Archive for September, 2010
Iowa publishes biomass harvest, infrastructure, storage report
In Iowa, the Council for Science and Technology has released a report outlining the infrastructure requirements needed to create biomass supply chains for energy. They conclude that the it is necessary to develop new methods and systems to routinely and reliably harvest, handle, store, and transport large quantities of bulky materials of varying characteristics.
“There is [...]
Lockheed Martin wins $15.2M contract for NY Veterans biomass power plant
In New York, Lockheed Martin has won a $15.2 million contract from stimulus funds to build a biomass power plant at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Canandaigua. The facility, that is based on the same system used by Savings Lockheed Martin in Oswego, will use gasification technology to process wood waste including lumberyards and [...]
A-Power to launch 10 MW biomass plant in Nevada
In Nevada, China’s A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. is preparing a feasibility study for a 10MW biomass fueled electric generation plant with Lincoln County. Biomass derived from landscape enhancement projects to undertaken by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be feedstock for the facility.
The BLM’s Ely Resource Management Plan has identified in excess [...]
India to launch first biomass-based crematorium
In India, the first crematorium in Coimbatore powered by biomass rather than electricity will be ready in two months. Gas produced from wood chips will be used to operated the incinerators. Two private firms had already put up similar facilities that were meant to be eco-friendly and function as efficiently as the crematoria powered by [...]
UK courts clear way for Helion Energy project
In the UK, the High Court in Cardiff refused protestors of the Helion Energy biomass power plant project at Avonmouth Dock permission to apply for a judicial review of the project. Helius originally received planning permission for the power station back in March.
The biomass power plant will require up to 850,000 tonnes of sustainably sourced [...]
SudChemie pioneers new process for energy from waste water purification
In Germany, SudChemie has discovered a new process based on a chemical-free electrokinetic disintegration process for producing energy through waste water purification and through biogas that increases efficiency by 30%. The investment can pay for itself in about two years, not least due to the reduced operating costs of the disintegration system.
More on the story.
U Nottingham builds $10M renewables research center
In the UK, the University of Nottingham is building a $10 million research center that will be dedicated to renewable energy working in the fields of bioenergy, hydrogen fuels, carbon capture and storage, sustainable architecture and biomass, among others. The new facility is expected to open in January 2012.
More on the story.
Japan sets 50 percent renewables target for utilities by 2020
In Japan, the government has outlined guidelines to help it reach its goals to halve CO2 emissions from homes and boost the share of electricity from non-fossil fuels to 70 percent of the total from 34 percent currently. Major electric power companies will be required to generate more than half of their power output from [...]
The Last Word: “Waste water purification plants…one of the largest drivers of operating and energy costs.”
Dr. Christoph Riemer, head of the Süd-Chemie Water Treatment: “Waste water purification plants are an indispensable component of municipal waste water treatment, but they are also one of the largest drivers of operating and energy costs for communities.”
Andris Piebalgs, EU Development Commissioner: “Africa has a vast untapped renewable energy potential, ranging from hydro, to solar, [...]
Is Biomass combustion zero-carbon? UK report says no.
In the UK, the national Sustainable Building Association AECB has published the findings of its commissioned report that claims that policies assuming biomass energy is zero-carbon or ‘green’ are leading to additional carbon emissions in the UK rather than reducing them.
Nick Grant , co-author of ‘The Green Electricity Illusion said, “There is a lot of [...]
