Laws and Solutions In The Biogas Industry

Here’s an overview of key news in the biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) industries. Many laws are put into action to promote a greener environment. Companies are now moving toward eco-friendly solutions for their businesses and BioGas is getting much media attention.

POLICIES & GOVERNMENTS ACTIONS

BILL PASSED TO UP BIOGAS RHI SUBSIDIES

Coming into effect on 22 May, the legislation will increase the amount available to biogas and biomethane producers under the scheme and impose new feedstock requirements. The Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) has been told that legislation has passed that will restore higher tariff levels under the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. The tariffs are being seen as a boon for the biogas industry and will come into effect on 22 May.

Read more on Bioenergy News

FOOD WASTE ENERGY GETS “VITAL BOOST”

Energy from food waste has been given a “vital boost” after parliament approved higher energy tariffs for green gas companies. From 22 May, companies providing energy by anaerobic digestion will be able to claim a restored tariff of 5.6p per kWh of renewable heat generated for their Tier 1 biomethane. Anaerobic digestion plants generate biomethane, or ‘green gas’, through breaking down organic wastes such as sewage, food waste, and agricultural waste and purpose-grown energy crops, which are often grown as part of an agricultural rotation. Green gas can then be burned to generate renewable heat.

Read more on FruitNet

BIOFUELS POLICY TO CUT EMISSIONS, ENERGY IMPORTS GET CABINET NOD

New Delhi: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the national biofuels policy that will help India’s efforts to cut energy imports and carbon emissions. The policy will also help improve farmer income and has expanded the scope of raw material for ethanol production to include sugarcane juice, sugar beet, sweet sorghum and starch containing materials such as corn, cassava, and damaged grains. This comes in the backdrop of the central government’s plan to double farmer incomes by 2022.

Read More on LiveMint

BIOENERGY AND AGRICULTURE GROUPS URGE CONGRESS TO OPPOSE HOUSE FARM BILL

In the US, the American Biogas Council (ABC), the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) and the Biomass Power Association (BPA) have come out against the H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, also known as the Farm Bill. Over the past two years, these organizations have been working to advance the Farm Bill, legislation that supports the use of biomass and agricultural residues to produce energy. However, amendments affecting support for bioenergy programs have forced them to now oppose the legislation. The Bill will come before the full House of Representatives this week.

Read More on BioEnergy News

MUNICIPALITIES & CITIES

POOP-POWERED TRUCKS TAKE TO THE STREETS OF KING COUNTY

Sewage is now being turned into biomethane gas, a renewable resource used instead of diesel for Recology trucks around King County. Now, when you flush your toilet in King County you’re helping fuel garbage trucks. “Right now we are standing around the settling tanks. When you’re at home, when you use your sink, shower or flush your toilet, your water is coming here,” said Katelyn Hunt of King County Waste Water Division. “We need to immediately separate the water from the solid material, all that organic material.”

Read More on King5

NEW YORK PROPOSES STRICT CARBON EMISSION LIMITS FOR EXISTING POWER PLANTS

Federal efforts to impose carbon emission limits on power plants have been stalled for some time amid litigation and an unfavorable political climate, leaving it to states to take action to address a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. New York’s proposed carbon requirements for existing power plants are expected to force offline the last coal-burning electric generating units (EGU), though they do not assure this.

Read More on Utility Drive

ALMOST HALF OF AUSTRALIAN BIG BUSINESS MOVING TO RENEWABLES

Almost half of Australia’s large businesses are actively transitioning to cheaper renewable energy, including many going off the grid by building their own generators and battery storage, as power bills threaten their bottom line. A new report by the Climate Council details the increased speed of a business-led transition to renewables as power bills have increased.

Read more on The Guardian 

COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS

L’ORÉAL USA PLANTS TO ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2019

L’Oréal USA has announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality in 2019 for all 21 of its U.S. manufacturing and distribution facilities with a financially sustainable approach that could potentially serve as a model to support new renewable natural gas (RNG) projects in the future. In order to reach this milestone, L’Oréal USA is adding to its diversified energy portfolio with RNG purchased from a new processing facility in Kentucky. The company currently has 17 renewable energy installations across the country, including large on-site solar arrays in Arkansas, New Jersey and Kentucky as well as wind turbines in Texas. The RNG purchased from the new project alone is expected to eliminate the carbon equivalent of 1.8 million gallons of gasoline consumed per year.

Read More on Beauty Packaging

NEW REPORTS & RESEARCHES

WORLD BIOGAS ASSOCIATION TOUTE BENEFITS OF AD IN NEW REPORT

The World Biogas Association (WBA) and C40 Cities have released a report, titled “Global Food Waste Management: An Implementation Guide For Cities,” that aims to help policy makers in cities improve the management of food waste. The report, which was presented to the mayor of Rotterdam on Wednesday, outlines for city leaders the sources and impact of food waste; how to prevent and collect food waste; an overview of treatment technologies; a detailed description of anaerobic digestion (AD) and its products; and policy recommendations, barriers and implementation of sustainable food waste management.

Read More on WasteDive 

BIOGAS PRICE TO RISE TO HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 2018

The number of anaerobic digesters in the UK is being forecast to rise by up to 13% as the guaranteed price paid for energy generation is set to increase to its highest level since 2016. Legislation set to make its way through Parliament on 22 May will pave the way for the restoration of tariffs of up to 5.6p for each kilowatt hour of renewable heat generated. This is an increase of 2.3p on the current renewable heat tariff price for biomethane injection-type digesters that produce a flammable gas from breaking down organic wastes such as slurry or purpose-grown energy crops.

Read More on Farmers Weekly