Biomass Week - November 23, 2012

Wisc. engineering firm calls biogas a top growth area The waste-to-energy market is the single biggest driver of growth for Wisconsin-based engineering and consulting firm, Symbiont Inc. The company's $18.6 million project in the Forest County Potawatomi Community in Wisconsin demonstrates why. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass can offset petroleum in $100 billion worth of polymers Biobased polymers have been largely limited to specialized niche applications, but a new analysis from Lux Research finds that the top markets for biobased materials are largely the same ones currently dominated by petroleum-based materials. READ MORE SHARE
	Nickel Institute publishes guide on stainless steel The Nickel Institute has published a guide, "Stainless Steels: Cost-Efficient materials for the Global Biofuels Industries," to help ethanol, biodiesel, biogas producers and others realize economic benefits of selecting the correct grade of material. READ MORE SHARE
Senators voice support of DOD's ability to purchase biofuels A group of 38 senators have signed a letter opposing two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that, if passed, would hinder the U.S. Department of Defense's ability to purchase and use alternative fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Airbus, EADS, ENN partner on biojet in China Airbus and EADS Innovation Works have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese bioenergy company ENN. Under the MOU, the companies intend to explore innovative solutions for alternative aviation fuels, focusing on algae-based jet fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Microsoft data center to install biogas fuel cell power plant FuelCell Energy Inc. has announced a project utilizing a stationary fuel cell power plant to support Microsoft's latest data center research project in Wyoming. The power plant will utilize renewable biogas to produce electricity. READ MORE SHARE
European, Indian governments team for biomass initiative The European Commission and Indian government have partnered for a research and development initiative that will focus on finding solutions for existing challenges and needs in biotechnological research activities involving biomass production. READ MORE SHARE
Minn. pellet plant equipment to be sold at auction The former Deer River, Minn.-based BioPellet Plant will liquidate its assets at auction on Nov. 29. The plant equipment is capable of producing 80 tons of wood pellets per day. Maas Companies Inc. will handle the auction. READ MORE SHARE
JBEI scientists discover better route to xylan After cellulose, xylan is the most abundant biomass material on Earth, and therefore represents an enormous potential source of stored solar energy for the production of advance biofuels. A major roadblock has been extracting xylan from cell walls. READ MORE SHARE
USDA announces payments to pellet, biogas producers On Nov. 16 the USDA announced more than $15.7 million in payments to 189 companies under USDA Rural Development's Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which provides payments to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
Wisconsin researchers develop cost-saving biofuel process Using a biomass-derived solvent, University of Wisconsin-Madison chemical and biological engineers have streamlined the process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into high-demand chemicals or energy-dense liquid transportation fuel. READ MORE SHARE
REA responds to anti-biomass power report The Renewable Energy Association has responded to a report published by RSPB, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace that claims biomass power is more polluting than coal-fired power. The REA response points out flaws in the carbon accounting method. READ MORE SHARE