Smithfield Foods
Date: 2020-09-09
Virginia-based pork producer Smithfield Foods has pledged to become the first major protein company to go carbon negative through carbon reduction infinitive s at its 40 company-owned facilities in the U.S. by 2030 without purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions.

. In 2016, the company announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 pct by 2025 across its entire supply chain and in 2017 launched Smithfield Renewables that united its carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts. The company is known for its anaerobic digestion biogas efforts to turn methane from hog manure into renewable natural gas, The company will also work to sequester more carbon in farmlands and natural ecosystems. It also intends to add more wind and solar energy; streamline distribution routes to reduce miles traveled; reduce energy consumption for refrigeration, lighting and equipment. (Smithfield Foods, PR, 8 Sept., 2020) Contact: Smithfield Foods, Kenneth M. Sullivan, Pres., CEO, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com, www.smithfield.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Smithfield Foods,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Negative,  Biogas,  Methane,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2020-09-09
Appleton, Wisconsin-based renewable natural gas (RNG) specialist U.S. Gain reports the recent installation of gas production equipment at Dallmann East River Dairy in Brillion, Wisconsin, which is now producing clean RNG for the transportation industry.

A key partner to U.S. Gain in the Dallmann project was Nacelle Solutions, an industry leader in developing gas clean-up equipment specifically designed for the RNG industry, according to the U.S. Gain release. (Source: U.S, Gain,Sept., 2020) Contact: U.S. Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Bryan Nudelbacher, Dir. RNG Business Development, Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation , 920.381.2190, slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Nacelle Solutions, Gov Graney, (855) 622-3553, info@nacellesolutions.com, www.nacellesolutions.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Gain,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Iowa State University
Date: 2020-08-26
Iowa State University researchers are studying ways to increase farmer interest in and profits from anaerobic digestion (AD) and renewable natural gas (RNG) made from manure and other low-value biomass. The research team is aiming to help resolve technical, economic and social issues believed to be hindering the growth of AD technology in the US.

The researchers see abundant possibilities for RNG in Iowa and beyond to address greenhouse gas emissions and to diversify farm income and reduce pollution in the state's waterways.

The development of biofuels is a major recommendation in Iowa's 2016 energy plan and the state economic development authority's 2018 Biomass Conversion Action Plan which has been funding research into various anaerobic digestion techniques.

According to a 2013 National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) inventory, Iowa produces more manure than any other state but the sources are not sufficiently concentrated to make digestion feasible or economically profitable.

Researchers hope to enhance the efficiency, reduce the costs and create ancillary income streams that will persuade farmers in Iowa and beyond to add AD to their operations. To that end, the researchers will explore the use of mixed prairie grasses and winter cover crops, such as annual rye, for AD.

The project is funded with a $10 million grant from the USDA. (Source: Iowa State University, PR, Aug., 2020) Contact: Iowa State University, Prof. Lisa Schulte Moore, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, (515) 294-7339, , www.iastate.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa State University ,  RNG,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

TerraX
Date: 2020-07-29
Italian renewable gas projects developer TerraX is reporting a joint venture with the SWEN Impact Fund for Transition (SWEN), managed by SWEN Capital Partners, the first European impact fund entirely dedicated to the financing of renewable gas infrastructure to invest in biomethane.

The joint venture will construct and operate 10 or more biomethane projects to produce renewable gas in Italy, which will be injected into the networks or marketed as bio-LNG. Once operational in 2022, the plants will produce enough energy to supply 100 heavy trucks and reduce emissions by 90 pct.

According to the company's website, the company's "mission is to spread and to improve new technologies for our projects in the field of anaerobic digestion and biomass gasification, designing and investing in eco-sustainable and innovative solutions, which produce value for the planet and for those who intend to operate consciously in it. We provide new technologies, projects and services for a greener future." (Source: TerraX, PR, Website, Valdosta Gazette, 29 July, 2020) Contact: TerraX, Michael Neiderbacher, CEO , +39 0471 19 57 174, info@terrax.it, www.terrax.it

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomethane,  Anaerobic Digestion,  bio-LNG,  

Sevana Bioenergy
Date: 2020-07-24
Paris headquartered global investment firm Meridiam and Larkspur, California-based Sevana Bioenergy are reporting an agreement to develop an existing 2011-vintage biodigester project in Twin Falls, Idaho. The plant presently produces renewable electricity through the anaerobic digestion of dairy manure that is delivered to the grid under a power purchase agreement with Idaho Power.

Sevana Bioenergy will serve as the development partner, service provider, and long-term co-investor of the project, the second phase of which is expected to start in Q3 -- upgrading the facility to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) transportation fuel to be marketed under the renewable fuel standard ( RFS) programmes in the federal and California market.

Meridiam is a global investor and asset manager specialized in developing, financing and managing long-term public infrastructure projects. Founded in 2005, Meridiam invests in public infrastructure in Europe, North America and Africa, according its website. (Source: Meridiam Website, July, 2020) Contact: Sevana Bioenergy, info@sevanabioenergy.com, www. sevanabioenergy.com; Meridiam ,+33 1 53 34 96 99, 212 798 8690 -- NY Office, www.meridiam.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG news,  Biogas news,  Sevana Bioenergy news,  

Roeslein Alternative Energy
Date: 2020-07-22
A recently announced five-year, $10 million grant from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agricultural will allow the Consortium for Cultivating Human and Natural reGenerative Enterprise (C-CHANGE) research team led by Iowa State University, Penn State and Roeslein Alternative Energy (RAE) to develop new methods of turning biomass and manure into fuel and develop new value chains on US farms, with emphasis on renewable natural gas (RNG).

C-CHANGE researchers are developing new ways for farmers to produce RNG that could be used as an energy source both on and off farms. The project focuses on anaerobic digestion (AD) and new separation technologies, allowing biogas to be upgraded to RNG and distributed through the gas pipeline network.

The project director on the transdisciplinary and multi-institutional grant is Lisa Schulte Moore, a professor of natural resource ecology and management and associate director of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State. According to Schulte Moore, the consortium will develop methods for farmers to make more efficient use of resources. (Source: USDA National Institute for Food and Agricultural, PR, July, 2020)Contact: Roeslein Alternative Energy, (314) 729-0055, www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Roeslein Alternative Energy,  Anaerobic Digestion,  RNG,  

U.S. Gain
Date: 2020-07-01
Appleton, Wisconsin-based U.S. Gain, a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG), reports that after only eight months their digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin is now transforming animal waste to clean, low carbon fuel for the transportation market.

The anaerobic digester at S&S Jerseyland Dairy has been operational since 2011, initially converting waste from the farm's 4,000 herd of Jersey cows to renewable power. U.S. Gain purchased the farm's digester in September of 2019 and made the upgrades needed for fuel production. Gas collected at the facility is taken through a complex processing system that results in RNG comprised of 99.5 pct methane. The facility recently obtained project certification from the California Air Resources Board, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency

A key partner to U.S. Gain throughout the project was Nacelle Solutions, a leader in developing gas clean-up equipment specifically designed for the RNG industry. "Methane recovery was maximized through additional processing capabilities in the upgrade portion of the plant, specifically a third stage membrane process. The more plants we do, the more efficient and streamlined we become, enabling speed to market with reliable results," explained Nacelle's Co-Founder, Gov Graney.

Nacelle provides innovative technology solutions and 24/7/365 operations and service ensuring a high level of performance and success. Since inception, Nacelle has executed 150+ different projects with an average throughput of 2000 scfm (~3 million scf per day) of processed gas. Nacelle is committed to gas conditioning technologies and service that meet the complex and evolving demands of the energy and biogas industries. (Source: U.S. Gain, PR, 29 June, 2020) Contact: U.S. Gain, Mike Koel, Pres., Bryan Nudelbacher, Dir. RNG Business Development, Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation , slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Nacelle Solutions, Gov Graney, (855) 622-3553, info@nacellesolutions.com, www.nacellesolutions.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Gain,  RNG,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Valmet,Viridor
Date: 2020-06-10
In Finland, Espoo-headquartered Valmet Oyi reports it will supply automation to a gas clean-up system at Viridor's Dunbar Landfill site in East Lothian, Scotland, UK. The first-of-its-kind system allows the successful capture of CO2 and transforms landfill gas into transport fuels.

The clean-up system will be supplied by the Dutch company CarbonOrO for a July delivery and a fall startup and commissioning.

Viridor Waste Management Ltd. has the UK's largest network of more than 300 advanced recycling, energy recovery and landfill diversion facilities. The company works in partnership with more than 150 local authority and major corporate clients with 32,000 customers across the UK.

CarbonOrO's mission is to mitigate climate change by turning landfills or anaerobic digestion plants into a source of renewable energy or extracting CO2 out of flue gas. (Source: Valmet Oyj, PR, June, 2020) Contact: CarbonOrO, Pieter Verberne, GM, www.carbonoro.com; Viridor, www.viridor.co.uk; Valmet, +358 4 0505 2001, www.valmet.com, www.twitter.com/valmetglobal

More Low-Carbon Energy News Valmet,  Landfill Gas,  Viridor,  

Biogas
Date: 2020-06-08
In the French speaking West African nation of Benin (pop. 11.5 million), the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) reports it will fund an anaerobic digestion project to convert cassava wastes into biogas at the 350-member cassava production commune of Ze.

The biogas produced will replace firewood used for cooking and the organic digestate from the biogas production will be used as fertilizer in the cassava plantations. The project is expected to be completed before the year end. (Source: International Organization of the Francophonie, Afrik21, 6 June, 2020) Contact: Francophone Institute for Sustainable Development, www.ifdd.francophonie.org/ifdd/english.php

More Low-Carbon Energy News Casava,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Bioenergy DevCo, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Date: 2020-06-05
Columbia, Maryland-based anaerobic digestion facilities designer, builder, operator and financier Bioenergy DevCo (BDC) reports it has partnered with Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CHPK) to bring renewable natural gas (RNG) to customers on the Delmarva Peninsula on the US east coast.

BDC and CHPK will work on a project to remove and process poultry waste into RNG which will be transported and distributed by CHPK affiliate firms Eastern Shore Natural Gas, Chesapeake Utilities and Marlin Gas Services to multiple regional suppliers. (Source: Bioenergy DevCo, Bioenergy, June, 2020) Contact: Bioenergy DevCo, Shawn Kreloff, CEO, info@bioenergydevco.com, www.bioenergydevco.com; Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, Jeff Householder, Pres., CEO, 302.734.6799, www.chpk.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy DevCo news,  RNG news,  Anareobic Digestion news,  Chesapeake Utilities Corporation news,  

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Date: 2020-05-29
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reports it has submitted detailed information to Gov. Kate Brown on how it plans to carry out her March 10 executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The DEQ submissions outline the processes the agency will use beginning later this year for developing rules, policies and strategies to accomplish the governor's emission reduction goals.

The reports to the Governor focus on areas where significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved. Combined with actions by other state agencies, these steps represent Oregon's most comprehensive effort to date to stem the harmful effects of greenhouse gas pollution. The steps include:

Establishing a Cap and Reduce program, which will establish a regulatory program to require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in three broad areas;

Expanding DEQ's already successful Clean Fuels Program , which requires the state's transportation fuel suppliers to provide the people of Oregon with fuels that are less carbon intensive;

Working with ODOT and other Oregon agencies to implement other strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, including emissions standards for trucks and programs for large employers to help reduce driving;

Developing ways to capture more methane from Oregon landfills, which are a significant contributor to climate change;

Reducing avoidable food waste to prevent the environmental burdens of food production, distribution, refrigeration, preparation and final disposal, while also strengthening efforts to recover unavoidable food waste through anaerobic digestion and composting. (Source: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality , PR, Website, May, 2020) Contact: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality , Richard Whitman, Dir., Harry Esteve, Communications, 503-951-3856, esteve.harry@deq.state.or.us, www.deq.state.or.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,  Carbon Emissions,  Emission Reductions,  

DTE Biomass Energy, U.S. Gain
Date: 2020-05-13
Appleton, Wisconsin-based renewable natural gas (RNG) major is reporting an offtake agreement with DTE Biomass Energy for RNG produced by two anaerobic digestors at Statz Brothers Farms located in Marshall, WI.

Statz Brothers Farms have been generating renewable electricity since 2009 and as their power purchase agreement neared expiration, the farm was seeking new opportunities to utilize the onsite digesters. "In the past, renewable electricity produced at dairy farms was in high demand by power companies that were willing to pay a premium for it. Today, that's not the case as other renewable electricity sources have emerged. Luckily, demand for RNG as an alternative vehicle fuel has been on the rise for the past several years, presenting farmers an opportunity to continue profitable use of digesters. As a leading RNG developer, we're working with farms and energy developers to produce fuel for the transportation market. In some cases, we'll invest capital to develop the project, but in others we'll offtake gas produced and link to the most lucrative markets for credit generation," said U.S. Gain RNG Director of Business Development, Hardy Sawall.

U.S. Gain is actively involved in developing fueling infrastructure for fleets and operates alternative fuel stations on the U.S. West Coast. (Source: US Gain, PR, 5 May, 2020) Contact: US Gain, Hardy Sawall, Dir. Business Dev., www.usgain.com; DTE Biomass Energy, (313) 235-5555, www.dtepowerandindustrial.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digestion,  U.S. Gain,  DTE Biomass,  RNG,  

WELTEC BIOPOWER
Date: 2020-05-11
German biogas plant manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER reports it is set to break ground on a biogas plant in Veria, northern Greece for one of the country's largest abattoirs for cattle and pigs. The 500-kW plant -- which WELTEC has planned in collaboration with its Greek partner Tetoros Machinery in Megara -- is expected to go live as early as mid-November 2020.

The anaerobic digestion process will mainly use cattle manure and meat processing leftovers. Apart from these substrates, the 4,903-m3 stainless-steel digester will also be fed with production wastewater and fats from the operator's own abattoir and farms as well as from area farmers. Liquid substrates will be pumped directly into the digester from two storage units. (Source: WELTEC BIOPOWER Gmb, PR, 8 May, 2020) Contact: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH +49 4441 99978-0, +49 4441 99978-8 -- fax, info@weltec-biopower.de, www.weltec-biopower.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News WELTEC BIOPOWER,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Lystek International,California Energy Commission
Date: 2020-05-08
Cambridge, Ontario-headquartered Lystek International Limited reports it is working with the Goleta California Sanitary District (GSD)and the California Energy Commission (CEC) on a project that separates and co-digests organic food waste in a mobile skid-mounted anaerobic digester.

For the CEC funded project the digesters are being fed at variable rates to verify and document the level of biogas generation from the food waste collected and provide "real-world information that other wastewater and solid waste professionals can use to determine how best to manage SSO and food waste material."

In the coming months, Lystek will submit the results from the first phase of the project to the CEC. The next steps will include investigating the use of the company's patented low-temperature thermal hydrolysis process, LystekTHP, and the LysteMize refeed process for AD optimisation. According to the company, this allows for post-digestion processing of biosolids and the recirculation of the processed material, providing an improved biogas yield and increased energy generation. (Source: California Energy Commission, (916) 465-4500, www.energy.ca.gov; Lystek International Limited, May, 2020) Contact: Lystek International Ltd., James Dunbar, Bus. Dev, GM, (226) 444-0186, (888) 501-6508, (707) 430-5500 -- Calif., info@lystek.com, www lystek.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commission ,  Lystek International,  Anaerobic Digester,  

Cory Energy
Date: 2020-04-20
In the UK, Cory Energy reports receipt of regulatory approval -- planning permission for the addition of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities at its Riverside Energy Park next to Cory Energy's existing energy recovery facility in Belvedere, on the River Thames.

When fully operational the anaerobic digestion facility will divert up to 805,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste from landfill and produce up to 96 MW of low-carbon renewable electricity -- sufficient power for as many as 140,000 homes. (Source: Cory Energy, Trade Media, April, 2020) Contact: Cory Energy Riverside Energy Group, Dougie Sutherland, CEO, info@coryenergy.com, www.coryenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas,  

Capstone Turbine
Date: 2020-04-17
Van Nuys, California-based microturbine energy systemsCapstone Turbine Corporation reports it will supply its first 800 kilowatt (kW) C800 Signature Series micro-turbine for a new agricultural and animal waste-to-energy project for the Biokurasix Handa city biogas power generation facility.

The facility will use anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and is expected to come online before the year end. (Source: Capstone Turbine, PR, 16 April, 2020) Contact: Capstone Turbine, Darren Jamison,Pres., CEO, 818-407-3628, ir@capstoneturbine.com, www.capstoneturbine.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Capstone Turbine,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas-to-Energy,  

JLEN Environmental Assets
Date: 2020-04-03
In the UK, environmental infrastructure investment fund JLEN Environmental Assets Group Ltd is reporting an £11 million ($13.7 million) equity investment in the 5 MW of thermal and 0.25 MW of power generation capacity Peacehill Farm anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Fife, Scotland. The Peacehill Farm plant, which is accredited under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) schemes, produces biomethane for the national gas grid.

With this investment, JLEN's portfolio stands at 302.9 MW. (Source: JLEN Environmental Assets, Contact: JLEN Environmental Assets Group, +44 (0)20 3100 0000www.jlen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digestion,  Biomethane,  Methane,  

Trident Processes
Date: 2020-04-01
Sumas, Washington-based wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery specialist Trident Processes Inc reports it has been selected by Wellesley, Mass.-based Vanguard Renewables' as the nutrient recovery technology provider for a new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility at Goodrich Family Farm's dairy in Salisbury, Vermont.

Construction is underway on the biogas system project which, when fully operation in Q3 of this year, will process 280 tpd of manure and organic waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). (Source: Trident Processes Inc., Bioenergy Insight, 30 Mar., 2020) Contact: Trident Processes, Kerry Doyle, CEO, 800-799-3740, info@tridentprocesses.com, www.tridentprocesses.com; Vanguard Renewables, 781-232-7597, www.vanguardrenewables.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Methane,  Trident Processes,  anaerobic digestion ,  

ENGIE,Heathrow Airport
Date: 2020-03-20
In the UK, ENGIE is reporting an agreement under which it will supply London's Heathrow Airport with Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin Scheme (RGGOs) certified biomethane from anaerobic digestion (AD) until March 2022. The agreement builds on an existing partnership in which ENGIE supplies biomethane to the airport's Energy Centre. (Source: ENGIE, Various Media, Bioenergy Insight, 19 Mar., 2020) Contact: ENGIE, www.engie.com/en; Heathrow Airport, John Holland-Kaye, CEO, +44 0 8443 351801, www.heathrow.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENGIE,  Biomethane,  Heathrow,  anaerobic digestion,  

Future Biogas
Date: 2020-03-11
In the UK, Fern AD, a new BOCK and Guildford-based Future Biogas partnership venture farm and anaerobic digestion (AD) technology brand launching in April, 2020, will offer top-performance products and specialist consultancy for the UK agricultural and AD sectors.

Specialising solely in AD technology, Fern helps AD plant owners and managers use the latest science to optimize biogas outputs. Fern AD is also the exclusive retailer of its own "T16" digester additive, made with a balanced recipe of trace elements.

Future Biogas' biologists have extensive experience in the field, working on the company's 13 AD plants. The firm harvests 250,000 tonnes of maize to power its plants and produces 50MW of biogas every hour of the year, according to the company website. (Source: Fern AD Website, Mar.,2020) Contact: Fern, Helen Wyman, Mgr., +44 0 7830 66452, www.fernfarming.com; Future Biogas, Philip Lukas, Managing Dir., +44 (0) 1483 375 920, info@futurebiogas.com, www.futurebiogass.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Future Biogas,  Biogas,  Methane,  Anaerobic Digestion ,  

North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative
Date: 2020-02-17
The North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program recently awarded $1 million in grants for 15 projects aimed at boosting bioenergy opportunities and crop production in the state.

The following organizations received bioenergy-specific grants in the 2020 Bioenergy Research Initiative funding round: $33,212 to North Carolina State University (NCSU) Department of Horticultural; $122,594 to NCSU Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources for a 2.5-year project titled Sycamore: Sustainable Bioenergy-Improved Soil Health; $30,465 to NCSU Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources for continued work on Loblolly Pine Biomass and Economic Analysis; $80,738 to Appalachian State University Department of Sustainable Technology & the Built Environment for a two-year Biochar - Anaerobic Digestion project; and $74,382 to NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program to extend a Loblolly Pine Biomass Genetics/Cropping Study. (Source: NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PR, Feb., 2020) Contact: North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative, (919) 693-2483, (919) 693-6848 - fax, www.ncagr.gov/bioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative,  Bioenergy,  

Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association
Date: 2020-02-10
Following the indefinite suspension of fracking for shale gas in England, the London-based Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is urging the UK Government to look at anaerobic digestion -- biogas as an alternative to meeting its Net-Zero by 2050 emissions reduction goals.

ADBA notes that AD biogas 'ready-to-use' technology helps cut emissions in the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors of heat, transport and agriculture. Upgraded to biomethane, biogas can be injected into the grid with no changes needed to the existing gas infrastructure and used as a green transportation fuel, ADBA notes.

In the last decade, the UK AD sector grew 350 pct and is now employing over 3500 people. But it still needs policy incentives and investment to reach its full potential. In 2019, 650 AD plants across the UK produced 10.7TWh of energy. Over the next 10 years, ADBA anticipates that in addition to reducing emissions by 22.5m tonnes of CO2-equivalent every year -- about 5 pct of total UK greenhouse gases emissions -- it has the potential to meet nearly 20 pct of current domestic gas demand while providing 30,000 new green jobs in rural areas. The sector has also developed world-leading expertise which gives the UK a real opportunity to be at the heart of a growing global biogas industry, according to the release. (Source: UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association Contact: Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, Charlotte Morton, CEO, +44 (0) 20 3176 0503, +44 (0) 84 4292 0875 – fax., enquiries@adbioresources.org, www.adbioresources.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomethane,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Anaerobic Digestion
Date: 2020-02-05
In the UK, Newton Aycliffe-based biogas company Warrens Emerald Biogas reports it has been acquired by Bio Capital, an environmental investment fund, and plans to increase the processing capacity at its anaerobic digestion plant by 40 pct following a major cash injection. The planned expansion marks the fourth stage of investment in the facility.

The Warrens Emerald Biogas plant processes 115,000 tpy of food and agricultural waste at its site in County Durham. The waste is converted into more than 100 million kWh of clean energy to power the equivalent of 19,000 homes in the region, as well as supplying local farmers with 100,000 tonnes of bio-fertilizer. (Source: Warrens Emerald Biogas, PR, Bioenergy Insights, 4 Feb., 2020) Contact: Warrens Group, Warrens Emerald Biogas, Kevin Quigley, Commercial Director, +44 01388 487029, enquiries@warrens-group.com, www.warrens-group.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digestion,  Biogas ,  

Southern California Gas ,Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Date: 2019-11-27
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and the Richland, Washington-based US DOE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are reporting receipt of $300,000 in US DOE funding to design, fabricate and demonstrate a modular Integrated CO2 Capture and Conversion to Methanol (ICCCM) prototype for the combined capture and conversion of CO2 into methanol at an industrial CO2 source -- electric generation or anaerobic digestion facility.

Over the next two years, the project will evaluate the compatibility of certain catalysts and solvents, design and build and test a reactor a project that would advance the development of Integrated CO2 Capture and Conversion to Methanol (ICCCM). SoCalGas has spent more than $10 million on the research and development of low or zero carbon technologies in the last three years. (Source: SoCalGas, Energy Global, 26 Nov., 2019) Contact: SoCalGas, Yuri Freedman, Senior Director of Business Development, www.socalgas.com; PNNL, Dr. David Heldebrant, www.pnnl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methanol,  Carbon Capture,  ,  Southern California Gas ,  Methanol,  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,  

Anaerobic Digestion
Date: 2019-11-11
In the UK, the UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is calling on national party leaders to support the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry to help the UK meet its Net Zero emissions target. With the right support, the AD industry could deliver its full potential and cut emissions by 5 pct by 2030 and contribute to the development of a long-term sustainable circular economy for the UK by treating organic wastes and recycling them into green energy, natural fertilisers, Biofuels and other valuable bioproducts, according to the ADBA release.

ADBA notes that food waste must be collected separately and diverted to AD plants for recycling, so the current commitment to mandatory separate collections for households and businesses must be put into effect as soon as possible, l ocal authorities must be funded to meet set-up and infrastructure development costs, and . Government must commit as soon as possible to additional support for AD beyond 2021 as all current support is due to end by this date.

Supporting R&I could help supercharge the AD industry and put it at the cutting edge of biorefining science. and the other renewable industries, such as wind and solar, have enjoyed consistent support and are now extremely cost-effective and established as part of our renewable energy mix. AD and biogas should be given the same fair treatment now so that it can realise its huge potential towards decarbonising the UK economy by 2030. (Source: UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), PR, 11 Nov., 2019) Contact: UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association , Charlotte Morton, CEO, +44 (0) 20 3176 0503, enquiries@adbioresources.org www.adbioresources.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digestion news,  

Smithfield Foods, Dominion Energy
Date: 2019-10-25
Following up on our August 19 coverage, Richmond, Virginia-headquartered Dominion Energy Inc and meat processing giant Smithfield Foods Inc are reporting plans to will double their joint investment in their 2018 Align Renewable Natural Gas (Align RNG) joint venture anaerobic digestion project to the tune of $500 million through 2028.

The two firms anticipate Align RNG will undertake RNG from hog methane projects outside of North Carolina, Virginia and Utah, where its initial projects are located, according to a release. The newly announced investment injection will support projects that could produce sufficient RNG for 70,000 or more households and businesses by 2029. (Source: Smithfield Foods, Dominion Energy, PR 23 Oct., 2019) Contact: Dominion Energy, Aaron Ruby, (804) 771-3404, Aaron.F.Ruby@dominionenergy.com, Gary Courts, GM New Bus. Dev., www.DominionEnergy.com; Smithfield Foods, Lisa Martin, (757) 365-1980, lvmartin@smithfield.com, www.smithfieldfoods.com; Align RNG, (833) 658-9396, www.alignrng.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Dominion Energy,  Smithfield Foods,  

Biogas
Date: 2019-10-14
In Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, the Mazoon Dairy Company reports it has begun operations of the region's first cattle Waste manure biogas plant in Al Sunaynah. The biogas will be used to operate some of the dairy's operations.

The biogas plant is part of Mazoon Dairy's strategy to adopt environmentally friendly solutions and use waste to energy to enhance efficiency. Mazoon is the dairy company in the region to adopt biogas clean technology on a commercial scale.

Mazoon Dairy is also committed to managing other waste produced at the site, such as plastic in the factory, and plans to recycle treated water from the sewage plant for irrigation in the facilities, according to a release. (Source: Mazoon Dairy Co., Times News Service, 12 Oct., 2019) Contact: Mazoon Dairy Company, +242 10300 -24210301www.mazoondairy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Tennant's
Date: 2019-10-11
Glasgow-based beer maker Tennent’s, Scotland's oldest brewery, is reporting a £14 million investment in green initiatives, including anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities for the production of usable biogas for power at its Wellpark Brewery.

With the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025, Tennent's has become the first brewer to join the UK Plastics Pact which intends to ban single-use plastic used in packaging by 2021. (Source: Tennent's, Drinks Business, Various Media, 10 Oct., 2019) Contact: Tennent's, +44 141 552 6552, www.tennents.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

World Biogas Association
Date: 2019-09-20
Following on from the recent publication of its Global Potential of Biogas report, which demonstrates that biogas could rapidly reduce world GHG emissions by 12 pct, the World Biogas Association (WBA) has issued recommendations to world governments, financial institutions and other key decision makers to support the industry becoming a key player in meeting Paris Agreement commitments and developing a low carbon circular economy.

The WBA emphasizes the need to move away from fossil fuels and invest in the infrastructure and incentives required to build a powerful anaerobic digestion and biogas industry that will provide a stable and flexible source of clean energy, as well as bio-fertilisers for agriculture and a potent waste management and sanitation solution. The key recommendations focus around:

National pledges to reduce GHG emissions, including the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, through their Paris Agreement Nationally Determined Commitments, energy plans, net-zero targets by 2050 and increases in renewable energy production and consumption over the next decade.

The inclusion of AD into these pledges and at the core of circular economy strategies, with targets set for the production of biogas, AD included in all incentive policies and AD nominated as the preferred method of treatment for all biodegradable wastes.

Policies to increase biodegradable wastes capture, including the provision by local governments of separate food waste collections in both urban centers and rural areas, and mandatory food waste collection and treatment for businesses of a certain size, combined with increased AD capacity to process the new waste stream.

The development of a robust infrastructure to enable the collection and processing of feedstock in large communities as well as remote rural areas, its treatment through both large and small scale facilities, and distribution through a network of refueling points for biomethane as a transport fuel and injection points for gas going into the grid.

The management of digestate and implementation of regulations and standards for its safe trading and use.

Measures to ensure land is managed with due diligence to environmental impact and energy crops are integrated into production in the most sustainable way.

The World Biogas Association is the global trade association for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors, dedicated to facilitating the adoption of biogas globally. It believes that AD and biogas technologies provide multifaceted opportunities to produce clean, renewable energy while resolving global issues related to development, public health and economic growth.

Download the Global Potential of Biogas report HERE. (Source: World Biogas Association, PR, 19 Sept., 2019) Contact: World Biogas Association, David Newman, Pres., www.worldbiogasassociation.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News World Biogas Association,  Biogas,  Methane,  

Foresight Group
Date: 2019-09-04
London-headquartered investment manager Foresight Group LLP is reporting acquisition of two large-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) plants with a combined approximate power output of 95,000 MWh per year -- sufficient power for 30,000 homes in the UK. Both plants are operational and are expected to run for a further 17-18 years.

The acquisition forms part of the sale of Strutt & Parker (Farms) in East Anglia.

The transaction is a continuation of the partnership between Foresight and Material Change, and its parent company Heathpatch. As part of the deal, Material Change -- which provides services to 7 AD sites -- has entered into long-term feedstock supply, digestate offtake and management and maintenance services contracts, while Heathpatch is an equity investor in the projects. Foresight previously invested in 35 greenfield and operational AD plants across the UK and Europe. (Source: Foresight Group, Bioenergy Insight, 3 Sept., 2019) Contact: Foresight Group, +44 (0) 20 3667 8100, www.foresightgroup.eu; Material Change, www.material-change.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digestion,  Foresight Group ,  

Bioenergy DevCo,
Date: 2019-08-14
Columbia, Maryland-based anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities developer Bioenergy DevCo is reporting receipt of its first institutional investment of $106 million from Newlight Partners LP.

Bioenergy DevCo has more than 200 worldwide plants that create renewable natural gas (RNG) and soil fertilizers. The new funding will be used to expand its North American AD projects and RNG operations, according to a company statement. (Source: Bioenergy DevCo, Bioenergy Insight, Others, 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: Bioenergy DevCo, Shawn Kreloff, CEO, Peter Ettinger, VP Bus, Dev., www.bioenergydevco.com; Newlight Partners LP., Mark Longstreth, (347)344-8399

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy DevCo,  anaerobic digestion,  

Greenbelt Resources ,New Age Renewable Energy
Date: 2019-07-03
Paso Robles, California-based Greenbelt Resources Corporation is reporting a technology collaboration with King Ferry, New York-based New Age Renewable Energy, LLC. (NARE), an innovator in dairy waste processing projects, combining the NARE fermentation formulation with Greenbelt's ECOsystem technology to provide a cost-effective solution to convert dairy processing wastes such as "cheese whey" into ethanol and other valuable bioproducts.

In their collaboration, each ECOsystem solution would likely have a capacity between 400,000 and one million gpy of ethanol production per year. (Source: Greenbelt Resources Corp., Yahoo, 2 July, 2019) Contact: New Age Renewable Energy, (315) 314-8077, eduard@narenewableenergy.com, www.narenewableenergy.com; Greenbelt Resources, Darren Eng, CEO, 888-995-4726 x 101, darren@greenbeltresources.com, www.greenbeltresources.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenbelt Resources ,  anaerobic digestion,  New Age Renewable Energy,  

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,  

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,  

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 ,  

Quantum Fuel
Date: 2019-04-29
Ventura, California-based alternative fuel systems provider Quantum Fuel Systems reports it has partnered with Quantitative BioSciences (QBI) on a new dairy biogas project in Modesto, California.

Under the agreement, QBI will purchase Quantum's newest ten Virtual Pipeline trailers for use in the biogas facility funded by the California Energy Commission. The project is being developed by QBI and Fiscalini Cheese Company, and will result in the construction of a biofuels production facility to purify and compress biomethane from anaerobic digesters into transportation fuel. When fully operational, the he project is expected to produce 450 diesel gallon equivalent of CNG per day, According the Quantum, (Source; Quantum Fuel Systems, BioiEnergy Insights, 25 April, 2019) Contact: Quantum Fuel Systems, Mark Arnold, Pres., 805-308-6067, www.qtww.com; Quantitative BioSciences Inc., Natalie Cookson, CEO, https://ca.linkedin.com/company/quantitative-biosciences-inc

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Methane,  Niomethane,  Anaerobic Digestion,  CNG,  

Vaisala
Date: 2019-04-26
Further to our Feb. 4th coverage, Finnish environmental and industrial measurement specialist Vaisala Oyi has launched the world's first 3-in-1 in-situ biogas analyser, the MGP261.

The MGP261 relies on CARBOCAP® technology for measuring methane, carbon dioxide and humidity into a single compact probe that is EX-certified for operation directly in corrosive, potentially explosive biogas streams.

The Vaisala CARBOCAP® sensor's electrically tuneable Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) filter enables a reference measurement at a wavelength where no absorption occurs. When taking the reference measurement, the FPI filter is electrically adjusted to switch the bandpass band from the absorption wavelength to a non-absorption wavelength. With the MGP261, humidity and carbon dioxide are measured with the same optical filter, and a second optical channel measures methane.

Applications for the technology include anaerobic digestion and landfill gas monitoring, activated carbon filter monitoring in biogas treatment processes, and CHP engine feed gas monitoring. (Source: Vaisala, PR, Gas World, 25 April, 2019) Contact: Vaisala, Sampsa Lahtinen, Exec. VP Industrial Measurements, www.vaisala.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vaisala,  Biogas,  

Brightmark Energy
Date: 2019-04-08
San Francisco-headquartered Brightmark Energy is touting the launch of its recently completed biogas project in Yakima County, Washington. The anaerobic digester project will convert 150,000 gpd of dairy cattle manure waste from up to 7,000 cows into 160,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas (RNG) and other products each year.

Collaborating as Augean Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), Brightmark Energy, Promus Energy, and DeRuyter Dairies developed the project. Brightmark Energy will manage the joint venture and Promus Energy, the original developer, will serve as the project manager.

he Augean biogas project is supported by a $1.4 million in grant funding from Yakima County and a $500,000 Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grant from the USDA.

Brightmark is currently developing similar biogas projects in New York, Wisconsin, Florida, and Minnesota, and is seeking feedstock suppliers with an interest in collaborating on waste to energy projects. The company develops, owns and operates waste and energy projects.

Promus Energy LLC, based in Washington State and New Mexico, was launched in 2010 to convert organic wastes into low carbon intensity, high-value renewable products, focusing specifically on dairy-derived renewable natural gas (RNG) and recovery of nutrients and fiber. (Source: Brightmark Energy, PR, 6 April, 2019) Contact: Brightmark Energy, Bob Powell, CEO, (415) 689-8395, info@brightmarkenergy.com; http://brightmarkenergy.com; Promus Energy LLC, www.promusenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark Energy,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

anaerobic digestion
Date: 2019-04-02
In the Empire State, the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority reports construction of its $3.4 million, landfill Food2Energy anaerobic digestion (AD) project is well underway and expected to be commissioned before the end of May. The Food2Energy project is part of a $330 million initiative to upgrade the county's sewer infrastructure.

The Utica landfill presently handles approximately 169,000 tpy of municipal solid waste, roughly 14 pct of which is classified as "food scraps." (Source: Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority, Observer-Dispatch, 31 Mar., 2019) Contact: Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority, Bill Rabbia, Exec. Dir., (315) 733-1224, www.ohswa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas,  Methane,  Biogas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Anaergia
Date: 2019-03-13
Further to our December 14, 2018 coverage, Burlington, Ontario-based organics recycling solution provider Anaergia is reporting it will soon launch what it says will be North America's largest food waste diversion and energy recovery facility in Rialto, California. The plant will process 1,000 tpd of locally sourced food waste and bio-solids to produce pipeline-injected renewable natural gas (RNG).

The plant, which is slated to launch in mid-2020, will produce the equivalent of 13 MW of clean energy per year. The net CO2 emissions reduction will be approximately 220,000 metric tpy -- equivalent to removing 47,500 cars off the road. The project is co-funded by the California Energy Commission, U.S. DOE, CalRecycle, the state of California and significant private investment.

Anaergia's proprietary technology separates organics from mixed solid waste of any contamination level to recover energy and make fertilizer. The process involves anaerobic digestion (AD). (Source: Anaergia, Waste 360, Mar., 2019) Contact: Anaergia Andrew Benedek, CEO, (905) 766-3333 info@anaergia.com, www.anaergia.com, City of Rialto, Tom Crowley, Utilities Mgr., (909) 820-2608, www.yourrialto.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaergia,  Anerobic Digestion ,  

Clean Energy Technologies,Woolwich Bio-En
Date: 2019-02-27
Costa Mesa, California-based Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) is reporting the installation of a Clean Cycle II Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit at Elmira, Ontario-based Bio-En Power Inc's anaerobic digester power plant in Woolwich, Ontario. The plant utilizes two Jenbacher JGC420 generators to produce 1426 kW of electricity each, as well as waste heat.

CETY's Clean Cycle II ORC utilizes the plants wasted heat lost to the atmosphere through the exhaust stream to essentially produce free electricity resulting in an expected annual electrical savings of 769,149 kWh.

CETY's proprietary heat recovery systems are 140kW and are right in the sweet spot where user's needs are the highest. CETY is also excited about entering the large high rise market with its first installation slated for the 1540 Broadway high rise building in Manhattan, according to the company. (Source: Clean Energy Technologies, PR, 26 Feb., 2019) Contact: Clean Energy Technologies, Kam Mahdi, CEO , (949) 273-4990 Fax Number: (949) 273-4990 www.cetyinc.com;Bio-En, Power Inc., (519) 669-3777. (519) 669-5982 -fax, ptaylor@bio-enpower.com, www.bio-enpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digester,  anaerobic digestion ,  Clean Energy Technologies,  

WELTEC BIOPOWER
Date: 2019-02-22
Vechta, Germany-headquartered biogas plant specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER reports it has begun construction of a biomethane plant for Lane Farm Energy Ltd (fka Norwood Energy Ltd.) near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, UK. The gas-to-grid project developed by Aqua Consultants. The plant will go live in late 2019 and deliver c7.3 million m2 of biomethane to the UK gas distribution network. This amount of eco-friendly natural gas equivalent is sufficient to supply about 9,600 households with sustainable energy, 24/7.

Biomethane plants such as Lane Farm Energy will play an increasingly important role in the UK national energy mix. Compared to coal or oil, the biomethane production from leftovers enables carbon savings of about 90 pct, according to the company.

"With the UK needing to boost energy security post-Brexit, and to re-balance its energy mix to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement, recovering clean, reliable biomethane from organic wastes and injecting it into the gas grid is a crucial piece of the energy jigsaw. The provision of sustainable renewable heat and transport fuel from wastes means that biomethane will surely be further promoted by forward-thinking Governments. Biomethane plants are the epitome of the sustainable circular economy," the company notes. (Source: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH, Ann Borries +49 (0) 4441-999 78-220 presse@weltec-biopower.de, www.weltec-biopower.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News WELTEC BIOPOWER,  Biomethane,  Landfill Gas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

DRAX
Date: 2019-02-11
In the UK, DRAX, the UK's biggest renewable power generator is reporting the first BECCS demo pilot project of its kind in the world has begun capturing carbon dioxide at its biomass-fired power station near Selby in North Yorkshire. The pilot project uses proprietary solvent technology developed by University of Leeds spin-out C-Capture. The pilot project is the first-time CO2 has been captured from the combustion of a 100 biomass biomass feedstock anywhere in the world.

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 50 million tpy of CO2 by 2050 -- approximately half the UK's emissions target.

As previously reported, DRAX converted two thirds of the Selby Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal making the plant the country's largest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

C-Capture designs world-leading, patented chemical processes for carbon dioxide removal.The company's solvent-based technology offers a safe, low-cost way to remove 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,  Carbon Capture,  C-CAPTURE,  CO2,  CCS,  

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,  

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,  

UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Date: 2019-01-16
In London, the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) reports the release of its proposed guidelines intended to support the development of small-scale renewable energy technologies by ensuring remuneration for any and all electricity generated that is supplied to the grid by small-scale generators.

The proposed Smart Export Guarantee is intended to improve and replace existing Feed-in Tariff (FiT) schemes and a Generator Export Tariff incentive scheme for small-scale generators to supply electricity to the grid. Both schemes expire on 31 March,2019.

Those most obviously affected by such a shift are rooftop solar owners, but the UK boasts approximately 560,000 households and businesses generating small-scale electricity under the FiT scheme using a range of technologies including biomass anaerobic digestion, ,wind power and hydro-electricity.

The proposed Guarantee would specifically replace the FiT scheme and would require electricity suppliers to pay new small-scale energy producers for excess electricity generated from homes and businesses which is supplied to the grid. (Source: UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, CleanTechnica, 13 Jan., 2019) Contact: UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, https://www.gov.uk/.../department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy

More Low-Carbon Energy News UK Department for Business,  Energy and Industrial Strategy ,  

BioHiTech Global
Date: 2019-01-11
Chestnut Ridge, New York-based waste management specialist BioHiTech Global, Inc. is reporting the installation of a BioHiTech Revolution Series™ Digester at Pheonix, Arizona-headquartered Sprouts Farmers Market's first store in Philadelphia, Pa.. The BioHiTech technology is being used in 18 Sprouts locations nationally.

BioHiTech's cost effective Revolution Series™ Digesters technology platforms can virtually eliminate landfill usage through real-time data analytics to reduce waste generation, biological disposal of food waste at the point of generation, and the processing of municipal solid waste into a valuable renewable fuel. (Source: BioHiTech Global, PR, 9 Jan., 2019) Contact: BioHiTech Global, Frank E. Celli, CEO, Rich Galterio, Exec. VP, (845) 367-0603, rgalterio@biohitech.com, www.biohitech.com: Sprouts, www.sprouts.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel,  BioHiTech Global,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2018-12-14
In the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Eagles football club is reporting its home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, has scored US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification.

The stadium's energy efficiency and LEED qualifying feature include: operating 100 pct on clean energy, motion controlled LED lighting and HVAC, diverting 99 pct of waste from landfills, a comprehensive on-site anaerobic digestion composting program, the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, and phasing out plastics at concession stands. The facility also produces one-third of its annual power needs from its 11,108 solar panels and 14 wind turbines and sources its remaining remaining energy by purchasing credits from suppliers that use renewable energy. The stadium owners also created a 6.5-acre forest in Bensalem and planted 5,900 trees with help from the Conservation Fund and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (Source: Lincoln Financial Field, Inquirer, philly.com, 12 Dec., 2018) Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  USGBC,  LEED Certification,  

Anaergia Inc
Date: 2018-12-14
Anaergia Inc. is reporting construction is underway at the Rialto Bioenergy Facility east of Los Angeles, California. The facility will divert 300,000 tpy of organic waste from landfills and, using Anaergia's anaerobic digestion technology, produce the equivalent of 13 mw of clean energy per year. The net CO2 emissions reduction will be approximately 220,000 metric tpy.

The Rialto projectis being developed in collaboration with Waste Management, Republic Services, Southern California Edison, Anaheim Public Utility, Southwest Gas Utility, City of Rialto, the Sanitation Bureau of the City of Los Angeles, and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and of Orange County. The project is co-funded by the California Energy Commission, U.S. DOE, CalRecycle, State of California and significant private investment. (Source: Anaergia Inc., PR, 12 Dec., 2018) Contact: Anaergia Inc., Andrew Benedek, CEO, (905) 766-3333 -- Burlington Ontario, info@anaergia.com, www.anaergia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaergia,  Anaerobic Digestion,  Biofuel,  

Smithfield Food,Dominion Energy
Date: 2018-11-30
In the Old Dominion State, Smithfield Foods Inc. reports it is partnering with Dominion Energy are forming Align Renewable Natural Gas (Align), a joint venture company that will capture methane emissions from hog farms and convert them into clean renewable energy for residential home heating and power for local businesses. The JV has also announced their first projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Utah.

The companies The new joint venture will leverage Smithfield's relationships with contract hog farmers and the company's "manure-to-energy" anaerobic digestion project experience and expertise. Once collected and processed, the methane will be transported to a central conditioning facility where it will be converted into RNG. (Source: Smithfield Food Co., 27 Nov., 2018) Contact: Align RNG, www.alignrng.com; Smithfield Food, (757) 365-3000, www.smithfieldfoods.com; Dominion Energy, www.dominionenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News anaerobic digestion,  Methane,  Smithfield Food,  Dominion Energy,