BiogasWorld Weekly Vol 29

By | 2017-11-09

Biogas industry in Germany saving 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions

November 3, 2017 – Biogas plants in Germany are saving 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, according to the president of the German Biogas Association. Recently released figures from the German Biogas Association show that 205 new biogas plants were connected to the grid in 2016, more than the 150 expected by the association. The figures also show that 10 biogas plants were decommissioned. In total, the new plants have an output of 45 megawatts (MW), with 37 MW being used to generate electricity.

See the video on Biogas Channel

RNG Coalition adds biofuel policy, government affairs experts

November 3, 2017 – The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) recently announced the addition of four senior government affairs and biofuels policy experts to run its Washington, D.C., operations. Manning Feraci, Anne Steckel, Larry Schafer and Sandra Franco will lead the renewable natural gas industry’s federal advocacy and government affairs efforts from a new RNG Coalition office located in downtown Washington, D.C. at 750 9th Street, which will serve as the organization’s Eastern U.S. hub. Adding these seasoned experts will further bolster the renewable natural gas industry’s presence on Capitol Hill and amplify its voice as America’s Cellulosic Biofuel under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard program.

Read more on Biomass Magazine

Organic fertilizers: is their use economically sustainable in Germany?

November 6, 2017 – The VeNGA project in Germany is studying four products developed from the process of fermenting and composting organic waste. These are being analysed in terms of their economic value and the costs of production and processing. Felicitas Bechstein also illustrates the advantages of using organic fertilizers in combination with mineral ones, and the (non-) economic sustainability of their use for German farmers. This latter aspect will be the subject of further research.

See the video on Biogas Channel

Digitalization set to transform global energy system with profound implications for all energy actors

November 6, 2017 – Digital technologies are set to transform the global energy system in coming decades, making it more connected, reliable and sustainable. This will have a profound and lasting impact on both energy demand and supply, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. In this first comprehensive report on the interplay between digitalization and energy, the IEA analyses how digitalization is transforming energy systems. From the rise of connected devices at home, to automated industrial production processes and smart mobility, digital technologies are increasingly changing how, where and when energy is consumed.

Read more on International Energy Agency website

New York starts gasification pilot project

November 6, 2017 – A new research programme in New York involving students from Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, will convert one ton (US ton) of waste per day into renewable energy, according to a report by the Watertown Daily Times. According to the media report, the project is a joint venture between Clarkson and One World Clean Energy, an energy provider with the goal to give affordable sustainable energy to underdeveloped communities based in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expected to start operation in 2018.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

ABC disappointed by tax reform package introduced in the House

November 6, 2017 – The American Biogas Council has spoken out to express its disappointment in the tax reform package introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 2. The ABC it criticizing the bill’s unequal treatment of tax credits for renewable power technologies. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, introduced the bill on Nov. 2. To date, two dozen members of congress have signed on to support the legislation, titled the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” or H.R. 1. The bill spans 429 pages and includes a wide variety of provisions related to individual and corporate taxes.

Read more on Biomass Magazine

ADBA calls for sector deal support in Budget submission

November 7, 2017 – The UK-based Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has sent a number of policy requests to Exchequer Secretary Andrew Jones MP, ahead of the Budget, which takes place on 22 November. As the government looks ahead to the publication of the Industrial Strategy White Paper, ADBA has highlighted the strong business case for the proposed agri-tech and bioeconomy sector deals. ADBA believes an agri-tech sector deal should be established with anaerobic digestion (AD) having a central role.

Read more on Bioenergy Insight

Lincoln, Nebraska, to sell biogas for vehicle fuel

November 7, 2017 – The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, is upgrading its technology to allow the biogas produced by wastewater treatment to be processed into vehicle fuel. The project could deliver $800,000 to $4 million annually in added revenue for the Lincoln Wastewater System, depending on market factors. Since 1991, the Public Works and Utilities Department has used the biogas produced at the wastewater facility to generate electricity for the treatment plant. This has resulted in $4 million in operational savings. However, the generators are at the end of their useful lives. Upgrading the technology to turn the biogas into vehicle fuel instead of electricity can return 2.6 to 13 times more in savings.

Read more on Biomass Magazine

Drive for biogas plants in schools to cut energy costs

November 7, 2017 – Kenya has begun a drive to construct cow dung-fired biogas plants for public schools in nearly half of the towns in the country aimed at cutting heavy cooking costs. The Ministry of Energy Tuesday invited investor bids to build biogas digesters for schools in 22 counties outside Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu cities.“This project aims to relieve public schools of the burden incurred in heating water and cooking since most have available biomass waste,” said Energy principal secretary Joseph Njoroge adding that the cleaner cooking fuel will reduce Kenya’s carbon footprint.

Read more on Business Daily Africa

Lord Deben to set out the role of AD in meeting carbon targets at ADBA national conference

November 8, 2017 – Former Environment Secretary and Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Lord Deben will set out the role that anaerobic digestion (AD) can play in meeting the UK’s Carbon Budgets at the ADBA National Conference on 7 December 2017. Lord Deben, a renowned environmentalist who gained prominence among green groups by introducing the 1995 Environment Act and Landfill Tax when Secretary of State for the Environment in the 1990s, will give the keynote presentation at the conference, which brings together AD industry stakeholders with politicians, policymakers, and academics to discuss key issues affecting the AD industry.

Read more on Renewable Energy Magazine

Green Gas certificate demand smashes the 1TWh barrier

November 9, 2017 – Suppliers have now sold enough renewable gas through the Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) to cover the annual consumption of 83,000 homes, cook 300 million Sunday roasts, or fry four billion eggs. The is announcing today that sales of its certificates have now hit 1 TWh. Increasing numbers of consumers are becoming aware that, just as they can buy renewable electricity ‘certificates’, the rapid growth in the number of plants injecting biomethane into the gas grid is opening opportunities to include green gas as part of their energy mix.

Read more on Green Gas website