In Germany, a project which would see large quantities of Namibian wood burned in German power stations, starting with the Tiefstack coal plant in Hamburg, has attracted international criticism, with 40 development, environmental and social justice groups as well as scientists having sent an Open Letter to Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr Gerd […]
In the UK, the government has opened a public consultation looking at the possibility of removing biomass conversions of coal-fired power stations from its Contracts for Difference program. The justification for the change, which is currently supported through 2027 for projects already approved under the scheme, is because it says that electricity has already become […]
In Massachusetts, a new report from MIT Sloan professor John Sterman supports the growing argument that burning wood pellets for power is worse for the climate than burning coal, because of the short-term effects and the “potentially irreversible impacts that may arise before the long-run benefits are realized.” “Because combustion and processing efficiencies for wood […]
By Dennis Zeedyk, Glycerin Traders, Lee Enterprises Consulting Special to The Digest Anyone who has produced biodiesel knows that glycerin can set up like wax if the process is over-catalyzed and/or animal fats are used as feedstocks. More than one of us has shoveled our share of “hard” glycerin. As a result, many biodiesel producers […]
Two news items have appeared on the general subject of coke and coal with respect to biomass and fuels. Both are worth a look. The first one comes from the Air Force, which has for some time been investigating Coal-to-Liquids as a source of alternative fuels at scale — and lately has looked at a […]
In Ireland, the CPL Industries smokeless coal facility is set to expand in Foynes, County Limerick with the import of tens of thousands of tons of olive stones as feedstock. The announcement comes on the heels of the government announcing an end to smoky coal, setting the policy framework in place for the shift to […]
In Iowa, researchers at the University of Iowa found that co-firing oat hulls from nearby Quaker Oats with coal in the university’s boilers reduces CO2 emissions by 40%. Particulate matter, hazardous substances and heavy metals emissions were also significantly reduced. At a 50/50 blend, particulate emissions reduced by 90%. The study analyzed straight coal, 50/50 […]
In Arizona, Arterran Renewables presents society with a new, disruptive innovation, Thermocatalytic Transformation, able to produce renewable, sustainable base load energy as the world’s 1st ‘drop in’ replacement for thermal coal. The company says the biofuel is far superior to wood pellets, with a 50% increased energy density of 12,200 btu/lb rivaling the highest grades […]
You’ve heard perhaps from many quarters that Coal is Dead. The exception is the occasional Pro-Coal Dude, who says that Coal isn’t dead, it’s just resting. Maybe what we need is not a debate over coal power, but a better use case. Pro-Coal Dude: Coal lives! Emissions don’t matter as much as jobs and affordable energy. […]
In Indonesia, Sekawan Intipratama plans to invest $239 million in an ethanol plant in East Kalimantan next year. Swiss-based ProCone will be the technology provider for the 60,000 metric ton per year facility. The project will use coal as feedstock and is expected to come online in December 2016.
