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

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

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

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

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

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

Williams Companies
Date: 2020-08-26
Tulsa, Oklahoma-headquartered natural gas processing and transmission firm The Williams Companies Inc reports it is aiming for a 56 pct absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Williams currently delivers renewable natural gas (RNG) in partnership with energy companies in Idaho, Ohio, Washington and Texas to transport methane emissions captured from landfills or dairy farms. (Source: The Williams Companies, PR, Website, 26 Aug., 2020) Contact: The Williams Companies, 800-945-5467,www.williams.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Williams Companies,  Carbon Emissions ,  

Williams Companies
Date: 2020-08-26
Tulsa, Oklahoma-headquartered Williams Companies Inc reports it is aiming for a 56 pct absolute reduction from 2005 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Williams currently delivers renewable natural gas (RNG) in partnership with energy companies in Idaho, Ohio, Washington and Texas to transport methane emissions captured from landfills or dairy farms. (Source: Williams Companies,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Williams Companies news,  Carbon Emissions news,  

West Virginia University
Date: 2020-08-24
Engineers at West Virginia University (WVU) are reportin receipt of $1.5 million in U.S. DOE grant funding for the development of new technology that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas production and improve gas consumption rates.

According to the WVU release, natural gas production in the U.S. is over 33 trillion cubic feet per year with as much as 2.3 pct of produced gas lost to the atmosphere across the supply chain.

The WVU research project aims to develop and demonstrate an economical methane mitigator system aimed at reducing methane and other emissions across the natural gas supply chain while improving fuel consumption for prime-mover engines. To that end, Researchers will be collaborating with Caterpillar Inc. and Southwestern Energy to complete the project. (Source: University of West Virginia, PR, 23 Aug., 2020) Contact: University of West Virginia, Assoc. Prof. Derek Johnson, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, 304-293-4821, derekjohnson.faculty.wvu.edu, www.wvu.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News West Virginia University,  Natural Gas Emissions,  Carbon Emissions ,  Methane,  

Lethbridge Biogas
Date: 2020-08-24
On the Canadian prairies, Lethbridge County and Lethbridge Biogas in Alberta are celebrating the announced $7 million expansion of the company's Rave Industrial Park biomass and organic waste plant.

The expansion will introduce Lethbridge Biogas into the natural gas market by allowing for the plant's biogas to be purified into pipeline-grade biomethane (RNG) which will be injected into ATCO's natural gas grid. This carbon-neutral biomethane will also be supplied to FortisBC under a long-term supply agreement by mid-2021.

When fully operational. Lethbridge Biogas will have the first full-scale, commercial renewable natural gas application in Alberta. (Source: Lethbridge Biogas, Canadian Biomass, Aug., 2020) Contact: Lethbridge Biogas, 403-328-1429, www.lethbridgebiogas.ca; FortisBC, Scott Gramm, RNG Supply Manager, Douglas Stout, VP, Market Dev., www.fortisbc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  FortisBC,  RNG ,  

Duke Energy,SustainRNG
Date: 2020-08-19
North Carolina utility Duke Energy is reporting partnering with Charlotte-based SustainRNG, a North Carolina start-up firm, to work with southeastern US dairy farmers to develop biogas as an alternate fuel.

SustainRNG will engineer, finance, construct and operate RNG sites in collaboration with dairy farmers. Duke Energy has a minority share in SustainRNG and the option to invest in future operating projects.

Methane (biogas) is more than 80 times more potent as a global warming agent in its first 20 years in the atmosphere compared with CO2. (Source: Duke Energy, PR, 17 Aug., 2020) Contact: Duke Energy Renewables, Rob Caldwell, Pres, (704) 594-6200, rob.caldwell@duke-energy.com, www.duke-energy.com; SustainRNG, Michael Shore, CEO, michael@SustainRNG.com, www.sustainrng.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Biogas,  SustainRNG,  Duke Energy,  

Methane Emissions
Date: 2020-08-17
"They (methane emissions regulations) offered no environmental benefit as methane emissions are under ten percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the oil and gas industry had already reduced methane emissions by more than 40 percent between 2006 and 2012." -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (Oklahoma R), www.inhofe.senate.gov

"Methane emissions from oil and natural gas have significantly declined in recent decades without multiple, overlapping federal regulations." -- Congressman Markwayne Mullin, (Oklahoma R), House Energy and Commerce Committee, mullin.house.gov;

Neither republican legislator noted that methane, the largest component of natural gas, is at least 25 times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane Emissions ,  

Duke Energy, SustainRNG
Date: 2020-07-31
Charlotte, North Carolina-based utility giant Duke Energy reports it has taken a minority stake in SustainRNG, a company that plans to capture bovine emissions of methane on dairy farms in the Southwest with the potential scale up nationwide. SustainRNG's first farm-based project is slated to start in late 2021.

Methane is more than 80 times more potent as a global warming agent in its first 20 years in the atmosphere compared with CO2. (Source: Duke Energy PR, BNN, 30 July, 2020) Contact: Duke Energy Renewables, Rob Caldwell, Pres, (704) 594-6200, rob.caldwell@duke-energy.com, www.duke-energy.com; SustainRNG, www.sustainrng.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  Duke Energy,  SustainRNG,  Methane,  Biogas,  

Climate Change
Date: 2020-07-31
The 2020 US Democratic presidential presumptive candidate Joe Biden's campaign has released the following position on clean energy and climate change:

Democrats commit to eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035.

Wind and solar energy will be increased dramatically through the installation of 500 million solar panels and 60,000 made-in-America wind turbines.

Any clean energy infrastructure financed with federal support "through the tax code" should include robust wage and labor requirements.

Fossil fuel subsidies will be repealed.

California's primacy in Clean Air Act regulation of cars and trucks will be recognized and protected.

Oil and gas methane pollution will be reduced by the application of "robust" federal standards and targeted support for repairing and replacing aging distribution systems.

By 2030, all new buildings will achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Within five years, the Democrats will "incentivize" tens of billions of dollars in private-sector investments to retrofit the energy efficiency of four million buildings.

The country's entire fleet of school buses will transition to zero-emission buses to reduce harmful air pollution within five years.

The US will rejoin the the Paris Climate Agreement. A new Executive Order should be issued on climate and environmental Justice. There will be a strong emphasis on building environmental justice governmental institutions and practices. An environmental justice fund will be created to make "historic investments" in low-income communities, and remediating Superfund and other contaminated sites will address other issues afflicting these communities. Democrats will employ screening and mapping tools to ensure racial and socio-economic equity in federal climate, energy and infrastructure programs.

Fossil fuel companies will be held accountable for cleaning up abandoned mine lands ,oil and gas wells and industrial facilities so they can be safely "repurposed," especially in the coal country.

Innovative technologies will be advanced that create cost-effective pathways for industries to decarbonize, including carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and "advanced nuclear" that eliminates risks associated with conventional nuclear technology.

America's natural carbon sinks on public lands will be increased by ensuring 30 percent of our lands and waters are conserved by 2030.

A new "climate test" will be applied to ensure that all major domestic and international infrastructure projects that require federal approval will avoid or minimize climate impacts, including impacts from export terminals.

The Federal Government should be reorganized by transforming the CEQ into a Council on Climate Change; establish a new office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice; create an Office of Climate Mobilization in the White House; establish a White House Council on frontline Environmental Justice where community and national leaders would inform the design and execution of climate change laws, policies and programs.

Editor's Note: To ensure unbiased and equal coverage to all candidates , this publication will provide detailed coverage of the incumbent Republican Donald Trump's position on clean energy and climate change if and when his position paper is released.

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

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

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

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

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

Date: 2020-07-27
Estimates from satellite data indicate that global gas flaring increased to levels not seen in more than a decade, to 150 billion cubic metres (bcm), or an equivalent to the total annual gas consumption of sub-Saharan Africa. The data was released by the World Bank-managed Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership (GGFR), which comprises governments, oil companies, and international institutions working to end routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the world. The data shows that the 3 per cent rise, from 145 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2018 to 150 bcm in 2019, was mainly due to increases in three countries, including the United States (up by 23 pct), Venezuela (up by 16 pct0 and Russia (up by 9 pct).

Gas flaring, the burning of natural gas associated with oil extraction, takes place because of technical, regulatory, and/or economic constraints. It results in more than 400 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions every year and wastes a valuable resource, with harmful impacts to the environment from un-combusted methane and black carbon emissions. (Source: World Bank Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership, This Day, 26 July, 2020) Contact: Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership, World Bank, (202) 473-1000, www.worldbank.org › programs › gasflaringreduction

More Low-Carbon Energy News Emissions news,  World Bank news,  

Methane
Date: 2020-07-20
"Emissions of methane (CH4) -- a planet-warming gas several times more potent than carbon dioxide -- have risen by nine percent in a decade driven by humanity's insatiable hunger for energy and food," a major international study has concluded .

"Methane has a warming potential 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period and its concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled since the Industrial Revolution," according to the report.

Download the report HERE. (Source: IOP Science, AFP, Science Alert, July, 2020) Contact: IOP, www.iop.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-07-17
Nine Japanese companies are reported to have launched the Ship Carbon Recycling Working Group (WG) formed within Japan's Carbon Capture and Reuse (CCR) study group. The WG aims to explore the utilization of "methanation" technology for zero-emission maritime fuels in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero in maritime transportation, which accounts for 99.6 pct of Japanese imports and exports.

The first stage of activities involves: separation, capture and liquefaction of CO2 emitted from steelworks; transportation of liquefied CO2 by ship to a hydrogen supply site; generation of synthetic methane from CO2 and hydrogen by methanation reaction; and liquefaction of the synthetic methane and using it as marine fuel.

The participating members include EX Research Institute Ltd, Hitachi Zosen Corp., Japan Marine United Corp., JFE Steel Corp., JGC Corp., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), Nippon Steel Corp.; and Sanoyas Shipbuilding Corp. (Source: Mitsui OSK Line, PR, Dry Bulk, July, 2020) Contact: Mitsui OSK Line, www.mol.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  Alternative Fuel,  Maritime Emissions,  

University of Tokyo
Date: 2020-07-17
Nine Japanese companies are reported to have launched the Ship Carbon Recycling Working Group (WG), within the University of Tokyo's Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group (CCR), aimed at the utilization of "methanation" technology and liquefaction of synthetic methane for use as a zero-emission marine fuel.

The participating members include EX Research Institute Ltd, Hitachi Zosen Corp., Japan Marine United Corp., JFE Steel Corp., JGC Corp., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), Nippon Steel Corp.; and Sanoyas Shipbuilding Corp. (Source: Mitsui OSK Line, PR, Dry Bulk, 16 July, 2020) Contact: University of Tokyo Carbon Capture and Reuse Study Group, +81-3-5452-6008, 6009, +81-3-5452-6071 - fax, www.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/news/2607

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Marine Fuel news,  Maritime Fuel news,  

Methane Emissions,Stanford University
Date: 2020-07-17
A report from Stanford University has found global methane emissions have risen to the highest levels on record. Between 2000 and 2017, levels of the potent greenhouse gas barreled up toward pathways that climate models suggest will lead to 3 -- 4 degrees Celsius of warming before the end of this century.

In 2017, the last year when complete global methane data are available, the Earth's atmosphere absorbed nearly 600 million tons of methane which is 28 times more powerful than CO2 at trapping heat over a 100-year span.

More than half of all methane emissions now come from human activities. Annual methane emissions are up 9 pct -- 50 million tpy -- from the early 2000s, when methane concentrations in the atmosphere were relatively stable. In terms of warming potential, adding this much extra methane to the atmosphere since 2000 is akin to putting 350 million more cars on the world's roads or doubling the total emissions of Germany or France.

Throughout the study period, agriculture accounted for roughly two-thirds of all methane emissions related to human activities; fossil fuels contributed most of the remaining third. However, those two sources have contributed in roughly equal measure to the increases seen since the early 2000s.

Methane emissions from agriculture rose to 227 million tons in 2017, up nearly 11 pct from the 2000 -- 2006 average. Methane from fossil fuel production and use reached 108 million tons in 2017, up nearly 15 pct from the earlier period.

Methane emissions rose most sharply in Africa and the Middle East; China; and South Asia and Oceania, which includes Australia and many Pacific islands. Each of these three regions increased emissions by an estimated 10 to 15 million tpy during the study period. The U.S. followed close behind, increasing methane emissions by 4.5 million tons, mostly due to more natural gas drilling, distribution and consumption, the report notes. (Source: Stanford University News, 14 Jul, 2020) Contact: Stanford University, Rob Jackson, Department of Earth System Science, (650) 497-5841, rob.jackson@stanford.edu, www.stanford.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Methane Emissions,  Stanford University,  Climate Change,  

Ineratec,Clariant
Date: 2020-07-10
Munich-headquartered Clariant reports it is partnering with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) spin-out Ineratec to develop and commercialize novel technologies for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

Clariant will provide catalysis expertise to support Ineratec's gas-to-liquids process that combines hydrogen generated from renewable power, with CO2 to form CO2-neutral synthetic hydrocarbons and fuels. The technology relies on Clariant's catalysts to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals, fuels, and additives -- Clariant's HyProGen® R-70 produces renewable syngas via reverse water-gas-shift -- an essential step in the conversion of 'green hydrogen' and CO2 to 'green fuels' and Clariant's signature methanol catalyst, MegaMax® to generate renewable methanol which can be used as fuel additive, solvent, or as raw material for 'green chemical'. For the production of renewable synthetic natural gas (SNG), the catalyst METH® 134 supports the efficient hydrogenation of CO2 to methane, according to CLariant. (Source: Clariant News, Website, 8 July, 2020) Contact: Clariant, Stefanie Nehlsen, Global Trade Media Relations, +41 61 469 63 63, www.clariant.com; Ineratec, +49 721 864 84460, www.ineratec.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant,  Syngas,  Sustainable Fuel,  

European Biogas Association
Date: 2020-07-08
Over the past years different studies have been performed on CO2 emissions of fuels by EU institutions, car manufacturers, research institutes and universities. The EBA has made a comparative analysis of 11 studies. Although they show a great variety in methodology, they all concluded that biomethane has the best decarbonisation potential for the transport sector.

Download the Acknowledging the Full Potential of Biomethane as Transport Fuel report HERE. (Source: European Biogas Association, July, 2020) Contact: European Biogas Association, +32 24 00 10 89, info@europeanbiogas.eu, www.europeanbiogas.eu,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomethane,  Biogas,  European Biogas Association,  

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

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

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

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

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

Northern Ireland
Date: 2020-06-24
In the UK, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) recently released statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland (NI) outlines slight decreases for period 1990-2018.

In 2018, Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 19.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent -- a decrease of 2 pct compared to 2017. The longer term trend showed a decrease of 20 pct compared to the base year 1990.

The largest sectors in terms of emissions in 2018 were agriculture at 27 pct, transportation with 23 pct, and power generation at 15 pct. The largest decreases, in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), were in the energy supply, waste management and residential sectors.

The decreases were driven by improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching from coal to natural gas, which became available in the late 1990s, and the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management. Northern Ireland accounted for 4 pct of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.

Details are HERE. (Source: DAERA, Farming Life,23 June, 2020) Contact: DAERA, www.dera-ni.gov.uk

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

BP,Satelytics
Date: 2020-06-24
BP Ventures, the investment arm of BP, is reporting a $5 million investment in Toledo, Ohio-headquartered geospatial analytics specialist Satelytics to help the oil and gas giant accurately spot and remedy methane leaks which contribute to the greenhouse gas effect and climate change.

BP plans to install Satelytics methane measurement capabilities at all its major oil and gas processing sites by 2023. This will be to measure the base level of methane in its current operations so that it can work towards cutting methane levels by 50 pct. BP's investment is in line with its goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Satelytics is a cloud-based geospatial analytics software suite. Multi or hyper-spectral imagery gathered from satellites, UAV, planes, and fixed cameras alerting our customers in oil and gas, power, pipeline, rail, mining and water to identify operational challenges as early as possible. Pinpointing the specific problem, its location and magnitude, is critical to minimizing cost, impact, and operational disruption, according to the company's website. (Source" BP Innovations, PR, June, 2020) Contact: Satelytics, 419-728-0060, www.satelytics.com; BP Innovations, 702-528-3029, www.bpinnovations.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Satelytics,  ethane,  Methane Emissions,  BP,  

ETW Energietechnik
Date: 2020-06-17
Moers, Germany-based combined heat and power plant specialist ETW Energietechnik GmbH (ETW) reports it supplied its ETW SmartCycle® PSA biogas upgrading technology for a newly constructed 45km biogas pipeline.

The pipeline will collect raw biogas from up to 48 area biogas plants for delivery to a central upgrading facility at Flugplatz Bitburg where it will be refined into biomethane and fed into the gas grid.

The Bitburg area's biogas plant network can potentially produce around 10,000m3 of raw biogas per hour, according to ETW. (Source: ETW Energietechnik Gmbh, PR, Bioenergy Insight, 17 June, 2020) Contact: ETW Energietechnik GmbH, +49 2841 99900, www.etw-energie.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  Biomethane,  ETW,  

European Biogas Association ,Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association
Date: 2020-06-15
The attached document from the European Biogas Association (EBA) and the Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) illustrates the current and potential uptake of biomethane in the transportation sector.

According to the document, 17 pct of biomethane is used today to fuel natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in 25 pct of Europe's refueling network, resulting in a 35 pct reduction of emissions when compared to conventional fuels -- the highest rate of emissions reduction compared to other fuels, with greater potential when coupled with renewable gas. The report notes 117 terawatt-hours of renewable gas could be distributed as transport fuel as bioCNG and bioLNG by 2030 -- 40 pct of the overall fuel consumption of NGVs, estimated at more than 13 million vehicles in 2030.

A higher uptake of bioCNG and bioLNG in the sector will result in an overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of 55 pct . Up to one million jobs will be created to ensure the scale-up of biomethane in the coming decades. New CNG and LNG stations and vehicles must also be created and must be compatible with their renewable counterparts, the document notes.

Download the The European Green Deal -- In the Fast Lane with Biomethane in Transport report HERE. (Source: European Biogas Association, Website, June, 2020) Contact: www.europeanbiogas.eu; Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association, www.ngva.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Biogas Association,  Natural and Bio Gas Vehicle Association,  biCNG,  Biogas,  bioLNG,  

Bureau Veritas
Date: 2020-06-05
In Paris, laboratory testing, inspection and certification services provider Bureau Veritas reports the signing of a global framework agreement intended to help global energy and petrochemicals giant Shell reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from operations.

Methane emissions are a major component of indirect greenhouse gas emissions generated along the oil and gas value chain. Shell has set a target to maintain methane emissions intensity below 0.2 pct by 2025. Bureau Veritas will provide support and help enable the company meet that target. (Source: Bureau Veritas, PR, 4 June, 2020 Contact: Bureau Veritas, Bruno Ferreyra, , Exec. VP., Delphine Doungouss, Media, +33 (0)1 55 24 70 95, Delphine.doungouss@bureauveritas.com, www.bureauveritas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bureau Veritas,  Shell Oil,  GHG,  Greenhouse Gas,  CO2,  Methane,  

Ofgem, Energy Networks Association
Date: 2020-05-29
In the UK, Britain's five gas networks -- Cadent, National Grid, NGN, SGN, and Wales & West Utilities have outlined a "Zero Carbon Commitment" and plan to spend £904 million on zero-carbon energy infrastructure and hydrogen deployment across the UK, subject to Ofgem funding approval which is expected in July.

If approved, the spending would focus on projects across Britain between 2021 and 2026, under the RIIO-2 price control. The gas networks claim that spending could help the UK use "blue hydrogen" developed from carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, and "green hydrogen" from renewable electricity -- with the latter becoming cost-competitive by 2030.

Under the plan, £446 million would be spent on a new network infrastructure for the industrial use of hydrogen, including £391 million for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects in the north-west of England, Aberdeenshire and the Isle of Grain. A further £264 million would be spent on projects to expand the capacity of local gas networks by connecting hydrogen and bio-methane generation projects and transport refueling stations. £150 million would be used to run large-scale trials for domestic use of hydrogen heating, cooking and transportation and how these are connected to the gas grid. £43 million would be spent to research blending more zero-carbon hydrogen with the natural gas currently used in the UK's gas networks.

According to the Energy Networks Association (ENA), £182 billion could be invested to make hydrogen cost-competitive with the current natural gas-based system and would reduce energy system costs to the UK public by £189 billion by 2050. (Source: ENA, edie, 28 May. 2020) Contact: Energy Networks Association, www.energynetworks.org; OFGEM, Chris Lock, +44 0207 901 7225, www.ofgem.gov.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Carbon,  Ofgem,  Net-Zero Emissions,  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Date: 2020-05-27
One of the many greenhouse gases that is contributing to global warming is methane. Methane is emitted a lot of ways, including from lakes across Alaska. However, studies on how much methane flows up from those lakes into the atmosphere haven’t always been very accurate. New research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks utilizing radar instruments positioned on satellites has led to a breakthrough in lake methane emission research. That research could help climate scientists better see how Alaska’s lakes contribute to the world’s methane emissions. As permafrost under lakes begins to break down, it releases carbon, which is broken down by tiny microorganisms, which in turn, release methane. “Sometimes you’ll sit on the edge of the lake and you can see a little pop,” said “And you might think ‘oh hey, it’s a fish.’ But it could also be a little methane bubble that’s coming out.” Since methane is an odorless, colorless gas, it can be difficult to monitor how much is released by lakes. But not when they’re frozen. “The ice forms around the bubbles; more bubbles are released and [ice] forms around the bubbles,” Engram said. “And the ice creates a time-lapse freeze frame, pardon the pun. It’s a freeze-frame historical record of the methane bubbling.” To study these methane bubbles, Engram and other researchers use small bubble traps to make micro-measurements of methane and then scale them up to the full area. However, she says, those aren’t super accurate. Now, UAF researchers have begun to use what’s called a synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, to better map methane being released from lakes. Basically, a satellite sends a pulse down to a lake. A portion of that pulse bounces back to the satellite in what’s called a backscatter. Backscatters range in luminosity from kind of dim to very bright. Engram and other researchers used SAR to map methane emissions from 48 lakes across five regions of Alaska, including the northern Seward Peninsula near Kotzebue, lakes near Atqasuk — south of Utqiagvik — and the Fairbanks area. Of course, researchers still had to go out to the lakes that SAR was mapping to make sure it actually worked. To Engram’s delight, it did. Engram says the success of using SAR to map out methane emissions in Arctic lakes means the system can monitor thousands of lakes across the state. And that’s not just exciting from a research perspective. Engram says that there isn’t a lot of global data on methane release from lakes, and use of the SAR can help create a baseline to track in the future. That will be useful to climate scientists tracking changes in the atmosphere. Studies show that methane is about 30 times stronger than carbon dioxide as a heat-trapping gas. And while methane is naturally emitted from these lakes, Engram says the amount is drastically dwarfed by the amount produced from those anthropogenic sources. (Source: University of Alaska Fairbanks Water and Environmental Research Center, KOTZ, 17 May, 2020) Contact: University of Alaska Fairbanks Water and Environmental Research Center, Melanie Engram, (907) 474-7789, (907) 474-7041 – fax, nmisarti@alaska.edu R, www.ine.uaf.edu/werc

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane news,  Methane Emissions news,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

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,  

Innogy Energo
Date: 2020-05-01
In the Czech Republic, Innogy Energo s.r.o. reports it will offer biomethane-enriched compressed natural gas (BioCNG)vehicle transportation fuel through it network of 63 CNG filling stations by the end of June.

When burned, BioCNG releases up to 80 pct less carbon dioxide emissions into the air than petrol or diesel, meets even the strictest limits of pure mobility and is certified by the International Biomass and Biofuels Certification System (ISCC EU). (Source: Innogy Energo, prazskypatriot.cz, NGV Global, 29 April, 2020) Contact: Innogy Energo, Zdenek Kaplan, CEO, +420 724 202 772, www.innogy-energo.cz; International Biomass and Biofuels Certification System, certifications.controlunion.com/en/certification-programs/certification-programs/iscc-certified-biomass-and-bioenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News CNG,  Alternative Fuel,  Biomethane,  BioCNG,  Alternatice Fuell,  

Climate Change
Date: 2020-04-29
In Wisconsin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi is touting the 2020 Dane County Climate Action Plan - Today's Opportunity for a Better Tomorrow (CAP) calling for a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction of 50 pct countywide by 2030 with the goal of carbon-neutrality by 2050. The plan's goal to reduce GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030 exceeds the 45 percent worldwide reduction goal set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. CAP climate change emission reduction strategies include:

Increase electric vehicles sales (and transition heavy-duty trucks to electricity or renewable natural gas (RNG) vehicles.

Reduce vehicle miles traveled by shifting from driving alone to increase use of public transit, carpooling and biking.

Cut energy consumption by 2 pct per capita by 2030 by increasing the efficiency of old and new residential and commercial buildings.

Process 50 pct of livestock manure in anerobic digesters reducing GHG methane emissions, limiting phosphorus in area lakes and creating a new revenue source for farms.

CAP notes these actions will result in major economic and health benefits, lead to energy security and great resilience to the harmful impacts of a changing climate, and address racial and economic equality to ensure the benefits of carbon reductions are equitably shared.

In 2017, Parisi created the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change (OECC) to lead public and private efforts across the county to address climate change. The OECC led by its director, Keith Reopelle, created the Council on Climate Change -- a work group of 38 local governments, energy utilities, businesses, and environmental and community organizations that provided input into the development of the CAP to reduce GHG emissions across all 61 cities, towns and villages as well as the private sector. (Source: Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, Herald Independent, 26 April, 2020) Contact: Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, Keith Reopelle, Dir., www.daneclimateaction.org

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

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,  

Allegheny College
Date: 2020-04-24
In the Keystone State, Allegheny College (enrollment 1850 +-) in Meadville reports it is the state's first college or university and only the eighth in the nation to achieve carbon neutrality.

Allegheny College's Board of Trustees established a climate action plan in 2010 that in part aimed to become a carbon-neutral institution by 2020.To that end, the school increased its energy efficiency by nearly 20 pct through retrofitting existing infrastructure, making system and behavioral changes, and opting for sustainable construction and renovation. It also shifted from fossil fuel-based energy sources to alternative energy sources by installing geothermal heating and cooling systems in four buildings, generating 8,500 kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually and by only buying energy from wind-generated sources. It offset remaining emissions by investing in projects that Allegheny College faculty and students are involved in, including, for example, a methane-capture project at a dairy farm. (Source: Allegheny College Times News, 21 April, 2020) Contact: Allegheny College, Kelly Boulton, Sustainability Director, www.allegheny.edu

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

Port of Seattle, US Gain
Date: 2020-04-22
Appleton, Wisconsin-based U.S. Gain is reporting completion of a renewable natural gas (RNG) supply agreement with the Port of Seattle which will use RNG to heat Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and power its fleet of buses.

RNG is produced from methane and can be used as an alternative fuel to reduce scope 1 and/or 3 emissions, but also as a thermal energy solution to reduce heating and cooling-related scope 2 emissions.

U.S. Gain, part of U.S. Venture, Inc., is a leader in development, procurement and distribution of renewable and compressed natural gas (CNG) for the transportation and energy segments. Over the course of 10 years U.S. Gain has diversified throughout the renewable natural gas supply chain; investing and managing renewable natural gas development projects at dairies, landfills and wastewater treatment plants; generating, trading and monetizing clean fuel credits; designing, building and operating natural gas fueling stations both private and a public GAIN Clean Fuel® network. (Source: U.S. Gain, PR, 20 April, 2020) Contact: U.S. Gain, Bryan Nudelbacher, Bus. Dev., Stephanie Lowney, Director of Marketing & Innovation, slowney@usgain.com, www.usgain.com; Port of Seattle, www.portseattle.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Gain,  RNG,  Port of Seattle,  

Methane
Date: 2020-04-20
In Ottawa, the Government of Justin Trudeau (Lib) has announced it is putting a combined $2.5 billion toward cleaning up thousands of risky, contaminated oil and gas wells and cutting methane emission leaks. Of the total commitment, $1.72 billion is earmarked for cleaning up orphan or inactive wells in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as $750 million to create an Emissions Reduction Fund to help firms meet federal methane-reduction standards. A tenth of that fund, designed to offer loans, is meant for cutting pollution in Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry.

Methane, although shorter lived in the atmosphere, is 86 times more powerful than CO2 at trapping heat over a 20-year period.

Canada has committed to cutting methane from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45 pct from 2012 levels by 2025. (Source: Gov. of Canada, National Observer, Various Media, 17 April, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

EDL Energy, Kinetrex Energy
Date: 2020-04-17
Further to our 4 March report, in Indianapolis, EDL Energy, Kinetrex Energy and South Side Landfill celebrated the opening of the Indy High BTU plant, which will convert landfill methane gas into renewable natural gas (RNG). The fully operational plant is Illinois' largest producing 8 million gpy of pipeline-quality RNG, according to the release.

The facility will supply Kinetrex Energy with RNG, which it will turn into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sold to Midwest transportation fleets.

(Source: Kinetrex Energy, Bioenergy Insights, 14 April, 2020)Contact: EDL Energy, www.edlenergy.com; Kinetrex Energy, Aaron Johnson, CEO, 317-886-8179, www.kinetrexenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG,  EDL Energy,  Kinetrex Energy,  RNG,  

Orbital Gas Systems
Date: 2020-04-15
In Houston, CUI Global, Inc. reports its wholly-owned subsidiary, Orbital Gas Systems Ltd. has been awarded a contract to design, produce and commission its first-ever biomethane-to-grid plant for the UK water industry. The contract calls for the provision of an initial biomethane Grid Entry Unit (GEU) followed by a second unit, both to be delivered in 2020. Each unit is valued at approximately $550,000.

Additionally, Orbital is completing upgrade works on the 2012-vintage Poundbury Renewable Energy Plant -- the UK's first full-scale Anaerobic Digester and Biomethane-to-Grid Plant. (Source: CUI Global, Inc., PR, 14 April, 2020) Contact: GUI Global, Jim O'Neil CEO, (503) 612-2300, www.cuiglobal.com; Orbital Gas Systems, Paul White, Pres., (832) 467-1420, +44 (0)1785 857000 -- Orbital UK, www.orbitalgas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orbital Gas Systems,  Biomethane,  Biogas,  RNG ,  

FortisBC
Date: 2020-04-15
In British Columbia, the utility FortisBC reports it will soon launch its third and largest landfill renewable natural gas (RNG) project in partnership with the city of Vancouver.

The utility will own and operate the system at the Delta landfill and pay the city of Vancouver for its gas, which will go back to the municipality to fuel its CNG trucks and for a central energy system serving residential and commercial customers in downtown Vancouver. FortisBC's two other biogas upgrading plants are in Salmon Arm, BC, and Kelowna, BC, which collectively generate 80,000 gigajoules per year. FortisBC is also awaiting British Columbia Utilities Commission approval for a landfill-to-gas project in Fraser-Fort George, BC.

British Columbia legislation requires capturing 75 pct of gas generated in landfills. (Source: FortisBC, Waste360, April, 2020) Contact: FortisBC, Scott Gramm, RNG Supply Manager, Douglas Stout, VP, Market Dev., www.fortisinc.com, www.fortisbc.com/RNG

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas,  FortisBC,  Methane,  RNG,  

NOAA
Date: 2020-04-13
A preliminary estimate from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that levels of atmospheric methane, a relatively short-lived heat-trapping gas roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, have hit an all-time high.

In 2019, the concentration of atmospheric methane reached nearly 1875 ppb, the highest level since record-keeping began in 1983. 2019 also saw the second-largest single-year leap in two decades.

The NOAA analysis notes "methane emissions primarily come from natural sources, like wetlands, and man-made sources, like farms and oil and gas wells. In wetlands, microbes excrete methane, an issue that humans can do little about. On farms, cows and sheep belch methane -- a problem that people can address by raising fewer livestock. The easiest way to stem methane pollution, however, is to limit its release from oil and gas drilling sites."

Methane levels were more or less flat from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. They began to rise after 2006 thanks, at least in part, to more oil and gas drilling. Their recent uptick threatens the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, as scientists had assumed that methane concentrations would stay level and then drop off when they projected how countries would meet their climate targets.

Download the NOAA Trends in Atmospheric Methane HERE. (Source: NOAA, Nexus Media, Jeremy Deaton, 12 April, 2020) Contact: NOAA, (301) 713-1208, www.noaa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Methane,  NOAA,  GHG,  Climate Change,  Atmospheric Methane,  

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

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

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

Montreal Protocol,NOAA
Date: 2020-04-01
A recently released study from NOAA Chemical Science Department has found international cooperation in ozone-depleting chemicals helps to normalize the southern jet framework after decades of social instability. Scientists say the results show that governments have the ability to recover a damaged climate system if they act quickly and harmoniously to resolve the issue.

The southern jet stream is a strong wind that forms the southern hemisphere, especially in summer and weather patterns. By 2000, it had returned to its natural course. It moved south in Antarctica to the latitude of every decade, affecting the paths of storms and rains in South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.

Previous research has proven that this is mainly due to ozone layer deficiency due to synthetic chemical compounds such as ozone damaging CFCs, and HCFCs, which are found in refrigerators, aerosols and other industrial processes were phased out in 1987. The study found that the Montreal Protocol has halted the southern route of the jet stream since the year 2000 and it may begin to change as the ozone layer starts to close. Dept. 2019 satellite imagery revealed that the annual peak of the ozone hole was 16.4 million square kilometres, the smallest since 1982.

Ozone restoration is not sufficient to normalize the Southern Hemisphere climate, as other industrial emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are harmful to the environment. There is a battle between increasing CO2 and ozone recovery. That is why we see a decline. Previous studies have reported that ozone holes have a chimney effect that emits some heat from the atmosphere, which means the Antarctic is warmer than the North. (Source: NOAA Chemical Science Dept. tenreports, 28 Mar., 2020) Contact: NOAA Chemical Sciences, Antara Banerjee, Study Author, 303-497-6455, antara.banerjee@noaa.gov, www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd

More Low-Carbon Energy News Montreal Protocol,  Ozone Depletion,  Climate Change,  NOAA,  

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

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

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

ExxonMobil
Date: 2020-03-27
This model framework discusses key sources and control measures for methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Some issues for authorities to consider when establishing regulatory approaches are also provided where relevant. While this model focuses on upstream operations, many of the mitigation measures could be applicable to emission sources in other segments of the natural gas value chain such as distribution and storage.

Download the ExxonMobil Mitigating Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Industry -- Model Regulatory Framework HERE. (Source: ExxonMobil, April,2020) Contact: ExxonMobil, www.corporate.exxonmobil.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ExxonMobil,  Methane,  Methane Emissions,  

Samsung Heavy Industries,
Date: 2020-03-25
In an initiative aimed at reducing maritime shipping emissions and identifying an alternative to currently used heavy oil "bunkering" fuel, London-headquartered Lloyd's Register, Samsung Heavy Industries, MISC, and MAN Energy Solutions in January launched an ammonia-fueled tanker project to examine the use of ammonia as an alternative maritime fuel. Following a study with A.P. Moller-Maersk, Lloyd's Register has determined the best (marine) fuels for achieving zero net emissions are alcohol, biomethane and ammonia.

Lloyd's Register Group Limited is a technical and business services organization and a maritime classification society, wholly owned by the Lloyd's Register Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to research and education in science and engineering. The organisation dates to 1760, according to wikipedia. (Source: Lloyd's Register, Trade Only Today, Mar., 2020) Contact: Lloyd's Register, www.lr.org; A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, www.maersk.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alternative Fuel,  Biomethane,  Ammonia,  International Maritime Organization,  Maritime Emissions,  Climate Change,  

FortisBC,Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
Date: 2020-03-25
In British Columbia, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors is reporting approval of a planned expansion of the landfill gas collection system at the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill. "This project will increase the overall collection efficiency of the existing current landfill gas system and assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill site," according to the release.

In 2019, the regional district inked a tentative agreement to sell landfill gas to FortisBC, which would be purified and injected into Fortis' natural gas network. Under that agreement, FortisBC would build and operate an approximately $8.5 million processing plant at the landfill and pay the regional district $75,000 to $145,000 per year for 75,000 to 125,000 gigagoules per year of gas when the plants is fully operational before the year end.

Diverting gas from the Foothills landfill into the FortisBC system would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,500 to 5,700 tpy , according to the company. (Source: Regional District of Fraser-Fort George , Prince George Citizen, 23 Mar., 2020) Contact: FortisBC, Douglas Stout, VP, Market Dev. www.fortisinc.com, www.fortisbc.com/RNG; Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, (250) 960-4400, (250) 563-7520 - fax, district@rdffg.bc.ca, www.rdffg.bc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas,  FortisBC,  Methane,  

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

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

Carbon Emissions
Date: 2020-03-16
From the Land Down Under, The Fifth Estate has offered the following brief clarifications of the plethora of commonly used carbon emissions related terms:

Net Zero Energy -- There's two ways of looking at this. The first is based on simple math, and means a building, precinct, process or region generates as much energy within its own boundaries or site as it pulls in from elsewhere over a specific period -- most often a year. The other definition is a building or precinct or region that generates 100 per cent of its own energy needs on site or within its boundaries.

Net Positive Energy -- When a building or precinct generates more energy than it uses and shares that energy through either a local microgrid or by sending it into the main grid, it becomes energy positive.

Carbon Negative -- Carbon negative is used for larger scales than individual buildings, such as precincts, regions, businesses or even entire nations. It means absorbing more carbon than all combined carbon emissions within the specific area or operation.

Carbon Neutral -- Carbon neutral is basically a balancing act where a building, business or region sequesters or offsets as much carbon as it emits.

Carbon Offsets -- All offsets are not created equal -- there are dirt-cheap offsets sloshing around the global carbon market from questionable projects in far-flung places. But not only are they scientifically and ethically questionable, they also will not meet the standards required for formal third-party carbon neutral certification. The best offsets deliver co-benefits beyond just sequestering carbon, such as improving biodiversity, increasing water quality or catchment protection, generating social benefits, local economic benefits or supporting Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge.

Operational Emissions -- Most carbon accounting undertaken for the purposes of carbon neutral certification focus on carbon emissions generated by the operation of a building, business or region. It's not just emissions from energy or fuel use though. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol defines three "scopes" or categories of carbon emissions as follows -- Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from "owned or controlled sources" such as a fleet of vehicles, a power plant or a manufacturing plant. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of energy used within a building, plant or region. Scope 3 emissions are all the indirect emissions in a business, process or region's value chain both upstream and downstream. This would include something like methane emissions from waste sent to landfill, or the emissions from energy used to make the widgets that a business procures then retails.

Embodied Carbon -- Basically, almost everything we use from a smartphone to a building, has embodied carbon. Embodied or upfront carbon refers to the emissions released during the manufacture and transport of building materials, and the construction as well the end-of-life-phases of built assets. (Source: Fifth Estate Australia, Mar, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon,  Carbon Emissions,  

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

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

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

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

CenterPoint Energy
Date: 2020-03-06
Houston-headquartered electric and natural delivery company CenterPoint Energy reports it aims to reduce its operational emissions by 70 pct by 2035 and emissions attributable to natural gas usage in heating, appliances and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20 to 30 pct by 2040 -- based on its 2005 emissions.

To that end, CenterPoint will continue to offer customers energy efficiency programs and continue investing in renewable forms of energy on both the natural gas and electric sides of the business. The company will also partner with natural gas suppliers to lower methane emissions across the natural gas value chain as well as support communities where it operates with their climate action goals, according to the company release. (Source: CenterPoint Energy, PR, Mar., 2020) Contact: CenterPoint Energy, Angila Retherford, VP Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability, www.CenterPointEnergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CenterPoint Energy,  Carbon Emissions,  Methane,  Climate Change ,  

Eni S.p.A.
Date: 2020-03-04
is reporting plans to planning to have 55GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2050. Under its Long-Term Strategic Plan to 2050, Italian oil and gas firm Eni S.p.A. is aiming to slash net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its energy products by 80 pct by 2050 by using renewable energies, biomethane, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), methanol and products from the recycling of waste materials.

According to a release, the Rome-headquartered company has "quantified our carbon footprint reduction targets giving ourselves a comprehensive method of calculating emissions, which includes both direct and indirect emissions deriving from the end-use of our products, whether from our own production or purchased from third parties." (Source: Eni S.p.A., Bioenergy Insight, Mar., 2020) Contact: Eni S.p.A., Claudio Descalzi, CEO, +39 06 598 21, +39 06 598 22141 - fax, www.eni.com/en-IT/home.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni,  Biodiesel,  Green Diesel,  Biomethane,  

Consumers Energy
Date: 2020-03-04
In its 2019 Clean Energy Plan, Jackson, Michigan-headquartered Consumers Energy announced it aimed to reduce 90 pct of the carbon emissions it generates by eliminating the use of coal and working with customers to use energy more efficiently in an effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Consumers previously committed to being coal-free by 2040 in its Integrated Resource Plan which included building 6,000 MW of new solar by 2030. The utility also launched a public outreach campaign focused on energy efficiency. The new commitment will supplement Consumers' existing plan to eliminate coal, expand renewable energy resources and help customers reduce their energy use. Consumers also may offset further emissions through strategies such as carbon sequestration, landfill methane capture or large-scale tree planting. (Source: Consumers Energy, PR, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Mar., 2020) Contact: Consumers Energy, Patti Poppe, CEO, (517) 788-0550, info@cmsenergy.com, www.ConsumersEnergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Consumers Energy,  Net-Zero Carbon,