Archive for November, 2009
Biomass Thermal Energy Council, Pellet Fuels Institute, and the Alliance for Green Heat blitz DC with biomass vs solar comparison
In Washington, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, the Pellet Fuels Institute, and the Alliance for Green Heat addressed a standing room only audience of individuals interested in biomass energy, including representatives from 16 congressional offices, two Senate committees and the EPA. According to the groups, “With the appropriate public policy and tax structure, biomass – [...]
Waste2Energy finds big market in small biomass installations
Waste2Energy said that “larger players in the space such as Covanta are not focused on the highly customizable, small-scale installations that W2e plans to offer. W2e’s units are currently used at a number of locations such as the Ronald Reagan Strategic Missile Base, Kwajalein Atoll for mixed and hazmat wastes, Husavik, Iceland-mixed municipal wastes, BP/ARCO [...]
The Last Word on Biomass: “They also do all they can to roadblock using wood to create biomass power.”
Ellen Simpson, in the Flathead Beacon: “There is a move across the country to encourage renewable electrical power and several bills are moving through Congress mandating its usage. While many loudly shout about the positive use of alternative and renewable energy along with the need for America to be independent of foreign oil, they also [...]
Biomass at the Crossroads: as Copenhagen looms – can biomass keep up with demand?
As Senator Barbara Boxer pushed the US climate bill through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last Friday, but an ominous “no”vote by Senator Max Baucus of Montana, whose own Finance Committee has to also discharge the bill — increases the drama over climate and biomass legislation in the weeks leading up to the [...]
Wisconsin PSC approves switch of Ashland plant from coal to biomass
In Wisconsin, the state Public Service Commission OK’d a proposal by Xcel Energy to switch its Ashland plant from coal-fired power to forest-residue gasification by 2012. The conversion project at the Bay Front Power Plant will cost $58.1 million, according to the utility’s plan, and will utilize wood waste from logging operations.
The utility already has [...]
Oregon Toxics Alliance appeals permitting of biomass plant, citing carcinogens, lax monitoring plan
In Oregon, the Oregon Toxics Alliance is appealing the permitting of a wood-fired power plant near Eugene, saying that the $45 million Seneca Sustainable Energy project does not have enough pollution controls or monitoring in place. The project, which received an air permit last month, will generate 18.8 MW commencing in 2010, using bark, sawdust [...]
Great River Energy biomass plant to power up in 2010; need $25 carbon, seeking steam offtake partner
In North Dakota, the Great River Energy power plant at the Spiritwood complex is expected to commence operation in 2010, according to management, but feasibility is still an issue as plant managers focus on biomass feedstock costs. The plant is expected to attract 480,000 tons of crop residues, of which one-third will be pelletized for [...]
Today in Biomass Opinion: “The biomass industry has developed significantly in Europe because of a supportive regulatory framework.”
Erico Matias Tavares, director for Gaia Energy: “The key question is how to level the playing field relative to coal, for instance, which despite its cost advantage does not generate any local jobs and is regarded as a polluter. The biomass industry has developed significantly in Europe because of a supportive regulatory framework, which enabled [...]
RWE targets US market entry, mulling acquisition
In Germany, RWE said that it is considering a US market entry, according to the Financial Times Deutschland, and said that it believed that the best means of entry is through acquisition. RWE ’s subsidiary Innogy operates 114 MW in biomass power stations, and has announced plans to increase capacity to 400 MW by 2013.
Invicta Capital targets Scottish biomass sector with $501 million fund
In Scotland, Invicta Capital has raised a $501 million and has targeted the Scottish biomass sector for investment. The fund’s managers said that they are targeting mid-szied plants in Scotland, based at Forestry Commission Estates in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Wick, and is targeting 90 MW in capacity across nine sites. The fund managers said that [...]
