RNG NEWS
Evonik Sepuran Membranes successfully purify landfill gas at Enerdyn's large-scale biomethane production facility
Evonik Corporation today released the results of its first U.S. landfill biogas upgrading installation at Enerdyne’s large scale biomethane production facility at Lawrence, Kansas.
Since May, the plant has been running a membrane system to remove carbon dioxide at 1,600 standard cubic feet per meter (scfm) feed flow with low (2%) methane slip. Besides desulfurization and water removal, the facility operates with a proprietary system to remove VOC’s, siloxanes, oxygen and moisture which was designed and fabricated by Advanced Biogas Systems, an affiliate of Enerdyne.
EPA RVO – Details on the digits and reactions ‘round the country
By Helena Tavares Kennedy, Biofuels Digest.
What a whirlwind weekend after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced their final renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard program for 2019. “It’s just numbers,” some say, but oh no, not in the biofuels world. It’s never just numbers. This time it’s about waivers, fixing the damage done, and ensuring a bright future for biofuels. It’s about hollow chocolate bunnies and two steps back for some.
French mathematician Rene Descartes is best known for “I think, therefore I am,” but he also said “Perfect numbers, like perfect men, are rare.” So true in this case as not everyone is happy about EPA’s numbers and how they relate to small refiner waivers. If you want to know get the details on the digits from EPA, the waiver what-what, the reactions ‘round the country from biodiesel, biogas, ethanol and more, the Digest has you covered.
Dominion Energy, Smithfield Foods team up to convert manure into natural gas
RICHMOND, Va. -- Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods announced a joint venture Tuesday that will convert waste methane into renewable energy.
The companies say the partnership, called Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), will “transform the future” of sustainable energy and agriculture.
The project will capture manure from hog farms across the region and convert it into renewable natural gas to generate electricity, heat homes and power local industries, according to officials.
By Vernon Freeman, Jr., WTVR.
EPA’s 2019 Cellulosic Biofuel Volume Will Increase RNG Project Investment and Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2018
Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed 2019 Renewable Fuel Volume Obligations (RVO) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“We appreciate that the EPA’s 418 million gallon cellulosic biofuel volume requirement for 2019 reflects continued growth in the renewable natural gas industry. It provides a policy framework that will lead RNG stakeholders to invest in and build new RNG production facilities just as the Renewable Fuel Standard is designed to do,” said Johannes Escudero, CEO of the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition).
The RNG industry produces 95% of the fuel used to meet the RFS program’s cellulosic biofuel requirement. The industry’s cellulosic biofuel production has increased significantly in recent years. October 2014 RNG production was 6.6 million gallons; October 2018 RNG production was 28.5 million gallons. An additional 55 RNG production facilities are under construction or development.
“The growth in production of renewable natural gas and the completion of nearly 50 new production facilities from coast to coast since 2014 is proof positive that the RFS is working as intended for cellulosic and advanced biofuels,” said Escudero.
“We appreciate EPA timely finalizing these expected volumes and, as stated by EPA, we look forward to working to ensure that the program, including small refiner exemptions, are administered in a way that do not undermine the program’s advanced biofuel requirements,” concluded Escudero.
About the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas
The RNG Coalition is the trade association representing over 160 companies and organizations dedicated to the advancement of RNG, including as an ultra-clean, domestically-produced, renewable fuel in North America. The RNG industry captures and converts biogas (mostly methane and carbon dioxide) from organic waste streams to produce RNG. Common biogas sources include landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, livestock and agricultural digesters and commercial food waste facilities. RNG is fully fungible with conventional natural gas, and may be used as a direct substitute in CNG, LNG, and commercial, industrial and residential natural gas applications.
Xebec Announces a C$5.9 Million Order for France
MONTREAL (QC), November 29th, 2018 – Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (OTC: XEBEF) (FRANKFURT: XB6) (“Xebec”), a global provider of clean energy solutions announces strong order activity for France with a C$5.9 milllion order for multiple biogas upgrading Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) units to be delivered in 2019.
Xebec’s French partner has won contracts for biogas upgrading systems where Xebec will supply core technology while its partner will provide the balance of plant for the biogas upgrading systems. This follows the twelve contracts announced last November (see related link below), reinforcing Xebec’s position as market leader for PSA purification technology in France.
This order follows on the heels of a recent Press Release from Engie, a global energy provider, (see related link below) announcing that €800 million would be mobilized in the next five years to develop green gases, a new French sector of excellence that will create value and jobs in France. The plan will support the objective of at least 10% green gas injected into the networks by 2030, as enshrined in the French Energy Transition Law for Green Growth.
EPA plans biofuel 'reset'
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose new targets for the final three years of the nation's renewable fuel program in January, replacing ambitious decade-old goals set by Congress with volumes closer to the industry's current output, two people familiar with the matter said.
The planned reset of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard is likely to set up a fresh battle between two industries, with corn growers wanting the highest possible targets to spur investment, and oil companies eyeing the smallest to reduce costs.
By Jarrett Renshaw, Rueters
Increasing the Role of Advanced Biofuels in the US
The Renewable Fuel Standard celebrated its 13th anniversary earlier this year and remains a foundational energy policy that enhances America’s energy security and improves the environment. Brazilian sugarcane biofuel producers are proud of the modest but important role they have played helping make the RFS a success, especially when it comes to supplying the U.S. with clean, advanced biofuels that offer superior environmental benefits.
While, as of my deadline for this column, the final RFS volume requirements for 2019 are unclear, it is safe to say that the U.S. EPA appears poised to take another step in a positive direction for advanced biofuels. Especially if the agency stays true to its proposed 12 percent increase for advanced biofuel blending requirements with at least 100 million of those 4.88 billion gallons provided by Brazilian sugarcane ethanol.
By Leticia Phillips, Ethanol Producer Magazine
Norwegian cruise line looks to power ships with liquified biogas
A cruise line based in Norway just announced it soon would power some of its ships with dead fish. And, no, it wasn't joking.
Tromso, Norway-based Hurtigruten said it would become the first cruise operator in the world to power vessels using liquified biogas (LBG), a fossil-free, renewable fuel produced from dead fish and other organic waste.
By Gene Sloan, The Advertiser
AMP Americas Awarded at 2018 NGV Achievement Awards
Seven organizations and individuals were honored at Natural Gas Vehicles for America’s (NGVAmerica) 30th Anniversary Industry Summit and Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, Calif.
NGVAmerica says the entities were honored for their contributions toward the advancement of natural gas as a transportation fuel. The annual awards are given to nominees from all stakeholder segments, including NGV industry equipment and service suppliers, policymakers, customers, and clean air or clean transportation advocates.
By Betsy Lillian, NGT News
Breaking Barriers To Sustainability: Announcing The Rialto Bioenergy Facility
RIALTO BIOENERGY FACILITY GROUNDBREAKING
Dec. 7th 2018 10AM
The RBF will help address two pressing waste management issues in Southern California: food waste diversion from landfills and biosolids management. The RBF will convert 700 tons per day of food waste and 300 tons per day of biosolids into renewable natural gas, renewable electricity, and Class A organic fertilizer. When construction is completed in 2020, it will be the largest food waste diversion and energy recovery facility in California.
Please e-mail Yaniv.Scherson@anaergia.com for an invitation to RSVP for the groundbreaking ceremony.