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Sustainability
Small dams causing ecosystem disruption
June 18, 2013, Corvallis, Ore. – Researchers conclude in a new report that a global push for small hydropower projects, supported by various nations and also the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, may cause unanticipated and potentially significant losses of habitat and biodiversity.
Al Bio budgets $1.3M for bioindustrial projects
June 18, 2013, Edmonton, Alta. - Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions is funding six new bioindustrial projects through its Bioindustrial Research and Innovation Program 2012-13. The program aims to stimulate development of new bioindustrial products and processes from biomass.
Industry ready for a renewable diesel mandate
May 7, 2013, Ottawa, Ont. – The Ontario government has announced consultations on a renewable diesel mandate as part of its budget, confirming its commitment to renewable fuels.
Potential in lignin sustainability
May 1, 2013, Montreal, Que. – Domtar Corp. based in Montreal, has been producing its trademarked BioChoice lignin since February at its commercial-scale lignin separation plant in Plymouth, N.C. The company believes that the operation opens a new path for the industry.
FONOM launching campaign
April 27, 2013, Ontario – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), is looking to introduce a campaign that will inform residents across Ontario about the importance of the province’s boreal forest to northern communities, the environment, and the economy.
Conversion of Atikokan plant well underway
April 10, 2013, Atikokan, ON – Over 150 extra workers are now on site at the Atikokan Thermal Generating Station as the project to convert it from coal to biomass gets into full swing.
Millar Western to get $6.75m for bio-energy
April 9, 2013, Edmonton, AB – Millar Western Forest Products announced it will be receiving $6.75 million in federal funding for its Alberta bio-energy facility.
UK's Drax continues to push for CfD support
April 8, 2013, London, UK — UK generator Drax has dismissed reports it will not secure early government support for renewable output at its Selby co-firing power plant and told Argus it remains in discussions with the government about receiving early subsidies under the new contracts for difference (CfD) scheme.
B.C. to expand Wood Waste 2 Rural Heat project
April 5, 2013, Victoria, BC – A B.C. program that helps rural communities turn wood waste into heat for buildings and homes is being expanded throughout the Interior.
B.C.'s carbon neutral policies under attack
March 26, 2013, Victoria, BC – A set of leaked letters is undermining the credibility of a report to be released today by British Columbia's auditor general over the provincial government's carbon neutral experiment.
UVic considering biomass thermal energy plant
March 21, 2013, Victoria, BC – As a way to reduce its carbon footprint, the University of Victoria is considering building a biomass thermal energy plant to heat its buildings.
French biomass CHP units start up
March 19, 2013, Perpignan, FR — A number of French biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) units are starting up, as bidding rounds by energy regulator CRE and energy management agency Ademe and EU funding underpin expansion.
SK bioenergy centre closer to reality
March 15, 2013, Meadow Lake, SK – The First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) is hoping to start construction of the Meadow Lake Bioenergy Centre this summer.
Northern BC village to get biomass heating system
March 14, 2013, Telkwa, BC – The Village of Telkwa will receive $680,230 from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund transfer to retrofit their municipal building and install an innovative biomass heating system, as well as to develop a sustainable subdivision plan.
Ideal Combustion celebrates opening of new facility
March 8, 2013, Sherbrooke, QC –Ideal Combustion, a leader in the design and manufacture of boilers and heating systems, has moved into new facilities in Sherbrooke’s regional industrial park.
$35m challenge to find useful applications for carbon
March 6, 2013, Edmonton, AB – The Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation is seeking innovative ideas from around the world for a $35 million open innovation challenge that will create new, carbon-based products and markets.
Improving N. Ontario's renewable energy sector
March 5, 2013, North Bay, ON – Companies are being invited to come together to help develop solutions for the challenges facing Northern Ontario’s renewable energy sector.
Canadian bioenergy on firm sustainability footing
March 1, 2013, Quebec - Never mind what you hear from Greenpeace or the NIMBY crowd - Forest bioenergy is a good alternative to fossil fuels in Canada. That was the main message from sustainability experts at the Canadian Wood Pellet Heating Conference.
Powering a fuel cell using biomass
February 28, 2013, Vancouver, BC – Ballard Power Systems has announced the sale of a fuel cell system that will be integrated with a biomass gasifier and syngas purification unit to form an integrated biomass-to-fuel cell power solution.
Polish renewable subsidy crash hits biomass
February 28, 2013, Warsaw, PO — Unexpected volatility in Poland's renewable support scheme has caused a sharp decline in demand for biomass in the country, bringing prices down and threatening suppliers' businesses.
Tariff changes, taxes hit Spanish biomass
February 26, 2013, Perpignan, ES — Spanish biomass-fired power generators are starting to feel the impacts of government changes to feed-in tariffs (FITs) and proposed taxation increases. Planned projects are being cancelled and the country's biggest biomass-fired generator, Ence, is laying off workers.
SDTC is looking for Canada's next cleantech innovators
February 22, 2013, Ottawa, ON – Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is looking for the next wave of innovative cleantech entrepreneurs with the announcement of our call for applications to the SD Tech Fund from February 20th to April 17th, 2013.
Capital and fed policy needed for clean energy growth
February 17, 2012, Toronto - Canada’s clean technology sector is a major driver of job growth and innovation, and could be worth $60 billion by 2020 barring current federal policy and financing barriers, says a new report by the Pembina Institute.
Need for Low-Carbon Fuels at CRFA
Over 200 delegates gathered in December for the Ninth Annual Renewable Fuels Summit. The past year may have been rough on the sector, but overall a climate of urgency prevailed.
Economy of Agribiomass in Ontario
The financial reality of agricultural biomass was at the centre of discussions that took place at the Agricultural Biomass Business Forum,
B.C. to examine pricing for carbon offsets
February 14, 2013, Victoria, BC - The B.C. government will examine the pricing model for Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT) and, if needed, make whatever changes are necessary to ensure B.C.'s public sector organizations, including schools and hospitals, continue to receive the best value, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced.
UK poll charts major support of renewable energy
February, 13, 2013, London, UK – The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) recent public attitudes survey brought to light some interesting – and encouraging – figures regarding the support for clean energy.
FPInnovations formalizes research efforts with NRC
February 7, 2013, Montreal, QC- FPInnovations and Natural Resources Canada's CanmetENERGY announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding which will formalize the collaborative efforts of the research teams from both organizations after years of informal cooperation.
Companies sought for international biofuels conference
February 7, 2013, Thunder Bay, ON – The Canadian Bioenergy Association (CanBio) is recruiting Canadian companies for its technology mission to the 2013 World Biofuels Markets and Bio-Based Chemicals Conference and Exhibition on March 11-14.
Online tool helps evaluate biomass projects
February 6, 2013, Vancouver, BC – Researchers have created a tool to help communities assess if local forest waste wood resources can support bioenergy plants.
UK dedicated biomass developers question capacity cap
February 5, 2013, London, UK — UK developers of dedicated biomass plants have expressed disappointment at a new capacity cap adopted by UK policy makers, with some claiming the government's biomass policy is in disarray because of a lack of understanding.
Study: Alternative source of energy going to waste
January 28, 2013, Toronto, ON – A new study carried out by the School of Planning of the University of Waterloo on behalf of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) has determined that if all of the non- recycled plastics that are put into Canadian landfills each year were converted to energy, using technologies currently available, the energy would be sufficient to provide fuel for over 600,000 automobiles annually.
Study says fossil fuels 'too valuable to burn'
January 28, 2013, London, UK – Burning fossil fuels for energy is a disastrous waste of natural resources preventing their use for the manufacture of fertilizer, medicines, clothing and other vital goods, according to a German think tank.
Ontario forests to be net carbon source until 2040
January 25, 2013, Toronto, ON – Ontario’s Crown forests are expected to remain a net source of carbon emissions for the next three decades, according to the latest forestry report from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
BC First Nations earning carbon credits
January 24, 2013, Vancouver, BC – The so-called Great Bear Rainforest has become part of the carbon economy.
Ontario starts to consider carbon trading plan
January 23, 2013, Portland, OR — Ontario's Ministry of Environment is considering a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction program that may include the trading of allowances or offsets.
Biomass cost reductions possible: IRENA
January 18, 2013, Abu Dhabi, UAE – A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) concerning the costs of renewable power generation says the potential for biomass cost reductions are good in the long-term.
Quebec, California linked in carbon market
January 17, 2013, Quebec, QC - As of early January, Quebec and California have linked their carbon markets. While results from the move are expected to come slowly, it is seen as an important first step in developing a possible market in North America.
"Virtuous Circle" cuts renewable costs dramatically
January 13, 2013, Abu Dhabi, UAE - Renewable power generation technologies now account for half of all new power generation capacity additions worldwide, with costs sharply dropping according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
European biomass demand to triple by 2020: report
January 11, 2013, London, UK – European demand for wood pellets to produce electricity is seen rising more than three-fold by 2020, as governments offer subsidies for greener energy sources, according to a report from Bain.
Ontario to shutter coal plants a year earlier
January 11, 2013, Toronto, ON – Ontario will shut the last of its coal plants in southern Ontario by the end of 2013, a year ahead of schedule.
Results of biofuel test flight reveal reduced emissions
 January 8, 2013 Ottawa, ON — Results from the world’s first flight powered by 100 percent biofuel that met petroleum fuel specifications without blending revealed a 50 percent reduction in emissions and reduced fuel consumption.
CFB biomass plant in Poland now operational
January 7, 2013, Zug, CH - Foster Wheeler AG announced that the GDF Suez power plant located in Polaniec, Poland, is now in commercial operation, delivering over 200 MWe of electricity to the country's electricity grid solely from biomass.
Diesel fumes cause lung cancer: WHO
January 7, 2013, New York, NY – Diesel fumes cause lung cancer, the World Health Organization declared Tuesday, and experts said they were more carcinogenic than secondhand cigarette smoke.
Ottawa chooses green power over more landfill
January 2, 2013, Ottawa - Congratulations to Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and the city's council for one of the boldest renewable energy moves in 2012. By signing a long-term waste supply contract with Plasco Energy Group, they have made a solid win-win move for company and community.
UK study looks at complexity of carbon debt
December 29, 2012, London, UK - A new report from consultants NNFCC discusses the complex issues surrounding the use of woody biomass for energy, including its role in supplying base load power to the grid.
Texas facility awarded biomass project of the year
 December 20, 2012, Orlando, FL – The Nacogdoches Generating Facility in Sacul, Texas was awarded the 2012 Project of the Year in the Biomass category by Power Engineering Magazine at the Power-Gen international conference on December 10,2012 in Orlando, FL.
Waste conversion facility to be built in Ottawa
December 17, 2012, Ottawa, ON – Plasco Energy Group Inc. announced that it will build a 150,000 tonnes per year waste conversion facility in Ottawa.
Canfor to upgrade bioenergy capacity in Prince George
December 17, 2012, Prince George, BC – Canfor Pulp will invest $26 million to upgrade two turbo-generators at its Northwood mill that will add 11 megawatts of capacity to the provincial grid.
Most UK biofuels crops EU compliant
December 13, 2012, London, UK – The majority of the UK's biofuels crop is being produced in compliance with mandatory greenhouse gas emissions standards established under the EU renewable energy directive, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has concluded.
Emera acquires Nova Scotia biomass co-gen facility
December 11, 2012, Halifax, NS – Emera Inc. announced an agreement with the Government of Nova Scotia to acquire Brooklyn Energy, a biomass electrical co-generation facility, located in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia.
Survey: Governments supportive of biofuels
December 10, 2012, Rotterdam, NL – In a recent survey conducted with bioenergy leading industry experts ahead of the 8th annual World Biofuels Markets Congress & Exhibition, 51% of those who responded rated their government’s policy as supportive, while 15% rated them as very supportive.
B.C. makes funding changes to wildfire protection program
December 10, 2012, Victoria, BC - B.C. municipalities, regional districts and First Nations will soon get more help to protect their communities and local infrastructure from wildfire threats, with Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announcing changes to the funding formula for the province's Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative.
British Airways biofuel plant preparing for lift-off
 December 6, 2012, London, UK – British Airways says it is on the verge of beginning construction of a $500 million biofuels facility that will divert about 500,000 tonnes of waste per year from area landfills and use it to create 50,000 tonnes of sustainable low carbon jet fuel.
Canadian politics tough on green energy
 December 4, 2012, Ottawa - Over 200 delegates have gathered this week in Ottawa,
Canada's policy-central, for the Ninth Annual Renewable Fuels Summit. The past
year may have been rough on the sector, but overall a climate of urgency
prevailed.
Ontario gov't retreats on climate change
December 4, 2012, Toronto, ON – Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller, says the Ontario government is backing away from its plan to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG).
Biomass from sustainable forestry is carbon neutral: WBA
December 4, 2012, Stockholm, SE – The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) is highlighting opportunities in the field of modern bioenergy by publishing a short series of science-based information fact sheets. The third fact sheet, "Carbon neutrality of sustainable Biomass from forests," was launched during COP18 UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar.
Strategic alliance advances biomass initiatives
 December 4, 2012, Owosso, MI – Tri-Mer Corporation and Enginuity Energy LLC have established a research agreement for the testing of biomass fuels at Enginuity Energy’s research and development lab in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Biofuels industry slams report linking RFS to higher food costs
December 4, 2012, Washington, DC – A new report released in the U.S. by the National Council of Chain Restaurants generated a swift response from the organizations representing the ethanol and advanced biofuels industries.
Poll shows Ontarians support renewable energy
December 3, 2012, Toronto - A new opinion poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth Canada shows overwhelming support for green energy in Ontario, and strong opposition to the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s meddling in buy local programs that create thousands of green jobs for Ontarians.
Das Biomass
The mood in Europe was positive in October as I joined over 300 attendees at the 12th Pellets Industry Forum.
Full Steam Ahead?
Will we ever achieve large-scale biofuel production? That was the question that kept resurfacing amongst the 100-plus speakers during the five plenary sessions and four breakout tracks that made up the seventh annual 2012 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy, held in Vancouver between Oct. 9 and 12.
Conifex bioenergy project delayed
November 20, 2012, Vancouver, BC - Conifex Timber Inc. announced that its bioenergy project in Mackenzie, B.C. has been temporarily delayed while the company secures long-term financing.
Ethanol industry hails EPA decision to deny RFS requests
November 19, 2012, Washington, DC – The U.S. EPA announced Nov. 16 that it would not waive the renewable fuel standard (RFS), as had been officially requested in mid-August. The EPA had been considering the request for more than 90 days following its submission.
Business lobby calls for global carbon price
November 19 2012, London, UK — A clear and transparent global CO2 price is necessary to encourage the low-carbon investments needed to deliver substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cuts, according to an international business lobby.
ACORE relesases renewable energy resource
November 19, Washington, DC – The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) released the 2012 edition of its report, Renewable Energy in the 50 States, as an interactive, online resource. Compiling updated financial data, resource potentials, market and policy information in one easily-accessed, online format, the report is intended to be an executive summary for all who are interested in the highlights of the renewable energy sector in every state.
Report: Biomass power to continue booming
November 14, 2012, Cologne, DE – According to a new report from ecoprog GmbH, the market for biomass power plants will continue to boom over the next five years.
New biofuel conversion process cuts costly separating step
November 13, 2012, Madison, WI – Using a biomass-derived solvent, University of Wisconsin-Madison chemical and biological engineers have streamlined the process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into high-demand chemicals or energy-dense liquid transportation fuel.
Scientists find better way to obtain abundant biomass
 November 13, 2012, Berkelley, CA – Researchers have identified access to abundant biomass for advanced biofuels by improving the extraction of xylan.
UK carbon floor price offers co-firing boost
November 12, 2012, London, UK — The implementation of a £16/t CO2 equivalent (€19.99/t CO2e) carbon floor price in the UK in April next year will make it economically viable for large UK coal-fired generators to switch to a minimum 50pc biomass co-firing at new renewable obligation (RO) banding levels, according to Argus data.
OSU gets $6.4M grant for bioenergy, biofuel research
 November 9, 2012, Wooster, OH – A newly funded project at Ohio State University will research production of biogas from yard waste, corn residue and bioenergy crops for conversion to electricity and transportation fuels.
Tembec launches biomass-fed turbine at Tartas mill
November 9, 2012, Montreal, QC – Tembec officially launched a new steam turbine, driven by a biomass boiler, at its Tartas mill in France.
German biodiesel plant closes
November 7, 2012, London, UK — US group Cargill and German firm Agravis Raiffeisen have closed their jointly owned 120,000 t/yr Wittenberge biodiesel plant in eastern Germany, Cargill confirmed today.
AEBIOM: Biomass delivers climage change benefits
November 6, 2012, Brussels, BE – The European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) released a public statement regarding the sustainability and carbon neutrality of biomass.
Biomass could supply over a fifth of UK electricity
November 5, 2012, London, UK – Biomass could contribute far more than the fifth of UK electricity it is expected to deliver by the end of the 2020s, according to a major new report by Deloitte.
RWE inaugurates 7.6 MW biomass plant
 November 1, 2012, Goch, DE – German energy company RWE announced the startup of a biomass facility that can produce as much as 7.6 megawatts of electricity.
Canadian agriculture opportunities in green energy
November 1, 2012, Regina, SK – Canada’s agriculture industry is in a unique position to meet changing global energy demands, according to one of the country's leading agriculture lenders.
Biochar group releases results of sustainability survey
October 29, 2012, Westerville, OH – The International Biochar Initiative has released selected responses to a broad-based sustainability survey conducted in September of this year that asked for greatest potential benefit of using biochar, and to point out the most pressing needs for rapid commercialization and market penetration.
Life Science Canada and BioTalent Canada forge alliance
October 29, 2012, Ottawa, ON – Life Sciences Ontario and BioTalent Canada announced the creation of a new partnership providing access to new and valuable services for bio-economy businesses throughout Ontario.
WBA launches fact sheet on biomass small-scale heating
October 26, 2012, Stockholm, SE – The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) is highlighting opportunities in the field of modern bioenergy by publishing a short series of science-based information fact sheets. The first part focuses specifically on biomass to heat generation.
France cools on large biomass power projects
October 26, 2012, Perpignan, FR — The French government may take a less positive view on large biomass power projects, energy minister Delphine Batho said.
Biofuels from algae pose sustainability concern
October 25, 2012, Washington, DC — Scaling up the production of biofuels made from algae to meet at least 5 percent -- approximately 39 billion liters -- of U.S. transportation fuel needs would place unsustainable demands on energy, water, and nutrients, says a new report from the National Research Council.
NB releases biomass resource maps
October 24, 2012, Saint John, NB – A set of resource maps and an accompanying report were released by the government of New Brunswick showcasing potential locations to develop biomass resources for energy co-generation in the province.
U.S. biomass has huge potential for renewable energy
October 22, 2012, Washington, DC — Biomass has the power to dramatically increase America’s renewable energy supply, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) concluded in a report.
Evolving microbes help turn bio-oil into biofuels
 October 16, 2012, Ames, IA– Microbes are working away in an Iowa State University laboratory to ferment biofuels from the sugar and acetate produced by rapidly heating biomass such as corn stalks and sawdust.
More than 2,100 comments on RFS waiver
October 14, 2012, Houston, TX — Farmers, ethanol producers and citizens who just love bacon filed more than 2,100 comments ahead of yesterday's deadline for public comment on proposed waivers to federal fuel standards.
Button mushroom biomass-degrading genes may benefit biochemicals
 October 11, 2012, Walnut Creek, CA – The button mushroom occupies a prominent place in our diet and in the grocery store where it boasts a tasty multibillion-dollar niche, while in nature, Agaricus bisporus is known to decay leaf matter on the forest floor.
Biofuels market to grow 7.7% through 2015
 October 11, 2012, London, UK – A new report prepared by analysts at TechNavio says given current market conditions, the global biofuels market should grow by about 7.7 percent through 2015.
EU to propose mandatory biomass sustainability criteria
October 10, 2012, Berlin, DE — The European Commission will make proposals to implement Europe-wide sustainability criteria for solid biomass, but how the proposals will look and when they will be implemented it still undecided, according to the International Institute for Sustainability Analysis and Strategy (IINAS).
Ensyn signs joint venture with Brazilian fiber producer
October 5, 2102, Ottawa, ON – Canadian biofuels company Ensyn has formed a strategic alliance with Brazilian pulp and fiber producer Fibria Celulose to develop cellulosic liquid fuels and chemicals.
Polish biomass law likely to be delayed
October 3, 2012, Warsaw, PO — A new Polish law on biomass subsidies is likely to be delayed by at least six months as rival lobbies continue to push the government over subsidies for joint biomass and coal combustion.
Tembec opens anaerobic facility at Quebec mill
October 2, 2012, Montreal, QC – Tembec officially inaugurated today a new anaerobic treatment facility which will produce methane biogas and greatly reduce the use of fossil fuels at its high-yield pulp mill in Matane, Québec.
Innovente to open second plant in Quebec
October 2, 2012, Quebec City, QC – Innoventé Inc. has announced the construction of a plant in Trois-Rivières following its signing of a 25-year contract with Hydro-Québec to produce 8.8 MW of electricity.
Argentina's biodiesel exports set to plunge
October 2, 2012, Buenos Aires, AR — Argentina's export-oriented biodiesel industry remains mired in uncertainty even after the government lowered an export duty on the soybean-based fuel and implemented a new sliding-scale system that partly reverses an increase that had taken most of the country's plants off line.
Car parts made of wood?
September 28, 2012, Dearborn, MI – Cellulose joins the growing list of sustainable materials originating from unlikely sources that could soon be used in Ford vehicle components and help further reduce the automaker’s reliance on traditional content such as fiberglass and petroleum.
Reduced height trees could benefit biomass production
 September 28, 2012, Corvallis OR – The same “green revolution” concepts that have revolutionized crop agriculture and helped to feed billions of people around the world may now offer similar potential in forestry, scientists say, with benefits for wood, biomass production, drought stress and even greenhouse gas mitigation.
Plans for biomass CHP plant in Scotland
 September 27, 2012, Edinburgh, UK – Estover Energy has submitted plans to build a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) in Aberdeen, Scotland that will supply electricity to the grid as well as heat and electricity to the Stoneywood Paper Mill.
Draft law proposes tax on Spanish biomass power
September 24, 2012, Perpignan, Spain — Uncertainty remains over the future of Spanish biomass power with questions concerning feed-in tariff levels remaining. This is despite the announcement of a draft law proposing a wide-ranging energy tax on electricity production, which produced an irked reaction from the country's biomass power association.
Talking biomass at DEMO 2012
September 18, 2012, Quebec City, QC - The first day of presentations of the DEMO International 2012 conference provided an unexpected discussion of the validity of biomass as a long-term energy solution for not just Canada, but countries around the world.
Research aims to introduce drought tolerance into woody biomass
 September 17, 2012, Reno, NV – Putting the water-use-efficient and turbo-charged photosynthesis from plants such as agave into woody biomass plants such as poplar can hedge against predicted long-term increases in temperatures and reduced precipitation. It can also provide dedicated energy crops suitable for establishment on marginal land as a source of renewable biomass.
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