Other News

In Shenyang, China, Huishan Dairy is to turn biogas produced from cows into renewable energy. The dairy owns over 20 farms housing a total of 250,000 cows. Now, after installing what is claimed to be the world’s largest methane capturing system, the methane produced from around 60,000 of these cows will generate an estimated 5.6MW. The system collects methane from aged manure, which is…
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Tong Boitin of Germany-based biogas company BioEnergy Berlin GmbH has called on the Tanzanian government to do more to encourage biogas production in the nation’s rural areas. Boitin went on to say that Tanzania should follow in China’s footsteps by implementing a National Plan to improve its renewable energy situation. ‘In 1958 chairman Mao ordered the government to develop and promote…
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In northern Peru energy company Maple Energy is looking to commence the first phase of its ethanol and biomass project before the end of the year. Phase one of this $254 million (€191.4 million) development will see Maple Energy plant 7,800 hectares of sugarcane in the main estate. Upon construction, the plant, which is slated for mid-2011, will convert 5,000 tonnes per day of sugarcane into…
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In Canada, wood pellet manufacturer and supplier Pacific BioEnergy is to expand its wood pellet production plant located in Prince George, British Colombia. The project is expected to cost in the region of $24 million (€18.4 million) and will be able to handle bush grind, due to the addition of a new in-feed line. The expanded facility will also be able to handle increased amounts waste wood,…
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March earlier this year saw consent granted to biomass energy development company Helius Energy and its power plant proposed for Avonmouth Dock on the Bristol Channel, UK. Since then the project has faced delays after the Coedbach Action Team (CAT) appealed against the proposal. However in September CAT’s legal challenge against the project failed and on 29 November the Court of Appeal refused…
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Following plans to build the Midwest’s largest biomass power plant in Ashland, US, utility holding company Xcel Energy has now put these plans on hold. The decision was made after the cost of the project turned out to be 37% higher than initial estimations. It was first thought that the total cost would be $58.1 million (€44.57 million). However, following further work it was found that it…
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As the UK reaches a critical crossroads for renewable energy, and specifically the generation of biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD), The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA)’s National Conference 2010 could not come at a more important time. Bringing together government departments and agencies, interest groups and industry, the conference will consider AD's place in the…
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Funding on a project to develop a methane gas purification facility at the city of San Diego's Point Loma wastewater treatment plant, and the installation of three fuel cells with a combined capacity of 4.5MW at multiple locations in San Diego, has closed. United Fund Advisors (UFA) recently completed the tax credit equity financing on the $45 million (€33 million) renewable energy…
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In Ha Noi, Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to invest $100 million (€73.6 million) over an eight-year period to expand its Biogas Programme. The expansion project will see a further 100,000 biogas generators installed on farms across 35 provinces. According to the deputy director of the ministry’s Animal Husbandry Department Nguyen Thanh Son, ‘Accomplishing…
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The East Texas Electric Cooperative (ETEC) is looking to construct a biomass power plant in Woodville, Texas. The facility would cost in the region on $145 million (€105.6 million) to build, generating around 50MW of renewable energy. The not-for-profit cooperative, which consists of 10 utility providers, including the Rusk County Electric Cooperative, Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative,…
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As the price for electricity has dropped in recent months, Akron, Ohio-headquartered energy company FirstEnergy Corp. has now announced that it is cancelling its plans to repower units 3 and 4 with biomass at its R.E. Burger Plant located in Shadyside. The new biomass-powered units would have been used to generate electricity, however FirstEnergy is now to shut down the units by 31 December…
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In the US, Memphis, Tennessee-based coated paper producer Verso Paper Corp. has launched a $40 million (€29.1 million) renewable energy project at its mill in Bucksport, Maine. By replacing coal with biomass in one of its boilers and installing a new 25MW turbine generator, the project will provide a 43% increase in thermal energy production from renewable biomass. It will also generate…
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Plantation Energy Australia, Australia’s largest manufacturer and exporter of energy wood pellets, has signed a four-year supply agreement with one of Japan’s largest trading companies, Mitsui & Co. The agreement is worth over AU$70 million (€50.6 million) and is the largest of its kind in Japan in terms of volume and value. Under the terms of the agreement Plantation Energy will…
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In order to qualify for a $45 to $50 million (€33 to €36.8 million) federal grant, construction of the $250 million biomass/wood pellet plant planned for Pownal, Vermont, must begin before the end of this year. However, the owners of the facility are facing opposition from local residents who are claiming that more time is needed in order to realise the full environmental impact of the…
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