News

UK-based Havana Energy has signed a deal that will see it construct a number of biomass-fired power plants in Cuba. Together with Cuba's state-owned Zerus S.A., a company linked to the Ministry of Sugar, Havana Energy is to develop a 30MW pilot plant at the Ciro Redondo Sugar Mill. Following this initial development, the joint venture is planning to build a further four power plants. The $250…
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Wood-burning power plants will not be included in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions policy. The Clean Air Act, which was introduced earlier this year, is aimed at encouraging high GHG emitters in the US to lower their pollution levels over the upcoming three years. From 1 July 2011 the Clear Air Act is set to change and will exclude emissions…
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Japan's largest biomass-fired power plant is expected to begin operations on 1 February this year. The Kanagawa Prefecture-based Kawasaki biomass power station will handle around 180,000 tonnes of wood chips annually for the production of 33MW of power a year. The site is currently undergoing its final inspection prior to operations commencing. A joint venture between Sumitomo Joint Electric…
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The Department of Wisconsin in the US has decided to scrap plans to build a biomass boiler at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, saving up to $100 million (€73.7 million). The plant was to burn natural fuels such as wood chips and paper pellets in a more environmentally-friendly manner and the project’s cancellation has been criticised by environmental group Sierra…
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Technology provider Chempolis and producer of non-wood papers Henan Yinge Industrial Investment Co. are looking to partner for the construction of a biorefinery in China. The two companies signed a frame agreement on 21 January to build the facility in Luohe, Henan province. The biorefinery is to be based on Chempolis' formicofib technology, using wheat straw as a raw material. It will produce…
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In Tolkkinen, Finland, sustainable technology and services supplier Metso has been selected to supply Porvoon Energia with a biomass boiler plant for the generation of combined heat and power (CHP). MW Power, a joint venture between Mesto and power solutions company Wärtsilä, will deliver the plant. The order is expected to be worth in the region of €15 million and is included in…
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Zorg Biogas Ukraine is to build a biogas plant in Zhytomyrsky region, Ukraine. Construction will begin in the spring later this year and upon completion, expected in Q3-Q4 2011, it will generate 1063kW of renewable electricity. The plant will process 60 tonnes a day of corn and grass silo, supplied by local agricultural businesses. While Zorg Biogas Ukraine will conduct the planning and…
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In Almaty, Kazakhstan, 20 compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelled buses have been launched in the city. The buses come just months after Kazakhstan's first CNG filling station opened in July. The vehicles, which are to be part of a 200-strong fleet, arrived in mid-December and will first be used to transport athletes during the Asian Winter Games in February, before beginning commercial operation in…
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In a bid to reduce its CO2 emissions and cut the cost of electricity bills, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines is to build two biomass-fired power plants in the nation. The two facilities, one of which is planned for Rosario, La Union in Luzon, while the other will be located in Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, are set to be commissioned in May or June later this year. In a statement about the project…
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A new 30 million gallon a year biorefinery is to be built in Port Arthur, Texas, following a deal between Endicott Biofuels (EBF) and KMTEX. The site is to use EBF’s technology to produce the biodiesel and KMTEX will provide the project with construction and operational services. Haddington Ventures has funded the development, on which construction is due to begin at the end of this…
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Brazilian ethanol producer Copersucar has partnered with the JAG – Jamal Al-Ghurair Group to form a new shipping company which will deliver ethanol and sugar around the world. The two companies will hold a 50% share in the new business, Copa Shipping Company, exporting 600 million litres of ethanol and five million tonnes of sugar throughout its first year of operation. The joint venture…
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The Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory in Hellendoorn, the Netherlands, will soon be home to a new biodigester. The digester comes as Unilever implements its Sustainable Living Plan that will see the company slash its production of waste, in addition to its water and energy consumption. Paques, a producer and developer of water and gas purification systems, is supplying the biodigester, the…
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In Nicaragua, fresh produce exporter Xagro and its multi-faceted business partner Jam are to begin testing the commercial production of cassava chips to be used for the production of ethanol in China. Testing will include assessing a number of different cassava varieties for high starch content, which is needed in the ethanol process, in addition to the production of several thousand tonnes of…
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In the US, lumber firm Allengheny Wood Products, based in Preston County, West Virginia, is to start up a new wood pellet company. Appalachian Wood Pellets will manufacture wood pellets for use as heating fuel in residential pellet stoves. The wood pellet company will acquire the sawdust needed to produce the pellets from Allengheny, which will be transported from the mill to the plant via…
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