World’s largest biogas test plant in Denmark uses specialised pumps to release gas

2nd March 2010

The world’s largest biogas plant for research purposes has been built at the University of Aarhus research centre in Foulum, Denmark.

Bionersis completes acquisition of Vietnamese biogas consortium

17th February 2010

Global landfill gas valorisation company Bionersis has acquired Vietnamese biogas consortium PJI-LFGC, which is in charge of biogas capture and treatment in Nam Son landfill near Hanoi.

British Gas inaugurates biomethane pilots

4th February 2010

British Gas is going ahead with five biomethane demonstration projects that are likely to be the first in the UK to inject green gas into the grid. The announcement follows UK government backing for the emerging technology that confirms support for biomethane to grid from April 2011.

Frog Capital backs European biogas producer agri.capital

1st February 2010

UK growth capital investor Frog Capital has invested €3m in European biogas energy producer agri.capital.

Glendale biogas plant begins generating energy for Arizona, US utility APS

28th January 2010

The 2.8MW Glendale biogas power plant located at the City of Glendale’s municipal landfill is now on line. Owned and operated by Glendale Energy, an affiliate of Sexton Energy, the plant is sending all its energy to Arizona, US utility APS’s customers.

Biogas developers AAT Abwasser and BioEnergy Technologies partner across the Atlantic

26th January 2010

Austrian-based biogas technology developer AAT Abwasser (AAT) has allied its AAT Biogas division with US biomass energy provider BioEnergy Technologies. The agreement establishes South Carolina-based BioEnergy Technologies as the sole representative for AAT’s biogas technology in 44 states in the US.

Bionersis signs first Indonesian landfill gas contract

7th January 2010

Global biogas company Bionersis has signed for a first Clean Development Mechanism landfill gas valorisation and emissions reduction project in Indonesia for the treatment of biogas generated by the municipal landfill of Batam, in the Riau Islands Province.

$5m in US Recovery Act funding will leverage $22m for eight biogas projects

23rd December 2009

The US is investing $5m in federal recovery money in eight alternative energy projects that use biological materials such as sewage, animal and food processing waste to generate enough energy to power more than 80,000 homes.

Cetrel and Novozymes partner to explore sugarcane waste to energy

14th December 2009

Cetrel, a provider of environmental solutions for the manufacturing industry in Latin America, and industrial enzymes producer Novozymes, have announced a research partnership to explore the possibilities of converting sugarcane waste into energy in the region.

Waste Management’s Riverbend landfill to produce landfill-gas-to-energy for Oregon homes

25th September 2009

US-based Waste Management and the city of McMinnville’s utility, McMinnville Water & Light will soon use everyday garbage to generate power for thousands of homes in the US state of Oregon, following the groundbreaking of Waste Management’s new energy plant at the company’s landfill west of McMinnville.

World Bank Group’s renewable energy and energy efficiency financing hits $3.3bn

14th September 2009

The World Bank Group saw its financing of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and programmes across the developing world rise by 24 per cent in the last fiscal year to hit $3.3bn, the banks highest ever.

Canada’s Nexterra receives $7.7m funding for commercialisation of high efficiency biomass power system

1st September 2009

Canadian biomass gasification solutions provider, Nexterra Systems has received $7.7m in funding from the British Columbia Bioenergy Network (BCBN), Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and Ethanol BC.

Austrian anaerobic digestion plant turns brewery waste into biogas

27th August 2009

Austrian biogas specialist, Enbasys has demonstrated its biogas plant at the Weihenstephan Bavarian State-Brewery in Germany. This marks one of the first demonstration plants for production of high quality biogas from brewery residues, the company said.

The Gas Company and Primoris Renewables plan new options for renewable energy for Hawaii

25th August 2009

Hawaii, US-based energy business The Gas Company and Primoris Renewables, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Primoris Services Corporation, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase the renewable components in TGC’s gas supply.

NewNet Investor Profile: Vivek Tandon, Aloe Group

20th August 2009

Vivek Tandon discusses the importance of strong management, why he feels the recycling sector is underveloped, and the opportunities for investment in Asia.

‘Whereas previously our model was taking a lot of European companies into Asia and expanding in that way, in the future I see it going the other way. Great technology developed in Asia and companies doing very well in Asia will acquire European companies and expand into Europe, even if there is a global slowdown.’

NewNet Investor Profile: Gijsbert Nollen, Prime Energy Investments

13th August 2009

Gijsbert Nollen discusses the opportunities for clean energy investments in Southeast Asia, why he is turned off by biofuels, and what the future holds for the region.

‘If the past two years is any precedent more and more Asian domestic companies will be established developing and refining their technologies in the bioenergy sector and ramping up development. The real success stories will be centered around locally adapted and developed technologies and research and local business entrepreneurs.’

Stahlbush Island Farms begins full operations at its biogas plant in the US

17th July 2009

Stahlbush Island Farms, a sustainable agriculture and food production company, has begun full operations of its biogas plant in the US.

Ameresco’s Californian landfill gas-to-energy plant starts operations

2nd July 2009

A Californian landfill gas-to-energy project built by energy developer Ameresco has started supplying the San Francisco Bay region with renewable electricity.

Fuel cells: a perfect fit

29th June 2009

At its heart, the ongoing debate over energy and electric power centres on this simple question: How can we meet our power needs in ways that are economical, reliable and environmentally sound, writes R Daniel Brdar, chairman of the board and CEO of FuelCell Energy, Inc.

Energy policy expert Susan Tierney joins waste energy company Ze-gen’s board of directors

23rd June 2009

Ze-gen, Inc., a clean energy company developing advanced gasification technology to convert waste streams into synthesis gas, has appointed energy policy expert Dr Susan Tierney to its board of directors.

San Jose unveils plans for new waste energy biogas facility

19th June 2009

The San Jose City Council has executed a memorandum of understanding to develop guidelines and potential lease terms for the development of an organics‐to‐energy biogas facility on a 40‐acre site near the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant

Swedish waste energy company EcoEnergy and Ukrainian government sign €20bn agreement on construction of green energy facilities

15th June 2009

Swedish waste energy company EcoEnergy Scandinavia and the Ukrainian government have signed an agreement on constructing and operating waste incineration plants in the country.

German city to generate energy from waste

28th May 2009

The German city of Lünen is building a dedicated biogas network, powered by agricultural waste, offering an alternative to oil, coal and Russian gas.

Alternative energy company 5G Wireless to develop hydrogen-based fuel

26th May 2009

Alternative energy company 5G Wireless Communications, Inc. has signed a strategic alliance agreement with biofuel business Magnegas Corporation for the joint commercial development of Magnegas Refineries powered by alternative sources of electricity, including wind and solar. The goal of the project is to commercialise the production of clean burning hydrogen-based fuel powered by the sun, according to a statement. The projects would be solar or wind powered, or a combination of the two.

Renewable energy company agri.capital raises €60m in funding

20th May 2009

agri.capital, a pure-play renewable energy company that develops, owns and operates biogas plants in Europe, has raised €60m in new equity. TCW Group, Inc., through its European Clean Energy Fund, led the round and was joined by returning investors hedge fund Altima Partners, private investment firm Green Partners, asset management Halcyon and cleantech investor Ludgate Environmental Fund. Concurrently the company entered into a €10m mezzanine debt facility with Ecofin.

UK waste management company Eco-Solids receives private investment

18th May 2009

UK investment company Low Carbon Accelerator has announced that a syndicate of private investors, led by entrepreneur John Wreford, has invested £750,000 in LCA’s portfolio company Eco-Solids International, for 45 per cent of the equity.

NewNet Investor Profile: Tom Murley, HgCapital

8th May 2009

Tom Murley discusses institutional investors’ increasing appetite for clean energy funds, which sectors he tends to avoid and the benefits of taking a long-term outlook.

‘We prefer a more conservative approach of classical project finance that has proven over the last 20 years to be resilient in all economic scenarios. As a result our investments are prospering.’

NewNet Investor Profile: Shaun Mays, Climate Change Capital

3rd May 2009

Shaun Mays discusses the pitfalls of investing in a growth market, infrastructure in the emerging markets, and creating wealth worth having.

‘This is about investing in the future of our world and in my mind there is no better way to make money than participating in the challenge, and opportunity, of our lifetime.’

NewNet Investor Profile: Robert Schrimpff, TVM Capital

1st May 2009

Robert Schrimpff discusses what makes an investment opportunity exciting, why Germany remains the cleantech leader and what impact the recession is having on the industry.

‘On the one hand valuations for early stage companies have become more realistic and growth expectations more sustainable. On the other hand more start-ups will fail to raise funding and many funded ones will struggle to meet their number and may fall by the wayside.’

Arizona Public Service Company requests renewable energy from projects in the area

26th March 2009

Arizona Public Service Company, Arizona’s largest electricity utility, has submitted a Request for Proposal for renewable energy generated from small projects in the area.

Global Energy Systems acquires biomass company WoodTech

5th February 2009

Renewable energy company Global Energy Systems, a subsidiary of renewable energy company Global Energy Holdings, is set to acquire US-based biomass company WoodTech and its affiliated entities.

Sewage could be heating UK homes, report

2nd February 2009

Up to half of all UK households could see their gas heating replaced with biogas, according to a new report by National Grid.

Private equity-backed waste energy company to build Scottish biogas plant

27th January 2009

UK buy-out specialist Matrix Private Equity Partners has facilitated one of the first large scale biogas waste energy projects in the UK, through its investment in Monsal, which it backed as part of a £5m MBO in 2007.

Catalyx Nanotech, Dudek explore graphite, hydrogen production

15th January 2009

Catalyx Nanotech has teamed up with Dudek to explore high-grade graphite and hydrogen production with no by-products using a patented technology.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund invests $1.5m in renewable energy company ZeroPoint

18th December 2008

The New York State Common Retirement Fund invested an additional $1.5m in New York-based renewable energy company ZeroPoint Clean Tech, through the Credit Suisse Customised Fund.

Ludgate Environmental Fund invests €3m into German biogas company

16th December 2008

Jersey-based investment company Ludgate Environmental Fund has invested €3m into German biogas company agri.capital.

Leopard Capital targets opportunities in Cambodian renewable energy

15th December 2008

Cambodian private equity firm Leopard Capital is targeting investments in small power projects and transmission and distribution projects in the country.

EPURON, GE Energy Financial Services launch Asian renewable energy trust

15th December 2008

EPURON, a Singapore-based subsidiary of the Conergy Group, and GE Energy Financial Services have launched Asia-Pacific’s first renewable energy private trust to accelerate growth and investments in wind, small hydroelectric, solar, biogas and biomass power generation throughout the region.

Thai investment firm MFC Asset Management invests $10m in fuel cell manufacturer Cellennium

27th November 2008

Thai investment firm MFC Asset Management, though its energy-focused MFC Energy Fund, has invested ?355m ($10m) in fuel cell manufacturer Cellennium.

Areva wins two bioenergy power plant contracts in Germany, Belgium

26th November 2008

Energy group Areva has won two major contracts to build turnkey bioenergy power plants in Germany and Belgium, totaling €30m.

Indian renewable energy generation company Orient Green Power raises $55m in funding

26th November 2008

Indian renewable energy generation company Orient Green Power has raised $55m in its third round of funding, led by investment management firm Olympus Capital Holdings Asia, which is investing $35m. Other investors include US venture capital firm Bessemer Venture Partners and renewable energy service provider Shriram EPC, investing $10m each.

Biofuels Power to purchase HO Clarke green electricity station

25th November 2008

Biofuels Power Corporation has agreed to purchase the site, infrastructure and equipment of the H.O Clarke Electric Generating Station in central Houston, US.

Morphic launches new waste energy system

14th November 2008

Swedish renewable energy company Morphic Technologies is to launch its waste energy system which converts biogas from sewage into electricity and heat.

BIOGAS NORD establishes first UK biogas plant

4th November 2008

The BIOGAS NORD group has constructed its first English biogas plant in Dorset, also the first energy crop biogas plant in the UK. The plant, with a capacity of 370 kW, operates on liquid cattle manure as well as corn and grass silage.

Good Energies invests in alternative energy provider Emergence BioEnergy

29th October 2008

Renewable energy investor Good Energies has made an early stage equity investment in Emergence BioEnergy, a developer of alternative energy solutions for low-income and developing countries around the world. Financial terms were not disclosed.

NewNet Investor Profile, Felix von Schubert, zouk ventures

28th October 2008

Felix von Schubert on cleantech in Germany, on recent developments in solar, on the need for more capital in the the sector and on breaking into the mainstream.

zouk ventures is a dedicated cleantech investor, focusing on expansion stage cleantech companies in renewable energy technologies, efficiency technologies and environmental services technologies.

Climate Change Capital invests £6m in biogas company Renewable Zukunft

20th October 2008

Climate Change Capital Private Equity, a €200m fund dedicated to clean technology, is to make a £6m investment in Renewable Zukunft, a Cambridgeshire, UK-based generator of electricity from organic materials in the UK. CCC will take an undisclosed stake in the company and have a seat on the board.