← Go Back
Volume 3, Issue 2
German biogas changes cause uncertainty
Feature
In the political aftermath of the reactor catastrophe in Fukushima, the German federal government forced through a change of the renewable energy law in a matter of weeks. It redefines the legal framework for renewable power production and was promoted as a part of the big swing towards renewable energy of the conservative government. But the oncoming changes to the subsidies for small biogas...
[read more]
Budget not beneficial
Feature
Bioenergy companies and green groups have expressed their disappointment in the UK’s budget for the coming year, saying that the government is not doing enough to help bioenergy technologies become implemented around the country. The Renewable Energy Association (REA) says the government was contradictory to express concerns about the rising cost of oil and its threat to the UK’s...
[read more]
European Commission sets targets for bioeconomy
Feature
Under a new action plan, the EC lists three main areas the EU needs to work on to achieve its bioeconomy objectives. These include further investment into research innovation and skills; reinforced policy interaction and stakeholder engagement; and enhancement of markets and competiveness in bioeconomy. The EC believes the bioeconomy in Europe has great potential, especially for jobs in rural,...
[read more]
Much more than kitty litter
Feature
W ood pellets may look like high end kitty litter but they are far more important than that (although your correspondent’s cat may disagree). Indeed, backers of these little energy packed sticks that are displacing increasing amounts of dirty coal in some of Europe’s biggest power plants, reckon pellets could be the next big global commodity. Already there is a growing transatlantic...
[read more]
Rethinking biofuels
Feature
Certifying sustainable feedstock is a very complex issue in a global context. The criteria needs to be internationally agreed upon and flexible enough to accommodate varying local conditions — and yet also quantifiable and verifiable. The certification schemes should allow a diversity in market entrants, ranging from small local producers to global giants, both in developing and industrial...
[read more]
Less is more
Feature
Fluid dryers, also called FFS type dryers, are used for drying sawdust and other small sized organic or anorganic materials. The drying is conducted in a stream of hot air that dries and transports the material at the same time, up to 45m, directly into a silo. Preparing biomass material before it can be dried is crucial. In this stage, the biomass goes through a hammermill equipped with magnet...
[read more]
Try before you buy
Feature
When the bottom fell out of the housing market in 2008, the repercussions were felt well beyond the US real estate industry. The ripple effect hit a variety of support businesses, all across the globe, including those in bioenergy. Given the challenging economy, many companies have been put off upgrading, or installing new equipment.
Two in one
Feature
Lubricants and grease products constitute a downstream specialty business that generates profit for producers. Most of the major oil companies are key players in the lubricants industry, but independent producers still hold a significant share of lubricant volume in many countries. There are several thousand different lubricant products manufactured in the US alone that are made from mineral,...
[read more]
Where is the money?
Feature
M edia reports boast that 2011 showed record money spent on cleantech, but many of the biomass, wind and solar companies that represent the sector on world stock exchanges took hits and withstood extreme volatility. Disasters like nuclear meltdowns and bankruptcies show that biomass operations are often a single department in companies with diverse project portfolios. But are its ties to the...
[read more]
Donâ
Feature
There is no denying biogas is valuable. It may not be the most pleasant material to handle — hot, wet, dirty, smelly, corrosive, toxic — but handled correctly, it is worth a lot of money to whomever is producing it. Encouraged, subsidised, incentivised — whatever the term of choice, people want biogas. So, in order to know how effective the production process is, how to protect...
[read more]
In with the new
Feature
Storing biogas is an essential part of anaerobic digestion, providing a buffer that allows a constant system pressure. Traditionally a large steel fabricated tank with a floating bell roof was positioned on top of a concrete digester tank. The bell roof would rise and fall depending on the amount of biogas in storage and the weight of the structure would provide a consistent pressure in the...
[read more]
The need for gas and air
Feature
One of the UK’s leading suppliers to the infrastructure, environmental and industrial markets, The Burdens Group, has developed its own AD plant in Llangadog, south Wales. By combining small modular components to build complete AD systems, the Burdens’ business proposition is eminently scalable. This is a particular benefit because one of the major issues confronted by all potential...
[read more]
Machines matter
Feature
Some biomass sources need no special equipment at all, green crops to put in anaerobic digesters can be cut and collected with standard forage harvesters, wheat straw destined for burning is gathered just the same as that used for animal bedding. Where things get more interesting is when unusual crops are grown specifically for energy, or where material previously left in the field or allowed to...
[read more]
GM crops for the future
Feature
T he prioritisation of renewables targets has increased demand for bioenergy in greener energy mixes and catalysed a dynamic period of transition for bioenergy in the international energy market.The pressure is on for suppliers to meet heightened expectations for reliability and sustainability — and in particular, the sustainable use of natural resources and protection of ecosystem...
[read more]
