installations, off-gassing fuels turbines for on-site power generation. 03/19/2013

Cyclone Power Secures Strategic Investment for European Expansion

Florida based external heat driven engine company Cyclone Power has announced that it has signed a letter of understanding with Next S.p.A., an industrial holding company based in Florence, Italy, to seek sales and distribution opportunities in Europe for the company's waste-to-power engine applications. Next has provided a $100,000 equity investment in Cyclone and also received a 90-day right of refusal to proceed with a more formal license agreement, subject to market study and further diligence. The Cyclone Engine is a Rankine Cycle heat regenerative external combustion engine, otherwise known as a “Schoell Cycle” engine. It creates mechanical energy by heating and cooling water in a closed-loop, piston-based engine system. It is an "all-fuel" engine, in that any source of adequate heat can be converted to power. Christopher Nelson, Cyclone's President: "We are pleased to be working with Next to determine optimal paths for the placement of Cyclone engines in Europe, and thank them for their investment in the company. We believe that the European waste-to-power market, especially biomass powered micro-cogeneration applications, presents an excellent opportunity for Cyclone's technology." 03/19/2013

BioTork and USDA Extend Ag Waste to Biofuels Collaboration

Florida based BioTork has announced that its long-standing and successful collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for conversion of agricultural product residuals to biofuel will be extended. Starting in 2011, the collaboration brought the USDA Agricultural Research Service Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (ARS-PBARC) experience in agricultural research and development in the state of Hawaii together with BioTork's continuous culture accelerated evolution process to developed microbial strains capable of converting low-cost biomass and industrial carbon sources into high-value biofuels and biochemicals, animal feeds, and other useful products. As part of ARS-PBARC's "Zero Agricultural Waste" Hamakua Project, the collaborative's initial trials converted papaya culls into bio-oil and animal feed. Positive results now allow the project to move to a second phase with two distinct tasks: strain optimization for a small scale pilot plant and strain development for the conversion of a number of specific agro-industrial waste streams. The team believes that efficient microbial conversion requires the simultaneous optimization of product yield, minimization of fermentation time and the matching of optimal growth parameters for the microbe with the simplest and least expensive industrial process, goals that can only be achieved with evolutionary optimization. Terry Bruggeman, Executive Chairman of BioTork: "BioTork and its accelerated evolution technology have a unique position in the market to optimize microbial traits for converting different types of biomass into high value end products." 03/19/2013

Due 07/01/2013: Applications for UK Renewable Project Investment Contracts

The United Kingdom (UK) Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has announced release of a summary decision to help renewable electricity project developers permit, finance, and build facilities more rapidly. The Government’s Update 1: Invitation to Participate of the Final Investment Decision Enabling program is designed to help developers of low carbon electricity projects make final investment decisions ahead of changes to the electricity market in the second half of 2014. The short document provides details of the form and criteria of government's support program with the intent to offer investment contracts to successful applicants in the fall of this year based on the draft "strike prices" and contract terms to be published during the summer. The Government then intends to be offering Investment Contracts as soon as the draft electricity reference rate "strike prices" are published in the Electricity Market Reform (EMR) Delivery Plan later this summer. Under a Contract for Difference, returns for generators are stabilized at a fixed price level known as the ‘strike price’. Any technology already eligible under the UKS' Renewable Obligation (RO) is considered a Qualifying Technology; projects are expected to come on-line within the period of the First Delivery Plan (2014/15 to 2018-19) and have a design capacity of 50 megawatts electric (MWe) or greater. Applications and requests for Status Letters are to be submitted to the DECC at any time from now to July 1, 2013. 03/19/2013

Southern Research Institute Secures $925MM to Liquefy Biomass for Biofuels

The Southern Research Institute (SRI) of Birmingham, Alabama has announced that it has been awarded $925,000 by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a process for liquefaction of biomass into refinery-ready bio-oil. The SRI will evaluate and optimize the liquefaction process using a continuous flow lab-scale biomass liquefaction system simulating the commercial embodiment of Southern Research’s liquefaction process. A lab-scale reactor will be constructed and tested for hydrotreating and cracking the bio-oils to produce gasoline and diesel range hydrocarbons. A refinery partner is being sought to further define bio-oil quality specifications that meet requirements for direct insertion at various points in the petroleum refining process. Based on the experimental data, a technical and economic evaluation and life-cycle assessment of the process will be carried out. Requirements for scale-up and commercialization of the liquefaction process will be determined. The SRI is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization that conducts advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, environment and energy, and preclinical drug discovery and development. Santosh K. Gangwal, Ph.D., SRI principal investigator: "We hope the project will advance liquefaction by demonstrating cost-effective biomass conversion to stable bio-oils at mild conditions. Other liquefaction processes either use severe conditions or expensive catalysts to achieve stability. We will also evaluate the suitability and process economics of directly blending our bio-oils with refinery hydrotreater and cracker streams for co-production of diesel and gasoline." 03/18/2013

Kansas State University Collaborates to Improve Biofuel, Bioproducts Quality

Kansas State University (KSU) has announced that its biochemical engineering researchers are collaborating with a national effort to improve the production efficiency and quality of biofuels ad bio-source products. Praveen Vadlani, the Gary and Betty Lortscher associate professor of renewable energy in KSU's Department of Grain Science and Industry, is a co-principal investigator in a more than $6.5 million biomass research project between universities, industries, and federal agencies. The three-year project, a jointly funded effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy, seeks to refine and improve the conversion of biomass into better drop-in biodiesel, bio-lubricants, jet fuel and other value-added products. The project is being led by Ceramatec Inc., a ceramic, fuel, and electrochemical research and development company in Salt Lake City. In addition to Kansas State University, collaborators include Texas A&M, Rice University, Drexel University, and the Chevron Corporation. Vadlani: "This is a high-risk, high-reward project. The goal is to increase commercial industries' interest in the products that are developed from biomass by adding value to those products. It will be a technical challenge because we want to optimize every component used in the production cycle and make sure that the production cycle is done in a closed-loop system without any emissions since we're using a renewable energy source." 03/18/2013

Aston University's EBRI Pyroformer Wins UK's Best Tech Breakthrough Award

Aston University in the United Kingdom (UK) has announced that its European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) has won the Best Technological Breakthrough award for its Pyroformer at the national Climate Week Awards held at the UK House of Commons. The national Climate Week Awards showcase the UK’s most innovative, ambitious, and effective actions to combat climate change. In total, there were 14 categories ranging from sustainable business to new technologies and community action. The launch of the EBRI was announced two years ago, and is focused on development of the Pyroformer, using a form of intermediate pyrolysis. The reaction temperature for this process is around 450-500˚C, with a variable vapor residence time of a few seconds. As the reaction occurs under controlled heating levels it is emission free, and avoids the formation of tar which is problematic for other forms of pyrolysis. Low value multiple biomass feedstock types are converted to bio-oil and gaseous by-products. When coupled with a gasifier it will have an output of 400 kilowatts of electricity (kWe). Following significant R&D investment the Pyroformer is now ‘near market’ and EBRI is showcasing this technology to industry to demonstrate how real-life solutions for tackling residues and waste can be achieved, with both environmental and financial benefits for households, businesses and local authorities. Tim Miller, Director of Operations at EBRI: "... the Pyroformer is about more than just sustainable energy provision. We believe this technology could be a key stimulator of growth and jobs and the reaction of the business community so far has been very positive. If you are looking for a clean energy source that ensures energy security without damaging people or planet, EBRI already has the solution." 03/16/2013

Neiker-Tecnalia to Convert Biogas Organic Residuals to High-Quality Fertilizer

The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, has announced plans to develop a pilot facility for conversion of the organic residual from anaerobic digestion (AD) into stabile, effective fertilizer. The plant will be located on Neiker-Tecnalia’s agricultural land in Arkaute (Álava, Basque Country, northeastern Spain). The budget of 1.5 million euros will be provided by the European Union through a CIP-Eco-Innovation project fund with four participitating organizations: Neiker-Tecnalia, Ekonek Innovation in Product Upgrading, Blue Agro, and the Dutch company Colsen. AD residual is often considered a waste requiring disposal; the new project seeks methods for economically viable conversion of the residual into an environmentally sound and agriculturally effective amendment. The product will be in the form of microgranules that requires much lower doses than traditional fertilizers and release nutrients slowly for reduced impact on the environment. The team will employ chemical hydrolysis followed by a high-efficiency granulation process, with a focus on ensuring optimum chemical and agronomic characteristics with a balanced level of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) with an end formulation determined according to the target crop and soil. The facility will be able to treat about 28,000 tonnes of digestate per year, which will produce about 9,200 tonnes of fertilizer. Ekonek will build the pilot plant on the agricultural experimentation land belonging to the R+D Centre in the Alavese town of Arkaute. Colsen will provide the material produced by various biogas plants; Neiker-Tecnalia and Blue Agro will together be designing the final, ideal formulation of the fertilizer. Neiker-Tecnalia is a nonprofit state-owned company assigned to the Department of Environment, Regional Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries of the Basque Government. 03/16/2013

Houston Wins $1MM Mayor's Challenge Award for "One Bin For All"

Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced that the City of Houston has claimed one of four $1 million Mayor's Challenge Innovation awards for the City's proposed single bin waste collection program, and highly-automated materials recovery system designed to recycle 75% of all waste. The City's proposal was one of 305 submissions to the Mayor's Challenge competition, surviving the first cut to become one of 20 finalists, and then was selected for its "huge leap forward in recycling/recovery and potentially transformative impact on cities’ sustainability practices." In addition, Houston is the winner of the "Mayors Challenge Fan Favorite Selection." The Huffington Post and Bloomberg Philanthropies partnered to give readers an opportunity to select their favorite idea among the 20 finalists. Houston will receive a $50K in-kind grant from IBM to support the implementation of its "One Bin For All" idea. Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group: "We are delighted to award the Fan Favorite prize to Houston, and excited to see so many people inspired to vote. More than 58,000 people voted – engaging in robust conversation about the power of cities and local leaders to solve pressing problems. Houston and Milwaukee, finishing a close second, were the clear Fan Favorites. We look forward to showcasing their progress with our readers across the world." 03/15/2013

Lignol Invests in and Collaborates with Australia's Territory Biofuels

British Columbia bioproducts company Lignol Energy Corporation (LEC) has invested A$1.8 million in the Australian biodiesel and glycerin processing firm Territory Biofuels Limited (TBF). LEC has also signed a Technology Collaboration Agreement that includes a package of technical and additional financial assistance to aid in the restart of TBF’s 150 million litre per year biodiesel plant and glycerine refinery located in Darwin, Australia. The TBF facility was commissioned in 2008 at a cost of A$80 million, along with 38 million litres of related tankage, now leased by TBF. The biodiesel plant is the largest in Australia with a maximum capacity of 150 million litres per year. Originally built to run on food-grade vegetable oil, the plant was shut down in 2009 due to feedstock constraints. LEC will have the opportunity to convert the notes into a 20% to 40% equity position in TBF; the collaboration agreement provides for technical assistance from LEC and its partners with respect to both the restart of the facility and the potential integration of new pretreatment technologies and catalysts to facilitate the processing of a broad range of low cost feedstocks. Ross MacLachlan, Chairman and CEO of LEC: "We are proud to be working with TBF on this important, large scale project. The Darwin plant is an impressive industrial facility and the TBF team has developed a compelling business model with strong commercial partnerships with which to become a major regional player in the biodiesel market in the Pacific Rim. This transaction reinforces the commitment to our strategy of selective investments in energy related projects which have synergies with our Company and have the potential to generate near term cash flow." 03/15/2013

Xergi Biogas Plant to Convert Waste from French Wine and Cheese Production

The Danish firm Xergi A/S has announced that it will supply a biogas plant with anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading modules to the French developer Marnay Energie for installation in the small town of Feux near Sancerre in central France. Marnay Energie's proposed facility will digest locally sourced goat cheese whey from the goat herds of Crottin de Chavignol AOC, and grape processing residuals (must, or marc) from regional wine production. In addition to waste products from wine and cheese production, the plant will process solid animal manure from goats and dairy cattle, and other waste products from the agricultural and food industries within a radius of up to approximately 30 kilometers, to an expected total of 38,000 tons per year. The Xergi biogas plant will include four modules for feedstock pre-treatment, a 3,000 cubic meter primary digester and a 2,000 cubic meter secondary digester. The biogas will be purified and then utilized in a combined heat and power (CHP) plant with a capacity of slightly more than 1.0 MW of electricity. A plant for the separation of the digested biomass and the drying facility will also be installed. Marnay Energie investor Holding Verte intends to generate green heat and power, along with both liquid and solid organic fertilizer for local usage. Guillaume Loir from Xergi’s French subsidiary, Xergi SAS: "The biogas plant is another example that Xergi is able to help agriculture and the food industry to solve a number of basic problems in creating value from unused waste products." 03/15/2013

Codexis Launches Next Generation Engineered Cellulase Enzymes

California based Codexis, Inc. has announced the availability of its next generation  engineered enzyme packages CodeXyme® 4 and CodeXyme® 4X for use in producing cellulosic sugar for production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals. CodeXyme® 4 is designed for dilute acid pretreatments and CodeXyme® 4X for hydrothermal pretreatments; both are both capable of converting up to 85% of available fermentable sugars at high biomass and low enzyme loads. Codexis has been steadily expanding since finalizing negotiations with Shell last September for full rights to the enzymes and biofuels. During the past several months, CodeXyme® cellulase has been tested on a variety of feedstocks and pre-treatments, including corn stover, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse, cane straw, wheat straw, and rice straw. CodeXyme® cellulase has been used successfully to hydrolyze biomass pre-treated with both acid-based and hydrothermal methods, as well as in sequential and simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation. Codexis is scheduled to scale up its novel CodeXyme® 4X cellulase strain at commercial scale in the second quarter of this year. CodeXyme® 4X cellulase will also be used in pilot production of bio-based CodeXolTM detergent alcohols in collaboration with Chemtex in Rivalta, Italy by mid-year. John Nicols, Chief Executive Officer of Codexis: "After four years of development using our CodeEvolver® directed evolution technology platform, we are proud to announce that our high-performing CodeXyme® cellulases are broadly available for the first time." 03/15/2013

Due 05/31/2013: Applications to Pacific Power for Renewable Energy Projects

Pacific Power has released a Request for Applications for funding through its Blue Sky renewable energy program to support community-based renewable energy projects within the company's service territory. Preference is given to local projects under 10 megawatts with a strong educational component that bring a broader understanding of renewable energy development and generation, and/or further research and development of new renewable energy-generation technologies. All proposals are due by 5pm on May 31, 2013. Notifications are expected in November, 2013, and all projects must be completed by December 31, 2014. Formed in 1910, Pacific Power & Light started from several small electric companies and served 7,000 customers in Astoria and Pendleton in Oregon, and Yakima and Walla Walla in Washington. Renewable Energy project types (those that generate grid-tied electricity) eligible to receive funding through the Blue Sky program must produce new sources of electricity generation fueled by wind, solar PV, geothermal, low-impact hydro, pipeline or irrigation canal hydropower, wave energy or tidal action, or low-emissions biomass based on digester methane gas from landfills, sewage treatment plants, or animal waste, and biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residues or dedicated crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol or copper chrome arsenic. Contacts and all instructions for application are available on-line. 03/15/2013

Sweetwater Wins 2013 World Biofuels Sustainable Feedstock Process Award

New York based Sweetwater Energy, Inc. has announced receipt of the 2013 Sustainable Feedstock Processing award "for the most exciting new feedstock innovation" in this year's World Biofuels Markets competition in the Netherlands. The award is in recognition of the company's patented advanced cellulosic biomass pre-treatment platform, which converts low-value biomass to separate intermediary product streams of five carbon (C5) and six carbon (C6) sugars, with residual being a beneficial animal feed. Sweetwater has developed a distributed method for producing the discrete sugar solutions that allows processing to occur at the feedstock source, with subsequent transport to energy-dense intermediaries to regional plants for further processing. The system also can provide "bolt-on" expansion to existing biofuels and biochemicals facilities, enabling diversification of the feedstock to that facility by efficient conversion of cellulosic biomass. Sweetwater has already signed two $100 million deals for its sugar this year. Ace Ethanol in Wisconsin and Front Range Energy in Colorado will each begin replacing approximately seven percent of their corn with cellulosic sugar from Sweetwater, yielding about 3.5 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol. The eighth annual World Biofuels Markets is taking place over three days at the Beurs-World Trade Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 03/14/2013

BCBN Loans $1.5MM to Quadrogen for Landfill Gas Cleanup Process Demo

The Vancouver based BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) has announced approval of a loan of $1.5 million to Quadrogen Power Systems, Inc to demonstrate landfill gas clean-up to ultra-clean levels for sustainable energy. Village Farms, the project host, is one of the largest producers, marketers, and distributors of premium-quality, greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers in North America, grown in sophisticated, highly efficient and intensive agricultural greenhouse facilities located in British Columbia and Texas. Quadrogen's modular and scalable systems are designed to provide cost-effective ultra-pure fuel gas from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion biogas, and thermochemical syngas. This project is part of a larger $7.5 million technology demonstration project that will demonstrate the conversion of landfill gas to ultra-clean electricity, heat, renewable hydrogen, and carbon dioxide for use in greenhouses and has received additional support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). BCBN and SDTC work in partnership to identify high-caliber projects within the BC bioenergy sector with the goal of increasing the number of investment opportunities. BCBN was established in April 2008 with a $25 million grant from the BC government as an industry-led catalyst for deploying near-term bioenergy technologies and supporting mission-driven research to build a world class bioenergy capability in BC. 03/14/2013

Metso-Equipped Biomass Gasification Plant Inaugurated in Finland

Finland based Metso Corporation has announced that the biomass plant developer Vaskiluodon Voima Oy has inaugurated what is purported to be the world’s largest biomass gasification plant, based around Metso's gasification technology. The 140 megawatt bio-gasification plant was inaugurated by the Finnish Minister of Labour Lauri Ihalainen on March 11th. Metso’s delivery included fuel handling, a large-scale dryer and a circulating fluidized bed gasifier, modification work on the existing coal boiler and a Metso DNA automation system. The bio-gasification plant was constructed as part of the existing coal-fired power plant, and the produced gas will be combusted along with coal in the existing coal boiler enabling about half of the previous coal feedstock to be replaced by biomass. Nordic Investment Bank agreed to provide a 7 year, EUR 18 million financing package for construction of the plant in January 2012.  Vaskiluodon Voima Oy is equally owned by the energy companies EPV Energia Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy. The company’s power plants, located in Vaasa and Seinäjoki, produce electricity and district heating. Mauri Blomberg, Managing Director, Vaskiluodon Voima: "The operational experiences so far indicate that the 140-MW bio-gasification plant functions as planned, and the produced gas burns cleanly in the coal boiler and reduces emissions." 03/14/2013

Becon Opens Public Consultation on MBT-EfW Plant for Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom based Becon Consortium has announced a public consultation to acquaint the community with its proposed waste management complex in eastern Northern Ireland. The project is being proposed in response to a solicitation released by the arc21 group, the waste management group representing eleven councils. The consultation is being offered in advance of final submission of the project proposal this fall. The Becon Consortium is being backed by E.ON Energy from Waste, which is the subject of an agreement to be sold to a joint venture between the EQT Fund and E.ON SE. The £240 million arc21 Project proposal from Becon would integrate a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility with an Energy from Waste (EfW) plant at the Hightown Quarry site on the Boghill Road, Mallusk, Northern Ireland, and would include a Visitor Centre as part of the development. The 300,000 tonne per year capacity MBT will combine automated materials sorting and recovery of recyclates with segregated and dried organics as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). An anticipated 211,000 tonnes of mixed RDF and industrial waste will then be converted to around 68 megawatt of thermal energy for generation of 14 megawatts of electricity, leaving about 10 megawatts of thermal energy available for a variety of local industrial or residential uses. Numerous day-long sessions are now scheduled across Northern Ireland to present the proposed project and answer the public's questions. 03/14/2013

Amyris Joins Bonsucro for Sugar Cane Sustainability and Certification

California based biofuels and biochemicals company Amyris, Inc. has announced that it has joined the non-profit sugarcane sustainability association Bonsucro with the intent to secure certification of Amyris' products as sustainably produced. Amyris uses synthetic biology to develop microorganism "factories" that can convert low value biomass into high value Biofene, the company's proprietary brand of the foundation chemical farnesene. Biofene is the first of thousands of renewable isoprenoid molecules made possible by Amyris' microbial platform. Bonsucro develops standards for judging and certifying sustainable use of sugarcane, and is promoting the use of a global metric standard with the aim of continuously improving sugarcane production and downstream processing. Nick Goodall, Bonsucro’s Chief Executive Officer: "With our certification system recognized under the European Commission’s Renewable Energy Directive and the 26 Bonsucro-certified sugarcane mills in Brazil, Bonsucro certified volumes are set to grow. We welcome Amyris’s leadership to broaden the scope of second-generation renewable products that could be certified under Bonsucro." 03/13/2013

Anellotech Plans to Distribute Large Samples of Bio-sourced Benzene, Toluene

With a new headquarters, laboratory, and pilot plant established in Pearl River, New York, Anellotech Inc. has announced that it plans to make 100 kilogram quantities of its bio-sourced "green" benzene, toluene, and xylene available to strategic partners for downstream product development. Anellotech has developed a single-step thermochemical catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) process for making aromatics directly from non-food biomass. The process is based on research by Professor George Huber (then University of Massachusetts, Amherst, now at the University of Wisconsin, Madison) and colleagues. Use of non-food biomass, such as agricultural wastes, wood chips, corn stover, sugar cane bagasse, and fast growing energy crops like switchgrass makes this technology greener than alternative approaches that convert food-based sugars. The economical CFP technology avoids expensive pretreatment steps, using an economical catalyst and non-food biomass feedstocks. Anellotech’s focus is to enable renewable products that are less expensive to manufacture than their identical petroleum-derived counterparts. The company’s pilot plant operations are scheduled to commence in the second half of 2013. 03/13/2013

DOE Issues Guide for Large Scale Renewable Projects on Federal Facilities

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that its Federal Energy Management Program has issued "The Large-Scale Renewable Energy Guide: Developing Renewable Energy Projects Larger than 10 MWs at Federal Facilities." The new resource provides a comprehensive framework including active project management strategies, common terms, and principles that reduce project uncertainties and promote partnerships between the federal government, private developers, and financiers. Federal renewable energy includes electric energy generated from solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean, geo­thermal, waste to energy, new incremental hydroelectric genera­tion at existing plants, or hydrokinetic energy. The Department of Defense has slightly different definitions allowing thermal energy and energy from ground source heat pumps, but not including hydrokinetic energy. The guide describes the fundamentals of deploying financially-attractive large-scale renewable energy projects and provides common terms and explanations to improve communication between government agencies and private developers as they navigate the project development and execution process. The guide will help commercial developers better understand federal energy planning and acquisition processes, and was developed by the DOE's Federal Energy Management Program and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with contribution and assistance provided by the US Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) in concert with the EITF's process for large-scale renewable energy project development. 03/13/2013

ZeaChem Produces Commercial Grade Cellulosic Ethanol and Biochemicals

Colorado-based ZeaChem has announced that it has successfully produced its first volumes of commercial grade cellulosic biochemicals and ethanol at the company's 250,000 gallon per year biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon. Second phase construction was completed on the plant in October of last year. Jim Imbler, president and chief executive officer: "ZeaChem is developing the first truly-integrated biorefineries for the production of a broad portfolio of economical and sustainable biofuels and bio-based chemicals. The demonstration plant is fully integrated and operating as we ramp up to full capacity. The start of cellulosic production is a significant milestone for ZeaChem as we demonstrate our highly efficient biorefining technology, develop the first commercial biorefinery project, and expand global development opportunities." ZeaChem's technology platform is a hybrid of biochemical and thermochemical processing; after fractionating the biomass, the sugar stream (both xylose [C5] and glucose [C6]) are sent to fermentation where an acetogenic process is utilized to ferment the sugars to acetic acid without CO2 as a by-product. The acetic acid is converted to an ester which can then be reacted with hydrogen to make ethanol. ZeaChem then gasifies the lignin residue to create a hydrogen-rich syngas stream; the hydrogen is then separated and used for ester hydrogenation while the remaining the syngas is burned to create steam and power for the process. About 2/3 of the energy in the cellulosic ethanol comes from the sugar stream and 1/3 comes from the lignin steam in the form of hydrogen. 03/13/2013

Solutions4CO2 Signs Agreement With Vir-Clar Farm Power for Biogas Refinery

Canadian firm Solutions4CO2 Inc. (S4CO2) has announced entering an agreement with Vir-Clar Farm Power, LLC (Vir-Clar) of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to build an Integrated Biogas Refinery™ ("IBR") at the Vir-Clar dairy farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Vir-Clar operates an anaerobic digestion (AD) system that converts manure from 1,450 cattle and off-farm organic feedstock to produce approximately 300 cubic feet per minute of biogas used to generate 750 kWh of electricity. The IBR will be integrated with the existing AD system to upgrade the biogas by separating and removing carbon dioxide, which is utilized in an algae-based production system for high value co-products. Upgrading the biogas improves power production efficiency and extends equipment life while the separated carbon dioxide stream enables additional revenue sources from the sale of algal co-products. S4CO2’s Biogas Purifier and Infusion System (BPIS), Algae Cultivation System (ACS), and Harvesting and Extraction System (HES) can be integrated with an existing AD plant, siting a 20 photo bio-reactor in about 10,000 sq ft. S4CO2 will license the IBR technology, supply equipment and market co-products. Vir-Clar will secure the site and feedstock supply, assist in construction and operation, and secure funding that is estimated to be between $2.3 million and $3.0 million, depending on the final project configuration. S4CO2 and Vir-Clar intend to proceed to a final agreement by April 30, 2013. 03/11/2013

CASA Asks Court to Certify Opinion Opposing Land Application Ban of Biosolids

The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) has submitted a Request to justices of the California Court of Appeals, Fifth Appellate District, asking the Court to certify its February 13, 2013 Court Opinion in City of Los Angeles v. County of Kern, 2013 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1115 by publication. The Court of Appeals found in favor of the injunction granted by a lower court against Kern County's Measure E that banned land application of out-of-County biosolids from treated sewage to lands in Kern County. In its opinion (page 2), the Court recognized that land application of biosolids is a long standing, vital recycling practice for California, and stressed the fact that land application of biosolids "is a major, widespread, comprehensively regulated form of recycling upon which many municipalities’ waste management systems depend." The CASA is requesting publication of the Appellate Court's opinion because it specifically addresses the legal standards surrounding an essential element of the state's wastewater infrastructure, and is relevant to numerous agencies throughout California. Bans similar to Kern County's Measure E have been adopted in at least 14 other counties in the state and is being contemplated in others. The CASA believes that the issues addressed in the opinion are of statewide importance and warrant its certification by publication. 03/09/2013

Kolhapur to Outsource 20-year Waste to Energy Conversion and Management

The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has reported in the Clean India Journal that it is seeking developers capable of managing waste collection, recycling, and conversion of the City's municipal refuse to energy, with a goal of no more than 10% residual requiring final landfill disposal. Kolhapur is the sixth most-industrialized city in the Maharashtra region of India, and is among the cities having the highest per capita income. Lands have been set aside, and technical bids have been opened; 20-year contractual commercial operation bids will be accepted soon. The municipal agency intends to purchase another 250 containers, two refuse compactors, and 130 cycle rickshaws through an open tender. The renewed effort is based on the evaluation of Mumbai-based consultant Crisil Limited following various unsuccessful attempts to collect, separate and treat approximately 145 tonnes per day of municipal waste. The municipal solid waste management processing project that was given to Mumbai based Zoom Bio-Fertilizers Pvt Ltd at Bawada land was stalled in 2011 due to some internal problems. Currently, the KMC has 150 cycle rickshaws, 300 containers and 10 refuse compactors (RC) to take care of collection and transportation of solid waste. KMC Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Prasanna: "The work for collection, segregation and transportation was earlier given to Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited. They initiated door to door collection but could not succeed. We need to increase civic awareness about either using dustbins properly or disposing of waste scientifically. If people litter the city endlessly throughout the day, it is challenging to keep the city clean and well maintained. Unless this is done, waste management will put a lot of stress on the civic body." 03/09/2013

Republic of Ireland to Regulate Separate Household Food Waste Collection

Opting to follow the European Union's dictates, the Irish Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced it has signed the European Union Household Food Waste and Bio -Waste Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 71 of 2013). The regulations are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste, increasing the amount of food waste that is recovered through the production of energy, compost and digestate, and follow Ireland's waste management policy published in July of last year. The Household Food Waste Regulations will require that waste collectors provide a separate collection service for household food waste, that households that produce food waste must segregate and keep it separate from other non-biodegradable waste, and have it separately collected by an authorized waste collector. Householders may alternatively compost the food waste at home, or bring the food waste to authorized treatment centres for recovery. Households are not allowed to macerate waste and dispose of it in a drain or sewer, or dispose of food waste in the residual waste collection (the black bin). An extensive Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Household Food Waste Collection program is now available on the Department's website. The regulatory program will be rolled out in stages between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2016. 03/09/2013

Metsä Group Innaugurates Residuals Gasification Plant at Joutseno Pulp Mill

Finland based Metsä Group has announced that its subsidiary Metsä Fibre’s woody residuals gasification plant at its Joutseno pulp mill was inaugurated on March7, 2013. The Joutseno pulp mill is the world's largest single-line softwood pulp mill. The new gasification plant improves the efficiency of renewable energy usage by replacing the natural gas used with biofuel made from tree bark. The gasification plant makes the pulp mill the first carbon dioxide-neutral facility in Finland during normal operations. The technology in the gasification plant is a new application in the Finnish pulp industry. This innovative and comprehensive solution uses surplus heat from the mill in drying tree bark. The plant considerably improves the mill’s energy-efficiency and further improves the mill’s environmental performance. Similar development work is under way at Metsä Fibre’s other mills as well, and all Metsä Fibre’s mills will become carbon dioxide-neutral in the coming years. Metsä Fibre is a significant supplier of bioenergy in Finland, accounting for approximately one fifth of all wood-derived electricity generated. The Metsä forest industry group's  main raw material for its products is renewable and sustainably grown Nordic wood. Metsä Group focuses on tissue and cooking papers, consumer packaging paperboards, pulp, wood products, and wood supply. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and is owned by approximately 125,000 Finnish forest owners. 03/09/2013

CASA Posts Presentations from Wastewater Biogas Technology Summit

The California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) has announced the availability of presentations from the February 7, 2013 California Wastewater Biogas Technology Summit held in Diamond Bar. The event was jointly hosted by CASA, the California Public Utilities Comission (CPUC), US Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the South Coast Air Quality management District and numerous other agencies. The extensive presentations range from consideration of conflicting policy and regulatory jurisdictional issues regarding mixed digestion of wastewater, food waste, and waste fats, oils and grease (FOG) to the tools and techniques for integrated biogas upgrading to optimize production, energy generation and pipeline injection of methane-rich biogas. Contact Greg Kester, CASA's Biosolids Program Manager <> or (916) 844-5262 for further information. 03/09/2013

ElectraTherm's Green Machine Doubles Steam Engine Output at Biogas Plant

Nevada based waste heat conversion specialist ElectraTherm has announced successful installation and operation of its Green Machine organic Rankine cycle (ORC) heat-to-power engine integrated with a small steam engine at a German anaerobic digestion (AD) facility with a 635 kilowatt (kWe) GE Jenbacher 312. The Jenbacher runs on the AD system's biogas, while the engine's exhaust heat is used to generate steam for the small steam engine. The Green Machine acts as the condenser on the steam engine, eliminating the need for a cooling loop and thereby increasing the steam engine's efficiency. The Green Machine utilizes the low temperature (90°C) heat to generate up to 35kWe, nearly doubling the output from the steam engine alone. The power generated from the waste heat meets the German heat utilization requirements to earn renewable energy credits. Stefan Farwick, President of ElectraTherm's distributor SE-TECH, comments: "SE-TECH pioneered the combined ElectraTherm ORC/steam engine integration and its success has been proven with more than 5,000 hours runtime. This unique configuration of two technologies ensures every kilowatt of heat is utilized to make electricity." 03/07/2013

RSB Formally Recognizes Forest Stewardship Council Certification

The Swiss based Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) has announced its decision to recognize the forest management standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), establishing a direct link between forest biomass and sustainable biofuels. The RSB has developed a global sustainability standard and certification system for biofuel production. The FSC certified forests and operators will now be able to access biofuel and bioenergy markets by receiving RSB certification through a simplified audit process to demonstrate compliance, thereby saving costs and time. This process will enhance the development of advanced biofuel pathways by increasing the supply of sustainable forestry products and ligno-cellulosic material to biofuel and bioenergy producers. Kim Carstensen, Director General of the Forest Stewardship Council: "We are very pleased to be recognized by RSB as this demonstrates our leadership role in forest certification and responsible forest management. This is also an important signal how like-minded, best-in-class organizations can collaborate across sectors and create additional value for their beneficiaries." 03/07/2013

Due 06/07/2013: Comments to EC Public Consultation on Plastic Waste

The European Commission (EC) has released a Green Paper on a European Strategy on Plastic Waste in the Environment and opened a three-month international public consultation soliciting comments. The particular challenges posed by plastic waste are not specifically addressed in European Union's waste legislation at present. Member States should show preference for prevention and recycling over disposal as per the Waste Framework Directive, but clearly more is needed. The Green Paper aims to gather facts and views in order to assess the impacts of plastic waste and define a European strategy to mitigate them. Stakeholders are invited to contribute their views on whether, and how, existing legislation should be adapted to deal with plastic waste and promote re-use, recycling and recovery of plastic waste over landfilling. Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik: "Managing plastic waste is a major challenge in terms of environmental protection, but it's also a huge opportunity for resource efficiency. In a circular economy where high recycling rates offer solutions to material scarcity, I believe plastic has a future. I invite all stakeholders to participate in this process of reflection on how to make plastic part of the solution rather than the problem." A 26-question on-line survey is provided for stakeholder comment. For further information contact Joe Hennon (+32 2 295 35 93); <> or Monica Westeren (+32 2 299 18 30); <>. 03/07/2013

Introducing Low Cost Clean Technologies Could Reduce South Asia Emissions

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced findings indicating that proper introduction of clean technologies could cut South Asia emissions associated with power production by one fifth by 2020. The study covers five countries in the ADB's territory: Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Annual energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the five countries are set to rise from 58 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2005 to 245 million in 2030, according to The Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia. It shows primary energy use in the five South Asian nations by 2030 is likely to be almost 3,600 petajoules, 2.4 times higher than in 2005, largely due to rising consumption from industry and transport. Clean, low-cost technologies include replacing fossil fuel generation with renewable or cleaner energy such as solid waste or gas; upgrading to more fuel-efficient technology; or using greener products, such as solar cookstoves, electric or more efficient diesel vehicles, or biodiesel fishing vessels. The introduction of these large and small-scale green technologies costing up to $10 per ton of greenhouse house gas emissions could cut 27.9 million tons – or 20% – off of 2020’s projected energy-related annual emissions of 125.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This report synthesizes the results of studies conducted under an ADB technical assistance on the Regional Economics of Climate Change in South Asia Phase 1 (RECCSA 1) and is available for download without cost. 03/06/2013

Anaergia Biogas Upgrading Plant at Fair Oaks Farm, Indiana is Operational

Canada based Anaergia Inc. has announced successful start of operations for its biogas upgrading facility integrated with the company's anaerobic digestion (AD) systems at Fair Oaks Farms in northwestern Indiana. Fair Oaks Farms is comprised of twelve dairies with over 35,000 dairy cattle for the production of milk, cheese, ice cream, and butter. Anaergia's subsidiary UTS Residuals Processing contracted with GreenLane Biogas of the Flotech Group in 2011 for its core "Totara+" biogas upgrading system. Anaergia designed, built, and now operates the facility that converts biogas from cow manure into the equivalent of nearly 10,000 gallons per day of diesel fuel for the farm's milk hauling fleet. Anaergia has several biogas upgrading scales to draw from; for this contract will clean, compress and upgrade the biogas to over 98% methane under a 15 year operations contract that could be extended in the future. The product biomethane is odorized to form renewable natural gas (RNG) and then further compressed up to 4,000 psig into compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle fueling. The facility now includes a fueling station that supplies the compresses biogas to a fleet of 42 milk trucks. Steve Watzeck, CEO of Anaergia Inc.: "The biogas upgrading project at Fair Oaks Farms demonstrates how forward thinking businesses can use proven biogas technologies to advance environmental sustainability and reduce operating costs. We are proud to have been selected to build and operate this outstanding example of environmental stewardship for Fair Oaks Farms." 03/06/2013

BioSyngas Signs Plantation Tree Trimmings Feedstock Supply Agreement

Australian clean energy company Syngas Ltd has announced that its subsidiary BioSyngas Pty Ltd has entered into a "Heads of Agreement" (HoA) with the Australian lumber plantation company African Mahogany (Australia) Pty Ltd (AMA). The HoA is for supply of tree trimmings sufficient for conversion to up to 3 megawatts of bioenergy in support of a BioSyngas plant in the Douglas Daly area of the Australian northern territory. Businesses in this isolated region are not connected to the national AU electric grid and in general have relied on diesel generators; the biomass power plant has the potential to cut both emissions and power prices for the region. AMA currently manages African Mahogany plantations in the Douglas Daly area and is continuing to expand the area under management. AMA’s plantation trimming operations are expected to ramp-up significantly over the coming 12 to 24 months generating reliable, long term supply. This HoA sets out key commercial bases and a timeline for a Binding Commercial Agreement between the parties to be progressed. Commercial negotiations with Douglas Daly power off takers/potential power customers can be progressed now that BioSyngas has greater certainty around feedstock availability and supply through this HoA. BioSyngas now plans to ramp up its design and engineering work on this project through established relationships with specialist equipment suppliers in the Biomass to Power industry. 03/06/2013

Incbio Contracts to Install 8,000MT/year High FFA Biodiesel Plant In Malaysia

Portugal based biodiesel systems company Incbio has announced that it has secured a contract for an advanced feedstock pretreatment and transesterification biodiesel production plant to the Hong Kong based biodiesel producer Biofuel Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Green Energy Group Limited. Incbio's turnkey biodiesel refinery would incorporate the firm's proprietary ultrasonic cavitation pretreatment and solid-state catalyst feedstock treatment systems in a 1 metric tonne per hour, 8,000 ton per year biodiesel production plant. Utilization of the pretreatment systems allows expansion of acceptable feedstock beyond that used by standard transesterification processing alone, including up to 100% free fatty acid feedstock. Industrial units are able to convert a wide range of raw materials, from crude vegetable oils to waste materials and by-products such as used cooking oil (UCO), animal fats, distilled Free Fatty Acids (FFAD), Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD), Trap Grease, etc., into high quality Biodiesel exceeding the strict standards of EN14214 and ASTM D6751. The plant will be able to process any type of animal fat or vegetable oil refinery waste, but is intended to process mainly Grease Trap Oil, a waste product which is currently being landfilled by municipalities, meaning waste is turned into a valuable commodity, biodiesel, whilst performing a service to the environment. José Marques, Incbio’s CEO: "We have worked closely with Green Energy Group in the technology selection and are extremely happy to have been given the opportunity to assist them in their expansion plans, which will see the company becoming one of the leading biodiesel players in the Asian market over the next couple of years." 03/05/2013

Due 03/25/2013: Comments to CEC on Proposed RPS Guidebook Changes

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced that it will conduct a March 14, 2013 workshop on proposed changes to the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Eligibility Guidebook, and is seeking stakeholder comment to the pertinent Dockets by March 20, 2013. The workshop's purpose is to solicit comments from interested parties on staff's proposed changes to the RPS Guidebook, which describes the eligibility requirements and process for certifying renewable resources as eligible for California's RPS and describes how the CEC verifies compliance with the RPS. The twin Dockets address the development of regulations and guidelines for implementation of the 33% Renewables Portfolio Standard. This important revision should reflect and clarify CEC's activities related to eligibility of bio-sourced methane for injection to pipeline and other waste-sourced electricity and fuels RPS matters. The CEC also plans to phase out the Overall Program Guidebook by the end of 2013 by consolidating information in one RPS Guidebook. The draft RPS Guidebook in underline / strikeout format should be posted to the CEC's web portal by March 11, 2013. CEC encourages electronic submission of comments to be sent to <> and <> by 4:00 pm on March 20, 2013. Provide your name and affiliation, and indicate both Docket No. 11-RPS-01 and Docket No. 02-REN-1038 in the subject line. 03/05/2013. Update: The presentation from the March 14, 2013 Staff Workshop on Proposed Changes to the Renewables Portfolio Standard Eligibility Guidebook is now available on the CEC's website. The comment period has been extended to March 25, 2013. 03/16/2013

Due 03/22/2013: Pre-Proposals to NRCS for Conservation Innovation Grants

The US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that California project pre-proposal submissions for this year's Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program are due by 4:00 pm on March 22, 2013. Up to $375,000 is available for this year's state-wide competition. The agency runs two competitive grant programs each year, one at the national level and one on a per-state basis.  NRCS California is requesting CIG project pre-proposals that focus on water quality and quantity, air quality and climate change, energy conservation, waste biomass recycling, and wildlife. Applications are requested from eligible government or nongovernment organizations, eligible private business or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one and three years in duration, and may not exceed $75,000 per award. The NRCS will announce selected pre-proposal applications by April 5, 2013. Selected applicants will then be required to submit a full proposal package to NRCS by 4 p.m. May 17, 2013. Pre-proposal applications should be sent by mail or overnight courier to Erik Beardsley, USDA-NRCS, CIG Program, 430 G Street #4164, Davis, CA 95616-4164. Applications sent electronically must be sent through www.grants.gov or to <>. For questions, please contact Erik Beardsley by e-mail or call (530) 792-5649, or Alan Forkey , state CIG program manager, at <> or call (530) 792-5653. 03/05/2013

Due 08/05/2013: Submissions from the US for 2014 Zayed Future Energy Prize

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) annual $4 million award program has announced that submissions from the United States of innovative, renewable, and sustainable energy projects are now being accepted, with a submission closing date set of August 5, 2013. Winners in four categories of small and medium business, non-governmental organizations and individual lifetime achievements, and high schools are chosen based on the Prize’s four main criteria: impact, long-term vision, leadership and innovation. Submissions last year totaled over 600, with almost a quarter of these coming from the US; the previous year’s prize winners included Siemens (large corporation), the San Francisco-based solar technology provider d.light design (SME), the Boston-based nonprofit Ceres (NGO), Dr. Jose Goldemberg (Lifetime Achievement) and four high schools representing regions around the world. The ZFEP embodies the vision of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid the foundation for renewable energy and sustainability as part of his legacy in sustainable development in the UAE. The Prize is managed by Masdar, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government and seeks to award achievements and innovation in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy, as well as to educate and inspire future generations. For more information on the prize, visit the Zayed Future Energy Prize web portal, on Facebook or on Twitter: @ZFEP, or by contacting Daniel Gabis at 206-239-0106 or <>. 03/05/2013

Australian Government Awards $5.4MM to Licella for Waste Wood to Biofuels

Australian biomass to liquid fuel company Licella Pty Ltd. has received an award of $5.4 million to further advance commercialization of its biomass to "bio-crude" fuels technology. Licella will use the funding to complete a "de-risked" feasibility study to develop a business case for construction of its first 50,000 dry ton per year facility. Licella utilizes its proprietary Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) supercritical water technology to break down any pulverized ligno-cellulosic biomass into Bio-Crude oil, ready for use or for further refinement to other dro-in fuels and green chemicals. Funding comes through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness (ABIR) grant and was concurrently announced by the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, who commented: "Australia has a chance to capitalise on a number of competitive advantages, such as our abundant sunshine and climate, to build an advanced biofuels industry that will help diversify our liquid fuel sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Following earlier Australian Government support, ARENA is making these investments after seeing both of the home-grown companies prove the potential of their advanced biofuel technologies. The new investments are expected to take the local industry forward by creating the next step in the commercialisation pathway for these advanced biofuel technologies." 03/04/2013

Due 03/15/2013: Requests for RFQ to TAQA for 100MWe WtE Plant in UAE

Abu Dhabi based global energy company TAQA National Energy Company PJSC(TAQA) has released an invitation for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies to submit qualifications toward development of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) first waste to energy facility. The proposed plant will be designed for conversion of 1 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year into about 100 megawatts of electricity (MWe). The alternative power project is expected to reduce regional carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 1 million tonnes per year, considering diversion from landfilling and reduction in use of fossil fuel for power generation. The request for qualifications follows the completion of the pre-feasibility study and Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2012 with The Centre of Waste Management Abu Dhabi for the joint development of the facility. TAQA expects to award the EPC contract in Q4 2013. Dr Saif Al Sayari, Executive Officer and Head of the Energy Solutions division: "The development of sustainable energy and waste infrastructure technologies, as well as diversion of waste from landfills, are goals identified in the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030. We are proud to work alongside the Government of Abu Dhabi and The Centre of Waste Management Abu Dhabi to provide a solution to the increasing volume of waste produced each year in the capital." Companies interested in submitting qualifications can receive the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) by sending an e-mail to <> before 12.00 pm UAE time on March 15, 2013. 03/04/2013

Karlsruhe Institute & Air Liquide Validate Stage II High-Pressure Bioliq Gasifier

Germany's Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has announced that in cooperation with its French technology partner Aire Liquide Global E&C Solutions, the Stage II bioliq® high pressure entrained flow gasifier has successfully converted the liquid Stage I intermediate product BioliqSynCrude® into a tar-free synthesis gas. The bioliq technology platform is a decentralized four-step process, moving from fast pyrolysis to full gasification, then syngas cleaning and upgrading a findally catalysis to drop-in fuels. The pilot plant was constructed in 2008; initial gasification technology development was led by the German thermal conversion systems firm Lurgi GmbH. Air Liquide, who became Lurgi's parent corporation in 2007, has been developing the second generation biofuels production plant, leading to commissioning in 2011. In December 2011, KIT announced that it would lead the multi-party BioBoost initiative to advance development of conversion of biomass into clean, engine-compatible fuels and chemicals, as well as for generation of biomass-sourced renewable energy and heat. François Venet, Vice President Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions: "As the bioliq® process relies on straw and other biogenic residues which do not compete with food or feed production, we are thus in a position to make a substantial contribution to the development of alternative energy solutions. We are proud to have successfully implemented this challenging and strategically significant new technology of converting biomass into syngas jointly with our cooperation partner KIT and are highly satisfied to have been able to strengthen further our portfolio in the field of "Renewable Resources"."03/01/2013

DOE Hosts Success Stories Webinar on Renewable Energy Parks

The US Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has announced that its Strategic Programs Office is hosting a free webinar titled "Community Renewable Energy Success Stories: Renewable Energy Parks" on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The webinar will highlight how the City of Ellensburg, Washington, and the Town of Hempstead, New York, created renewable energy parks in their areas by integrating multiple renewable energy technologies. Integrated technology deployment uses a comprehensive approach to implement a variety of efficiency and renewable energy technology solutions in communities and cities, federal agencies, international locations, and states and territories. The DOE selected five Community Renewable Energy Deployment (CommRE) projects to receive funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In addition to the CommRE projects, the DOE has also developed a Renewable Energy Project Development Tool and webinar series to provide helpful information to other community renewable energy projects. Registration is required and available on-line. For more information on the CommRE projects, call Jason Randall, DOE, at (720) 356-1609. 03/01/2013

Ameresco and DOE Celebrate 1st Year of Savanna River Bioenergy Complex

Massachusetts based Ameresco has announced that it joined the US Department of Energy (DOE) to celebrate the first year of successful operation of the Savannah River Site (SRS) biomass cogeneration facility. Ameresco won the DOE's single largest Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) in 2009 to finance, design, construct, operate, maintain and fuel the 34-acre renewable energy facility over the term of the 20-year contract. The team received final approval for completion of construction in December 2011. During its first year, the 20 megawatt cogeneration plant processed more than 10,000 tons of tires and 221,000 tons of clean biomass, consisting of local forest residue and wood chips, generating the electricity and averaging 200,000 pounds of steam per hour, generating a total of 1.67 billion pounds of steam. Keith Derrington, Executive Vice President, Federal Solutions, Ameresco: "Looking back over the first year of operational efficiency and success, the SRS Biomass Cogeneration Facility continues to be an outstanding example of how a public-private partnership can help create transformative energy infrastructures and improve sustainability. An award-winning project such as this one is representative of how a large-scale sustainable power resource can become a reality through a budget-neutral ESPC solution without additional up-front cost." 03/01/2013

Pratt & Whitney Commissions Biomass ORC System at Nechako Lumber

Staff at Pratt & Whitney (PW) has told Teru Talk that the company's biomass driven Turboden Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) installed at the Nechako Lumber Mill in British Columbia (BC) last month has now been successfully commissioned. PW has developed a range of ORC products with capacity to generate 280 kw to 12 MW of renewable power. For the ORC installation at the Nechako mill, excess heat from the existing bio-energy system heats oil for use in the ORC system to generate electricity and heat for the industrial complex, with an expected capacity of almost 2 megawatts electricity (MWe). The thermal system will produce enough energy to meet the needs of the pellet plant adjacent to the sawmill while operating the mill’s lumber drying kilns. Funding received from Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program enabled the plant to purchase the ORC equipment from a commercial supplier. The IFIT program aims to support Canada’s forest sector in becoming more economically competitive and environmentally sustainable through targeted investments in innovative technologies. Investments in Forest Industry Transformation will provide $100 million over four years for projects that implement new technologies leading to non-traditional high-value forest products and renewable energies. 03/01/2013

Cambi Is Awarded Core Technology Contract for Stavanger Biogas Plant

Norway's pre-treatment specialist company Cambi AS has announced that it has won a contract for the core technology in a new biogas plant in the municipality of Hå, outside Stavanger on the south-west coast of Norway. The multi fuel plant will convert waste water treatment sludge from several municipalities in the area around Stavanger, with an initial processing throughput of around 11,000 tons per year (dry matter basis). In the near future feedstock will include digestible household waste and liquid waste and the plant will be modified to double in capacity, to generate over 6 megawatts of electricity (MWe). Cambi’s patented Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) treats municipal and industrial waste prior to anaerobic digestion. Where most conventional biogas technologies operates with 70°C, the Cambi process treats the organic matter at 165-170°C, dissolving it into an easily digestible feed for biogas production by anaerobic digestion, while destroying pathogens. Cambi has installed its THP systems internationally, including “Energiefabriek Tilburg” in the Netherlands, and at the Blue Plains advanced wastewater treatment plant in Washington, DC. The installation of the core technology at the Stavanger facility will start this spring, while the plant will be operative from mid-2014. 03/01/2013

Ballard 175 kWe Fuel Cell System to be Installed at Blue Lake Biomass Plant

Canadian Ballard Power Systems has announced the sale of a 175 kilowatt electric capacity (kWe) ClearGen^TM distributed generation fuel cell (FC) system to the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of Humboldt County, California. The FC will be integrated with a biomass gasification and syngas cleaning and upgrading installation as a first-of-its-kind biomass-to-fuel cell power station. The system will convert locally-grown timber by-product feedstock into hydrogen-rich syngas, using pyrolysis gasification technology. The upgraded syngas will provide a high-quality hydrogen stream as feedstock for the ClearGen™ fuel cell system. The plant will provide base load power for the Tribe and excess heat will be used to warm the swimming pool in an adjacent hotel. The Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC), a research and teaching center affiliated with Humboldt State University’s Environmental Resources Engineering program, will assist with the overall integration and development. Arla Ramsey, the Tribe’s vice chairperson, commented: "The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is committed to renewable power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the energy efficiency of our facilities. Biomass-to-fuel cell power is an excellent match for our community and our region, and we see tremendous potential for deployments beyond our own facilities." 03/01/2013

Due 04/26/2013: Proposals to CEC for Energy Innovation Small Grants

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced the release of Energy Innovation Small Grant (EISG) program solicitations, providing up to $95,000 for hardware projects and up to $50,000 for modeling projects that establishes the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts. Research projects must target one of the PIER R&D areas, address a California energy problem and provide a potential benefit to California electric and natural gas ratepayers. The grant application manuals address the Electricity Program (Solicitation 13-01), the Natural Gas Program (Solicitation 13-01G), and two Transportation Program grants (Solicitation 13-01T- Electricity and Solicitation 13-01T - Natural Gas). EISG Program is designed to fill a fairly narrow research niche that focuses on early "proof of concept" research of new innovative energy ideas to determine if they are technologically and economically feasible. To be eligible, the subject area must target one of the six PIER program areas: (1) Industrial/Agriculture/Water End-use Efficiency; (2) Building End-use Efficiency; (3) Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation; (4) Renewable Generation; (5) Energy-Related Environmental Research; and (6) Energy Systems Integration (ESI) (formerly "Strategic Energy Research"). Assistance with proposal development is available; up to four programmatic solicitations are anticipated each year. For further information contact the EISG Program Administrator at (619) 594-1049 or via email at. 03/01/2013