News

In Ohio, US, following its application filed in December 2009, energy company FirstEnergy has been granted permission to convert two of its existing coal-powered generators in its R.E. Burger power plant to use biomass fuels. The conversion is expected to cost $200 million (€156.7 million) and, once complete, will make the facility one of the largest biomass-powered plants in the US. The…
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The global biomass pellet market was valued at $6.9 billion (€6.17bn) in 2014 and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 11.1% during the 2015-2020 period, a study published by P&S Market Research says. The increased level of investments in the biomass industry has propelled the technological advancement, and there has been a recent upsurge worldwide in co-firing of…
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California’s energy policy and planning agency, California Energy Commission, has approved $4.3 million in grants for projects to increase the efficiency of natural gas technology used in industrial, agriculture and water processes. The Gas Technology Institute, a US-based research and development organisation that focuses on natural gas, received two grants totalling nearly…
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Gasification systems manufacturer Nexterra Systems and GE’s Jenbacher gas engine division has developed a new biomass combined heat and power (CHP) system that will make its first appearance at the University of British Colombia, Canada. The biomass facility will generate 2MW of electricity a year from approximately 12,500 tonnes of dry wood waste, some of which will be provided by the city…
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Wood products manufacturer Sierra Pacific Industries has shut down its biomass plant in Loyalton, California, US. The plant has been losing money for the company since the 1 June 2010 and the permanent closure comes after the facility was shut on 12 September 2009 after Sierra Pacific blamed difficult economic conditions. However it reopened again at the beginning of 2010. Before its closure…
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The UK-based Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has called for greater emphasis on progressing carbon capture and storage (CCS) and building a UK bioenergy sector in the next 15 years. ETI says increased attention in these areas is necessary if the UK is to meet its targets for decarbonising its energy system in the most cost effective way. The call was made by the organisation’s chief…
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On 20 August 2010 Montana-Dakota Utilities began installing the last piece of equipment needed at its landfill methane collection programme in the city of Billings, Montana, US. The installation of the compressor-blower skid, which will pull gas from the landfill site before compressing and cleaning it ready to be injected into MDU’s pipeline, is predicted to be finished by November this year…
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Drax’s plans to build its second biomass plant are close to completion. Following the success of its smaller facility in Goole, North Humberside, UK, the Yorkshire-based power station operator is now developing a pellet producing facility for the town of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Made from shredding, grinding, drying and compressing straw and miscanthus or elephant grass, the pellets will…
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The UK’s leading advanced digestion and integrated biogas to energy business Monsal has secured £14 million (€16.85 million) in funding. Awarded by the Waste Resources Fund (WRF), managed by FourWinds Capital Management, the capital will go towards financing Monsal’s AD company within the UK’s wastewater sector, in addition to providing infrastructure funding for biogas energy from…
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In the area of Cowichan Lake, British Columbia, Canada, mayor Ross Forrest is considering starting up a wood pellet plant. As nearby forest companies are currently burning their waste wood, Forrest believes that a pellet facility would be beneficial to the region, not only for utilising waste wood, but for bringing jobs to the area. Following a meeting with the representatives of the Ministry…
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Tennessee, US-based Astec Industries has received a $122.5 million (€108.3m) order to supply equipment for a Highland Pellets pellet plant, along with a related deposit on the order. Astec previously announced receipt of the initial $30 million order on August 20, 2015. The company plans to build and deliver the equipment in the additional order during 2016 and will discuss the details…
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Following two-and-a-half years of planning, Harper Adams University College, located in Edgmond, UK will finally see work begin on its £3 million (€3.6 million) renewable power system. The turf cutting ceremony took place on 4 August and brought together all the major partners, including plant designer BiogenGreenfinch, energy company E.ON and local contractor Adonis Construction. The…
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Construction has commenced on biogas company Swedish Biogas International’s plant in Flint, Michigan, US. The biogas facility is being built at Flint’s wastewater treatment plant and, once completed, will produce electricity from human waste. Phase 1 of the build is expected to cost more than $4 million (€3.01 million).
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Following an announcement in July this year that food retailer Waitrose had submitted a planning application to the council that could see its 18,000 square foot supermarket in the Isle of Wight powered by biomass, the company is now switching to green transport fuel. Five of Waitrose’s home delivery vans – Mercedes Sprinters – will run on liquid biomethane (LBM), a renewable vehicle fuel…
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