Entergy Arkansas
Date: 2019-08-19
Springfield, Oregon-based wood products manufacturer Roseburg Forest Products reports receipt of $1,366,392.00 incentives from the Entergy Arkansas Entergy Solutions Program. The program provides technical and financial support to help Entergy Arkansas customers identify and implement projects that reduce energy usage.

The Roseburg MFD El Dorado Arkansas plant partnered with Entergy Arkansas on interior and exterior energy efficient lighting, lighting controls and variable speed drive fans. The plant also enrolled in Entergy Arkansas's Large Commercial and Industrial Solutions Program.

The plant's energy efficieny improvements are saving 9,127,704 kWh annually, which is the equivalent to eliminating the carbon dioxide emissions from 726,304 gallons of gasoline, according to EPA calculations. (Source: ElDorado News Times, 17 Aug., 2019) Contact: Entergy Arkansas, www.entergy-arkansas.com/energy efficiency; Roseburg Forest Products, www.roseburg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Entergy Arkansas,  Energy Efficiency,  

Freyr AS
Date: 2019-08-19
Norwegian startup battery specialist Freyr AS is reporting plans to construct Europe's first battery gigafactories in the municipality of Rana in northern Norway at an initial cost of 40 billion-krone ($4.5 billion).

The company also plans to construct a 600-MW wind farm which is projected to cut the gigafactory's energy costs by 24 pct.

Freyr is presently in a fund raising and permitting mode and has received a €7.25 million ($8.1 million) investment from EIT InnoEnergy. The company aims to raise as much as €25 million in additional funding within the next 12 months. Subject to funding and permitting success, production would start in 2023. (Source: Freyr AS, Bloomberg, Aug., 2019) Contact: Freyr AS, info@freyrbattery.com, www.freyrbattery.no

More Low-Carbon Energy News Freyr AS,  Battery,  Energy Storage,  

Gov. Tony Evers
Date: 2019-08-19
In the Badger State, Gov. Tony Evers (D) has again issued an Executive Order to have Wisconsin utilities carbon-free by 2050. The Governor's first carbon-free electricity proposal "missed the cut" when it was stripped out by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee earlier this year.

The new plan calls for the state Department of Administration to create the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy which will work with other state agencies and utilities to achieve carbon-free energy within the state by 2050.

Although the Governor's executive order is not a mandate, he has said he is confident the Sustainability and Clean Energy office will work with the state's utilities to achieve the plan's goal. (Source: Office of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Various Media, 16 Aug., 2019) Contact: Office of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, 608-888-1665, info@tonyevers.com, www.evers.wi.gov

NYSERDA,NYPA
Date: 2019-08-16
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is reporting a series of research projects aimed at improving the efficiency of power systems and removing potential transmission obstacles that can be faced by New York State utilities. The following research projects will be funded with $1.5 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) :

Underground Cable Advanced Monitoring and Diagnostic System Demonstration. In an effort to reduce the potential for underground cable leakage and prevent fault problems, this project will demonstrate and evaluate a real-time system that will monitor cathodic protection and assess dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of high pressure fluid-filled (HPFF) cables. About 14 monitoring sensors will be installed in NYPA Westchester County manholes and the DGA analyzer will be installed at the Eastern Garden City substation on Long Island;

Optimized Forecasting Solution for Advanced Overhead Line Demonstration. A new technology that predicts how much power a transmission line can carry will be demonstrated and evaluated for its potential in reducing transmission bottleneck challenges. About 15 weather sensors will be installed on NYPA lines along the 70-mile Moses-Wills-Plattsburgh transmission circuit and the WindSim Power Line Optimization Solution (WPLS) system will be demonstrated on a NYPA server;

DeepGrid: A Deep Learning Computing System for Resilient Grid Operations. This project proposes to develop a Deep Learning (DL)-based tool capable of identifying and predicting system issues, alerting operators and recommending possible solutions. Working with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NYPA will combine model-based power system simulation with early warnings from data and applications to improve timely decision making;

Low Frequency Alternative Current Transmission Line. This project will investigate the possibility of deploying low frequency AC (LFAC) transmission lines to increase power transfer capability. LFAC significantly improves stability, reduces voltage drop along the line, and offers the possibility to reroute power from congested to underutilized transmission corridors. The approach also has competitive advantages for collection of energy from off-shore wind generators using an underground multi-terminal system with a single point of interface to the main grid. (Source: NYPA, Clarion, 16 Aug., 2019) Contact: NYSERDA, Alicia Barton, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov; NYPA, Gil C. Quiniones, CEO , Pres., www.nypa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News NYSERDA,  NYPA,  Energy Efficiency,  

Passive House
Date: 2019-08-16
Now, according to In Vancouver, the Journal of Commerce is reporting the world's largest "passive building" a 60-story high-rise building is on the drawing boards. The building at 1075 Nelson will incorporate f a combination of new technology and biophilic design to achieve Passive House standards, and will feature trees on every third level in the center of the building to create a "green column."

Founded in Germany for residential buildings, the standard, which helps designers design ultra-energy-efficient buildings by using passive heating and cooling systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate climate change. According to the International Passive House Association, the Passive House standard is relevant and useful to any climate.(Source: International Passive House Association, Journal of Commerce, Facilitiesnet, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: International Passive House Association, www.passivehouse-international.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Passive House,  Energy Eficiency,  

Sun Life
Date: 2019-08-16
Toronto-headquartered insurance major Sun Life Financial reports it is the first insurance company globally to issue a sustainability "green" bond -- a $750 million principal amount of Series 2019-1 subordinated unsecured 2.38 pct fixed/floating debentures due in 2029 in Canada.

According to a statement, the bond is reportedly oversubscribed and two-thirds of the $750 million have been allocated to ESG-focused firms. The sustainability bond will potentially cover investments focused on energy efficiency, green buildings, renewable energy and essential services facilities and equipment. (Source: Sun Life Financial, Canadian Investment Review, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Sun Life Financial, www.sunlife.com/Global/Contact+us?vgnLocale=en_CA

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  Green BuildingSustainable Energy,  Renewable Energy,  

Wells Fargo
Date: 2019-08-16
Denver-headquartered banking giant Wells Fargo & Company reports it provided $23 billion in financing for sustainable energy and related projects 2018, 63 pct of which went toward renewable energy, clean technologies, green buildings and other low-carbon solutions. The company also "played a role" in the Global Climate Action Summit and Bloomberg's Sustainable Business Summit, and became a founding member of the US Sustainable Finance Alliance, according to its sustainability report.

Wells Fargo claims it has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 45 pct and has met its 100 pct global electricity needs with renewable energy since 2017. (Source: Wells Fargo, environmental LEADER, 16 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wells Fargo,  Sustainable Energy,  Renewable Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

China Solar Energy
Date: 2019-08-16
China has reportedly reached a "tipping point" where home-generated solar is cheaper than electricity generated from the national grid.

In March, a Chinese report noted that in 74 pct of cases, building new solar and wind capacity in a given area was cheaper than maintaining an existing coal-powered plant. Where levelized costs for wind reach $15 per MWh and $28 per MWh for solar, marginal costs for existing plants can jump as high as $104 per MWh.

China is aiming to consume 20 pct of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2030. (Source: Xinhua, Inverse, 14 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News China Solar,  Solar,  

Colorado Communities for Climate Action
Date: 2019-08-16
In Colorado, the Boulder County Commissioners are reporting support for Colorado Communities for Climate Action -- a coalition of 27 local governments advocating for stronger state and federal climate policy.

The coalition's policy statement includes 28 policy positions addressing statewide climate strategies, local climate strategies, energy generation, energy efficiency, transportation, fossil fuel extraction, and solid waste reduction. In 2018, the Boulder County Commission enacted 11 of the coalition's priorities including House Bill 1261, which codified statewide goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by at least 26 pct by 2025, increasing to 50 pct by 2030 and at least 90 pct by 2050. State Senate Bill 96 requiring the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to collect data on greenhouse gas emissions and propose new emission standards that will allow the state to meet those reductions in greenhouse gas emissions was also enacted.

The coalition is also calling for the creation of a public process for evaluating retail energy options for local jurisdictions; accelerating the beneficial electrification of communities using renewable energy sources; expanding low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; increasing funding for multi-modal and transportation alternatives; and fostering infrastructure to incentivize recycling and composting. Jason Smith, executive director of Colorado Communities for Climate Action, said because the team does so much work on the front end making sure each member of the coalition approves the language, he expects the other seven members to approve the 2019-2020 policy statement in short order. (Source: Colorado Communities for Climate Action, Colorado Daily, Longmont Times-Call, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Colorado Communities for Climate Action, Tom Easley, (303) 887-4626, easley@rockymountainclimate.org, www.cc4ca.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

Energy Vault, Softbank
Date: 2019-08-16
Tokyo-based Softbank Group is reporting a $110 million investment in Switzerland-based energy storage specialist Energy Vault. Energy Vault, which launched in 2018, is presently partnered with Mexican materials company CEMEX and Tata Power Company in India.

According to Energy Vault, its technology enables renewable energy to be stored in 35-ton bricks and delivered as baseload power for less than the cost of fossil fuels at any time.

The global energy storage market is expected to reach 22.2 GW in 2023, from nearly 5 GW at the end of 2018, according to a GlobalData report. . (Source: Softbank, greentechlead, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Energy Vault, Robert Piconi, CEO, media@energyvault.ch, www.energyvault.ch SoftBank Group, www.softbank.jp/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Softbank,  Energy Vault,  Energy Storage,  

Green New Deal,New York State
Date: 2019-08-16
New York State has adopted Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "Green New Deal of New York" -- the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) -- an aggressive carbon-emissions-reduction plan for the Empire State to derive 100 pct of its electricity from zero-carbon emissions sources by 2040.

The CLCPA also commits New York to net-zero carbon emissions, economy-wide, by 2050, with an interim target of slashing emissions 40 pct below the state's 1990 emission levels by 2030. The Act also requires the state and industry to reduce their emissions by 85 pct , with the remaining 15 percent of the net-zero goal coming from carbon offsets.

For oversight and administration, the act will create a 22 member commission a various advisory panels to deal with buildings and construction, industry, land use and zoning, local governments, transportation, and more. These advisory panels are required to consult with a climate justice working group composed of representatives from low-income communities and environmental justice groups. (Source: Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), Heartland Institute, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), www.governor.ny.gov, www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

More Low-Carbon Energy News Andrew Cuomo,  Green New Deal,  Climate Change,  Renewable Energy,  

Jatropha, Ethanol
Date: 2019-08-16
In Harare, the Zimbabwe Information Ministry Monica Mutsvangwa has announced that as part of its proposed National Biofuels Policy a national jatropha biofuels production project abandoned during the Robert Mugabe administration will be rebooted.

The Jatropha initiative was first introduced as an alternative source of fuel in 2012 but failed for lack of significant funding.

"The proposed National Biofuels Policy will guide the biofuels sector during the period 2018 to 2030 in promoting the implementation of viable biofuels projects in the country. Its specific focus will be on ethanol production from sugar cane and biodiesel from jatropha, while exploring the possibility of other feedstocks, such as cassava and sweet sorghum for biodiesel production," the ministry said. (Source: Zimbabwe Information Ministry, NewZimbabwe.com. Aug., 2019) Contact: Zimbabwe Information Ministry, Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister, www.ictministry.gov.zw

More Low-Carbon Energy News Jatropha,  Ethanol ,  

REC Group. Meyer Burger
Date: 2019-08-16
Norway-headquartered global solar energy specialist REC Group reports it has inked a memorandum of understanding for the extension of an existing strategic collaboration with the Swiss technology leader Meyer Burger.

The firms will collaborate on REC Group's cutting-edge REC Alpha Series Datasheet. REC intends to increase Alpha Series' 600MW heterojunction technology (HJT) and SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT™) production capacity using equipment from Meyer Burger. REC is actively seeking potential partners for the expansion.

REC Group is a Bluestar Elkem company with headquarters in Norway and operational headquarters in Singapore. The company rroduces 1.5 GW of solar panels annually. (Source: REC Group, PR, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: REC Group, Steve O'Neil, CEO, www.recgroup.com/en; Meyer Burger, Hans Brandle, CEO, +41 33 221 28 00, sales@meyerburger.com, www.meyerburger.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Solar Pane,  Meyer Burger,  Solar,  

Yingli,Solaria Energía
Date: 2019-08-16
Baoding, China-based solar panel manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited reports its wholly owned subsidiary, Yingli Green Energy Europe, S.L. (Yingli Europe) has supplied 110 MW of polycrystalline solar panels to Madrid-based Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente S.A. (Solaria).

The panels will be installed in 3 projects with capacity of 50MW, 30MW and 30MW separately. The projects are under construction in Castilla y Leon. (Source: Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd., PR, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Yingli, www.yinglisolar.com; Solaria, Dario Lopez, CEO, +34 91 564 42 72, +34 91 564 54 40 - fax, www.solariaenergia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solaria,  Yingli,  Solar,  

Climate Change
Date: 2019-08-16
In Washington, US presidential wannabe Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is reportedly set to table the Climate Stewardship Act, climate change related legislation that would fund the planting of 4.1 billion trees by 2030 and 16 billion by 2050. Booker's proposed legislation is intended to address climate change, reduce carbon emissions and energy use, and create more than 200,000 forestry jobs in the first ten years.

The Climate Stewardship Act will be presented in September.

The new trees will cover up to 64 million acres and will capture more than 13 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by the end of the century -- equivalent to more than two full years of the country's current greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 400 million trees will be planted in urban areas to provide cooling effects on heatwaves and help urban residents to reduce their energy usage. The Act will also establish a Reforest America cost-share programme, the Urban Wood initiative, the Stewardship Corps and provide funding to the US Forest Service and the Department of Interior. (Source: Office of Sen. Cory BookerVarious Media, Smart Energy, 15 Aug., 2019)Contact: Office of Sen. Cory Booker, https://twitter.com/CoryBooker

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cliamate Change,  Afforestation,  Reforestation,  

Palm Oil Biodiesel
Date: 2019-08-16
In light of the Indonesian government's planned introduction of B30 palm oil biodiesel blend, the country's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is reporting B30 has cleared a series cold temperature tests and is cleared for introduction and domestic consumption early in 2020. Indonesia currently uses a B20, 20 pct blend of palm fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).

The higher blend of palm oil- biodiesel blend is intended to address the problem of high energy imports and slowing global demand for palm by increasing domestic consumption of the vegetable oil.

(Source: Indonesia Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Hellenic Shipping News, 14 Aug., 2019) Contact: Indonesia Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News B30,  Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend,  Palm Oil,  

Maui Electric Company
Date: 2019-08-16
In the Aloha State, Maui Electric reports its planned renewable energy push for Molokai and Lanai are moving forward. Pending Public Utilities Commission approval, expected later this year, the company's planned renewable energy procurements will be open to bids and could come online as early as 2022.

Estimated targets of the new renewable generation for Molokai are the equivalent of approximately 4 MW of solar or 3.6 MW of small wind, specified as turbines 100 kilowatts or less, and paired with energy storage.

On Lānai, the company is seeking renewable energy generation equivalent up to 9.5 MW of solar paired with energy storage on land owned by Pūlama Lānai.

The procurement efforts for Molokai and Lānai are part of the Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) largest-ever renewable energy push for Maui County, Oahu and Hawaii Island. (Source: Maui Electric, HECO, PR, 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: HECO, Shelee Kimura, VP Bus. Dev., (808) 543-7780, andrfi@hawaiianelectric.com, www.hawaiianelectric.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News HECO,  Maui Electric,  Renewable Energy,  

National Carbon Capture Center
Date: 2019-08-16
The U.S. DOE National Carbon Capture Center reports French energy major player TOTAL has joined its ranks. TOTAL is the second major oil and gas producer to sponsor the center -- following ExxonMobil in 2018. Active in more than 130 countries, TOTAL produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity.

The National Carbon Capture Center serves as a neutral research and testing facility to advance technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based power plants.

Through the evaluation of over 60 technologies, the Center has already reduced the projected cost of carbon capture from fossil generation by one-third, according to the Center which is currently adding infrastructure to expand testing of carbon capture technologies for natural gas power plants.

National Carbon Capture Center partners include DOE and its National Energy Technology Laboratory, American Electric Power, ClearPath, the Electric Power Research Institute, ExxonMobil, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Tennessee Valley Authority, Peabody Energy and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority.

The National Carbon Capture Center is operated by the Southern Company and to date has worked more than 30 organizations from seven countries to evaluate and scale up emerging carbon capture technologies. (Source: National Carbon Capture Center , PR, AAAS, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: National Carbon Capture Center, John Northington, Dir., Marc Willis, (202) 586-3628, marc.willis@hq.doe.gov, www.nationalcarboncapturecenter.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  National Carbon Capture Center,  TOTAL,  Carbon Capture,  

Fibrominn,Xcel Energy
Date: 2019-08-16
Following up on our 21st February, 2018 coverage, Fibrominn's 2007 vintage 55 MW biomass plant in Benson, Minnesota, the country's first turkey manure and wood chips fired power plant, has been demolished by Xcel Energy to make way for a third-party proposed new dairy manure biogas facility. The plant had reportedly become too cost inefficient to continue running. Xcel acquired the plant for $24.5 million in 2017.

The city of Benson is purchasing the site and reportedly has a letter of intent from a Californian company interested in constructing dairy manure biogas facility. (Source: West Central Trib., Aug., 2019) Contact: Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy,  Turkey Litter,  Fibrominn,  Biogas ,  

Atlantic Power,Fortistar,CMS Energy
Date: 2019-08-16
In the Bay State, Dedham-based independent power producer Atlantic Power Corporation reports completion of its $20 million acquisition of the equity ownership interests held by AltaGas Power Holdings in Craven County Wood Energy in North Carolina and the Grayling Generating Station contracted biomass plants in Michigan.

The 48 MW Craven County Wood Energy facility has been in service since October 1990 . Atlantic Power acquired a 50 pct interest from AltaGas with the remaining 50 pct held by CMS Energy. Craven County burns wood waste, wood chips, poultry litter, forestry residues, mill waste, bark and sawdust, and has PPA with Duke Energy Carolinas.

In Michigan, the 37 MW Grayling Generating Station has been in service since June 1992 . Atlantic Power acquired a 30 pct interest from AltaGas , leaving Fortistar with 20 pct and CMS Energy with 50 pct. Grayling has a PPA with Consumers Energy. The plant burns wood waste from local mills, forestry residues, mill waste and bark. Both plants are operated by an affiliate of CMS Energy. (Source: Atlantic Power Corp., CNW Group, 14 Aug., 2019) Contact: Atlantic Power Corporation, (617) 977-2700, info@atlanticpower.com, www.atlanticpower.com; , Mark Comora, CEO, (914) 421-4937, MComora@fortistar.com, www.fortistar.com; CMS Energy, www.cmsenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fortistar,  Atlantic Power,  Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  CMS Energy,  

PacifiCorp, Eugene Water & Electric
Date: 2019-08-16
PacifiCorp is reporting the purchase of the Eugene Water & Electric Board's (EWEB) 21 pct stake in the south-central Wyoming Foote 1 wind farm for $1.7 million.

EWEB operated the facility for two decades and acknowledge a loss on the sale. EWEB originally invested $13 million in the $60 million wind farm which cost the utility $880,900 per year to maintain and operate the wind farm.

As previously reported, PacifiCorp plans to upgrade the 41.4-MW wind farm by replacing the facility's original 68, 600-kilowatt wind turbines with 13 new, state-of-the-art units. (Source: Eugene Water & Electric, Register-Guard, 15 Aug., 2019)Contact: EWEB, 541-685-7000, www.eweb.org; PacifiCorp, www.pacificorp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News PacifiCorp.,  Wind,  Eugene Water & Electric,  

US DOE
Date: 2019-08-16
Reporting from Washington, the the U.S. DOE has announced approximately $40 million in FY 2019 funding for 29 projects to advance the H2@Scale concept to enable affordable and reliable large-scale hydrogen generation, transport, storage and utilization. Funding will be through the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and a contribution from DOE Office of Nuclear Energy.

The U.S. produces over 10 million tonnes of hydrogen, nearly one-seventh of the global supply, primarily for oil refining and fertilizer production. Hydrogen infrastructure includes over 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipeline, a growing network of stations, and thousands of tons of storage in underground caverns. The hydrogen can be stored, distributed, and/or used as a fuel for transportation, stationary power, process or building heat, and industrial and manufacturing sectors.(Source: US DOE EERE Fuel Cell Technologies Office , PR, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: US DOE EERE Fuel Cell Technologies Office, www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/fuel-cell-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hydrogen,  

NBB
Date: 2019-08-16
"Here we go again. Last week, the U.S. EPA granted 31 out of 38 retroactive small refinery exemptions for 2018. I can't contain the frustration and utter disappointment I have with how this administration is handling its responsibility of administering the RFS.

"Congress passed the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) back in 2007, signed into law by George W. Bush -- a lifelong oil and gas guy. The law was passed to encourage investment in advanced biofuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel. Biodiesel producers responded, making the investments and building an industry that today produces more than 2 billion gallons of transportation fuel each year. This market also provides added value to feedstocks such as soybean oil, used restaurant oil and animal fats.

"The oil industry feverishly insists that the ethanol industry isn't harmed by small refinery exemptions because production has grown. But what about biodiesel? They never mention us because they know that small refinery exemptions disproportionately affect biodiesel because of the way the RFS is constructed.

"We have said again and again -- biodiesel is very different from ethanol. The president (Trump) was instrumental in clearing the path for higher blends of ethanol year-round when he lifted the RVP waiver this summer, which we were supportive of. He and his EPA administrator have mentioned E15 when they have spoken about what they believe to be the minor impact of exempting RFS gallons. It's as though they think we are dumb enough to not understand that they are giving with one hand but taking away with the other.

"Now, back to biodiesel. E15 does nothing to expand demand for biodiesel. Ethanol is not biodiesel. In fact, the RFS recognized this by establishing its own category for biodiesel, separate from ethanol, called biomass-based diesel. Policymakers at the time recognized the need to segment biodiesel and renewable diesel within the bigger RFS pool so that growth in those products could be differentiated in the overall program and we would see advancements of biofuels in both the gasoline and diesel sector.

"Fast forward to 2019 and we now have an EPA that, two months ago, proposed a draft rule to hold the biomass-based diesel category flat for 2020, keeping it at 2.43 billion gallons for the second year in a row and then, just last week, the same EPA grants nearly one-half billion gallons of biomass-based diesel waivers. To highlight the hypocrisy in this action, while filing the draft rule two months ago, the EPA documented, in writing, the fact that they expected to grant zero (that's zero as in none, zilch, nada) gallons of small refinery waivers in 2020. And we're supposed to understand and accept that move?

"Biodiesel and renewable diesel year after year fill more than 90 percent of the RFS volumes reserved for advanced biofuels. But EPA complains that advanced biofuels have not materialized quickly enough to meet the goals of the RFS. Now -- as seen last week -- the agency is holding its thumb on the industry and blocking growth. Not only blocking growth, but helping to reduce demand through small refinery exemptions.

"As the agency continues to hand them out to every refiner that asks, the damage could reach $7.7 billion or 2.54 billion gallons, according to Scott Irwin, an agricultural economist from the University of Illinois. A 'small' oil refinery, by RFS definition -- one that processes 75,000 bpd of oil and produces nearly a billion gallons of fuel a year -- would have an RFS obligation to use just 20 million gallons of biodiesel or renewable diesel. Many U.S. biodiesel producers are smaller than that -- just one small refinery exemption would eliminate their entire market. And the EPA granted 31 of them.

"President Trump vowed to protect and defend American farmers. In fact, he calls them patriots. But his actions will put the biodiesel producers those same farmers depend on for their market, out of business. It's already happening, and it's having a devastating impact on rural communities across the nation.

"President Trump and EPA Administrator Wheeler should clearly know what this means to the workers, producers, farmers and investors in the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry -- their new round of unwarranted RFS exemptions just destroyed jobs and a valuable marketplace for hardworking Americans, including those patriotic soybean farmers who Trump has called on to be his willing allies in the trade dispute with China. If this is how the EPA administrator treats the president’s allies, I'd hate to see how he treats his enemies. (Source: NBB, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: NBB, Donnell Rehagen, CEO, Kurt Kovarik, VP Federal Affairs, (800) 841-5849, www.biodiesel.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News NBB,  Biodiesel,  

Neste
Date: 2019-08-16
Helsinki-headquartered Neste, the world's largest producer of renewable diesel fuel reports it will introduce Neste Marine 0.5 , a new fuel before the year end.

The new fuel will help maritime shippers comply with the International Maritime Organization's 2020 sulfur cap of 0.5 pct to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, effective 1 Jan, 2020. Neste Marine 0.5, which is manufactured at the company's refinery in Porvoo, Finland, will be available at yet to be announced locations in Northwest Europe.

In other Neste news, the company announced it is partnering with Valdosta, Georgia-based McCall Companies to distribute its branded Neste MY Renewable Diesel in Oregon, which implemented clean fuels standards in 2016. (Source: Neste, Biodiesel Mag., 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; McCall Companies CEO Kevin Jones, CEO, 229.242.2551, Fax - 229.244.8358, mail@mccallinc.com, www.mccallinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Maritime Fuel,  Marine Fuel,  IMO ,  

Enel Green Power North America
Date: 2019-08-14
Enel Green Power North America (Enel) is reporting construction is underway on its 24-turbine, Whitney Hill Wind Farm project adjacent to the recently completed, 74-turbine HillTopper Wind Farm near Mt. Pulaski, Illinois. The 66-MW Whitney Hill project is due for completion and commissioning before the year end. Construction costs have not been disclosed.

Enel Green Power North America has renewable energy projects operating and under development in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. (Source: Enel Green Power, State Journal Register, 12 Aug., 2019) Contact: Enel Green Power, Brayten McGee, Project Manager, (978) 681-1900, www.enelgreenpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Enel Green Power North America,  Wind,  

Praj Industries,Dedini IndWstrias de Base
Date: 2019-08-14
Brazilian sugar-ethanol mill developer Dedini IndWstrias de Base is reporting a cooperation agreement with India's Praj Industries under which Praj will sell corn ethanol production equipment and technologies. technologies for corn-based biofuel. Details of the agreement have not been announced.

The Brazilian company added that the cooperation agreement is intended to take advantage of a growing demand for ethanol as a result of an upcoming national programme to boost biofuel use, known as RenovaBio, which is scheduled to start in January, 2020. The RenovaBio program will require 30 new ethanol plants in Brazil, the expansion of some existing plants and the rebooting of some previously shuttered facilities. (Source: Dedini IndŴstrias de Base, Hindu Business Line, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Dedini IndWstrias de Base, +55 19 3403-5500, www.dedini.com.br; Praj Industries Ltd., +91 20 7180 2000 / 2294 1000, info@praj.net, www.praj.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Praj Industries,  Brazil Biofuel,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  

EDP Renewables North America
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, EDP Renewables North America reports it will sell 110 MW of electricity from the Sonrisa solar farm and battery storage facility to San Jose Clean Energy The 20-year PPA covers 100 MW of solar energy and 10 MW of storage capacity. In June, EDP inked a similar PPA with East Bay Community Energy for 100 MW of photovoltaic and 30 MW of storage.

The two PPAs together account for 100 pct of the facility's power and storage capacity.(Source: EDP Renewables North America, PR, ReNEWS, Aug., 2019) Contact: EDP Renewables North America, Miguel Prado, CEO, (713) 265-0350 - Houston, +351 21 001 25 00, www.edpr.com; East Bay Community Energy, 833-699-3223, www.ebce.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDP Renewables North America ,  

EU, EC, Indonesian Biodiesel
Date: 2019-08-14
Meeting in Brussels, the European Commission (EC), which coordinates European Union (EU) trade policy, is reporting the imposition of conditional countervailing duties of 8 to 18 pct on imports of subsidised biodiesel from Indonesia, The duties will run until Dec, 2019, at which time they will be reviewed and possibly definitively imposed, according to an EC statement.

The EU applied its duties in response to European Biodiesel Board complaints that Indonesian biodiesel producers benefit from grants, tax benefits and access to raw materials at lower than markets prices. The EU annual biodiesel market is reportedly valued at €9 billion with Indonesia accounting for roughly €400 million. (Source: EU, EC, euronews, Reuters, 13 Aug., 2019)Contact: European Commission, www.ec.europa.eu/commission/index_en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Indonesia Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Duties,  EU,  European Commission,  

ACE, Affordable Clean Energy Rule
Date: 2019-08-14
"Without significant course correction, we are careening toward a climate disaster. (the coalition of) States and cities will fight back against this unlawful, do-nothing (Affordable Clean Energy) rule." -- Letitia James , New York Attorney General

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump,  Affordable Clean Energy Rule,  

Southern Environmental Law Center
Date: 2019-08-14
A new report by Spatial Informatics Group, LLC (SIG), commissioned by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and the National Wildlife Federation, takes a closer look at the carbon profile of wood pellets produced at Drax's three U.S. wood pellet mills.

The report found that the accumulated emissions of burning wood pellets from these U.S. mills to produce electricity in the UK increases carbon pollution in the atmosphere for more than 40 years -- well beyond the time-frame identified by the IPCC as critical for carbon reduction.

Download the report details HERE. (Source: Southern Environmental Law Center, 12 Aug., 2019) Contact: Southern Environmental Law Center, www.southernenvironment.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  Carbon Emissions,  Southern Environmental Law Center,  

FuelCell Energy
Date: 2019-08-14
Danbury, Conn.-based fuel cell power and energy storage specialist FuelCell Energy, Inc. reports more than 9 million MWh having been generated by SureSource™ fuel cell power plants globally since the first commercial installation.

SureSource™ fuel cells are a clean energy solution for the need for baseload power, as power is made continuously, positioning them as a perfect complement to the intermittent power sources of wind and solar.

The company's SureSource™ plants are currently installed and operating on three continents, with many owned by leading utility and industrial companies. Presently, ten U.S. states and Puerto Rico have classified stationary fuel cells in the highest tier of clean power generation due to the high efficiency and resultant low carbon emissions and negligible NOx and particulate matter typical of other combustion sources of baseload power. Fuel Cells are usually classified as carbon-neutral, or in some cases carbon negative, by regulatory authorities due to the renewable nature of the biogas fuel source. (Source: Fuel Cell Energy Inc., PR, Newswire, Street Insider, 5 Aug., 2019) Contact: Fuel Cell Energy, Jennifer Arasimowicz, Interim President, 203-825-6000, info@fce.com, www.fuelcellenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News FuelCell Energy,  Energy Storage,  

Biodiesel,Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
Date: 2019-08-14
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reports the country's 20 pct palm oil blended biodiesel policy has delivered roughly $1.66 billion in foreign exchange savings for the period of January through July, 2019.

The government had allocated 6.20 million kiloliters B20 -- 44 pct of the total quota of diesel imports, the Ministry stated. The Indonesian government mandated B20 in 2016 in response to a drastic global fall in crude palm oil prices. The mandate was also intended to reduce the country's dependence on imported diesel fuel.(Source: Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, tempo.co, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Indonesia Biodiesel,  B20,  

WindLBNL
Date: 2019-08-14
Wind Technologies Market Report, a just released U.S. DOE report prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) notes that with prices averaging below 2 cents per kWh for newly built projects, wind energy is competitive with other generation sources.

"Wind energy prices -- particularly in the central United States, and supported by federal tax incentives -- are at all-time lows, with utilities and corporate buyers selecting wind as a low-cost option," according to LBNL Senior Scientist Ryan Wiser.

Report highlights include: wind power capacity additions continued at a robust pace in 2018; larger turbines are enhancing wind project performance; low turbine pricing continues to push down installed project costs; wind energy prices are at historical lows; the grid-system value of wind has declined over the last decade but rebounded over the last two years; and the domestic supply chain for wind equipment is diverse.

BNL's contributions to this report were funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. BNL is a multiprogram national laboratory, managed by the University of California for the U.S. DOE Office of Science.

Download the Wind Technologies Market Report HERE (Source: US DOE LBNL, Aug., 2019) Contact: DOE Office of Science, www.energy.gov/science/office-science; LBNL, emp.LBNL.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Wind Energy,  

Trump.Obama Clean Power Plan
Date: 2019-08-14
Reuters is reporting New York and California, along with 20 other states and seven cities on Tuesday sued to challenge the Trump administration EPA's replacement of the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

The suit claims the Trump Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule will prolong the country's reliance on coal power, hinder states that pursue cleaner electricity generation, will not curb rising power plant carbon emissions and will prolong the operation of dirtier coal plants. (Source: HPMG News, Various Media, Reuters 13 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Affordable Clean Energy ruke,  ACE Rule,  Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  Trump,  Obama Clean Power Plan,  

Biogest
Date: 2019-08-14
Klosterneuburg, Austria-based biogas plant developer Biogest Energie- und Wassertechnik GmbH (Biogest) reports it is cooperating with South Korean renewable energy specialist HC Energy to construct its first biogas plant in the city of Changwon, South Korea.

The new plant will utilize Biogest PowerCompact technology to process swine waste for electric power and thermal energy production.

Biogest previously won the UK AD & Biogas Industry Award for "Best International Micro-Sale Plant" with its PowerCompact technology. (Source: Biogest, Bioenergy Insight, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Biogest, +43 2243 208400, www.biogest.at

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  

Bioenergy DevCo,
Date: 2019-08-14
Columbia, Maryland-based anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities developer Bioenergy DevCo is reporting receipt of its first institutional investment of $106 million from Newlight Partners LP.

Bioenergy DevCo has more than 200 worldwide plants that create renewable natural gas (RNG) and soil fertilizers. The new funding will be used to expand its North American AD projects and RNG operations, according to a company statement. (Source: Bioenergy DevCo, Bioenergy Insight, Others, 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: Bioenergy DevCo, Shawn Kreloff, CEO, Peter Ettinger, VP Bus, Dev., www.bioenergydevco.com; Newlight Partners LP., Mark Longstreth, (347)344-8399

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy DevCo,  anaerobic digestion,  

Green Roof
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Big Apple, a new green-roof tax abatement is giving some building owners an added incentive to create a green space on their roof. The new abatement triples the previous tax break from $5 to $15 per square foot in community districts where sewers overflow during rainstorms and that lack green spaces. The new abatement runs through July, 2024.

Although initially expensive to install, green roofs absorb stormwater, lower heating and cooling costs and increase a building's energy efficiency and thus reduce carbon emissions. (Source: Nature Conservancy, Public News Service, 14 Aug., 2019) Contact: Nature Conservancy, Emily Nobel Maxwell, NYC Program Director , 212-997-1880, www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-york

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nature Conservancy news,  Green Roof news,  Energy Efficiency news,  Green Building news,  

City of Helsinki
Date: 2019-08-14
In Finland, according to a 2018 City of Helsinki survey, two thirds of the city's 1,292 million residents identified the climate crisis as their major concern when thinking about the future of the city. In response, Helsinki has launched Think Sustainably, the world's first online service that makes sustainable choices of retails, services, hotels and others as easy as using an app.

Services, hotels and others filtered through the online programme are benchmarked against criteria developed by the City of Helsinki in collaboration with the independent think tank Demos Helsinki, local interest groups and sustainability experts. The service also includes a route planner feature that identifies emission-free transportation options in the city. The route planner provides CO2 emissions in grams per person per trip.

Currently gathering feedback from users, the Think Sustainably service is publicly available with plans to roll the programme out further and review its impact in 2020.

The process of developing the Think Sustainably service included researching the most significant factors of ecological sustainability related to different service categories. These dealt mostly with greenhouse emissions caused by energy production, the impacts of mobility and food, waste management, factors related to circular economy, protecting biodiversity, accessibility, and employment and preventing discrimination.

The European Commission (EC) tagged Helsinki the most innovative region in the EU. It is also the first European city and, the second globally -- after New York -- to voluntarily report the implementation of its Sustainable Development Goals to the UN. (Source: City of Helsinki, PR, CISION, Yahoo Finance, Aug., 2019)Contact: Helsinki Think Sustainably , www.myhelsinki.fi/en/think-sustainably; Helsinki Marketing, Laura Aalto, CEO, +358 40 507 9660 , laura.aalto@hel.fi, www.hel.fi; Carbon Neutral Helsinki Initiative, Kaisa-Reeta Koskinen, Director, https://carbonneutralcities.org/cities/helsinki

More Low-Carbon Energy News City of Helsinki,  Climate Change,  

Transportation Emissions
Date: 2019-08-14
In a press release Monday, the Vienna-based Austrian Traffic Club (VCO) noted the country is likely to miss its 2030 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction target due in part to vehicle fuel use rises during the first half of 2019 -- about 10 million liters more fuel were used during the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2018, indicating vehicle traffic will contribute to an increase in CO2 emissions.

While petrol usage declined by 10 million liters to a total of about one billion liters, this was easily surpassed by a 20-million-liter increase in the use of diesel fuel, which totaled about 4 billion liters. According to this will have a more noticeable impact on emissions totals, given that diesel fuel causes about 13 pct more CO2 emissions than petrol. The Austrian government previously determined to reduce CO2 emissions to a total of 15.7 million tons by 2030. However, the total emissions have climbed for four consecutive years, up to 23.9 million tons in 2018.

The VCO called for various initiatives to to bring the emissions totals down, including improved public transport and and expanding bicycle infrastructure to encourage people to make fewer short trips by car. (Source: Austrian Traffic Club, Xinhua, 13 Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  CO2,  Transportation Emissions,  

GE Renewable Energy
Date: 2019-08-14
GE Renewable Energy reports it has been selected by investors Partners Group and CWP as the wind turbine supplier for the 244 MW Bango wind farm near Yass, New South Wales, Australia.

The project, which will incorporate 46 GE Cypress onshore wind platforms, is the company's first Cypress-equipped wind farm in Australia and the largest globally to date.

Construction is expected to get underway shortly for commissioning and start of operations by 2021. The Cypress is GE's most powerful and efficient wind turbine in operation. (Source: GE Renewable Energy, Website, STL News, 12 Aug., 2019) Contact: GE Renewable Energy, Steve Oswald, Country Leader, GE Renewable Energy Onshore Wind in Australia, www.ge.com/renewableenergy

More Low-Carbon Energy News GE Renewable Energy news,  Wind news,  Australia Wind news,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News GE Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Australia Wind,  

EnBW
Date: 2019-08-14
Karlsruhe, Germany-headquartered developer-utility major Energie Baden-Wurttemberg (EnBW) reports it expects to complete and commission the 71-turbine Hohe See and the adjacent Albatros offshore wind arrays about 95 kilometres north of the island of Borkum in the German North Sea, by year-end.

Twenty-seven of the project's turbines have already been put into operation.

When fully operational, the projects will have a combined capacity of 609MW and will be EnBW's largest operating wind farm.

Canadian energy infrastructure company Enbridge holds 49.9 pct of the Hohe See-Albatros project while EnBW holds the balance. (Source: EnBW, PR, ReCharge, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: EnBW, Frank Mastiaux, CEO, +49 721 63 14320, www.enbw.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News EnBW,  Wind,  Offshore Wind,  

Caban Systems
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, Burlingame-based Caban Systems, a leader in the design and manufacture of software-enabled energy storage systems for the telecommunications industry, is reporting receipt of $1.9 million in grant funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The funds will be used to expand energy systems production capacity to meet growing customer demand in the state.

The California Public Utilities Commission reported that during 2017 storm outages, "Almost one million customers could not make 9-1-1 calls, more than 790,000 customers experienced loss of communication service, and more than 52,000 businesses experienced service interruptions." Even more recent wildfire-related power outages highlight California's immediate need to accelerate the adoption of energy storage platforms for critical infrastructure.

Grid-independent solutions like those offered by Caban can help both state and telecommunication operators provide reliable communications at all times. Caban System's Burlingame manufacturing line will produce a purpose-built, modular battery storage system that will provide reliable, redundant power sources for critical infrastructure systems across California. (Source: Caban Systems, PR, CISION, Yahoo, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Caban Systems, Alexandra Rasch, Founder & CEO , Jacqueline Castillo, (305) 989-2861, jacqueline@cabansystems.com, www.cabansystems.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage news,  Energy Storage Software news,  

RPA, Nebraska Ethanol Board
Date: 2019-08-14
"Over the past two years, the EPA has granted hardship waivers to refineries owned by companies like Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Their continued handouts to the oil industry comes during a time when heartland farmers are really struggling due to depressed commodity prices, flooding and trade wars. Securing access and demand for homegrown, cleaner-burning biofuels should be top priority from an economic and environmental standpoint, not destroying the marketplace program the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was created for." -- Roger Berry, Administrator, Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB).

Berry was speaking in Lincoln, Nebraska on the EPA's granting of an additional 31 small refinery biofuel waivers for 2018. This follows the 54 waivers the Trump Administration granted in 2016 and 2017, which caused 2.6 billion gallons of demand destruction. These new waivers add another loss of 1.4 billion gallons, for a total loss of 4 billion gallons. Contact: Nebraska Ethanol Board, Roger Berry, (402) 471-2941, ethanol.nebraska.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nebraska Ethanol Board news,  Ethanol news,  EPA news,  "Hardship Waiver" news,  

Ameresco
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, Framingham, Mass.-based energy efficiency and renewable energy specialist Ameresco is reporting completion of an energy efficiency project with Lynwood Unified School District. The completed project is expected to cut the district's utility costs roughly $234,000 per year.

The two-phased project began in August 2015 and reached commercial operations in February 2019. Seven of the district’s least energy efficient elementary schools, along with its administrative office building, were retrofitted with LED lighting, web-based energy management, wireless lighting control systems and upgraded HVAC systems. (Source: Ameresco, Renewable Energy, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Ameresco, Bob Georgeoff, VP, (508) 661-2288, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Energy Efficiency,  

Waterloo
Date: 2019-08-12
In Ontario, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo reports it is aiming to join other regional centers -- the cities of Guelph and Markham -- in reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2050. To that end, in 2013 Waterloo developed Climate Action WR, a Climate Action Plan aimed at cutting the municipality's GHG emissions by 6 pct from 2010 levels by 2020 and 80 pct by 2050.

Waterloo's 2015 emissions breakdown identified the transportation sector is the largest emitter of CO2 at 49 pct, followed by industrial, commercial, and institutional work places at 27 pct, residences at 18 pct, agriculture emitted 5 pct and waste management picked up the remaining 1 pct.

Between 2010 and 2015 the Climate Action WR plan spearheaded 5.2 pct reduction in GHG emissions, the equivalent of 235,935 tonnes of CO2 emissions or 58,000 cars removed from the roads.

Th meet its transportation-related GHG reduction goals, Waterloo has instituted a community bike and car share program, a light rail electric transit system and reduced bus traffic in the city. The municipality also established "green" building and energy efficiency standards, retrifited street lights to LED which are expected to reduce GHG emissions by 920 tpy. (Source: Municipality of Waterloo, Alternatives Journal, 3 Aug., 2019) Contact: Sustainable Waterloo Region, Tova Davidson,Executive Director, Samantha Tremmel, Acting Climate Action Manager, (519) 603-2223, www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Carbon Emissions,  GHG,  

Inbicon,NewEnergyBlue
Date: 2019-08-12
NewEnergyBlue LLC reports acquisition of exclusive rights to Inbicon bio-conversion technology throughout the Americas and will first employ it to turn North Dakota wheat straw into a high-value, carbon-neutral automotive fuel. The technology license was purchased from Denmark-based Orsted which developed the technology over 15 years at a cost exceeding $200 million.

NewEnergyBlue plans to construct a series of biomass refineries across grain belts and sugar-growing regions to process agricultural residues -- wheat straw, cornstalks, sugar bagasse and others -- into a high-octane advanced ethanol that's more than 100 pct below the carbon baseline of grain ethanol -- more than 140 pct below gasoline.

Using Inbicon technology , NewEnergyBlue's refinery utilizes high-pressure steam followed by an enzyme bath to break down the biomass fibers into sugars and lignin that are valuable for making liquid and solid biofuels. The company expects groundbreaking for its Spiritwood, North Dakota refinery in 2020. (Source: NewEnergyBlue, PR, 12 Aug., 2019) Contact: NewEnergyBlue LLC, Thomas Corle, CEO, Roger Moore, Brand Manager, (717) 626-0557, www.newenergyblue.com; Inbicon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inbicon

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Biomass,  Low Carbon Fuel,  

Paco Cabrera Metallic Structures Company
Date: 2019-08-12
Cuba's Paco Cabrera Metallic Structures Company -- aka Metunas -- reports it has installed the necessary production equipment and will soon be the island nation's first manufacturer of tubular wind turbine towers.

According to MATUNAS director of Investment and Development of METUNAS, through cooperation with the People's Republic of China, the company acquire a production line that covers all the necessary processes -- cutting, forming, assembly, welding, internal transportation and product cleaning and painting. (Source: Paco Cabrera Metallic Structures Company, PR, reve, 6 Aug., 2019) Contact: Paco Cabrera Metallic Structures Company contact information is presently unavailable.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Cuba,  

Amayo Wind Consortium
Date: 2019-08-12
In Nicaragua, the Amayo Wind Consortium -- Inkia Energy of the United States and Centrans Group of Guatemala -- reports it will invest total of $100 million in the execution of the third phase of a 37.8 MW wind power project in the department of Rivas. Provisional regulatory and permit issues have reportedly been completed and issued. (Source: Amayo Wind Consortium, eclica NicaraguaWind Energy , 9 Aug., 2019) Contact: Amayo Wind Consortium, Inkia Energy, www.inkiaenergy.com; Centrans Group, +502 2423 7272, Fax. +502 2423 7271, info@centransgroup.com.gt, www,centransgroup.com.gt

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  

National Biodiesel Board
Date: 2019-08-12
"Less than two months after vowing to always protect and defend American farmers, President Trump is bowing to oil industry pressure and allowing his EPA to dismantle the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, force U.S. biodiesel producers out of business, and undermine the farm economy. EPA and administration personnel are well aware that the ongoing spree of big oil exemptions destroy demand for biodiesel and render the RFS program meaningless.

"Biodiesel producers are already shutting down facilities and laying off workers, due to loss of demand. The ongoing demand destruction will undercut the industry's investments and choke off markets for surplus agricultural oils, adding to the economic hardship that farmers are facing. The Trump administration's action represents a fundamental betrayal of previous promises to farmers and the agricultural economy." (Source: National Biodiesel Board, 10 Aug., 2019) Contact: NBB, Kurt Kovarik, VP Federal Affairs, (800) 841-5849, www.biodiesel.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News National Biodiesel Board,  EPA,  RFS,  

LanzaTech,Novo Holdings,Novozymes.
Date: 2019-08-12
Biotechnology specialist LanzaTech, the developer of microbe-based carbon capture and recycling systems that changes carbon-based waste into usable ethanol, is reporting an investment from Novo Holdings, the parent company of Novozymes.

The new Novo Holdings funding will enable LanzaTech to leverage intellectual property held by a subsidiary of Novo Holdings, Novozymes. The result of this partnership should see Lanzatech expanding its production to include other fuels than just ethanol. At its current level of production, LanzaTech estimates it could capture the equivalent of 70,000 vehicles on the world's roads.

LanzaTech aims to develop a circular system where the microbes convert waste products into ethanol, which is then used to fuel the same machinery that produced the waste. (Source: LanzaRech, Cloud Wedge, 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com; Novozymes, Peder Holk Nielsen, President and CEO, Tina Sejersgard Fano, VP Bioenergy, +45 44 46 00 00, www.novozymes.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes,  LanzaTech,  Carbon Capture,