How bacteria could help power the future Aug 28, 2008
The results, presented last week at the American Chemical Society meeting in Philadelphia, indicate which genes allow C. saccharolyticus to eat plant material, referred to as biomass, and expel hydrogen in the process ... Bionic microbe Kengen is part of a European Union project called Hyvolution, which is developing decentralized hydrogen production that can be performed near where biomass is grown ... These enzymes now isolated through VanFossen's genetic analysis could help get more... (MSNBC -- Politics)
UDRI to partner with Air Force on alternative fuel research facility Aug 28, 2008
The is teaming with the to construct and operate the country's first federal research facility designed to create jet fuel from coal and biomass, UDRI announced Tuesday. Construction for the new project, called the Alternative Aerospace Fuels Research Facility, will be begin at Wright-Patt in the next two years. (Dayton Business Journal, OH)
Nebraska Gets Millions For Renewable Energy Aug 28, 2008
Wind turbines, geothermal systems, biomass corn stoves, and the conversion of diesel irrigators to electric are among the 170 Nebraska projects receiving funds. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer made the announcement Wednesday saying such projects are good for the economy, good for jobs and help the country become more energy independent. (7 KETV Omaha)
Even "Green" Energy Needs Lower Oil Price Aug 28, 2008
Europe, the United States, China and India want to ramp up power production from low-carbon wind, solar and biomass to battle climate change and source more secure, domestic energy. But goals to produce power from the sun or wind stoke energy costs because utilities pass on the higher price to consumers. (Planet Ark, United States)
CEZ to Build Biggest Onshore Wind Park in Europe Aug 28, 2008
The bloc wants 20 percent of energy demand to be sourced from renewables such as solar, wind, wave, hydro and biomass by 2020, versus 8. 5 percent now. (Planet Ark, United States)
Nebraska energy projects garner $2.3 million Aug 28, 2008
Wind turbines, geothermal systems, biomass corn stoves, and the conversion of diesel irrigators to electric are among the 170 Nebraska projects receiving funds. Nationwide 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands were selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems. (Sioux City Journal)
GM's Volt into the blue Aug 28, 2008
Fuel cells are still on the agenda, make no mistake, but GM is now also working on improving its petrol engines and adapting them to run on virtually any liquid or gaseous fuel, including LPG, CNG, E85 and alcohol from biomass ... Depending on how much biomass waste is available, these technologies could keep the internal combustion engine viable for decades. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Jim Whitaker, Republican Mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska Aug 27, 2008
America's energy policy must be based on self reliance and the resources we have right here at home: from domestically produced natural gas, including liquefied natural gas from Alaska, to biomass, wind and solar-renewable, alternative energy sources, American energy sources. In the end, I'm here tonight because I know the change we need requires a leader with a steely resolve, a powerful vision for our future and a passion for helping working people. (PR Newswire)
Alaska Republican mayor addresses DNC Aug 27, 2008
In his brief address to the convention, Whitaker stressed the need for a national energy policy based on self-reliance and "the resources we have right here at home -- from domestically produced natural gas, including liquefied natural gas from Alaska, to biomass, wind and solar.". Find George Bryson online at adn. (Anchorage Daily News)
Water scarcity is causing food shortages and environmental decline - so why is it ignored? Aug 27, 2008
As a final bonus soils with more carbon have higher yields in both crops and biomass. John Yaya, Chico, CA.. (BBC News -- Science)
Tens of thousands attend farm show Aug 27, 2008
Plans for ISU's New Century Farm, the first integrated biomass production and processing facility in the United States. The main building will be completed this fall west of Ames. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
Lillelund: These cars not blowing smoke on energy solution Aug 27, 2008
I hope that America s policy makers, business leaders, and voters have the long-term vision and short-term sense of urgency to support clean-energy sources such as wind, hydrogen, solar and biomass. Lisa Lillelund is a regular columnist with the Beverly Citizen. (Wakefield Observer, MA)
Monsanto, Archer Daniels, Deere want to turn crop residue into profit Aug 27, 2008
Corn stover can be used in feed for animals, as biomass to generate steam and electricity or as a cellulosic feedstock for biofuel production. By creating feed and energy products from crop byproducts, farmers can produce more products without farming more acres. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
McKinney company scores wind turbine contract Aug 27, 2008
"We hope we can go beyond the wind turbines as Home Energy is totally devoted to renewable energy products and produces solar energy collectors and biomass products.". The McKinney Economic Development Corp. worked with VAWT before it relocated to McKinney and David Pitstick, corporation president, isn't surprised the company landed the deal. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Japan ministry to seek $1.2 billion for new energy Aug 27, 2008
7 billion yen to promote solar, wind and biomass power and in its budget request to be submitted to the Finance Ministry by Friday (Aug. 29), sources said on Tuesday. (EETimes)
Waste matter can generate 540MW near Richards Bay Aug 27, 2008
Johannesburg - Umbani Power Company is looking to generate up to 540 megawatts of electricity near Richards Bay by burning discarded coal, biomass and other fuel sources ... The power plant was near rail infrastructure and reasonably close to sources of cooling water and biomass ... Umbani Power Company is looking to generate up to 540 megawatts of electricity near Richards Bay by burning discarded coal, biomass and other fuel sources. (Business Report, South Africa)
Insecure electricity supply leads to greater risks in mining, says Anglo Aug 27, 2008
" BUSINESS SERVICES MOBILE SERVICES Get Business Headlines ators on your phone - dial *120*IOL*5# (SA only) Home News Markets Technology News Company News International No one at Adcock Ingram has said outright that it would probably have achieved a lot more had it been on its own, rather than housed in the stable of giant consumables group Tiger Brands.[] Gold Reef's aborted effort to secure a multimillion-rand payout for four of its executive directors is the inevitable outcome of an executive... (Business Report, South Africa)
Rand pinned down as dollar advances Aug 27, 2008
68," they said. Consumer inflation data is due at 11.30am tomorrow. Consumer inflation excluding interest on mortgage bonds (CPIX) - the measure used by the South African Reserve Bank for its inflation target - is expected to have increased at 12.9 percent in July from a record high of 11.6 percent in June, an I-Net Bridge survey shows. This will be the 16th month running that CPIX has been above the 6 percent upper target limit, and will be well above the 6.5 percent recorded a year ago. The... (Business Report, South Africa)
Chavez's signature will enable PetroSA to buy assets in Venezuela Aug 27, 2008
" PetroSA operates one of the world's largest GTL refineries at Mossel Bay. The firm is pursuing oil exploration in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Egypt. September said no projects had been identified yet, and it was premature to speculate on the size of the Venezuelan investment or proposed output volumes. He added that the deal with Latin America's biggest oil producing company might be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Oil from Venezuela could be earmarked for PetroSA's new $7 billion (R54... (Business Report, South Africa)
These walls can’t talk but they are alive Aug 26, 2008
The plants on living walls use sunlight to create biomass rather than storing it as heat. They sequester carbon dioxide and purify the air. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Quebec lures solar energy firm Aug 26, 2008
About $31-billion will be invested in energy capacity in the province in the next few years, he said, mainly in hydro power and wind energy, but also in biomass and cellulosic ethanol. "We now have solar energy as a bigger part [of that strategy], as of today," Mr. Charest said. (Globe and Mail)
Thousands watch fall of landmark towers Aug 25, 2008
Bill and Ben' make way for biomass station in Sheffield Sculptor Gormley among critics of demolition ... The towers have been demolished to make way for a 60m biomass power station. (guardian.co.uk)
Betting on a hot market for syngas Aug 25, 2008
Ze-gen is one of many companies across the nation using gasification technologies to convert plant, wood, and other organic wastes - known as biomass - into syngas ... Using biomass as a feed stock is considered more environmentally friendly because plants and trees can be regrown to absorb carbon dioxide created by burning syngas. (Boston Globe)
Lignol Appoints Stephen H. White to its Board of Directors Aug 25, 2008
About Lignol Lignol (TSX-V: LEC) is a Canadian company undertaking the development of biorefining technologies for the production of fuel-grade ethanol and other biochemical co-products from non-food cellulosic biomass feedstocks. Lignol's modified solvent based pre-treatment technology facilitates the rapid, high-yield conversion of cellulose to ethanol and the production of value-added biochemical co-products, including a High Purity Lignin (HP-L(TM)). (Canada Newswire)
No more price hikes in H2, says Semen Gresik Aug 25, 2008
The company has also developed its use of alternative fuels, with most of the energy originating from waste and biomass. Under the alternative fuels program, the company is hoping that renewable energy will account for 10 percent of the company's energy mix within a year. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
Blast demolishes landmark UK towers Aug 24, 2008
" Nowhere else in the world has anyone sought to bring down similar structures that sit so close to a major highway viaduct Arthur Ashburner, Highways Agency The firm has been given permission to build a 60m biomass power station at the site. Arthur Ashburner, from the Highways Agency, said: "This demolition is a unique situation and as far as we are aware, nowhere else in the world has anyone sought to bring down similar structures that sit so close to a major highway viaduct. "We will carry... (BBC News)
Austin City Council postpones decision on biomass plant Aug 24, 2008
As first reported by the Austin Business Journal in July, the agreement would pave the way for Nacogdoches Power to build a biomass plant in East Texas and sell the power to Austin Energy ... The agreement calls for the purchase of 100 megawatts of biomass-generated power annually at an estimated cost of $115 million ... Biomass-generated power is considered carbon neutral because it releases carbon dioxide consumed by trees back into the air. (Austin Business Journal, TX)
Biogas plant under consideration Aug 24, 2008
Biomass remaining after the oil is extracted is a high quality animal feed with 38 percent protein and would provide material for spin-off businesses, Chilcott said. Europe has approximately 4,000 biogas plants; and MWK has assisted in building more than 300 of them, they said. (Montana Standard, MT)
LETTERS: NCT, Aug. 23, 2008 Aug 24, 2008
Just a few examples:Authorizes subsidies for wind energy, and other alternative energy producers;Adds ocean energy sources including wave power and tidal power for the first time as separately identified renewable technologies; Authorizes $50 million annually over the life of the bill for a biomass grant program; Contains several provisions aimed at making geothermal energy more competitive with fossil fuels in generating electricity; Requires all public electric utilities to offer net metering... (North County Times)
Biofuels, food crops straining world water reserves: experts Aug 24, 2008
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Burgeoning demand for food to feed the world's swelling population, coupled with increased use of biomass as fuel is putting a serious strain on global water reserves, experts said ... "If we look at how much more water we will need for food and how much more for biomass for energy going forward ... it is quite worrying," said Jan Lundqvist, who heads the scientific programme at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) ... Global food needs are expected to roughly... (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Alternative fuels' promise energized UGA researchers Aug 24, 2008
"One is the challenge of sustainably producing your biomass (the raw material, such as switchgrass or algae, used to make biofuel), and then economically converting it into your fuel. That's it in a nutshell," said Joy Peterson, a professor of microbiology and director of UGA's Biofuels, Biopower and Biomaterials Initiative - B3I for short. David Lee, vice president for research at UGA, formed B3I less than a year ago to coordinate all the UGA bioenergy research. (Athens Banner-Herald)
How is a cooling tower demolished? Aug 23, 2008
But site owner E.ON, which is developing a biomass power station, says the towers must go. And recent tests have shown the towers, made of a concrete shell internally reinforced by steel, are structurally unsafe. (BBC News -- UK)
Radar Acquisitions Corp. Announces Completion of $1,047,750 Private Placement Aug 23, 2008
Radar is focused on a joint venture agreement it has with New Energy USA, LLC, to develop engineered solid fuel products (Re-Fuel(TM)) using a combination of coal waste and biomass. Re-Fuel(TM) will benefit the environment through the reclamation of coal waste and other bio-refuse in the production phase and cleaner stack and ash emissions in the power generation phase. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Towering history Aug 22, 2008
The company has been granted permission for a 60m biomass power station on the site. Cultural vandalism. (BBC News -- UK)
Big Island sugar mill being converted into bioenergy facility Aug 22, 2008
The Facility in Pepeekeo, which is financed, operated and majority owned by , is a 24 megawatt power station that will convert locally grown biomass into electricity. The facility is being built at the former coal-fired Pepeekeo sugar mill power station. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Biodiesel Byproduct Converted Into Omega-3 Fatty Acids Aug 22, 2008
"After thorough chemical analysis, we have also shown that the algae biomass composition has the same quality as the commercial algae product.". After growing the algae in the crude glycerol, researchers can use it as an animal feed. (Science Daily)
Loco for local: Group seeks to raise awareness about benefits of keeping shopping dollars in community Aug 22, 2008
Displays about alternative energy sources, such as solar power, LED lighting and biomass generators, are also planned, along with a 14-station Sustainability Challenge designed to test citizens' knowledge of recycling, energy and water use. The concept of supporting one's own community can make the biggest difference in quality of life, King said. (Missoulian, MT)
Struggling Forestries Bet On Biofuel Boom Aug 22, 2008
Pesonen said combining energy production with paper-making was a natural move and adds value to biomass used. "Bioenergy is well integrated into the paper and pulp mills, where you can combine biomass coming from forests and mass production," he said. (Planet Ark, United States)
Montpelier Considers Biomass Facility Aug 22, 2008
The city of Montpelier is looking into the idea of creating a biomass facility ... Privately owned buildings may be able to hookup to the biomass facility as well ... There is also talk that the biomass plant could provide electricity to parts of the Capital City. (WCAX.com, VT)
In Congress, a boost for alternative energy Aug 22, 2008
Washington - \Congress is a big step closer to its goal of tipping national energy policy away from oil and gas development and toward alternative energy sources such as wind, geothermal, and biomass. With the Senate's passage of an energy bill June 21, action this week shifts to the House, where Democrats will be rolling out their own plan for America's energy future. (Yahoo News -- Alternative Energy)
Wind firm seeks strategy shakeup Aug 22, 2008
Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., for instance, has several operating wind farms in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, along with hydro-electric projects and one biomass plant. Sean Whittaker, policy director at the Canadian Wind Energy Association, warned of the risks facing individual wind power projects in a recent issue of the organization's magazine. (Globe and Mail)
Hawaiian Blessing Sets Stage for Transformation of Coal-Fired Plant to Bioenergy Facility Aug 21, 2008
Financed, operated and majority-owned by MMA Renewable Ventures, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage y, LLC ("MuniMae," Pink Sheets: MMAB.PK), the 24 megawatt (MW) power station will convert locally grown biomass into electricity, supporting the state's aggressive renewable energy targets ... Local union leader Rickard Baker, division director of ILWU 142 Hawaii, reported over 95% of the area's residents approached have signed a petition in support of converting the power plant into a... (PR Newswire)
Lib Dems urge energy autonomy Aug 21, 2008
Such a position would mean major investment in renewable energy sources such as wave, wind, biomass and solar power. Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he wanted to see the creation of a renewables delivery authority - similar to the Olympic Delivery Authority - to make a "complete revolution" in energy supply a reality. (BBC News -- UK)
Study: Vt. should rely on medium-sized generators Aug 21, 2008
- Hallquist said VEC is continuing its work with a Canadian company to develop small-scale generators - on the order of 10 to 12 megawatts - that use a biomass gasification process to generate power. Steve Wark, director of public and consumer affairs at the Department of Public Service, said one fuel Vermont does have in abundance is wood. (Concord Monitor)
Discovery Of Plant Protein Holds Promise For Biofuel Production Aug 21, 2008
"This protein directly affects photosynthesis and how plants create biomass (stems, leaves and stalks) and oils." ... Sources of biomass for biofuel. (Science Daily)
Dirty Smoke From Ships Found To Degrade Air Quality In Coastal Cities Aug 21, 2008
13, 2006) Scientists using NASA satellites and computer models have shown that pollutants from Central American biomass burning can influence air quality and climate in the United. (Apr. (Science Daily)
Mathern unveils wind plan Aug 21, 2008
Larson said Hoeven and the Legislature have already established an office of renewable energy and efficiency within the Department of Commerce, which is developing the full gamut of North Dakota's renewable energy resources, including wind, ethanol, biodiesel and biomass ... "The last legislative session, the governor worked to put together a 42 million agricultural-based energy program to build not only North Dakota's wind resources, but also our renewable fuels research, ethanol, biodiesel and... (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Send Al to D.C. Aug 21, 2008
We have not just soybeans, corn, biomass and wind, but creativity, brain power and. commitment to make breakthroughs in this undertaking. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Five reasons to buy Canadian Hydro Aug 21, 2008
8-million, or 2 cents a share, compared to 1 cent a year ago, as maintenance expenses at its biomass facility in Grande Prairie, Alta. pushed operating expenses higher. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
EcoloCap Doubles its Number of Projects in Last Quarter Aug 20, 2008
In Vietnam, EcoloCap has signed agreements with one Biomass Valorization project and three new Hydro Power projects. In China agreements were signed with four large Industrial Improvements projects comprising of two steel mills, one cement production complex and one coal mine. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Hungry Musk-Oxen, Caribou Could Help Warming Arctic Aug 20, 2008
In the plots off-limits to grazers, shrubs such as dwarf birch spread, crowding out grasses, which make up nearly half of the biomass in western Greenland studied by Post. Continued on. (National Geographic)
Renewable energy: E.ON looks at 300m investment to build ... Aug 20, 2008
Renewable energy: E.ON looks at 300m investment to build Britain's largest biomass plant ... E.ON, the energy company whose plans for Britain's first new coal-fired power station for more than two decades have sparked fierce protests, said yesterday it was considering a 300m investment in building one of the country's biggest biomass power plants ... Yesterday Greenpeace's Jim Footner said that if E.ON wanted to be seen as one of the country's leading green generators it should drop its plans... (guardian.co.uk)
City Concerned With Southern Tip Of The Lake Aug 20, 2008
Johnston said that the assumptions behind the regulation are that if you measure the phosphorous and the level increases then you get plant biomass resulting in fish kills, flooding, and clogged water with weeds and/or bad odors. Nutrients control the growth. (Ithaca Times, NY)
EDC Board formulates plans Aug 20, 2008
EDC Board member Bob Floyd said the cost factor of using renewable energy items such as water, solar, geothermal and biomass currently is more than four times per kilowatt hour than the current methods of coal, natural gas and nuclear. He questioned how the conversion can be done in a cost-effective fashion. (Lenoir News Topic, NC)
SES Obtains Approvals for Expansion of Hai Hua Gasification Project Aug 19, 2008
"We are extremely pleased with the progress that we have made on our first U-GAS(R) plant. Moving forward with this expansion evidences the confidence of our partner and governmental officials in the capabilities of SES and our technology," stated Tim Vail, President and CEO of SES. This expansion also demonstrates a key U-GAS(R) advantage, the modular nature of the technology which will enable us to increase the capacity of the Zaozhuang Plant by more than 60 percent, a goal that was... (PR Newswire)
Patrick appoints four to Renewable Energy Trust board Aug 19, 2008
A graduate of Boston College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, Nace is also managing director of Maine BioProducts, LLC, a biofuels development company working to build biorefineries using forest biomass as feedstock. Linda Plano is associate director of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center at the University of Massachusetts, an organization that develops programs to catalyze transfer of technology from Massachusetts universities and research hospitals to the... (Lincoln Journal, MA)
Leaf invests $10 million in MaxWest Aug 19, 2008
Leaf s commitment to MaxWest provides further confirmation of our gasification technology and its application in the biomass waste markets, said Richard Heien, MaxWest president. Reader Comments. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Rehberg’s energy plan is simple, out in open Aug 19, 2008
Denny s common-sense four point energy plan is simple and straightforward and has been on his congressional Web site for weeks: develop America s domestic fossil fuel energy sources in an environmentally responsible way; encourage energy conservation; invest in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass; and provide incentives to further the development of new energy producing technologies. McDonald, who moved to Montana from the San Francisco area, seems to be... (Missoulian, MT)
Living a Green Dream on Danish Island Aug 19, 2008
The European Union has committed to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a fifth by 2020 from 1990 levels, and to get one-fifth of all energy demand from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass. Some islanders say the renewable project has been helped by developing as a grassroots venture rather than having targets and regulations imposed by a bureaucracy. (Planet Ark, United States)
China to get key oil bases by year end Aug 19, 2008
Last year, renewable energy such as wind power, biomass and hydropower accounted for 8. 5 percent of the nation's total energy use. (Xinhuanet, China)
Finding energy in forest waste Aug 19, 2008
But most of that woody biomass is piled up throughout the forest and eventually burned, he said. Our opportunities to use this considerable resource of biomass are limited, Bobzien said in testimony at a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology ... Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., are united in their push to get national forest materials included in the official definition of renewable biomass. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Auburn University, farmer team up for alternative fuels race Aug 19, 2008
"Anything you can do with fossil fuels, you can pretty much do with biomass as well.". E-mail: sdiel@bhamnews. (AL.com)
Newswatch, Police/Fire Aug 18, 2008
A partnership of wind-farm developers from Maui and Kauai is firming up plans to build a biomass combustion power plant and hopes to have it running by the end of 2010. Hamakua Biomass Energy is close to closing a deal with Hancock Timber Resource Group that will get them 20,000 acres of eucalyptus ... Chief executive officer for Hamakua Biomass Guy Gilliland says the power plant will be located in Paauilo and produce enough energy to power 30,000 homes. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
ISU News and Notes: Emeritus professor helped set up college in Georgia Aug 18, 2008
" The new college in Gori was the first of seven community college programs the group planned to establish in Georgia, including sites in Tblisi, the Georgian capital; and Batumi, the main vacation area along the Black Sea. Maney said her collaborative group has trained teachers and brought textbooks and programming to the other sites, but Gori is the only school that taught students thus far. Additional information on the Georgia Connection project is available atwww.georgiaconnection.net/.... (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
More drilling is just a scare Aug 18, 2008
Instead of continuing to provide billions of dollars of subsidies to Big Oil, we should be investing in energy sources like wind, solar and biomass renewable sources that will create jobs. Investments in clean energy and energy efficiency would steer us away from the dangerous course we re on and infuse our economy with new life. (Washington Daily News, NC)
