Biomass News

A new research project, called To-Syn-Fuel, aims to build up, operate and demonstrate the production of synthetic fuels and green hydrogen from sewage sludge. The To-Syn-Fuel project is funded by Horizon 2020, the EU’s new research and innovation programme. It comes in the wake of the European Commission’s proposed Renewable Energy Directive for the post 2020 period, dubbed RED II.…
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US based company BugLab has announced the release of the ‘first’ online sensor capable of accurately measuring cell biomass over the full range of process conditions typically encountered during microbial fermentations. According to a statement from the manufacturer of sensors for bioprocess monitoring, its new probe 3000 can be applied to fermentation processes from small (250ml or…
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San Francisco-based firm Generate Capital has purchased the Fremont Community Digester facility for $4.4 million (€4 million), and plans to reopen the biomass plant later in 2017, according to MiBiz. The Fremont Community Digester, located in Newaygo County, Michigan, was forced to close two years ago. Former owner NOVI Energy lost the plant to receivership after failing to cover its upfront…
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Britain’s electricity system has undergone such radical changes that carbon emissions from the sector are now so low the ‘dirtiest’ hour of generation is cleaner than the average hour from just a few years ago. The latest Electric Insights report, produced by researchers at Imperial College London in collaboration with Drax, analysed data from January to March 2017. It…
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A biomass crop could be providing unexpected ecological benefits, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research. The authors of the study say that elephant grass (Miscanthus), which is commonly planted as a biomass crop, could serve as a vital habitat for the brown hare. The scientists say that the crop could support brown hare populations, but only if planted on…
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The European Biomass Association (Aebiom), the European Geothermal Association (EGEC) and the European Solar Thermal Association (ESTIF), release joint position papers on the electrification of heating and cooling and the link between the primary energy factor (PEF) and eco-design/energy labelling regulations. The main aim of the paper is to present the position…
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A US-based biomass company has been ordered to pay a $4.22 million (€3.83m) settlement related to its disposal of hazardous waste at its power facility in Woodland, California. According to a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney's office, Woodland Biomass Power was found to have falsified records to dispose of its hazardous waste. The settlement includes $2.12 million in…
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Finland-based KPA Unicon will deliver a 5MWe power plant to Portuguese electrical firm Termoflorestal in Juncal, Porto de Mos, Portugal. The power plant will operate on renewable fuel and provide efficient power generation for the local electricity grid as well as steam for biomass drying process at the neighbouring pellet plant. "RFB raw material” is a dry wood dust and will be used as…
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French waste management company Veolia has announced it has signed three deals worth €864 million with China, including a biomass project deal. The company will provide a suite of solutions based on its expertise in this sector, to improve its clients’ energy performance and to help them comply with the regulations for the new Chinese environmental standards. One part of the deal…
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UK-based renewable energy specialists VG Consulting and VG Energy have helped a Merseyside waste management firm to progress with its £2million (€23m) biomass plans. According to VG Consulting, CCC Waste Management, based in Kirkby, is taking positive steps toward onsite energy management and has now gained planning consent for the project. Ayrshire-headquartered VG Consulting, along…
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Namibian power utility NamPower is building new biomass power plants to boost electricity generation in the country, according to media reports. According to news channel Namibian, NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu said in an interview that tenders will soon go out for a 40MW biomass power plant at Otjiwarongo and another 20MW power plant around the Otavi area. A third 150MW concentrated…
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Toshiba Corp. has started commercial operation of its first ever biomass power plant, a 50MW facility that will supply enough electricity for 80,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions to about 300,000 tonnes a year. The newly retrofitted Mikawa Power Plant, operated by Toshiba subsidiary SIGMA POWER Ariake Corporation (SPAC) in Omuta, Fukuoka prefecture, has been equipped to burn biomass in a…
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The Indian government and Sheffield Hallam University are working together to produce a new waste to energy plant for New Delhi. Once completed, the £68 million plant will process a third of New Delhi’s waste. The capital of India, New Delhi has a population of around 21.75 million people. Sheffield Hallam University carried out the feasibility study for the project, identifying sites…
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The UK ran coal free for 24 hours on Friday 21 April, the first time the country had done so on a working day since the Industrial Revolution. According to the BBC, about 50% of British energy on 21 April came from natural gas and around 25% from nuclear power. The remaining 25% was provided by biomass, wind and imported energy. Coal-free days are likely to become increasingly common in the…
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