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BiogasWorld Weekly Vol 34
Innovative AD Certification Scheme and political uncertainty dominate ADBA National Conference 2017
December 8, 2017 – The launch of a new AD Certification Scheme, and the continuing uncertainty in UK politics, were the key themes of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA) National Conference 2017 in central London. The new voluntary, industry-led scheme is designed to support operators of AD plants in improving their operational, environmental, and health and safety performance, in particular in terms of energy generation and digestate quality. ADBA, the trade association for the UK AD sector, developed the scheme in close collaboration with figures from industry including insurance broker Jelf and Aardvark Communication, as well as other trade bodies and stakeholders related to the sector.
Read more on Bioenergy Insight
California’s LCFS: Unlocking value in low-carbon liquid fuels
December 8, 2017 – According to new research, low carbon liquid fuels must play a more significant role to meet California’s 2020 and 2030 carbon reduction goals under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Data from Propel Fuels and ICF indicates consumers will make low carbon purchasing decisions if given the opportunity to do so; however the research shows the current policy model will need to change to allow more low carbon capable vehicles to enter the market. “Our research shows that the LCFS is important, growing fast and needs to be implemented equitably to succeed.
ADBA Chief Executive talks pushing Number 10 and anaerobic digestion future
December 11, 2017 – With the dearth of subsidies and volatile political environment, Charlotte Morton shared her views on what lay ahead for the UK’s anaerobic digestion (AD) industry. Of the ten million tonnes of food waste a year in the UK, six million is ‘avoidable waste’. With the government goal of being zero avoidable waste by 2050, Charlotte Morton still sees a place for anaerobic digestion (AD) in a future, minimum-waste society. We will never be waste-free, so AD will be relevant and increasingly so for places that can supply and benefit from AD facilities, like farms.
Read more on Bioenergy Insight
New investment secures future of on-farm AD plant
December 12, 2017 – The future of a UK anaerobic digestion (AD) facility has been secured thanks to new investment. Station Works AD, a 1MW on-farm AD facility in Thaxted, Essex, UK, was purchased by AD funders Privilege Finance and its business partner BioWatt, who have taken over the operation of the AD plant with immediate effect. “Privilege has a portfolio of on-farm AD plants, and has been involved in over 20 successful such projects in the UK,” explained Phil Gerrard, CEO of Privilege Finance. “Therefore, investment in Station Works AD was a relatively straightforward decision for us,” Gerrard continued.
Read more on Bioenergy Insight
Clearfleau builds new biogas plant at whisky distillery, UK
December 12, 2017 – On-site biogas plant provider Clearfleau has commenced work on a new facility for beverage company Inver House. Located at Balmenach in rural Speyside, the new plant will be built at a 200-year-old distillery, which already has a biomass boiler installed. On completion, the new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant is expected to reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint. Clearfleau CEO Craig Chapman said: “Clearfleau is helping give Balmenach whisky a greener tinge and giving an even warmer glow to people who enjoy drinking it.
ENGIE ‘plans switch to 100% green gas by 2050’
December 12, 2017 – French utility ENGIE is reportedly planning to ditch natural gas by 2050. Chief Executive Isabelle Kocher told reporters the company is aiming to switch all of its gas operations to biogas and renewable hydrogen during that period. The company has around 70 biogas projects worldwide, including 40 in France. It estimates biogas from agricultural and other waste, without using food crops, has the potential to grow from around 1% of gas use in France to 10% by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
Biogas for domestic cooking: Technology brief
December 12, 2017 – For households without access to grid-based electricity or gas for cooking, traditional cook stoves are typically fuelled by wood or charcoal, generating considerable indoor air pollution. Cook stoves fuelled with biogas provide complete combustion, significantly alleviating health and environmental problems. This technology brief from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) provides technical background information, analyses market potential and barriers, and offers insights for policy makers on biogas for domestic cooking.
Aria Energy expands RNG business
December 13, 2017 – Aria Energy recently announced that it has purchased a 50 percent interest in Mavrix LLC from BP, and will work with the global oil and gas company to market and distribute renewable natural gas (RNG) to U.S. customers. Under terms of the acquisition, Aria has assumed full responsibility for operations, maintenance and administration of the Mavrix operating facilities in Canton, Michigan, and North Shelby, Tennessee, and will continue development, engineering and construction of new facilities in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Atlanta, Georgia. BP will provide marketing and distribution services to get the RNG into the marketplace.
EPA sets 2018 cellulosic waiver credit price at $1.96
December 13, 2017 – The U.S. EPA has published a notice on its website setting the cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) price for 2018 at $1.96. The price is slightly lower than the CWC price for 2017, which was set at $2.00 in December 2016. The EPA is required to set CWC prices under the regulations that established the Renewable Fuel Standard. The notice explains that for any calendar year in which the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production is less than the applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel set for in the Clean Air Act, the agency must reduce the required volume of cellulosic biofuel for that year to the project projected volume. In addition, the EPA must provide obligated parties the opportunity to purchase CWCs.
EnviTec’s first biogas plant in Hebei Province goes online
December 14, 2017 – Le groupe Engie a fait savoir par la voix d’Isabelle Kocher que la France pourrait consommer 100% de Biogaz en 2050. Des investissements de l’ordre de plusieurs centaines de millions d’euros par an le permettrait. Et si le salut énergétique de la France, son indépendance énergétique, venait du filon du biogaz ? Et si au lieu d’en importer de Russie, d’Azerbaïdjan et d’ailleurs encore, la totalité du gaz que les entreprises et les particuliers consommaient pour leurs besoins en chaleur et en électricité provenait à 100% du gaz renouvelable ? Cette hypothèse est plus que sérieusement envisagée par Engie. Le groupe a même placé la barre haute puisque il estime que l’objectif de 100% de biogaz d’ici 2050 est ce vers quoi le pays va.
Read more on EnviTec Biogas’ website