Bioenergy News for February 2010

Bioenergy News Archive

Waste Management invests in Enerkem

Waste Management has made a strategic investment in biofuels producer Enerkem, as part of Enerkem’s latest financing round which generated C$53.8 million.

Screening tool for renewable energy

A US report evaluates numerous factors to determine how western states can source 33% of their electricity from new renewable energy resources.

US utilities see future for solar and wind

Wind energy projects are underway or planned by 79% of utilities in the USA within the next five years, while solar energy is planned by 73% within that time horizon.

Pacific BioEnergy and GDF SUEZ partnership

Pacific BioEnergy Corporation and GDF SUEZ will support a $24 million expansion of Pacific BioEnergy's existing wood pellet production facilities in Prince George, BC, Canada.

Solar to gain the most into 2011

Solar will register the greatest increase in usage from 2010 into 2011, according to the latest US government forecast.

British Airways to use biofuel British Airways to use biofuel

British Airways and Solena Group are establishing a sustainable jet-fuel plant as BA plans to use the biofuel to power part of its fleet from 2014.

Sugarcane industry: Brazil must cut ethanol import tariff

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) says the Government should make a decision now on cutting the ethanol import tariff.

2nd-gen biofuels can play “crucial role” - IEA

The potential for sustainable second-generation biofuels is considerable, while first-generation biofuels have only limited potential, concludes a study by the International Energy Agency.

US renewable energy industry wants key legislation passed this year

Five associations in the United States have banded together to urge Congress to enact key policies which will continue accelerated growth across the renewable energy sector.

Finance: Clean Energy Index down 4.59%

Interested in financial renewable energy news and stocks? Renewable Energy Focus has launched a finance section with real-time financial data and news.

£10m for renewable energy initiatives by UK communities

Twelve UK communities have received grants to install solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, under a national challenge to reduce carbon emissions.

California approves PG&E renewable bioenergy contract

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a renewable energy contract for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

Hawaii considers US$50m bonds for renewable energy

Hawaii has introduced legislation to create a green jobs sector through the establishment of a ‘Hawaii Clean Energy Investment Bonds’ programme for renewable energy.

Bioenergy CHP plant in Scotland

Metso and Aker Solutions will be the main contractors for RWE npower renewables’ £200 million biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant at Markinch, Fife, Scotland.

US renewable electricity standard - 274,000 jobs

A US national renewable electricity standard (RES) of 25% by 2025 could create thousands of jobs and help fledgling industries like wind grow, as short-term tax benefits expire.

Obama to boost US biofuels

President Barack Obama has announced a series of steps to boost US biofuels production.

UK Government fails anaerobic digestion

The UK Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) says the new renewable energy feed-in tariff in the UK reduces support for anaerobic digestion “significantly”.

ZeaChem achieves biorefining results ZeaChem achieves biorefining results

ZeaChem Inc has achieved fermentation results of acetic acid, an intermediate in the ZeaChem biorefining process.

Cosan-Shell deal helps Brazilian ethanol

The joint venture between Brazilian ethanol group Cosan and Royal Dutch Shell could help Brazilian sugarcane ethanol, says the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA).

Corncobs and bioenergy crops to cellulosic ethanol Corncobs and bioenergy crops to cellulosic ethanol

DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), the University of Tennessee and Genera Energy have opened a cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in Vonore, Tennessee, USA.

Canada funds solar PV research network

The Canadian Government will provide C$5 million to create the ‘Photovoltaic Innovation Network’ to raise the status of solar electric as a renewable energy option.

USA investigates new renewable energy

The US federal budget proposes that the USA should be “the global leader in the new energy economy by developing new ways to produce and use clean and renewable energy.”

UK renewable industry welcomes feed-in tariff

The UK renewable energy industry welcomes today’s announcement of the feed-in tariff for renewable and low carbon electricity, and the plans for low carbon heating incentives.

UK feed-in tariffs announced

The UK Government has announced its feed-in tariffs for small scale renewable and low carbon electricity starting from 1 April.