Biomass Week - January 10, 2018

UK confirms plan to phase-out unabated coal generation by 2025 The U.K. government has confirmed how it intends to phase-out unabated coal-fired power generation by 2025. In response to the news, the U.K. Renewable Energy Association is calling on the government to support additional coal-to-biomass conversions. READ MORE SHARE
Canada increases biomass capacity, generation A report issued by Canada’s National Energy Board shows that the country’s non-hydro renewable power capacity grew by more than 8 percent in 2016, adding nearly 1,300 MW of solar, biomass and wind-generated power. READ MORE SHARE
	EIA revises bioenergy, wood heat forecasts in January report The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, noting electrical generation from nonhydropower renewables is expected to be steady this year, and increase next year. READ MORE SHARE
NYC to study the feasibility of fueling ferries with biofuel New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed legislation that requires a two-year feasibility study to be conducted regarding the use of renewable fuels and technologies to power the city’s ferries. READ MORE SHARE
Active Energy Group commissions Utah plant U.K.-based Active Energy Group has announced initial testing of its 5-ton-per-hour CoalSwitch plant in Utah was successfully completed on Dec. 29. The company also indicated the plant is currently undergoing commissioning. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo issues corporate update, reduces staff Gevo Inc. recently issued a corporate update, reaffirming the company’s focus on the commercial development of renewable jet fuel, isooctane, isobutanol and related products. The company also announced plans to reduce staff at its Colorado offices. READ MORE SHARE
Aries Clean Energy issues new equity, obtains capital commitments Aries Clean Energy, designer of the Lebanon gasification project in Tennessee, has issued new equity led by existing investors and received additional capital commitments from Spring Lane Capital for equity in future gasification projects. READ MORE SHARE
Anellotech commences key R&D program at TCat-8 With successful completion of TCat-8 pilot plant commissioning, Anellotech has announced an intensive process development and testing program has begun to confirm process economics and collect data for commercial plant design. READ MORE SHARE
PFI welcomes Tim Portz as executive director Pellet Fuels Institute recently announced that it has hired Tim Portz to serve as the organization’s executive director. Portz, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, previously served as executive editor of Biomass Magazine and Pellet Mill Magazine. READ MORE SHARE
RWE reorganizes its conventional generation business RWE has reorganized its business. The company's gas, hard coal, hydroelectric power and biomass generation business is now pooled within RWE Generation SE, while lignite and nuclear energy are housed under RWE Power. READ MORE SHARE
GALT partners with LLNL to improve biofuel production Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been awarded a 3 year $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to improve the growth and efficiency of biofuel-producing algae through the alteration of their microbiomes. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers map magnetic fields of bacterial cells, nano-objects A research team led by U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory has demonstrated for the first time that the magnetic fields of bacterial cells and magnetic nano-objects in liquid can be studied at high resolution using electron microscopy. READ MORE SHARE
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative announces grant recipients The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $1 million in grants for 11 research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state. The projects address a wide range of feedstocks and technologies. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers make grasses more digestible An international team of researchers has uncovered a way to make grasses more digestible. The achievement promises improved feed for ruminants and better biomass for biofuel production, with economic and environmental benefits for both. READ MORE SHARE
USDA NIFA invests in Integrated Biorefinery Optimization program The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded a grant to improve biorefinery technologies through the Integrated Biorefinery Optimization program. The award was made to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. READ MORE SHARE