SenterNovem GAVE News; Biofuels, Climate neutral gaseous and liquid energy carriers

GAVE newsletter to end

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With effect from January 1, 2013, the GAVE newsletter will cease to exist in its current format. This newsletter will therefore be the last edition. We are still discussing how we can keep you (the subscribers to the GAVE newsletter) informed about the most relevant developments in biofuels, such as new laws and regulations, letters to the Dutch Lower House, and updates to the verification protocol for double-counting biofuels.We will inform all subscribers to both the Dutch and the English versions of the GAVE newsletter at a later date.In the meantime we would like to thank our more than 1,000 subscribers for reading the GAVE newsletter - in some cases for many years.

Sustainable biomass in the chemicals sector

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch Committee for Biomass Sustainability Issues (CDB) has sent an open letter to Mrs. Mansveld, Secretary of State for Infrastructure and the Environment, with advice regarding sustainable biomass in the chemicals sector.In the letter, the committee states that it believes the use of biomass in the chemicals sector does contribute to sustainability.

New financial incentives for green gas

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Arnhem-Nijmegen City Region As from December 1, 2012, the Arnhem-Nijmegen City Region has begun subsidising the purchase of (delivery) vans, trucks and buses that run on green gas (CNG). The subsidies are in addition to those granted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment for taxis and delivery vans.Margreet van Gastel of the Arnhem-Nijmegen City Region authority, who has administrative responsibility for the programme Green Power, said: 'Driving on green gas is not only good for the environment, but also for the wallet.

199 million euro EU grant for BioMCN, Siemens Netherlands, Linde, and Visser and Smit Hanab

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The EU has provided a grant for the construction of a biomethanol plant. The total investment is 500 million Euro, and the 199 million Euro grant is being provided by the EU’s NER300 financing instrument. The plant will be used to produce biomethanol from residues from the forestry and timber industries.

Construction of hydrogen filling station in Rotterdam

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Air Liquide has announced in a press release that it is investing in a new hydrogen filling station in Rotterdam. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment is also supporting the project. Cars, buses and trucks with hydrogen fuel cells will be able to fill up here.

Decree to amend Dutch Decrees on 'Renewable Energy in Transport' and 'Fuels and Air Pollution' published in Government Gazette

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On December 4 2012, the decree of November 26 2012, amending the Decree on Renewable Energy in Transport and the Decree on Fuels and Air Pollution, appeared in the Dutch Government Gazette (No. 608). The amendment will come into effect as from January 1 2013.The amendment stipulates that fuel suppliers that only distribute a small amount of fuel, and companies that only act as intermediaries, are exempted from the requirements of the Decree on Renewable Energy in Transport and from those of the Decree on Fuels and Air Pollution.

Letter from the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment to the Dutch Lower House

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch Secretary of State for Infrastructure and the Environment sent a letter to the Lower House of Parliament on December 3 2012 regarding biofuels. In late November, the government published its Position Paper on the amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive.

Transitional regulations for biodiesel from Category 3 animal fat

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch ministry of Infrastucture and the Environment and the Dutch Emissions Authority have been asked questions about biodiesel produced from Category 3 animal fat, and the annual limit thereof. As these questions were raised by several parties, we are making the response public.

Update of verification protocol for the double counting of biofuels

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A new version 4.1 of the verification protocol for the double counting of biofuels will come into force at the start of 2013. The changes from version 4.0 are small and mainly relate to the auditors. At the request of the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa), they will now have to send a summary each year to the NEa, with their issued and redeemed verification declarations.

Dutch standard for biodiesel provides market freedom

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch standard for the quality of biodiesel, NEN-EN 14214, has been revised. Following problems during recent cold winters in Germany and Sweden, changes have been made to avoid flocculation, and thus clogging of filters, at petrol stations and in cars.

Subsidy regulations and the procurement of clean vehicles

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Over the last few months there has been a clear trend indicating that sustainability requirements are becoming increasingly important for a good score during the tendering for and award of taxi concessions. Governments clearly prefer to grant licences based on the use of alternative fuels.

Green gas agreement between Suiker Unie, Gasterra and BioMCN

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Three Netherlands-based companies have signed a green gas supply contract. Suiker Unie, Gasterra and BioMCN are going to produce and transport biogas and convert it into biomethanol. Biogas production should amount to ten million cubic metres per year.

Argos and Solidaridad go for certified ethanol

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The oil company Argos and Solidaridad are working together to import certified ethanol from Brazil. Certification covers the conservation of biodiversity, the ecosystem and protection of human rights. On September 19 2012, Argos Energies received a certificate from Bonsucro.

The biofuels of the future or not?

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Many scientists are looking for super biofuels that do not compete with food or land use. One study appears promising; the next almost unbelievable. In the last month, several notable initiatives have been in the news.Audi has teamed up with the U.S.

Local and regional authorities show a preference for green gas fleets

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A study by the University of Utrecht, commissioned by NL Agency, shows that local and regional Dutch authorities are prepared to pay a 25 to 50% higher price for green service vehicles. Two types stood out in particular, namely electric vehicles and vans run on green gas.

Report: large-scale use of algae a promising option?

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The National Research Council (NRC) has released a report on the large-scale use of algae for biofuels production, written for the U.S. Department of Energy. The main conclusion of the authors of this authoritative report is that there are still no good large-scale processes.

Sustainability criteria for open-field cultivation adopted

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On October 17 the Director of the Dutch Emissions Authority adopted the Dutch Arable Products Board's (PA's) sustainability system for biomass grown in open fields in the Netherlands. The sustainability system, known as the VVAK system (Food and Feed Security in Agriculture), consists of the Renewable Energy Directive requirements as described in the version of the Sustainable Agriculture module for the 2012-2013 Cultivation and Storage season.

European Commission proposes stricter rules for biofuels

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

At a press conference on October 17, European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger and Climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard jointly presented a new proposal containing stricter rules for biofuels.The European Commission wants to introduce new rules, and both Commissioners are keen to see a shift towards other types of biofuels.

Biofuels from waste is a goldmine

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Simadan processing plant in Amsterdam is converting used cooking oil into biodiesel. The cooking oil is not suitable for human consumption. In the past year, the company has seen tremendous growth in its sales. These have grown from 100 million to 250 million euros.

Hydrogen MOU between car manufacturers and Scandinavian governments

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A group of car manufacturers and other Scandinavian organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage the use of hydrogen. In the coming years, local authorities will build hydrogen-refuelling infrastructure. In turn, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan and Toyota have promised to bring hydrogen cars to the market by 2015.

Jet fuel from seawater

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Navy plans to produce aviation fuel from seawater. Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) claim to have already successfully obtained hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the seawater. The scientists produced the H2 and recovered the CO2 by means of an electrochemical acidification cell; then from the two interim products they make a synthetic hydrocarbon with the aid of a catalyst.

Hydrogen as a storage medium for renewable energy

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On the Dutch island of Ameland, grid operator Stedin, consulting & engineering company Joulz, and the gas trading company Gasterra, have jointly made hydrogen from water and solar power. For the hydrogen to be produced in a renewable way, the electricity is provided by solar panels on the roof of the nearby Ameland Nature Centre.The initiative's philosophy is to develop an alternative form of energy storage besides batteries.

Regional authorities give a major boost to green gas

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Local governments in the Netherlands are increasingly turning to biogas as an alternative fuel for their vehicles. Entrepreneurs in those regions often then go on to set a good example by investing in these technologies. Some interesting initiatives have recently been in the news.Leaders of the Dutch provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland have been looking closely at small-scale manure fermentation.

Hydrogen cars and the future

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With the rising emergence of electric vehicles, interest in hydrogen cars seems to have waned. Many car manufacturers have carried out studies in recent years, but there are currently only a handful of brands seriously involved with the technology.

Aviation industry looks increasingly to biofuels

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The European aerospace company Airbus for example plans to place hydrogen fuel tanks in its aircraft. The hydrogen tank consists of a 90 kW fuel cell and will mainly generate energy for lighting, hydraulic components and passenger in-flight entertainment systems.

European grants for biofuels research opened

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union has made funds available for subsidising biofuel projects. The following calls are open: Topic ENERGY.2013.3.2.1: Pre-commercial industrial scale demonstration plant on paraffinic biofuels for use in aviationTopic ENERGY.2013.3.7.1: Support to the sustainable delivery of non-food biomass feedstock at local, regional and pan-European levelTopic ENERGY.2013.3.7.2: Support to key activities of the European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP)Source: FP7 Energy-call

Dutch hydrogen at the Olympics

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Five London buses are running on hydrogen manufactured by Air Products in the Botlek port area of Rotterdam. So far the buses have refuelled more than 1,000 times at the Lea Interchange filling station in Stratford.The bus company concerned recently revealed that the buses have driven a total of 160,934 km on those 1,000 tanks.

Clariant launches biofuel of the future

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Swiss chemical company Clariant has opened a cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in Germany. The plant will produce 1,000 tons of ethanol from 4,500 tons of wheat straw. For this, Clariant uses an innovative process called sunliquid technology.

Biogas production in the Netherlands

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Netherlands produced 267.9 ktoe (kilotons of oil equivalent) of green gas in 2009. Per capita, this ranks it in sixth place in the European Union. With 16.2 toe per 1,000 inhabitants, Netherlands is just below the European average of 16.7.

Brazil and the Netherlands sign sustainable biofuels agreement

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Over the next 2 years Brazil and the Netherlands will intensify their cooperation on the development of biofuels that satisfy sustainability criteria. Both countries have also agreed to exchange knowledge about new technologies for using biomass to generate electricity.

Friesland subsidises trucks run on biogas

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch province of Friesland, the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL & I), the Northern Netherlands Provinces (Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland) and the city of Heerenveen are providing a subsidy to boost the use of biogas in freight transport.

Provincie Friesland subsidieert vrachtverkeer op biogas

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

De provincie Frysl�n, Europese Unie, het ministerie van EL&I, het Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland en de gemeente Heerenveen hebben een subsidie toegewezen om biogas voor vrachtverkeer aan te jagen. Het college van gedeputeerde staten heeft hiervoor een bedrag van 185.000 Euro gereserveerd.

Secretary of State informs parliament on biofuels blending

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On Monday July 2 the Dutch Secretary of State for Infrastructure and the Environment, Joop Atsma, presented the letter 'Follow-up elaboraton of the motion by Leegte et al (TK 32 813, No. 4) on the blending of biofuels' to the Dutch Lower House.In the letter, the Secretary elaborates on the commitments made at a general meeting on June 7, 2012.

Hydrogen in the news

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Forze VStudents at the Delft University of Technology recently unveiled their new racing car. The vehicle has 50% more power than last year's model. Its top speed is 120 km per hour, and it can accelerate from 0-100 in 5 seconds. From July 11 to 15 July the team will travel to England to race against 100 other student teams, and their vehicle will be the only hydrogen car racing.

Dutch government aspires to fly on biokerosene

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch government wants to fly on biofuel, and has already made a start on this. The government’s plane made KLM’s first transatlantic flight run on biokerosene. The plane - also used by Queen Beatrix - carried Dutch Secretary of State Joop Atsma (Infrastructure and the Environment) to the sustainbility summit in Rio de Janeiro.

GBEP indicators applied in the Netherlands

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT

For the first time, the sustainability indicators for bioenergy developed within the framework of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) have been tested and applied in the Netherlands. Commissioned by NL Agency and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, SQ Consult has studied how the indicators apply to the Dutch situation.

Raising of biofuel obligation declared NOT controversial

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Dutch House of Representatives decreed today that the Letter from Secretary of State Joop Atsma (Infrastructure & the Environment) to Parliament, dated March 9, on the implementation of the Leegte motion, is not controversial. An proposal earlier to declare the letter controversial was rejected by a vote in the House of Representatives this afternoon.This means that the subject can now be dealt with by the current parliament.The present mandatory share of renewable energy in transport is 4.5% (on an energy basis).

DSM contract from Dong marks a new step in biofuels

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:00:00 GMT

DSM has been selected by DONG as the enzymes supplier for the world's largest cellulosic ethanol plant. DSM has not disclosed the size of the contract. However, it has reported that its factory has an annual capacity of 1.5 million gallons.Source: Euronext

IEA develops roadmap for bioenergy

Wed, 30 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

At the World Bioenergy 2012 conference, on May 29, the International Energy Agency (IEA) presented its new roadmap for bioenergy. The IEA expects bioenergy to make an important contribution towards the ever-increasing global demand for electricity and heat.

Cargill to start bioethanol production in Bergen op Zoom

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On June 1, Cargill will officially start bioethanol production. The company has converted its former maize-processing factory in Bergen op Zoom, where it has produced starch and glucose for many uses since 1987.Source: BNDeStem

1,698 km on 1 litre of hydrogen

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Students from the Delft University of Technology have managed to drive 1,698 km on 1 litre of hydrogen. They were taking part in the Shell Eco Marathon, in which 200 student teams from across Europe, including 14 from the Netherlands, participated.

Tropical bacteria reduces biofuel production costs

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made a breakthrough in the field of biofuel production. It means the continuous conversion of biomass at low temperatures in a single reactor can become a reality.The researchers have isolated a bacterium that can tolerate ionic liquids.

NExBTL diesel from fish waste

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

NExBTL is a renewable diesel variant developed by the Finnish company Neste Oil. The variant can replace normal diesel or can be blended in any ratio. At first the company mainly used palm oil, rapeseed oil and animal fats as raw materials.

New low cost catalyst for hydrogen production

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed a low-cost, efficient, base-metal electrocatalyst for the production of hydrogen from water. The nickel-molybdenum-nitride (NiMoNx) catalyst, on a carbon base, is composed of several nanolayers, which creates an abundance of easily accessible, reactive surfaces.Dr.

From sorghum hybrid to biodiesel

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Amris has successfully converted Ceres's sorghum hybrid into renewable diesel. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).As an energy crop, sorghum offers a number of important advantages. It grows rapidly and is efficient to cultivate.

Dutch green gas initiatives

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In recent weeks a number of green gas initiatives have been in the news, namely:Additional funding boost for green gasEnergy plant in TilburgGasunie cars to run on green gasGreen filling station in DrentheGasunie to supply green gas to the German natural gas gridAdditional funding boost for green gasIn the northern provinces of the Netherlands and the states of northern Germany, additional funding has been made available to boost the introduction of green gas.

American cost scenarios for biofuel routes

Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

On April 24 this year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gave a presentation on a selection of technology paths for biofuel production. The department wants to identify the most feasible technology routes in the fields of pyrolysis, algae, the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, and methanol-to-gasoline (MTG).This identification process will ultimately lead to the establishment of funding priorities.The economic calculations made use of the 'Nth Biorefinery Plant' methodology.

Hydrazine as a fuel

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The car manufacturer Daihatsu has developed a hydrazine fuel cell. Hydrazine is an inorganic compound consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen. It is a colourless, oily liquid with an ammonia-like odour, and a chemical formula N2H4. Combustion produces a highly expansive reaction.

European project to secure faster production of biohydrogen

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Bacteria can produce hydrogen from biomass but they take their time. In a new European project (HyTIME), nine partners including universities, knowledge centres and industry will examine ways to increase the hydrogen production rate during the next three years.

Ecofys report: European airlines enter the biofuels market

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Airlines are driven to find low carbon performance options. Biofuels are key to improve that low carbon performance. Airlines therefore accelerate their investigations in biofuels. In the biofuels market they are however a late entrant. This report shows that biofuels can improve the market power balance for airlines.

Dutch biofuels targets to be raised

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives - sent in response to a motion by the House – the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Joop Atsma, has said the compulsory share of renewable energy in transport will be increased.

KLM carries out more biofuel flights

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The airline KLM has started with the continuation of the 200 biofuel flights it has made to date from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam to Charles de Gaulle, Paris. Four daily flights will operate using a mixture of conventional fuel and biofuel.

Seaweed farm near Texel

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Ecofys has begun operating a seaweed farm, ten kilometres off the coast of Texel island, in the northern Netherlands. The company hopes to be able to harvest the first several tons of seaweed at the end of June, to be used for the production of fish and animal feed, and also of a renewable fuel.

Bacteria make biofuel from seaweed

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The journal Science has reported on a genetically modified E. coli bacteria that can efficiently convert the sugar in seaweed into biofuel. Scientists at the Bio Architecture Lab see great potential for their discovery. Seaweed has long been seen as a possible alternative to fossil fuels.Source: Science

GreenGasGrids website launched

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The website of European project GreenGasGrids (www.greengasgrids.eu) is officially launched. GreenGasGrids is a 3-year project co-funded by the Intelligent Energy for Europe (IEE) programme with the objective to boost the the biomethane market in both forerunner and starter countries in Europe and to establish a cross-border market.

Biodiesel test in container shipping

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Maersk Maritime Technology is going to carry out a test using 30 tons of algae biodiesel. This test will be unique because it involves the 300-metre-long container ship Maersk Kalmar, which operates on a route between Bremerhaven and India.

Methanol from carbon dioxide

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

More and more research is being focused on converting carbon dioxide into liquid energy carriers. Iceland is one of those countries leading the way. The island uses large amounts of geothermal heat for heating homes and in industrial processes.

Ethanol from carbon monoxide

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In New Zealand, the company LanzaTech is planning to make ethanol from carbon monoxide on a commercial scale using a modified micro-organisms. According to the project’s initiators, all types of carbon sources can be used. They will use a microbe that can withstand the most common contaminants.

Biogas from waste wood

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A consortium consisting of Gasunie, HVC group (an Alkmaar-based waste company), TAQA (the Abu Dhabi energy company), equipment builder Dahlman and contractor Ballast Nedam, is going to build a biogas demonstration plant in Alkmaar. The process is designed by ECN.The plant will produce five million cubic metres of gas per year from waste wood.

Micro biodiesel

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The scientific journal Angewandte Chemie recently published an article by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) about a new production technique for making biodiesel from micro-algae. The researchers have developed a new catalytic process.