Bioenergy & Waste News

Anaerobic digestion protocol published, awaits EU green light

05-01-09: Environment Agency releases new Quality Protocol for Anaerobic Digestion, seen as a key boost to UK biogas production - but it still requires approval from Europe

Scotland surpasses 20% renewables level for electricity

24-12-08: New figures state that 20.1% of Scotland's electricity needs were provided by renewable energy projects in 2007, up from 16.9% the previous year

Lord Oxburgh steps down as D1 Oils chairman in board shake-up

24-12-08: Firm that abandoned biodiesel production earlier this year in favour of developing energy crops slims down management team, also loses chief executive Elliot Mannis

RSPB investigates solar and biofuels for its estates

23-12-08: Bird charity seeks to reduce carbon footprint by using renewable energy; but it denies reports that it has a "grand strategy" to erect wind turbines on its land

Scottish SMEs offered £2m for wood fuel heating systems

22-12-08: Companies can apply for up to £100,000 each to convert to renewable heat systems under the government's Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme

Fuel cell plan to turn household waste into cheap electricity

22-12-08: New company launched to exploit the potential of waste as a hydrogen source for fuel cells to generate electricity at costs claimed to be as low as 3p per kWh

Saudia Arabia declares “shared interest” in renewables

19-12-08: Energy and Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband chairs London Energy Meeting, as Saudi Arabia comes out in support of renewables

Scottish-Irish study to develop renewable fuels from seaweed

19-12-08: Cross-border project with £5.6m European funding to look into how communities in coastal areas could produce their own renewable fuel from marine biomass

Natural England urges “can do” attitude from renewables industry

18-12-08: Government's advisory body calls for cohesion and mutual support from renewables developers, as it affirms its commitment to green energy

Ensus on track to produce bioethanol on Teesside in summer 2009

17-12-08: Company building one of Europe's largest bioethanol plants near Middlesbrough says its process will mean it will "substantially exceed" new EU biofuels sustainability criteria

Government consults on 2016 rules on "zero carbon" homes

17-12-08: Three-month consultation on zero carbon homes programme, which will require new homes to meet "carbon compliance" levels using renewable and low carbon energy

Minister refuses urgent demand to close biofuels loophole

17-12-08: Emerging UK biodiesel industry could collapse in New Year, as ministers downplay "mistake" in legislation meaning diesel is not obligated to meet renewable fuels targets

Northamptonshire in £10.9m waste wood energy deal

16-12-08:

County council to provide waste wood collected at its household recycling centres to local firm to use in 5MW renewable energy generation plant

Belfast's main landfill to provide power for the city

15-12-08: Belfast city council to sell electricity generated from 121 hectare site, Giant's Park, under £4m project developed by Bedford firm Renewable Power Systems

Scottish ministers plan "clean coal" and renewable energy future

15-12-08: New planning framework identifies "National Developments" including grid reinforcements needed for renewable energy projects, plus a big thumbs-up to "clean coal"

European leaders agree 2020 climate change targets

12-12-08: EU heads of government agree energy and climate change deal, including emissions targets and ETS changes; British government helps secure funding for CCS

News in Brief

12-12-08: With news of renewable energy education packs in Scotland; a landfill site in Belfast secures funding to convert methane gas into energy; and the UK makes a pact with Indonesia over climate change

Yorkshire to gain £8m wood pellet plant

12-12-08: Future Energy Yorkshire to work with energy company Dalkia to develop plant in the region to produce up to 150,000 tonnes of wood pellets a year for local use

Ministers to unveil "strategy" to boost anaerobic digestion

12-12-08: Defra invite industry into second high-level meeting of 2008 to discuss promotion of renewable energy-producing anaerobic digestion plants

DECC announces £12m fund for biomass heating systems

11-12-08: Department of Energy and Climate Change makes available funding from Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme for biomass-fuelled heating systems or CHP projects in England

Government set to band ROCs in favour of marine energy

11-12-08: DECC meets with industry to discuss Renewables Obligation Order; proposing extra subsidies for marine energy, offshore wind and biomass in England and Wales

News in Brief

10-12-08: Including news of a biomass plant public inquiry; New biofuel technology; Predictions on Scottish renewable energy; and, an Ofgem consultation on its next price control review

Scotland's renewable energy industry names year's best projects

09-12-08: Scottish renewables industry awards go to Helius Energy biomass CHP project, Isle of Eigg community scheme and Irish tidal developers OpenHydro

Europe agrees "world's most important energy law"

09-12-08: Renewables Directive deal between MEPs and ministers means 2020 target is safe from review; biofuels criteria included in renewable transport fuels target

Cornish growers switch to biomass heat thanks to regional grant

09-12-08: First wood-burning boiler to be funded by £3.3 million South West England programme switches on at Lanoyce Horticulture Nurseries

Ineos shelves plans for £65m biodiesel plant in Grangemouth

08-12-08: Economic situation prompts petrochemicals giant to place project on "indefinite hold", despite having planning permission to produce 500,000 tonnes of biodiesel a year