biomass
What’s one relatively quick and effective way to cut the carbon footprint of coal-fired power plants? A team of Canadian and Japanese researchers believe they have an answer: switch at least part of the power plants’ fuel from coal to biomass. Currently, coal-fired electricity generation is responsible for about
biomass
Working with Forth Ports, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is proposing to build four dedicated biomass power stations in several locations across Scotland. The development will be led by Forth Energy, a joint venture of the two firms created in 2008. Forth Energy expects to seek consent next year for
biomass
MGT Power announced plans today for a second major biomass facility in the UK’s North East. The company already has Government approval for a plant at Teesport which will be fuelled by some 2.4 million tonnes of clean wood chip fuel per year and provide up to 295
biomass
Researchers are testing a biomass-burning cooking stove that also converts heat into acoustic energy, and then into electricity — all in a single unit. The low-cost generator, they say, has the potential to transform lives in the world’s poorest communities. Led by the University of Nottingham, the £2 million Score
biomass
Germany has started operating a new biomass heating and power station that uses finely chopped material to generate eco-friendly energy. The Zweckverband Restmuellheizkraftwerk Boeblingen (RBB) plant in Baden-Wuerttemberg completed successful trials this May. Siemens’ Industry Solutions Division supplied a Reject Power system that enables the use of fuels with a
biomass
A new survey has shows that individuals and businesses in the south west of England are taking significant steps to move away from using oil and gas for heating, by switching to burning wood from sustainable, local sources. The annual Survey of Renewable Electricity and Heat Projects in South West
biomass
Biomass could provide a viable source of energy while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but “only if good practice is followed,” according to a new report from the Environment Agency. “Biomass — carbon sink or carbon sinner?” finds that best-practice use of biomass could produce 98 per cent fewer emissions
biofuels
Japanese researchers say they’ve developed a new type of biomass-fueled heater (PDF) that could provide high-efficiency, sustainable heating to millions of homes across Asia. Many people in the Far East currently heat their homes using charcoal burned on small, hibachi-style grills — not the most efficient means of providing heat.
biomass
New York City-based Astonfield Renewable Resources Ltd. today announced plans to spend $2 billion (US) on energy projects in India over the next two years. Most of the funds — about $1.7 billion — will focus on solar energy projects, with the remaining money going toward waste-to-energy and biomass developments. Founded
biomass
Verenium Company today announced plans to build its first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, to be located in south-central Florida’s Highlands County. Set to begin operations in 2011, the proposed $250 million (US) to $300 million facility will get its biofuel feedstock from Lykes Bros. Inc., an agribusiness that farms
biomass
£12m of government funding has been made available to help encourage industry, businesses and community organisations to switch to biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat and power projects. As part of the latest round of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme grants of up to £500,000 are up for grabs to
biomass
The giant Drax coal-fired power station in Selby is the embodiment of ‘old’ energy, with its 12 enormous cooling towers spewing out the steam it takes to create 4GW of energy for UK households. It’s a huge blot on the landscape and one of Europe’s biggest polluters. Drax