Global Renewable Energy Investments Growing

Joanna Schroeder

Despite global struggles with the economy, investments in renewable energy technologies have continued to grow in 2011. New investments in renewable power and fuels (excluding large hydropower and solar hot water) reached $257 billion, and increase $37 billion from 2010. This according to research conducted by the WorldWatch Institute’s Climate and Energy program. In addition, during 2011, investments in renewable …

biofuels, Energy, Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, Waste-to-Energy, Wind

H-POWER EfW Facility Expansion Completed

Joanna Schroeder

The expansion of the H-Power Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility in Honolulu is complete. The facility is owned by the city of Honolulu and was designed, built and is operated by Covanta Energy. A third boiler was added increasing the facility’s capacity by 900 tons of municipal solid waste per day, with daily capacity is now at 3,000 tons. With the completion …

Electricity, Energy, Waste-to-Energy

Brazilian Bioenergy Innovation Awards Announced

Joanna Schroeder

During the World Biofuels Markets Brazil 2012 conference in São Paulo, SEE ALGAE Technology and Grupo JB took home the Brazilian Bioenergy Innovation of the Year award for their algae biofuel project. The Brazilian Bioenergy Deal of the Year award was given to GraalBio, Beta Renewables, DSM and Novozymes for their collaborative cellulosic ethanol production project. Nadim Chaudhry, CEO of …

advanced biofuels, algae, Cellulosic, Waste-to-Energy

California Releases 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan

Joanna Schroeder

California has released its 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan with the goal of improving the timeline to market of energy development, job creation and protection of public health and safety. The state defines bioenergy as energy produced from organic waste such as forest, urban and agricultural that would otherwise go into a landfill or be burned. The state is looking at …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, bioenergy, Electricity, Energy, Waste-to-Energy

Ethanol Biorefining Innovations

Joanna Schroeder

There are many biorefining innovations taking place in the ethanol industry. During the 25th Annual Ethanol Conference, three company representatives discussed the research and technologies they were implementing or studying to increase the value of the ethanol production process. Steve McNinch with Western Plains Energy said his company is looking at how to move into the advanced biofuels category of …

ACE, advanced biofuels, Audio, biobutanol, Cellulosic, conferences, corn, Ethanol, Waste-to-Energy

Algae for $2 Per Gallon

Joanna Schroeder

AFS BioOil has conducted initial tests on its algae production system, and the company states that they will be in the $2 per gallon range of production at commercial scale. For advanced biofuels, commercial scale is at least 1 million gallons per year of production. “The next project for us is one to three million gallon/yr system,” said CEO Vadim Krifuks. …

advanced biofuels, algae, Biodiesel, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

Novozymes & Fiberight Produce Biofuel from Trash

Joanna Schroeder

Fiberight has announced it has received key federal approval for its production process. The company, who has enlisted Novozymes as a partner, has developed technology to convert non-recycled municipal solid and industrial wastes into advanced biofuels. To achieve federal approval, the company proved its ability to separate recyclable paper, cardboard, plastics, rubber, textiles, metals and glass wastes from organic materials …

advanced biofuels, Waste-to-Energy

Waste to Biogas Mapping Tool Launched

Joanna Schroeder

An online “waste to biogas” mapping tool has been launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pacific Southwest Region. The tool maps energy projects that use organic waste as a feedstock. The maps link food and other biodegradable waste sources with facilities such as wastewater treatment plants that produce energy. “This innovative mapping tool, the first of its kind …

biogas, dairy, Electricity, Energy, Waste-to-Energy

Test Successful for Gasification Technology

Joanna Schroeder

Commercial demonstration testing of a new gasification technology has proven successful according to Covanta Energy Corporation. The technology gasifies unprocessed post-recycled municipal solid waste in a commercial setting while also reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency.  The announcement was made during the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference and Covanta said this achievement makes way for the company to offer a 300 ton …

biogas, Waste-to-Energy