October 2012 News and Matters of Interest

ZeaChem Completes Boardman Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefinery Construction

Colorado based ZeaChem, Inc has announced completion of second phase construction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Boardman, Oregon. The 250,000 gallon per year facility is scheduled to start ethanol production by the end of this year. The facility's core process was completed in January, enabling the production of acetic acid, ethyl acetate, and other consumer goods. Process improvements completed with the recent construction have expanded the plant's range of acceptable feedstock to better utilize locally sourced biomass such as wood chips and wheat straw. “With construction completed, ZeaChem looks forward to starting integrated operations and the production of cellulosic ethanol this year,” said Jim Imbler, president and chief executive officer of ZeaChem. “We are executing a phased start-up approach to limit risk, stabilize and optimize operations, and ensure safety." The company's hybrid technology platform deconstructs, or "fractionates", raw biomass into fermentable sugars and separate lignins, sending the sugars to acetogenic fermentation and the lignins to gasification. The fermentation creates esters, which can be converted to salable ethyl acetate and hydrogenated to make ethanol. ZeaChem also announced it has closed its Series C financing totaling $25 million in new equity to advance its business strategy and commercial deployment. New investments from Tokyo, Japan-based ITOCHU Corporation, join funding from Macquarie, a global investment banking and financial services group based in Sydney, Australia. 10/30/2012

EnviTec Opens Biogas Processing Pilot Plant at Sachsendorf Site

German biogas specialists EnviTec Biogas AG has announced the official opening of its industrial scale biogas processing pilot plant at the Sachsendorf site in Germany. The new plant was constructed using the Sepuran modular membrane biogas cleaning and upgrading technology of partnering firm Evonik Industries. The membrane cleaning creates a 98% methane purity biogas, of sufficient quality for direct pipeline injection. Under the recently amended German Renewable Energies Act (EEG), operators of combined heat and power plants that use processed biogas receive an increased gas processing bonus from electricity payments. Avoiding additional cleaning and compression stages improves the economics once again, making the small-footprint EnviTec systems particularly economical. Currently up to 80 per cent of the natural gas consumed in Germany is imported; processed biogas could provide a significant contribution to provision of renewable natural gas. The opening was officiated by regional mayor Jens Strube, who noted that full production and delivery of biogas to the natural gas pipeline grid was expected within nine months: “In ecological, economic and social terms the project is primarily distinguished by its sustainability.” 10/30/2012

BD AGRO Constructs Russia's Largest AD-to Biogas Power Plant

German anaerobic digestion (AD) company BD AgroRenewables (BD AGRO) has announced completion of a 2.4 megawatt biogas power plant south of Moscow outside of the city of Belgorod in an agricultural region of Russia. The plant will convert 45 tonnes of slaughterhouse waste, 80 cubic metres of organic slurry, and 80 tonnes of maize silage per day to biogas for electricity to serve 10,000 households. The plant, constructed in only nine months, is the inaugural "model" facility for operator AltEnergo, who intends to construct many more plants throughout the region. BD AGRO designed and built the plant as general contractor in cooperation with German companies. The biogas plant comprises four digesters, two of which are tall fermenters. The digesters are 15 meters tall and provide ideal conditions for the fermentation process. For the six year old company, this was the biggest project ever constructed outside of Germany. Nearly 40 lorries delivered construction materials to Russia. Led by German chief fitters, the biogas plant was erected with the help of local installation workers. While the plant was being built, BD AGRO trained future employees in similar plants in Germany. Vevgeny Savchenko, the governor of Belgorod oblast commented at the opening: "This marks the birth of the bioenergy sector in Russia."  BD AGRO is part of the Big Dutchman Group in Vechta, Germany. Big Dutchman is active in the US with headquarters in Michigan, and is expanding with operations and offices in South America. Earlier this month, Big Dutchman USA hosted its South American counterparts to a five-day training session at its Holland, Michigan headquarters. 10/30/2012

AmeyCespa is Preferred Bidder to Develop Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park

The United Kingdom based waste management company AmeyCespa has announced that it has been selected by Milton Keynes Council as the preferred bidder for the design, development, and operation of the multi-stage Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park. The completed facility will treat “black sack” waste, the rubbish that’s left over after recycling. It will also treat some commercial waste, which is the rubbish from offices, factories, shops and restaurants. The proposed site is in the Old Wolverton industrial area, at the location of a former distribution center, about 70 kilometers northwest of London. The design will integrate three different technologies to treat waste that has not been reused, recycled or composted: (1) Mechanical treatment technology will extract recyclable materials from black sack waste, which means they can then be reprocessed into new products; (2) An anaerobic digester will treat any food or organic waste left in black sacks, in turn creating renewable energy and a compost-like material for use on brownfield sites, and (3) An advanced thermal treatment facility will turn any remaining, unrecyclable waste into a gas, which is combusted to generate high temperature steam which then creates electricity in a turbine. In 2016 when the new facility opens, it will treat around 125,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per year generated from Milton Keynes, expected to rise due to population growth to 170,000 tonnes by 2040. Almost half of this is already recycled, but the rest currently goes to landfill. The plant will instead use it to create enough energy to power the equivalent of 11,000 homes. AmeyCespa will finalize its proposals over the coming months, prior to submitting a planning application for Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park in 2013. 10/30/2012

Neste Oil Adds Renewable Naphtha to Commercial Product Line

Neste Oil has announced addition of renewable naphtha to its NExBTL product line for sale to its commercial customers. Most commercial naphtha is produced by refining, or "cracking", petroleum hydrocarbons; Neste Oil's multi-feedstock NExBTL technology platform can convert almost any cellulosic waste or plant oil into the product. NExBTL renewable naphtha can be used as an element in the production bioplastics, for example, and as a biocomponent for gasoline. Neste Oil is one of the world's first companies to supply bio-naphtha on a commercial scale. NExBTL naphtha is produced as part of the NExBTL renewable diesel refining process at Neste Oil's sites in Porvoo Finland, the Netherlands, and Singapore. Bioplastic products produced from NExBTL renewable naphtha can be recycled with conventional fossil-based plastic products, and can be used as a fuel in energy generation following recycling. In addition to renewable naphtha, the NExBTL renewable diesel refining process also produces renewable propane, which can be used as a traffic fuel, for cooking and heating in the home, and in food packaging. Neste Oil recently started a study on the feasibility of commercializing NExBTL propane. Neste Oil also produces commercial volumes of NExBTL renewable aviation fuel. All the products produced as part of NExBTL renewable diesel refining comply with the strict sustainability criteria established by the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive across the entire supply chain. They have been verified as being sustainably produced, the inputs used can be fully traced back to their origin, and they contribute a significant reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to comparable fossil-based products. 10/29/2012

Novozymes Invests in Beta Renewables, Forms Strategic Partnership

Danish enzyme company Novozymes has announced a strategic partnership with the cellulosic biofuels company Beta Renewables to market, demonstrate, and guarantee their cellulosic biofuels production processes and products. Novozymes has secured a 10% share in Beta Renewables as part of the agreement, paying approximately $115 million cash for the equity, marketing fees, other intellectual property rights and milestone payments. This places Novozymes as the preferred provider of enzymes for Beta Renewables current and future cellulosic biofuels projects, which would include agreements with Gevo for isobutanol biorefinery development in the US and with GraalBio for cellulosic ethanol production in Brazil. Beta Renewables’ Chairman and CEO, Guido Ghisolfi: "This type of complete offering will significantly de-risk cellulosic biofuel projects financially as well as technologically for our customers. It will make cellulosic biofuel projects bankable and accelerate large-scale commercialization of the industry." Beta Renewables is a joint venture formed last year between Gruppo Mossi and Ghisolfi (M&G) wholly-owned subsidiary Chemtex and TPG. TPG Biotech was established to exclusively license Chemtex’s PROESA® Technology into the global marketplace. The PROESA® technology integrates lignocellulosic biomass pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation for production of energy and fuels. The process has been proven in M&G Group's Rivalta, Italy pilot facility and will be the core technology in the $200 million production facility in Crescentino, Italy due to come on line soon.10/29/2012

Due 12/18/2012: Applications for CEC Community Scale Renewable Energy Grant

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released Program Opportunity Notice (PON) PON-12-502 for Community Scale Renewable Energy Development, Deployment and Integration program funding under the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. The purpose of this PON is to fund research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects in one of three distinct research areas: (1) Community Scale Renewable Energy Integration Demonstration seeks proposals that aim to demonstrate the cost-efficient integration of high-penetrations of renewable energy within a given community based on the locally-available renewable energy potential, and to increase energy security for that community; (2) Community Scale Renewable Energy Integration Exploration aims to formulate community-specific renewable energy development plans, including the tools and methodologies necessary to do so; and (3) Breakthrough Community Scale Renewable Energy Technology Development seeks proposals that aim to develop renewable energy technologies that offer breakthrough potential in the commercial energy market, and will provide a significant contribution towards California’s 2020 renewable energy goals. The first pre-application workshop was held in Sacramento on October 26, 2012 and the presentation is available online. The second workshop will be conducted on October 30, 2012 in San Diego and will also be available via webcast. The deadline to submit applications is November 30, 2012, no later than 3:00 PM PST. Questions: contact Grants Officer Crystal Presley-Willis () by email or at (916) 654-5067. Questions may also be asked during the Pre-Application Workshop. 10/28/2012. Update: Addendum 2 has been issued, which revises the submittal deadline to December 12, 2012 by 3:00 PM PST. A revised application package has also been posted to the CEC's website. 11/21/2012  Update: Addendum No. 4 to Program Opportunity Notice PON-12-502 has been issued that changes the submittal deadline to Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 3:00 p.m, as well as several other revisions. Applicants who have already submitted will be allowed to resubmit. 12/10/2012  

Cool Planet Energy's Micro-Refinery Produces Biofuel at $1.50 per Gallon

California based Cool Planet Energy Systems has announced a major commercialization breakthrough for production of carbon negative biofuel from non-food biomass at a cost of about $1.50 per gallon. The key to the low cost is the mass production of pre-fabricated micro-refineries scaled for production of 10 million gallons of biofuel per year that are easily transported to the biomass source. Cool Planet's processing pathway begins with two-step rapid thermal/mechanical processing to convert low-value waste, residual biomass, or dedicated energy crops into useful hydrocarbons, then refines the raw producer oils through catalysis to to-specification fuels. A byproduct of producing biofuel is activated carbon (biochar), which can be used as a soil enhancer increasing land fertility while isolating the carbon captured from the atmosphere. The company has been testing the biofuel both internally and in collaboration in field trials with Google's OnDemand campus vehicle called GRide at their Mountain View headquarters for more than 2,400 miles. By running on a 5% Cool Planet carbon negative fuel blended with 95% regular gasoline, the test car blend met California’s 2020 Low Carbon Fuel Standard – eight years ahead of schedule. The control car used 100% regular gasoline. The test car successfully passed 5 smog checks with no significant difference between cars. “Innovations in alternative fuels will be key in addressing growing climate change concerns,” said Brendon Harrington, Transportation Operations Manager at Google, Inc. “We are thrilled to be a part of Cool Planet’s field testing and believe that this product has the potential to make a significant impact on our future energy needs.” 10/27/2012

Neste Oil Opens Europe's First Waste to Microbial Oil Pilot Plant

Finland based Neste Oil Corporation celebrated the official opening of Europe's first biorefinery to produce microbial oil from industrial and agricultural residues such as straw for refinement into Neste Oil's NExBTL renewable diesel. Neste Oil announced in December 2011 that it was going to invest EUR 8 million in building a microbial oil pilot plant alongside its Technology Center at Porvoo, Finland, and completed the first phase of its pilot biorefinery in August of this year. Neste Oil launched a microbial oil research program with Aalto University School of Chemical Technology in 2007 and has applied for a number of patents for its technology in the field. Neste Oil's intent with this research and development is to produce microbial oil on an industrial scale from a broad variety of wastes and residuals, entering commercial production in 2015 at the earliest. "Increasing the use of waste and residues in the production of NExBTL renewable diesel is one of our most important goals," says Lars Peter Lindfors, Neste Oil's Senior Vice President of Technology. Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, Jyri Häkämies, officiated at the opening ceremony: "The range of potential raw materials for producing biofuels is very extensive today. The work that Neste Oil and many other Finnish companies have done to develop new raw material alternatives and new production technologies indicates very clearly that Finland is well-placed to remain at the forefront of developments in this area and achieve some very important renewable energy-related goals." 10/27/2012

POET-DSM Contracts with ANDRITZ for Biomass Pre-Treatment Technology

After a four-year collaborative period, the joint venture POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels has announced selection of a multi-stage cellulosic biomass breakdown technology from International Technology Group ANDRITZ through its U.S. subsidiary. The technology will be installed in the team's Project LIBERTY facility currently under construction in Emmetsburg, Iowa. The ANDRITZ technology is a two-stage process that includes a vertical reactor, an interstage washer and then the continuous steam explosion technology (Advanced SteamEx™ process) to draw out available sugars from the cellulose material for fermentation to ethanol. Jay Miele, VP and General Manager with ANDRITZ Inc: "Our design teams have been working closely together over the past four years to optimize our Advanced Steam-Ex pretreatment technology for Project LIBERTY,” Miele said. “POET-DSM’s dedication to becoming a leader in cellulosic bio-ethanol is quite evident to us. We look forward to successfully completing our part of the delivery for Project LIBERTY, and we are eager to work together on future projects.” In addition to providing the biomass-to-sugar technology, ANDRITZ just announced start-up of a biomass torrefaction plant with the municipality of Frohnleiten, Austria, utilizing the firm's proprietary ACB (Accelerated Carbonized Biomass) process newly developed by the ANDRITZ SEPARATION division. POET broke ground on Project LIBERTY in March 2012 after declining a USDA $105 million loan guarantee and entering into a joint venture with Netherlands-based Royal DSM in January. Project LIBERTY is expected to produce 20 million gallons per year of cellulosic bio-ethanol, growing to about 25 million gallons per year. The facility will use corn cobs, leaves, husk, and some stalk to produce its renewable biofuel. Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2013. 10/27/2012

ACEEE Releases Report on Understanding Industrial Investment Decisions

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has announced the release of a concise and insightful report, "Understanding Industrial Investment Decisions", available for free after registration. Much of the focus is on the potential for new technology to enhance the manufacturing sector. That translates into integration of technologies that increase facility energy efficiency through on-site waste and residuals conversion to electricity and fuels, including the recovery and utilization of waste heat for combined cooling, heating, and distributed power generation (CCHP). From the report: "Because energy is a universal ingredient in all manufacturing, improved energy technologies provide potential benefits to all industries, regardless of their product mix or facility size. Similarly, the sheer magnitude of manufacturing energy consumption makes it an unavoidable focus for achieving the state and regional energy supply balances sought by regulators of energy distribution utilities … domestic manufacturers have an opportunity to not only build news capacity,  but to obtain the competitive edge that new technology will provide." The study first synthesizes macroeconomic data into a profile of manufacturing output and related indicators, and then presents survey results that generalize manufacturer's decision-making process. Those industrial manufacturing elements experiencing both increased growth and increased productivity are termed "superchargers"; from Section 1 Conclusions: "63% of US manufacturing value came from the superchargers … Capital investment can fuel growth, especially as energy efficiency technologies are implemented." 10/25/2012

Weltec Biopower Commissioned to Build 3 MWe Biogas CHP Plant in Uruguay

The German biogas production company Weltec Biopower has announced that it has been commissioned to develop an anaerobic digestion (AD) installation at a dry-milk plant in Montevideo, Uruguay. The initial installation will provide an 800 kilowatt electric (kWe) plant, to be expanded to the full 3 MWe capacity by 2015. The project owner will run the AD plant after completion, utilizing both the heat and power generated within the diary products operation which is scheduled to increase from around 8,000 to 14,000 dairy cows by start-up of the biogas plant. Currently, Uruguay‘s primary energy needs are still being covered by crude oil. However, at least half of the energy consumption is to be covered by renewable sources by 2015. For this reason, the government in Montevideo has formulated the goal of using at least one third of the agricultural waste for the generation of energy. The legal framework conditions for this goal were established in 2010: Until 2030, a feed-in tariff is to ensure a plant population with a capacity of 200 MW. Since mid-2010, the operators have been able to feed in the green power into the grid of the state energy provider UTE or sell it directly to UTE. This Weltec Biogas project could serve as a reference example for the country as well as the continent as a whole. 10/25/2012

Shanks Sells Renewable Energy from Scottish Food Waste AD Plant to M&S

United Kingdom based waste management company Shanks Group plc has announced signing a Power Purchase Agreement with Marks & Spencer (M&S) to supply the retailer with the total renewable energy output of its anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Cumbernauld near Glasgow, Scotland. The AD plant opened in October 2011 and is a joint-venture with Energen Biogas Ltd, based in Cumbernauld. M&S sends food waste to the 60,000 tonne per year AD plant, where it is converted into biogas for renewable energy generation and digestate for use as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. The new agreement will see M&S directly purchase approximately 19,000 MWh per year of electricity from the AD plant, the equivalent energy used to power 33 M&S Simply Food stores, and will help close the loop for its food waste management. Shanks Group has waste management operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom and Canada, and provides a range of recycling and energy recovery solutions to customers in both the public and private sector. Energen Biogas was launched specifically to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill. Giacinto Patellaro, Head of Energy Supply & Risk at M&S: “We're delighted to sign this Power Purchase Agreement with Shanks and Energen Biogas. Having advocated the use of AD technology since the launch of our sustainability programme, Plan A, back in 2007, we're now seeing in practice how the plant at Cumbernauld is helping M&S to maintain two of our targets: to procure 100% renewable electricity and send zero waste to landfill. As leaders in the field of AD and organic waste management, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Shanks and Energen Biogas.” 10/25/2012

Iowa State Researchers Develop Two-Stage Biofuel Production Method

Iowa State University has announced progress in converting low-grade biomass to high-grade intermediary chemicals and fuels, adding a second-stage gasifier to vaporize bio-oils produced in first-stage pyrolysis. Dr. Robert Brown's Bioeconomy Institute Mechanical Engineering research has been advancing the initial fast pyrolysis conversion step for some time; the new testing injects the thick brown bio-oil with oxygen into the tubular gasifier at up to 700 pounds of pressure and at temperatures up to 1,800º F (over 980º C). The bio-oil gasifier produces a synthetic gas (syngas) rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide, ready for reforming and refining to a multitude of bio-sourced fuels and chemicals. The gasifier was built as part of a two-year, nearly $1 million grant from the US Department of Energy. Another three-year, $450,000 grant from the Iowa Energy Center will allow researchers to study and refine bio-oil gasification. Computer simulations and virtual reality modeling will now examine various aspects of the bio-oil gasification process and its application to hub-and-spoke biorefinery infrastructure models, where biomass would be transported to small, local fast pyrolysis plants that would convert crop biomass into liquid bio-oil. The bio-oil would be easily transported to bigger, regional facilities where it could be gasified and processed into transportation and boiler fuels. Song-Charng Kong, associate professor of mechanical engineering and lead for the simulation project aspects: “The physics and chemistry will be behind all these models and images. This is a very new area to study. We can use these models as a tool to understand what will happen as this technology is scaled up.” 10/24/2012

Boeing-COMAC Tech Center Will Research Conversion of "Gutter Oil" to Jet Fuel

The Boeing Company has announced that its new technology center joint venture with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) will initiate the center's first research program, focused on production of advanced biofuels. The project will assess whether waste cooking oil, called "gutter oil" in China, can be cleaned of contaminants and treated sufficiently to produce aviation biofuel. Hangzhou Energy Engineering & Technology Co., Ltd. has been chosen to conduct the work; Hangzhou is a leading energy technology company that specializes in developing alternative and green energy technology, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Funded by both companies, the Boeing-COMAC Aviation Energy Conservation and Emissions Reductions Technology Center opened in August 2012 at COMAC's Beijing Aeronautical Science and Technology Research Institute (BASTRI). 1The Boeing-COMAC Technology Center is working with China-based universities and research institutions to expand knowledge in areas such as sustainable aviation biofuels and air traffic management that improve commercial aviation's efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. COMAC is a state-owned company, which is formed with the approval of the State Council and jointly invested by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, Shanghai Guosheng (Group) Co., Ltd., Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), China Aluminum Corporation (CHINALCO), Baosteel Group, and Sinochem Group. Boeing is celebrating its 40th year of partnership with China's aviation industry. 0/24/2012

International Biochar Institute Sustainability Survey Identifies Highest Priorities

The International Biochar Initiative has released selected responses to a broad-based sustainability survey conducted in September of this year that asked for greatest potential benefit of using biochar, and to point out the most pressing needs for rapid commercialization and market penetration. The survey of member and non-member stakeholders in the global biochar community was part of the organization's open, public process to create international Biochar Guidelines for the sustainable production and use of biochar, an effort expected to be completed in March 2013. The top ranked priorities were the beneficial soil effects, increased water retention in droughty soils, increased soil stability, biochar effects on plant disease and pest resistance, and biochar’s effectiveness in increasing fertilizer efficiency. Additionally, the community ranked the greatest potential risks from biochar to include negative impacts on soil ecosystem species, the cost of biochar technology, and the lack of sustainability monitoring, reporting and verification methodologies. By thermochemically altering biomass carbon into a more stable form, biochar converts agricultural waste into a soil enhancer that can boost food security and help mitigate climate change.  Sustainable biochar systems are unique in being relatively inexpensive, widely applicable, and quickly scalable, while positively impacting three major current global problem areas: energy, climate, and food security. The IBI Biochar Sustainability Guidelines are intended to be a practical tool for sustainability evaluation that is adaptable to many different regions, feedstocks, technologies, environments and communities. The public is invited to submit comments, questions, documents and other materials for consideration at any time throughout the process. 10/24/2012

Due 10/26/2012: Comments to Revised CEC 2012-2014 Investment Plan Report

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released a final staff report and supporting documents for the proposed Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program in preparation for the October 31, 2012 Business Meeting. The draft EPIC plan was released last month in conjunction with a workshop on the CEC's designated portions of California Public utilities Commission's (CPUC) Rulemaking 11-10-003 by the CPUC's Phase 2 Decision 12-05-37. Staff made additional changes to the investment plan based on input and comments received as part this workshop and comments submitted to the 12-EPIC-01 docket. These changes are reflected in the October release of the Proposed Triennial Investment Plan Staff Report, and now present the CEC’s current strategy for administering $368.8 million to fund applied research and development, technology demonstration and deployment, and market facilitation from 2012 to 2014 under the EPIC Program. Among the major changes made to the plan: addition of funding allocations at the strategic objective level for Applied Research and Development, Technology Demonstration and Deployment, and Market Facilitation. From the Report: "The private and industrial sectors are diverse, very risk averse, require high rate of return and some may have environmental barriers to overcome. As a result, demonstrations are needed with independent monitored and verified data to show the energy saving benefits and cost effectiveness of emerging technologies." Oral comments on the staff report will be accepted at the meeting; written comments should be submitted by October 26, 2012 to the Dockets Office by email () and identified as Docket #12-EPIC-01 and indicating EPIC in the subject line. Written comments may also be submitted at the meeting.10/24/2012

LA County Adopts New Solid Waste Management Paradigm,Seeks Agency Unity

The Los Angeles (LA) County Integrated Waste Management Task Force adopted a New Waste Management Paradigm, and new definitions for the terms "Recovery" and "Conversion Technologies" at its September 20, 2012 public meeting. The Task Force's October 22, 2012 letter to Caroll Mortensen, Director of the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (Cal Recycle), seeks unity between California state and local agencies in the use and application of these key definitions and the new paradigm. According to the letter, "We are sharing these definitions and revised paradigm with our state and local government partners, encouraging them to adopt these terms in an effort to unify terminology, so that a productive conversation can take place on issues relating to energy and product recovery from waste." According to the adopted terms, "Conversion Technologies" refers to a wide array of technologies capable of converting post-recycled or residual solid waste into useful products, green fuels, and renewable energy through non-combustion thermal, chemical, or biological processes. Conversion technologies may include mechanical processes when combined with a non-combustion thermal, chemical, or biological conversion process. "Recovery" is defined as any waste management operation that diverts a material from the waste stream and which results in a product with a potential economic or ecological benefit. Recovery mainly refers to the following operations: 1) re-use, 2) material recovery such as recycling 3) biological recovery such as composting, and 4) energy recovery such as fuel production. The “New Waste Management Paradigm” promotes the concept that the highest quantity of materials should be eliminated from the waste stream through source reduction and extended producer responsibility. Following efforts to reuse and recycle components of the waste stream, opportunities to convert the remaining materials into energy, biofuels, and compost should be preferred over landfill disposal. 10/23/2012

October 24th Webinar Scheduled on Advanced Conversion: Energy from Waste

London-based Advanced Plasma Power (APP) and Renewable Energy Focus have announced a free one hour webinar scheduled for October 24, 2012 on Energy-from-Waste (EfW) processes. SITA UK's Director of Development Stuart Hayward-Higham and APP's CEO Rolf Stein will explore how advanced conversion technologies can cleanly turn a wide variety of waste, including municipal, solid waste (MSW) into energy while avoiding the environmental impacts of both landfilling and waste combustion. The new multi-technologic approaches can utilize residual, non-recyclable waste to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) for generation of electricity and other energy outputs. Discussion of Advanced Conversion Technologies (ACTs) will cover the development of EfW projects and current challenges, the benefits that ACTs bring to EfW, and delve into a case study of the Gasplasma® technology being deployed by APP. Originally developed by Tetronics, Gasplasma® ACT process integrates a fluidized bed gasifier, a plasma converter and gas engines. The synthetic gas (syngas), chars and ash produced in the gasifier are all fed directly into the plasma converter, which operates at over 1,500 degrees Celsius. Any hydrocarbons remaining in the soot, tar and char are broken down to their constituent molecules and converted into further syngas to maximize energy recovery. The process can produce pipeline-grade synthetic fuel gas in addition to electricity; in February, APP announced an agreement to deliver its waste-sourced to-specification Bio-SNG fuel into the UK's national gas grid. On-line registration is required for the free webinar. 10/23/2012

Metso to Deliver New Biofuel Fired Boiler to Swedish CHP Plant

Finnish-based energy and materials company Metso Corporation has announced an agreement to develop and deliver a new biofuel fired power generating boiler to Jönköping Energi in Torsvik, Sweden. The facility's aging biopower equipment currently required "refined" biofuel; the new equipment is more resilient and uses less processed biomass, predominantly wood chips. Jönköping Energi is expanding its combined heat and power (CHP) plant and the new unit will serve as a mid-load unit to meet the district heating and electric power needs of Jönköping municipality. Metso will supply bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) gasification technology, resulting in considerable cost and efficiency benefits for the overall district heating and electricity supply of Jönköping municipality. The capacity of the new boiler will be 100 megawatts electric (MWe) and will annually consume roughly 550,000 cubic meters of forest residual fuels. It will produce approximately 340 GWh of district heat per year, corresponding to the heating needs of 17,000 single-family homes. The production of electricity will amount to 130 GWh/year, corresponding to the power consumption of roughly 25,000 households. Håkan Stigmarker, Managing Director of Jönköping Energi: “This is an important contract for the continuation of the expansion project as well as its largest. We look forward to co-operating with Metso on this important project.” Last week, Metso announced that it has been recognized by the non-profit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) with an overall leadership Index of 97/100, the highest score received among Nordic companies in the "Industrials" sector. 10/23/2012

Hyrax Licenses Biomass Hydrolysis Process Developed at UW–Madison

Hyrax Energy, Inc has announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) to commercialize a University-developed process for hydrolysis of biomass to fermentable sugars. The chemical process was developed with support from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW–Madison) campus in biochemistry professor Ron Raines' laboratory, a Hyrax founder. The process uses ionic liquids to break down cellulosic or non-food plant biomass, coupled with proprietary separation techniques that efficiently recycle the ionic liquids. The Hyrax process breaks down cellulosic biomass into concentrated fermentable C5 and C6 sugars and sterile, bone-dry lignin. The high volume conversion process is feedstock-flexible, achieving the conversion of forestry biomass, agricultural wastes or energy crops with no need for pre-treatment, enzymes, or harsh conditions.​ Hyrax is the first company to emerge from research at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, which was established in 2007. The center generates advances in basic science that can lead to new commercial opportunities based on biofuels. Hyrax won the $100,000 top prize in the 2012 Clean Energy Challenge "Early Stage" company category, the second annual competition sponsored by the Clean Energy Trust. 10/23/2012

James Cropper Paper Awarded £3.15MM for Waste to Steam Plant

United Kingdom (UK) based specialist paper and materials company James Cropper plc has announced that it has been selected to receive an award of £3.15 million from Round 3 of the UK's Regional Growth Fund (RGF), administered by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS). The RGF is now a £2.4 billion fund operating across England from 2011 to 2015. The award money will go toward development of a "steam raising plant" that will reduce energy costs, CO2 emissions, and environmental taxes. The thermal conversion plant will be using as feedstock a combination of its paper-making effluent residuals and solid recovered fuel (SRF) formed from Cumbrian regional municipal solid waste. The 50% biomass SRF will be developed from residuals of Shanks' mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) one of two key elements in Shanks' 2009 contract to the Cumbria County Council for treating around 150,000 tonnes of MSW annually. The paper company's Chairman Mark Cropper commented: "We have been trying to get this project off the ground since 2005. But despite receiving planning permission in 2009, our efforts have been thwarted by high costs and lack of suitable technology and suppliers. In the meantime, the need for the plant - which will supplement our gas fired CHP plant, itself a pioneering investment in the 1980s - has only grown more pressing. Energy costs are rising and the global competitiveness of our business and other British energy intensive manufacturers is being further impaired by new UK carbon taxation policies. Delay and relief of such tax policies are vital to maintain competitive costs; however the transition to new forms of energy is more critical than ever, so the RGF support could not be more welcome." 10/22/2012

Biodico and Navy Sign Renewable Energy and Fuel Optimization Agreement

California based Biodico, Inc (formerly Biodiesel Industries) has announced signing a new agreement with the US Navy for joint development and evaluation of renewable energy, fuels, and products for use on US Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. The intent is to optimize production at the lowest cost; work under the new contract will include a range of technologies including but not limited to transesterification, gasification, gas to liquids, hydrogenation, anaerobic digestion, catalysis, and the production and processing of feedstocks and co-products. For the past seven years Biodico has worked with the Navy under a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) to design, develop, and deploy modular biodiesel production systems capable of processing the widest possible array of feedstocks at the National Environmental Test Site, Port Hueneme Naval Base, in Ventura. California State Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills): "The collaboration between Biodico, the Navy and the California Energy Commission (CEC) will enhance our national security, provide new jobs and improve the environment. It will demonstrate and commercialize advanced biofuel and bioenergy technologies that will be utilized throughout the world. The integration of sustainable agriculture with renewable combined heat and power produced on-site will produce inexpensive advanced biofuels." Biodico's subsidiary Biodiesel Industries of Ventura received a $1.8 million PIER grant from the CEC in June to demonstrate conversion technologies for biorefineries. 10/21/2012

German Environment Ministry Releases GreenTech Made in Germany Atlas 3.0

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment  has announced the release an atlas of German providers of environmental technologies called the “GreenTech made in Germany 3.0", updating earlier versions in 2007 and 2009. Around 90 percent of green tech companies contributing to the German gross domestic product (GDP) are small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) with the study's authors predicting the creation of one million additional jobs by 2025. The GreenTech Atlas 3.0 identifies six lead markets for environmental technologies: Energy efficiency, Sustainable water management, Environmentally-friendly power generation and storage, Sustainable mobility, Material efficiency, and Waste management and recycling. The Atlas is being released as a CD and, in addition to an analysis of environmental technology markets, contains a company database with some 2,000 data records of German green tech companies. This database can be searched for providers of environmental technologies, innovations and services, and is available in both German and English.  The analytical part of GreenTech Atlas 3.0 is provided as a PDF on the Ministry's website. Minister Peter Altmaier: "The new GreenTech Atlas makes it vividly clear that the old, incorrect view of a conflict between the environment and the economy is thoroughly outdated. In the foreseeable future, green technologies will account for one fifth of Germany's gross domestic product. This ongoing success story is due in particular to the innovative strength and strong position of small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany when it comes to environmental technology and resource efficiency." 10/21/2012

San Juan County, Washington Considers Gasification at Solid Waste Facility

San Juan County, Washington, closed acceptance of submissions to its Request for Proposals for San Juan Island municipal solid waste (MSW) services and operations on October 1, 2012 and has now posted all documents received from the two interested parties. Cimarron Enterprises, Inc of Anacortes, Washington has proposed to develop and operate a self-haul transfer station, with options for route collection. The competing proposal is from Kentec Energy USA, a recently formed joint venture utilizing gasification technology from the South Korean firm, Kentec Energy Co., LTD. Kentec has proposed to develop the waste conversion facility as completely self-financed, operating in an interim mode and amending environmental and operational problems at the County's existing, then constructing the final design once all permitting is secured. The 13-year old parent company has seven operating facilities in South Korea and the Netherlands and two additional plants under construction, converting MSW to syngas for electricity and / or heat generation. Their process begins by sorting, bailing, and packaging refuse derived fuel blocks (RDF) that can be stacked and stored for stabile transport. Per the County's recent Legal Notice, vendor evaluation and selection, and County Council approval of selected vendor(s) is to be completed by October 30, 2012. Completion of contract negotiations between the County and the selected vendor(s) as well as a public hearing and County Council approval of the contract is expected by December 18, 2012. 10/21/2012

LCFS Considers Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Benchmark Studies

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Sustainability Workgroup continues to hold meetings to develop a work plan of sustainability provisions for use in implementing the LCFS regulation. The October meeting considered two presentations by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) representatives on recent benchmarking efforts; presentations are now posted to the Workgroup Meeting web page. The RSB Certification Readiness Study, Hawaii Biofuels Projects (September 2012), was presented by Mick Berry, NSC International. Mr. Berry's presentation put the study in context of Hawaii's "70% by 2030" Clean Energy Initiative, and compared state and federal regulations against the RSB's sustainability principles to determine if and when compliance with existing law also met RSB certification criteria. The Report notes that, "RSB is suited to the Hawaii situation as it is applicable to every feedstock and does not limit itself to a specific biofuels processing technology or final product (e.g. bioethanol, biodiesel, etc.)." The second review considered the on-going Canadian Regulatory Benchmark, with a presentation by Matt Rudolph, Regional Director for the Americas, RSB Services Foundation. The Canadian work benchmarks local and national regulation against the RSB's principles. The study focus is on purpose-grown crop sourced biofuels with the intent to first establish a study baseline, then expand to other industrial biofuels sectors. LCFS provisions for sustainability certification are being developed to enhance and incentivize California's low carbon fuel production and usage, discrete from yet parallel to other global fuel sustainability schemes. Meetings are open to the public; for questions, contact Mike Waugh, Chief, Criteria Pollutants Branch at (916) 322-6020 or via email (). 10/19/2012

Olinda Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project Opens with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

 Broadrock Renewables LLC has announced a ribbon cutting ceremony today hosted in partnership with the County of Orange to inaugurate the new 32.5 MW landfill gas-to-energy generating facility at the County’s Olinda Alpha Landfill in Brea, California. The $130 million project received a $10 million job-related stimulus grant from the US Department of Energy. The new facility is among the largest plants of its type in the United States, and increases the total renewable energy generating capacity installed at the Olinda Alpha Landfill to 37.8 MW, enough to power 22,000 homes. Orange County's publicly owned utility, City of Anaheim Public Utilities, is buying the power produced from the facility. The natural decomposition of organic trash buried in the landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Capturing the methane gas and using it to produce electricity reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill, and also reduces the need to use fossil fuels for electricity production. Landfill gas-to-energy projects at the County’s facilities currently produce 51.8 megawatts of electrical power with another 23 MW under development. Broadrock Renewables LLC‘s projects currently consists of landfill gas fueled electricity generating facilities at the Olinda Alpha Landfill, as well as a similar landfill gas project in Rhode Island that is currently under construction. 10/19/2012

Due 12/07/2012: Comments to DECC's Renewable Heat Incentive Consultations

The United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is seeking comments on revisions planned for the country's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) launched in March 2011. DECC's three consultations: (1) Proposals for a Domestic Scheme considers expansion of incentives for residential installation of renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers, with the launch of a Microgeneration Certification Scheme funded by a tariff and paid over a seven year period. (2) Expansion of the Non-Domestic Scheme would certify more technologies and support structures for biomass direct air heating, biogas combustion over 200 kW, and biomass/bioliquid combined heat and power. (3) Air-to-water heat pumps and Energy from Waste formed the third consultation (now closed to comments). DECC extended deadlines for responses to the Domestic and Non-domestic schemes, now due December 7, 2012. Online responses can be submitted through DECC’s consultation hub for the Domestic and Non-domestic schemes, or by email (). Speaking on behalf of the waste and resource management industry, UK's Environmental Services Association (ESA) director of Policy Matthew Farrow commented: “We welcome DECC’s belated recognition that RHI eligibility for waste-fired CHP plants was too narrowly focused on municipal waste. Extending the criteria to include facilities which utilise commercial and industrial waste streams is an important recognition of the potential renewable heat these fuels can help generate.” 10/19/2012

European Commission Gives Stamp of Approval to UK's Green Investment Bank

The European Commission (EC) has announced approval of the United Kingdom's (UK) Green Investment Bank (GIB), finding the new funding mechanism to be in line with European Union "state aid" rules. Designed to support "environmentally friendly" projects that could not find sufficient funding in the marketplace, the GIB is expected to further the UK's 2020 target in reducing carbon emissions and accelerate the development of a "green economy". State aid rules establish structure and operating principles for the UK GIB, and approve investments on commercial terms across a wide range of green economy sectors, including: (1) Offshore wind, (2) Waste (treatment and recycling and energy from waste), and (3) Non domestic energy efficiency. Other sectors eligible under state aid rules include Biofuels for transport, Biomass power, Carbon capture and storage, Marine energy, and Renewable heat. Vince Cable, head of the UK's Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) commented in BIS' own announcement: “This marks an important step. Funded with £3 billion of Government money and mobilising additional private capital, the UK Green Investment Bank has the potential to make a significant contribution to the development of a green economy. State aid approval gives the Bank the green light to expand investment in the UK’s green infrastructure.” A proposed 49,000 tonne per year food and green waste conversion facility in northeastern London was the first to receive funding from the GIB earlier this year. 10/18/2012

European Commission Proposes to Limit Global Land Conversion for Biofuels

The European Commission (EC) has released notice of a proposal intended to reduce the climate impacts of biofuel production. The proposal also seeks to limit native land conversion on a global basis, the first formal attempt to incorporate estimates of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) when assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the biofuels value chain. Amendments to the current biofuels mandate will include: (1) an increase to 60% of the required reduction in GHG for new installations, (2) mandatory ILUC reporting by suppliers and member states, (3) limit to 5% the amount of food-crop source biofuel used to meet the EC's Renewable Energy Directive mandates of 10% biofuel by 2020, and (4) to provide market incentives for biofuels produced with no or low ILUC / GHG impacts, especially those fuels produced from waste, agricultural residuals and algae. The proposed legislation and voluminous background materials are available on the EC's Climate Action website. Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard: "For biofuels to help us combat climate change, we must use truly sustainable biofuels. We must invest in biofuels that achieve real emission cuts and do not compete with food. We are of course not closing down first generation biofuels, but we are sending a clear signal that future increases in biofuels must come from advanced biofuels. Everything else will be unsustainable." 10/17/2012

RTI International Building Energy Technology Development Facility for Biofuels

North Carolina based RTI International has announced start of construction on a 3,000 square ft energy technology development facility on the firm's Research Triangle Park campus. Once operational, the new plant will house a pyrolytic retort for conversion of about one ton of regionally-sourced biomass into around 60 gallons of pyrolysis oil per day, as a substitute for petroleum based crude oil in existing oil refineries. The facility is designed to support $7.1 million of research sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency and from the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy over the next three years. Structural development should be completed this December; installation of the reactor is planned for February 2013. Dave Dayton, Ph.D., biofuels director in RTI's Center for Energy Technology: “The new facility will allow us to take the next step along the path to commercialization of this technology. If we’re successful, this could be an important new industry for North Carolina. Commercialization of this technology will help the nation meet the Renewable Fuels Standard targets and will support North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership.” RTI's Energy Research division conducts applied research and development for the power, chemical, and petroleum refining industries, as well as for transportation, working with process technology licensors, gas processing companies, oil refiners, chemical manufacturers, clean fuels developers, catalyst manufacturers, and other commercial clients, as well as with the US DOE, Department of Defense, and other government agencies. 10/17/2012

Due 12/03/2012: Midwest Applications for 2013 Clean Energy Challenge

The Clean Energy Trust has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2013 Clean Energy Challenge for researchers, students, and entrepreneurs headquartered in the Midwestern United States. Each year's Challenge consists of two tracks, an Early Stage Challenge for competitors with fully-developed business plans and start-up firms, and a Student Challenge open to the eight-state Midwest region of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. More than $300,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, along with high-value business development and funding mentoring for all finalists in preparation for the Challenge finals on April 4, 2013 in Chicago. The Clean Energy Trust was created to accelerate the development of Midwest clean energy businesses by connecting entrepreneurs, researchers and early stage companies with the expertise and capital needed to become sustainable. The Trust was founded by prominent business and civic leaders to accelerate the pace of clean energy innovation in the Midwest, supported by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, and additional grants and donations from over 50 investors, corporations, universities, foundations and trade groups. The Trust leverages the region’s world-class research institutions, corporations and financial firms to cultivate a clean energy ecosystem, attracting top researchers and entrepreneurs to invigorate the region’s economy. For further information review the Challenge web materials, or contact Amy Francetic () by email or at (847) 899-2225. 10/17/2012

Raízen Group Selects Iogen for Brazilian Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

Canadian cellulosic ethanol developer Iogen Corporation has announced its selection by Brazilian sugarcane ethanol giant Raízen Group as the core technology for a commercial scale cellulosic ethanol production facility, and committed in initial investment to develop a commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in Brazil. Iogen's technologic pathway utilizes enzymatic hydrolysis to fermentation; pre-treated biomass fiber is converted to sugars using enzymes; sugars are subsequently fermented to ethanol; and ethanol is purified to fuel. The Company has been producing cellulosic ethanol at its Ottawa demonstration plant since 2004 where is has manufactured over two million litres. This will be its first commercial endeavor. Raízen Energia S/A is the production company of Raizen Group, a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell and the Brazilian ethanol company Cosan S.A. from April 2011. Raízen produces 2.2 billion liters of ethanol annually, 4 million tons of sugar, and has installed capacity of 900 MW of bioenergy from combustion of sugar cane bagasse. The investment will cover development and engineering costs associated with the front end design of a biomass-to-ethanol facility to be co-located with Raízen's Costa Pinto facility in Piracicaba, São Paulo. Vasco Dias, CEO of Raízen: "We believe Iogen has one of the most robust, well proven, and competitive technologies in the cellulosic ethanol business. This is a first step in our strategy to make cellulosic ethanol in association with sugar cane production operations. We see tremendous potential for this technology in meeting the world's growing demand for cleaner and more sustainable fuels".10/16/2012

Due 12/28/2012: Comments on Scotland's Recyclate Quality Action Plan

The Scottish Government has released a consultation paper on its proposed Recyclate Quality Action Plan and is seeking stakeholder comment by December 28, 2012. The paper sets out a number of actions that the Scottish Government proposes in order to improve the quality of recyclates flowing on to and out of materials recovery facilities (MRFs). The intent is to improve the quality of the materials being collected for recycling and sorted at materials recovery facilities before being exported or sold on to the reprocessing market. A total of fourteen key Actions are proposed that enhance tracking and coordination of materials throughout the recycling infrastructure. The Plan would establish statutory sampling programs for MRFs and initiate UK-wide assessments of waste transfer/bulking stations and MRFs to determine the type and quality of key recyclates, along with multi-agency support for the entire recycling value chain from initial collection through reprocessing and sale of finished recyclate-sourced goods. The effort is a public / private collaboration, led by Zero Waste Scotland, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the United Kingdom's Waste and Resource Action Plan (WRAP). A Respondent Information Form is required to be completed with comments. Responses are to be submitted by email () or by post to Gary Gray, Zero Waste Team, Environmental Quality Division, Scottish Government, Victoria Quay, Leith Docks, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. 10/16/2012

Rayonier Mill Secures PPA with Florida Public Utilities for Biomass Power

Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC has reached a 10-year, 22.5 megawatt electric power purchase agreement (PPA) with Florida Public Utilities Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Biopower will come from Rayonier's Fernandina Mill from recently installed turbine generators. Seven years after investing nearly $30 million in a biomass-fired power boiler at Fernandina, Rayonier installed the new turbine generator at a cost of roughly $25 million. “This project, which makes our Fernandina mill electrically self-sufficient, is the culmination of our renewable energy strategy for the performance fibers business,” said Rayonier chairman, president and CEO Paul Boynton. “Our mill in Jesup, Georgia now generates over 99% of its own power needs, primarily from biomass.” Rayonier is structured as a real estate investment trust, and is a leading international forest products company with three core businesses: Forest Resources, Real Estate, and Performance Fibers. The company owns, leases or manages 2.7 million acres of timber and land in the United States and New Zealand, including about 200,000 acres with residential and commercial development potential along the Interstate 95 corridor between Savannah, Georgia and Daytona Beach, Florida. Around 45 percent of the company's sales are outside the US to customers in approximately 40 countries. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing, electric distribution, propane gas distribution and wholesale marketing, advanced information services and other related services. 10/15/2012

US Forest Service and Montana Hospital Partner on Bioenergy Project

The US Forest Service has announced a partnership with Mineral Community Hospital in Superior, Montana to develop and supply feedstock for a biomass fueled combined heat and power (CHP) project at the hospital. The Forest Service will assist in feedstock supply identification and contracting in order to make use of extensive beetle-killed evergreens in the region. The effort is supported by a $190,000 grant the hospital received from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Products Lab following a February 2012 grant Notice for hazardous fuel removal and woody biomass utilization. The bioenergy development will convert around 180 tons of wood pellets produced at the Eureka Pellet Mill in Superior to CHP, replacing a fuel-oil system installed in 1975, and saving the hospital about $50,000 per year. The annual cost savings will be used to improve patient care at the hospital and clinic. The $450,000 project is also funded in part from a grant from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The Mineral Community Hospital and near-by Clark Valley Hospital in Plains, Montana should serve as cost-effective models for other Montana facilities considering the switch to renewable biomass CHP. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony this past May, Montana Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger said, “The Mineral Community Hospital biomass energy system is an important step in diversifying the energy we consume. Using biomass, a readily available local source of fuel, is cost-effective and keeps money in the local economy.” 10/15/2012

LanzaTech to Convert Petronas' Waste CO2 into Sustainable Chemicals

New Zealand based LanzaTech has announced a development and commercialization agreement with the Malaysian national oil company Petronas to produce sustainable chemicals from emissions-sourced carbon dioxide (CO2) and natural gas. LanzaTech and PETRONAS will work together under the new Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to extend this technology to include carbon dioxide (CO2) containing gases from a variety of sources including refinery off gases and natural gas wells to produce acetic acid, a high value chemical with applications in the polymers and plastics markets. LanzaTech’s proprietary fermentation process converts carbon monoxide (CO) in industrial waste gases, reformed natural gas, and gas derived from any biomass source into low carbon fuels and chemicals.  Together with its subsidiaries and associated companies, PETRONAS, wholly owned by the Malaysian government, has fully integrated operations in a broad spectrum of the petroleum-sourced oil and gas value-chain. The JDA expands the relationship initiated within investments into LanzaTech's Series C funding round that closed in January 2012 by Petronas venture division, Petronas Technology Ventures SdnBhd (PTVSB).  Haida Shenny Hazri, CEO of PTVSB: “We invested in LanzaTech because we saw an opportunity for PETRONAS to benefit from the integration of LanzaTech’s technology in multiple areas of our business. This is a natural extension of LanzaTech’s core gas fermentation technology and it is a natural fit with Petronas’ commitment to achieving a sustainable future for all.” 10/15/2012

India's Tihar Jail Will Convert Organic Waste to Biogas to Run Kitchens, Bakery

The Department of Delhi Prisons accepted bids late last month for the turn-key design, supply, installation, and maintenance of anaerobic digestion (AD) systems (biogas plants) at the Central Jail, located at Tihar Village, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India. The ten-prison, 400 acre complex has an inmate population of over 12,000, about twice its design capacity. An interview-based report in the Hindustani Times provides greater detail about the proposed project. Tihar has been sending four trash trucks a day to haul off the Tihar prison's organic waste for disposal, waste that now is being seen as a resource rather than a liability. The prison authority has reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to develop two biogas plants that will produce biogas to heat and power the prison bakery and kitchens, and substantially off-set Tihar’s monthly combined bills for fuel and waste-disposal of about R3 lakh (about $5,680 per month). The digester feedstock will include wood waste produced in the jail’s carpentry and other workshops, kitchen waste, paper pulp, and discarded clothes and blankets. If successful, the Department may install digesters at eight more prison locations. Tihar's spokesperson Sunil Gupta: “The project to set up two biogas plants with the help of BARC has been sent to the Delhi government for approval. The gas plants will lead to a better waste management system and contribute to an environment-friendly environment. It was BARC officials who had approached us a few months ago, saying the substantial amount of biodegradable waste produced here can be recycled to produce energy with their technology and expertise.” 10/14/2012

UCS Reports 680MM Tons of Biomass Can Be Available Annually in US by 2030

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has announced the release of a short report called The Promise of Biomass, assessing the type and availability of biomass by 2030 for use as fuel for conversion to energy, fuels and other commodities. The study considers biomass sourced from agricultural residues, grown as dedicated energy crops, gleaned from urban waste streams, and collected as by-products of forest harvesting and restoration efforts. UCS found that "… biomass resources totaling just under 680 million tons could be made available, in a sustainable manner, each year within the United States by 2030. This is enough biomass to produce more than 54 billion gallons of ethanol by 2030 (four times as much corn ethanol as the United States produced in 2010) or 732 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity (19 percent of total U.S. power consumption in 2010)." Regarding the conversion of urban sourced feedstock: "Waste resources are smaller in scale compared with agricultural resides and energy crops, but they may be among the first biomass resources to be used for bioenergy production, as in many cases there is already an existing infrastructure to collect them, and they can be made available at a low cost." Combining tonnages of available manure with organics from household garbage, vegetative waste (lawn clippings and tree trimmings), and construction and demolition debris, The UCS's map of Potential Biomass Resources from Waste Materials in the United States clearly shows the highest concentrations are present in and around southern California. 10/14/2012

Global Bioenergies Develops Production Pathway for Bio-Sourced Propylene

French-based bio-products company Global Bioenergies has announced success in developing a metabolic pathway for direct conversion of biomass to propylene, a foundation chemical previously sourced strictly from petroleum. The company expanded on its previous success in producing isobutene, engineering microbes to consume biomass and exude the light olefin isobutene, relying on the "heterologous expression of optimized enzymes in the microbial host." The company's website explanation of the science notes that there are, "… no bio-processes using micro-organisms in place for the production of the major petrochemically derived molecules, the light olefins (ethylene, propylene, isobutene, n-butene, butadiene), since no micro-organisms are known to be natural producers of olefins even in small quantities." Since there are no known natural pathways leading to propylene in microorganisms, creating a process for the direct bio-production of propylene required the design of an artificial metabolic pathway based on previously unknown enzymatic reactions and on novel metabolic intermediates. Philippe Marlière, co-founder and president of Global Bioenergies’ Scientific Advisory Board said: "Designing such an artificial metabolic pathway and experimentally identifying an enzyme candidate for each of the segments represented one of the main scientific and technological challenges in industrial biology." Engineering more active enzymes and implementing these into microbial strains will occur over the next years and should lead to a process prototype, which will remain to be industrialized. 10/14/2012

Scottish £103MM Renewable Energy Investment Fund Opens for Business

Scotland's economic development agency Scottish Enterprise has announced that the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) has launched the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF). The new £103 million fund is designed to complement existing public and private sector financing available in Scotland by providing loans, equity investments, and guarantees for three categories of projects that: (1) Accelerate the growth of the marine renewable energy sector in Scotland; (2) Increase community ownership of renewable energy projects; and/or (3) Provide for district heating networks driven by heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar thermal panels, or other forms of renewable energy. The REIF is focused on renewables sector projects that have demonstrable funding gaps. The REIF will provide community renewable energy projects with access to loan and equity finance post planning to help communities reach financial closure and maximize their contribution in community led renewable energy projects, or to support community investment in larger scale commercial renewable projects. The majority of the investment opportunities are expected to arise from community led renewable projects between £1 million and £3 million with a gap funding of about 10-20 percent ('Community Led Deals') to be filled by REIF. Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, Lena Wilson said: “Scotland is continuing to push ahead in its transition to a low carbon economy, however, increasing access to finance to help expedite commercialisation of marine arrays and encourage more community owned and district heating projects is fundamental in our overall ambition to meet the target of 100 percent electricity from renewables sources by 2020.” 10/12/2012

Fibria and Ensyn Form JV for Cellulosic Biobased Fuels and Chemicals in Brazil

Canada's pyrolysis specialist Ensyn has announced a strategic alliance that includes formation of a 50-50 joint venture with Brazilian forest products company Fibria Celulose SA; Fibria will invest $20 million in Ensyn as part of the agreement. Fibria's presentation to its stockholders earlier this month emphasized the strategic benefits of both partnering with and investing in Ensyn, a move that brings access to Ensyn's patented and commercially proven Rapid Thermal Processing^TM (RTP) technology for conversion of biomass to pyrolytic oil as well as Ensyn's partnership with UPO/Honeywell for further product refining. Ensyn’s key product, Renewable Fuel Oil™ (“RFO”), is a multi-purpose petroleum replacement fuel with uses including heating, conversion to transportation fuels and power generation in diesel engines. The agreement also provides Fibria a level of exclusivity for future Brazilian operations and a seat on Ensyn's Board. Ensyn meanwhile benefits from Fibria's one million hectare forestland base for cellulose supply and the logistical and marketing expertise of the world's leading fiber production company. The transaction is set to close by the end of October. From Fibria's statement to its investors, "This partnership with Ensyn goes along with our mission to leverage both our expertise in growing fiber and our market position to develop value-added alternatives that complement our global leadership and excellence in pulp production. We believe that Ensyn and its technology platform, together with FIBRIA’s capabilities, might allow for the generation of a powerful biofuels growth business over the coming years." 10/11/2012

OriginOil Granted Australian Patent for Algae Harvesting Technology

California based OriginOil has announced approval of a 20-year international Patent #2010239380 from the Australian patent office for its algae harvesting technology. The patent is for “Systems, apparatus and methods of obtaining intracellular products and cellular mass and debris from algae and derivative products and process of use thereof.” In addition to publication of the patent in the United States, it has also been published in the European Union and in Japan. The Japanese patent publication is well timed: OriginOil's Japanese partner RITB was just funded to begin trials in Japan associated with use of algae to remediate contaminants from the Fukushima disaster. OriginOil’s first customer, MBD Energy, piloted OriginOil’s Single Step Extraction™ algae harvesting systems in Australia. The Company has also selected Melbourne-based Frontline Engineering Australia as its Certified Support Partner to help algae producers and integrators install, engineer and operate OriginOil systems in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The patent description details how OriginOil's "Algae Appliance^TM" harvesting technology extracts a variety of products from the algal biomass. The company's development of the "mid-stream" element of the algae-to-oil processing train addresses one of the most persistent challenges in commercial algal production, that of cost-effective, thorough removal of the valuable products from micro-algae. Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil’s CEO: “Our value as a technology company increases with each patent that we file, and then with each patent that is granted. As a global technology company, patents in foreign territories are critical to secure our international reach and our position as a leader in the algae industry.” 10/11/2012

Dynamic Energy Pursues License for Pyrolytic Oil Side-Product Technology

Dynamic Energy Alliance Corporation (DEAC) has announced its subsidiary Dynamic Energy IP, LLC has entered into an agreement in principle to acquire an exclusive license from the firm Terpen Kraftig LLC (TKF), contingent upon DEAC's ability to raise the required capital. DEAC is developing a "Pyro-Black Energy Campus" tire reprocessing facility in Ennis, Texas utilizing pyrolysis and catalysis systems licensed from R.F.B. to extract and recover key products from waste tires including carbon black, pyrolytic oils, metals and gaseous fuels. When integrated with the thermal and catalytic stages, the TKF process allows separation and refinement of up to 20 individual components at purity levels that are in high demand. DEAC's adaptation of the process would consist of a series of unit operations functioning at a narrow range of temperatures, pressures, and volumes. Charles R. Cronin, Jr., DEAC's Chairman: "We believe these combined processes have the potential to produce more energy than the sum of the energy used to make the original tire plus the energy expended to recover the products. The additional value will be validated by a lifecycle analysis, and we expect to publish an impact analysis in the near future. We also believe the combination of technologies could have the potential to provide our Company with a breakthrough in the economics of waste tire processing. These technologies may have the ability to transform the waste tire industry from a landfill or rubber products business into a specialty chemical business with revenue potentials exceeding what typically has been generated from tire recycling products." 10/11/2012

European Retailers Pledge Greater Food Waste Prevention Actions

At this week's Retail Forum in Brussels, the European Commission (EC)  reported that its Environmental Commissioner Janez Potočnik reinforced the EC's directive to cut food waste disposal in half by 2020 and called on retailers to "spearhead the creation of the green economy by taking progressive actions that go beyond the easy pickings." On 3rd March 2009, the EC and the European retail sector launched the Retail Forum as part of their drive to promote more environmentally sustainable consumption patterns, responding to the 2008 EU Action Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industry Policy.. This week's Forum also involved producers, consumers, and environment groups. Membership is open to all retailers who join the Retailers' Environmental Action Programme (REAP) and also to civil society organizations. It was set up to facilitate dialogue between the EC, retailers, and key stakeholders to generate a better understanding of the practical measures needed to promote sustainable consumption. Retailers in the Forum pledge to carry out specific environmental actions to contribute to sustainable consumption and resource efficiency. The number of environmental commitments has increased by 30% in one year to over 500, made in 3 categories (“what we sell”, “how we sell” and “communication”). In conjunction with the event, the Forum released a Waste Minimization issue paper that provides a concise review of European Union policies and regulations driving the trend from disposal to recovery, while the EC concurrently released an official Memo for the Forum summarizing the need for EU industry to increase competitiveness and "seize opportunities in globalization" founded on its leading position on "innovation activities and investments in clean and more energy-efficient technologies and products and services." 10/11/2012

GWE Biogas Wins Chamber Bridlington and Yorkshire Coast Business Awards

The Chamber Bridlington and Yorkshire Coast (CBYC) Business Awards have been announced for 2012, and GWE Biogas Ltd of East Yorkshire, United Kingdom, has taken the top awards as both the Overall Business of the Year and the Green Business of the Year. GWE is a privately owned company formed in early 2008 with the aim of developing a farm based anaerobic digestion plant designed to process food waste. In 2009, the company successfully bid for funding from the Environmental Transformation Fund (administered by Defra and DECC) to help demonstrate the benefits of anaerobic digestion specifically: (1) Maximising the cost effective production of biogas; (2) Maximising the environmental benefits from the use of anaerobic digestion and its products; and (3) Maximising the potential of anaerobic digestion to reduce the carbon footprint of the food supply chain. GWE utilizes advanced de-packaging equipment designed by Bellmer Kufferath Machinery to strip feedstock from wrappers and reduce it to a fermentable slurry. GWE has been successfully operating a food waste de-packaging and anaerobic digestion facility in Driffield, East Yorkshire since early 2011. The annual CBYC awards ceremony has been hosted by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce since 2006. The aim of the Awards is to showcase business excellence in East Yorkshire, Hull, and the Yorkshire Coast. 10/11/2012

CEC Announces Proposed AB 118 Round 2 Biofuels Awards for 2012

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced selection of Round 2 awardees from the January 2012 Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program Grant Solicitation (PON-11-601). The purpose of the grants is to support development of Biofuels Production Facilities for production of low carbon transportation fuels. The solicitation was secured by up to $37.69 million in funds allocated by AB 118; the CEC had the option to increase available funds by an additional $30 million. The solicitation provided opportunities for Early, Pilot/Demonstration, and Commercial stage technologies and projects, and identified production of transportation fuels in categories of Diesel Substitutes, Gasoline Substitutes and Biomethane. Round 1 awards were initially recommended for approval on March 23, 2012. All funding recommendations are subject to certified completion by applicants of all documents required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by March 15, 2013. Inability to successfully complete CEQA may result in cancellation of an award and use of those funds for the next highest scoring applicant. Funds totaling over $8.6MM have been ear-marked for Round 2 Diesel Substitute awardees Buster Biofuels LLC ($2.6MM) and Eslinger Biodiesel, Inc. ($6MM). Gasoline Substitute awardees will share $9.7MM, for Mendota Bioenergy LLC. ($5MM) and ZeaChem Inc. In the Biomethane category, $8.6MM is set aside for Tulare Compost and Biomass Inc. ($4.8MM), Environ Strategy Consultants ($1.2MM), and Blue Line Transfer Inc. ($2.6MM) for its biogenic CNG facility development. Questions should be addressed to Kevyn Piper, CEC Grants and Loan Officer at (916) 654-4845. 10/10/2012

BASF and CSM Form Joint Venture for Bio-Sourced Succinic Acid

Two international giants, "The Chemical Company" BASF and multi-sector CSM, have announced that they have established a joint venture for production and sale of bio-sourced succinic acid. BASF and CSM's subsidiary Purac will form the 50/50 partnership "Succinicity GmbH" that will be headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. BASF and CSM have been conducting research on succinic acid under a joint development agreement since 2009. Production will be based on use of the natural bacterium Basfia succiniciproducens, which produces succinic acid and is capable of metabolizing a variety of low-value agricultural residues and other renewable feedstocks while also sequestering the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions. An increasing global demand for bioplastics and bio-sourced chemical intermediaries will result in the need for significantly more bio-succinic acid. BASF and CSM are currently modifying an existing fermentation facility at Purac’s Montmélo site near Barcelona, Spain, scheduled to commence operations in late 2013 with an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons of succinic acid. This complements plans for a second large-scale facility with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons of succinic acid, following successful market introduction. “Our strategy clearly focuses on innovations for a sustainable future. Chemistry-driven innovations are the responses to megatrends, such as the shift to renewable raw materials. The development of a succinic acid production process based on fermentation in cooperation with Purac is a good example of this strategy being put into practice,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Research Executive Director of BASF. 10/10/2012

World Energy Forum Selects Vietnam Biogas Program for Humanitarian Award

The World Energy Forum 2012 has announced awardees in the categories of Policy, Technology Innovation, Humanitarian, Best Practice, Environmental, and Woman in Energy; awards are to be presented on the opening day of its Forum on October 22-24, 2012 in Dubai. The Humanitarian Award goes to the Biogas Project Division (BPD) of the Government of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The BPD launched the "Biogas Program for the Animal Husbandry Sector" in 2003 in partnership with the philanthropic SNV Netherlands organization. Since initiation, the program has built over 140,000 biogas digesters, providing access to clean, sustainable and safe energy, and education on sustainability and renewable energy concepts. Vietnam's Biogas Program Division estimates that by the end of 2012, around 164,000 biogas plants will have been installed in 58 of the country's 64 provinces, using the KT model family scale bio-digester that encompasses gas storage inside the digester volume, primarily using a fixed cover design. The Vietnam efforts are part of SNV's broader biogas development work in Asia and Africa; the organization released program data in September indicating a total of over 46,000 digesters installed just in the first half of this year. 10/10/2012

Global Methane Initiative Releases Landfill Gas Best Practices Guide

The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) has released the International Best Practices Guide for Landfill Gas Energy Projects, providing a broad overview of the development process for landfill gas energy projects (LFGE) projects and presenting the technological, economic, and political considerations that typically affect the success of LFGE projects in international settings. The guide presents best practices that encourage environmentally and economically sound LFGE projects and connects stakeholders with available information, tools and services. It is intended for representatives of national, regional, and local governments; landfill owners; energy service providers; corporations, and industries; and representatives of not-for-profit organizations. The GMI is a voluntary, multilateral partnership that aims to reduce global methane emissions and to advance the abatement, recovery and use of methane as a valuable clean energy source. The GMI achieves this by creating an international network of partner governments, private sector members, development banks, universities, and non-governmental organizations in order to build capacity, develop strategies and markets, and remove barriers to project development for methane reduction in Partner Countries. The new GMI guide complements the organization's International Landfill Database, also a voluntary data repository that can be used to identify landfills suitable for gas-to-energy projects, and follows on earlier development and release of a variety of country-specific landfill gas modeling tools and index of landfill gas resources. Launched in 2004, the GMI is the only international effort to specifically target methane abatement, recovery, and use by focusing on the five main methane emission sources: agriculture, coal mines, municipal solid waste, oil and gas systems, and wastewater. 10/10/2012

Genesis Biofuel and Abundant Energy Solutions Enter into Joint Venture

Colorado based Genesis Biofuel, Inc has announced formation of a joint venture with the company Abundant Energy Solutions (AES), an affiliate of Colorado Energy Research Technologies (CERT). The joint venture's first objective will be to complete a combined technology Demonstration Laboratory within the next 90 days to be located in AES’s Research facility in Englewood, Colorado. The next step will be to start construction of a Pilot Facility at a cement plant location to begin first quarter 2013. Genesis is focused on integrating its algae to biofuels production systems with cement manufacturing facilities to utilize the carbon dioxide laden industrial emissions, at once providing pollution control and conversion to commodity fuels and residual beneficial biomass. In the Genesis technology platform, Algae are grown in photo bioreactors (PBR), large clear tubes linked together that contain water and a specific strain of algae. A CO2 delivery system is attached to the tubes delivering CO2 from the cement plant. From the PBRs, the algal mass is centrifuged for water reduction and ultrasound is used to separate the oils from the solid to yield “green crude” which will be further refined to make biodiesel, and residual biomass that can be used as fuel at the cement plant, substantially reducing the plant's coal intake. AES is a research company whose purpose is to develop innovative scientific solutions and technologies to solve challenges related to energy production, distribution and utilization in all forms. Dr. Joe Nieusma, CEO of AES and Senior Toxicologist for the company Affygility Solutions: “AES is excited to partner with Genesis Biofuels on this project for a number of reasons. Our two companies are poised to advance algae to biofuel conversion as well as utilization of the resultant algae biomass as a feedstock for downstream cellulosic ethanol production. Proprietary technology in multiple steps of these processes will combine linearly to create very favorable results for the cement company, Genesis, AES and the green energy economy. Algae is the future of biofuel as both oil and cellulosic ethanol. Genesis Biofuel and AES are very well positioned to bring this technology to the world.” 10/10/2012

Enval Selects Alconbury for Location of First Laminate Reprocessing Plant

Recycling technology developer Enval Ltd has announced selection of the Alconbury Enterprise Zone about 50 miles north of London as the site for the company's first commercial plastic-aluminum laminate reprocessing facility. Enval's proprietary process uses microwave-induced pyrolysis (heating without oxygen) to vaporize and recover plastics while leaving contaminant free aluminum. The plastics recovered can then be converted to usable oils and gases. The methodology was developed in research conducted over a decade at Cambridge University, and demonstrated at Enval's operating pilot plant in Luton, mid-way between London and the new Alconbury site. Enval successfully concluded a major funding round earlier this year, and backers now include Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Capital Group, Cambridge Angels, Nestlé, the Kraft Foods Group, and Mondelez International. The new continuous-processing facility is the first to locate within the Alconbury Enterprise Zone. The facility will be used to showcase this process and will become a center for advanced resource recovery technologies. “Enval is delighted to be locating our first commercial scale plant at the Enterprise Zone at Alconbury” said David Boorman, Enval’s Business Development Director. “We know of many companies within the resource recycling sector that have found the planning process difficult to navigate. Enval’s experience, with the support and expertise offered by our local authority partners and the Enterprise Zone itself, has been an extremely positive one.” 10/08/2012

Base Structures Posts "Talking Head" Interview with Clearfleau Director

Headquartered in Bristol, Base Structures Ltd has now posted the second in a series of "Talking Head" interviews with key anaerobic digestion (AD) companies in Europe and New Zealand, this time with Richard Gueterbock, communications director of Clearfleau Ltd. Clearfleau designs, builds and operates on-site high-rate AD systems that facilitate the generation of renewable energy from liquid bio-waste in the brewing and drinks, dairy processing, food manufacturing, bio-fuels and other industrial sectors. Gueterbock sees stand-alone merchant-plant AD development soon approaching over-capacity with AD plants competing for feedstock, but believes that on-farm AD can "completely transform the farm" while still generating sufficient energy for sale to the regional grid. The third sector is industrial AD, where waste conversion and energy generation are integrated with the production process; this is where Clearfleu concentrates its efforts. Last week, Base Structures published its interview with Methanogen, with whom the company has collaborated in development of micro-AD systems. Base Structures builds triple membrane modular biogas storage vessels that act as a flexible 'lung" for storage and moderation of biogas flows from anaerobic digestion systems. Jon Morris, Director of Base Structures, says of the interviews: "Biogas Storage is certainly not glamorous, nor is it particularly profitable, (yet). But it is undoubtedly interesting." 10/08/2012

Dixon Ridge Farms Receives EPA's 2012 Sustainable Ag Champion Award

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has presented Dixon Ridge Farms founder Russ Lester with the Pacific Southwest Region’s (Region 9) 2012 Sustainable Agricultural Champion Award. EPA notes that Dixon Ridge Farms has emerged as a leader in sustainable farming for California’s agricultural industry, producing energy through a biogas-powered generator that is fed from the farm’s waste walnut shells to partially off-set about $40,000 of the farm’s electricity and another $12,000 of its propane needs. This is the first on-farm use of Community Power Corporation's BioMax 50, a 50kW biogas powered generator that converts walnut shells into heat and power. Additional BioMax modules, production of synthetic diesel from the BioMax syngas and the use of non-edible walnut oil for energy production are also planned. The EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitments and significant contributions to protecting the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Groups and individuals were selected from nominees received this year from businesses, government officials, tribes, media, academia, environmental organizations and community activists.  Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumenfield: “EPA applauds Dixon Ridge Farms for its many sustainable practices that protect the quality of our air, water and land. This farm exemplifies organic and agricultural self-sufficiency, and promotes that potential to the farming community at large.” 10/08/2012

Due 11/01/2012: Applications for UBC Future Forests Doctoral Fellowship

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has announced start of acceptance of applications for up to a four-year doctoral fellowship offering $60,000 annually under its Future Forests Fellowship program. Forest products biotechnology / bioenergy research is listed among the eligible areas of focus. The fellowship is intended to cover all expenses incurred in the preparation and conduct of the research project, including tuition, living expenses, and travel related to the studies. Applicants must intend to pursue full time doctoral studies beginning May 2013, Sept 2013, or Jan 2014 at the Faculty of Forestry at UBC. The fellowship holder is expected to complete their comprehensive exam within 24 months of starting their PhD program. By the 3rd year of study it is expected that the student will have made an original contribution to the field, demonstrated by activities such as authoring articles in professional journals and/or presentations at conferences. A 4th year will be funded if required. Eligibility requirements, necessary documentation, and application forms are available on-line. UBC's focus on biomass and energy is renowned; earlier this month, the University inaugurated a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant utilizing Nexterra's gasification systems, GE Jenbacher engines, and UBC-developed biogas conditioning systems. Questions and submittals should be addressed to Dan Naidu, Coordinator of Graduate Awards & Scholarships () or (604) 822-6177. 10/08/2012

CEC Plans New RPS Guidelines for Biomethane Projects to Implement AB 2196

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released a notice regarding implementation of Assembly Bill 2196 (AB2196 Chesbro, Chapter 605, Stats. 2012) by revising its Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program guidelines pertaining to electricity generation facilities using biomethane. Following recognition this past March by the CEC of difficulties in certification of RPS eligibility of biomethane utilization, the agency suspended eligibility certification for biomethane projects. AB 2196, approved by the Governor on September 27, 2012, directs the CEC to establish new RPS guidelines for biomethane to pipeline project eligibility with improved procurement and delivery tracking and verification. AB 2196 defines “biomethane” as landfill gas or digester gas, and grandfathers the procurement of electricity from generating facilities with earlier contracts with certain additional project initiation timing and registration requirements. For new projects after March 29, 2012, broader requirements are to be applied, among which is the need to prove direct socio-environmental benefit to California. To implement AB 2196, CEC staff will propose draft eligibility requirements and a system for tracking and verifying the use of biomethane in a Staff Draft RPS Eligibility Guidebook, 7th Edition, which staff expects to release in December 2012. The suspension is expected to be lifted in conjunction with the revised guidelines. To help develop these proposals, staff intends to release a concept paper next month to solicit public input. Staff may conduct a webinar or focused meeting to receive input on the concept paper from stakeholders, and solicit public comment at that time. 10/07/2012

Cambi Process Selected for Biosolids Pre-Treatment at Netherlands WWTP

Norway's organic waste conversion specialist Cambi AS has announced that its Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) has been selected to pre-treat about 29,000 dry tonnes of sewage sludge per year by Heijmans, contractor for the project “Energiefabriek Tilburg” in the Netherlands. The Tillburg regional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) receives biosolids from several WWTPs in the southern part of the Netherlands operated by Waterschap De Dommel. Cambi will supply a 3 reactor B12 THP system to the “Energiefabriek Tilburg” project, which will maximize the energy production from sludge and ensure efficient treatment of side stream liquors. The project involves pre-treatment of all sludge by thermal hydrolysis with Cambi THP to allow for high-rate digestion and high conversion of organics. In addition, the Cambi THP will ensure optimized dewatering and reduced cake volumes. The project will produce all required electricity for the Tilburg WWTP and in addition, produce a large surplus of biogas that will be upgraded and injected into the gas grid. Overall, the new project will cover more than 50% of all energy needs of Waterschap De Dommel. Cambi maintains many global offices including in the US; in July 2011, Cambi entered into contract for installation of a four-train THP installation at the Blue Plains advanced WWTP in Washington, D.C. Cambi is now exploring conversion of both wet and dry biomass to energy and fertilizer with numerous universities and research institutes in Europe and the US, based on the company's experience with steam explosion of biomass for glucose production. 10/07/2012

Cyclone Power Signs $2.5MM Stock Purchase Agreement for Equity Financing

Florida based Cyclone Power has announced a purchase agreement for up to $2.5 million of common stock to Global Emerging Markets (GEM) under the financier's Global Yield Fund Ltd. (GGFY). GGYF is a $3.4 billion investment fund based in New York, London and Los Angeles. Proceeds from the financing, which will be provided by GGYF over the following 24 months, will be used for technology development and general working capital. Christopher Nelson, President of Cyclone, commented: “We’re thrilled to have GGYF increase tenfold their commitment to Cyclone over the next two years. We will use these funds strategically for development and growth, while being extremely mindful of shareholder value. We believe that this relationship is key to the long-term success of Cyclone.” The Cyclone Engine is a Rankine Cycle "heat regenerative external combustion engine" developed by Cyclone's founder and CEO Harry Schoell, also known as the Schoell Cycle. The engine can use any concentrated source of heat drive from virtually any fuel, including biodiesel, syngas or solar. The Cyclone Engine was recognized by Popular Science Magazine as the Invention of the Year for 2008, and was presented with two Society of Automotive Engineers’ AEI Tech Awards. The company has been actively pursuing strategic alliances, and in March of this year entered a teaming agreement with Pennsylvania based biomass gasification company Enginuity Energy LLC. 10/07/2012

APL Schedules Gasification Experimenters Fall Workshop Weekend

All Power Labs (APL) of Berkeley, California has announced a fall hands-on Gasification Experimenters Kit (GEK) workshop and training session for November 2nd through the 5th in the company's Berkeley, California facilities. Staff will offer operating demonstrations of the GEK and the 10 to 20 kilowatts electric generation capacity Power Pallet automated gasification systems. The computerized, automated controls of the GEK can be also be used to run the BEK, or Biochar Experimenters Kit. APL started the GEK project as an open source project in 2008, providing free computer assisted design (CAD) plans as well as various levels of Do It Yourself (DYI) thermal conversion instruction and kit packages in support of research, education and collaborative processing development. This continuing experimentation has resulted in shipment and installation of an 80 kilowatt containerized PowerTainer package to the University of Minnesota this past June and launch of the Authorized Representative (AR) program in July. Parties interested in becoming an AR are encouraged to attend the entire four-day workshop, with the final Monday dedicated to the rapidly expanding AR program. The workshop is free to current owners of APL systems; varied rates apply to others wishing to attend. Advanced registration is required. 10/06/2012

Carbon Cultures Will Host BioChar Tech Showcase and Field Demonstration

University of Washington spin-off company Carbon Cultures has joined with the Forestry Action Committee and a local community group, the Illinois Valley Forest Practices Committee to present a BioChar Technology Showcase in southern Oregon. The will explain and demonstrate a low-tech, low-cost production method for converting forest logging and restoration residuals or "slash", into valuable biochar. Carbon Cultures was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to commercialize a novel technology consists of a heat-resistant cover that can be constructed in-place over a slash pile to form a biochar-baking kiln. Biochar is made by thermal degradation of biomass in the absence of oxygen. The mobile kiln controls the airflow to the burning slash pile, allowing limited air for some combustion to provide heat for baking, while excluding enough air to promote the formation of charcoal. In pilot studies on half-ton slash piles, the cover converted wood waste into biochar with 20-30 percent efficiency. The showcase currently offers four identical program days, with morning overviews followed by afternoon demonstration, on November 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2012. The Illinois Valley community group is working with the US Forest Service to improve forest practices along the Illinois River, a tributary of the Rogue River; the Showcase starts each day in Kerby, Oregon, southwest of Grants Pass. The event is free (small charge for lunch); on-line pre-registration is encouraged. If the fire season does not allow for a burn demonstration, the dates will be moved to the November 27th to 30th.  If you are pre-registered, you will be notified by e-mail of any changes.10/06/2012

Due 11/13/2012: 2012 Renewable Energy Proposals to Portland General Electric

Northwest regional investor owned utility Portland General Electric (PGE) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 101 megawatts electric (MWe) of renewable energy. Projects must be "utility scale" of at least 10 MWe and meet the eligibility requirements of Oregon’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”), as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Section 469A. Acceptable bids for renewable resources include power purchase agreements (PPA), as well as a range of ownership structures, including sales of existing assets, acquisition of project development or natural resource rights and options, and build-own-transfer agreements. Proposals will be considered for projects including but not restricted to Biomass, Wind, Geothermal and Solar and should come on line between 2013 and 2017.  All proposals are due by November 13, 2012; PGE expects to announce final "short-list" selections and begin contract negotiations in February 2013. Interested parties need to register on-line to submit bids and questions; all information and communications including questions and submissions are to be through the Accion Group, PGE's independent evaluator, and all documentation is available from Accion's PGE RFP Homepage web page under the "2012 Renewables RFP" link. 10/06/2012

USFS Pursues Transparency with Four Forest Restoration Initiative Update

The US Forest Service (USFS) Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) has provided a thorough update of its activities associated with forest health and fire risk reduction programs across eastern Arizona national forest lands. The USFS has posted all relevant planning and environmental documents, including the recently completed specialist reports and most chapters of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), to its website and has provided an on-line form for public comments. The program coordinates efforts on the Kaibab, Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Tonto National Forests, drawing together a diverse group of stakeholders to work collaboratively in planning and implementing landscape-scale restoration of ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona. The 4FRI is one of 23 federally funded Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) programs currently operating in this transition period, as the newly promulgated Forest Planning Rule begins implementation. The 4FRI was also selected by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as a NEPA pilot program to consider modernization methods and approaches. In May, the Forest Service selected the Montana-based timber and sawmill operations company Pioneer Forest Products to perform restoration treatments on around 300,000 acres over a 10-year period, one of the largest contracts of its kind ever authorized by the agency. Pioneer plans to break ground in Winslow, Arizona in January 2013 for construction of the sawmill. In August, Pioneer announced a partnership with biomass-to-liquid fuels specialist Concord Blue USA to utilize woody residues not of sufficient size or quality for the mill's small-log capabilities. 10/04/2012

TMO Renewables Signs LOI for 25-yr Feedstock Supply with Brazilian Sugar Mill

The United Kingdom's (UK) biomass pre-treatment firm TMO Renewables Ltd has announced that the company signed a Letter of Interest (LOI) for a 25-year cellulosic feedstock supply agreement with Usina Santa Maria Cerquilho (USMC) in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Last month, UK Prime Minister David Cameron led a trade delegation to Brazil, and endorsed TMO's expertise in converting waste materials to second generation ethanol. USMC is an associate of Copasucar, the largest Brazilian integrated production sugar and ethanol operation. The feedstock supply agreement provides for 400,000 tonnes per year of bagasse to support a 10 million litre per year second generation ethanol biorefinery to be built alongside USMC's Sugar Mill. The biorefinery will be built as a joint venture between TMO and USMC. This agreement follows on TMO’s success in signing an MOU in China last month for an exclusive 20-year feedstock supply agreement to support a number of second generation ethanol refineries to be built in China. In 2010, TMO signed an exclusive agreement with Fiberight for use of its technology in the United States. TMO's proprietary Argonaut Process pre-treats feedstock with steam to increase surface area, then with enzymes to release sugars. TMO also can provide a proprietary microbe to ferment this slurry into a 'beer' that is distilled to produce the end product, bioethanol. David Weaver, TMO’s CEO: “It was a pleasure to work with the Prime Minister and his team and benefit from their support. We had a positive interaction that opened doors for us and are delighted that our strategic aim of entering our two principal target markets of China and Brazil is coming to fruition. TMO is well on the way to developing its leading second generation ethanol technology in overseas markets, which will lead to rapid growth in the company and more jobs in UK technology.” 10/04/2012

LanzaTech Secures $15MM in Debt Financing from Western Tech Investment

New Zealand-based LanzaTech has announced closing an additional $15 million in debt financing from Western Technology Investment (WTI), a private investment firm based in Portola Valley, California. Earlier this year, LanzaTech closed a $55.8M Series C funding round. This recent funding brings the total capital raised to date to more than $100 million. The LanzaTech Process microbially converts carbon monoxide in industrial emissions or synthetic gas (syngas) into fuels and chemicals. Carbon monoxide is a high-energy gas that is used by LanzaTech’s proprietary microbes as their only source of carbon and energy for growth and product synthesis. LanzaTech has primarily focused on two resources for carbon monoxide-containing gases; Industrial waste gases and biomass syngas. LanzaTech was recently named “World Economic Forum Technology Partner 2013” Founded in 1980, WTI has provided more than $3 billion of debt and equity capital to technology and life science companies ranging from early-stage private companies to publicly-traded companies, including Facebook, Google and Juniper Networks. Their investments range from $250k to $30M and are structured as fully usable, unrestricted growth capital. David Wanek of WTI: “LanzaTech’s team have developed an innovative approach to carbon capture and reuse that is already operating at scale. Their unique technology has the potential to have a real and significant impact on the global fuels and chemicals markets. WTI is excited to be joining LanzaTech on their journey to commercialization and we look forward to great things from them." 10/04/2012

CPUC Hosts Thought Leaders Presentation on Green Economy Partnerships

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has announced the next presentation in the Thought Leaders Speaker Series addressing the benefits and challenges of establishing Strategic Public / Private Partnerships focused on developing the green economy in California. "Green Economy Partnerships is scheduled for October 26, 2012 in the CPUC Auditorium in San Francisco. As an increasing amount of California's energy development now depends on on-site, distributed power development, ever greater stakeholder engagement in the overall energy generation process is needed. Green Economy Partnerships will highlight partnerships between multiple stakeholders such as utilities, government, industry, labor, educators, and investors who are aimed at leveraging limited resources and removing barriers in an effort to drive sustainable economic, environmental, and societal benefits. The concept of Green Economy Partnerships is a theme also embraced by the United Nations Environmental Programme's Green Economy Initiative with establishment of the Green Economy Coalition. California's Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom will provide the keynote at this CUPC event; Speakers include Nancy Pfund, Managing Partner, DBL Investors; Doug Avery, CALCTP Manager, Southern California Edison and Tim Rainey, Executive Director, California Workforce Investment Board. Visit the CPUC Thought Leaders web portal to register for this event (not required, but appreciated) and for more information, including archived video webcasts of prior events. 10/03/2012

ElectraTherm Awarded Phase II and III of DOE Geothermal Grant

Nevada based ElectraTherm has received award of Phase II and III of its Department of Energy (DOE) grant to accelerate development of its low-temperature waste heat to power technology following successful completion of Phase I. ElectraTherm combines traditional organic rankine cycle (ORC) components with patented twin screw expander technology in its Green Machine to generate emissions free, fuel free electricity from low-grade waste heat. ElectraTherm was awarded Phase I of the $982,000 grant from the DOE in 2010 to research and develop an optimized solution for power generation using geothermal and co-produced fluid. Following successful research and development (R&D), the DOE awarded Phases II and III to manufacture and commission a newly developed Green Machine with a cleanable heat exchanger, an increased power output of 75kWe and a fully-containerized solution for ease of transportation and installation. The unit has been built and is currently undergoing testing at ElectraTherm. It will be installed at Florida Canyon Mine in the coming months. John Fox, CEO of ElectraTherm: “Low temperature geothermal brine is considered a nuisance in mining, and oil & gas operations today. ElectraTherm’s Green Machine can tap into those existing resources to produce fuel-free, emission-free power. In Phases II and III of the DOE opportunity, ElectraTherm will commission a Green Machine customized for geothermal applications, designed in a shipping container for optimal plug-and-play installation. An increased power output of 75kWe ensures maximum utilization of the geothermal resource available at Florida Canyon.” 10/03/2012

Tembec Inaugurates Mill Waste Effluent to Biogas Plant at Quebec Pulp Mill

Montreal based Tembec, an integrated manufacturer of forest products (lumber, pulp, paper and specialty cellulose), has announced official inauguration of a new anaerobic digestion facility at its Matane, Quebec high-volume pulp mill. The plant will convert mill effluent to biogas, which will be used in the mill's pulp-drying operations in place of petroleum oils now used. I combination with the installation of a new electric boiler, Tembec can reduce its oil usage by about 90%. Tembec announced in January of last year that funding for this investment was to be provided mainly by the Government of Canada with $19.7 million and the Government of Québec under the Federal Green Transformation Program, with an additional $6.3 million coming from Heavy Oil Consumption Reduction Program. The overall project represents a total investment of $29 million - $26 million for the anaerobic facility and $3 million for the installation of the new electric boiler. The company is aggressively improving energy efficiency and increasing renewable energy generation from operational residues at a number of its facilities, with large projects ongoing in 2012 at its Temiscaming pulp and paper mill and new biomass boiler development at its Bearn sawmill. Regarding the Matane mill development, James Lopez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tembec comments: “This investment means better environmental, energy and economic performance for our Matane mill. By substantially reducing operating costs, this project will help assure the competitive position of our high-yield pulp on the global market. Tembec recognizes the support of the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada in the project, and we appreciate their confidence in helping us ensure the future of the mill. 10/03/2012

Anaergia Commissions Large-Scale Food Waste to Biogas Plant in Scotland

Canadian based company Anaergia Inc. has announced successful commissioning and operation of a large-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Glenfarg, Scotland by its subsidiary UTS Biogastechnik GmbH (UTS Biogas). The plant converts food waste and other organics to renewable energy collected under new Source Separated Organics (SSO) programs being initiated across the region's residential, commercial and institutional sectors. The use of Anaergia's multi-format technology in the Scottish facility development is the result of a partnership between UTS Biogas and the TEG Group initiated to deliver scalable AD and in-vessel aerobic digestion solutions under a Design-Build-Own-Operate-Finance model. Anaergia provided the ADS system to the TEG Group's Glenfarg, Perthshire facility to process 15,000 tonnes of food waste into 700 kilowatts of renewable energy; heat recovery will provide thermal energy to a new adjacent eco-park, while the digester's residual will be processed and sold locally as a natural fertilizer. In the same announcement, Anaergia confirms that a second AD system has been contracted by TEG Biogas for installation in its 49,000 tonne per annum food waste AD plant in Dagenham, about 35 kilometers outside of London. For that plant, an in-vessel aerobic system will convert about 19,000 tonnes to compost and the remainder through AD to biogas for generation of 1.4 megawatts electric (MWe). TEG announced receipt of support for the Dagenham plant last month, with the selection of Alkane Energy for provision and integration of biogas cleaning and upgrading subsystems. Combined, the two plants will divert 900,000 tonnes of organics per year from landfill disposal. 10/03/2012

CED Funds Sysgas to Assess Quebec Landfill Gas for Use as Biofuel

Canada Economic Development (CED) for the Regions of Quebec has announced a "repayable contribution" to support testing the potential for use of methane-laden gas from the Dolbeau-Mistassini Landfill. CED will provide CAD $147,690 to the firm Sysgaz Inc., who will use a new Direct Monitoring and Control (DM&C) technology to assess feasibility to clean and upgrade this gas for use as biofuel. The technology allows real-time assessment of biogas flows, and from this, the economic potential for utilization of that gas. If viable, CED hopes the project can anchor a new renewable energy industrial expansion for the surrounding Maria-Chapdelaine Regional County Municipality, which has sustained considerable economic damage resulting from the overall downturn in the forestry industry. This financial assistance has been granted through Canada Economic Development’s Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec’s Forest Economies (TISQFE), launched in June 2010 to help communities affected by the forestry crisis diversify their economies in order to ensure their growth and create and maintain employment. The initiative's goal is also to support secondary and tertiary wood processing projects in these communities, and is one of the Government of Canada's many efforts to counteract the effects of the forest crisis. Others include the $1 billion granted to the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to help enterprises carry out environmentally-friendly projects. 10/02/2012

Aurora Algae Completes Australian Demo Facility, Secures $2MM LEED Grant

California based algal development company Aurora Algae has announced completion of all requirements of a $2 million Australian government-funded Low Emissions Energy Development (LEED) grant. The funds have been used to develop the company's pilot / demonstration facility in Karratha, Western Australia, consisting of six one-acre open ponds that produce between 12 and 15 metric tons of algal biomass per month. Aurora has also been able to develop cost-effective and resource-efficient methods for growing, harvesting, extracting and producing high-quality, algae-derived products. Aurora's proprietary technology platform utilizes a light-colored salt-water adapted micro algal strain that thrives in hot climatic conditions, while consuming the carbon dioxide from industrial emissions. This process needs less than one tenth the fresh water used for the same products and quantities produced through standard agricultural practices, such as soy bean farming, while producing ten times the amount of oil per acre as can be derived from soy beans. Aurora Algae, formerly Aurora Biofuels, already has extensive experience converting plant and animal oils to biodiesel. Matthew Caspari, managing director at Aurora Algae: “Aurora Algae plans to break ground in Maitland in 2014 for an expanded commercial facility consisting of 100 hectares (250 acres) of algae ponds, capable of producing up to 600 metric tons of biomass per month, and scalable to 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres). LEED funding for the pilot program has been critical to the success of the project and our ability to expand in Western Australia.” 10/02/2012

Due 10/15/2012: Pre-Proposals for North Carolina Biofuels Projects

The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has announced the release of a Request for Proposals entitled "Strengthening Feedstocks, Production, and Products in Western North Carolina." The detailed on-line announcement contains the RFP requirements and submission schedule. The Center will award $1.14 million to competitive, peer reviewed project proposals that strengthen the biofuels industry in western and contiguous counties, including those projects that address sustainability or environmental analysis, education or public outreach, economic development, infrastructure enhancement, growing energy crops, biomass logistics, and co-products or production technology. Pre-proposals must be submitted by October 15, 2012 to; those invited following initial review must then develop and submit full detailed proposals by November 19, 2012 either electronically, in person, or by standard mail. Further information on full proposal submission detail is also available on-line. The Notice of Awards is scheduled for January 4, 2013. The Center has provided a mandatory Pre-Proposal Cover Sheet, and also a required Detailed Proposal Cover Sheet for final proposals. Applicants with questions may contact Kris Allsbury, Director of Contracts and Grants for the Center, at 919-693-3000, ext. 259. The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has the long-term task of developing a large-scale biofuels industry sector to reduce the state's dependence on imported petroleum. North Carolina'sStrategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership sets the goal of replacing 10 percent of the petroleum imported into North Carolina with biofuels locally grown and produced. The Biofuels Center was created in 2007 and is permanently funded by the North Carolina General Assembly to implement the strategic plan so the state's farmers, biofuels manufacturers, biofuels workers, and consumers benefit from this emerging multimillion-dollar, locally grown industry. 10/02/2012