Other News

RusForest, a Swedish forestry company with operations in Russia, has put its wood pellet production facility at the site of its existing sawmill into operation. The construction of the pellet plant in Arkhangelsk is close to completion, with it now in the test-production phase. Full capacity is expected by the end of March. As previously reported by Bioenergy Insight, RusForest engaged Hekotek, a…
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The European Commission has proposed new energy targets for 2030, which include a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% below 1990 levels and an EU-wide binding target for renewable energy of at least 27%. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso says: 'It is in the EU's interest to build an economy that is less dependent on imported energy through increased…
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Clean energy facility DP Cleantech (DPC) is to partnership with Addis Ababa-based Cambridge Industries (CI) to facilitate the rollout of biomass and waste-to-energy projects in Africa. The first project, in consortium with China National Electrical Engineering (CNEE) has been secured, and will deliver a waste-to-energy plant in Ethiopia. DPC will supply the technology to the project, developed by…
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Edge Renewables, a UK-based producer of woodchips for use in biomass heating systems, has called for greater clarity on restrictions in place for use of infected timber. The move comes as increasing amounts of British woodland is being felled in an attempt to counter the increasing threat posed by diseases. Simon Lloyd-Jones, director of Edge Renewables, says: 'As a producer of renewable woodchip…
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A commercial food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) plant located in County Durham, UK, has started operations. The Emerald Biogas-operated £8 million (€9.6 million) facility has a capacity to process 50,000 tonnes a year of leftover food collected from businesses across the northeast of the country. It will generate enough energy to power 2,000 homes annually. At the plant launch, UK…
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A new $45 million (€33 million) biogas plant has opened in the US city of Le Sueur, Minnesota. Avant Energy is behind the project, named Hometown BioEnergy, which has the capacity to generate 8MW for local residents from manure and corn silage. Construction was completed back in November before operations at the plant began one month later. The state of Minnesota has a renewable standard in…
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Biomass can slash CO2 emissions by almost 50% when co-gasified with coal in an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) energy plant. This is according to a team of researchers from the Universita degli Studi di Salerno in Italy. The researchers carried out a study at the Elcogas-owned 335MW Puertollanco IGCC plant in Spain, which typically runs on a 50/50 blend of coal and petroleum coke,…
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A study by Chinese researchers has revealed that mercury emissions released from burning biomass is significantly reduced when in densified pellet form compared to raw biomass. In 2010 it was reported that biomass- and coal-fired power plants, along with other activities such as gold mining, emitted 2,000 tonnes of mercury worldwide. Mercury has been linked to various health problems, especially…
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A new report has found record numbers of people are now employed in the renewable energy sector in Scotland. Scottish Renewables commissioned independent researchers to survey more than 540 companies. in what is the most comprehensive study to date. The findings suggest 11,695 people are currently in full-time employment, an increase of 5% from the previous year's study. Joss Blamire, senior…
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Georgia Power, a US-based electricity generation company, has announced it will no longer convert Unit 3 of its 155MW coal-fired Plant Mitchell to biomass. The reason for cancelling this previously proposed conversion, according to the utility company, comes after 'extensive review and analysis deemed the conversion would not be cost-effective for its customers'. 'We are continuously evaluating…
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'Green diesel' made from oils and fats could be used to fuel aircraft, according to new research by Boeing. The company says green diesel, a renewable fuel used in ground transportation and chemically different to biodiesel, could provide a significant new source of sustainable aviation biofuel that emits at least 50% less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. Working with the US…
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Deinove, a France-based company which designs and develops new industrial production processes based on the exploitation of Deinococcus bacteria, has produced 9% ethanol via its process. The company believes this landmark shows its bacterial process is suitable for converting this type of biomass-to-biofuel and should offer industrial production costs fall in line with market…
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A Texas-based bioenergy company has reportedly started preliminary discussions with Hawaiian Electric (HECO) to supply compressed wood pellets to the utility. Zilkha Biomass Energy manufactures pellets from harvested trees at a plant in Texas. The company estimates Hawaiian Electric could save 30% or more on its fuel costs by burning wood pellets instead of fuel oil to generate…
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Livestock production company Murphy-Brown has partnered with clean energy firm Roeslein Alternative Energy to develop a $100 million (€73.5 million) biogas plant in Missouri, US. The plant, construction on which is due to commence later this year, will generate renewable energy for local consumption, using animal waste as feedstock. The gas will be collected at Murphy-Brown's farms using…
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