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Date Published:
22 September 2013

Volume 4, Issue 5


Another blow for UK biomass sector

Feature
UK biomass and co-fired plants generating just electricity have received two knockbacks of late: the introduction of a 400MW cap and no support under the CfD   Dedicated power only biomass and co-firing plants will no longer be eligible for subsidies under the UK’s contracts for difference (CfD) — a new support mechanism due to be implemented from next year and will succeed the... [read more]

Legislation 'levels playing field' for biochemical sector

Feature
US biochemical producers to receive support in the form of Qualifying Renewable Chemical Production Tax Credit Act   Renewable chemical producers will receive tax credits under legislation introduced on 12 September. Under the Qualifying Renewable Chemical Production Tax Credit Act of 2013, biochemical manufacturers will benefit from reduced taxes — something that is already currently... [read more]

DECC: dedicated to sustainability

Feature
The biomass industry must prove it is using sustainable materials from April 2015 otherwise it will lose financial support   Around 38% of the UK’s renewable electricity comes from bioenergy and biomass is expected to make a significant contribution to delivering the nation’s 2020 renewable energy target. And, under new changes made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change... [read more]

New emissions criteria for non-domestic RHI

Feature
Changes to the non-domestic RHI are soon expected, but the industry is disappointed with delays on a decision for expanding the scheme   The number of biomass boiler projects to be installed under the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) represents over 93% of all installations. This is according to the latest quarterly report for the scheme, published by Ofgem in July. The second... [read more]

Cheers to that!

Feature
Prince Charles opened the much-anticipated £60 million Helius Corde biomass plant in Scotland this April. Frank Lund of technology supplier AET speaks to Keeley Downey about his company’s role in the project   Scotland’s malt whisky industry is worth around £4 billion (€4.6 billion) a year, generating around 423 million gallons of pot ale and 500,000 tonnes of... [read more]

From coast to coast

Feature
Viridis Energy brought its latest wood pellet plant online at the end of August, but producing pellets is just one side of the business as Keeley Downey found out   Viridis Energy is the only pellet producing company in North America to own a plant on both the east and west coasts of the continent. In western Canada, in Kelowna, British Columbia, is its 60,000 tonne pellet facility —... [read more]

Canada's gardens of opportunity

Feature
Harvest Power, taking its inspiration from Germany, now has three biogas plants under its belt and hopes to carve out an organic waste-to-energy market in North America…one Energy Garden at a time   There are over 6,800 anaerobic digesters in operation in Germany, producing 17TWh of renewable energy while stimulating €5.9 billion in annual revenue. Projections for 2020 show rapid... [read more]

Breaking the mould

Feature
As Ontario prepares to free itself from coal and new regulations look to be promoting domestic growth opportunities, is Canada ready to finally kick its fossil fuel addition? Keeley Downey finds out   Renewable energy capacity in Canada is expected to grow from 86GW in 2012 to 108GW in 2018, according to the International Energy Agency’s second annual Medium-Term Renewable Energy... [read more]

The FSC certification revealed

Feature
What is the FSC certification and what are the benefits? SGS’s Gerrit Marais explains   The Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) international labelling scheme for forest products provides a credible guarantee that the product comes from a well-managed forest. Founded in 1993, it serves to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management... [read more]

Developing biomass power sustainability compliance criteria

Feature
With the UK expected to be at the forefront of European wood pellet imports, where does the government stand on sustainable biomass?   The UK government has given mixed signals recently in relation to its support for biomass power. This includes the exclusion of dedicated biomass from its list of supported technologies under the new contract for different support mechanisms (designed to... [read more]

Biofuels and forests: revisiting the debate

Feature
Biomass used to produce bioliquids has the potential to eliminate the hotly-debated risks associated with first generation biofuels   Much of the initial optimism about the contribution of biofuels to energy security, climate change mitigation and rural development has given way to skepticism about its economic viability and bad publicity about related land grabbing and environmental... [read more]

New markets for biogas

Feature
Navigant Research discusses the relatively untouched potential of the US biogas market   In Europe, particularly Germany, the use of anaerobic digesters (ADs) has grown rapidly in recent years. The US has found it difficult to replicate German-style growth rates in this sector, despite its untapped potential, especially in the agriculture and food industries. On a commercial-scale there are... [read more]

Managing the feedstock supply chain

Feature
De-risking the supply chain will help unlock the investment potential of new and existing biomass projects   In the February 2013 update of the UK government’s Renewable Energy Roadmap, first published in 2012, it estimated that biomass could contribute as much as 11% of the UK’s total primary energy demand (across heat, transport and electricity) by 2020. Currently bioenergy... [read more]

Ready for round two

Feature
It once operated the world’s largest pellet production plant and now Green Circle Bio Energy is building a second facility. The company’s CEO talks to Keeley Downey   Green Circle Bio Energy is a US-based wood pellet manufacturer. It owns one production plant in Cottondale, Florida and in July announced it was to build another, slightly smaller facility in Mississippi. The $115... [read more]

Controlling biomass moisture

Feature
An enhanced automation system and integrated moisture measurement help to optimise biomass combustion   There is a wide choice of biomass feedstock available for energy use with the most popular types being virgin biomass, energy crops and waste wood. However, since each of these fuels has different requirements for combustion and handling, it is critical that all parts of the boiler and... [read more]

Landfill gas generation explained

Feature
A Japanese automaker and a UK cleantech business are helping Mexico deliver on its new Climate Change Act as it uses renewable power derived from landfill gas   Energy generated from landfill gas is evolving worldwide at increasing speed, spurred on by the need for cleaner, cheaper energy and carbon reduction policy and regulations, such as the Kyoto Protocol. Biodegradable waste deposited... [read more]

Siloxanes and biogas

Feature
An overview of siloxanes and the importance of preventative actions in dealing with this trace compound   Accompanying the main biogas components — methane and carbon dioxide — are a large number of other compounds including nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans, halogenated hydrocarbons and siloxanes. Of these compounds, volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) have the most... [read more]

Process control for biogas production

Feature
Continuous gas analysis sheds light on the ‘black box’ fermenter   The production of biogas is a complex biotechnical process. Not all biogases are the same — the composition of gas mixtures from different plants can vary a great deal and different qualities mean the plant’s earning potential can also vary substantially. Ideally, the calorific value of the biogas... [read more]

Improving biomass boiler performance and emissions

Feature
Fuel delivery is a common problem in biomass plants. Wood fuel is non-uniform in shape, density, moisture content, ash content, and energy content. Over-sized or stringy pieces of wood fuel will cause bridging and wet fuel sticks to the sides of fuel chutes, often causing plugs. Fuel delivery problems result in decreased efficiency, boiler upsets, lower steam production and emissions violations.... [read more]