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Category: Government

University of Tennessee among first to receive DOE biomass grant

September 14th, 2009 | Posted in Biomass

University of Tennessee - Genera Energy

The first round of DOE's biomass grants has been handed out and Genera Energy LLC of Knoxville, Tenn., in collaboration with the University of Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, is one of the first recipients of the grant.

The University of Tennessee Research Foundation formed Genera Energy in 2008 as a means to carry out the University's renewable energy projects and strategic partnerships, with a particular focus on cellulosic ethanol biorefinery activities and capital projects of the UT Biofuels Initiative. DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol and Genera Energy are collaborating to construct a demonstration scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Vonore, Tenn., which planned to begin operations by the end of this year.

Administrators of UT are proud of the fact that the university is known as one of the national leaders in the development of affordable homegrown transportation fuels. Dr. Joseph DiPietro, vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture says, "This award is further recognition that the State's investment in our biofuels research was well founded. Every day we grow closer to developing the technology and infrastructure that will serve as the backbone of a biofuels industry."

Decline in EU greenhouse gas emissions confirmed

September 14th, 2009 | Posted in General

Decline in EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions Confirmed

According to estimates from the new European Environment Agency, greenhouse gas emissions have decreased on this continent for the fourth consecutive year. Annually emissions are reduced by about 1.3 % for the EU-15 and 1.5% for the EU-27. Under the Kyoto base-year emissions for the EU-15 gas emissions are about 6.2% lower than the standard set. They are also below the 1990 level for the EU-27.

Lower CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the energy, industry and transport sectors are the main reason for the decline. The global economic recession is also reflected in the decrease, as it also began in 2008. Due to tougher economic times industrial output, consumption by the industry and corresponding freight transport were reduced.

The EU ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) also verifies this trend, EU-27 emissions decreased by 3.9% between 2007 and 2008.

The EU-15 has committed to reducing emissions at an average of 8% between 2008 and 2012, under the Kyoto Protocol. The EU-27 does not have a base-year to compare emission changes to, 1990 is a point of comparison, and the goal is to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020 in comparison to 1990.

[Via: EU]

Sustainable Development Technology Canada announces $54 million funding for 18 green tech projects

September 12th, 2009 | Posted in

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced an investment of $54 million to support the development and demonstration of 18 innovative technologies, bringing SDTC's total portfolio value to $1.4 billion. Among the sectors that were "affected" with the investment are energy utilization, transportation and waste management.

From the press release:

Technologies that can make the transportation of goods more environmentally-friendly, including one that uses rechargeable panels containing ice slurry which can be used during transportation, distribution, and store shelf cooling.

Clean energy technologies that provide solutions to a range of issues, from access and affordability of clean water to energy-efficiency in buildings to the transformation of waste into valuable products.

For the record, SDTC's SD Tech Fund has completed fourteen funding rounds, committing $425 million to 171 clean technology projects, and leveraging over $1 billion from project consortia members. SDTC launched its latest call for Statements of Interest (SOI) for the SD Tech Fund on September 2, 2009.

Commenting on the new funding round, SDTC's Chairman Juergen Puetter said: "The funding announced today will accelerate the development of promising clean technologies, moving them closer to market so they can be drivers for strong economic growth while helping achieve Canada's environmental objectives. The projects included in this funding round provide solutions to energy efficiency and energy consumption issues that we are facing right now – their benefits will be realized in the short term and for years to come."

Renewable energy production companies receive cash in place of tax credits

September 7th, 2009 | Posted in General

Department of Treasury

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is to give out $502 million in its first round of payments in place of tax credits for 12 renewable energy projects, according to the Department of Treasury and Department of Energy.

A total of $3 billion is expected to be provided by the ARRA for projects working on providing green energy. An estimated 5,000 bio mass, solar, wind and other facilities providing renewable energy will receive cash payments in lieu of tax credits.

The application process has been opened by the Treasury Department since July 31, 2009 and will be making the first round of awards nearing the end of September.

[via: pei]

Cash assitance providing jobs and renewable energy in the U.S.

September 7th, 2009 | Posted in General

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Energy Secretary Steven Chu have made an announcement that is to be an important turning point in the efforts to create new jobs for Americans and investments in clean energy.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) will be awarding energy production companies with cash assistance. The first round will include handing out $502 million in place of earned tax credits, with the idea to create new upfront capital, helping companies create jobs and start construction – a process that has been delayed until now.

"These grants will help America's businesses launch clean energy projects, putting Americans back to work in good construction and manufacturing jobs. The initiative will help double our renewable energy capacity over the next few years and make sure America leads the world in creating the clean energy economy of the future," said Secretary Chu.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said, "The Recovery Act is investing in our long-term energy needs while creating jobs in communities around the country. This renewable energy program will spur the manufacture and development of clean energy in urban and rural America, allowing us to protect our environment, create good jobs and revitalize our nation's economy."

Nearly $3 billion in financial support is expected to be provided to companies in the place of tax credits, as a part of the Recovery Act. About 5,000 companies producing bio-mass, solar, wind and other types of renewable energy production facilities will be supported by these payments. In this round only, nearly 2,000 jobs will be created for Americans in the renewable energy industry and it will also bring the Administration closer to the goal of doubling renewable energy resources in the next few years.

US DoE announced USD 502 million for clean energy projects

September 5th, 2009 | Posted in General

Department Of Energy

US Department of Energy has announced USD 502 million in awards for clean energy projects. This is the first round as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The newly announced funding will help energy companies create jobs and begin construction, that would otherwise be stalled until the company can raise loans or investments.

These grants will help America's businesses launch clean energy projects, putting Americans back to work in good construction and manufacturing jobs. The initiative will help double our renewable energy capacity over the next few years and make sure America leads the world in creating the clean energy economy of the future.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu

This is the first major investment into the energy sector, a part of a total of USD 3 billion aimed at clean energy projects. The payments covering this portfolio of projects include an estimated 5000 biomass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy. As a result of the first round of funding about 2000 Americans will have access to renewable energy industry jobs.

The DoE has issued a chart showing locations, projects and amounts of funding that have been awarded.

Department Of Energy awards $21 million to five projects for biomass processing

September 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Biomass

Department Of Energy

DOE announced that it will award up to $21 million to five projects for handling and delivering high-tonnage biomass feedstocks to producers of cellulosic biofuels. The awards were selected to stimulate the design and demonstration of a "comprehensive system to handle the harvesting, collection, preprocessing, transport, and storage of sufficient volumes of sustainably produced feedstocks." Potential biomass feedstocks include agricultural residues, select energy crops and forest resources, and urban wood wastes.

Agco Corporation will demonstrate the viability of its densified, large-square-bale supply system, which the company plans to deploy at cellulosic biorefineries in cities in Iowa, Kansas and Texas;
FDC Enterprises will support the Abengoa Bioenergy facility by testing a mowing and baling system, a bale-picking truck, and a self-loading trailer for biomass crops;
Genera Energy will develop a system for handling switchgrass;
Alabama's Auburn University will work with leading forest product companies to design and demonstrate a high-productivity system to harvest, process, and transport woody biomass from southern pine plantations; and
The College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the State University of New York will take on short-rotation wood crops with a single-pass cut-and-chip harvester.

The awards are part of DOE's ongoing efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry, and provide new jobs in rural areas of the country…