FlexEnergy announced its Powerstation™ technology will allow the Department of Defense's (DoD) Fort Benning, Ga. base to convert its landfill gas, an unconventional energy source, into renewable energy. FlexEnergy will deliver two powerstations in collaboration with Southern Research Institute (SRI) through the DoD's ESTCP (Environmental Security Technology Certification Program).
"The Department of Defense is at the forefront of deploying breakthrough technologies. The installation of the Flex Powerstation at Fort Benning, GA enables the Army to generate its own continuous, clean, renewable energy from an on base landfill," said Joseph Perry, CEO of FlexEnergy.
Currently, a successful Powerstation™ pilot program operates at the Lamb Canyon Landfill in Riverside County, Calif. The smaller, 10-ton test unit has the capability to produce enough electricity to power 30 homes in the community. Once installed at Fort Benning, the 250 kW Powerstation™ can potentially provide electricity for 250 homes.
FlexEnergy will showcase its Powerstation™ February 28-March 2 at the second annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit, co-hosted by the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) and the Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI), features cutting-edge cleantech organizations that are helping to determine the future of energy. FlexEnergy's plug-and-play system was selected for its ability to oxidize gases as low as 1.5 percent methane, a greenhouse gas with 20-25 times the environmental impact of carbon dioxide.
"Exhibiting among the key players in the energy community at ARPA-E is a great opportunity to reach more potential customers who want to control pollution, generate clean sustainable energy and help save the U.S. up to 60 million barrels of oil imports annually," Perry said.
FlexEnergy will exhibit to nearly 2,000 researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, corporate executives and government officials at the Gaylord Convention Center just outside of Washington, D.C. The ARPA-E Summit's high-profile speakers include U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, ARPA-E Director Arun Majumdar and U.S. Navy Secretary Raymond Mabus.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Lime Energy Announces Acquisition of Landfill Gas Rights for Development of 4.2MW Electricity Generating Facility
Lime Energy Co. announced the recent creation of a new subsidiary, Lime Energy Asset Development, LLC (LEAD). LEAD has been created to develop, manage and in some situations own energy producing assets such as landfill gas to electricity, combined heat and power, on-site generation, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, biomass and geothermal energy projects. Eric Dupont was promoted to President of LEAD and Don White was named Vice President of Business Development for LEAD. Previously, Mr. Dupont was the Chief Financial Officer of Applied Energy Management, Inc. (AEM), a subsidiary of Lime Energy, responsible for its financial controls, management and oversight. Prior to joining AEM, Mr. Dupont was Director of Structured Finance for DukeSolutions/Ameresco where he developed, analyzed and financed numerous multi-million dollar renewable and traditional energy projects for a wide variety of industrial, commercial and governmental clients. Mr. White was previously Vice President of Global Energy Holdings Group responsible for development, marketing and strategy.
As its first project, LEAD has acquired the gas rights to the Zemel Road landfill in Punta Gorda, Florida for $2.65 million and entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with a utility for the sale of electricity and certain environmental attributes to be generated by a 4.2 megawatt landfill gas to electricity generating facility it will construct on the site. The company projects the construction of the facility will cost approximately $7.3 million and should be operational during the third quarter of 2011. The Company has retained an investment bank to arrange approximately $7.5 million in long-term debt for the project. In addition, the Company believes that the project will qualify for a renewable energy grant from the U.S. Treasury of approximately $2 million.
“I am very excited about this new leadership opportunity to generate additional long-term sustainable revenue sources for the company in this dynamic energy market,” stated Eric Dupont. LEAD will have unique strategic advantages in this fast growing market. We will leverage our engineering, implementation and project finance experience and capabilities to provide energy asset development and management services to our large, diversified base of commercial and industrial, utility and public sector customers who wish to benefit from alternative and/or renewable energy sources. In this role we serve two sets of clients: the energy consumer and the project finance investors. For the energy consumer we perform project feasibility assessments, evaluate alternative technologies, estimate economic returns, arrange debt and equity financing, manage the design and construction process, and operate the asset under a long-term power purchase agreement. For our project finance investor clients we source, qualify and structure investment opportunities to maximize risk-adjusted returns, then manage the design and construction process and operate the assets under long-term power purchase agreements. In some limited situations we may take equity positions in these investments.”
“Lime Energy is excited about this new business unit and additional opportunity it creates for the company,” stated John O’Rourke, Chief Operating Officer of Lime Energy. “LEAD will further leverage the company’s platform to grow a business at a time when renewable energy and distributive generation are key components to many of our client’s future energy plans.”
“The Zemel Road project is an excellent first project for LEAD,” concluded Jeff Mistarz, Lime’s Chief Financial Officer. “The timing of the project allows us to take advantage of the U.S. Treasury’s 1603(b) renewable energy grants, thereby minimizing our capital investment, while establishing LEAD in the energy asset development business. The project should generate long-term recurring revenue and earnings, as well as a strong return for our stockholders.”
As its first project, LEAD has acquired the gas rights to the Zemel Road landfill in Punta Gorda, Florida for $2.65 million and entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with a utility for the sale of electricity and certain environmental attributes to be generated by a 4.2 megawatt landfill gas to electricity generating facility it will construct on the site. The company projects the construction of the facility will cost approximately $7.3 million and should be operational during the third quarter of 2011. The Company has retained an investment bank to arrange approximately $7.5 million in long-term debt for the project. In addition, the Company believes that the project will qualify for a renewable energy grant from the U.S. Treasury of approximately $2 million.
“I am very excited about this new leadership opportunity to generate additional long-term sustainable revenue sources for the company in this dynamic energy market,” stated Eric Dupont. LEAD will have unique strategic advantages in this fast growing market. We will leverage our engineering, implementation and project finance experience and capabilities to provide energy asset development and management services to our large, diversified base of commercial and industrial, utility and public sector customers who wish to benefit from alternative and/or renewable energy sources. In this role we serve two sets of clients: the energy consumer and the project finance investors. For the energy consumer we perform project feasibility assessments, evaluate alternative technologies, estimate economic returns, arrange debt and equity financing, manage the design and construction process, and operate the asset under a long-term power purchase agreement. For our project finance investor clients we source, qualify and structure investment opportunities to maximize risk-adjusted returns, then manage the design and construction process and operate the assets under long-term power purchase agreements. In some limited situations we may take equity positions in these investments.”
“Lime Energy is excited about this new business unit and additional opportunity it creates for the company,” stated John O’Rourke, Chief Operating Officer of Lime Energy. “LEAD will further leverage the company’s platform to grow a business at a time when renewable energy and distributive generation are key components to many of our client’s future energy plans.”
“The Zemel Road project is an excellent first project for LEAD,” concluded Jeff Mistarz, Lime’s Chief Financial Officer. “The timing of the project allows us to take advantage of the U.S. Treasury’s 1603(b) renewable energy grants, thereby minimizing our capital investment, while establishing LEAD in the energy asset development business. The project should generate long-term recurring revenue and earnings, as well as a strong return for our stockholders.”
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
2010 Record Year for Methane Gas Extraction at Short Mountain Landfill
2010 was a record year for electricity production at the Short Mountain Methane Power Plant run by EPUD. In 2010, the plant at Short Mountain produced 22.7 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power approximately 1,500 homes for a full year. The output was 23 percent higher than 2009 levels, 26 percent higher than 2008 levels, and 12 percent higher than expected for the year. The previous high was set in 1999, with 21 million kilowatt hours produced.
Increases are due to multiple factors, including growing landfill size, improved landfill practices employed by Lane County, additional wells, and landfill section closures.
“2010 was the first year any section of the landfill was fully closed and sealed,” said EPUD Shop Supervisor Bill Wilson. “Before a section is closed, we can capture about 70% of the methane being produced and convert it to electricity. After a section is closed and sealed, that percentage rises to 92%.”
With help from Lane County, EPUD staff installs new wells to extract methane as the landfill grows. By installing the wells itself, EPUD saves more than 80% by not employing contractors to complete the work.
“Short Mountain Methane Power Plant is a great facility for a variety of reasons,” said Wilson. “It turns a potentially harmful gas into needed electricity for our customers, it reduces green-house gas emissions, and profits from the plant offset rates for EPUD customers.”
As of February 2011, Short Mountain is currently operating above 2010 production levels.
Increases are due to multiple factors, including growing landfill size, improved landfill practices employed by Lane County, additional wells, and landfill section closures.
“2010 was the first year any section of the landfill was fully closed and sealed,” said EPUD Shop Supervisor Bill Wilson. “Before a section is closed, we can capture about 70% of the methane being produced and convert it to electricity. After a section is closed and sealed, that percentage rises to 92%.”
With help from Lane County, EPUD staff installs new wells to extract methane as the landfill grows. By installing the wells itself, EPUD saves more than 80% by not employing contractors to complete the work.
“Short Mountain Methane Power Plant is a great facility for a variety of reasons,” said Wilson. “It turns a potentially harmful gas into needed electricity for our customers, it reduces green-house gas emissions, and profits from the plant offset rates for EPUD customers.”
As of February 2011, Short Mountain is currently operating above 2010 production levels.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Xebec and Southern California Gas Co. Launch Technology to Turn Sewage Waste into Renewable Energy
Xebec Adsorption Inc. ("Xebec"), watched today as their innovative biogas technology was used to launch the first renewable energy project in California to purify biogas from a wastewater treatment facility (WWTF), to meet California’s stringent natural gas quality standards. The new biogas purification plant at the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility in Escondido, CA is a joint project of the city, Southern California Gas Co. and Xebec. Xebec has provided the engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) for this $2.7 million US project.
“Today represents an important achievement for Xebec,” said Kurt Sorschak, President and CEO of Xebec, a provider of biogas upgrading, natural gas and hydrogen purification solutions for the clean, energy market. “Using Xebec’s technology, the city of Escondido has the potential to produce enough natural gas to serve 1,200 homes with absolutely no negative impact on the environment, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the overall dependence on fossil fuel derived products. As the first Canadian company to introduce this groundbreaking technology to the state of California, we believe we are one step closer to achieving our company’s vision of a world powered by clean energy.”
California is one of the world’s most advanced markets for green energy and is rapidly increasing its interest in using biogas as a source of renewable energy. Biogas produced by wastewater treatment facilities represents a large source of previously untapped renewable energy. The United States has approximately 16,000 WWTF of which 540 have been identified as being large enough to warrant biogas utilization, and only two currently produce renewable gas. Normally, biogas is burned off or “flared” and released into the atmosphere, a process that generates greenhouse gas emissions. This new facility, and others that may follow, could help California meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of 33 per cent of energy being from renewable sources by 2020.
“Our revolutionary kinetic pressure swing adsorption technology enables us to remove nitrogen and oxygen in a single process step, while at the same time separating carbon dioxide and water,” said Mr. Sorschak. “This gives us a solid competitive advantage in an ever-growing marketplace that needs to address ways of producing renewable gas that meets government renewable energy targets and environmental goals like lower carbon footprints.”
Over the next twelve months, the newly purified gas at the Escondido site will be monitored and tested for potential injection into the natural gas pipeline system.
“Today represents an important achievement for Xebec,” said Kurt Sorschak, President and CEO of Xebec, a provider of biogas upgrading, natural gas and hydrogen purification solutions for the clean, energy market. “Using Xebec’s technology, the city of Escondido has the potential to produce enough natural gas to serve 1,200 homes with absolutely no negative impact on the environment, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the overall dependence on fossil fuel derived products. As the first Canadian company to introduce this groundbreaking technology to the state of California, we believe we are one step closer to achieving our company’s vision of a world powered by clean energy.”
California is one of the world’s most advanced markets for green energy and is rapidly increasing its interest in using biogas as a source of renewable energy. Biogas produced by wastewater treatment facilities represents a large source of previously untapped renewable energy. The United States has approximately 16,000 WWTF of which 540 have been identified as being large enough to warrant biogas utilization, and only two currently produce renewable gas. Normally, biogas is burned off or “flared” and released into the atmosphere, a process that generates greenhouse gas emissions. This new facility, and others that may follow, could help California meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of 33 per cent of energy being from renewable sources by 2020.
“Our revolutionary kinetic pressure swing adsorption technology enables us to remove nitrogen and oxygen in a single process step, while at the same time separating carbon dioxide and water,” said Mr. Sorschak. “This gives us a solid competitive advantage in an ever-growing marketplace that needs to address ways of producing renewable gas that meets government renewable energy targets and environmental goals like lower carbon footprints.”
Over the next twelve months, the newly purified gas at the Escondido site will be monitored and tested for potential injection into the natural gas pipeline system.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Detroit Edison Renewable Energy Purchase Gains Approval
Detroit Edison will expand its renewable energy portfolio with a landfill gas project to be built in Kimball Township at the Smiths Creek Landfill.
Detroit Edison will purchase the 3.2 megawatts (MW) of electricity produced at the Smiths Creek Landfill from Blue Water Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of DTE Biomass Energy. The power purchase agreement was approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The Smith's Creek Landfill, owned and operated by St. Clair County, operates one of the first commercial-scale septage injection landfill gas systems in the United States, whereby material extracted from septic tanks is applied to the landfill to speed the decomposition of organic waste. This process not only increases the life of the landfill, but also increases the rate of landfill gas generation used to fuel electricity production.
About 75 construction jobs will be created for the facility, which will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes. The project is expected to be operational late this year.
The Smiths Creek Landfill project also incorporates an education center to allow schools and community groups to learn about environmentally responsible means of waste disposal, as well as using renewable landfill gas to power electricity generation.
The power purchase agreement is part of Detroit Edison's efforts to expand the company's renewable energy resources. To meet the state's renewable energy goals, Detroit Edison expects to add about 1,200 MW of renewable power. The utility plans to provide 10 percent of its power from renewable resources by 2015. Detroit Edison plans to own facilities to supply up to half of that power and contract with third-party producers for the rest.
Detroit Edison will purchase the 3.2 megawatts (MW) of electricity produced at the Smiths Creek Landfill from Blue Water Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of DTE Biomass Energy. The power purchase agreement was approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The Smith's Creek Landfill, owned and operated by St. Clair County, operates one of the first commercial-scale septage injection landfill gas systems in the United States, whereby material extracted from septic tanks is applied to the landfill to speed the decomposition of organic waste. This process not only increases the life of the landfill, but also increases the rate of landfill gas generation used to fuel electricity production.
About 75 construction jobs will be created for the facility, which will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes. The project is expected to be operational late this year.
The Smiths Creek Landfill project also incorporates an education center to allow schools and community groups to learn about environmentally responsible means of waste disposal, as well as using renewable landfill gas to power electricity generation.
The power purchase agreement is part of Detroit Edison's efforts to expand the company's renewable energy resources. To meet the state's renewable energy goals, Detroit Edison expects to add about 1,200 MW of renewable power. The utility plans to provide 10 percent of its power from renewable resources by 2015. Detroit Edison plans to own facilities to supply up to half of that power and contract with third-party producers for the rest.