Biomass Week - April 5, 2013

Researchers develop revolutionary biomass-to-hydrogen process A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered a way to extract large quantities of hydrogen from any plant, a breakthrough that has the potential to bring a low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel source to the world. READ MORE SHARE
USDA opens funding opportunity for REAP The USDA has published a notice of funding availability for the Rural Energy for America Program for fiscal year 2013. The program provides financial assistance in the form of grants and guaranteed loans for renewable energy projects. READ MORE SHARE
	DOE funds Bioenergy Research Centers for additional 5 years The U.S. DOE has announced it will fund its three Bioenergy Research Centers for an additional five-year period, subject to continued congressional appropriations. The centers were established by the department's Office of Science in 2007. READ MORE SHARE
Calif. wastewater authority to purchase biogas power Anaergia Inc. has announced that the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority in Hesperia, Calif., unanimously voted to enter a 20-year power purchase agreement with Anaergia. READ MORE SHARE
U.K. power production from plant biomass doubled in 2012 The U.K. Department of Energy & Climate Change recently released an updated set of statistics on energy trends and prices. According to the release, power generation from plant biomass more than doubled in 2012. READ MORE SHARE
10 kW portable biomass power plant demonstrated at Virginia Tech A new, portable biomass plant was showcased at Virginia Tech's Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The plant is roughly 12 feet tall and capable of generating 10 kW of power. The system combusts syngas derived from biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Metsa Group invests in CHP bioenergy in Sweden Katrinefors Kraftvarme AB (KKAB), a 50/50 joint venture owned by Metsa Tissue, part of Metsa Group, and the local municipal energy company VänerEnergi AB, will build a new biomass combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plant in Mariestad, Sweden. READ MORE SHARE
Rep. Tonko to deliver Northeast Biomass Heating Expo keynote The 2013 Northeast Biomass Heating Expo kicks off this week in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. This year's annual event will feature a keynote address from Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y. on April 4, the first day of the expo. READ MORE SHARE
Group supports EPA reconsideration of the 2011 cellulosic volume The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the U.S. EPA to reconsider the 2012 renewable fuel standard (RFS) obligation for cellulosic biofuels in January. EPA is now voluntarily reconsidering the 2011 obligation for cellulosic biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
Consultation on UK biomass rail charge ends The U.K. Office of Rail Regulation's consultation period on implementing a freight-specific biomass charge has ended, and the Rail Freight Group is urging the ORR not to proceed with proposals to increase charges paid for rail transport of biomass. READ MORE SHARE
D5 RINs for biogas, renewable diesel generated in January The U.S. EPA recently published data on renewable identification numbers (RINs) generated under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) during January 2013. During the month 361,346 D5 advanced biofuel RINs were generated for biogas fuel. READ MORE SHARE
Biome wins grant to investigate use of lignin in bioplastics The U.K.'s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, has awarded a grant to a consortium led by Biome Technologies, to investigate a bio-based alternative for the oil derived organic chemicals used in the manufacturer of bioplastics. READ MORE SHARE
Nippon Paper Industries develops torrefied pellets Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd. has developed new biomass solid fuel using torrefaction technology under the project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization adopted for fiscal 2011. READ MORE SHARE
BioNitrogen signs offtake for La. project, considers Canada plant Florida-based BioNitrogen Corp. has announced the signing of a supply agreement with United Suppliers Inc. for the offtake of urea fertilizer for its proposed plants in Pointe Coupee Parish, La. READ MORE SHARE
Green Investment Bank awards funding for biomass boiler project The U.K. Green Investment Bank will provide GBP 18 million ($27.42 million))of funding towards a new energy innovation center for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. READ MORE SHARE
Agrisoma, PGF Biofuels enter marketing and distribution agreement Ventures Inc. has announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. and PGF Biofuels Inc. have entered into a long term strategic agreement for marketing and distribution. READ MORE SHARE
Amyris announces progress with Total, Cosan partnerships On April 1 Amyris Inc. released a statement highlighting the progress it has made with regard to its partnerships with Total S.A. and Cosan Ltd., as well as an investment agreement with Biolding Investment S.A. READ MORE SHARE
ePURE calls for modeling European biofuels policy after the RFS ePURE has released results of a study that determined the double counting mechanism proposed by the European Commission to spur production of advanced biofuels is ineffective. Rather, the organization is called for a dedicated sub-targets. READ MORE SHARE
Ohio State University's Wooster Campus gets power from biogas OARDC is using agricultural and food-processing wastes to meet close to one-third of the 12-megawatt-hour annual electricity needs of its main campus via an anaerobic digestion system built by Quasar Energy Group. READ MORE SHARE