Biomass Week - December 7, 2012

U.S. Air Force signs license agreement for proposed biomass plant On Dec. 6, the U.S. Air Force announced it entered into a license agreement with New Generation Biomass, LLC, Oct. 16 to explore development of a biomass renewable energy generation facility at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. READ MORE SHARE
Colorado researchers win grant for bioenergy crop engineering A Colorado State University team has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. DOE to produce a biological control system for bioenergy crops. The work will develop technology that allows rapid and precise improvement of bioenergy crops. READ MORE SHARE
	Big Island Carbon files for bankruptcy Hawaii-based Big Island Carbon LLC filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware last month. The company intended to convert macadamia nut shells into biobased activated carbon for use in purification applications. READ MORE SHARE
University of Maine energy grass study scores grant Researchers at the University of Maine at Fort Kent's Center for Rural Sustainable Development have been granted more than $62,000 to gauge farmer interest in growing energy grass on a large scale, and evaluate economic and market feasibility issues. READ MORE SHARE
UK Green Investment Bank opens for business The U.K. Department for Business, Innovation & Skills recently declared the U.K. Green Investment Bank plc open for business. The entity is the world's first investment bank dedicated solely to green investments. READ MORE SHARE
Australian researcher wins grant for biomass cofiring project Curtin University researchers have received $1 million of state government funding to develop a technology that rapidly and efficiently converts biomass into vapor and finely ground char particles that can be efficiently cofired with coal. READ MORE SHARE
EIA releases Annual Energy Outlook 2013 reference case The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published Annual Energy Outlook 2013 Early Release Overview. The document, which provides up an update of the AEO reference case, predicts a lower rate of growth for biofuels than the AEO2012. READ MORE SHARE
NRDC proposal calls on EPA to regulate power plant CO2 emissions The National Resources Defense Council has unveiled a proposal to cut carbon emissions from power plants. The proposal calls on the U.S. EPA to set standards under the Clean Air Act for existing power plants, and includes proposed roles for biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Pew video: Advanced biofuels key to military security The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate has created a video to explain the benefits of advanced biofuel use in military applications. The U.S. Department of Defense consumes approximately 375,000 barrels of oil per day. READ MORE SHARE
Fulcrum withdraws IPO, proceeds with plans to build ethanol plant Fourteen months after filing a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock, Fulcrum BioEnergy withdrew it and is proceeding to close on $175 million in funding. READ MORE SHARE
EurObsev'ER issues biomass, biogas and municipal waste barometers EurObserv'ER Barometer released three reports in early December outlining growth in the EU's solid biomass, biogas and renewable municipal waste sectors. According to the reports, electricity production from all three sectors increased in 2011. READ MORE SHARE
Anaerobic digestion plant opens in England Bristol, England's first food waste recycling plant, which will produce enough renewable energy to power around 3,000 homes, has officially been opened. The plant, operated by Wessex Water subsidiary GENeco, will treat 40,000 metric tons of waste. READ MORE SHARE
British Airways confirms purchase of biojet fuel British Airways has officially committed to purchase fuel produced at GreenSky London, a commercial-scale waste-to-biojet fuel, bionaptha and renewable power plant under development in east London by U.S.-based Solena Fuels Corp. READ MORE SHARE
World Energy Council ranks U.S. No. 12 in energy sustainability The World Energy Council recently published its Energy Sustainability Index, which shows that most countries are still far from achieving fully sustainable energy systems. The U.S. ranked 27 in energy security, and 12 overall. READ MORE SHARE
Bioreactors for algae-based biofuels get $900K grant A Cornell research team has received a $910,000 grant from the U.S. DOE to design and build a completely new type of bioreactor, the "optofluidic reactor," which efficiently delivers light and collects fuel produced by algae inside the reactors. READ MORE SHARE