BiogasWorld Weekly Vol 18

By | 2017-08-24

Novozymes reports strong bioenergy and biofuels performance

August 16, 2017 – Danish biotechnology company Novozymes has published its interim financial report for the first half of 2017, revealing better than expected growth from the company, including a strong showing from its Bioenergy division. Bioinnovator Novozymes specialises in developing enzymes and microorganisms for industrial applications, replacing chemicals to accelerate production processes and reduce waste. Working across a number of sectors, from producing household cleaning products to pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, Novozymes also produces enzymes to convert biomass into biofuels and biogas.

Read more on Biofuels International

AMP gets $47 million for renewable gas investments

August 16, 2017 – AMP Americas, a renewable natural gas (RNG) producer and marketer, and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and infrastructure operator for the heavy duty, commercial goods industry, has announced $47 million in equity commitment from Houston’s EIV Capital, a private equity firm focused on the energy industry.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

UK frozen vegetable firm receives new Entrade biomass energy units

August 17, 2017 – Frozen vegetable company Greenyard Frozen will receive new Entrade biomass energy units that will provide clean electricity, heating and cooling for two UK sites. Entrade is a Germany-headquarted biomass equipment specialist. Thirty-two new biomass units will replace old gas boilers and electric heating units at Greenyard Frozen’s operations at Kings Lynn and Boston, achieving overall CO2 emission reductions of approximately 10,000 tons per year.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

Mexican scientists convert prickly pear cactus to biogas

August 18, 2017 – Scientists in Mexico have developed a method to convert the prickly pear cactus into biogas, AFP reports. The distinctive, bright green cactus is farmed on a massive scale in Mexico, for use in drinks, medicines and shampoo. In May 2017, a pilot project was launched at Milpa Alta’s cactus market, which produces up to 200,000 tons a year of prickly pear cactus. Up to 10 tons of this cactus ends up as waste on the market floor each day.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

How to transform digestate into a biofertiliser? Two case studies from BOKU University

August 21, 2017 – Bernard Drogs explains the main technologies for transforming digestate into a biofertiliser. Why processing the digestate? The digestate produced in this way is a fertiliser with characteristics similar to those of mineral fertilisers. Let’s look at two case studies the BOKU University is working on.

See the video on Biogas Channel

Sweden unveils ‘Bioenergy Day’

August 21, 2017 – Sweden has launched a ‘Bioenergy Day’ to promote how bioenergy is benefitting the country. The day was unveiled on 21 August. It is specifically aimed at educating the national media on the benefits of bioenergy. The Swedish bioenergy day is part of a broader pan-European campaign coordinated from Brussels by Aebiom that will be replicated in most EU-28 member states until the end of the year.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

Cornell study demonstrates method to speed up anaerobic digestion

August 22, 2017 – In a study published by Bioresource Technology, researchers showed that using a technique called hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) — a process of subjecting a feedstock to high heat and high pressure — could transform food waste into oil and a carbon-rich aqueous phase. Changing the temperature that the feedstock is exposed to during HTL changes the ratio of how much oil and how much aqueous phase is produced.

Read more on Waste Dive

Biofuels and biogas unite in call for cellulosic targets

August 23, 2017 – Leading US advocates for advanced liquid and gasified biofuels have united to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stand behind President Trump’s commitment to driving investment in the next generation of ‘homegrown’ fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Leaders of the American Biogas Council, Advanced Biofuels Business Council, Biotechnology Innovation Organisation , and Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas have co-signed a letter to EPA administrator Scott Pruitt. They call on Pruitt to reverse track on 2018 goals and waiver credits that would suppress demand for cellulosic fuels.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

Austrian biogas regulation: how can it be improved?

August 23, 2017 – 2-3% of the electricity consumed in Austria is produced from biogas or biomass, but there are still many obstacles to its use, starting from the regulations. How can the Austrian regulations on biogas be improved, overcoming the political, technical and economic barriers? How could biogas reduce the national grid costs to the individual consumers?

See the video on Biogas Channel

 

US Study Evaluates Future Methane Emissions for HD Natural Gas Vehicle Fleet

August 24, 2017 – Researchers at West Virginia University (WVY) have modelled methane emissions from a future, much larger vehicle fleet. The paper titled Future Methane Emissions from the Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Transportation Sector for Stasis, High, Medium, and Low Scenarios in 2035, used data from a prior study to project various scenarios in order to evaluate potential emissions reductions of technological advances and best management practices.

Read more on NGV Global News