Alliance BioEnergy
Date: 2019-07-31
In the Sunshine State, West Palm Beach-based Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc. reports U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida has approved its Chapter 11 Disclosure Statement to confirm the company's Chapter 11 Plan. Additionally, the company has deposited in escrow all the necessary funds to pay its creditors all payments required to confirm the Plan.

Alliance has developed a new and improved technology system that converts any cellulosic material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into biofuels quicker, more consistently, and more energy efficient than the first generation process. Alliance’s CTS (cellulose-to-sugar) 2.0 process converts sugar into ethanol via a standard process that recycles water and catalysts used in the process, uses no toxic chemicals and has a near zero carbon footprint. When fully commercialized, Alliance's technology it will be the lowest cost producer in the ethanol and biofuel space, according to the Alliance release. (Source: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., PR, 30 July, 2019) Contact: Alliance Bioenergy, Ben Slager, CEO, (888) 607-3555, ben.slager@alliancebioe.com, www.alliancebioe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance BioEnergy ,  Biofuel,  Cellulosic,  

Bord na Mona
Date: 2019-07-24
In Dublin, the regulatory development and planning board -- Bord Pleanala -- reports it has denied permission for state-owned energy company Bord Na Mona's planned conversion of a peat-burning power plant at Shannonbridge, Co Offaly, to co-fire with biomass from 2021 until the end of 2027 when its existing peat permit expires. The plant would then be fully biomass fired with 37,000 tpy of woody biomass imported from Australia.

The regulatory board cited the "potential negative impacts on the environment and the inadequacy of the indigenous biomass supply and high dependence on imported biomass that would be contrary to both EU and national climate and energy policy" for its refusal. The regulatory board also noted previous schemes to establish a domestic source of energy crops such as willow and miscanthus have failed.

The Irish government's national climate and energy policy calls for a complete phase out of coal and peat fired electricity generation by 2030. (Source: An Bord Pleanala, Green New.ie, 23 July, 2019)Contact: An Bord Pleanala, www.pleanala.ie; Bord na Mona Plc, Mike Quinn, CEO, Patrick Madigan, Bioenergy Division, +353 45 439000, www.bordnamona.ie

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bord na Mona,  Peat,  Woody Biomass,  Biomass Pellet,  

World Bank Group International Finance Corporation
Date: 2019-07-24
The World Bank Group International Finance Corporation (IFC) is reporting a S$ 35 million loan to support and incentivise the issuance of a green bond by Davivienda Costa Rica, the third largest private bank in Costa Rica. The loan will contribute to the funding sustainable buildings, energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy generation and bioenergy projects under the "green lending standards" as set out by the Zurich-headquartered International Capital Markets Association. (Source: World Bank Group International Finance Corporation, July, 2019) Contact: World Bank Group, www.worldbank.org; World Bank Group International Finance Corporation, www.ifc.org; International Capital Markets Association, www.icmagroup.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Bank,  Green Energy,  

IEA Bioenergy
Date: 2019-07-22
In Ireland, International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy is reporting release of its Technical, Economic and Environmental Assessment of Biorefinery Concepts -- Developing a Practical Approach for Characterisation Report providing an overview on biorefinery assessments methods and results.

According to the report, there are currently two main challenges related to assessing the environmental and economic components of biorefining processes -- data availability and stakeholder participation. To address these issues, IEA Bioenergy's Task 42, Biorefining in a Circular Economy, examined assessments currently underway to determine the capability of biorefineries in creating a sustainable future. Such assessments aim to highlight the potential of biorefineries to enhance the use of biomass in generating both products and energy.

IEA Bioenergy was established in 1978 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programmes in bioenergy research, development and deployment. The International Energy Agency acts as energy policy advisor to 28 EU Member Countries plus the European Commission, in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Current work focuses on climate change policies, market reform, energy technology collaboration and outreach to the rest of the world, especially major producers and consumers of energy like China, India, Russia and the OPEC countries.

Access report details HERE. (Source: IEA Bioenergy, 20 July, 2019) Contact: IEA Bioenergy, www.ieabioenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA Bioenergy,  Biofuel,  ,  

Energy Assets Utilities
Date: 2019-07-12
In the UK, Energy Assets Utilities (EAU) is reporting an unnamed biomethane plant near Pontefract in West Yorkshire is set to begin production and to meet the energy needs of around 6,000 homes, thanks to a 3km directionally drilled pipeline installed by EAU. The plant is due to come on stream in October.

The plant's four, 6,800 cubic-meter capacity digester tanks will create methane from chicken litter, food waste and other organic matter produced by local farms. The gas will be purified and fed into the national grid. The gas will also power the site's combined heat and power (CHP) unit, while the digester waste will be turned into fertiliser. (Source: Energy Assets Utilities, Bioenergy Insight, 11 July, 2019) Contact: Energy Assets Utilities, +44 0 1254 819 600, www.energyassets.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Biomethane,  

Oberon Fuels,California Energy Commission
Date: 2019-07-01
In the Golden State, San Diego-based clean transportation fuel producer Oberon Fuels is reporting receipt of almost $2.9 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The funding is in support of a project to produce the the state's first renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), an economic fuel and key step in the development of a California-based, renewable hydrogen (rH2) pathway to zero-emission mobility fuel.

Oberon plans to upgrade its existing DME pilot facility to demonstration scale to facilitate the first production of this renewable fuel. The company will test modified diesel trucks fueled with rDME, assess the feasibility of converting renewable methanol into rDME and developing associated fueling infrastructure, alongside commercial partners. (Source: Oberon Fuels, Bioenergy Insight, 1 July, 2019) Contact: Oberon Fuels, Rebecca Boudreaux, Pres., (619) 255-9361, Fax - (619)756-6470, info@oberonfuels.com, www.oberonfuels.com; California Energy Commission, (916) 465-4500, www.energy.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News DME,  Oberon Fuels,  California Energy Commission,  

Supergen Bioenergy Hub
Date: 2019-07-01
In Laguna Province, the Phillippines, a JV between Straw Innovations Ltd, Supergen Bioenergy Hub, QUBE Renewables and the University of Southampton is reporting the launch of a rice straw-to-biogas (R2B) project. The project, which will process the region's abundance of waste rice straw into marketable biogass transportation fuel, is being funded under the Energy Catalyst programme from Innovate UK and UK Aid.

The rice-to-biofuel (R2B) project will produce biogas for energy and fertilizer using anaerobic digestion reactors with biomethane upgrading equipment. The activities of the "village scale" pilot facility and the development of the associated business models are supported by academic lab work and analysis from the UK research partners. (Source: Supergen Bioenergy Hub, June, 2019) Contact: Supergen Bioenergy Hub, European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI), Aston University, Prof. Patricia Thornley, Dir., p.thornleyWaston.ac.uk; Straw Innovations, www.strawinnovations.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digestion,  bioenergy,  Biogas,  Rice Biogas,  

Date: 2019-06-26
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and California Bioenergy announced a joint investment in a holding company with California dairy farmers to produce and market dairy biomethane as a vehicle fuel in the state. The holding company, CalBioGas, secured funding from Chevron to build infrastructure for dairy biomethane projects in California’s San Joaquin Valley, adding to the investment from dozens of dairy farmers. Manure storage on dairy farms results in the release of methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. CalBio brings technology, operational experience and capital to help dairy farmers build digesters and methane capture projects to convert this methane to a beneficial use as renewable natural gas. The dairy biomethane projects are designed to send dairy biogas to a centralized processing facility, where it will be upgraded to RNG and injected into the local gas utility’s pipeline. The RNG is then marketed as an alternative fuel for heavy-duty trucks, buses, and eventually off-road and farm equipment. (Source: Transport Topics, 24 June, 2019)

DRAX
Date: 2019-06-24
In the UK, power plant operator DRAX and Nottingham-startup Deep Branch Biotechnology, a lab located at DRAX's giant power station in Yorkshire, reports the two organizations will explore ways to capture and process CO2 into protein for sustainable animal feed.

Deep Branch Biotechnology is to run the new pilot project within the DRAX power plant's Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) Incubation Area. For the pilot project, scientists will gather waste CO2 from energy generation and feed it to microbes which will use it to make single-cell proteins that could replace soy and fish meal in fish and livestock feeds.

Deep Branch claims it can convert "up to 60-70 pct of CO2 into protein, helping to both minimize the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere during power generation and other industrial processes, whilst producing protein for animal feeds which will help reduce the impact of agricultural sectors on the environment as well."

The Deep Branch pilot, which is slated to get underway this autumn, aims to capture enough CO2 to produce 100kg of protein. If successful, Deep Branch Biotechnology plans to build a larger production facility by 2020. DRAX has been capturing CO2 since February through its Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) pilot project, which uses technology developed by Leeds University spin-out company C-Capture. (Source: Deep Branch Biotechnology, DRAX, June, 2019) Contact: Deep Branch Biotechnology, Peter Rowe, CEO, info@deepbranchbio.com, www.deepbranchbio.com; DRAX, Will Gardiner, CEO, www.drax.com; C-Capture, Caspar Schoolderman, Director of Engineering, Tel/Fax +44 0 113 245 0418, www.c-capture.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News C-Capture,  CCUS,  DRAX,  CO2,  Carbon Capture,  

CalBioGas
Date: 2019-06-21
In the Golden State, Visalia-headquartered California Bioenergy LLC and oil giant Chevron are reporting a joint investment in CalBioGas LLC, a holding company with California dairy farmers to produce and market dairy biomethane as a transportation fuel in compliance with California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

CalBio will help dairy farmers build digesters and methane capture projects to convert methane into renewable natural gas (RNG). Chevron will fund as many as 18 digesters across three geographic "clusters" in Kern, Tulare and Kings counties. The three clusters of digesters have been awarded California Department of Food and Agriculture grants which must be augmented with additional capital to complete the projects. (Source: California Bioenergy, PR, Chevron, Renewable Energy, 20 June, 2019) Contact: CalBioEnergy, N. Ross Buckenham, CEO, 559-667-9560, info@calbioenergy.com, www.calbioenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digestion,  California Bioenergy,  Chevron,  Biogas,  Methane,  Biomethane,  

Biothermic,Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-economy
Date: 2019-06-19
Thunder Bay, Ontario-based woody biomass heating systems and wood chip for heating supplier Biothermic is reporting the construction and startup of Ontario's first wood fuel facility for processing and storing locally-sourced wood chips -- a major step forward in helping make low-carbon, low-cost energy a reality in Canada.

The Biothermic facility received $168,500 in grant funding from the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-economy (CRIBE), an independent non-profit corporation that supports the development and commercialization of bioenergy and biomass. (Source: Biothermic, Canadian Biomass, June, 2019) Contact: Biothermic, Vince Rutter, Pres., (807) 355-5519, vince@biothermic.ca, www.biothermic.ca; CRIBE, Chris Walton, CEO, 807.344.1180, ceo@cribe.ca, www.cribe.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  

Boreal BioEnergy,
Date: 2019-06-17
A sawmill in McBride, B.C., that shutdown 13 years ago is getting a new life as a wood pellet plant. Vancouver-headquartered forestry company Boreal BioEnergy Corp. is reporting the acquisition of a long-shuttered saw mill facility in McBride, B.C. for redevelopment into a torrefied (black) wood biomass pellet production plant.

Construction is slated to get underway early next year for startup and production in late 2020. When fully operational the plant will produce up to 250,000 tpy of "black pellets." The plant's first shipment of wood pellets is scheduled to arrive in Japan in 2021. (Source: Boreal Bioenergy, CBC News, 14 June, 2019) Contact: Boreal Energy, Bruce Halase Managing Director Business Development, (604) 324-9916 ext. 104, bruce.halase@borealbioenergy.com, www.borealbioenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Boreal BioEnergy,  Woody Biomass,  Wood Pellet,  

Novozymes
Date: 2019-06-12
Biofuel technology provider Novozymes reports the launch of Fortiva, a new alpha-amylase technology that helps customers avoid having to choose between maximizing enzyme performance and operational efficiency. In yeast, Force continues to deliver on the promise to quickly bring innovative, robust, and reliable biological solutions to the market from the Innova yeast platform established last year.

Fortiva is added into liquefaction the same as traditional alpha amylase technologies, but once introduced, it solubilizes more difficult starch than all other amylases on the market

It does this through both the efficient operational use of temperature, as well as the enzyme itself, leading to the highest conversion of starch to dextrins in the market and creating the highest returns on investment. Novozymes sees this proven time and again through an average 20 pct reduction in ethanol plants' residual starch.

Fortiva advances plant efficiency. The fuel ethanol industry initially operated at high liquefaction temperatures (195F/91C) known to better solubilize starch to dextrins, but during this time, enzyme efficiency was limited and required excessive use of chemicals to enable the high operational temperature. Novozymes advancements in enzyme technology (Liquozyme SC) allowed for the removal of unnecessary chemicals (lime) required but required an operational change to more typical operating liquefaction temperatures seen in the fuel ethanol industry today (185F/85C)

Fortiva again allows the ethanol industry to engage very efficient, high temperature liquefactions (195F/91C) while also bringing to market the most advanced alpha amylase to work in this ideal environment, solubilizing more starch without the need for additional chemicals, yielding the highest ethanol production in the market (+1 pct ethanol yield).

Novozyme's Innova Force targets ethanol plants seeking flexibility to achieve operational targets without sacrificing performance. It allows producers to achieve throughput and yield targets without losing ethanol yield to common stressors, such as high temperature and organic acids. Force gives producers the flexibility to push for yield without compromise, and to choose the format that best fits their operation, dry or cream.

Innova Force expresses multiple starch-degrading enzymes for tailored substrate activity, ensuring solubilization and conversion for the lowest residual starch and most optimal fermentation kinetics. Paired with novel glucoamylases, the result is the lowest stress and high performing yeast kinetics and fermentations for exceptional efficiency.

Force is proven to handle tough challenges: Exceptional robustness to high ethanol concentrations, high dry solids -- up to 38 pct temperature excursions up to 104 degree F, and lactic acid excursions up to 0.6 pct. Force expresses multiple enzymes to maximize substrate and starch conversion, and is available in two formats (cream and dry) making it the most advanced dry yeast on the market.

Force eliminates the need for yeast food (100 pct) required by other yeasts, a $300,000 savings (100+MGY plants). Based on plant trials to date, there is potential for significant urea reduction, up to 75 pct depending on individual plant conditions. For every 500lbs of urea reduced, plants can save approximately $130,000 (100+MGY plant). Innova Force eliminates these hidden costs with its flexibility, robustness, and opportunity to run a plant as needed (high throughput or yield): $500,000 savings in nutrients (urea reduction, and 100 pct elimination of yeast nutrients); $280,000 cost reduction related to poor performing fermentations caused by lack of robustness; 33 pct DS -- plants using advanced yeasts struggle running high dry solids, according to the Novozymes release. (Source: Novozymes, Trade Release, 10 June, 2019) Contact: Novozymes, Brian Brazeau, VP, Biofuels Commercial North America, Peder Holk Nielsen, Pres. and CEO, Tina Sejersgard Fano, VP Bioenergy, +45 44 46 00 00, www.novozymes.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes,  Ethanol,  Yeast,  

USFS,HM3 Energy,
Date: 2019-06-05
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is reporting the issuance of grant funding to Gresham, Oregon-based HM3 Energy, a company focused on biomass energy, for a feasibility study for a $4 million woody biomass fired power plant in northern Arizona.

HM3 Energy's torrefaction technology converts biomass such as wood or grain into a coal-like material, according to the company.

The number of unnaturally severe wildfires in forests and range lands has dramatically increased in recent years, with devastating impacts on forests, wildlife, watersheds and communities. By culling out small diameter trees and performing prescribed burns, forest managers are trying to restore forests back to their former natural state, before all wildfires were suppressed. Progress, however, is painfully slow. With little to no market for the slash left after thinning operations, it is usually piled and burned. These pile burns cost forest managers money and severely impact surrounding air quality in rural communities.

HM3 Energy's torrefaction and densification technologies provide a solution to this "biomass bottleneck" by creating a profitable market for the forest slash, turning it into energy dense torrefied wood briquettes that can directly replace coal or wood pellets for dispatchable, baseload electric power generation. The ability to use biomass instead of clean wood chips makes TorrB® torrefied briquettes competitive in price with raw pellets at the coal-fired plant burner tip, according to the company website. (Source: HM3 Energy, KJZZ/Rio Salado College, 3 June, 2019) Contact: HM3 Energy, Hiroshi Morihara, CEO, (503) 674-3380, www.hm3energy.com; U.S. Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News HM3 Energy,  Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  USFS,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2019-05-31
In Beijing, 180 sanitary trucks will be fueled with Malaysian palm oil biodiesel in a 20 month pilot project carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The tests will be conducted with blended biodiesel containing 5 pct, 10 pct and 20 pct of palm oil respectively.

Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy is a subsidiary of TUS Clean Energy, a commercial arm of Tsinghua University. Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy plans to invest in a project to modify an existing biodiesel plant in Malaysia using its enzymatic technology.

. Malaysia has implemented a domestic 10 pct palm biodiesel and 90 pct petrol diesel (B10) program in its national transportation sector. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, The Star, 28 May, 2019) Contact: Tsinghua University, www.tsinghua.edu.cn; Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy, en.tusholdings.com/index.php/59682c1b03b?zid=3; Malaysian Palm Oil Board, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  Malaysian Palm Oil Board,  

Capstone Turbine ,Green Energy Sustainable Solutions
Date: 2019-05-27
Van Nuys, California-based microturbine specialist Capstone Turbine Corporation and Raleigh, North Carolina-based Green Energy Sustainable Solutions, Inc. (GESS) are reporting a joint marketing agreement to further the awareness of biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG).

GESS is presently developing biogas projects across the US. Each project will produce 550,000 MMBtu worth of RNG to be directly injected into the national natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Under the new national account agreement, GESS would purchase a total of approximately $53 million of Capstone product. (Source: GESS, Capstone Turbine, Bioenergy Insight, 21 May, 2019)Contact: GESS International, (888) 662-4333, www.gessinternational.com; Capstone Turbine, Jim Crouse, VP Marketing, 818-407-3628, ir@capstoneturbine.com, www.capstoneturbine.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Capstone Turbine,  RNG,  Biogas,  Green Energy Sustainable Solutions,  

EQTec,Phoenix Biomass Energy
Date: 2019-05-24
Further to our 24th Sept., 2018 coverage, Madrid-based Spanish technology solution company EQTec repots it has inked Framework Agreement with California-headquartered Phoenix Biomass Energy, Inc.. Phoenix builds, owns and operates on-site biomass gasification plants in partnership with businesses in the agricultural, waste, and forestry industries sectors.

Under the Agreement, the parties will seek to jointly develop U.S. biomass gasification power projects in the 2 to 3 MW in size range, with an estimated project value between $15 and $20 million each. Five such projects have already been identified. EQTec will provide its proprietary Gasifier Technology (EGT), technical design and engineering for the power plant projects. Both firms will work on project funding. (Source: EQTec, Various Media, Bioenergy insight, 23 May, 2019) Contact: Eqtec, +34 935 73 9981, www.eqtec.es; Phoenix Energy, Ian Price, CEO, (415) 286-7822, info@phoenixenergy.com, www.phoenixenergy.net, www.phoenixpg.com/biomass-projects

More Low-Carbon Energy News EQTec,  Phoenix Biomass Energy,  

Barbados
Date: 2019-05-22
According to the Barbados Advocate, the Bridgetown-based non-profit organization Design Council SIDS, the island nation can play a leading role in the adoption and use of bioenergy. That's according to Industrial Designer Mark Hill as he revealed that they are in the process of commissioning a 250-kilowatt Chicken Manure Biogas Plant in St. Lucy, and plans for a plastics-to-energy project, as well as a 1 MW biogas facility for food waste and a 1.5 MW ryngas project on the island.

"We can and will lead in bio-energy, in particular the production of biomethane/renewable natural gas, the production of wood pellets, syngas, and we will fully explore the economic potential in these resources in order to meet the goal of 100 pct renewable energy by 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals," Hill said in an address to the recent Bio-Digestion: Benefits to Barbados conference in Bridgetown. Presently only an estimated 4 pct to 6 pct of Barbados' energy needs are being met by renewable. (Source: Barbados Design Council SIDS, Barbados Advocate, 18 May, 2019) Contact: Design Council SIDS, Mark Hill, www.facebook.com/designcouncilsids

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy,  Biogas,  Renewable Energy,  

Forest Biomass,Natural Resources Canada
Date: 2019-05-22
In Ottawa, the Canadian federal government has announced over $2.1 million in funding for three forestry-sector, bioenergy projects in Alberta. The projects are aimed at boosting indigenous jobs in the sector and involvement in climate change prevention activities.

Of the total, $1.5 million will go to Kapawe'no First Nation in Narrows Point to design and install a renewable and eco-friendly forest biomass heating system that will help to reduce the community's reliance on diesel, cut energy costs and generate jobs. The project is funded through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program.

$500,000 will be granted to The Rockies Institute in Canmore to bring together the best available Indigenous and scientific knowledge on forest fire management. The project will inform innovative practices for local, regional and provincial climate change adaptation.

The remaining $110,000 is awarded to Nu Ch'anie Society in Cold Lake to pursue various forest sector bioenergy-biomass business development activities. The three projects are funded through the Indigenous Forestry Initiative. (Source: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Biomass, May, 2019) Contact: Natural Resoures Canada Indigenous Forestry Initiative, www.nrcan.gc.ca/forests/federal-programs/13125

More Low-Carbon Energy News Natural Resources Canada,  Forest Biomass,  Bioenergy,  Biofuel,  Natural Resources Canada,  

Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
Date: 2019-05-15
In Ottawa, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada has released Canada's first national Bioeconomy Strategy reflecting the views of more than 400 industry representatives from across the country.

The Strategy recommends action on four key priority areas identified in foundational work by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, the Economic Sector Strategy Tables, and Canada's forestry ministers. These priority areas call for: creating agile regulation and government policy; establishing biomass supply and stewardship; building strong companies and value chains; and building strong sustainable innovation ecosystems.

Consultations with industry concluded a national Strategy is needed to fully advance Canada's bioeconomy. The Strategy recognizes the role of innovation clusters and ecosystems as key to advancing Canada's bioeconomy. These venues will facilitate relationships between producers, SMEs, and large firms along the full value chain, domestically and globally.

With this Strategy, industry has addressed the ways in which Canada's competitive advantages including access to biomass, global leadership in forestry and agriculture, sustainable resource management, and a skilled workforce, can make Canada a world leader.

The recommendations focus on commercializing innovations to grow larger companies, and to have Canadian products and processes adopted into international value chains and call on the government to introduce policies, regulation and support for companies and the agriculture and forestry sectors to adopt practices and new technologies that improve stewardship of natural resources and increase productivity.

Download the Canada's Bioeconomy Strategy: Leveraging our Strengths for a Sustainable Future report HERE. (Source: Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, May, 2019) Contact: Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, (226) 778-0020, info@bincanada.ca, www.bincanada.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioeconomy,  Biofuel,  Biomass,  Bioenergy,  

Hu Honua Bioenergy
Date: 2019-05-13
In the Aloha State, Hu Honua Bioenergy LLC reports its 30-MW biomass power plant which is presently under construction at Pepeekeo, on the Big Island, has been dealt a setback by the Hawaiian Supreme Court and is now back in the hands of the state PUC.

The problem stems from an "unauthorized discharge of industrial wastewater" in November, 2018. If constructed, the planned facility would generate as much as 14 pct of the Big Island's power needs. The plant's future is now back in the hands of the PUC. (Source: Hawaii News Now, 10 Mat, 2019) Contact: Hu Honua Bioenergy LLC, Warren Lee, Pres., (808) 964-1101, www.huhonua.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hu Honua Bioenergy ,  

Woddy Biomass,USDA
Date: 2019-05-13
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) are reporting receipt of $1 million in USDA grant funding to investigate the key parameters for high-quality, year-round woody biomass feedstock logistics systems for commercialized biorefineries in the Southeastern U.S.

The 3-year study is intended to expedite the development of a commercialized cellulosic biofuel sector by improving the efficiency of the logistics systems of woody biomass feedstock required for biofuel production.

The study will determine woody biomass quality in the Southeast and identify the relationship with conversion performance. Additionally, the cost and energy use for woody biomass feedstock size reduction through both conventional and advanced technologies will be obtained at an industrial scale, and the cost and quality of the feedstock will be incorporated to address the challenges of balancing cost and quality in feedstock logistics for scaling up biofuel production.

The study includes the evaluation of alternative pre-processing technologies in feedstock logistics systems for hardwood logging residues and an energy crop -- hybrid poplar -- to supply biofuel production.

The UTIA multidisciplinary research team includes agricultural economists, forest scientists, chemists, and biosystems engineers, with collaboration from a bioenergy company, Proton Power, Inc., and a biomass research and development company, Forest Concepts, LLC. (Source: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Bioenergy Insight, 13 May, 2019) Contact: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, (865) 974-6756, https://ag.tennessee.edu/Pages/default.aspx

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  Biofuel,  

Neste
Date: 2019-05-08
In the capital city of Tallinn, Estonian public broadcaster ERR and other media are reporting Helsinki-headquartered renewable diesel fuel producer Neste will begin offering its palm oil biodiesel to Estonian motorists in July, subject to Estonian Environment Ministry approval.

In other Neste news, the effectiveness of Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel in reducing black carbon emissions has been recognized in a competition organized by the Climate Leadership Coalition, the Bioenergy Association of Finland, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish Environment Institute, and the Central Association of Chimney Sweeps. According to NASA, renewable fuel has the potential to cut particulate emissions by up to 70 pct from aircraft engines. (Source: Neste, Baltic News Network, May, 2019) Contact: Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; Bioenergy Association of Finland, www.bioenergia.fi/English

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Renewable Diesel,  Alternative Fuel,  Biodiesel,  

Loughborough Univ
Date: 2019-05-08
Loughborough University has been awarded £200,000 in grant funding from the UK Department for Transport and Supergen Bioenergy Hub -- a group of experts focussed on developing sustainable bioenergy systems -- for two projects which aim to make the transport sector more environmentally friendly. The projects will explore biofuel production, bioenergy carbon capture, and storage and utilisation.

One project, led by Dr Jin Xuan, a Senior Lecturer in Low Carbon Processes, will examine the role of e-biofuel in reducing emissions and increasing the sustainability of the road transport sector while enhancing renewable energy security. The research will examine the feasibility of a novel electrochemical process to produce biofuels while reusing the captured CO2.

The project will develop a new concept of e-biofuel which combines the advantages of both e-fuel (produced from renewable electricity and CO2) and biofuel (produced from biomass) to intensively decarbonise the road transport sector. It also provides Loughborough researchers with a new link to the Supergen Bioenergy Hub and the Department of Transport.

A second project led by Dr Tanja Radu, a Lecturer in Water Engineering, will research algae-based biomethane fuel purification and carbon sequestration. The project aims to develop and assess an innovative process for the simultaneous production of high-purity biomethane as a potential natural gas vehicle fuel, together with the sequestration of remaining biomass and biogas carbon into algal co-product and biochar.

The Supergen Bioenergy Hub at Aston University aims to bring together industry, academia and other stakeholders to focus on the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable and cost-effective manner. (Source: DfT, Loughborough University, East Midlands Business Link, 8 May, 2019) Contact: Loughborough University, www.lboro.ac.uk; Supergen Bioenergy Hub, Professor Patricia Thornley, Dir., p.thornley@aston.ac.uk, www.supergen-bioenergy.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy news,  Biofuel news,  CCS news,  Biogas news,  

Spero Renewables
Date: 2019-05-06
CORRECTION -- The following article appeared in our 22nd April editions with contact errors which are herein corrected. We regret any inconvenience our error may have caused.

Goleta, California-based Spero Renewables LLC, a Green chemistry company, is reporting a $1.6 million cooperative agreement with the US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to develop and scale-up production of the company's patented SPERLU technology that produces polymers from wood pulp and similar plant-based sources.

The grant is part of a recently announced $80 million DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) initiative supporting 36 bioenergy R&D projects. In addition to biobased products, projects include renewable hydrocarbon fuels and power from non-food Biomass and waste feedstocks.

Spero's SPERLU™ technology converts biomass lignin, a waste byproduct of cellulosic ethanol production that is expensive to remediate, into valuable, environmentally friendly polymers and plastics. The resulting polymers are renewable, free of off-gassing emissions, and formaldehyde-free as opposed to current polymers that come from petrochemicals and are manufactured with formaldehyde, according to the company's website.

According to the company website, "Spero Energy is a technology developer for the production of high value renewable and natural molecules from biomass. The company's novel extractive technology for the manufacture of natural ferulic acid is a game changer for the production of natural vanilla. Spero's one-step lignin conversion (SPERLU™) is key to realizing a fully integrated biorefinery." (Source: Spero Renewables LLC, Spero Website, 19 April, 2019) Contact: Spero Renewables LLC, Mahdi Abu-Omar, Ph.D. Chemistry, Pres., Joe Ramelli, VP Business Dev., (805) 696-2199 x 2001, joe@sperorenewables.com, US DOE BETO, energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE BETO,  Spero Renewables,  

US DOE
Date: 2019-05-06
In Washington, the US DOE has announced over $79 million in funding for bioenergy R&D including biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. This funding supports Agency's goal of providing consumers and businesses with a range of domestic energy options that are affordable, reliable, and secure.

The FOA topics will advance DOE's Bioenergy Technology Office's (BETO) objectives to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower, and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources. Topics areas for this funding opportunity include the following:

Cultivation Intensification Processes for Algae -- Develop technologies for outdoor algae systems that increase the harvest yield, reliability and quality of algae;

Biomass Component Variability and Feedstock Conversion Interface: Research to lower the cost and improve the reliability of biomass handling and preprocessing;

Efficient Wood Heaters -- Develop technologies to reduce emissions and increase efficiency of wood heaters for residential heating;

Systems Research of Hydrocarbon Biofuel Technologies -- Integrate new technologies and processes in experimental prototype systems to improve and verify real-world performance and lower the cost of drop-in Biofuels;

Optimization of Biomass-Derived Jet Fuel Blends -- Identify and develop cost-competitive drop-in renewable jet fuel with improved energy density and lower particulate matter emissions;

Renewable Energy from Urban and Suburban Wastes: Support academic research and educational programs that focus on strategies to produce bioenergy and bioproducts from urban and suburban waste feedstocks;

Advanced Bioprocessing and Agile BioFoundry -- Reduce the time and cost of developing biological processes for biomanufacturing fuels and products through the use of synthetic biology, low capital intensity methods, and continuous production systems;

Plastics in the Circular Carbon Economy -- Develop biobased plastics with improved performance and recyclability and lower the cost and energy-intensity of recycling existing plastics through enhanced degradation;

Rethinking Anaerobic Digestion: Develop anaerobic processes or alternative strategies to enhance carbon conversion efficiency and lower costs of smaller scale wet waste systems;

Reducing Water, Energy, and Emissions in Bioenergy -- Identify biofuels or bioproducts technologies with the greatest potential for reducing water consumption, energy consumption, and/or emissions relative to existing conventional fuels or products.

This FOA also supports the Water Security Grand Challenge, a White House initiated, DOE-led framework to advance transformational technology and innovation to meet the global need for safe, secure, and affordable water. In particular, this funding will support R&D focused on anaerobic digestion, a technology that can help achieve the Grand Challenge's goal to double resource recovery from municipal wastewater. (Source: US DOE EERE, 3 May, 2019) Contact: US DOE EERE, www.energy.gov/eere

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE EERE,  Bioenergy,  Biofuel,  Anaerobic Digestion ,  

MASH Energy
Date: 2019-04-26
UK-headquartered ferry boat operator DFDS reports it is investing DDK 10 million ($1,490,990-US) for a 24 pct equity stake in MASH Energy ApS, a spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark.

MASH produces carbpn-neutral biofuel from the by-products of nut processing in Tanzania and India, as well as other agriculture wastes.

Together the two firms aim to develop a commercially viable alternative to fossil fuels, including testing on a DFDS ferry. (Source: DFDS A/S , PR, 25 April, 2019) Contact: DFDS A/S, www.dfdsseaways.co.uk; MASH Energy, Jakob Andersen, CEO,www.mash-biotech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Biofuel,  MASH Energy,  Biofuel,  Bioenergy,  

SynTech Bioenergy,Waste Resource Technologies
Date: 2019-04-24
Englewood, Colorado-based carbon-negative clean energy specialist SynTech Bioenergy is reporting an agreement with Waste Resource Technologies, Inc. (WRT) to immediately begin deploying SynTech's proprietary BioMax® power generation solution to convert green waste collected by WRT, as well as fruit processing waste from certain agricultural operations on Oahu, HI, to renewable energy. This initial project will keep an estimated 1300 tpy of waste out of landfills or otherwise kept from normal decay, the methane from which would have been 21 times more harmful to the Hawaiian environment than CO2 -- up to 8000 tons of carbon, which will be removed from the local environments through the elimination of waste transportation, elimination of methane release and displacement of fossil fired power and heat by BioMax®

Waste Resource Technologies, Inc. (WRT) is a waste collection, recovery and conversion company with operations in California and Hawaii. WRT uses technologies from leading bioenergy companies to transform waste into sustainable resources such as baseload electricity, renewable natural gas, alternative fuel pellets, and biochar. (Source: SynTech Bioenergy, PR, 23 April, 2019) Contact: SynTech Bioenergy, Wayne McFarland, Chairman and CEO, www.syntechbioenergy.com; Bioenergy Hawaii, www.bioenergyhawaii.com; Waste Resource Technologies, Kosti Shrivanian, CEO,

More Low-Carbon Energy News SynTech Bioenergy,  Waste Resource Technologies,  

ICGEB,Ethanol
Date: 2019-04-15
In Delhi, researchers from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) are touting Saccharomyces cerevisiae NGY10, a novel yeast strain that they say increases ethanol production by as much as 15.5 pct when glucose or lignocellulose biomass -- rice and wheat straw -- is fermented.

The research team led by Dr. Naseem A. Gaur from the Yeast Biofuel Group at ICGEB , found the NGY10 strain can be metabolically engineered to ferment both hexose and pentose sugars leading to increased production of ethanol using lignocellulose. This will increase the quantity of ethanol produced from lignocellulose and reduce the cost of ethanol production.

DBT-ICGEB is an integrated centre for performing cutting-edge basic research and its translation into reality. It thrives upon ICGEB mandate to perform research in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology and will serve as platform for the synthetic biologists to work in diverese bioenergy areas such as microbial engineering, biochemical engineering, algal engineering and systems biology.

India has targeted 10 pct ethanol-gasoline blend (E10) for moter vehicle fuels by 2022.

(Source: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Delhi, The Hindu, April, 2019) Contact: DBT-ICGEB, Ajay Kumar Pandey, +91-11-2674-2357 extn:462, barsebrajesh@icgeb.res.in, www. icgeb-bioenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Yeast,  Ethanol,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Yeast,  Ethanol,  

Bioenergy Infrastructure Group
Date: 2019-04-12
In the UK, Bioenergy Infrastructure Group (BIG) reports its Ince Bio Power plant in Ince, Cheshire has completed test and is now fully operational.

The 21.5 MW plant, which processes up to 170,000 tpy of waste wood to generate low carbon energy, produces sufficient electric power for more than 40,000 homes. The plant will deliver a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions worth around 65,000 tpy of CO2, the equivalent of taking more than 40,000 cars off the road.

BIG also owns and operates energy from waste wood biomass plants in Birmingham, Northern Ireland and Widnes and has projects under development in Hull, Lanark in Scotland and Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. (Source: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, PR, LesProm, 11 April, 2019) Contact: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, Alex Young, Project Dev., +44 118 929 8350, www.bioenergyinfrastructure.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy Infrastructure Group,  Woody Biomass,  Waste Wood,  ,  

Minnesota for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation
Date: 2019-03-29
In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reports applications are being accepted for Bioenergy/Biochemical Pilot Project Grant funding. The funding is to support advancing bioenergy or biochemical production technologies beyond "bench" or proof-of-concept scale toward commercial scale, through construction and operation of a pilot plant.

To that end, the state program plans to award up to a total of $150,000 in fiscal year 2019. Up to 50 pct of project costs can be covered by the grant program, with a maximum possible award of $150,000.

The grant program requires funding be used for equipment needed to achieve the goals of the project implementation, or wages, software or other expenses necessary to advance the grant project's work plan.

Download grant details HERE. (Source: Minn, Dept. of Agriculture, PR, 28 Mar., 2019) Contact: Minn. Dept. of Agriculture, Kevin Hennesy, (651) 201-6223, Kevin.Hennessy@state.mn.us, www.mda.state.mn

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy,  Biochemical,  

BC Bioenergy Network
Date: 2019-03-29
The government of British Columbia, through the CleanBC Plan, is committed to growing renewable fuels production to 650 million lpy and increasing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to 20 pct by 2030.

To that end, the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is considering what actions to take to meet these targets, including support for the commercial production of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the province, reducing B.C.'s reliance on imported feedstocks and expanding B.C.'s existing renewable fuel production industry. In order to meet the CleanBC renewable fuels targets, significantly more renewable feedstocks will need to be sourced from within B.C. and more renewable fuels will need to be produced here.

To achieve this renewable fuel production commitment and help B.C. transition to a low-carbon economy, BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN) and the ministry are seeking a contractor to undertake a biorefinery market analysis outlining specific conditions required to attract major fuel producers to invest in building biorefineries in the province.

The contractor will provide a comprehensive report on the economic, technical, social and environmental factors that will be necessary to accomplishing the aforementioned objectives, and will include a biorefinery market analysis of all relevant products for the North American and global market -- identification of the opportunities and potential barriers to their development. Analysis should include discussions on how the availability of feedstocks required in biorefinery production affect the economics of establishing the facilities.

BC Biorefinery Investment RfP information and details HERE (Source: BCBN, 28 Mar., 2019) Contact: BCBN, Dr. Scott Stanners, Executive Director (604) 889-4549, Scott.Stanners@bcbioenergy.ca, www.bcbioenergy.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News BC Bioenergy Network ,  

Bioenergy Infrastructure Group
Date: 2019-03-27
In the UK, the Reading-based Bioenergy Infrastructure Group (BIG) reports its new 21.5MW , Ince Bio Power biomass power station in Cheshire has completed testing and is now in production. The plant uses advanced thermal treatment to produce a combustible gas by heating waste wood in a near oxygen-free environment. This gas is then burnt to generate electricity. The power station will process up to 170,000 tpy of waste wood and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 65,000 tpy.

BIG presently operates multiple biomass and energy-from-waste plants in the UK and has several more under development or construction, according to the company. (Source: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, Utility Week, 26 Mar., 2019) Contact: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, Neil Bennett, CEO, +44 118 929 8350, bioenergyinfrastructure.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  Biomass,  UK Biomass,  

Arizona Public Service
Date: 2019-03-22
In the Sun Devil State, Arizona Public Service (APS) reports it has advised the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) it is evaluating the feasibility and costs involved in the possible conversion of one unit of its 1962-vintage, four-unit coal-fired Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City to burning forest waste woody biomass. The plant is presently slated to close by 2025.

The initiative is in keeping with the state's renewable energy portfolio and an important factor in forest health. Last December, the ACC ordered their staff to develop a proposed set of rules to create a market for the 1.5 million tons of branches, brush and debris created by thinning 50,000 acres of overgrown forest annually -- the goal set by 4FRI. The ruling provided for the production of 60 MW of power from bioenergy. Presently, only the 28-MW Novo Power in Snowflake produces bioenergy electricity in Arizona. (Source: Arizona Public Service, PR, White Mountain Independent, 22 Mar, 2019) Contact: Arizona Public Service, www.aps.com; Noveo Power, www.novopower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Novo Power,  Arizona Public Service,  Woody Biomass,  Forest Biomass,  

Lyonsdale
Date: 2019-03-13
ReEnergy reports its shuttered Lyonsdale woody biomass bioenergy plant in Lewis County, New York, will not be resurrected, despite New York state legislation that would create potential financial support.

According to ReEngergy, the site could be redeveloped for solar energy. (Source: ReEnergy, Fox News WNYF, 8 Mar., 2019): Contact: ReEnergy Holdings, Sarah Boggess, Communications and Governmental Affairs, (518) 810-0200, sboggess@reenergyholdings.com, www.reenergyholdings.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lyonsdale,  Woody Biomass,  ReEnergy ,  

Green New Deal
Date: 2019-03-11
"I suppose my main objection is the effective elimination of 80 percent of the world's energy would likely eliminate 80 percent of the world's people in the end. I mean, just growing food, for example -- how would we grow food for the world's people without tractors and trucks, and all of the other machinery that is required to deliver food, especially to the inner cities of large centres like Moscow, Shanghai and New York City? How would we get the food to the stores? It's symptomatic of the fact that people who live in cities just take it for granted that this food appears there for them in supermarkets in great variety, healthy food to keep them alive when they couldn't possibly grow it for themselves with such dense populations. And if, in fact, fossil fuels were banned, agricultural productivity would fall dramatically and people would starve by the millions.

So, that is just a little bit of why I think it's (Green New Deal) a ridiculous proposal." -- Patrick Moore, Greenpeace Co-founder Patrick Moore (Source: Sputnick, Mar., 2019)

Editor's Note: The non-binding, Green New Deal framework basically combines big climate-change-related ideas with a wish list of progressive economic proposals that, taken together, would touch nearly every American and overhaul the economy including agriculture, bioenergy and fuels.

Download the complete Green New Deal proposal HERE. (Source: Various Sources, NPR, 7 Feb., 2019) Contact: Sen. Ed Markey, 617-565-8519, www.markey.senate.gov; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 929-388-6141, Twitter https://twitter.com/AOC

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green New Deal,  Renewable Energy,  Clean Energy,  Carbon Emissions,  

Bord na Mona
Date: 2019-03-06
In an action filed Monday at the European General Court in Luxembourg, Ireland's state-owned energy company Bord na Mona Plc and six other plaintiffs claimed that classifying forest biomass as a renewable fuel "fatally undermines the goals of the new European Renewable Energy Directive's biomass energy policy."

The lawsuit seeks to remove forest biomass from the EUs Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) which raises the overall EU target for renewable energy sources consumption by 2030 from 20 pct to 32 pct. The plaintiffs contend RED II "ignores the science on forest bioenergy and promotes false climate solutions" and that RED II failed to properly account for the lifecycle carbon emissions from harvesting, producing, transporting, and burning woody biomass fuels.

The case is coordinated by the US-based Partnership for Policy Integrity with input from experts including the Dogwood Alliance; one of more than 30 conservation and environmental justice organizations in the southern US who wrote to the Government, the ESB and Bord na Mona in August 2018 pointing out it was planned that wood used in the Irish power plants would come from their region -- the U.S. North Atlantic Coastal Plain. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the annual supply gap in wood production for biomass could be up to 1.88 million cubic metres by 2020 and more than twice that by 2025, all of which must be sourced outside Ireland.

According to Dr Mary S Booth, director of the US Partnership for Policy Integrity and lead science advisor on the case, "burning wood for energy emits more CO2 per unit of energy generated than coal but RED II counts these emissions as zero.". (Source: (Source: Bord na Mona, All Things Arb, Agricultural News, 5 Mar., 2019) Contact: Bord na Mona Plc, Mike Quinn, CEO, Patrick Madigan, Bioenergy Division, +353 45 439000, www.bordnamona.ie

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel,  RED II,  Bord na Mona,  Carbon Emissions,  Woody Biomass,  Forest Biomass,  

Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation
Date: 2019-03-04
The Urbana, Illionis-based Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) reports that with $115 million in us DOE grant funding, its project to develop energy using sustainable crop byproducts is progressing steadily.

CABBI is working with soy gum, which is converted into products like biodiesel by looking at the gene structure of the plant stem and extracting the oil and gases which can be used directly as biodiesel or further processed into different value-added products,” according to CABBI director Evan DeLuc1a. (Source: Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, Illinois News Network, 2 Mar., 2019) Contact: CABBI, Evan DeLuc1a , (217)244-1586 cabbi-bio@illinois.edu, www.cabbi.bio

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  CABBI,  Biofuel,  

Chinese Academy of Sciences
Date: 2019-02-27
In China, the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, is touting "consolidated bio-saccharification (CBS)" a novel strategy for cost-efficient lignocellulose conversion. CBS combines cellulase production and hydrolysis while separating fermentation from the integrated process by taking fermentable sugar as the target product to couple various downstream fermentation processes. Construction of a pilot-scale CBS demonstration is now underway.

The industrial conversion of biomass to high-value biofuels and biochemicals is mainly restricted by lignocellulose solubilization. Previously, three strategies had been reported for lignocellulose bioconversion -- separate enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and consolidated bioprocessing (CBP).

Using the newly developed biocatalyst and optimal conditions, the CBS process was shortened by half using pretreated wheat straw as the substrate. Under such conditions, the sugar yield reached 0.795 g/g and the saccharification level was 89.3 pct .

The QIBEBT study was published in Biotechnology for Biofuels on Feb 18th and was supported by the Transformational Technologies for Clean Energy and Demonstration program of the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong, and the Major Program of the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation. (Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences , Public Release, Feb., 2019) Contact: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Prof. CUI Qiu, QIBEBT, Chinese Academy of Sciences, +86-532-80662622, +86-532-80662778-fax, chengjing@qibebt.ac.cn, english.qibebt.cas.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic,  lignocellulose,  

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Date: 2019-02-20
The U.S. DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) reports it is seeking algae industry partners and academic researchers to help find the best algae strains for biofuels and bioproducts to reduce the cost of producing bioenergy from algae feedstocks.

PNNL leads the Development of Integrated Screening, Cultivar Optimization and Verification (DISCOVR) project that employs the unique complementary capabilities of the four participating national laboratories -- Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratorie -- sand the outdoor testbed at the Arizona Center for Algal Technology and Innovation to identify and test high productivity microalgae strains for year-round outdoor cultivation. The goal is to provide a framework to accelerate meeting DOE's advanced biofuel goals with microalgae.

"A key cost driver for algae biofuels is productivity, which is directly tied to which algae strain is chosen and how it's cultivated," said Taraka Dale, a scientist at LANL. "By collaborating with industry and academia, we aim to bring together the best of the best strains and cultivation strategies to rapidly boost productivity and reduce costs."

"So far, we have tested more than 40 new microalgae strains and identified strains with up to 34 percent greater biomass productivity than benchmark strains," said Huesemann. "The success of the DISCOVR strain down selection and testing pipeline was demonstrated in 2018 by achieving more than 13 pct improvement in outdoor pond productivity relative to 2017, reducing the biomass selling price by about 10 pct."

The goal of the call for collaboration is to solicit algae strains, tools and techniques from the algae community to further boost algae productivity. This call gives industry and academia an opportunity to partner with the four national laboratories in DISCOVR, as well as AzCATI. (Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: PNNL, Michael Huesemann, DISCOVR Consortium leader, discovr.algae@lanl.gov, https://discovr.labworks.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Algae Biofuel,  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory ,  

BP
Date: 2019-02-15
According to the UK-based energy giant BP, wind, solar, bioenergy and other renewables will account for roughly one-third of the world's electricity supplies by 2040, and as high as 50 pct in Europe and some other regions.

The attached BP Report notes that while oil took almost 45 years to go from 1 pct of global energy to 10 pct, and gas took more than 50 years, renewables are expected to do so within 25 years. In the event of a faster switch to a low carbon economy, that period comes down to just 15 years, according to the report.

Download the BP Energy Outlook 2019 HERE. (Source: BP, Feb., 2019) Contact: BP, www.bp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BP,  Bioenergy,  Renewable Energy,  BP,  

IEA,Biofuture Platform
Date: 2019-02-11
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports it has officially taken on the role of Facilitator of the 20-member nation Biofuture Platform -- Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, the Netherlands.

The Biofuture Platform organization aims to accelerate development and deployment of modern sustainable low-carbon alternatives to fossil based solutions in transport fuels, chemicals, plastics and other bioenergy sectors.

Since its launch in November 2016, the Biofuture Platform Platform has worked with the IEA on various initiatives including analysis and promotion of innovative bioenergy technology, effective policies, sustainability governance and multilateral collaboration. In 2018, the IEA identified modern bioenergy as the "overlooked giant among renewables" noting that it corresponds to 50 pct of the total consumption of renewable energy.

In addition, the IEA will expand and strengthen collaboration with bioenergy frontrunners under its Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme. (Source: Biofuture Platform, IEA, Modern Diplomat, 10 Feb., 2019) Contact: Biofuture Platform, www.biofutureplatform.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy,  IEA,  Biofuel,  Biochemical,  

DRAX
Date: 2019-02-11
In the UK, the nation's largest renewable power energy generator DRAX is reporting the nation's first Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) pilot project at its power station near Selby in North Yorkshire has begun capturing carbon dioxide.

The "first of its kind" demonstration plant uses innovative technology developed by Leeds University spin-out C-Capture to capture CO2 from the combustion of a 100 pct biomass feedstock. The pilot plant was commissioned last November.

Drax has invested £400,000 in the pilot, which could be the first of several projects undertaken at the power station to deliver a rapid, lower cost demonstration of BECCS. According to the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, BECCS could enable the capture of 50 million tpy by 2050 -- almost half of the UK's emissions target.

Drax operates electric power generation and compressed wood biomass pellet production operations across the UK, including the woddy biomass-fired Selby, North Yorkshire plant which supplies fully 6 pct of the country's electricity needs.

C-Capture's proprietary solvent-based chemical processes removes CO2 from emissions sources such as power stations, industrial plants and anaerobic digestion. (Source: DRAX, PR, 7 Feb., 2019) Contact: University of Leeds, www.leeds.ac.uk; C-CAPTURE, Caspar Schoolderman, Director of Engineering , www.c-capture.co.uk; DRAX , Will Gardiner, CEO, www.drax.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DRAX,  Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  Wood Pellet,  

Skeena Sawmills, Pacific BioEnergy
Date: 2019-02-08
Following up on our 30th July, 2018 coverage, Terrance, British Columbia, privately owned and funded Skeena BioEnergy/Skeena Sawmills Ltd. and Pacific BioEnergy Corp. (PacBio) are reporting a long term off-take agreement for 100 pct of the woody biomass pellets produced at Skeena Sawmills' new, $20 million pellet plant, in support of PacBio's long term supply agreements with power producers in Japan.

The new plant is slated to begin production in Q1 2019. (Source: Pacific BioEnergy Corp., Biomass Mag., 6 Feb., 2019) Contact: Pacific BioEnergy, John Stirling, Pres., 604.602.1099, 604.602.1089 - fax, info@pacificbioenergy.ca, www.pacificbioenergy.ca; Skeena BioEnergy, Roger Keery, VP, Rick Harris, VP Sales & Marketing, www.skeenasawmills.com/bioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Skeena Sawmills,  Pacific BioEnergy,  Wood Pellet,  Woody Biomas,  

Alliance BioEnergy Plus
Date: 2019-02-06
In the Sunshine State, West Palm Beach-based Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc. reports that a number of "former insiders" will subordinate over $2 million in debt so that repayments are only due out of future profits. The company also renegotiated down other smaller debts and continues to renegotiate additional obligations.

According to the company release, two disputes remain outstanding, one with the Company's former Controller and the other with a lender, Lucas Hoppel. Alliance has filed counterclaims, which management believes have merit, against both of these parties. Details are available at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, Case number 18-23071.

Alliance BioEnergy +, Inc. is a publicly traded company focusing on the commercialization and licensing of a patented cellulose conversion technology that it controls through a master license agreement with the University of Central Florida, via its affiliate Carbolosic, LLC. Carbolosic holds the exclusive, worldwide license to 4 issued patents and 15 filed and pending patents revolving around the core Cellulose-to- Sugar (CTS) technology. ALLM also holds the exclusive CTS rights to North America and Africa. (Source: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., PR, 5 Feb., 2019) Contact: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Ben Slager, CEO, ben.slager@alliancebioe.com, www.alliancebioe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance BioEnergy Plus,  

Vaisala
Date: 2019-02-04
Finnish environmental and industrial measurement specialist Vaisala Oyi has introduced its MGP 261, the world's first in situ 3-in-1 biogas measurement instrument for measuring methane, carbon dioxide and humidity in demanding environments, according to the company.

The MGP261 multigas measurement instrument gives continuous readings of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water vapour directly in the biogas process pipeline. The product is optimized for biogas production processes, such as anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste from agriculture, industries and municipalities, and the utilization of landfill gas (LFG). The MGP261 is based on Vaisala's patented CARBOCAP technology, the company says. The product will be available in Q2, 2019.

Reliable and accurate in-line monitoring enables optimization of the production process by reducing operating costs and improving the efficiency of a biogas plant. (Source: Vaisala, PR, Bioenergy, Feb., 2019) Contact: Vaisala, Sampsa Lahtinen, Exec. VP Industrial Measurements, www.vaisala.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vaisala,  Biogas,  CO2,  Methane,  

Carbon Neutrality
Date: 2019-02-01
The Prime Ministers of Finland, Norway and Iceland, the Swedish Minister for the Environment and Climate and the Danish Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate have announced the Jan. 25th signing of the Declaration on Nordic Carbon Neutrality during a summit in Helsinki, Finland,.

In the declaration, the five countries commit to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and intensify their cooperation to:

remove obstacles to low-emission development and promote transformations towards renewable energy;

promote carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidy reform;

incentivize climate action in the private sector;

decarbonize the transport sector and enable green financing and deploy green procurement, green deals and impact investing;

promote joint Nordic business and research consortiums and contribute to the development and deployment of, inter alia, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) technologies;

maintain or enhance biological carbon sinks and measure carbon sinks with an internationally agreed methodology;

develop information on reducing individual climate impacts and use existing consumer information schemes and initiatives on carbon and other environmental impacts on products and services;

ensure that youth organizations have a role in awareness raising on climate-friendly consumer behavior;

cooperate to encourage Nordic companies, investors, local governments, cities, organizations and consumers to step up their efforts towards carbon neutrality.

The Nordic Council of Ministers will prepare a proposal on how to follow up on the declaration by 31 August 2019.

The Copenhagen-headquartered Nordic Council is the official body for formal inter-parliamentary co-operation among the Nordic countries. Formed in 1952, it has 87 representatives from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden as well as from the autonomous areas of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Aland Islands. (Source: Nordic Council of Ministers, IISDS, 31 Jan., 2019) Contact: Nordic Council of Ministers, Sunitha Senanayake, +45 33 96 02 00, Receptionen@norden.org www.norden.org/en/nordic-council

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Neutrality,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  GHGs,  

ClientEarth,DRAX
Date: 2019-01-30
In the UK, London-headquartered environmental law specialist ClientEarth is warning DRAX Powers' planned gas plant in Selby, North Yorkshire would produce 75 pct of the country's entire power sector emissions budget.

The DRAX proposal for four combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) was warranted to replace its existing two coal-fired units ahead of the government's proposed coal phase-out in 2025. However,ClientEarth's assessment of the DRAX plans noted the project's scale, high emissions intensity and expected long operating life combined make it a "significant" threat to the UK achieving its carbon targets. ClientEarth also noted "DRAX has failed to prove why adding so much new large-scale fossil fuel power is necessary given existing and planned capacity. It has also failed to assess the project's full climate impact, at the precise time when the UK needs to rapidly decarbonize."

The UK government estimates the UK will need 6GW of new gas power generation capacity through to 2035. Approving DRAX project would take this to 18GW -- three times the government's estimates.

As previously reported, Drax announced that it is to pilot the first bioenergy carbon capture storage (BECCS) project of its kind in Europe which could make the renewable electricity produced at its North Yorkshire power station carbon negative. DRAX partnered with Leeds, UK-based C-Capture who invested £400,000 in what could be the first of several pilot projects undertaken at DRAX. (Source: DRAX, Air Quality News, Jan., 2019) Contact: ClientEarth, Sam Hunter Jones, Jon Bennett, +44 (0) 303 050 5935, jbennett@clientearth.org, www.clientearth.org; DRAX, Will Gardiner, CEO, +44 0 1757 618381, www.draxpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DRAX,  Biomass,  Carbon Emissions,  

University of Minnesota
Date: 2019-01-30
In ongoing research to discover the ideal growing conditions for alternative biofuels feedstocks, researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Science are investigating the advantages and environmental implications of perennial grasses on abandoned and degraded agricultural land on the US upper mid-western prairies.

A potential benefit of perennial grasses is tied to their deep root systems. According to researchers, deeper root systems -- as opposed to those seen in annual crops like corn -- are able to store large amounts of carbon below ground that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. However, because perennial grasses on marginal lands can have low yields due to less fertile soil, researchers examined ways to maximize growth of the grasses without negative effects on the environment.

In the 10-year study published in Nature Sustainability, researchers utilized 36 plots at an abandoned agricultural site in the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve to plant 32 species of prairie and savanna plants that are native to Minnesota. In 2007, researchers divided the plots into several groups and assigned them a combination of two treatments: water addition (i.e., irrigated or non-irrigated) and nitrogen fertilization (i.e., 0 g/m2, 7 g/m2, 14 g/m2). Over the next decade, researchers found that:

moderate treatments (irrigation and 7 g/m2 of nitrogen) had the best biomass yields and soil carbon storage, while having negligible effects on the stability, diversity and nutrient loss to groundwater;

compared with the control (non-irrigated and no additional nitrogen), moderate treatments resulted in almost twice the yield and soil carbon storage and -- if the plants were converted into bioenergy to displace fossil fuels -- it would result in twice the greenhouse gas savings;

compared with the moderate treatment, the more intensive treatment (irrigation and 14 g/m2 of nitrogen) had 30 percent lower greenhouse gas savings, 10 times greater nitrate leaching and 120 pct greater loss in plant diversity.

Compared with corn ethanol, researchers found biomass yield from the best performing native prairie grasses was moderately lower -- six tons per hectare versus the average corn yield of eight tons per hectare in the U.S.. However, researchers found that because of lower nitrogen use and larger amounts of soil carbon storage, the native prairies would result in higher overall greenhouse gas savings when converted to bioenergy.

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research program and the Global Climate and Energy Project. (Source: University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences, PR, 28 Jan., 2019) Contact: College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Prof. David Tilman, Prof. Clarence Lehman, Lead Researcher, 612-625-5734 Fax: 612-624-6777, lehman@umn.edu, cbs.umn.edu; Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, www.cedarcreek.umn.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Feedstock,  

ThermoChem Recovery International
Date: 2019-01-30
Baltimore-based biorefinery-enabling gasification technology specialist ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc. (TRI) reports it has named global insurance company AXA XL affiliate New Energy Risk as its preferred supplier of technology performance insurance for TRI customers and projects. Under a TRI, NER is prepared to provide various insurance solutions to biorefinery owners and projects which utilize TRI's equipment and technology.

TRI is a leading provider of steam reforming gasification systems suitable for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), woody biomass, agricultural residues and other waste feedstocks. Its systems have been selected for and deployed on various commercial North American projects including the Fulcrum Bioenergy Project Sierra Biorefinery in Nevada and Norampac black liquor gasification, a division of Cascades Paper. Additionally, TRI's multi-feedstock, fully-integrated biorefinery in Durham, North Carolina has run for over 13,000 hours, successfully producing syngas that is particularly well-suited to generating Fischer-Tropsch liquids and upgrading to ASTM-certified fuels. (Source: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc. , 29 Jan., 2019) Contact: AXA XL, www.axaxl.com; New Energy Risk, www.newenergyrisk.com; http://tri-inc.net/steam-reforming-gasification; ThermoChem Recovery International, Dan Burciaga, Pres., CEO, www.tri-inc.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News ThermoChem Recovery International,  Biofuel,  Biorefinery,