May 1, 2009
BC Bioenergy Network Contributes to UBC Clean Energy Research Centre To Advance Bioenergy Research
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 1, 2009) - The BC Bioenergy Network ("BCBN"), a provincially-funded industry-led leader supporting the growing bioenergy sector in British Columbia, announced today a $100,000 investment in University of British Columbia's Clean Energy Research Centre ("CERC"). The investment will allow CERC to operationalize gasification equipment that will be made available for contract industry research and university research over the next 5 years.
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March 24, 2009
Honeywell's UOP and Ensyn Launch Envergent Technologies to Offer Second-Generation Biomass Technology
DES PLAINES, Ill., Mar. 24, 2008 -- UOP LLC, a Honeywell (NYSE: HON) company, announced today that it has launched Envergent Technologies, LLC, a joint venture with Ensyn Corp., to offer technology and equipment to convert second-generation biomass into pyrolysis oil for power generation, heating fuel and for conversion into transportation fuels.
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February 2009
Canadian tissue manufacturer to install biomass gasification system
Canadian tissue manufacturer Kruger Products Ltd. plans to install a biomass gasification system at its tissue mill in New Westminster, British Columbia. Vancouver, British Columbia based Nexterra Energy Corp. will supply the gasification system, which will convert biomass into a clean-burning synthesis gas that will be used to offset the use of natural gas at the facility. The system will take in local wood waste and allow Kruger Products to displace the use of approximately 445,500 gigajoules (400 million cubic feet) of natural gas annually, equivalent to the amount of natural gas needed to heat 3,500 Canadian homes for one year. Construction of the project is expected to begin in early 2009.
Feb. 2009
Syntec explores biomass-based chemicals
Syntec Biofuel Inc. launched a research program to develop catalysts and processes to produce biobutanol and biopropanol from biomass. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Syntec boasts a yield of 110 gallons per ton from its proprietary catalysts that convert municipal solid waste and biomass into ethanol, methanol and propanol. The company is seeking partners to help finance the estimated $2.5 million, three-year research and development program that will adapt the technology for biobutanol and biopropanol production.
Feb. 2009
Chinese bio-oil plant to use Dynamotive technology
Dynamotive Energy Systems Corp. in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced it will receive $2.3 million for licensing its pyrolysis technology to Great China New Energy Technology Services Co. Ltd., which is building an 11.2 MMgy bio-oil plant in the Henan province of China for Hubei Xinda Bio-oil Technology Co. Ltd. Construction of the facility, which will convert corn stover to heating oil, is slated to take two years. Dynamotive plans to license its technology to 15 chinese plants within five years.
Nov. 20, 2008
Syntec to Develop Catalysts to Produce Butanol and Propanol From Biomass and MSW
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Nov 20, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) ----Syntec Biofuel Inc. (OTCBB: SYBF) announced today it is launching a research program to develop catalysts and processes to produce Bio-butanol and Bio-propanol from biomass.
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Oct. 7, 2008
Why Clean Tech Is Taking Biotech's Shine
"It's simple: Alternative energy is where the venture capital is these days. Plus, the skill sets are similar, and researchers are making the jump."
Click here to read the full article in BusinessWeek Magazine.
Biogas startup goes for the green
Toronto-based company weighs risks, returns and loss of control… and gambles on $350-million in private equity backing to build a series of environmentally friendly power and gas generators in North America
Toronto-based StormFisher Biogas signed a $350-million investment deal with Boston-based private-equity firm Denham Capital Management that would make their tiny start-up the most richly funded developer of biogas energy projects in the world.
Founded in 2006 by three MBA graduates, StormFisher relies on technology that is already well established in Europe, where some 5,000 biogas facilities have started up over the past decade. While the partners have met many skeptics, they are confident North America will follow the European trajectory, making it possible for farmers and food manufacturers here to convert byproducts such as manure and vegetable scraps into gas to feed the power grid.
North America is a decade behind Europe in green-energy adoption. While biogas conversion is a nascent industry on this continent, there are more than 5,000 biogas plants in Europe supplying energy to heat more than 1.5 million households. Germany, for example, aims to use biogas to meet 20% of its natural gas needs by 2020. In Europe, wind energy projects took off first, followed by biogas about five years later. StormFisher expects the same pattern of development to take place here.
The deal was signed on February 8, 2008, and so far, the partnership has been "awesome," says Mr. van Berkel. The cash infusion has transformed the business, which has grown to 25 people and moved into a downtown Toronto office.
Sept. 18, 2008
The CEO of POET will take part in a Private Sector Forum at the United Nations on September 24.
The event at the UN will bring together business leaders, Heads of State, civil society and Heads of UN Agencies for a dialogue on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and Food Sustainability.
Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, said he looks forward to a dialogue with world business leaders about the benefits and opportunities of a growing biofuels industry. "In the United States, we're decreasing our dependence on foreign oil for the first time in 30 years," Broin said. "With a billion acres of idled cropland around the world and price of agricultural commodities above the cost of production for the first time in decades, the opportunity exists for underdeveloped countries to simultaneously lift people out of poverty and solve their crippling addiction to energy imports."
"We also look forward to sharing some of our innovations that have made the production of ethanol more efficient and environmentally friendly," Broin said.
Sept. 16, 2008
Research Grants Support Bioenergy Development
VICTORIA – The Province has granted $600,000 to help grow B.C.’s wood bioenergy sector with continued research into feedstock supplies, technology and infrastructure, Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell announced today.
“The Ministry of Forests and Range is committed to a vibrant and sustainable bioenergy industry for British Columbia,” said Bell. “We’re exploring new ways to obtain more value from our forests. Research is a cornerstone for a bioenergy sector that will help fight climate change and strengthen B.C.’s economy.”
The ministry has provided $300,000 to the FPInnovations forest research institute, $200,000 to the University of British Columbia, and $100,000 to the University of Victoria for a research partnership focused on feedstock availability, harvesting and delivery equipment and systems, and economic analysis.
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July 18, 2008
Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund Announcement
Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development, Ida Chong, and Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Richard Neufeld announced funding of 15 projects on July 18, 2008. The ICE fund supports the BC Energy Plan and the government’s commitment to electricity self-sufficiency and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. “Clean Energy will play a key role in building a vibrant and prosperous green economy in British Columbia” said Minister Chong. Some of Life Sciences BC members were included in the funding approvals - Congratulations!
This is significant for BC and our BioProducts Sector as we work with industry, academia, and government to bring innovative research and technology to commercial success in order to help create a vibrant and sustainable Bioproducts and BioEnergy sector. Key areas receiving $25 M funding were in BioEnergy; Solar Energy; and Other Alternative Energy projects for a total Project value of $80 M. The ICE fund will continue with a second call for applications with a focus on rural BC plus re-application from unsuccessful projects in the first round. We look forward to supporting our members for additional success in the second round including Marine bioenergy!
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