Air Products
Date: 2021-10-08
Lehigh Valley, Pa.-based hydrogen supplier Air Products reports its new liquid hydrogen plant at its La Porte, Texas facility is onstream and producing approximately 30 tpd liquid hydrogen. The La Porte facility will join the company's existing hydrogen and syngas production operations, as well as an air separation unit at the site. The liquid hydrogen plant will connect to, and draw hydrogen to be liquefied from, Air Products' Gulf Coast Pipeline (GCP), an approximately 700-mile pipeline from Texas to New Orleans, and capable of supplying customers with over 1.9 billion feet of hydrogen per day from 25 hydrogen production facilities. The pipeline includes the supply of blue hydrogen from Air Products' Port Arthur, Texas facility where approximately one million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been captured annually since 2013, transported via pipeline, and used in enhanced oil recovery operations.

In addition to La Porte, Air Products has liquid hydrogen production plants in New Orleans, Louisiana; Sacramento, California; Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; and Rotterdam in The Netherlands.

Air Products recently announced its intent to begin the process of converting its global fleet of approximately 2,000 distribution vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell zero emission vehicles starting in 2022. (Source: Air Products, PR, 7 Oct., 2021) Contact: Air Products, Robert Tikovsky, VP Process Gases, www.airproducts.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Products,  Blue Hydrogen,  Liquid Hydrogen ,  

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Date: 2021-10-08
In Calgary, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) reports it and oil and gas companies have asked the Canadian Department of Finance to design a tax credit to pay for 75 pct -- a level high enough to provide an economic return and comparable to similar US tax credits -- on the cost of constructing carbon capture facilities .

Canada, the world's fourth-largest oil producer, is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and will provide incentives for at least two previously reported carbon capture hubs to sequester at least 15 million tpy of carbon by 2030. (Source: Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), Oct., 2021) Contact: Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Ben Brunnen, VP Oil Sands, 403-267-1100, www.capp.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ,  CCS,  

ILI Group, Eelpower
Date: 2021-10-08
Scottish clean energy developer ILI Group Plc is reporting the sale of the 50MW Fordtown battery energy storage project in Kintore, Aberdeenshire to energy storage asset investor and operator Eelpower for an undisclosed sum.

ILI Group has developed and funded 200MW of battery storage projects and has a further 800MW being prepared for market over 2021-22. In addition to this 1GW of battery storage, the company is looking to develop 3GW of pumped hydro storage. (Source: ILI Group, PR, Oct., 2021) Contact: ILI Group, Mark Wilson, CEO, +44 1698 891352, www.ili-energy.com; Eelpower, info@eelpower.co.uk, www.eelpower.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News ILI Group news,  Battery news,  Energy Storage news,  Eelpower news,  

AEP Energy
Date: 2021-10-06
Columbus, Ohio-headquartered wholesale energy supplier AEP Energy Partners (AEPEP) is seeking proposals for off-take from new solar, off-take from new/re-powered wind facilities and build-own-transfer of stand-alone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located in the PJM service region to support the company's growing retail and wholesale load.

AEPEP is seeking renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) of 10, 12 or 15 years for solar, wind facilities -- including incremental power from re-powering -- and BESS that begin operation between 2022 and 2024.

Complete RFP details are available HERE. (Source: AEP, Website Release, 4 Oct., 2021) Contact: AEP, Ben Duckworth, (614) 583-7453, beduckworth@aepes.com, www.aeponsitepartners.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News BESS,  AEP Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  

IBET
Date: 2021-10-06
The U.S. DOE Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is reporting the formation of the Integrated Biochemical and Electrochemical Technologies (IBET) to Convert Organic Waste to Biopower collaboration. IBET will be led by ANL, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University and will bring together waste-to-energy (W2E) technologies from each institution and opportunities to test these technologies with industry.

The IBET collaboration uses developments in separations, advanced bioreactor design, and process modeling and control. This new platform will help industry produce high-purity methane from mixed organic waste streams at large scales and support a circular economy.

Collaborations between Argonne and five North American universities -- Michigan, Northwestern, University of Toronto, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, and Tecnologico de Monterrey -- will help participants better understand the current state of W2E in North America. Partnerships and cost sharing among the practitioners will amplify the impact of the proposed work.

IBET corporate partners include: inCTRL Solutions Corp., a biogas and wastewater treatment modeling and control company; the Great Lakes Water Authority, a major utility in Michigan and a potential end user for W2E technologies; and Carollo Engineers, an environmental engineering firm whose wastewater innovations group has focused on carbon management and energy production, among other topics.

The IBET collaboration will increase knowledge sharing on bioenergy technologies and expand collaborative opportunities by providing Ph.D., masters and undergraduate students opportunities to deepen their research capabilities in technology development, participate in shared professional development and engage in cross-institutional bioenergy research and internship opportunities; broadening participation of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics within the bioenergy technology community while publicly disseminating research and educational information. (Source: ANL, Website PR, 4 Oct., 2021) Contact: Integrated Biochemical and Electrochemical Technologies (IBET) to Convert Organic Waste to Biopower, ANL, www.anl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News IBET,  Bioenergy,  Waste-to-Energy,  

Renewable Fuels Association
Date: 2021-10-01
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is touting its new redesigned website to provide access to important information and data more quickly, repackaged so it is easier to find. The streamlined website provides regularly updated market statistics and ethanol industry news, RFA studies, publications and infographics, and connections to RFA's increasingly popular social media accounts, according to the RFA release. (Source: Renewable Fuels Association, Website PR, 30 Sept., 2021) Contact: RFA, Geoff Cooper, CEO, www.EthanolRFA.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  

Nano One Materials
Date: 2021-10-01
Burnaby, British Columbia-based battery materials pioneer Nano One Materials Corp is reporting a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an un-named multi-national automaker to develop low cost, cobalt-free, manganese rich, LNMO batteries for use in automotive scale battery cells.

The agreement will focus on the multi-phase development and evaluation of LNMO (Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide) batteries using cathode materials prepared by Nano One for use in electric vehicles. Work under the MOU will include performance testing, economic feasibility and future potential commercial collaboration for jointly developed battery cells using Nano One's advanced LNMO cathode materials. (Source: Nano One Materials Corp, PR, 29 Sept., 2021) Contact: Nano One Materials Corp., 604-420-2041, www.nanoone.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Battery,  Energy Storage,  

Hydrogen
Date: 2021-09-29
Procuring hydrogen requires its separation from other elements through chemical processes that require energy. These processes have varying degrees of environmental and climate impact.

Gray hydrogen is produced by reforming natural gas, a processing technique used to rearrange the molecular structure of hydrocarbons. In this process, methane is mixed with steam at a high temperature to yield hydrogen and CO2 through a catalytic chemical reaction.

Roughly 10 kg of CO2 is released into the atmosphere for every 1 kg of gray hydrogen produced, making it the least renewable form of hydrogen with an overall negative climate impact, much like drilling for oil or mining coal.

Gray hydrogen is viewed as a "bridging" energy alternative. It is relatively inexpensive and commonly used in the chemical industry to make fertilizer and for refining oil, but .

Blue Hydrogen uses the same chemical processing technique used to make gray hydrogen. The difference, however, is the management of CO2. With blue hydrogen, the CO2 is captured at the production facility and stored separately (CCS)

Blue hydrogen has a significantly lower CO2 impact on the environment than gray hydrogen, but the blue hydrogen process -- although ecologically friendly than gray hydrogen process -- does not eliminate carbon emissions into the atmosphere entirely.

The Green Hydrogen production process employs electrolysis -- the separation of hydrogen and oxygen molecules by applying electrical energy to water. Utilizing renewable energy sources to generate the electricity for this process is the key to making green hydrogen. This technique yields a closed loop of sustainable energy free of harmful emissions. (Source: JD Power, Sept., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Green Hydrogen,  Blue Hydrogen,  Grey Hydrogen,  

City of Los Angeles
Date: 2021-09-29
In the Golden State, the City of Los Angeles reports it will invest $30 million in a municipal solar and storage programme that would install solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage capacity on city-owned properties operated by the Department of General Services, Bureau of Engineering, the Police and Fire departments and others. The City has put forward a motion that will seek to identify municipal buildings, which will potentially offer the greatest cost savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

The city is aiming to shut down all coal-fired power generation plants by 2025 and use 100 pct renewable energy by 2035. (Source: City of Los Angeles, PR, 27 Sept., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Los Angeles news,  Solar+Storage news,  

ERVIA
Date: 2021-09-27
"We need to stop seeing gas and electricity as separate and look at how to decarbonise the end-to-energy system, not just individual fuels. As Ireland's gas network is one of the most modern in the world, there's a ready-made solution right under our feet.

"The gas network can be repurposed to carry decarbonised gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, at minimal cost and disruption, and in turn play a critical role in an integrated gas and electricity system to decarbonise the country's energy needs.

"(ERVIA subsidiary) GNI's vision is for Ireland to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, to substantially reduce the country's carbon emissions while complementing intermittent renewable electricity and ensuring a secure energy supply , according to ERVIA CEO Cathal Marley speaking at the 25th annual Energy Ireland conference.

Dublin-headquartered state-own national gas and water utility ERVIA, through its subsidiary Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), operates Ireland's €2.7 billion national gas network and supplies more than 30 pct of Ireland's total energy, including 40 pct of all heating and over 50 pct of the country's electric power generation. (Source: ERVIA, PR, Website, Sept. 2021) Contact: ERVIA, Cathal Marley, CEO, +44 01 823 0300, www.ervia.ie

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  Biomether,  GHGs,  Decarbonization,  Ervia,  

Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association
Date: 2021-09-27
In a letter to Alok Sharma, President of the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26) to be held this November, the UK Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) urges the COP26 President to become an advocate for improving waste management to support the economy, job creation and the UK's fight against climate change by ensuring organic wastes are captured and transformed into valuable bioresources through anaerobic digestion (AD) to rapidly decarbonise UK's transport, heat, agriculture and food and drink and other key industries.

The letter notes that by turning all of the country's organic wastes into bioresources, the AD industry could help: the UK achieve carbon neutrality, including delivering 30 pct of the 5th Carbon Budget shortfall; create 60,000 green jobs this decade; bring over £5 billion of private sector investment; boost the UK's exports to a $1 trillion global industry; and support the country's agriculture sector and food and drink industry.

The letter notes "There are over 140 million tonnes of readily available organic wastes still being left undigested in the UK every year. Left untreated, they release methane -- a potent greenhouse gas -- directly into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change and causes human health issues. Recycling these through AD means that turned into valuable bioresources, such as flexible green gas (biogas), bio-fertiliser (digestate), bioCO2 and other valuable bio-products. With the right support, the UK AD sector would become highly competitive globally", the letter notes.

ADBA says the AD industry urgently needs a policy framework that brings together the multiple strands of work ongoing across government into a cohesive support strategy. The ADBA is presently working with key government departments in developing new strategies and in June, this year, launched the UK AD and Biogas Industry Climate Declaration committing the sector to "doing everything in its powers to deliver the greatest possible carbon reduction for the UK." (Source: Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, PR, 20 Sept., 2021) Contact: Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association , Charlotte Morton, CEO, Jocelyne Bia, Communications Consultant, +44 (0)20 3176 0592 Jocelyne.bia@adbioresources.org www.adbioresources.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Associationm Biomethane,  GHG,  Climate Change,  

SEIA
Date: 2021-09-24
"Steep duties proposed by an anonymous group of petitioners would devastate thousands of U.S. solar companies and cause the industry to miss out on 18 GW -- equivalent to the amount of solar capacity installed in all of U.S. history prior to 2015 -- of solar deployment by 2023, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

"The petitions now before the Department of Commerce would create 50-250 pct duties on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) panels and cells from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. They allege some companies are circumventing antidumping and countervailing duties (CVD) imposed on China in 2012. The three targeted countries account for 80 pct of all panel imports to the United States.

"Over 190 of America's leading solar companies sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo outlining the catastrophic impact these duties would have on the livelihoods of 231,000 U.S. solar workers and on the nation's efforts to fight climate change. The letter signers include manufacturers, developers, installers, financiers and service providers from across the solar supply chain. 'I cannot overstate the dire threat that these reckless petitions are imposing on hundreds of thousands of American families,' said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA president and CEO. 'The anonymous petitioners are asking the Department of Commerce to not only misinterpret U.S. law, but also overturn a decade of department decisions in solar trade cases, all to benefit a few anonymous petitioners at the expense of the entire U.S. solar economy. We urge Commerce to use its discretion and dismiss these frivolous petitions.'

"Wood Mackenzie forecasts the U.S. will install roughly 30 GW of new solar capacity in 2022 and 33 GW in 2023. The forecasts, which appear in the Solar Market Insight Q3 2021 report, are already well short of the pace needed to reach President Biden's decarbonization target for 2035 and implementing these duties would be a catastrophic blow to any chance of addressing climate change. The report also notes that recent trade actions, like the AD/CVD circumvention petition could exacerbate supply chain constraints and increase solar prices.

"The letter makes the case that the anonymous solar tariff petitions are based on a false premise that manufacturing done in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand is minor and insignificant, and that cells and panels are predominantly made in China and passed through the targeted nations. In fact, significant work is done in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Under the law they cannot be subject to AD/CVD circumvention claims and should be dismissed by the Department of Commerce." (Source: Solar Energy Industries Association, Website PR, 22 Sept., 2021) Contact: SEIA, Abigail Ross Hopper, CEO, Jen Bristol, Communications, (202) 556-2886, jbristol@seia.org, www.seia.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News SEIA,  Solar,  

Convergen Energy, University of Iowa
Date: 2021-09-22
In the Hawkeye State, the University of Iowa reports its met its goal of a 40 pct renewable energy mix by 2020 on its way to going coal free by 2025, with the use miscanthus grass pellet fuel. The university presently sources 42 pct or more of its power from renewable sources and one boiler exclusively fed biomass fuels.

The University initially grew and dried miscanthus and combined it with coal which was burned for power production. But this year the University sent its harvested miscanthus crop to Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Convergen Energy which incorporates miscanthus and non-recyclable paper as ingredients in fuel pellets to be burned for power production. The pellets are EPA-designated as a non-waste alternative fuel with reduced emissions over traditional fuels.

Fast-growing giant miscanthus can grow in marginal soil and produces twice the biomass of switch grass, according the USDA. (Source: University of Iowa, Gazette, 21 Sept., 2021] Contact: University of Iowa, Convergen Energy, 920 432 3200, info@convergenenergy.com, www.convergenenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Miscanthus,  Biomass Pellet,  Convergen Energy,  

Climate Action Reserve,AgriCapture
Date: 2021-09-22
Nashville, Tenn.-based AgriCapture's project listing is the second-ever greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction project in the Climate Action Reserve's Soil Enrichment Protocol (SEP). In preparation, AgriCapture collected data from 2018 through 2021 on 888 tracts of farmland in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Mississippi along the Mississippi River Valley. The initial project will quantify, monitor, report, and verify climate-friendly agricultural practices on 51,691 row-crop acres. AgriCapture will also continue to add additional acres to the project.

AgriCapture works to increase the profitability and value of land through sustainable land management practices while simultaneously advancing agriculture in becoming a natural solution to climate change.

Founded by landowners for landowners, AgriCapture grows landowner profitability, increases land value, improves farming and food supply chain sustainability and advances agriculture as a natural solution to climate change. The company's core offerings begin with on-farm consultation to help farmers implement regenerative farming practices that increase land value and unlocks additional revenue streams for managing the land in a climate-friendly and sustainable manner. The company leverages its proprietary process, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships to deliver a customized land management solution that generates optimized results. (Source: AgriCapture, Website PR, 16 Sept., 2021) Contact: AgriCapture, John Farris, Founder, CEO, info@AgriCapture.com, www.agricapture.com; Climate Action Reserve, (213) 891-1444, fax: (213) 623-6716, reserve@climateactionreserve.org, www.climateactionreserve.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Action Reserve,  AgriCapture,  Carbon Capture,  CCS,  Carbon Credit,  

USDA, Rural Energy for America Program
Date: 2021-09-17
In Washington, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports the issuance last week of $473,320 in renewable energy grant funding to 40 projects at farms and other rural businesses in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

The funding was part of a total grant package of $464 million that include $129 million to 48 states and Puerto Rico, as well as distributed $335 million to build or improve 1,432 miles of power line through the Electric Loan Program.

The funding was distributed through the USDA Rural Development office. (Source: USDA, PR, Farm & Dairy, 15 Sept., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development, www.usda.gov, www.rd.usda.gov; Rural Energy for America Program, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency

More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA,  Rural Energy for America Program,  Renewable Energy,  Energy Efficiency ,  

Uniper, Siemens Energy, Toyota Tsusho
Date: 2021-09-17
In the UK, Uniper, Siemens Energy AG, Toyota Tsusho and Associated British Ports (ABP) are reporting receipt of matched funding from the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, to study and help develop roughly 20MW of green hydrogen production for use at the Port of Immingham, either as a direct replacement for diesel and heavy fuel oil or for the production of clean shipping fuels.

The funded study will review the technical and economic feasibility of reducing port greenhouse gas emissions with hydrogen and develop a plan for future development, as well as assess key areas encompassing the conversion of existing infrastructure, the generation and storage of hydrogen and potential end uses of green hydrogen in and around the port.

The completed feasibility study could enable a front-end engineering design study (FEED) to start in 2022, with potential financial investment decisions in 2023 and possible first green hydrogen production by 2025. (Source: Uniper, Siemens Energy, Toyota Tsusho, RE News, 16 Sept., 2021) Contact: Uniper, www.uniper.energy; Siemens Energy AG, www.siemens-energy.com/global/en.html; Toyota Tsusho, www.toyota-tsusho.com/english; Associated British Ports , www.abports.co.uk/locations/immingham

More Low-Carbon Energy News Innovate UK,  Uniper,  Siemens Energy,  Toyota Tsusho,  Green Hydrogen,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2021-09-17
The Salt Lake City Department of Airports reports the new New SLC Airport -- the first new U.S. hub airport built in the 21st Century -- has received US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification .

The New SLC Airport was designed and built to: be flexible, right-sized design for the future that is more efficient, sustainable and maintains competitive costs; withstand a major seismic event; provide more areas to plug in electronic devices and reflect the beauty of Utah . LEED qualifying features include: emission reduction; waste minimization; water conservation and renewable energy implementation. (Source: Salt Lake City Airport, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: Salt Lake City Department of Airports , Bill Wyatt, Exec, Dir., www. slcairport.com; US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,  LEED Certification,  Energy Efficiency,  

Growth Energy
Date: 2021-09-15
Following a virtual discussion on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with Biden Administration representatives , Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor welcomed the Administration's commitment to produce 3 billion gpy of SAF by 2030.

"Crop-based biofuels are necessary component in achieving the climate goals that we share with the White House and the aviation industry. We are energised by the potential opportunity to expand our role in reducing our nation's carbon emissions.

"With the appropriate investment in critical research and development and the right policy environment, we know our industry can continue to help decarbonise our transportation sector -- from passenger vehicles to our aircraft fleet. Importantly, to deliver game-changing solutions, we must have a healthy and thriving corn ethanol industry to make the long-term investments in research and development.

"To meet this challenge, it important that new tax incentives are guided by technology-neutral life-cycle assessments by scientists who understand the U.S. biofuel sector -- in this case, those at the US Department of Energy. US tax credits must reflect US-based modelling, and we will continue to press for policy that reflects the most up-to-date science available." (Source: Growth Energy, Website PR, 10 Sept., 2021)Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF,  Growth Energy,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel,  

SK E&S, Plug Power
Date: 2021-09-13
Further to our March 1st coverage, In Seoul, South Korean municipal gas supplier SK E&S Co, reports it is prepared for an additional investment in the US renewable energy sector through its U.S. SK E&S Americas Inc. unit. The company presently has roughly $650 million invested in the U.S, biogas, solar PV, Energy storage systems (ESS) sectors, plus a $1.6 billion controlling stake in hydrogen fuel cell maker Plug Power Inc.

Additionally SK Holdings, the holding company of SK Group, has established a Hydrogen Business Development Center comprised of members from SK's energy companies, including SK Innovation and SK E&S. The new Business Development Center will guide the companies' transition into the production and distribution of hydrogen energy, including the creation of a mass production facility and investments in global business opportunities. SK Group companies already are making strategic investments in their existing energy businesses and forming partnerships with global leaders in hydrogen energy technology. (Source: SK Holdings, SK Group, SK E&S, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: Plug Power, Andy Marsh, CEO, 518-782-7700, www.plugpower.com; SK Group, www.skgroupinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  SK E&S,  Plug Power,  Renewanle Energy,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-09-08
The U.S. DOE reports it has recognized the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, as part of its Building Envelope Campaign for the design of the Industrial Center Building Addition (ICB-A). The ICB-A was recognized as a new building that performs above code because it uses emerging high-performance technology for its building envelope -- windows, exterior walls and roofs. The Fermi building envelope surpassed the award's criteria of a 20 pct improvement over current building code, providing a 25 pct improvement. Building envelopes account for almost 33 pct of energy consumption in commercial buildings. For ICB-A, the building envelope specifications alone would have only achieved about a 15 pct improvement.

Because ICB-A connects two existing facilities, the addition was strategically located to provide direct access to surrounding assembly areas while eliminating over 7,000 square feet of building envelope exposed to the outdoor environment. Placement of the roughly 25,000-square-foot addition combined with energy-efficient windows, exterior walls and roofs gave the building its performance boost.

Fermilab is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. (Source: US DOE, Office of Science, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Science, www.energy.gov/science Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, www.fnal.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Building Energy Efficiency,  US DOE,  

City of Longmont, City of Boulder
Date: 2021-09-08
In Colorado, in late 2019 the City of Longmont completed and commissioned a renewable natural gas (RNG) project at its Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) to produce fuel for use in the City's fleet of trash trucks. Eleven of Longmont's 21 diesel collection trucks were replaced with compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks capable of using RNG fuel. The remaining diesel trucks are expected to be replaced in 2024. The Waste Services division anticipates using about 50 pct to 70 pct of the biogas produced at the WRRF.

The City of Boulder's WRRF completed its Biogas Use Enhancement Project in 2020, producing RNG from the treatment plant's biogas. The RNG is sold to Western Disposal which can fuel up to 38 trucks in it trash collection fleet. Tetra Tech provided engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to the Boulder facility which incorporates Tetra Tech's proprietary BioCNG™ gas conditioning system.

The RNG is injected into the Public Service Company of Colorado's pipeline. Boulder also is capitalizing on the sale of RIN credits in the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) marketplace. (Source: City of Longmont, Pr, 31 Aug., 2021)Contact: City of Longmont, Longmont Utilities, (303) 776-6050, www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-n-z/utilities; Tetra Tech, www.tetratech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Boulder,  City of Longmont,  RNG,  RenewableBiogas,  Natural Gas,  Tetra Tech,  

Date: 2021-09-08
The U.S. DOE reports it has recognized the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, as part of its Building Envelope Campaign for the design of the Industrial Center Building Addition (ICB-A). The ICB-A was recognized as a new building that performs above code because it uses emerging high-performance technology for its building envelope -- windows, exterior walls and roofs. The Fermi building envelope surpassed the award’s criteria of a 20 pct improvement over current building code, providing a 25 pct improvement. Building envelopes account for almost 33 pct of energy consumption in commercial buildings. For ICB-A, the building envelope specifications alone would have only achieved about a 15 pct improvement.

Because ICB-A connects two existing facilities, the addition was strategically located to provide direct access to surrounding assembly areas while eliminating over 7,000 square feet of building envelope exposed to the outdoor environment. Placement of the roughly 25,000-square-foot addition combined with energy-efficient windows, exterior walls and roofs gave the building its performance boost. Fermilab is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. (Source: US DOE, Office of Science, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Science, www.energy.gov/science Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, www.fnal.gov

Strategic Biofuels
Date: 2021-09-03
As previously noted, Strategic Biofuels LLC, the leader in developing negative carbon footprint renewable fuels plants, reports its carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) test well program at its Louisiana Green Fuels (LGF) Project in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, has been completed.

The test well program demonstrated that CO2, the main greenhouse gas generated during the fuel production process, can be safely and securely stored deep underground and that the storage reservoir has sufficient capacity to store all the gas produced over the plant's lifetime. Completing the test well program is an essential pre-requisite for securing the permit for the EPA Class VI sequestration well.

The design and execution of the test well program was developed by COO Bob Meredith with help from Geostock Sandia, an international consulting firm that has worked with the Department of Energy on carbon sequestration wells for almost two decades. (Source: Strategic Biofuels LLC, Aug, 2021) Contact: Strategic Biofuels, Strategic Biofuels & Louisiana Green Fuels, [startlimk]info@info@strategicbiofuels.net[endllink]

More Low-Carbon Energy News Strategic Biofuels ,  Biodiesel,  CCS,  

Velocys
Date: 2021-09-03
Following up om our 25 July report, UK-headquartered landfill gas-to-liquid fuels and chemicals producer Velocys Plc reports it has secured a grant from the U.K. Department for Transport under the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition. The grant award is up to a maximum of £2.4 million, of which £1.2 million is subject to progress by the DfT in developing policy support for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

The Altalto project is a collaboration between Velocys and British Airways; the proposed plant will convert hundreds of thousands of tpy of residual waste into sustainable fuels, mainly aviation fuel. Planning consent was granted in 2020; the project is ready to proceed to the final stages of engineering prior to construction, subject to the policy progress mentioned above and to third party project funding.

info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys,  SAF,  Green Diesel,  

DOE Science
Date: 2021-09-03
The U.S. DOE reports it has recognized the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, as part of its Building Envelope Campaign for the design of the Industrial Center Building Addition (ICB-A). The ICB-A was recognized as a new building that performs above code because it uses emerging high-performance technology for its building envelope -- windows, exterior walls and roofs. The Fermi building envelope surpassed the award’s criteria of a 20 pct improvement over current building code, providing a 25 pct improvement. Building envelopes account for almost 33 pct of energy consumption in commercial buildings. For ICB-A, the building envelope specifications alone would have only achieved about a 15 pct improvement.

Because ICB-A connects two existing facilities, the addition was strategically located to provide direct access to surrounding assembly areas while eliminating over 7,000 square feet of building envelope exposed to the outdoor environment. Placement of the roughly 25,000-square-foot addition combined with energy-efficient windows, exterior walls and roofs gave the building its performance boost. Fermilab is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. (Source: US DOE, Office of Science, PR, Sept., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Science, www.energy.gov/science Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, www.fnal.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  

American Coalition for Ethanol
Date: 2021-09-03
Reporting from Lincoln, Nebraska, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is calling on the Biden Administration and Congress to make ethanol part of discussion by considering the Next Generation Fuels Act of 2021 which was introduced last week by Rep. Cheri Bustos, (D-Ill.) as part of the administration's efforts to decarbonize the U.S. fuel supply.

ACE wrote to Rep. Frank Pallone, (D-N.J.), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, "ACE encourages you to schedule a legislative hearing to hear from ethanol companies leading the way towards decarbonization and chart a path for policy that can help meet 2050 decarbonization goals. If appropriate, ACE or its member companies would be willing to testify at such a hearing," the letter noted.

Ethanol industry groups have expressed support for the bill because it would require a number of steps to be taken to expand the ethanol market as part of the overall climate strategy.The bill would require a lifecycle assessment of transportation fuels using the Greenhouse gas and Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. (Source: ACE, PR, DTN, 1 Sept/. (Source: ACE, PR, DTN, 1 Sept. 2021) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, www.ethanol.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

Blue Biofuels
Date: 2021-09-03
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida-based Blue Biofuels, Inc. is reporting Dr. Travis Baughman, Ph.D., has joined to company to lead the development of biodegradable bioplastics and nanocellulose from the company's patented Cellulose-to-Sugar (CTS) technology system.

CTS technology is a near zero carbon footprint system that can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin which are processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into bioplastics. The CTS process is an independently-developed patented and proprietary technology that is fully owned by the Company. The company believes that bio-fuel originating from the Company's CTS process will be eligible to receive EPA D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) of roughly $3 per gallon of ethanol in addition to the market price of ethanol. This incentive is offered to all domestic cellulosic transportation fuel producers. (Source: Blue Biofuels Inc., PR, 1 Sept., 2021) Contact: Blue Biofuels Inc., Ben Slager, CEO, Ben@Bluebiofuels.com, www.bluebiofuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Biofuels news,  Ethanol news,  Bioplastic news,  Cellulosic news,  

Coillte Renewable Energy , Orsted
Date: 2021-09-03
Irish state-owned forestry business Coillte Renewable Energy and Danish wind energy giant Orsted report they will submit a planning application for the proposed Ballinagree Wind Farm in Co. Cork to An Bord Pleanala -- the state regulatory board -- in the coming weeks. The two firms recently acquired the projects from Brookfield's Irish operations.

The project incorporates 20 wind turbines with a proposed overall blade tip height of up to 185 metres to be constructed on Coillte land and that of 16 local landowners.

To help tackle global warming, the The government of Ireland is committed to generating 70 pct of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2030, which requires an additional 4,000MW of onshore wind to be developed. (Source: Coillte Renewable Energy, PR, Website, Sept., 2021) Contact: Coillte Renewable Energy , +18 903 67378, www.coillte.ie; Orsted, www.orsted.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coillte Renewable Energy,  Orsted,  Wind ,  

Gevo, GEVO
Date: 2021-09-01
Englewood, Colorado-based Gevo, Inc. reports it has filed air quality and wastewater permit applications for its 45 million gpy Net-Zero 1 project in Lake Preston, South Dakota, with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

According to the Gevo website, "The concept of a Net-Zero Project is to convert renewable energy (photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas, biogas) from a variety of sources into energy dense liquid hydrocarbons that when burned in traditional engines, have the potential to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the whole lifecycle of the liquid fuel: from the way carbon is captured from the atmosphere, processed to make liquid fuel products, and including the burning as a transportation fuel."

Net-Zero 1 is currently expected to have a capacity of 45 million gpy of hydrocarbons (for gasoline and jet fuel, based on current take-or-pay contracts), to produce more than 350,000,000 ppy of high protein feed products for use in the food chain, to produce enough renewable natural gas to be self-sufficient for the production process needs, and also to generate renewable electricity with a combined heat and power system. Net-Zero 1 is also expected to utilize wind energy. (Source: Gevo, Website PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: Gevo, Dr. Chris Ryan, CEO, 303-858-8358, cryan@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gevo,  GEVO,  

Greenlane Renewables
Date: 2021-09-01
In Vancouver, Greenlane Renewables Inc. is reporting its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlane Biogas North America Ltd., has signed a total of Cdn. $12.8 million (US$10.2 million) in contracts for renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in the U.S. One of the contracts involves the supply by Greenlane of its membrane separation biogas upgrading system for a project owned by an international energy company. This is a repeat order within eight months from the last one.

Greenlane is also announcing contracts signed for the supply of two biogas upgrading systems, one each for separate RNG dairy farm projects in Wisconsin and New York State. These two projects will each utilize Greenlane’s pressure swing adsorption (PSA) biogas upgrading system. ((Source: Greenlane Renewables, Website PR, Aug., 2021) )Contact: Greenlane Renewables, Brad Douville, Pres., CEO, (604) 259-0343, brad.dauville@greenlanerenewables.com, www.greenlanebiogas.com,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenlane Renewables,  Biogas,  RNG,  

Committee on Climate Change
Date: 2021-08-30
In the UK, the the government's Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme is reporting £4 million funding to 24 projects to boost domestinc production of biomass that can be used as sources of green energy. Individual projects my be awarded up to £200,000 from the total £4 million funding.

The 24 innovative projects, from start-ups and family-run businesses to research institutes and universities, will receive funding to produce low-carbon energy using organic materials. The projects will boost biomass productivity in the UK, through breeding, planting, cultivating and harvesting of organic energy materials.

Biomass -- non-food energy crops such as grasses and hemp, forestry wastes and marine-based materials such as algae and seaweed -- is backed by the UK's independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and is a small but important part of the renewable energy mix the UK requires to meet its climate change goals.

The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme is funded through the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. (Source: UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Business News Wales, 26 Aug., 2021) UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_for_Business,_Energy_and_Industrial_Strategy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Committee on Climate Change,  

Renewable Fuel Standard
Date: 2021-08-30
Reuters is reporting the U.S. EPA is recommending the retroactive lowering Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel blending mandate.

Under the RFS, U.S. oil refiners are required to blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the nation's fuel mix, or purchase tradeable credits (RINs) from those that do.

As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. (Source: Reuters, 26 Aug., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Standard,  Biofuel Blend,  

UK Department for Transport
Date: 2021-08-27
In the UK, the Department for Transport has estimated doubling of the country's present E5 biofuel blend standard to E10 could cut transportation CO2 emissions by 750,000 tpy -- equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.

The upgrading to E10 is inline with a renewed push towards lowering carbon emissions through the massive transportation decarbonization plan (TDP) aimed at phasing out polluting vehicles. The plan also bans the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles starting in 2030, followed by a ban on hybrids in 2035 and petrol and diesel heavy trucks in 2040.

According to the London-headquartered UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) "The average UK biofuel CO2 emissions savings in 2019 were over 80 pct under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation meaning that increasing the renewable fuel content of petrol will reduce overall CO2 emissions. It is also worth noting that renewable fuels added to UK petrol and diesel must meet the government's sustainability criteria." (Source: UK Petroleum Industry Association, The Express, Aug., 2021) Contact: UK Petroleum Industry Association, +44 20 7269 7600, www.ukpia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News E10,  UK Department for Transport,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-08-25
The City of Bellevue Washington and Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) have developed a toolkit to give cities more detail on what is driving changes in local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from year to year. Supported by a financial assistance award from the Department of Energy Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning project.

the toolkit allows cities to attribute changes between two inventories to the impacts of policies and programs along with external drivers, such as growth or decline in the level of economic activity and changes to weather. This analysis will support policy-makers to better communicate about their progress and refine their policy approaches.

Download the Drivers of Change Analysis HERE. Download the toolkit HERE. (Source: US DOE EERE,Aug., 2021) Contact: US DOE EERE, www.energy.gov/eere; ICLEI-USA, www.icleiusa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs,  Greenhouse Gas,  Climate Change,  

AIR TO EARTH
Date: 2021-08-20
New York-based AIR TO EARTH LLC® (A2E) is offering permanent carbon removal subscription plans that deliver measurable emission reduction results and advance the removal of legacy emissions using a three pillars approach -- pollution rights removal, natural carbon removal and technology innovation of direct air capture, an emerging pathway for removing CO2 directly from the Air for use or storage.

A2E issues, registers, and retires A2E carbon removal offsets on behalf of individuals, corporations and institutions seeking a measurable and low-cost way to offset difficult to abate carbon emission. Each A2E CRO represents one metric ton of avoided carbon emissions and is backed by carbon pollution rights that are permanently removed from use under an emissions reduction framework validated by 11 U.S. States and the U.S. EPA.

A2E has partnered with Kiss the Ground, Restore America's Estuaries and Texas A&M Energy Institute to advance natural carbon removal and innovate direct air capture. (Source: AIR TO EARTH, PR, 18 Aug., 2021) Contact: AIR TO EARTH LLC, Joseph Stark, Founder and CEO, 914.924.5505, jstark@airtoearth.com, www,airtoearth.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Offset,  Carbon Credit,  AIR TO CARBON,  

Ameresco,Hannah Solar Government Services
Date: 2021-08-20
Framingham, Mass,-based renewable energy and energy efficiency specialist Ameresco, Inc. reports it is entering into a joint venture with Summerville, C.C.-based Hannah Solar Government Services (HSGS), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) renewable energy company. The two firms will work collaboratively to bring cleantech solutions to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other Federal agencies.

The joint venture was facilitated as part of the SBA Mentor Protege Program which helps eligible small businesses gain exposure and win government contracts through partnerships with more experienced mentor companies.

HSGS is a solar PV project developer and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm specializing in the development, design, installation and maintenance of solar PV energy solutions to a range of organizations from medium-scale commercial to large-scale utility solar energy projects. (Source: Ameresco, PR, Website, 18 Aug., 2021) Contact: HSGS, 843)-718-1866, www.hsgs.solar; Contact: Ameresco, Leila Dillon, 508-661-2264, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Solar,  

Edmonton Alberta
Date: 2021-08-20
On the Canadian prairies, the City of Edmonton (pop. 1.49 million), Albert, City Council reports unanimous approval of a $12.4 million, two-year pilot program to finance energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to 100 existing Edmonton buildings as part of the city's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The program, which will launch in September, will be available to homeowners and organizations for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements to their properties. The project financing will be repaid over time through a clean energy improvement tax.

The program is primarily funded by a Federation of Canadian Municipalities loan of $8.4 million and a grant of $1.2 million and a $2.1 million contribution by the city. (Source: City of Edmonton City Council, PR, 18 Aug., 2021) Contact: City of Edmonton City Council, www.edmonton.ca/city_government/mayor-city-councillors

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  Renewable Energy Clean Energy news,  Edmonton news,  

ENERGY STAR
Date: 2021-08-18
The U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR program reports it is expanding its efforts to drive energy efficiency improvements among U.S. data centers -- one of the most energy-intensive building types, consuming 10 to 50 times more energy per square foot than a typical office building. In 2014, data centers in the U.S. consumed an estimated 70 billion kWh, roughly 1.8 pct of total U.S. electricity consumption.

Through its ENERGY STAR program, EPA has launched an updated specification for ENERGY STAR certification of data storage products, unveiled a brand-new website to serve as the "go-to place" for data center energy efficiency resources, and will be updating its 1-100 ENERGY STAR score for data centers.

Data center equipment that earns the ENERGY STAR label is independently certified to meet strict efficiency specifications set by the EPA. For example, labeled computer servers are on average 30 pct more efficient than non-certified products. In addition to servers, eligible products include uninterruptible power supplies, data center storage, and large network equipment like switches and routers. More than 190 data centers representing nearly 30 million square feet of floor space have earned ENERGY STAR certification.

Download the updated ENERGY STAR specification for data center storage products HERE. (Source: US EPA, ENERGY STAR, Aug., 2021) Contact: DOE ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENERGY STAR,  Data Center,  Energy Efficiency,  

US DOE
Date: 2021-08-18
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $24 million in funding for nine research projects to explore and develop new materials, processes, chemistries and methods of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air.

The nine awards are led by two national laboratories and seven universities, including North Carolina A&T State University. Projects were chosen based on peer review under a DOE funding opportunity announcement open to universities, national laboratories, industry and non-profit research organizations. {Source: US DOE, Website PR, 18 Aug., 2021)Contact: US DOE, www.energy.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Carbon Capture,  Direct Air Carbon Capture,  CCS,  

Natural Resource Canada
Date: 2021-08-13
As previously reported, Natural Resource Canada (NRCAN) has announced the Canada Clean Fuels Fund noting "Canada's clean fuels industry must immediately, and significantly, increase its current capacity to play the critical role needed in our net-zero future. To do this, it will be essential to overcome the barrier of the upfront capital cost that private sector investment faces in the build-out of new clean fuels production capacity."

To that end, the Clean Fuels Fund will offer cost-shared, conditionally repayable private sector funding for new construction, retrofit or expansion of existing, clean fuel production facilities in Canada.

Funding program benefits will:

grow the domestic production capacity for clean fuels-- clean hydrogen, advanced biofuels, renewable natural gas, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) -- across Canada;

offer new opportunities for Canada's energy sector in the transition to producing cleaner sources of energy;

support Canada's efforts to reach net-zero by 2050and position Canada globally to reap economic, environmental, and social benefits of transition to clean energy.

Download Canada Clean Fuels Fund details HERE. (Source: Natural Resources Canada, PR, Canada Clean Fuels Fund, www.nrcan.gc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Natural Resource Canada,  Clean Fuel,  

US DOE EERE
Date: 2021-08-11
In Washington, the U.S. DOE has announced nearly $34 million in funding for 11 projects that will support high-impact research and development to improve and produce biofuels, biopower and bioproducts from municipal solid waste (MSW) streams and algae for conversion into low-carbon transportation fuels.

Selected projects will both research and develop waste for energy conversion, improve algae farming practices to increase production, and further understanding of MSW potential as a fuel and energy source.

Awardees across six projects will investigate various strains and farming practices of algae and explore new ways to improve their growth.

Recipent list and details HERE. (Source: US DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy , PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News US DOE EERE,  Algae Biofuel,  Municipal Solid Waste,  Alternative Fuel,  

Greenlane Renewables
Date: 2021-08-11
Vancouver, British Columbia-headquartered Greenlane Renewables Inc. is reporting its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlane Biogas North America Ltd., has signed a total of $12.8 million (US$10.2 million) in contracts for renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in the U.S.

One of the contracts, a repeat order, involves the supply by Greenlane of its membrane separation biogas upgrading system for a project owned by an international energy company. Greenlane is also announcing signed contracts for the supply of two biogas upgrading systems, one each for separate RNG dairy farm projects in Wisconsin and New York developed and owned by a proven leader in the waste-to-energy industry in the U.S. These two projects will each utilize Greenlane's pressure swing adsorption (PSA) biogas upgrading system. The identification of both project owners has been withheld at this time. Order fulfillment by Greenlane will start immediately on all three contracts. (Source: Greenlane Renewables, PR, 10 Aug., 2021)Contact: Greenlane Renewables, Brad Douville, President & CEO, (604) 259-0343, brad.dauville@greenlanerenewables.com, www.greenlanebiogas.com, www.greenlanerenewables.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenlane Renewables,  Greenlane Biogas,  RNG,  

Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
Date: 2021-08-09
In Trenton, the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) , through the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program which is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), has announced funding to the following organizations to help accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies within New Jersey's economy. The following organizations were funded:

Andluca Technologies Inc., located in Princeton, is a spin-out of Princeton University that is developing solar-powered smart glass technology. ($74,969), www.andluca.com

Arbela Laboratories, located in Randolph, is creating a methanol-fed Pichia platform designed to increase the scale and reduce the costs of biomanufacturing. ($73,000), www. arbelalabs.com

Eion NJ Corporation in Princeton is developing a specialty fine-grained mineral material that rapidly captures and stores carbon dioxide when applied to agricultural soils. ($75,000), www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.eion_corp.c300f040f3b70cd2ba87f619b617c01b.html

Farm to Flame Energy, located in Kearny, provides scalable, end-to-end electricity generation systems using biomass for communities in underdeveloped countries. ($74,995), www.farmtoflameenergy.com

Green Blu, located in Hamilton, is developing a solar thermal energy-powered brine separation technology for use in desalination, agriculture, and water industries. ($75,000), www.greenblu.co

NextGen Battery Technologies, LLC., located in Somerset, is developing a high-voltage, non-flammable solid-state electrolyte for lithium batteries. ($74,939), www.nextgenbattery.com

Princeton NuEnergy, located in Bordentown, is developing a battery recycling technology to recycle and reuse used lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, portable electronics, and other energy storage devices. ($75,000) www.pnecycle.com

RenewCO2, LLC., located in Cranford, is developing an electrochemical process that converts carbon dioxide to plastic precursors and other value-added chemicals conventionally sourced from fossil fuels. ($75,000), www.renewco2.com

SunRay Scientific, LLC., located in Eatontown, is commercializing an advanced material adhesive for use in electronics and semiconductor packaging. ($75,000) www.sunrayscientific.com. (Source: NJEDA, New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, Aug., 2021) Contact: NJEDA, New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, Judith Sheft, Exec. Dir., (609) 858-6700, www.njeda.com/csit

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clean Energy,  Renewable Energy,  

New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology
Date: 2021-08-09
In Trenton, the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT), through the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program which is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), has announced funding to the following organizations to help accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies within New Jersey's economy. The following bioenergy-biotech projects and organizations were funded:

Farm to Flame Energy, located in Kearny, provides scalable, end-to-end electricity generation systems using biomass for communities in underdeveloped countries. ($74,995), www.farmtoflameenergy.com

Green Blu, located in Hamilton, is developing a solar thermal energy-powered brine separation technology for use in desalination, agriculture, and water industries. ($75,000), www.greenblu.co

Arbela Laboratories, located in Randolph, is creating a methanol-fed Pichia platform designed to increase the scale and reduce the costs of biomanufacturing. ($73,000), www.arbelalabs.com (Source: NJEDA, New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, Website PR Aug., 2021) Contact: NJEDA, New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, Judith Sheft, Exec. Dir., (609) 858-6700, www.njeda.com/csit

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy,  

New Energy Blue
Date: 2021-08-06
Following up on our July 21 coverage, Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based New Energy Blue LLC is reporting site preparation work is underway on its planned ethanol plant near Mason City, Pennsylvania. Construction is expected to break ground in 2022.

The biorefinery will convert 275,000 tpy of locally sourced corn stover and wheat straw into 20 million gpy of ethanol and 95 tpy of lignin, a solid biofuel and natural binder. According to the company, the facility would be one of America's first carbon-negative refineries and would be the first large-scale use of Inbicon bioconversion technology outside of Denmark.

The company says it plans to build four more biomass refineries over the next 6 years. (Source: New Energy Blue LLC PR, KIM3 News, 4 Aug., 2021) Contact: New Energy Blue LLC, Thomas Corle, CEO, (717) 626-0557, info@newenergyblue.com, www.newenergyblue.com;

More Low-Carbon Energy News Inbicon,  New Energy Blue,  Biomass,  Cellulosic Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

California Ethanol + Power ,Joint BioEnergy Institute
Date: 2021-08-06
California Ethanol + Power (CE+P) reports it is partnering with the Emeryville, California-based Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a Bioenergy Research Center of the US Department of Energy (DOE), to develop scalable next-generation renewable energy products using biomass from CE+P's planned sugarcane ethanol facility in Imperial County, California.

The new partnership will jointly pursue research and grants to support new technologies and processes for breaking down byproducts of the planned sugarcane crop as a source for even lower-carbon energy products, including advanced cellulosic ethanol.

In addition to JBEI, research will also be implemented by the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab). (Source: California Ethanol + Power, Website News, Aug., 2021) Contact: California Ethanol + Power, 760-344-1004, www.californiaethanlpower.com; Joint BioEnergy Institute, (510) 486-7315, www.jbei.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Ethanol + Power,  Joint BioEnergy Institute,  JBEI,  Cellulosic Ethanol,  Ethanol,  Advanced Biofuel ,  

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Date: 2021-08-06
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released draft rules aimed at dramatically reducing Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years and decades.

The rules, which require approval by the Environmental Quality Commission, would establish enforceable limits on greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, heating oil, propane and other fuels used in homes, cars and businesses. Those limits would be lowered every year, reaching an 80 pct reduction by 2050. Emissions from the generation of electricity used in Oregon are being reduced through a separate program, recently approved by the Oregon legislature and signed by Governor Brown last week.

DEQ's Climate Protection Program focuses squarely on fossil fuels and on how Oregon communities and businesses can shift over time to cleaner forms of energy. Under the proposed rules, DEQ will set limits on companies supplying most of the fossil fuels used in Oregon.

A key part of the Climate Protection Program is helping vulnerable communities move to cleaner energy more rapidly. The proposed rules would allow regulated fuel suppliers to meet part of their emission reductions by supporting projects to accelerate affordable clean energy alternatives to gasoline, diesel, natural gas and other fossil fuels and make them available in rural, low-income and communities of color throughout Oregon.

Modeling conducted as part of the rule-making process shows that the program will significantly reduce emissions without disrupting the state's economy. The public has 60 days to comment on the draft rules. DEQ will review comments and further refine the proposal before bringing it to the Environmental Quality Commission for their consideration late this year.

Download Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program 2021 details HERE. (Source: Oregon DEQ, PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: Oregon DEQ, Harry Esteve, 503-951-3856, harry.esteve@deq.state.or.us, www.deq.state.or.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas Emissions,  

Isreal Carbon Emissions
Date: 2021-08-02
In Tel Aviv, the Israel Environmental Protection Ministry has submitted updated targets for cuts to Israel's global warming gas (GHG) emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The targets commit the state to slashing economy-wide net global warming gas (GHG) emissions by 27 pct by 2030 and 85 pct by 2050, relative to 2015. In quantitative terms, this means cutting emissions from 79 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2015 to 58 MtCO2e by 2030 and to 12 MtCO2e by 2050.

In terms of Israel's submission, the gases comprise carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Specifically, electric power generation GHG emissions will be cut by 30 pct by 2030, compared with 2015, and by 85 pct in 2050. Industry will be expected to cut emissions 30 pct or more by 2030, compared with 2015. In transportation, all new municipal buses will have to be electric by 2026 and total emission increases from transportation will be capped at 3.3 pct in 2030 compared with 2015. By 2050, they will be at least 96 pct less than those of 2015. Furthermore, all cars weighing up to 3.5 tons that are registered in 2030 will have to emit no more than 5 pct of the average global warming gases emitted by similar-sized vehicles registered in 2020. (Source: Israel Environmental Protection Ministry, PR, Times of Israel, 1 Aug., 2021) Contact: Israel Environmental Protection Ministry, www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_environmental_protection/govil-landing-pag

More Low-Carbon Energy News Isreal Carbon Emissions,  UNFCCC,  

Eni, BASF
Date: 2021-07-30
Italian energy giant Eni SpA and German industrial conglomerate BASF SE are reporting a joint initiative to develop a new technology to produce bio-propanol as a drop-in transportation fuel that could reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 65 pct to 75 pct compared to fossil fuels.

The joint initiative aims to develop bio-propanol from glycerin, a side product in the production of industrial biodiesel that Eni would buy from European producers, with a BASF catalyst. Bio-propanol produced in this way has better chemical properties than bioethanol and is therefore a valuable component for the preparation of premium gasoline, according to the release. (Source: Eni SpA, BASF, PR Market Watch, 29 July, 2021) Contact: Eni SpA, www.eni.com; BASF Dr. Detlef Kratz, Pres. Process Research & Chemical Engineering, +49 (0)621 60-0, www.basf.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni SpA,  BASF ,  Ethanol,  Bio-propanol,  Alternative Fuel,  

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Date: 2021-07-30
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has approved implementation of the Successor Solar Incentive Program that will pave the way for up to 3,750 MW of new solar generation by 2026, doubling the state's solar capacity. Solar energy is expected to generate approximately 10 pct of the Garden State's total electricity needs once the program is fully implemented.

The Program contains two sub-programs designed to uplift solar market segments through long-term, tailored incentives for a variety of project types, allowing NJBPU to contain program costs and provide financial certainty for market participants:

The Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) -- a fixed incentive payment for net metered solar projects of 5 MW or less -- including all residential customers and most commercial and industrial buildings and all community solar installations. The incentive value will vary based on project type and size, and will be guaranteed for a term of 15 years.

The Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) -- a competitive solicitation designed to incentivize the lowest financial contribution from ratepayers for grid supply projects and net metered commercial and industrial projects larger than 5 MW. The first competitive process is anticipated to launch in early-to-mid 2022, following additional stakeholder engagement throughout this summer and fall.

The program will provide one New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Certificate-II (SREC-II) for every MWh of solar electricity produced by a qualifying facility, with an additional $20/MWh added for public entities -- school districts, municipalities, etc. -- as well as a temporary incentive for projects built on contaminated lands.

Incentives range from $70-$120/SREC-II, providing continued support for solar development in New Jersey while also offering significant savings over the prior SREC value of approximately $220. (Source: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, PR, 28 July, 2021) Contact: New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 800-624-0241, www.bpu.stste.nj.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Jersey Board of Public Utilities,  Solar,  Solar Incnetive,