Ghana-based Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has unveiled a project to develop a simple, efficient and sustainable electricity generation technology for use in rural and urban communities. According to Ghana Business News, the study focuses on developing microbial fuel cell technology to generate electricity and support wastewater treatment. The... [Read More]

Oman has tremendous potential to be a leading exporter of energy based on renewable sources, an industry expert has said. David Rooney, director of sustainable energy research at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast spoke at an event on renewable energy and biofuels organised by the Independent Learning Centre at SQU, according... [Read More]

Northern Ireland's biggest wood pellets manufacturer, Balcas, has confirmed it shared information about proposed tariff changes in the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme months before they were officially announced, according to a BBC report. Balcas, based in Ballinamallard, County Fermanagh, said there was "nothing sinister" in the move. It was not aware the information... [Read More]

Green organisations have welcomed the UK government’s Business Industrial Strategy. UK Prime Minister Theresa May launched new proposals for a new industrial strategy yesterday (23 January, 2017), which included a focus on “affordable energy and clean growth”. The green paper also set out technologies where Britain has strengths in research and development... [Read More]

Air Liquide and Puregas Solutions signed an agreement to access their respective biogas upgrading technologies. This collaboration allows the two experts to provide biogas upgrading solutions that meet customers' needs and projects’ characteristics. The agreement uses the synergies of Air Liquide and Puregas Solutions and is complementary to the offers of both companies... [Read More]

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has launched new proposals for a new industrial strategy, which includes a focus on ‘affordable energy and clean growth’. Launching the green paper, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “This is an important step in building a modern, dynamic industrial strategy that will improve living standards and drive economic... [Read More]

A UK sustainable energy company is the first ever to have successfully converted actual landfill gas into usable diesel fuel with no fossil fuel additives, during recent trials. Renovare Fuels, which has its headquarters in London, claims to have developed technology to produce middle distillate hydrocarbons with a selectivity of 55%.  The bi-products of flue gas... [Read More]

More than 800,000 new jobs could be created across the EU if MEPs in the European Parliament’s Environment Committee vote for both an ambitious recycling target and to strongly support the refurbishing and reusing sectors on Tuesday (24 January), said the European Environmental Bureau (EEB). Ambitious and intensive support from MEPs for European recycling, reusing... [Read More]

Canada-headquartered Biomass Secure Power has advised its shareholders that the Louisiana State Bond Commission approved the sale of $60 million (€56m) tax exempt bonds by the company’s wholly- owned subsidiary, Biomass Power Louisiana (BPL). The company has engaged the Bank of America Merrill Lynch to sell the bonds on behalf of the company. The proceeds of... [Read More]

Scotland’s Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, has urged the UK government to ensure that renewable energy investment is a key priority in its forthcoming Industrial Strategy. Renewable energy resources have grown to become a major industrial sector in Scotland, with 14,000 people, among a total of 43,500 in low carbon sectors, in highly... [Read More]

A public inquiry into Northern Ireland's renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme scandal will leave no hiding places, Stormont's finance minister announced. According to the Belfast Telegraph, Mairtin O Muilleoir will meet members of political parties today to discuss the investigation, and will make a statement to MLAs tomorrow (24 January, 2017). The renewable heat incentive... [Read More]

South Korea-based Hana Financial Investment Co. will finance a project constructing a 200MW biomass power plant worth $550.7 million (€512m) in Gunsan, west of South Korea. According to Pulsenews.com, the biomass facility will be led by state-run utility firm Korea Midland Power Co. Under the terms of agreement, the financial institution will provide funds to the... [Read More]

UK-based Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has secured funding of £896,000 (€1m) for state of the art equipment to be installed within the industrial biotechnology and biorefinery facilities at Wilton, UK.  The targeted investment of £538K from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is matched with £358K of UK Catapult funding to stimulate... [Read More]

Chinese and Cuban firms have teamed up to sign agreements in order to strengthen renewable energy ties. The agreements were inked at a three-day renewable energy forum, which took place in Cuba. According to Xinhua.com, the form analysed cooperation strategies to expand the development of renewable energy in Cuba. Both countries are interested in developing the renewable... [Read More]

Ukraine’s bioenergy association, UABio, has appealed to its Minister of Energy and Coal Industry to significantly improve Ukraine’s draft energy strategy. The document entitled, Energy Strategy of Ukraine through 2035: Security and Competitiveness outlines the country’s long-term energy development priorities and how these will be achieved. The strategy... [Read More]

Louisa Blair, research manager, Hawkins Wright The global wood pellet market has endured a challenging 2016. Acute oversupply in both industrial and heating sectors, combined with relatively warm temperatures and overrunning maintenance issues at Drax have pressured operating rates and led to a record drop in prices. While certain players have taken steps to rebalance... [Read More]