Biomass News

New research from Rice University claims biochar from recycled waste boosts crop growth and reduces health costs by helping clean the air of pollutants. Scientists from the university have concluded that widespread use of biochar in agriculture could significantly reduce health care costs, particularly for those living in urban areas close to farmland. The research was led by Ghasideh Pourashem,…
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Wood pellet giant Enviva has released its latest proprietary Track & Trace forestry data, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable and transparent supply chain. These data are another key tool for measuring and demonstrating Enviva’s sustainability practices throughout the Southeastern US. “We are committed to keeping forests healthy and growing, while…
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UK power giant Drax has announced that it is pressing ahead with its biomass plans as new figures show the company produced about 17% of the UK’s renewable electricity in the first half of 2017. The company, which runs a coal and biomass plant in North Yorkshire, UK, published its half-year results for the six months ended 30 June, 2017, yesterday (19 July,2017). Three of the…
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Rick Perry, the US Secretary of Energy, has announced $40 million in Department of Energy (DOE) awards for the creation of four DOE Bioenergy Research Centres (BRCs). Each led by a DOE National Laboratory or a ‘top’ university, the centres are designed to “lay the scientific groundwork for a new bio-based economy that promises to yield a range of important new products and fuels…
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ExxonMobil and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have announced a two-year renewal of an agreement to research the fundamental chemistry of converting biomass into transportation fuels. The research forms part of a bigger drive to identify scalable, commercially viable solutions to meet growing global energy demand with renewable resources. The collaboration between ExxonMobil and University…
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Researchers at the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) are developing a process in which biomass can be used to produce a hydrogen-rich gas that can then be employed in various ways in the iron and steel industry. According to a news release from the University, the long-term vision of the project is a renewable energy source, firmly anchored in the design of an integrated iron and steel…
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A new biorefinery project has been proposed in the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland, Australia. According to a statement, the regional government is “throwing its support” behind the new multi-million dollar project. The $60 million Atherton Tableland biorefinery could generate 130 regional jobs and also encourage diverse cropping in the region. The proposed MSF Sugar biorefinery is…
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Bird Life International has responded to the recent European Parliament vote on LULUCF (the land use, land use change and forestry sector), stating: “We’re not out of the woods yet”. As the European Commission works on a climate and energy package for 2030, it is currently reviewing the sustainability of all uses and sources of bioenergy for the period after 2020. The Commission…
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Specialists in biomass heating Highland Wood Energy (HWEnergy), has announced it has received significant investment from Aggregated Micro Power (AMP) Holdings. AMP has invested £500,000 into HWEnergy, purchasing a majority share. Headquartered in London, AMP now owns 50.1% of the Scotland based company, but HWEnergy will carry on operating as a standalone business from its Fort William…
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Commissioning has been successfully completed on a new 1 megawatt pilot thermal plant in Ottawa, Canada, to advance the development of an oxygen-fired pressurised fluidised bed combustion (Oxy-PFBC) process. The Oxy-PFBC process generates electricity and heat with close to zero emissions by capturing the greenhouse gases created by biomass and coal combustion. A group of companies, including the…
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Finland-based Valmet will supply a biomass power plant to Dong Energy's Asnaes Power Station located in Kalundborg, Denmark. By converting its electricity and heat production from coal to sustainable biomass at the Asnaes Power Station, Dong will take an important step in reducing its CO2 emissions. The order is included in Valmet's second quarter 2017 orders received. The value of the order…
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India-based renewable power producer Orient Green Power (OGPL) has announced that it has approved the sale of its loss-making biomass operations to promoter firm Shriram Ventures (SVL). According to media reports in the Business Standard, OGPL will get rid of that business at an enterprise value of INR 2.75 billion (€37m). The transaction will not include the 20MW cogeneration plant in…
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A team from Nagoya University has explored a different chemical approach to the catalysis of biomass. With ever declining oil feedstocks and campaigning from environmentalists, the chemical industry is increasingly being pushed to look for new renewable sources to sustain its activities. Biomass from sources including wood, garbage and agricultural waste is one of the most widely available…
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A biomass facility in California that was temporarily shut down earlier this year is planning to restart operations in July 2017. Blue Lake Power announced its plans to restart its 12MW biomass plant located in Blue Lake, CA, with a press release. The company also announced it is currently looking for partners for short and long term contracts. The facility, located close to the town of Eureka,…
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