March 2015 News and Matters of Interest

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

New Anaerobic Digestion Plant to Increase Renewable Energy in NE England

Foresight Group (Foresight) has announced the first investment made by the recently announced £50m Recycling and Waste LP fund (the fund), backed by the United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank plc (GIB). The £4m investment will be used to build an on-farm anaerobic digestion (AD) plant at Old Quarrington, Durham. The plant will initially be fueled by 12,000 tonnes of silage from Quarrington Farms, but will be capable of processing a wide range of crops and food wastes. The project will generate 3,400 MWh, which will be sold into the national grid, and an additional 3,300 MWh in heat to be used on site. The plant will include a drier and will sell heat to use for drying woodchips. A relationship has been established with a local wood chip operator who will provide the wood chip. The project will receive the RHI tariff in respect of heat it supplies to the drier. The plant will also produce digestate, which the farm will use as fertilizer. 03/31/2015

Global Bioenergies Starts Construction of Isobutene Demo Plant in Germany

French company Global Bioenergies has announced the onset of construction of its demonstration (demo) plant for the production of isobutene through conversion of renewable resources through fermentation. The plant is being sited on the petrochemical site of Leuna, near Leipzig in Germany. Global Bioenergies has recently announced having received the corresponding engineering package. The company has just obtained a 4.4 million euro loan from a consortium of four French banks to complete the financing of the demo plant. This new financing will cover the purchase of a complete fermentation unit, comprising an inoculation fermenter, a propagation fermenter, and a 5,000L production fermenter. Each are fully instrumented and surrounded by satellite vessels. This unique installation has been specifically designed for the production of gaseous hydrocarbons. The demo plant’s financing is also supported by a 5.7 million euro subsidy granted end 2013 by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). The demo plant’s operation will begin in 2016 under the supervision of Global Bioenergies GmbH, a Leipzig-based, 100%-owned subsidiary of Global Bioenergies SA. 03/31/2015

Methes Energies Sells Technology for Biodiesel Facility in Canada

Nevada based Methes Energies has announced the sale of a Denami 600 biodiesel processor and a PP-MEC pre-treatment system to Drain Bros for a commercial biodiesel production facility in Ontario, Canada. Drain Bros will become the first facility in the world to operate Methes' pre-treatment system using the PP-MEC catalyst to process corn oil from a local ethanol plant. John Loewen, COO of Methes: "We are glad to have finalized this transaction and to be able to use the Denami 600 in Mississauga. The Denami 600 has recently been used for research, testing and marketing but has not been used in commercial biodiesel production in over two years so it made sense for Drain Bros and Methes to move it to their location. More importantly, we will be installing a pretreatment system that will be running on corn oil and we’ll have the ability to showcase the technology in action to other potential clients. This is a major milestone and we are looking forward to help Drain Bros with their new biodiesel facility.” 03/31/2015

Springboard Supplies US Military in Afghanistan With Biodiesel System

California company Springboard Biodiesel has announced its selection to provide its turn-key, small-scale biodiesel processing system to Bagram Airfield in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan. Springboard Biodiesel's BioPro™ 380EX and SpringPro™ T76 comprise a small-scale biodiesel processing system designed to inexpensively convert the base's used cooking oil into ASTM-grade biodiesel that can then be used in diesel vehicles on base. Springboard’s CEO, Mark Roberts: "Springboard is excited to provide this made-in-the-USA, clean technology solution to the US military. In Afghanistan, the fully burdened cost of diesel fuel is extremely high. We've heard estimates North of $10/gallon. The BioPro™ systems made by Springboard will enable the base to produce high quality biodiesel fuel for less than $1.00 per gallon - not to mention, biodiesel made from used cooking oil burns up to 90% cleaner than regular diesel." 03/27/2015

GIB and ESB Support New £190m Biomass Power Plant on the Thames

United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) and Irish electricity utility Electricity Supply Board (ESB) have made a combined commitment to invest £70 million in a new £190m renewable power facility at the Port of Tilbury, Essex. GIB and ESB are each committing £35m in a combination of equity and shareholder loans, with an additional £2m participation from technology provider Aalborg Energie Technik a/s Senior debt funding is being provided by EKF (Eksport Kredit Fonden), Investec and Rabobank. The Tilbury Green Power facility is expected to generate 300 GWh of green electricity per year using a range of non-fossil fuels including biomass, waste wood and solid recovered fuel (SRF) Stobart Biomass will be providing 270,000 tonnes per year of waste wood fuel for the project, sourced from the local catchment area and processed at an onsite facility. The facility is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2017. 03/27/2015  

Greenleaf Power Purchases Plainfield Biomass Energy Facility in Connecticut

California based Greenleaf Power LLC has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Plainfield Renewable Energy facility in Connecticut. The Plainfield plant has a net electricity generation capacity of approximately 37.5 megawatts, and is capable of providing baseload renewable energy for as many as 280,000 homes. The facility, which first became operational in December 2013, uses clean biomass as its fuel and sells its electrical output to Connecticut Light and Power under a long-term offtake agreement. Greenleaf Power, whose existing facilities are located in California and Canada, is focused on investing in and developing projects that gather biomass that would otherwise be openly burned or landfilled, and converting it to renewable energy. Greenleaf Power expects to close on the transaction later this year. The Plainfield facility is being purchased from Leidos, Inc, which has owned and operated the plant since it became operational. 03/26/2015

CEC to Award Grants for Clean Energy from Biogas, Biomethane, and RNG

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released a “Notice of Proposed Awards” for Program Opportunity Notice (PON) PON-14-505, Advancing Clean Energy from Biogas, Biomethane, and Natural Gas. The Notice identifies each applicant selected and recommended for funding by CEC staff, and includes the recommended funding amount and score. The total amount recommended is $5,500,000. Proposed awardees for Project Group A - Development and Demonstration of Affordable Technologies and Strategies for Biogas Cleanup and Upgrading to Biomethane or Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for Clean Power Generation include: Institute of Gas Technology dba Gas Technology Institute (GTI), The Regents of the University of California, San Diego, Mosaic Materials, Inc, and the Gallinas Valley Sanitary District. The proposed awardee for Project Group B - Demonstration of Bottoming Cycle Solutions as Supplemental Power Generation for Highly Efficient Use of Natural Gas is the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). GTI is also proposed for separate award under Project Group C - Development and Demonstration of Micro-Scale and Other Novel Systems for Small-Scale Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Applications. 03/26/2015

Applied CleanTech Completes Successful SRS Pilots in Mexico and Canada

California based Applied CleanTech (ACT) has announced finalizing its successful pilot program with Veolia France, Mexico and Alberta, Canada in implementing its Sewage Recycling System (SRS) Technology on a global basis. Through its local distributor Vert Energy, ACT has won a bid to install the SRS and generate Recyllose for the city of Leon, Mexico. In addition its Canadian partner is also installing the first SRS in Alberta, Canada. ACT's SRS sewage mining technology and process turns wastewater into a raw materials for re-use and recycling. This process generates revenue from recycling reusable materials from sewage. Dr. Refael Aharon, CEO and Founder of Applied CleanTech: "Wastewater management is something that most countries can do better and more efficiently. Using our SRS technology is a clean, efficient way to create an endless cycle of revenue and efficiency in waste management and to recycle our resources in a way that drives sustainability." 03/26/2015

Air Liquide Technology Produces 2nd Generation Biofuel in Bioliq™ Pilot

France based Air Liquide has announced that the bioliq™ pilot plant in Germany is now producing second generation biofuel. For this project, Air Liquide provided key technologies for the pyrolysis* of biomass and gas synthesis as well as the oxygen supply needed for the gasification process. Approximately 7 kg of straw can produce 1 liter of fuel. These biofuels will be able to contribute to the production of quality fuels, green chemicals, and “Blue” hydrogen (CO2 free hydrogen). They allow a reduction of up to 90% in CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. Conducted in partnership with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the bioliq™ pilot plant aims at demonstrating the feasibility of a process to produce high-quality sulfur-free fuel from residual biomass. These “second generation” biofuels are produced using the inedible part of plants (wood waste, straw), without any impact on the food chain. The pilot plant was constructed in 2008 and the Stage II bioliq® high pressure entrained flow gasifier was validated in 2013. The next step is to optimize the process in order to ramp up production and prepare for future commercialization. 03/26/2015 

Centennial Renewable Energy Secures Financing to Build Idaho Pellet Mill

Centennial Renewable Energy of Idaho (CRE) has announced that is has signed agreements to purchase land for its first wood pellet project in the state and is beginning engineering design with its lead design build contractor Dome Technology. CRE will be constructing a 160,000 metric ton per year wood pellet plant in the heart of the Idaho “wood basket” to produce pellets to the ENPlus A2 standard. Following extensive due diligence, CRE’s funding advisor, United Kingdom based CHP Ventures, has secured development funds to take the project to financial close. The CRE facility has been developed on the fundamental principle of synergistic use of wood production residues. CRE expects to be providing pellets to market sometime in 2017. 03/24/2015

Xergi's New Biogas Plant Makes France More Self-Sufficient

Xergi has announced that a new biogas plant is now on the way to the village of Ennezat near Clermont Ferrand in central France. This will be another step towards making France more self-sufficient in both renewable energy and environmentally friendly fertilizer. The plant is owned by the farmer Jean-Sébastien Lhospitalier, who initiated the project, and energy company Groupe LANGA. The biogas plant will treat manure, deep litter, and organic residues from the food industry. The plant will not only help in the production of renewable energy in the form of biogas converted into electricity and heat. It will also improve the quality of the manure and it will recycle the nutrients in the organic waste. This makes it possible to replace imported chemical fertilizers with domestically produced green fertilizer. 03/24/2015

Due 04/30/2015: Abstracts for Waste Conversion Technology Conference

The Waste Conversion Technology Association has issued a Call for Abstracts for the 8th Annual Waste Conversion Technology Conference & Trade Show (WCTC), scheduled for August 17-19, 2015 in San Diego, California. The WCTC provides a forum for informing the public and private sectors of the economic and environmental significance of converting waste materials to alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol, as well as renewable electric energy. Abstracts should be submitted on-line by April 30, 2015. The agenda is now being developed and Teru will be one of the speakers. 03/24/2015

Scotland Set for First £111M Recycling and Waste-to-Energy Plant

United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank plc (GIB), Foresight Group, and Zouk Capital LLP have announced equity investments in the construction of the £111 million Levenseat Renewable Energy Limited 12.3 MWe energy from waste (EfW) plant and adjacent Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at Forth by Lanark, Scotland. The new merchant plant and associated fuel preparation plant will have capacity to process up to 250,000 tonnes pa of household, commercial and industrial waste, extracting recyclates and producing a highly specified fuel for the gasification process. Contracts are already in place with feedstock suppliers for the majority of the plant’s capacity. This will be the first time a UK plant has combined fluidized bed gasification technology with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), processed by the MRF. Leverseat began the site preparation work last year. David Horne, Levenseat Project Manager: "The enabling works have over the past nine months involved three teams in the movement of some two million tonnes of rock and soils to produce an area totaling some 7.5ha of level platform cut into the rock of the Levenseat hillside, modifying what was the old Levenseat quarry and effectively screening it from view. The next phase of construction will start in Q1 of 2015 and the new facility will be fully operational in 2017 due in no small part to the commitment of the team in delivering a first class site." 03/23/2015

WELTEC BIOPOWER Builds 500-kW Biogas Plant for Vegetable Producer

In January 2015, WELTEC BIOPOWER has announced that it began building a 500-kW anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Loughgall, Northern Ireland for the vegetable producer Gilfresh Produce. Gilfresh used to deliver the vegetable waste that accumulates in the sorting, washing, and packaging processes to farmers as cattle feed. Beginning in July, the waste and the vegetable washing water will be loaded into the new bioreactor. To maintain an optimum stock level, an underground pre-storage tank is located before the two 2,625-m³ stainless-steel digesters; a 6,000-m³ tank is planned for gas-tight digestate storage. In addition to vegetable waste, cattle manure, chicken litter as well as whole crop, grass, and maize silage will be used. The robust MULTIMix system guarantees continuous utilization and homogenization of the substrates and stable plant operation. Thomas Gilpin, founder of Gilfresh: "The biogas plant will enable us to pursue our growth course on the one hand and our ecological goals on the other hand. WELTEC has designed the plant precisely for our specific production conditions." About 40 percent of the power generated by the 500-kW CHP plant can be utilized in the company‘s own production process. In the near future, the efficiency will increase even more due to the upcoming expansion of the cold storage. The excess power is fed into the public grid, and the process heat is made use of for heating the company buildings and for the production processes. 03/23/2015 

Greenergy Earns RSB Sustainability Certification for Waste Based Biodiesel

United Kingdom (UK) based Greenergy International Ltd has earned the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) sustainability certification for the production of biodiesel from used cooking oil at its facilities in Immingham and North Cave. Greenergy supplies more than a quarter of the UK’s road fuel and manufactures its own biodiesel from wastes in order to meet its biodiesel blending obligations. The company sources waste oils and fats globally and operates two biodiesel manufacturing facilities in the UK, with a pre-processing facility enabling the use of an increasingly wide range of different wastes materials. Greenergy has been manufacturing biodiesel from waste oils and fats at Immingham on the east coast of England since 2009 and has recently acquired a second similar facility on Teesside, also producing biodiesel from waste oils.03/19/2015

Laminate Packaging Recycling Trials to Demonstrate Enval Technology

United Kingdom company Enval Limited has announced a pilot project to assess the feasibility of including flexible laminate packaging, such as food and drink pouches, pet food pouches, and toothpaste tubes, into existing household recycling schemes. The project is being conducted in partnership with Anthesis LRS, SUEZ environnement, Nestlé UK & Ireland, Coca-Cola Enterprises. Enval has developed a proprietary technology that will provide the recycling solution for the project through a continuous process that recovers 100% of the aluminum present, clean and ready to re-use, while producing oils and gases suitable for fuel for heat/electricity generation or as chemical feedstock. The Enval process uses microwave induced pyrolysis, which allows the waste to be treated in the absence of oxygen. As opposed to incineration, pyrolysis takes place without the combustion of the waste material and avoiding the production of green-house gases or toxic emissions. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Action Based Research programme, the nine month trial began on February 16, targeting locations across the country. The collections and initial sorting are being managed by SUEZ Environnement. Enval will recycle the material at their commercial demonstration facility at the Alconbury Enterprise Zone, near Huntingdon. 03/19/2015

UPV/EHU Researchers Gasify Circuit Board Waste Plastics for H2 Production

Researchers at the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country are developing systems to recover hydrogen using waste plastics from electronic boards. Using discarded electronic boards, the UPV/EHU researcher Andoni Salbidegoitia has, in collaboration with international researchers, developed a system for obtaining clean hydrogen that can be used as fuel. The researchers have already registered the patent of the process in Japan. Plastics are petroleum-based products, so rather than a waste product they should be regarded as a source of raw materials and usable energy. Researcher Salbidegoitia is developing alternatives for treating the plastic waste that is the most difficult to treat, either because of its composition or because it is so mixed up with other substances and separating them is very costly. This gasification process can be used on an industrial level and it has been fully resolved. Salbidegoitia: "The gasification of plastic waste has already been deployed on an industrial level in Japan. To be able to use it here, apart from the economic investment, one would have to look at how and where the fuel product obtained could be used." 03/19/2015 

Hawaii Governor Proclaims March 18th as Pacific Biodiesel Day

Hawaii Governor David Ige and Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui proclaimed March 18, 2015 as Pacific Biodiesel Day to perpetuate and honor the legacy of the inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolph Diesel, as well as the contributions of Maui headquartered Pacific Biodiesel. The Governor and State Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami visited Big Island Biodiesel, Pacific Biodiesel's newest and most advanced refinery in Kea`au, Hawaii, on March 17. The crew of Big Island Biodiesel celebrated with the dignitaries, including Wes Yonamine of the Airports Division, who expressed support for the community-based model of parent company Pacific Biodiesel Technologies. The Governor commended Pacific Biodiesel for being a global pioneer in the field of biofuels and for the company president Robert King’s vision to position Hawaii to become an energy independent and self-sustainable state. Governor Ige issued a proclamation declaring March 18, 2015 as Pacific Biodiesel Day in Hawaii. 03/18/2015

CalRecycle Posts State of Recycling and Disposal Reports, Meeting Agenda

The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has rescheduled its 'State of Recycling and State of Disposal' public meeting for March 24, 2015 after an earlier postponement. The workshop will present highlights of the State of Disposal and State of Recycling reports that focus on solid waste recycling and disposal in California and those materials and activities that count under the statewide 75% recycling goal. The meeting will then open up for stakeholder comments and discussion. The agency has now posted the meeting agenda, and the reports. The meeting will be webcast. 03/18/2015

Flagship Ventures Invests in Red Rock Biofuels for 1st Commercial Refinery

Colorado based Red Rock Biofuels LLC has announced a strategic partnership with Flagship Ventures that sets the stage for the construction of its first commercial scale refinery in Lakeview, Oregon. As part of this partnership, Flagship Ventures will invest in Red Rock, assume a seat on the Board of Directors and serve as a strategic advisor for future fundraising efforts. Red Rock takes waste biomass from forests and sawmills, and using a proprietary process, transforms it into domestically produced jet, diesel and naphtha fuels. The company’s process begins with the gasification of woody biomass to produce syngas, which is then cleaned and sent to a Fischer-Tropsch unit where it is converted to a high grade, renewable syncrude. Finally, standard upgrading refines the syncrude to yield renewable jet, diesel and naphtha fuels which provide a lower carbon, cost competitive alternative to crude oil-based fuels. 03/18/2015

California Propel Fuels Stations Will Sell Neste Oil's NExBTL Renewable Diesel

Finland based Neste Oil has announced that California company Propel Fuels will sell Diesel HPR (High Performance Renewable) at its retail stations. Diesel HPR contains 98.5% Neste Oil's NEXBTL renewable diesel and is available at 18 locations across Northern California in Sacramento, San Jose, East Bay, Redwood City, and Fresno. Diesel HPR is a low-carbon renewable fuel that meets national and California diesel specifications for use in diesel engines while realizing the benefits of better performance, and lower emissions. The fuel does not contain any traditional biodiesel. Diesel HPR is designated as ASTM D-975, the standard for all ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in the US, and is recognized as "CARB diesel" by the California Air Resources Board. Diesel HPR provides significant reduction in harmful tailpipe emissions, NOx emissions and particulates (PM). 03/18/2015

CEC Accepting Loan Apps for Renewable Energy and Efficiency Projects

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced the opening of the application period for 1% loan financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Eligible applicants include all state agencies, University of California and California State University. Feasibility studies and CEQA compliance are mandatory. There are $20 million in available loan funds for fiscal year 2014/15 with a maximum loan amount is $5 million per application. Qualified projects include renewable energy generation such as combined heat and power projects using renewable fuel; load shifting projects, such as thermal energy storage, and a variety of energy efficiency projects. Funds used in this loan notice originate from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds; ECAA-GGRF). Projects with proven energy or demand cost savings and GHG emission reductions are eligible, provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Projects already funded with an existing Energy Commission loan or projects already installed are ineligible. 03/18/2015 

Sacramento Region's Valley Vision to Host Garbage to Gold Webinar

The Sacramento, California regional organization Valley Vision has scheduled a webinar on March 26, 2015 at 11-12:00pm to address "Garbage to Gold: New Food Recycling Policy Brings Economic and Environmental Opportunities." California Assembly Bill 1826 mandates that programs must be in place by January 1, 2016 to divert commercial food waste away from landfills, and the Sacramento region is using this opportunity to rethink food waste use and recycling. The webinar is free to registrants, and online registration is provided. 03/17/2015

UWE Bristol Researchers Publish on Urine-Fuelled Distress Signals

Researchers in the Centre for Bio Energy at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) have published an article featuring urine-fuelled distress signals in Chemistry World. The United Kingdom (UK) laboratory behind the Pee-Power urinal has gone a bit further and turned recycled photocopier paper into microbial fuel cells that instigate radio transmissions when fed fresh urine. The device could find use in remote locations. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use bacteria to generate electricity from waste fluids. However, they are hindered by expensive and toxic components, low power output and lengthy inoculation periods, with the mobile phone-charging MFCs requiring bulky and specialist materials. In contrast, the new paper-based MFCs from Jonathan Winfield, at the Bristol BioEnergy Centre, and co-workers are much smaller, lighter and cheaper. The tetrahedron-shaped reactors could be stored for up to eight weeks before being reactivated with fresh urine. 03/17/2015

Due 04/14/2015: Proposal to City of Phoenix for Trash into Resource Pilots

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Arizona City of Phoenix, Department of Public Works has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) 15-SWD-001 - Transforming Trash Into Resources Pilot Program. The City intends to establish agreements for the diversion and/or repurposing of specific items commonly found in its trash. The term “repurposing” means the process by which a trash component is transformed into a new product of reused for a new purpose. The City may award more than one agreement for each category. Questions must be submitted in writing by 2:00pm on March 25, 2015 to Claudia Ruiz, Procurement Officer at < >. Proposals are due by 2:00pm on April 14, 2015. 03/17/2015  

ICM's Advanced Gasification Unit Will Demo at SF Bay Area WWTF

Kansas based ICM, Inc. has announced a signed contract with Florida company JUM Global, LLC, a developer contracted with the City of San Jose, California, for a gasification demonstration unit using ICM’s proprietary technology. This gasification demonstration unit will be operated at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (WWTF), which will process up to 10 short tons per day of urban waste biomass from the San Jose solid waste collection program. The feedstock will consist of urban woody biomass, storm debris, yard waste, tree trimmings, as well as construction and demolition materials, blended with a small portion of biosolids from the wastewater facility. The gasification unit will help the region by demonstrating a process that can be utilized in both the disposition and the application of these materials to produce a high quality syngas (i.e., producer gas), which can ultimately and efficiently be used to produce transportation fuels. San Jose, a recipient of a California Energy Commission match funding grant under the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, contracted with JUM Global to partner with ICM, Inc. for this project scheduled for completion by the end of April 2015.03/16/2015 

RSB to Hold Webinar on Chain of Custody Systems for Biomass Feedstock

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has scheduled a webinar on 'Chain of Custody Systems - Choosing the Best Solution' to be held on March 24-25, 2015. Wastes and residuals are generally recognized now to provide the most sustainable source of feedstock for conversion to biofuels and biomaterials, but traceability of biomass feedstock is required to accurately determine and compare environmental impacts. For biofuels, the sustainability attributes should be passed down the supply chain to the final obligated blenders and suppliers. These requirements are set out in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Software systems and web based tracking and inventory systems have been launched to help certified operators demonstrate a robust traceability system. This webinar presents an overview of the different types of software available and describes the solution that RSB recommends to its members. Register for this free webinar by March 20 using the link for your region: Asia (March 24, 2015) or Europe, US, Africa (March 25, 2015). 03/13/2015

Oregon Governor Signs Low Carbon Clean Fuels Legislation

The State of Oregon's Governor Kate Brown has signed into law SB 324, the state's low-carbon Clean Fuels legislation, repealing the sunset on provisions related to low carbon fuel standards, and formalizing the process of developing and implementing standards for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The law includes provisions allowing the use of all types of low carbon fuels to meet the low carbon fuel standards, including but not limited to biofuels, biogas, [compressed] natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, diesel, hydrogen and electricity. The governor commented, "...With California, Washington, and British Columbia moving forward with their own clean fuels programs, which will shape the West Coast market, it is imperative not only that Oregon does its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also that we build a program that meets the needs of Oregonians..." 03/13/2015  

Valmet to Deliver Biomass Boiler Plant to Nokianvirran Energia in Finland

Valmet will deliver a boiler plant that utilizes biomass to Nokianvirran Energia in Finland. The boiler plant will be delivered for a new steam heat station to be built in Nokia. Valmet announced the signing of a letter of intent for the delivery on November 25, 2014. Valmet's delivery will include a HYBEX boiler with a steam power of 68 megawatts (MW) that employs the fluidized bed technology, flue gas purification equipment, and the plant's electrification and automation system. The new heating station will produce process steam for the SCA Hygiene Products paper mill and the Nokian Renkaat factory, as well as district heat for Leppäkosken Lämpö's district heat customers. The fossil natural gas previously used for energy production will be replaced with more affordable biofuels, such as timber chips and whole tree chips. In addition, the boiler can utilize milled peat and sludge from the paper mill. 03/12/2015

B&W Vølund Awarded Contracts for UK Biomass Power Plant

The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) has announced that its Denmark-based subsidiary, Babcock & Wilcox Vølund A/S, has been awarded contracts totaling more than $220 million to design, manufacture, and operate a biomass power plant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The Rotherham Biomass Plant will feature a B&W Vølund-designed multi-fuel boiler with a DynaGrate® fuel combustion system, a dry flue gas desulfurization system (dry FGD) and will burn waste wood to generate approximately 40 megawatts of electricity. The contracts also call for B&W Vølund to provide operations and maintenance services for an initial term of 15 years once the plant is commissioned. B&W Vølund’s consortium partner, Interserve Strategic Projects, will construct the plant for the developer, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. 03/12/2015 

Cirque Plans 2015 Commercialization of Waste-to-Energy DGU Technology

Michigan based Cirque Energy, Inc has announced updates to its business strategy to bring its technology and products to market faster, generate revenue sooner, and grow shareholder value. The three central components of Cirque’s market strategy are: Commercialization of Deployment Gasification Unit (DGU) technology;    Development and delivery of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects as an Energy Services Company (ESCO); and Strategic acquisitions of existing biomass power plant facilities with historical operating income and continuing revenue generation post acquisition. Cirque expects to conduct final field testing and shakedowns of its first DGU units during the second quarter of this year with plans to book sales of its first commercial projects in the second half of 2015, and installations of commercial DGUs before the end of 2015. All of the DGU systems will feature a starved air, updraft auger gasification system, syngas conditioning system, and automated controls. Cirque is also continuing development of its previously announced 2.5 MW project in Midland, Texas and is in discussions regarding several other commercial DGU projects. 03/11/2015

CEC Selects Six Clean Energy Projects for $14.3M in Funding Assistance

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released a Notice of Proposed Awards for Program Opportunity Notice (PON) PON-14-307 "Demonstrating Clean Energy Solutions That Support California's Industries, the Environment, and the Electrical Grid." Six project applications out of 22 submitted were selected for a total amount of $14,345,726.00 in funding. Funding is contingent upon the approval of these projects at a publicly noticed CEC Business Meeting, and execution of a grant agreement. Of the six recommended applications, three are for waste or biomass conversion projects: Recology Bioenergy, $1.9 million for the Hay Road Renewable Combined Heat and Power Project; Carlos Echeverria & Sons, $3 million for its Dairy Renewable Combined Heat and Power Project; and Sierra Institute for Community and Environment, $2.6 million for Advancing Biomass Combined Heat and Power Technology. 03/11/2015

Viridor's Cardiff Energy Recovery Facility Is Now Operational

Viridor has announced that the construction and commissioning phase of its Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at Trident Park, Cardiff, Wales has been completed. The project was delivered on time and on budget and the facility is now fully operational under Viridor’s management. The EPC Contractor CNIM/Lagan handed over the £223m construction project the end of January, and reliability tests are underway in preparation for performance testing in April. The plant was awarded R1 status based on the plant’s technical specification, but now operational data can be used to verify the certification. The data, which was independently verified by Fichtner Consulting Engineers shows that the plant is operating 35% above the energy efficiency threshold required. This data is now awaiting ratification from NRW. Construction began in 2012 and had 600 workers at the site at the peak with 40% coming from the local community. The facility will be handling 350,000 tonnes of residual waste, or post-recycling waste, per year. 172,000 tonnes of that waste will be coming from five Councils that make up the Prosiect Gwyrdd partnership: Cardiff, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Vale of Glamorgan. 03/10/2015

Drax Acquires Wood Pellet Manufacturer Billington Bioenergy

United Kingdom (UK) based Drax Group has announced the acquisition of Billington Bioenergy Ltd (BBE), the UK’s second largest wood pellet distributor. The move signals the power generator’s intention to enter the country’s growing biomass heat sector and complements the company’s core business. As a formerly coal-fired generator, Drax has transformed itself into the UK’s largest renewable power generator by replacing much of its coal capacity with biomass. It is now a world leader in sourcing sustainable biomass through Drax Biomass and supplying renewable electricity to businesses through Haven Power. Combined with BBE’s experience and extensive network, this expertise provides an opportunity to grow a significant market for wood pellets as a source of sustainable heat in the UK. 03/10/2015

UK Releases Bioeconomy Report Focused on Opportunities from Waste

The United Kingdom (UK) Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has released Building a high value bioeconomy: opportunities from waste, a report highlighting the range of actions being taken across government to grow the bioeconomy using waste as a feedstock. This report highlights the economic and environmental potential of this emerging economy. There are important things government can, and is doing to support the bioeconomy sector and prevent barriers impacting on its growth. This includes investment to support the commercialization and scale-up of new innovation, and increase the level and accessibility of publicly available data on the UK feedstock supply chain. 03/10/2015

Capstone Microturbines Will Convert Biogas Into CHP for Irvine WWTP

Capstone Turbine Corporation has announced that it received an order to upgrade the Irvine Ranch Water District's Michelson Water Recycling Plant in Irvine, California with five C200 microturbines. Regatta Solutions Inc, Capstone's distributor in California, secured the order, which is expected to be commissioned in early 2016. The plant provides tertiary treatment of wastewater for the region, resulting in an excellent quality of recycled water that is used for landscape and agricultural irrigation, and for industrial and commercial needs. The biogas produced on-site from digestion of biosolids will be compressed for use in the microturbine engines. The microturbines are deployed in a combined heat and power (CHP) configuration. The exhaust from the microturbines will be captured using heat exchangers to provide hot water for process heating the plant, reducing the need for natural gas and providing the highest system efficiency possible. Capstone microturbines will be installed in a grid connect configuration to provide electricity to the recycling plant in parallel with the local utility. 03/10/2015 

Dyadic Raises $2 Million in Private Placement for Bridge Financing

Florida based Dyadic International, Inc has announced that it has completed a private placement of $2,000,000 in convertible subordinated secured promissory note (the “Note”). Dyadic intends to use the proceeds for working capital, including continued investments in research and development, and general corporate purposes. Mark Emalfarb, Dyadic Chief Executive Officer: "The financing will help to bridge us to our expected cash flow breakeven point. Additionally, we have a variety of late stage discussions and negotiations ongoing that we anticipate will lead to the further strengthening of our balance sheet. This loan was from an existing third party Dyadic note holder, and highlights investor confidence in the management team, the C1 technology and our business." Dyadic’s C1 platform technology enables the development and large scale manufacture of low cost enzymes and other proteins 03/09/2015

Total Invests in Renmatix and Initiates Joint Development Agreement

Renmatix has announced an investment by the New Energies Division of Total, and the signature of a joint development agreement (JDA) between Total and Renmatix. Under the agreement, Renmatix and Total will utilize Renmatix’s proprietary Plantrose process with specific feedstocks to extract sugar for use in production of biobased products of interest to Total. In concert with the investment and R&D projects, Total also joins the Renmatix Board of Directors. Existing Renmatix investors, including BASF and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, join Total in the initial tranche of this Series D fundraise. The patented Plantrose process uses supercritical water to reduce costs in conversion of biomass to cellulosic sugars, the critical intermediary for second generation biofuels and biochemicals. With faster reactions and no associated consumable-expenses, Renmatix’s supercritical hydrolysis economically enables a multitude of renewable process technologies to address the market needs for ‘high volume, low cost, broadly sourced’ cellulosic sugars. 03/09/2015

ABPDU and Lygos Achieve First Pilot-Scale Renewable Malonic Acid

California based Lygos, Inc has announced that it has successfully achieved pilot scale production of malonic acid from sugar. Lygos’ novel manufacturing technology decreases CO2 emissions, eliminates toxic inputs and could replace the existing petroleum production process for malonic acid at lower cost and less energy. The scale-up was performed at Berkeley Lab’s Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit (ABPDU), located in Emeryville, California. The petrochemical process to produce malonic acid requires chloroacetic acid and sodium cyanide, and is both costly and environmentally hazardous. Lygos’ fermentation technology is environmentally benign, scalable, and enables production of malonic acid at a lower cost than the current petrochemical manufacturing process. Lygos was the first company to spin out of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a DOE research center established in 2007 to pursue breakthroughs in the production of cellulosic biofuels. 03/09/2015 

Altranex Corporation Receives First US Patent for Renewable Lubricants

Ontario, Canada based Altranex Corporation has received notification from the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) that its first Patent has been allowed. Patent 8,961,775 was issued for the technical approach that Altranex has developed to transform biologically derived oils and fats into high performance lubricants (Altra-BASE™). Chad Joshi, Co-Founder & CEO: “In independent evaluations by international motor oil producers, Altra-BASE exhibits performance characteristics of synthetic motor oils but can be produced from multiple low-cost renewable sources less expensively than existing synthetic, petroleum-based motor oils." Glenn Horner, Co-Founder: "Altra-BASE is a bio-based substitute for petro-chemicals where the performance actually exceeds the product being replaced." 03/05/2015

City of Surrey Breaks Ground for 1st Close-Loop Biofuel Processing Facility

The City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, held a groundbreaking ceremony last week for the City's new organic waste Biofuel Processing Facility. Mayor Linda Hepner, along with representatives from public funding partner, the Government of Canada, and private partner Orgaworld participated in the event. Once completed in early 2017, Surrey will be home to the first closed-loop fully-integrated organics waste management system in North America. Iris Solutions, a consortium led by Orgaworld Canada, part of Shanks' Organics Division, was selected in December 2014 as the preferred proponent for the Surrey Biofuel Processing Facility project Construction will get underway this spring. Located in Surrey’s Port Kells industrial area, the facility will convert the City’s kitchen and yard waste collected at curbside, along with commercial waste from across the Region, into renewable natural gas. The natural gas will be used to fuel the City’s natural gas waste collection trucks, natural gas service fleet and new district energy system. The facility will also produce a compost product that will be suitable for landscaping and agricultural applications. The facility will be designed to receive and process 115,000 tonnes of organic waste annually. 03/05/2015

PHG Energy to Construct Waste-To-Energy Gasification Facility in Tennessee

PHG Energy (PHG) has signed a contract with the City of Lebanon, Tennessee, to provide a downdraft gasification plant that will cleanly convert up to 64 tons per day of blended waste wood, scrap tires, and sewer sludge into a fuel gas that will generate up to 300Kw of electricity. The power generated will provide for the plant's internal power needs as well as contribute electricity to the wastewater treatment plant where it will be located. Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead: "This is not incineration or burning. There is no smoke or odor. The feedstock material is broken down at very high temperatures in a sealed vessel, and about 95 percent of what goes into the gasifier comes out as the fuel gas." The Large Frame gasifier (PHG-64) has been vetted through a rigorous testing process for more than two years at PHG’s research facility. A standard PHG gasifier can convert up to 12 tons of feedstock per day to fuel gas, while the Lebanon model will process up to 64 tons per day without substantially increasing the footprint of the plant. The plant is projected to keep more 8,000 tons of material out of landfills each year, the equivalent of a line of trucks over 4 miles long. Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced as well, keeping over 2,500 tons out of the atmosphere each year. 03/04/2015 

California's Landfill Tipping Fees Lower Than Expected for MSW

The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has announced availability of the newly published report, Landfill Tipping Fees California. Although the report was recently published, much of the information was presented during the October 2014 Monthly Meeting. The 60-page report discusses complexity and variation in local, regional, and statewide landfill tipping fees based on posted “self-haul” 2013 rates and compares California to other states and the European Union. Comparisons are also made for both municipal solid waste (MSW) and green waste fees. The report reaches a number of conclusions: tipping fees are complex with a lot of local variation; California has lower landfill tipping fees compared with other environmentally progressive areas; and due to their low levels, current tipping fees do not drive materials away from landfill and to their highest and best use. The report recommends further research to develop a more comprehensive and complete assessment. 03/03/2015

UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery wins Commercial Scale Plant of The Year

UPM Biofuels was awarded the Commercial Scale Plant of the year in the WBM Bio Business 2015 competition yesterday in Amsterdam. The award winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges, including CEOs and professionals from the leading global bio-based companies. The nominees’ projects were assessed based on their innovativeness and ambition as well as on their relevance with regard to other industries. The award was received because of the UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland, which started commercial production in January. The Biorefinery produces wood-based renewable diesel from forestry residue and began commercial production in January 2015. The biorefinery is located on the same site as the UPM Kaukas pulp and paper mill, and a significant part of the renewable raw material comes from UPM’s own pulp mills. 03/03/2015

Global Bioenergies Produces First Isobutene from Waste Biomass

Global Bioenergies has announced that it has produced “second generation” isobutene, toward its goal to diversify accessible feedstock towards cheaper resources. As a first step to manufacture bio-sourced isobutene, Global Bioenergies has been using first generation feedstock, such as wheat-derived glucose, to set-up and optimize its bio-isobutene process. With the right technical adaptations, the process is also well suited to the usage of non-edible resources - widely defined as “second generation” - such as wheat straw, corn stover, sugar cane bagasse or even wood chips. Global Bioenergies has recently established collaborations with nine companies from three continents developing the most promising technologies to convert various resources (straw, bagasse, wood…) into fermentable sugars. Preliminary tests have resulted in successful second generation isobutene production at the laboratory scale, with process performances similar to the ones observed using wheat-derived glucose. 03/03/2015 

GFBiochemicals Levulinic Acid Technology Ready For Commercialization

Biobased chemicals company GFBiochemicals is starting commercialization of its levulinic acid using its proprietary technology. Commercial-scale production will start in Summer 2015 at the Caserta, Italy plant. Levulinic acid is a carbon-based compound (C5H8O3) with potential to generate value-added derivative chemicals and biofuels. The GFBiochemicals process has been developed for industrial-scale production and uses renewable raw materials. CEO Maxim Katinov: "Our Team of experts has decades of experience in innovation, production and business development. We are now perfectly-placed to bring biobased levulinic acid to market and enable new applications that will replace petro-based products." GFBiochemicals’ process technology has been developed and tested at demo-scale since 2008. The Caserta plant will scale-up to 8,000 MT/yr by 2017. 03/02/2015

Foresight and GIB Finance 10MWe Gasification WtE Plant in Hertfordshire

Foresight Group (Foresight) and the United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank plc (GIB) have announced a £30m investment in the construction of a new £60m advanced-technology Waste to Energy (WtE) gasification facility in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. Construction of the commercial scale, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) gasification plant will be the first financed by third party investors. The gasification technology, which will treat commercial and industrial waste, will be designed by Biomass Power Limited (based in Stafford), with Bouygues Energies & Services acting as EPC and O&M Contractor. The 10 MWe plant, developed by AssetGen Partners, will be powered by more than 90,000 tonnes of RDF sourced from the commercial and industrial sectors and supplied by two of the UK’s leading established waste suppliers, Biffa and Powerday. The plant is to be constructed 22 miles north east of London. Work on the plant will begin shortly and it is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2017. 03/02/2015

Canadian Government Invests in Biofuels Sector

The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Canada, has announced an investment of $538,542 in technology to enable biofuel producers in Western Canada to purify and convert raw glycerol more cost-effectively. With this funding, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (UofS) will be able to purchase highly-specialized equipment for the development and commercialization of new, more efficient, and affordable glycerol purification and conversion technologies. Glycerol, a by-product of processing canola into biodiesel, must be separated from biodiesel as it does not burn effectively. While raw glycerol has limited commercial value, the UofS' purification technology could double the price that companies can charge for the substance, in turn adding more value to biodiesel production. 03/02/2015

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