RNG NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.With Onsite Biogas and Fuel Cells, Microsoft Data Center Says No to the Grid
By Pete Danko, Breaking Energy.
Fuel cell proponents like to talk about how the devices can use biogas to create zero-carbon power, but that actually doesn’t happen very often. Typically, natural gas is the fuel that feeds the electrochemical process.
Not so at the Microsoft Data Plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming, however. This data center was built alongside a wastewater treatment plant, where anaerobic digesters break down you-know-what to produce the gas that feeds the fuel cells that keep the electronics humming.
Mapping Tool for CNG, LNG Station Eases NGV Range Anxiety
By NGT News, Next-Gen Transportation.
NGVAmerica has debuted its new Station Analysis Map - a web-based tool that allows users to not only identify natural gas stations, but also to ascertain the expected vehicle driving ranges that each station can support, in 100-, 400- and 600-mile increments.
The mapping tool draws its data regarding compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling infrastructure - including station locations, accessibility and contact information - from the DOE's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC). All the information is updated on a monthly basis.
"The new NGVAmerica Station Analysis Map is an important addition to our online resources that help further expand the use of natural gas as a vehicular fuel," says Matt Godlewski, president of NGVAmerica. "This tool will help industry leaders, fleet operators and consumers alike to further promote and take advantage of clean-burning, domestically abundant natural gas."
Novus Pacific to build Full-Scale Oregon Renewable Energy Plant
By Katie Fletcher, Biomass Magazine.
Novus Pacific LLC will soon break ground on an approximately $20 million renewable energy plant at the Port of Morrow in Boardman, Oregon, upon finalizing its financial package. About one year after commencement, the plant is expected to produce biogas, organic fertilizer and clean water for sale as valuable commodities derived primarily from onion and potato waste.
Novus Energy has been testing its trademarked Novus Bio-Catalytic (NBC) system on a mobile, 50-foot semi-trailer-mounted demonstration plant. According to Jeff Zierdt, vice president of process operations with Novus, it was time to move forward with a full-scale plant. “It is really the right time, we’re a leading-edge technology; it’s a sweet spot in terms of the alternative fuels, the low-carbon economy that people are pushing towards, and we’ll have a positive impact on the climate,” Zierdt said.
The company’s NBC process differs from traditional anaerobic digestion (AD) systems in that it requires only about four days to convert waste to biogas instead of around 20 like other AD operations.
Republic Services to Build Largest US Recycling Complex
By Zacks.com, NASDAQ.
Republic Silver State Disposal, Inc., a subsidiary of Republic Services, Inc. (RSG), recently announced the commencement of construction of a new recycling facility spanning 110,000 square feet in Southern Nevada. The new facility is expected to begin operations in fall 2015.
Named as the Southern Nevada Recycling Complex, the new facility will be adjacent to an existing 88,000 square feet facility and will be the largest residential recycling complex in the U.S.
Air Liquide acquires Sweden’s FordonsGas
By Stuart Radnedge, GasWorld.
Air Liquide has announced the completion of the agreement for the acquisition of FordonsGas – a company that distributes CBG (Compressed BioGas) for the Swedish transportation market.
Founded in 1998, FordonsGas owns and operates more than 40 CBG stations in Sweden, making it one of the largest distribution networks for this alternative fuel in that country. The company employs 32 people and currently generates annual revenue of around €20m. The CBG filling stations operated by FordonsGas enable the owners and users of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) - taxis, corporate vehicle fleets, buses, and passenger cars - to acquire fuel that is more environmentally friendly. Nearly 70% is produced from renewable energies.
In Sweden, Air Liquide has supplied its gas liquefaction technologies to one of the world’s largest facilities for biogas production. This acquisition will thus complement the Group’s positioning in the biogas market. Biogas is an alternative to fossil fuels which, like hydrogen, offers a response to energy and environmental challenges
Lots of Trash left after Bills' games - Team encourages Recycling
By Hannah Bueller, WKBW News 7.
When 75,000 fans get together on a Sunday, some are bound to make a mess. It's almost inevitable that trash is left behind at Bills games.
But the fans who responsibly take care of their leftovers say others should do the same. After a game, you can find bags and bags of trash, just left behind for the taking.
The Buffalo Bills are trying to eliminate their carbon footprint. The team has teamed up with Republic Services, launching a "green" campaign to reduce the trash problem.
Microsoft & University of Wyoming Celebrate Biogas Project
By University of Wyoming.
The University of Wyoming and Microsoft are celebrating their collaboration in developing a zero-emission green data center that is fueled by methane biogas and allows the university to run high-performance computing and modeling applications from the Laramie campus.
A cable-cutting ceremony for the Cheyenne Biogas Power Plant at the Dry Creek Water Reclamation Facility was scheduled Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. The water reclamation facility, where the data center is housed, is located at 8911 Campstool Road in Cheyenne.
The data center is powered by a fuel cell that generates electricity by electro-chemically converting biogas emitted from the treatment plant.
NGV Conference in KC next week
By Fleet Owner.
The 2014 North American NGV Conference & Expo will be held next week in Kansas City, MO.
Taking place at the Kansas City Convention Center Nov. 11–14, the four-day program features an educational program, a 90,000-plus sq. ft. exposition, a ride & drive, two off-site tours of nearby fueling facilities, and numerous social functions where registrants can network, share ideas and collaborate.
The event is hosted by NGVAmerica in cooperation with the Canadian NGV Alliance.
The two plenary sessions and 20 informative breakout sessions will focus on practical tips and experiences. Among the more than 85 speakers will be:
· Congressmen Lee Terry (R-NE-02) and Sam Graves, Jr. (R-MO-06)
· Scott Reed and Peter Mirijanian, experienced and respected Washington political advisors and contributors to FOX, MSNBC and other Washington media
· Johannes Escudero, Exec. Director, and Evan Williams, Chairman, RNG Coalition
Biogas a Low-Tech Fuel with a Big Payoff
By Beth Gardiner, The New York Times.
LONDON — In villages across China, tens of millions of families use farm and household waste to make clean cooking fuel in backyard fermenters. Germany generates as much electricity as two nuclear power plants with the gas produced by decaying plant matter and animal slurry. Near San Francisco, a landfill extracts enough energy from its stewing garbage to power 300 trucks on their daily runs.
Around the world, both household-run operations and industrial-scale facilities are using centuries-old technology to extract a fuel known as biogas from crop waste, manure, kitchen scraps and even sewage.
Proponents cite the multiple benefits of harnessing biogas, such as reducing emissions of the powerful climate-warming gas methane, cutting waste streams and saving the lungs of those in poor countries who would otherwise burn wood or other smoky fuels indoors. After biogas is extracted from organic material, a rich fertilizer remains.
There is talk in the United States of creating a network of natural gas filling stations for trucks, infrastructure that could easily be used for biogas as well. “If the fracking boom can pay for that,” said Heather Youngs, a senior fellow at the Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute, “biogas can inherit that and green it.”
FACT SHEET: US EPA Clean Power Plan Notice of Data Availability
By US Environmental Protection Agency.
Since proposing the Clean Power Plan in June, EPA has heard a wide range of ideas and issues that states, stakeholders, and the public have raised concerning the proposed Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution and fight climate change.
This Notice of Data Availability (NODA) provides additional information on certain issues that have been consistently raised by a diverse set of stakeholders. EPA is issuing this NODA to ensure that all stakeholders and the public are aware of these issues and can consider them as they comment on the proposed Clean Power Plan.
In this NODA, EPA discusses several issues that have been raised by stakeholders, including:
- The trajectory – or glide path – of emission reductions from 2020 to 2029;
- Aspects of the way building blocks are established; and
- The way the state goals are calculated.
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