Biomass Week - January 17, 2018

Drax to convert fourth unit to biomass following BEIS action The U.K. government issued its response to a consultation on cost control for additional biomass conversions under the RO, noting it will introduce a generator cap. Drax said the government's action will allow it to convert a fourth unit to biomass. READ MORE SHARE
MEPs approve renewable energy, biofuel targets under RED II Members of the European Parliament endorsed a set of proposals Jan. 17 that set new goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency and renewable transportation fuels. The proposals also cap first-generation biofuels and phase-out the use of palm oil. READ MORE SHARE
	Velocys: Envia seeks EPA approval to generate D7 RINs Velocys plc has announced that Envia Energy, the joint venture plant that utilizes its technology, has applied for a fuel pathway approval under the Renewable Fuel Standard to produce D7 cellulosic diesel renewable identification numbers (RINs). READ MORE SHARE
NV Energy opens RFP for 330 MW of renewable power capacity NV Energy is seeking proposals for up to 330 MW of new renewable energy projects to be built in Nevada. Eligible technologies include biomass, biogas, solar, geothermal and wind. Bids must be submitted by Feb. 2. READ MORE SHARE
PPCR seeks strategic partner for biomass CHP project in Greece PPC Renewables S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Public Power Corp. S.A., has announced it is seeking a strategic partner to develop, finance, construct and operate a biomass combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plant in Greece. READ MORE SHARE
Alkol BioTech to supply cane feedstock to BRD Bio Refinery Development BV has signed a letter of intent with Alkol Biotech for the supply of up to 500,000 tons of EUnergyCane annually for use in a proposed biorefinery. EUnergyCane is a naturally occurring cold-resistant variety of sugarcane. READ MORE SHARE
Veolia acquires Hungary-based Ajka power plant Veolia recently acquired Bakonyi Erőmű Zrt., which operates the Hungary-based Ajka power plant. The facility fires biomass and coal to produce electricity, residential district heat and industrial steam. READ MORE SHARE
USDA awards Attis $3 million grant for lignin technology Meridian Waste Solutions Inc. has announced the USDA awarded its subsidiary, Attis Innovations, a $3 million grant to support the commercialization of patented and patent-pending lignin conversion and refining technologies. READ MORE SHARE
WM sustainability report highlights waste-to-energy projects Waste Management recently published its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides a brief overview of the company’s landfill gas-to-energy operations and waste-to-energy goals. READ MORE SHARE
NASA, DLR announce joint flight tests on biofuel emissions The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and NASA are set to conduct joint research flights in Germany. The focus will be on alternative fuel emissions and the characterization of ice crystals in condensation trails, using biofuel as an example. READ MORE SHARE
UPM biofuels earns RSB sustainability certification for feedstock UPM Biofuels has received Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials certification for the cultivation of brassica carinata in Uruguay. Brassica carinata is an oilseed crop specially designed for sustainable production of biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
FuelCell Energy: Project using biogas earns CARB certification FuelCell Energy Inc. recently announced that the SureSource 3000 fuel cell power plant operating on anaerobic digester gas has received the California Air Resources Board’s Distributed Generation Certification to the 2013 Waste Gas Standard. READ MORE SHARE
PES: New combustions systems benefit 2 Toronto-area paper mills Precision Energy Services Inc. has supplied sludge-to-energy systems for facilities owned by Atlantic Packaging. Most recently, PES received a contract to supply a complete biomass energy system incorporating its fluid bed combustion system. READ MORE SHARE
Biochar could benefit anaerobic digestion of animal manure New research by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists shows biochar has potential to make anaerobic digestion of animal manure a more efficient method to rid farms of waste while producing methane for energy. READ MORE SHARE
Char Technologies acquires Altech Group, develops biocoal Char Technologies recently acquired the Altech Group, which is comprised of Altech Environmental Consulting Ltd. and Altech Technologies Systems Inc. According to Char, the joint enterprise plans to commercialize a biocoal fuel branded as CleanFyre. READ MORE SHARE
Foresight acquires AD, composting assets Foresight Group LLP has acquired of an operational portfolio of two large scale anaerobic digestion plants and seven composting assets in the U.K. for an undisclosed sum. The AD plants have a combined 2.8 MW of capacity. READ MORE SHARE
ADM partners with PNNL to produce biobased propylene glycol The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy success story where Archer Daniels Midland partnered with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to become a leading producer of biobased propylene glycol. READ MORE SHARE