Biomass Week - January 30, 2015

U.K. DECC increases CfD budget for less established technologies The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate change has increased the budget for new Contracts for Difference. The extra funding will increase the amount available for less established technologies, such as offshore wind and some biomass technologies. READ MORE SHARE
Louisiana solid waste to expand biogas-to-fuel operation capacity Louisiana's St. Landry Parish Solid Waste District anticipates completion of expansion to its landfill-gas-to-fuel operation in October. The decision to add capacity coincides with a fuel purchase contract that the district recently received. READ MORE SHARE
	Zilkha closes on last land purchase for Arkansas pellet plant Zilkha Biomass Energy has closed on the purchase of the last parcel of land to be acquired for its proposed 450,000 metric-ton-per-year pellet plant in Monticello, Arkansas. The 80.99 acres were purchased from a university for $80,500. READ MORE SHARE
Government app to help companies export clean energy solutions A group of federal agencies are developing an interactive app that will serve as a mobile business directory for U.S. clean energy exports. U.S.-based suppliers of certain energy solutions are invited to apply to participate in the pilot phase. READ MORE SHARE
DOE accepting comments on engineered high-energy crop proposal The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy is accepting public comments on an environmental impact statement related to proposed confined field trials of engineered high-energy crops for use in bioenergy applications. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: Agricultural Science Committee nomination deadline extended In late 2014, the U.S. EPA invited the public to nominate scientific experts to be considered for appointment to its Science Advisory Board's Agricultural Science Committee. The deadline for submitting those nominations has been extended to March 30. READ MORE SHARE
Vencor acquires bio-coal purchase order, anticipates expansion Vencor International Inc. recently announced an agreement to acquire the exclusive rights to torrefaction equipment and technology from Torretherm Inc. The company has also announced a purchase order from Vega Biofuels Inc. READ MORE SHARE
NHWEC releases video on modern wood heating The New Hampshire Wood Energy Council, one of 16 state wood energy teams funded in part by the USDA, has released a 5 minute video overview of heating commercial and institutional buildings with advanced wood chip and wood pellet heating systems. READ MORE SHARE
Reports illustrate European biogas, energy-from-waste industries EurObserv'ER recently released updated Biogas Barometer and Renewable Municipal Waste Barometer reports that show energy production from both biogas and municipal waste has continued to expand across the European Union in recent years. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers produce two biofuels from a single algae A common algae commercially grown to make fish food holds promise as a source for both biodiesel and jet fuel, according to a new study. The research exploited an unusual and untapped class of chemical compounds in the algae. READ MORE SHARE
Wyoming task force report includes bioenergy recommendations In Wyoming, the Governor's Task Force on Forests has issued a report featuring its recommendations for proactively managing the state's forests. Several of the recommendations relate to bioenergy development. READ MORE SHARE
York scientists shed further new light on biomass breakdown Scientists at the University of York are part of a research team which has found that a recently discovered family of enzymes, lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases, can degrade resistant forms of starch. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers in Spain develop prototype biogas-fueled fuel cell An experimental system to create heat and power with waste from olive oil processing is up-and-running in Spain. Converting the waste to heat and power is a three-part process that begins with the production of biogas via anaerobic digestion. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass-fired CHP, district heating project planned in U.K. Homes and businesses in Norwich, England, were recently offered a double energy boost with a proposal to create straw pellet-fired project that would supply heat and power to the community. The project would include a district heating system. READ MORE SHARE
Genera Energy celebrates four years accident free Genera Energy Inc. recently celebrated 1,533 days, or four years, without an accident. Recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that Genera's core operations intersect three of the 10 most deadly occupations in the U.S. READ MORE SHARE
Virginia county approves organic waste processing facility At its Jan. 20 meeting, the board of county supervisors in Prince William County, Virginia, authorized an agreement with Freestate Farms LLC to construct and operate a new facility that will include an anaerobic digestion system. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers identify materials to improve biofuel processing Using one of the largest supercomputers in the world, a team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota has identified potential materials that could improve the production of ethanol and petroleum products. READ MORE SHARE
OriginOil, INL collaborate on proposed algae biofuel project OriginOil Inc. has announced that it is collaborating with the Idaho National Laboratory. A proposed project focuses on development and implementation of novel approaches to improve efficiency in algal biofuel production. READ MORE SHARE
Supreme Court rules in Gevo's favor, remands case to lower court Gevo Inc. has announced that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its favor in the case of Gevo Inc. v. Butamax Advanced Biofuels. The court's decision reinstates Gevo's District Court victory and remands the case back to a Federal Court of Appeals. READ MORE SHARE
Construction begins on California landfill gas-to-energy project A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for a landfill gas-to-energy project under development near Irvine, California. The project will be financed by Caterpillar Financial Services and built and operated by Bowerman Power. READ MORE SHARE
Deinove completes first key milestone of its Deinochem program Deinove announced it has reached the first milestone of its Deinochem green chemistry program funded by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency and will receive a EUR 1 million ($1.12 million) repayable advanced in early February. READ MORE SHARE