Green Options » biomass

Landfills to Fertilize Biofuel Crop With Trash-Juices

Alex Felsinger — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:13:09 +0000

Two British landfills could soon use their trash’s syrupy excretions to irrigate and fertilize on-site biomass crops.

A developer, Waste Recycling Group, hopes to construct two 18-foot-deep lagoons near landfills to produce fertilizer from the leachate that oozes from the trash piles. The substance will be pumped from the dump into the lagoons where bacteria will eat away at the contaminants. The developer then hopes to use the fertilizer to grow willow coppices at the landfill for use as biofuel.

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EPA Uses Google Earth-based Interactive Database to Spot Energy Opportunities

Adam Williams — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:23:04 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency has released an interactive Google Earth-based database which pinpoints energy development opportunities on contaminated properties.

According to Biofuels Digest, the EPA’s site shows opportunities for solar, wind and biomass benefits, by combining Google Earth visuals with the database list of places that show promise for progress.

The “Renewable Energy on Contaminated Land and Mining Sites” Web page gives interested parties tools to see what’s possible and where. For example, someone interested in building a community wind farm might want to view the “EPA Tracked Sites with Community Wind Energy Generation Potential” map.

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EPA’s New Google Earth Mash-Up of Renewable Energy Resources on Contaminated Lands

Timothy B. Hurst — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:38:37 +0000

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a Google Earth-based interactive website that pinpoints opportunities for solar, wind or biomass siting on contaminated properties. The site combines the Google Earth platform with an EPA database that lists each property’s attributes for renewable energy development.

According to the EPA, many lands tracked by the agency, such as large Superfund sites, and mining sites offer thousands of acres of land, and may be situated in areas where the presence of wind and solar structures are less likely to be met with aesthetic, and therefore political, opposition.

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Biofuel Industry Will Help Clean Up Chernobyl Site

Ariel Schwartz — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:48:16 +0000

Many different methods have been used to clean up the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, but I never thought harvesting biomass crops would be one of them. Apparently, the Belarus government believes that harvesting biomass crops repeatedly on the disaster site will eventually remove radionuclides from the soil.

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AREVA, Duke Energy Commit to Largest Woody Biomass Power Plant Projects in U.S.

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:39:38 +0000

New York, September 24, 2008 - At the opening session of the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative, former president, and host of the event, Bill Clinton, announced a joint commitment from AREVA and Duke Energy to proceed with the development of fourteen wood biomass power plants in the United States. The project commitments will help avoid 4 million tons of carbon per year by 2014.

“This project comes at exactly the right time as Americans face soaring energy prices and look to meet rising electricity demand with green energy sources. The ADAGE biopower facilities will respond to our nation’s need for new baseload energy alternatives,” said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the total installed capacity of wood biomass power generation is 6,000 megawatts, said Clinton. That figure could easily be doubled over the next 10 years.

AREVA is the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector. Duke Energy is one the largest electric utilities in the country. Duke supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers across the Mid-Adlantic and Mid-West.

>>For more updates from CGI, subscribe to my Twitterfeed at @ecopolitologist, where I will be posting more commitments and news items as they develop.

Image credit: Andrew Ciscel via flickr under a Creative Commons License

American States Continue to Install Renewable Energy Sources

Joshua S Hill — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:54:35 +0000

With my complete lack of faith in the US federal government, it warms my heart aplenty to see so much initiative by local governments and businesses in going green. On Friday of last week, the 19^th, two announcements were made that saw plans revealed for two new renewable energy sources.

The first announcement saw Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC) announce plans to buld as many as three 100-megawatt biomass electric generating facilities in the state of Georgia. The second, was an announcement by SBD International promising the future construction of a small solar farm in Florida, capable of generating up to 20 megawatts.

And these sorts of announcements come across our desks almost every day. But there are only so many articles we can write that would be as long as this introduction.

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Bipartisan Senate Bill To Extend Renewable Tax Credits

Jerry James Stone — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:31:33 +0000

After much arm wrestling, the Senate came to an agreement on energy tax breaks which are set to expire later this year. Both Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), of the Senate Finance Committee, made the announcement on Tuesday.

The tax package will provide $17 billion in renewable energy tax breaks. It will also adjust the alternative minimum tax, extend tax credits for children and create several business tax cuts. It will also set aside $7 billion in tax relief for those affected by recent floods and hurricanes. The bill extends the solar and wind investment tax credit for eight years, and the production tax credit for biomass and hydropower for up to two years.

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Part Corn, Part Cow. Freaky Ethanol Process Commercialized.

Nick Chambers — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:33:33 +0000

It was a weird and improbable shotgun wedding of genetic material — one conducted by your drunk uncle Larry in a brothel on the outskirts of Las Vegas. One in which researchers successfully combined enzymes from a bacteria that normally resides in a cow’s gut with the genes of the leaves and stalk of a corn plant — and one in which the offspring from that marriage is a corn plant that can digest itself into the components needed to make ethanol.

Certainly, anything that can digest itself warrants a closer look — and now a company in Kansas has licensed that proprietary corn offspring, dubbed Spartan Corn III (it even sounds like a name your drunk uncle Larry would approve of), for the ultimate consummation of the marriage in a baptism of commercialization.

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New Research in Search for Cheaper and Cleaner Ethanol Production

Joshua S Hill — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:01:29 +0000

One of the main problems with the future of ethanol production is its relationship to corn. For some time now corn has been a prime source of ethanol. But as a result, corn that was once used for food is disappearing for fuel, and the increase in corn production has added increased fertilizer waste to waterways.

Now, a new study from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering and Mascoma Corporation in Lebanon, N.H., has made a discovery that will prove invaluable in production large quantities of cellulosic ethanol, a likely substitute.

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Austin Approves $2.3 Billion Biomass Energy Project

Tom Schueneman — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:53:18 +0000

Last week, the Austin City Council approved a $2.3 billion purchasing agreement with what will become the largest wood-waste-fueled biomass plant in the United States. The city will buy all power produced by the 100 megawatt facility for the next 20 years

Once completed—which should be sometime in 2012—the Sacul, Texas plant will be the largest of it’s kind in the country. The facility will generate power from burning wood waste from logging and mill operations, urban waste from tree clearing and trimming, and from shipping pallets.

All sources of fuel are required to meet Texas Renewable Energy Credit Standards and Texas Forestry Management Practices.

Businesses and some environmental groups have nonetheless voiced concern over the cost of the project and its environmental impact.

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From Coal to Biomass: Hawaii to Convert Power Plant

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:46:03 +0000

On the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast, the 24-megawatt Hu Honua Bioenergy Facility will convert locally grown biomass into electricity. 95% of the area’s residents signed a petition in support of converting the coal burning plant into a biomass facility. The converted facility is expected to stimulate local agricultural business, prevent tens of thousands of tons of green waste from ending up in landfills, and create hundreds of local jobs.

Via: Renewable Energy World

Image: Hyperborea

Everyday Waste to Become Gasoline

Joshua S Hill — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:18:21 +0000

An agreement between Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and Byogy Renewables Inc, has renewed hopes of a future where gasoline prices are back within everyone’s grasp. And according to those involved, the process could become a reality within the next two years.

“This technology is important because it addresses many issues - eliminating waste, producing economical fuel quickly and being friendly to our environment,” said Dr. Kenneth Hall, associate director of TEES. “It’s a win-win for industry and consumers. Furthermore, this technology is ready to be commercialized now and does not require any new scientific or technological breakthroughs to become a reality.”

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Cow Poop: More Electric Power Potential than Wind and Solar?

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:30:51 +0000

Converting the U.S.’s ample and renewable volumes of cow manure into biogas could provide as much as 3 percent of the nation’s electricity needs, say two researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.

In a new study published in the online journal Environmental Research Letters, Amanda Cuéllar and Michael Webber conclude that harnessing the full potential of cow poop power could not only help generate as much — or more — electricity as wind and solar power do today, but could greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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The Ultimate Green, Renewable Fuel (and Food): Algae, Possibly

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:13:44 +0000

Across the U.S., researchers, startup companies and investors are exploring the potential of creating large amounts of green, renewable fuel from the humblest of sources: algae.

If you think the energy/food potential for hemp is underutilized, wait’ll you get a gander at algae. This little microorganism really packs a punch.

According to The Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know is Wrong (2006, Harmony Books) (I highly recommend it, by the way — it’s packed with fascinating information and weird insights), algae breathes out more oxygen than all the world’s land-based plants and trees combined. Certain types of algae also deliver a whopping amount of protein and nutrients per farmed acre (20 times more than soy beans, in the case of spirulina).

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Northeasterners Warming Up to Pellet Stoves

Carol Gulyas — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:17:26 +0000

After a cold winter and rising fuel prices, Vermont and other Northeastern states are warming to the idea of using local biomass to heat their homes. According to Renewable Energy World, pellet stoves, which burn pellets made from wood shavings and sawdust and whose emissions are nearly zero, are becoming more attractive heating options. One of the most efficient use of the stoves is as a heating supplement.

“In New Hampshire, New England Wood Pellet has been expanding its operations and has built a manufacturing facility in New York in order to keep up with the demand for pellet fuels. According to Steve Walker, CEO of New England Wood Pellet, bioheating and pellet fuels in particular are primed to take up a bigger share of the market in the coming years because consumers may be starting to realize that oil prices are going to remain high into the foreseeable future. He points at the cost to energy production ratio as the one of the most important reasons the pellet market will continue to grow.”

Shown here is the Harman Advance model.

Do Ethanol, Biodiesel or Biomass Projects Produce Waste? AURI Says NO, on The Lindberg Report.

Max Lindberg — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:29:23 +0000

Alan Doering of AURI says agricultural residues and co-products aren’t waste, they’re potential new revenue streams to power the future.

AURI, or Agricultural Utilization Research Institute of Waseca, Minnesota, is a nonprofit organization that develops new uses for agricultural products and ag-processing co-products.

Alan Doering, an Associate Scientist with AURI, filled me in on steps being taken to utilize every bit of what used to be considered products of the waste stream.

Turkey droppings are fueling a power plant that serves 40,000 homes. Syrup derived from the making of ethanol is being used to power the plant that makes the ethanol. And there’s more on this amazing work in my interview with Alan.

This story contains additional media. Click here to view the media.

Europe’s EPA Advises Suspending Biofuel Targets

Clayton B. Cornell — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:33:25 +0000

Today the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Scientific Committee recommended suspending the EUs target for 10% biofuel usage by 2020, due to concerns that first-generation biofuels (those made from food crops) are environmentally unsound.
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GMO Corn-Stover Eats Itself, Makes Ethanol Processing A Breeze

Clayton B. Cornell — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:50:55 +0000

Researchers at Michigan State are trying to get corn-stover to digest itself after harvest. Doing so would mitigate the costly pretreatment steps needed for the production of cellulosic ethanol from the non-edible parts of the corn plant.

MSU’s scientists are adding genetic material to the corn’s genome, genes that would normally be responsible for the digestive enzymes produced by fungi and the microbes in cow rumens. The newly transgenic plants store these enzymes in vacuoles in the leaves and stalk in a way that doesn’t affect the plant while it’s alive.

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Interview: Biomass Gas and Electric Produces Energy from Waste Products

Carol Gulyas — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:39:14 +0000

On Friday I spoke with CEO Glenn Farris about his company, Biomass Gas & Electric.

CleanTechnica: What does your company do?

GF: We use biomass (primarily woody biomass), but also forest residues, agricultural waste, and woody crops, to produce renewable energy in an environmentally beneficial gasification process that doesn’t involve combustion, and so is carbon neutral. BG&E currently has three contracts (Georgia Power Company, The City of Tallahassee and Progress Energy of Florida) to provide biomass-generated electricity, pipeline gas, and hydrogen. We have many, many other projects in development both in the U.S. and abroad. In states that have a Renewable Portfolio Standard, we provide tradeable renewable energy certificates. In other states, we sell renewable energy credits to large companies like IBM and Alcoa, who want to reduce their carbon footprint. We believe the future of the company is in the production of methane.

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Mmmmm, Beer … and Energy

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:12:53 +0000

Helsinki-based Wärtsilä has just inked an agreement with the brewing group Scottish and Newcastle to install biomass-fueled, combined heat and power plants at two of the company’s U.K. breweries. According to Wärtsilä, the plants will be the first in the world to generate energy and heat from spent grain, a byproduct of brewing.

Green Options » biomass

Landfills to Fertilize Biofuel Crop With Trash-Juices

Two British landfills could soon use their trash’s syrupy excretions to irrigate and fertilize on-site biomass crops.

EPA Uses Google Earth-based Interactive Database to Spot Energy Opportunities

EPA’s New Google Earth Mash-Up of Renewable Energy Resources on Contaminated Lands

Biofuel Industry Will Help Clean Up Chernobyl Site

AREVA, Duke Energy Commit to Largest Woody Biomass Power Plant Projects in U.S.

American States Continue to Install Renewable Energy Sources

Bipartisan Senate Bill To Extend Renewable Tax Credits

Part Corn, Part Cow. Freaky Ethanol Process Commercialized.

New Research in Search for Cheaper and Cleaner Ethanol Production

Austin Approves $2.3 Billion Biomass Energy Project

Last week, the Austin City Council approved a $2.3 billion purchasing agreement with what will become the largest wood-waste-fueled biomass plant in the United States. The city will buy all power produced by the 100 megawatt facility for the next 20 years

Once completed—which should be sometime in 2012—the Sacul, Texas plant will be the largest of it’s kind in the country. The facility will generate power from burning wood waste from logging and mill operations, urban waste from tree clearing and trimming, and from shipping pallets.

From Coal to Biomass: Hawaii to Convert Power Plant

Everyday Waste to Become Gasoline

Cow Poop: More Electric Power Potential than Wind and Solar?

The Ultimate Green, Renewable Fuel (and Food): Algae, Possibly

Northeasterners Warming Up to Pellet Stoves

Do Ethanol, Biodiesel or Biomass Projects Produce Waste? AURI Says NO, on The Lindberg Report.

Alan Doering of AURI says agricultural residues and co-products aren’t waste, they’re potential new revenue streams to power the future.

Europe’s EPA Advises Suspending Biofuel Targets

Today the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Scientific Committee recommended suspending the EUs target for 10% biofuel usage by 2020, due to concerns that first-generation biofuels (those made from food crops) are environmentally unsound. Read more of this story »

GMO Corn-Stover Eats Itself, Makes Ethanol Processing A Breeze

Researchers at Michigan State are trying to get corn-stover to digest itself after harvest. Doing so would mitigate the costly pretreatment steps needed for the production of cellulosic ethanol from the non-edible parts of the corn plant.

Interview: Biomass Gas and Electric Produces Energy from Waste Products

Mmmmm, Beer … and Energy

Today the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Scientific Committee recommended suspending the EUs target for 10% biofuel usage by 2020, due to concerns that first-generation biofuels (those made from food crops) are environmentally unsound.
Read more of this story »