Biomass Week - February 14, 2014

DECC opens consultation on Offtaker of Last Resort proposal The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has opened a public consultation on its Offtaker of Last Resort proposal, which would provide eligible renewable electricity producers with a guaranteed backstop route-to-market at discounted prices. READ MORE SHARE
Annual biofuel demand forecasted at 51 billion gallons by 2022 According to a new report from Navigant Research, global demand for biofuels for road transportation will grow from 32.4 billion gallons in 2013 to 51.1 billion by 2022. The report analyzes the emerging markets and future opportunities for biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
	Virgin Islands biogas project progressing A biogas project being developed by Tibbar Energy in the U.S. Virgin Island's St. Croix is making steady progress. CEO Tania Tomyn said the 7 MW project, which will utilize Viaspace Inc.-licensed Giant King Grass, is moving full speed ahead. READ MORE SHARE
ClearCove Systems wins NYSERDA funding for biogas project ClearCove Systems Inc. of Rochester announced it has been awarded funding by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to demonstrate a new wastewater treatment system that is expected to save energy while reducing treatment costs. READ MORE SHARE
ADM invests in Rennovia Archer Daniels Midland Co. has committed to a $25 million equity investment in Rennovia Inc., privately held company that develops catalysts and processes for the cost-advantaged production of chemical products from renewable feedstocks. READ MORE SHARE
Magna partners with Italian company on bioplastics for vehicles Magna International Inc., a global automotive supplier, and bio-on, an Italian intellectual property company, have signed a cooperation agreement to start exclusive research and development activities on the use of bioplastics in automobiles. READ MORE SHARE
Fortum releases 2013 financial results, invests in new CHP plant Finland-based Fortum has released financial results for the fourth quarter of last year and announced a new investment in a multi-fueled combined-heat-and-power plant under development in Naantail, Finland. READ MORE SHARE
Biogas liquefaction plant to produce biofuel for Norway buses The biogas liquefaction plant delivered by Wartsila to the Norwegian Cambi AS, a specialist in biowaste treatment, was inaugurated on Feb. 12. The plant will produce biomethane from household food waste to be used as biofuel for buses in Oslo. READ MORE SHARE
University of Greenwich leads algae biorefinery project The University of Greenwich is leading an international project to develop the microalga Dunaliella as a sustainable raw material that captures carbon dioxide and can grow in some of the world's harshest environments. READ MORE SHARE
REA welcomes updated anaerobic digestion quality protocol The U.K.-based Renewable Energy Association has welcomed publication of the Environment Agency's updated Quality Protocol for digestate from anaerobic digestion. It confirms end-of-waste status for digestate in the U.K., increasing market confidence. READ MORE SHARE
Covanta discusses biomass, energy facilities in financial results Covanta Holdings Corp. has released financial results for 2013, reporting operating revenue of $1.63 billion, down from $1.643 billion in 2012. Income from continuing operations was $45 million, compared to $134 million in 2012. READ MORE SHARE
WB Services announces clean energy scholarship program Ron Beemiller, president and CEO of WB Services LLC, has announced the launch of a Clean Energy Scholarship Program. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote the study and ultimately a career in the field of renewable fuels. READ MORE SHARE
UK extends renewable heating system training program The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has increased funding for its Renewable Heating Incentive training support program, due to high demand and interest. The initiative provides training on the installation of renewable heating systems. READ MORE SHARE
Approach identifies biofuel sources that don't require farmland While the debate over using crops for fuel continues, scientists are now reporting a new, fast approach to develop biofuel in a way that doesn't require removing valuable farmland from the food production chain. READ MORE SHARE
50 MW Dutch bioenergy plant commences operations A 49.9-megawatt (MW) biomass power plant recently began operations at the Delfzijl port in the northern region of the Netherlands. The Bio Golden Raand facility is operated by the Dutch utility Eneco. READ MORE SHARE
EIA revises wood, waste biomass forecasts in monthly report The U.S. Energy Information Administration revised its forecast for energy production from wood and waste biomass in its February Short-Term Energy Outlook. The industrial sector is expected to be the largest consumer of wood biomass this year. READ MORE SHARE
AVA Biochem produces renewable 5-HMF Switzerland-based AVA Biochem recently announced it has begun production of renewable 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) at its Biochem-1 facility in Muttenz, Switzerland. The facility can currently produce up to 20 metric tons of the chemical annually. READ MORE SHARE
Lantmannen Agroenergi, Neova to merge pellet operations Lantmannen and Neova AB are merging their respective wood pellet businesses. The new company will include Neova's wood pellet business in Sweden and the corresponding Lantmännen Agroenergi businesses in Sweden and Latvia. READ MORE SHARE