Biomass Week - August 5, 2020

More than $1 billion being invested in California RNG production A new study has revealed that more than $1 billion is being invested in California to increase the state’s renewable natural gas (RNG) supply. By January 2021, the report predicts 160 RNG production facilities will be operational within the state. READ MORE SHARE
ENplus: Many European pellet producers impacted by COVID-19 A recent survey completed by ENplus found that 75 percent of ENplus certified wood pellet producers and traders have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, many by reduced demand from end users. READ MORE SHARE
	Drax: Biomass power generation, pellet production up in H1 Drax Group plc on July 29 released financial results for the first half of 2020, reporting that biomass power generation was up 16 percent and pellet production was up 15 percent while achieving a 9 percent reduction in cost. READ MORE SHARE
Valero: Q2 ethanol production down, renewable diesel sales up Valero Energy Corp. released second quarter financial results on July 30, reporting that ethanol production volumes were down approximately 50 percent when compared to the same period of 2019. Renewable diesel sales volumes, however, were up. READ MORE SHARE
Australian demonstration project will convert biogas to hydrogen Australia-based Hazer Group on July 31 announced its board has made a final investment decision to proceed with the development of a commercial demonstration plant (CDP) that will convert biogas to hydrogen and graphite. READ MORE SHARE
Blue Flint granted $155,000 to consider biomass conversion The North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission has awarded Blue Flint $155,000 to research and conduct a feasibility study on the utilization of biomass as a fuel and power source for its 70 MMgy ethanol plant. READ MORE SHARE
Covanta provides WtE update, discusses impacts of COVID-19 Covanta Holding Corp. provided a brief update of its waste-to-energy (WtE) projects and discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations during a second quarter earnings call held July 31. READ MORE SHARE
DOE announces $97 million for bioenergy R&D The U.S. Department of Energy on July 31 announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy, including biofuels, biopower and bioproducts. READ MORE SHARE
Duke Energy, SustainRNG partner to develop RNG on dairy farms Duke Energy has announced a partnership with SustainRNG to harness renewable natural gas (RNG) on dairy farms, starting in the southeastern United States. SustainRNG expects to complete its first project in 2021. READ MORE SHARE
OptiFuel to test preproduction RNG hybrid line-haul locomotive OptiFuel Systems has announced it is in the process of finalizing a $2.6 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to demonstrate a pre-production renewable natural gas (RNG) hybrid 4,300 hp line-haul locomotive. READ MORE SHARE