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Use of RNG and natural gas spreads amongst companies
Here’s an overview of key biogas news.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & LAW
On-farm renewable energy: ‘Without funding these schemes can’t happen’
“If the Government is serious about renewable energy and reducing emissions, they’re going to have to put their hand in their pocket and provide funding for it,” according to the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Tim Cullinan. Speaking at the Laois IFA annual general meeting (AGM), Cullinan – who is only a little over a week in office – outlined: “We’ve had a lot of talk out of Government in the last few years about the renewable industry yet it has sat on its hands. Cullinan told attendees at the meeting that he was in Italy last summer and visited a farm with 200 cows.
Biogas production is seen by Government as ‘expensive’ – IrBEA
The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has expressed its disappointment that a biogas support scheme was not announced in 2019. According to Sean Finan, the association’s CEO, a support scheme “is necessary” for the development of a mainstream Irish biogas industry. He explained: “From our lobbying efforts and various meetings, biomethane – which is upgraded biogas – is seen by the Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment as ‘expensive’.” The cost per tonne of CO2 abated is compared to other renewable energy technologies and is analysed using a tool known as the ‘Marginal Abatement Cost Curve’ (MACC).”.
Loan OK’d for Yangon waste-to-energy plant
Parliament has approved a €50 million (K80.6 billion/US$55.05 million) loan from Poland to finance Yangon’s waste-to-energy biofuel plant project. The construction of the plant will start in May and will be completed in 2022. Once completed, the facility will be able to process 1,000 tonnes of the 2,500 tonnes of waste produced daily in Yangon. The plant will be able to produce 30 tonnes of compressed natural gas daily, 40 tonnes of liquefied carbon dioxide, 180 tonnes of derivative waste fuel, and 250 tonnes of compost.
Read more on M National
CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
New Jersey bill expands definition of Class I renewable energy
Legislation introduced in New Jersey aims to require certain parties to separate and recycle food waste. It also aims to expand the definition of Class I renewables to include electricity generated from methane produced through food waste processing. The bill, A2371, was introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on Jan. 27 and referred to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. The bill reported out of the committee on Feb. 3 with four committee members voting in favor of the bill and two abstaining from the vote. A companion bill, S865, was introduced in the New Jersey Senate on Jan. 14.
Williamsburg Co. may soon have new $1.5B plant, more than 1,000 new jobs
The small town of Lane in Williamsburg County may soon have a new CETS Waste-to-Energy recycling plant. At Wednesday’s Williamsburg County Community Development meeting the Lane Community Development Corporation is reintroducing a project that was first mentioned 4 years ago. CETS Waste-to-Energy is looking to add a waste recycling plant that will make garbage into renewable energy. It is expected to cost a total of $1.5 billion, and the initial construction would employ more than 1,000 people. Following a visit from CETS a couple of weeks ago, the Mayor of Lane says they are ready to start planning for the largest thing to ever come to their town, and something they expect will give the town a much needed economic boost.
COMPANIES & ORGANIZATIONS
Sweden: Gasum opens the first gas filling station in Umeå
It is also an important part of Gasum’s plan to build a network of 50 natural gas filling stations for HDVs by the early 2020s in the Nordics. The Nordic natural gas filling station network is expanding as Gasum opens its 9th site in Sweden. The new gas filling station is in an area with heavy traffic where fuel consumption is high and the need for clean fuel solutions is rising rapidly. The station is the first one in Umeå and serves both heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and passenger cars. HDVs can fill up on liquefied biogas (LBG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), while compressed natural gas (CNG) and biogas (CBG) are suitable for passenger cars, delivery vehicles, waste management vehicles and buses.
UPS agrees to purchase renewable natural gas for US fleet
Logistics provider UPS has signed two multi-year renewable natural gas (RNG) agreements, one with Kinetrex Energy and the other with TruStar Energy. The contracts will provide UPS with a combined volume of up to 80 million gallon equivalents (GEs) of RNG over the terms of the agreements. “The use of RNG is a very important part of UPS’s strategy to increase alternative fuel consumption to be 40% of total ground fuel purchases by 2025,” said Mike Whitlatch, vice-president of global energy and procurement at UPS. “We are using both liquid natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) as bridging fuels to increase our use of RNG.”
Read more on Bioenergy Insight
Waste Management CEO projects fleet could be 75% CNG in 2021
Waste Management’s 10th annual sustainability forum, hosted in conjunction with its sponsorship of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, was a continuation of the company’s effort to be a “thought leader” in the industry around environmental and social topics. While the value of such a showcase may be rising amid investor interest in climate issues, it’s often still hard to gauge exactly what this event means in terms of business strategy compared to other large competitors. Fleet investment is one tangible metric showing how Waste Management plans to mark progress on its pledge to offset four times the amount of GHG it generates from operations.
Coordinated effort needed to keep Phoenix Open zero waste
As darkness descends upon TPC Scottsdale, the cacophony of cheers and catcalls from the loudest fans in golf are replaced by a new sound. Back-up beeps. Not long after the last putt drops at the Phoenix Open, large haulers, delivery trucks, water trucks, pick-ups and carts fill the chilled air with a beeping symphony. Pulling off the world’s largest zero-waste event takes a meticulously-coordinator effort — and a lot of late-night noise. “It’s an interesting footprint because it’s so spread out, but our operations side makes this place look like Disneyland every day,” said Janette Micelli, director, external affairs, Waste Management corporate communications.
RESEARCHES & STUDIES
RNG essential for GHG reductions in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic
M.J. Bradley & Associates published a report evaluating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions scenarios in medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles, and residential and commercial heating, for a 12-state region stretching from Virginia to Maine. Renewable biofuels, renewable natural gas (RNG) and biomass-based diesel, were shown to significantly reduce GHG emissions that electrification and efficiency measures alone don’t reach, even under moderately aggressive scenarios. The report concluded that a complementary, portfolio strategy for GHG emissions will yield the best results for Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.