Maine
Date: 2021-01-20
In Augusta, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has launched new Technical Guidance For Utility-Scale Solar Installation and Development on Agricultural, Forested, and Natural Lands to encourage solar development in ways that avoid or minimize impacts to agricultural and forested lands, as well as other ecologically sensitive natural lands in response to growing interest in solar development in the Pine Tree State. The document also provides technical guidance for solar developers when designing, installing, and removing solar projects.

The department also launched Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Resources for Farms, a webpage that highlights opportunities that may help keep farms productive, reduce costs, and lessen environmental impacts.

Download Technical Guidance For Utility-Scale Solar Installation and Development HERE.

Access Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Resources for Farms, HERE. (Source: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, PR, Jan/. 2021) Contact: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, www.maine.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Energy Efficiency,  

Voltalia
Date: 2021-01-06
The Paris-headquartered international renewable energy company Voltalia is reporting its Cacao forestry wood waste/woody biomass plant in Roura, French Guiana has begun operation. The €75 million plant has an installed capacity of 5.1 MW and 550 kW/250 Kwh storage capacity and is expected to prevent 28,500 tpy of CO2-equivalent emissions.

The company operates three solar, two biomass, and one hydroelectric, as well as battery storage units with a total installed capacity of 30 MW renewable energy facilities in French Guiana. (Source: Voltalia, PR, Website, Bioenergy Insights, 5 Jan., 2020) Contact: Voltalia, Sebastien Clerc, CEO, +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00, www.voltalia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Voltalia,  Woody Biomass,  

Peat
Date: 2020-12-21
In the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) analysis has revealed the scale of the challenge that the Northern Ireland Assembly and the other UK governments and agencies face to restore and maintain the country's peatlands, which play a pivotal role in combating climate change.

Peatland covers approximately 12 pct of the land area of Northern Ireland, but 86 pct of peatlands have been damaged by pressures, including drainage, overgrazing, afforestation, burning and extraction in lowland areas.

The RSPB's analysis shows peatlands avoid 1,992 tpy of CO2 emissions -- equivalent to 5 pct of total UK greenhouse gas emissions every year. According to Martin Harper, RSPB Director of Global Conservation, "Peatlands are an incredibly important habitat in the UK both for wildlife and for storing carbon. If our peatlands are not restored, they will emit twice as much carbon as would be captured by tree planting in the Committee on Climate Change's UK forestry targets for 2050."

(Source: RSPS, Farm Week, 20 Dec., 2020) Contact: RSPB, www.community.rspb.org.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Peat,  Carbon Storage,  Methane,  

Arauco
Date: 2020-12-09
Santiago, Chile-headquartered global forest products manufacturer Arauco reports it is the first forest products company to achieve carbon neutrality by following two complementary paths -- efficiencies at an operational level that allow the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and at the same time an increase in CO2 captures by the native forest, forest plantations, and carbon stored in forestry products. The company plans to further reduce its emissions by incentivizing suppliers to reduce their own footprints, continuing to replace fossil fuels, and increasing its use of by-products.

According to Arauco Human Resources and Sustainability VP Charles Kimber, "Climate change is without a doubt one of the most serious problems being faced by our planet." (Source: Arauco, Woodworking Network, 7 Dec., 2020) Contact: Arauco, Charles Kimber, VP Sustainability, na.arauco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  

UK Woodland Carbon Registry
Date: 2020-12-02
Two key UK-wide carbon markets -- the UK Woodland Carbon Registry and UK Peatland Code -- report they have joined forces to form the new UK Land Carbon Registry, a 'one-stop-shop' for woodland and peatland carbon schemes.

To date, 526 woodland creation projects have registered with the new Woodland Carbon Code, with 40 pct being in Scotland. This represents a doubling of projects compared to the past year alone and these registered projects are predicted to sequester over eight million tonnes CO2 over their lifetime.

"This new joint registry will support nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. This builds on our existing support for the domestic carbon market, driven by our Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme which provides landowners additional long-term income for capturing carbon through new woodlands. Well-managed woodlands and healthy peatlands play essential roles in helping us to reach net zero, " according to Government Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith. (Source: UK Woodland Carbon Registry, FarmingUK, 30 Nov., 2020) Contact: UK Woodland Carbon Registry -- Woodland Carbon Code, www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk; UK Peatland Code, www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Markets,  

Neste
Date: 2020-12-02
The Government of Quebec has announced $5.943 million ($4.55 million US) in funding to a non-profit organization Bioenergie La Tuque (BELT) to develop and demonstrate the potential of producing advanced biofuels from locally-sourced forestry waste, woody biomass in La Tuque, Quebec, Canada. The funding will be used to continue project development and plant design, and the potential of building a renewable fuels plant in the area.

BELT, the Council of the Atikamekw Nation and renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel provider Neste have been jointly assessing the feasibility of utilizing sustainably-sourced forest-based biomass and residues for advanced sustainable biofuels production since 2017.

The BioEnergie La Tuque project would utilize 650,000 metric tpy of forest biomass and aligns with and supports Quebec's established forest product industry and commitment to sustainable forestry management and biodiversity, according to the release. (Source: Neste Corporation, Press Release, 30 Nov., 2020) Contact: Neste Corp., Thorsten Lange, Exec. VP, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Woody Biomass,  Advanced Biofuel ,  

World Bank
Date: 2020-11-30
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry and the World Bank on Friday last signed a deal under the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) which provides an additional opportunity for the government to receive payments in exchange for reducing carbon emissions.

Under the agreement, Indonesia will be eligible to receive up to $110 million for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation until 2025.

The results-based FCPF scheme seeks to advance the government's goal of reducing carbon emissions in East Kalimantan by 22 million tons, improve land management and protect 12.7 million hectares of rainforest and other bio-diverse biomass.

Indonesia has committed to reducing 41 pct of its greenhouse emissions by 2030. (Source: World Bank, Jakarta Post, 28 Nov., 2020) Contact: Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, www.forestcarbonpartnership.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Deforestation,  World Bank,  Carbon Emissions,  Forest Carbon,  

Evli Bank
Date: 2020-11-25
In Finland, Evli Bank Plc reports the launch of its new Evli Impact Forest Fund I, which provides institutional investors and high net worth individuals access to the world's leading forestry funds. The Evli Impact Forest Fund I can remove an estimated 21,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere" according to portfolio manager Roger Naylor.

The fund operates a fund of funds strategy, with the best 6--8 global forest funds selected for the investment portfolio. The fund focuses on low-risk strategies and low-risk countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.. "Up to 65 pct of the forest investments in our portfolio will be in the US. These forests provide good cash flow and are located in areas with large forest industries. Another important area is plantation forests in South America, where the trees grow exceptionally fast -- eucalyptus trees, for instance, can grow many times faster than trees in Europe." according to the release.

Evli's alternative investment product offering covers real estate, unlisted equities, infrastructure and forestry, which are managed through eight funds. Evli's expertise in alternative investment products dates back to 2005, when Evli was the first in Finland to start real estate investment in the form of a fund. Today, Evli's alternative investments portfolio management team consists of 20 investment professionals, and the funds' total assets under management have risen above €1 billion, according to the release. (Source: Evli Bank Plc., PR, 24 Nov., 2020) Contact: Evli Bank Plc., Tero Tuominen, Managing Director, Evli Fund Management Company Ltd, +358 50 439 2867, tero.tuominen@evli.com, www.evli.com

International Air Transport Association
Date: 2020-11-25
Geneva, Switzerland-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports the launch of the Aviation Carbon Exchange (ACE) the first centralized, real-time marketplace integrated with the IATA Clearing House (ICH) for the settlement of funds on trades in carbon offsets. ACE will be a key tool helping airlines efficiently manage these important transactions

ACE, which was developed in conjunction with commodities trader Xpansiv CBL Holding, enables airlines and other aviation stakeholders, enable aviation industry players to offset their carbon footprint by purchasing credits in certified forestry projects, clean wind energy operations, protection of eco-systems and remote community-based, and other projects to cut emissions. The platform will be a key tool for airlines in fulfilling their obligations under CORSIA which was agreed by governments through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016. (Source: IATA, Mirage, 25 Nov., 2020) Contact: IATA, Alexandre de Juniac, CEO, Director General, www.iata.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Air Transport Association,  Aviation Emissions,  Carbon Offset ,  

University of Kentucky
Date: 2020-11-09
In Lexington, the University of Kentucky reports it is leading a national group of scientists and industry partners studying ways to reduce sulfur levels in pine forestry waste -- including needles, bark, branches and pulp -- used to produce biofuels. The sulfur levels of some byproducts are high enough to exceed U.S. EPA standards, if the sulfur was carried over to biofuels.

Through a three-year grant from the U.S. DOE EERE, the research team, led by Assistant Professor Jian Shi, will work to identify the reasons behind the sulfur variability in pine feedstocks by studying byproducts collected from across the nation. The research aims to better understand how sulfur accumulates in biofuel feedstocks, what happens to the sulfur during thermochemical conversion and how to remove sulfur and improve gasification.

With the DOE grant and cost-share dollars from universities and the industry, the project will total more than $2 million. Partners include researchers from UK's Center for Applied Energy Research, Kansas State University, Idaho National Laboratory, Mississippi State University and Red Rock Biofuels. (Source: University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Contact: University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Jian Shi, Lead Researcher, 859-257-3468, www.ca.uky.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Biofuel Feedstock,  Woody Biomass,  

Renova
Date: 2020-10-28
Renewable energy and biomass power developer Renova Inc reports it has made a final investment decision and will proceed with the 75-MW Sendai-Gamo Biomass Project in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

The Sendai-Gamo Biomass Project will utilise wood pellets and palm kernel shells to generate roughly 553,300 MWh annually -- sufficient power for 170,000 households.

Sumitomo Forestry, United Purpose Management, Mizuho Leasing, and Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure are participating in the project which is slated to break ground in Feb, 2021 for completion and startup in Nov., 2023. (Source: Renova,Website PR, 26 Oct., 2020) Contact: Renova Inc., www.renovainc.com

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

Stora Enso, Biorenewable Deployment Consortium
Date: 2020-10-23
Helsinki, Finland-headquartered Stora Enso has been honored with the Biorenewable Deployment Consortium (BDC)'s 2020 Forest Products Innovation Award for their culture of innovation and leadership in the deployment of new sustainable biorenewable processes directed toward achieving the full value of trees.

"BDC is proud to honor Stora Enso with its 2020 Forest Products Innovation Award," said BDC President and Co-Founder Masood Akhtar, "Stora Enso is an excellent example of a company that has developed a culture in the deployment of biorenewable processes that will add value to operations, and make the company more viable for the future. This is the reason that Stora Enso refers to itself as the 'renewable materials company'".

Stora Enso develops and produces solutions based on wood and biomass for a range of industries and applications worldwide, leading in the bioeconomy and supporting their customers in meeting demand for renewable eco-friendly products. Building on their heritage and know-how in sustainable forestry and trees, Stora Enso is committed to the development of products and technologies based on renewable materials.

BDC, since 2006, has worked to bring together like-minded companies to share ideas and partner to deploy bio-processes that can be economic in the long run without government subsidy, by investigating new processes, being a resource, brokering partnerships, and holding two member forums a year where leading edge information from various bio-companies is shared. BDC recognizes the need for low cost feedstock, cost effective measures such as integration of processes, high value products, and good management to achieve the economics needed for success, according to the release. (Source: BDC, PR, 22 Oct., 2020) Contact: BDC, Masood Akhtar, Masood.Akhtar@biorenewabledc.org, www.biorenewabledc.org; Contact: Stora Enso, Lauri Lehtonen, Head of Innovation, Division Biomaterials, Ingrid Peura, Ingrid.Peura@storaenso.com, www.storaenso.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Stora Enso,  Biorenewable Deployment Consortium,  

Maple Leaf Foods
Date: 2020-10-21
Mississauga, Ontario-based food processor Maple Leaf Foods -- the world's first major carbon-neutral food company and the only food company in Canada to adopt science-based emissions targets aligned with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change goals -- reports it will mark one year as a carbon neutral company November 7, 2020.

Maple Leaf's sustainability goals include a commitment to reduce its environmental footprint and food waste by 50 pct by 2025, and to cut absolute greenhouse gas emissions produced from its operations and electricity purchased by 30 pct by 2030 following science-based targets. To offset unavoidable emissions that cannot be reduced, the company has invested in 11 high-impact environmental projects across North America, including forestry, waste diversion and renewable energy initiatives to bring the company's net carbon footprint to zero. (Source: Maple Leaf Foods Inc., PR, 20 Oct., 2020) Contact: Maple Leaf Foods, www.mapleleaffoods.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Emissions,  

CarbonStore
Date: 2020-10-12
Scotland-based forestry company Tilhill reports the launch of CarbonStore, a new service for landowners looking to sell woodland generated carbon credits to companies aiming to offset their carbon emissions. Under the service, landowners will have the opportunity to use the CarbonStore website to openly market their woodland carbon, offering market leading value while also securing an honest price for companies and helping them maximise their carbon offsetting ambitions.

Both Tilhill and CarbonStore are part of BSW, the UK's largest integrated forestry group. Also in partnership with CarbonStore are Maelor Forest Nurseries, a progressive commercial tree nursery and also part of the BSW Group. Together, the partnership can grow the tree seeds, design the new woodland creation schemes, plant the saplings, manage the trees and sell the carbon units. (Source: Tilhill, PR, Scottish Farmer, 11 Oct., 2020} Contact: Tilhill, David McCulloch, +44 0 1786 435000, Fax-- 01786 435001, enquiries@tilhill.com, www.tilhill.com; CarbonStore, +44 1786 649387, www.carbonstoreuk.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CarbonStore,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Offset,  

CRB Innovations,CanmetENERGY
Date: 2020-09-09
The Canadian federal Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) reports its Clean Growth Program will invest $4.5 million in Sherbrooke, Quebec-based CRB Innovations to support eco-sustainable development of the forest sector. The Quebec government Wood Innovation Program invested $2.5 million in the project -- a first of its kind for Canadian bio-refineries.

CRB Innovations is developing a commercial pilot project to convert forestry residuals and other woody biomass sources into intermediate products that will be converted into biofuels and co-bioproducts.

The Natural Resources Clean Growth Program -- a $155-million investment fund -- also provided support to CRB Innovations collaboration with CanmetENERGY (Ottawa) to convert CRB Innovations' mid-products to drop-in transportation biofuels. The NRC investment was made through the program's Science and Technology Assistance for Cleantech (STAC) initiative which provides federal laboratory support for innovators, intended to help bring Canadian clean technologies to market by providing federal research expertise, facilities and equipment. (Source: Natural Resources Canada, CNBW, PR, 8 Sept., 2020) Contact: NRCan, Natural Resources Canada Clean Growth Program, www.nrcan.gc.ca/climate-change/canadas-green-future/clean-growth-programs/20254#wb-cont; CRB Innovations, (819) 566-2335; CanmetENERGY, www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/energy-offices-and-labs/canmetenergy/5715#wb-cont

More Low-Carbon Energy News CanmetENERGY,  Natural Resources Canada,  Bioenergy,  Woody Biomass,  

HSBC Global Asset Management
Date: 2020-08-28
In the UK, London-based HSBC Global Asset Management reports it has teamed up with Australian climate lawyer Martijn Wilder's investment firm Pollination to create a $6 billion "natural capital asset manager fund."

The fund will invest in sustainable forestry, regenerative agriculture, water supply, ocean and coastal blue carbon projects, biofuels, and other worldwide projects that generate returns from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protect and restore biodiversity and other natural assets, and increase the earth's carbon sinks.

The joint venture will launch two funds in 2021. The first will aim to raise $1 billion that will go into "natural capital" assets such as forestry and agriculture, while the second, a carbon trading fund, will aim to raise $2 billion from institutional investors. (Source: HSBC, Australia Financial Review, 27 Aug., 2020) Contact: HSBC Global Asset Management, www.global.assetmanagement.hsbc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News HSBC,  Climate Change,  Low-Carbon Energy,  

Green Climate Fund
Date: 2020-08-21
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a $54.5 million facility for the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project aimed at addressing deforestation and forest degradation in the Northern Savannah Zone of Ghana.

The Project, which will be implemented by the Forestry Commission (FC) of Ghana with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with multiple national and local institutions, civil society organizations and private sector, leveraged vertical funds with $30,100,000 grant from the GCF, about $15 million from the Government of Ghana and mobilized about $9 million impact investments from the private sector .

The project's outcomes included the restoration of 200,000 hectares of off-reserve savanna forest and 300,000 hectares of degraded shea parklands as well as the establishment of 25,500 hectares of forest plantations in severely degraded forest reserves. The project is expected to cut 25.24 million tonnes of CO2 over 20 years.

The GCF is a funding mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that supports climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. (Source: Green Climate Fund, Ghana Business News, 21 Aug., 2020)Contact: Green Climate Fund, +82.32.458.6059, info@greenclimate.fund, www.greenclimate.fund

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Climate Fund,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Global Warming,  Deforestation,  

JetBlueNeste,CarbonFund
Date: 2020-08-14
Following up on our 1st Jan. coverage, U,S, air carrier JetBlue is reporting it is the first U.S. airline to achieve carbon neutrality for its domestic flights.

As previously reported, JetBlue committed to off-setting global warming by investing in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) from Neste, better advancements in engineering and partnerships with CarbonFund.org Foundation, South Pole and EcoAct to help offset carbon dioxide emissions. To date, the airline has offset 2.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide with CarbonFund.org and hopes to offset 15-17 billion pounds each year -- equivalent to removing 1.5 million cars from the road.

JetBlue will also partner with various renewable resource companies and foundations that specialize in solar and wind energy, forestry conservation and Landfill Gas Capture projects. (Source: JetBlue, PR, Travel Pulse, 13 Aug., 2020) Contact: JetBlue, David Barger, President, CEO, (718) 286-7900, www.jetblue.com; ; Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; CarbonFund, www.carbonfund.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News JetBlue,  Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Neutral,  CarbonFund ,  

WVU
Date: 2020-07-15
In Morgantown, West Virginia, with the help of a $10 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, West Virginia University is spearheading the development of a perennial multi-feedstock production system that is sustainable and economically feasible for the region.

At the heart of the project is the establishment of the Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-Added Products Consortium (MASBio), a regional group of universities, industry partners, national laboratories and governmental agencies interested in advancing the science and practice of sustainable bioproducts.

Led by, MASBio will leverage research, education and extension strategies for increasing utilization of available resources in the Mid-Atlantic region. Plans include utilizing some of the mined and marginal lands to grow switchgrass, hybrid willow, a short-rotation woody crop, which can benefit the land, economy and biomass feedstock production. The sustainable biomass crops feedstock crops will be blended with logging residue wood chips to create a massive regional multi-feedstock biomass supply chain with minimized costs, consistent quality and continuous supply.

Consortium partners include Penn State University, Virginia Tech, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, West Virginia State University, Eastern WV Community and Technical College, U.S. Department of Energy Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S.Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory and Rocky Mountain Research Station. Industry partners include: Double-A-Willow, Allstar Ecology, Ernst Biomass, Lignetics, Gas Technology Institute, Norris Thermal Technologies, Torresak and Eastern Biochar. (Source: WVU News, PR, 9 July, 2020) Contact: West Virginia University , Prof., Jingxin Wang, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, Lindsay Willey, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design 304-293-2381; Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu, www.wvu.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Biofuel Feestock,  Willow,  Switchgrass,  

Excelon
Date: 2020-07-15
In Chicago, Excelon Corp and the Exelon Foundation, an independent not-for-profit, have selected 10 startups to receive a combined $1 million in direct funding to develop new technologies to mitigate and build resiliency to the impacts of climate change in the inaugural year of the company's $20 million Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2iSM).

The Exelon Foundation invests directly in projects and people helping to address climate change mitigation and build resiliency to health and environmental pressures in under-resourced communities within Exelon's service area. Startup applicants were also required to demonstrate how their projects would meaningfully advance state and local jurisdictions' own sustainability goals under the US Climate Alliance.

Of the startups selected in the first round of funding, 50 pct are minority or women-owned businesses, 60 pct of the projects are focused on greenhouse gas mitigation, 40 pct are addressing climate change resiliency and adaptation. First-round startups will receive $100,000 each from the Exelon Foundation. They are:

ATP-MD, a Maryland-based startup with two patented and cost-effective processes that generate multiple environmental benefits using specially-bred, non-evasive plants (bio-crops) and their resulting biomass;

BlocPower, a software platform developer for analyzing, financing, monitoring and managing clean energy projects, allowing building owners to identify and complete energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in urban communities.

Dynamhex, developer of a software platform leveraging complex energy consumption data that enables close collaboration among a range of city, community and utility stakeholders to achieve local carbon-reduction goals.

Greenprint Partners reduces water pollution and flooding by working with water utilities and landowners to design, build, finance and maintain high-impact green storm water infrastructure (GSI).

GrowFlux, a horticultural tech company that specializes in data-driven cultivation technology and offers an ecosystem of commercial-scale, wireless controls and sensors enable emerging indoor farms and automated greenhouses.

NETenergy, a Chicago-based hybrid energy storage/air conditioner technology specialist with the potential to reduce peak energy demand by over 50 pct, reduce peak energy consumption by 20 pct, and reduce overall energy consumption by more than 10 pct over standard air conditioners.

New Ecology, developer of a remote monitoring and optimization (ReMO) system to improve the performance of buildings with central boilers for increased efficiency and reduced utility costs.

Propagate Ventures developed an analytics and project development platform that reduce the cost and provide the resources needed for agroforestry, which is the strategic integration of fruit, nut and timber trees with agriculture crops to ensure long term resiliency.

Radiator Labs invented the Cozy™, a wireless, low-cost and easily installed retrofit that drops on top of steam heat radiators, providing a solution to the chronic problem of uneven heating in apartment buildings.

The Exelon Foundation and Exelon Corporation are now accepting startup applications for year two of 2c2i. In partnership with Freshwater Advisors, 2c2i leaders are actively scouting for promising new startups and projects relevant to: greenhouse gas mitigation; protect urban infrastructure against flood, storm water and rising temperatures; climate change adaptation; and city sustainability and climate goals.

For more information, visit www.exelonfoundation.org/environment.html. (Source: Exelon, PR, 13 July, 2020) Contact: Exelon, Bill Gibbons, Communications, 708-932-6123, William.Gibbons@exeloncorp.com, www.exeloncorp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Excelon news,  Climate Change news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Vietnam, REDD+
Date: 2020-06-29
In Hanoi , the Vietnam Administration of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has announced it will implement the second phase of the international REED+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Vietnam Phase 2 (FCPF-2) program.

The FCPF-2 project aims to assist relevant agencies at the central level and in the six northern central Vietnam provinces to improve their institutional and technical capacity to prepare for the REDD+ implementation. It also supports the building of the emission reduction and transfer of the rights to emission reduction programme in the northern central region (ERPD) for 2018-2025, helping to carry out the national REDD+ action programme and the country's Nationally Determined Contribution under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Phase 1, which ran from November 2016 to June 30, 2020, was implemented in Hanoi and the six northern central provinces at a total cost of $5.7 million (US) , including $5 million in non-refundable ODA capital from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).

REDD+ is an international initiative aimed at providing financial and technical assistance for developing countries to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impact via efforts against deforestation and forest degradation. Vietnam has participated in REDD+ since 2008, and more than 45 related projects have been implemented in the country to date. (Source: Vietnam Administration of Forestry, PR, 28 June, 2020) Contact: Vietnam Administration of Forestry, www.flegt.org/web/vietnam-administration-of-forestry

More Low-Carbon Energy News REDD+,  Deforestation,  Reforestation,  Climate Change,  

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-06-05
In Wellington, the New Zealand Government's wide-ranging freshwater reforms and land-use policies -- including afforestation of farmland -- "has the potential to result in substantial annual net emissions reductions," according to recently released Cabinet papers.

"The majority of emissions reductions are through sequestration and are a result of anticipated land-use change primarily due to the interaction of the sediment proposal and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). It is expected that a portion of hill country pasture will be converted to forestry between 2025 and 2050, as afforestation is a cost-effective option for achieving the sediment bottom line. The maximum amount that could profitably be converted is estimated at 600,000 hectares. However, on-farm mitigations through [freshwater farm plans] will play a role and contribute to achieving the sediment bottom line without changing land use, so it is uncertain how much contribution land-use change will make. Depending on the degree to which new sediment requirements are met with afforestation, three different emissions reductions scenarios were drawn up," according to the papaers.

Even the most conservative scenario found a reduction of 35 million tonnes of CO2 or the equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas (Mt CO2e) by 2050. The most optimistic emissions reduction scenario for the freshwater reform package projected a sink of 97.2 Mt CO2e. New Zealand's annual gross emissions are around 80 Mt CO2e. Excluding the sediment policy, the freshwater package is still estimated to present impressive reductions, on the order of four million tonnes of CO2e by 2050, the papers note. (Source: Newsroom NZ, June, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aforestation. Reforestation,  Soil Carbon,  Carbon Sink,  Carbon Emissions,  

REDD+
Date: 2020-05-22
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry is set to receive a US$56 million grant from Norway as the first payment for Indonesian success in reducing deforestation and carbon emissions under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) cooperation scheme. The fund would be channeled through the Indonesian Environmental Estate Fund (BPDLH), a public service agency tasked with managing funds related to environmental protection and conservation.

The ministry reported to Norway that the country saw a decline in the deforestation rate in the 2016-2017 period, with 480,000 hectares of forest lost that was believed to have prevented the release of about 4.8 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions to the atmosphere -- a figure lower than the baseline agreed upon by both countries.

Under the REDD+ scheme, Indonesia and Norway agreed to measure Indonesia's results against a 10-year average level of emissions between 2006 and 2016. The annual emissions during that period were estimated at 237 million tons CO2e from deforestation and 42 million tons from forest degradation. Each ton of CO2e under the scheme was valued at $5, referring to the price designated by the World Bank for the REDD+ scheme. (Source: Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, Jakarta Post, 29 May, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  REDD+,  

EC,EU,Woody Biomass
Date: 2020-05-20
The European Commission (EC) reports it plans to "push a transformative approach to all forms of bioenergy -- including biofuels and woody biomass -- as part of a biodiversity strategy aimed at continuously assessing biomass supply and demand at EU and global level in order to "ensure that EU biomass-related policies are sustainable." The draft strategy plan, which includes the use of forest biomass for energy production, is expected to be released today, 20 May.

That strategy is expected to focus on the conservation of old-growth forests, which are considered the most valuable for biodiversity and climate protection. Under the strategy, at least 10 pct of land will have to be protected.

The EU's biodiversity strategy will not become legislation legislation until 2021, when the Commission revises key EU laws, such as the EU's Renewable Energy Directive, and the Regulation on land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). (Source: European Commission, EURACTIV, 18 May, 2020) Contact: EC, Frans Timmermans, Climate Chief, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/timmermans_en

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission,  Forest Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  Biofuel,  Bioenergy,  

FortisBC,REN Energy International
Date: 2020-05-04
In British Columbia, the utility company FortisBC will purchase wood waste-derived renewable natural gas (RNG) from Kelowna, B.C.-based REN Energy International through a new partnership. The production facility will be owned and operated by REN Energy and situated near Fruitvale, BC.

RNG is typically made by capturing methane released from decomposing organic waste. This project will utilise waste from forestry operations, sawmills and other wood manufacturers and create RNG through gasification, rather than decomposition. The syngas produced in the process will be converted to methane before being purified to meet natural gas line specifications, according to FortisBC.

The project is expected to produce over one million gigajoules (approximately 277,777 megawatt-hours) of RNG annually from forest waste-woody biomass when fully operational in mid 2021, according to the release. (Source: FortisBC, PR, Various Media, Bioenergy Insight, 1 May, 2020)Contact: FortisBC, Scott Gramm, RNG Supply Manager, Douglas Stout, VP, Market Dev., www.fortisinc.com, www.fortisbc.com/RNG; REN Energy International, www.rencorp.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News REN Energy,  FortisBC,  RNG,  Woody Biomass,  

NASA,University of Saskatchewan
Date: 2020-04-27
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is reporting the developement and testing of a new technology which turns waste into "green" fuel for possible use on the International Space Station and in long term space missions.

Developed in a recent collaboration with researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the high-quality fuel gas mixture is made from crop and forestry residues, food waste, cattle manure, petroleum, and petrochemical waste.

Consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane, the syngas can be used as a cheaper alternative to fossil fuels, green diesel and other applications. (Source: NASA, Gasworld, 24 April, 2020) Contact: NASA, www.nasa.gov; University of Saskatchewan, Sonil Nanda,Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Associate, Ajay Dalai, Canada Research Chair of Bio-Energy and Environmentally Friendly Chemical Processing, 306-966-4768, ajay.dalai@usask.ca, www.usask.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Syngas,  NASA,  Green Fuel,  University of Saskatchewan,  Ajay Dalai,  

Enviva Biomass
Date: 2020-04-24
Bethesda, Maryland-based woody biomass pellet specialist Enviva is touting its 2020 Implementation Plans detailing the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable wood sourcing in accordance with strict environmental standards.

The 2020 Implementation Plans define the company's measurable goals in three sections -- sustainable forestry standards, verification and transparency, and conservation leadership across the U.S. Southeast, where the company owns and operates wood pellet production plants.

According to a release, in 2020, Enviva plans to publish its first Corporate Sustainability Report describing how the company works to deliver on its mission to displace coal, grow more trees and fight climate change, its current environmental impact and sustainability practices and its goals for continuous improvement in sustainability of its business in the long-term.

The company also plans to add 30,000 acres to the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and/or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified land base. Enviva will also strengthen its existing partnership with The Longleaf Alliance to actively seek longleaf restoration through its wood sourcing on private and public lands in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas. The company will also assist in the conservation of 3,500+ acres of bottomland hardwood (BLHW) forests to meet the company's 10-year goal of conserving 35,000 acres of BLHW forests by 2030.

View Enviva's 2020 RSP Implementation Plans HERE. (Source: Enviva Biomass, PR, AP, 21 April, 2020) Contact: Enviva Holdings LP, Enviva Biomass, (301-657-5560), media@envivabiomass.com, www.envivabiomass.com

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

University of Saskatchewan
Date: 2020-04-22
On the Canadian prairies, researchers from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are reporting the production of a high-quality syngasa fuel gas mixture, using crop and forestry residues, food waste such as cooking oil, municipal solid waste, cattle manure, petroleum and petrochemical waste, and even scrap tires using a process called supercritical water gasification.

Unlike traditional methods that cause the emission of harmful CO2 into the atmosphere, the CO2 produced in the USask process helps plants produce oxygen, potentially making it a carbon neutral technology. While the researchers expect to see their improved water-based technology to be commercialized in three to five years, this method is not widespread yet due to high maintenance costs -- the salt in food waste corrodes the production tanks, according to the release.

The research is funded by the federal agency NSERC, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canada Research Chairs Program, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Saskatchewan government’s Agriculture Development Fund, Mitacs, and a few companies in the agriculture and energy sector. (Source: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Star Phoenix ,20 April, 2020) Contact: University of Saskatchewan, Sonil Nanda, Biological Engineering Research Associate, Ajay Dalai, Canada Research Chair of Bio-energy and Environmentally Friendly Chemical Processing, 306-966-4768, ajay.dalai@usask.ca, www.usask.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Syngas,  Green Fuel,  

Alliance BioEnergy
Date: 2020-04-10
In the Sunshine State, Palm Beach Gardens-based Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc. reports construction is underway on its new 4th generation Cellulose-to-Sugar (CTS 2.0) prototype.

CTS 2.0 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 subsequently into biofuels, and bioplastics, without the use of enzymes or liquid acids. CTS stands for Cellulose to Sugar. The cellulose is converted into sugar and lignin. The sugar is further converted into bio-ethanol and other biofuels; the lignin may be further converted into bioplastics. The company notes that biofuel originating from the CTS process will receive the generous D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) which are currently $1.40/gallon of ethanol. (Source: Alliance Bioenergy, PR, 9 April, 2020) Contact: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., Ben Slager, CEO, Ben.slager@alliancebioe.com; www.Alliancebioe.com

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

Washington State
Date: 2020-03-27
In Olympia, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has signed into law ESSHB 2528, legislation establishing a state policy recognizing and supporting the complete forest products sector -- landowners, mills, bioenergy, pulp and paper, harvesting and transportation infrastructure necessary to continue sustainable forestry, production and transportation of the state's wood products -- as an "essential part of the climate solution." The legislation comes into force 90 days after March 12th, when the session ended.

Washington State's private forests and wood products sector sequesters 12 pct of the state's carbon emissions, and working forests play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases, according to the Washington Forest Protection Association. (Source: Washington Forest Protection Assoc., PR, 25 Mar., 2020) Contact: Washington Forest Protection Association, www.wfpa.org; American Forest Resource Council, www.amforest.org; Office of Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee, Communications Office, Tara Lee, (360) 902-4136, www.governor.wa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gov. Jay Inslee,  Forestry,  Climate Change,  

Greenalia
Date: 2020-03-20
On the Iberian Peninsula, Coruna-based Spanish electric power producer and supplier Greenalia is reporting the opening of its $135 million woody biomass plant which it touts as "the most technologically advanced plant in Spain."

The facility will use locally sourced forestry waste to supply sufficient energy for roughly 250,000 homes and prevent over 393,000 tpy of CO2 emissions when fully operational in 2021. (Source: Greenalia, Various Industry Media, Mar.,2020) Contact: Greenalia, Manuel Garcia, CEO (+34) 902 905 910, info@greenalia.es, www.greenalia.es

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

Bioindustrial Innovation Canada
Date: 2020-02-17
In Ontario, the Sarnia-based Ontario business accelerator Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is reporting receipt of $15 million (Cdn) from FedDev Ontario to promote new sustainable innovations that will encourage biofuel and other green energy development and investment in Ontario.

To that end, BIc is establishing the Ontario Bioindustrial Innovation Network (OBIN) -- a second hybrid chemistry cluster in Brockville, Eastern Ontario. BIC will partner with the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission and St. Lawrence College to deliver OBIN.

Further to our BIC May, 2019 coverage, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada has released Canada's first national Bioeconomy Strategy reflecting the views of more than 400 industry representatives from across the country. The Strategy recommends action on four key priority areas identified in foundational work by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth, the Economic Sector Strategy Tables, and Canada's forestry ministers. These priority areas call for: creating agile regulation and government policy; establishing biomass supply and stewardship; building strong companies and value chains; and building strong sustainable innovation ecosystems.

Download the Canada's Bioeconomy Strategy report HERE. (Source: Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, Biofuel Int'l. 17, Feb, 2020) Contact: Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, Sandy Marshall, (226) 778-0020, info@bincanada.ca, www.bincanada.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioindustrial Innovation Canada ,  Biofuel,  

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,  

Finland Climate Change
Date: 2020-02-05
In Helsinki, the government of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has announced it will establish a muliti-million euro climate fund under the Finnish state-owned development and investment company VAKE. The initiative is part of the Marin government's long-awaited roadmap toward a carbon-neutral Finland by 2035. The fund will be targeted to combat the climate emergency, promote digitalization and expedite the transition to low-carbon industrial processes.

The government also announced it will encourage "clean investments" by gradually lowering the electricity tax for manufacturing industries as of next year to the minimum level allowed in the European Union.

The government also intends to increase carbon sequestration by three megatonnes by adopting a new climate programme for the land use, land-use change and forestry sector. The increase would account for less than 10 pct of the 35-megatonne change needed in the carbon balance to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, according to the Finnish Climate Change Panel at the University of Helsinki.

To meet its goal, Finland must cut its CO2e emissions from roughly 56.5 to 21.5 megatonnes by 2035. (Source: Finnish Climate Change Panel, Helsinki Times, 4 Feb., 2020) Contact: Finland Minister of the Interior, Maria Ohisalo, +358 295 480 171, +358 9 160 44635 - fax, www.intermin.fi/en/frontpage; Finnish Climate Change Panel, +358 50 4151201, www.ilmastopaneeli.fi

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral,  Carbon Emissions,  CO2,  Climate Change,  Carbon Sequestration,  CCS,  

Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels, US Advanced Bio-Fuels, Inc.
Date: 2020-02-03
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels LLC (NWABF), a wholly owned subsidiary of Frederick, Maryland-based US Advanced Bio-Fuels, Inc. (USABIO), is reporting an off-take agreement with Delta Airlines under which the air carrier will purchase sustainable aviation fuel, if produced, from NWABF. The NWABF process uses the gasification of woody biomass to produce syngas for the Fischer-Tropsch process.

NWABF's project would utilize forestry waste woody biomass to produce biofuel which would qualify under an approved carbon-reducing pathway recognized by ASTM. NWAF is currently carrying out a previously announced feasibility study to determine the potential for a production facility in Washington state. If constructed the Washington state plant would supply Delta's operations Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles by mid-2020.

NWABF is developing second-generation, commercial scale, cellulosic renewable bio jet fuel refineries with the first project being developed in the Pacific Northwest. (Source: Delta, Green Car Congress, 1 Feb., 2020) Contact: Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels LLC, 602-753-8386 www.nwabiofuels.com; US Advanced Bio-Fuels, Inc., (301) 644-1395, www.advancedbiofuelsusa.info

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Advanced Bio-Fuels,  Inc.,  Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Date: 2020-01-24
Speaking at the World Economic Forum this week in Davos, Switzerland, the UK's Prince of Wales launched a new Sustainable Markets Initiative to help financial markets become more sustainable and address the challenges of Climate Change. To that end, the Prince suggested the following:

Invest in science, technology, engineering and maths(STEMS) to help make sure new technologies are able to make it to market.

Invest in sectors such as agriculture and forestry and rethink how we can put nature at the heart of how the economy operates.

Look at existing industries and determine how they could be transformed to become more sustainable and ensure investments support sustainability.

Educate and encourage consumers to use low-carbon and environmentally friendly products and service.

Remove subsidies for environmentally challenging products and services and create pathways and incentives to achieving net-zero emissions. (Source: HRH Prince Charles, Daily Mail, 23 Jan., 2020)

Abengoa
Date: 2020-01-24
Spanish engineering company Abengoa SA reports it has been contracted by Madrid-headquartered Ence Energia y Celulosa SA, renewable energy, pulp and forestry group, to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for 3 years at a 50-MW parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Ciudad Real province, Spain.

Abengoa's solar O&M portfolio spans 1,648 MW across photovoltaic, CSP and hybrid technologies, according to the company. (Source: Abengoa, Renewables 21 Jan., 2024) Contact: Abengoa SA, www.abengoa.com; Ence Energia y Celulosa, +34 91 337 85 00, +34 91 337 85 56 - fax, info@ence.es, www.ence.es/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Abengoa ,  Solar,  CSP,  Concentrated Solar Power,  

Micorsoft,Bill Gates
Date: 2020-01-20
"We should discuss soil as much as we talk about coal. De-carbonizing the way we generate electricity would be a huge step, but it won't be enough if we don't reach zero net emissions from every sector of the economy ... that includes the agriculture, forestry, and land use sector, which is responsible for 24 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions." -- Bill Gates.

Bill Gates is an American business magnate, investor, author, philanthropist, and humanitarian best known as the principal founder of Microsoft Corporation. Gates' fortune is estimated at $100 billion. (Source: Bill Gates, Gates Notes, CIRCASA, 3 April, 2019)Contact: Gates Notes www.gatesnotes.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Microsoft,  Bill Gates,  Decarbonization,  

Enviv
Date: 2020-01-17
Bethesda, Maryland-based wood pellet supplier Enviva Holdings Inc is reporting an important piece of the Little River watershed in the North Carolina Piedmont region will be protected for years to come in part through the help of a $20,000 grant from the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund to the Three Rivers Land Trust. The Fund’s support leveraged another $660,000 in external funding, allowing the Land Trust to purchase a permanent conservation easement on approximately 230 acres adjacent to another conservation site that protects one of the few remaining bogs in the Piedmont region. The property is a unique landscape with high ecological and conservation value and contains a mix of bottom land hardwoods and long leaf pine forests.

According to its website, the Fund's goal is to be a catalyst for investments in critical forest and habitat conservation in the North Carolina coastal plain and southeastern Virginia region. More than three years into the planned 10-year partnership, seventeen projects have been funded with a total commitment of over $2 million including the grant announced today. When these projects are completed, the Fund will have protected an estimated 24,500 acres of sensitive wetland forest and other habitats. (Source: U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, 16 Jan., 2020) Contact: U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities , 864.233.7646, 864.235.3842 - fax, info@usendowment.org, www.usedndowmwnt.org; : Enviva Holdings LP, Enviva Biomass, Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, VP, (301) 615-5560, jennifer@envivabiomass.com, www.envivabiomass.com

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

University of Virginia
Date: 2019-12-11
A recently released study from the University of Virginia notes that farming, agriculture and other land practices presently contribute around 11 gigatons to CO2 emissions per year -- roughly one quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, the study argues that the land could actually be converted into an absorber of carbon, given the right conditions.

Among the measures recommended by the study were richer countries transitioning to plant-based diets and reducing food waste, while aiding poorer nations to curb deforestation and restore degraded land. If a concerted global effort was made, land could be absorbing three gigatons of carbon by 2050, turning one of our biggest liabilities into a helping hand in the fight against climate change. The study also recommends:

95 pct reduction in deforestation and land degradation by 2050. This would include more robust conservation policies in developing tropical countries, as well as the conversion of coastal wetlands into protected areas and the prohibition of peatland burning.

25 pct reduction in agricultural emissions by 2050. This would include introducing synthetic or organic fertilizers, enhancing the water-agriculture interface in places where rice cultivation is a primary industry and managing emissions from fermentation and manure.

50 pct adoption of plant-based diets by 2050. This would involve encouraging a healthier diet through consumer campaigns and governmental policies, as well as the development of new foodstuffs to entice unconvinced consumers.

50 pct reduction of current level of food waste by 2050. This would involve tightening up gaps in the supply chain, improving consumer awareness through advertising campaigns and enhancing refrigeration and distribution capabilities in the developing world.

Restoration of forests, coastal wetlands and drained peatlands. This would involve financing ecosystem services, improving in local and national conservation policies and investing in restoration practices.

Improving forestry and agroforestry management. This would include optimising current forestation conservation process and integrating agroforestry into lands currently used for agriculture and grazing.

Enhancing soil carbon sequestration capabilities. This would include controlling soil erosion, reducing tillage of the land and restoring degraded soils, as well as the application of biochar where appropriate.

Deploying bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in developed countries. This would involve investing into the research and development of BECCS technologies and deploying them in relevant sites. (Source: University of Virginia, Environmental Technology, 1 Dec., 2019) Contact: University of Virginia, Stephanie Roe, Environmental Researcher, Report Lead Author, 434-924-7761, www.evsc.as.virginia.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon,  Carbon Storage,  

Food and Agriculture Organization
Date: 2019-12-11
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced a new $7.1 million forestry management initiative to help 26 Asian, African and Latin American nations provide improved data on forest health and management as well as land use -- a key pledge of all State signatories to the COP15 Paris Climate Agreement.

The Paris Agreement calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low-carbon future. This includes regular reports every five years on emissions levels and emission reduction initiatives, forest and soil health data and an assessment of progress in addressing these issues.

The FAO program will be widely available to universities, the private sector and intergovernmental organizations. (Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Guardian Blog, Dec., 2019) Contact: Food and Agriculture Organization, www.fao.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Forestry,  CO2,  Carbon Emissions,  

Active Energy Group
Date: 2019-12-02
London, UK-based Active Energy Group is confirming a 20-year license agreement with Westbank, British Columbia-based forestry waste management specialist RMD Environmentals Inc under which RMD will construct processing plants utilizing Active Energy's CoalSwitch technology.

RMD plans to construct and operate stand-alone and joint venture-based CoalSwitch plants in Alberta and British Columbia with the support and involvement of provincial governments, Canadian forestry managers/owners, Indigenous groups, timberlands operators and downstream production companies.

The CoalSwitch product is made from woody biomass including pulp and saw mill by-products such as bark, sawdust and thinning, and wood which is over-age, under-quality, blow-down, beetle-kill, forest-fire damaged, or industrial waste. CoalSwitch can be burned by old, coal-fired generation facilities without the need for a retrofit. (Source: RMDE, PR, Canadian Biomass, 28 Nov., 2019) Contact: RMDE, Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson, Chairman, Commercial Opportunities/Investor Relations: Richard.Spinks@rmde.ca www.rmde.ca; Active Energy Group, Coal Switch, Michael Rowan, CEO, +44 (0) 20 3021 1500, www.active-energy.com, www.aegplc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Active Energy Group,  CoalSwitch,  

San Juan Islands Conservation District
Date: 2019-11-13
San Juan Islands Conservation District in Washington State is reporting receipt of $181,882 in grant matching funding from the Washington Department of Commerce Forest Products Financial Assistance Program for wood energy projects. On Nov. 5, the agency funded four proposed projects that provide heat, power, engineered fuel products and/or significant energy efficiency improvements.

This proposal includes a technology assessment, site analysis and conceptual design of an advanced wood energy microgrid gasifier system to generate heat and power for community facilities on Orcas.

The Forest Products Financial Assistance Program emphasizes projects that use woody biomass from forestry management activities and wood products manufacturing. to develop appropriate energy and biochar technologies to process woody biomass. Under the program, energy produced by a funded biomass plant would be around 2.6 million kilowatt-hours per year. . (Source: San Juan Islands Conservation District, Islands Weekly, 12 Nov., 2019) Contact: San Juan Islands Conservation District, www.sanjuanislandscd.org; Washington Department of Commerce Forest Products Financial Assistance Program, www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/forest-products-financial-assistance

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  

Restoration Fuels,
Date: 2019-10-30
Restoration Fuels, an Oregon benefit corporation, is reporting its woody biomass torrification plant in the community of John Day, Grant County, Oregon is expected to begin production in mid-November, 2020. The plant will turn forest waste, woody biomass into a product that can be burned for fuel.

At full capacity, the $17.5 million plant at the Malheur Lumber mill is expected to produce 80,000-90,000 tpy of torrefied wood. The plant is partially funded by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities with some development expenses provided by the Forest Service and air pollution-reducing equipment funded by the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund.

Restoration Fuels is in discussions with utilities from Europe and Asia and several power plants in the United States as possible customers. (Source: Restoration Fuels, Blue Mountain Eagle, Bend Bulletin, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: Restoration Fuels, Matt Krumenauer, CEO, info@restorationfuels.com, www.restorationfuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Torrified Wood,  Woody Biomass,  

Global Bioenergies
Date: 2019-10-04
Further to our 8th February coverage, Evry, France-based Global Bioenergies will soon be receiving €2.6 million and IBN-One €500,000 in the form of repayable advances, following last July's achievement of a technical and financial milestone in the isobutene (ISOPROD) project funded by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), which involves Global Bioenergies, Cristal Union cooperative sugar group and L'Oreal around the IBN-One first plant project.

Global Bioenergies and Cristal Union created the IBN-One joint venture which was granted a license on Global Bioenergies' process and its planned construction and operation of the first commercial-scale renewable isobutene plant in France.

Global Bioenergies' conversion process is based on fermentation for renewable resources -- residual sugars, agricultural and forestry waste -- into isobutene, one of the petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into ingredients for gasoline, kerosene, LPG and plastics. (Source: Global Bioenergies, Green Car Congress, 3 Oct., 2019) Contact: Global Bioenergies, Marc Delcourt, CEO, +33 (0 )1 64 98 20 50, www.global-bioenergies.com; ADEME, www.ademe.fr; Crystal Union, www.cristal-union.fr

More Low-Carbon Energy News Global Bioenergies,  ADEME,  Bioenergy,  Isobutene ,  

Honeywell UOP, St1 Nordic
Date: 2019-09-20
Des Plaines, Ill.-based Honeywell UOP is reports it has licensed its Ecofining renewable fuels technology to Helsinki-headquartered St1 Nordic Oy for the production of 4,000 bpd of diesel and jet fuel at St1 Nordic's refinery complex in Gothenburg, Sweden. Basic engineering design for the project has already been completed.

The Ecofining process converts inedible oils, animal fats, tall oils derived from forestry residues and other waste feedstocks into Honeywell Green Diesel which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel and can be used as a drop-in fuel. It also features up to an 80 pct lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel from petroleum.

In addition to Ecofining technology, Honeywell has commercialized the UOP Renewable Jet Fuel Process™. Jet fuel produced by this process can be blended seamlessly with petroleum-based fuel. When used in up to a 50 pct blend with petroleum-based jet fuel, Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™ requires no changes to aircraft technology and meets all critical specifications for flight, according to Honeywell. St1 Nordic Oy researches and develops economically viable, environmentally sustainable energy including waste-based advanced ethanol fuels and industrial wind power. (Source: Honeywell, Chemical Engineering, 19 Sept., 2019) Contact: St1 Nordic, Bo-Erik Svensson, Managing Director, www.st1.eu; Honeywell UOP, Bryan Glover, VP Petrochemicals & Refining Technologies, www,uop.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Honeyell UOP,  Green Diesel ,  St1 Nordic ,  

Delta Air Lines,Northwest Advanced Bio-fuels
Date: 2019-09-18
U.S. air carrier Delta Air Lines reports it is partnering with Northwest Advanced Bio-fuels (NWABF) for a $2 million study to determine the feasibility of building a facility in Washington State to produce sustainable aviation fuel and other biofuel products.

The facility would utilize forestry waste and wood "slash" to produce sustainable fuels. The result would qualify under an approved carbon-reducing pathway recognized by the American Society of Testing and Materials.

Delta expects the study to be completed by the middle of 2020, at which time it will "evaluate the next steps in moving forward with the project's development" with the expectation that the project would be in production by the end of 2023. Biofuels produced at the facility could provide around 10 pct of the airline's annual jet fuel consumption in the West Coast region.

As previously reported, Delta operated its first carbon-neutral delivery flight, using biofuels on a new A321. The airline also purchases offsets for domestic flights into and out of seven high-traffic airports. (Source: Delta, Air Travel, Sept., 2019) Contact: Delta, Graeme Burnett, VP Fuel Management, www.delta.com; Northwest Advanced Bio-fuels, Dave Smoot, www.nifa.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel,  Delta Air Lines,  

International Finance Corporation
Date: 2019-09-09
The World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) is reporting issuance of its first Canadian dollar green bond raised $750 million (Cdn) ($569 million US) for climate-smart business.

The proceeds of the five-year green bond will finance IFC low-carbon investments in green projects, including renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable forestry, and energy efficiency. Approximately half of the investments were from Canadian interests Canadian, followed by Asian (26 pct), EMEA (16 pct) and the Americas (8 pct). IFC issued it firs Green Bond its first issuance in 2010. (Source: IFC, Saur Energy, 7 Sept., 2019) Contact: World Bank International Finance Corporation, www.ifc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News International Finance Corporation,  Green Bond,  Low-Carbon Energy,  

City of Coronodo
Date: 2019-09-09
In the Golden State, the City of Coronado -- pop. 24,400 +- -- reports it is developing a Climate Action Plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and to plan for a sustainable future.

The Climate Action Plan will identify strategies and actions for reducing those greenhouse gas emissions generated by transportation and mobile sources, residential and non-residential energy consumption, water and wastewater treatment and its transport, and solid waste generation. The Plan will include a greenhouse gas inventory, forecast, reduction targets, and various reduction measures to achieve targets, and an implementation and monitoring strategy for continuous assessment, according to a City release.

The plan will benchmark the City's current status relative to statewide emission goals; provide a roadmap for achieving statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; create a plan that considers the City's needs and objectives; and provide guidance and measurable trigger points for the City to respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Major strategies to reduce emissions will include increased energy efficiency, renewable energy, alternative forms of transportation, water conservation, urban forestry, natural light and ventilation, and programs to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" consumer goods. A draft plan is expected by the first quarter of 2021. (Source: City of Coronado, Eagle Weekender, 6 Sept., 2019) Contact: City of Coronodo, Blair King, City Manager, (619) 522-7335, www.coronado.ca.us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

LBNL, US DOE
Date: 2019-08-21
The US DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and an international team of researchers addressing the "Amazon Forest Response to CO2 Fertilization Dependent on Plant Phosphorus Acquisition," has raised the issue and asked the question, "How long will the Amazon rainforest continue to act as an effective carbon sink?"

The study, published August 5 in the journal Nature Geoscience, found that accounting for phosphorus-deficient soils reduced projected CO2 uptake by an average of 50 pct in the Amazon, compared to current estimates based on previous climate models that did not take into account phosphorus deficiency. The Amazon Basin is critical to help mitigate climate change due to its trees absorbing around a quarter of the CO2 released each year from the burning of fossil fuels.

According to Berkeley Lab research scientist and study co-author Jennifer Holm, "Most predictions of the Amazon rainforest's ability to resist climate change are based on models that have outdated assumptions; one of those is that a sufficient supply of nutrients such as phosphorus exist in soils to enable trees to take in additional CO2 as global emissions increase," said . "But in reality the ecosystem is millions of years old, highly weathered, and therefore depleted of phosphorus in many parts of the Amazon."

Agriculture, forestry, and other types of land use account for 23 pct of human-caused GHG emissions, yet at the same time natural land processes absorb the equivalent of almost a third of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry, according to the recently released International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on land and climate interactions. (Source: DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, PR, Eureka Alert, 20 Aug., 2019) Contact: US DOE Office of Science, energy.gov/science; LBNL, Jennifer Holm, Research Scientist and Study Co-author, www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-holm-265600b, www.lbl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News LBNL,  Rainforest,  CO2,  Carbon Sink,  Climate Change,