Novozymes and Xergi agree to co-develop biogas microorganisms
The two Danish biotechnology firms Novozymes A/S and Xergi A/S, heavily involved in the biofuels sector, have announced an agreement that enables them to collaborate on the co-development of microorganisms and environmental technologies for the optimal harvest of energy from manure products for use in the production of renewable biogas that yields electricity, heat, and fuels, as well as high-quality fertilizer. According to the Danish Board of Technology, biomethane from manure can supply 25% of the energy required by the Danish transport sector.
This initiative stems from the Danish government’s globalization strategy [*.pdf], to strengthen Denmark’s competitive abilities. The strategy includes support for business-to-business partnerships within five focus areas as formulated by the Ministry of the Environment: giant wind turbines, biofuels, potable water, hydrogen/fuel cells and industrial biotechnology.
Novozymes, a leading industrial enzyme developer, and Xergi, an innovative biogas producer, enter into the last-named partnership, established by the Minister of the Environment Connie Hedegaard. Several other private and public institutes are also participating, among them the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Århus University, where Xergi has recently supplied a large anaerobic digestion facility in Foulum.
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: biogas :: biomethane :: fertilizer :: enzymes :: anaerobic fermentation :: Denmark ::
Through their joint effort, Novozymes and Xergi, which is jointly owned by the holding company Schouw & Co. and Hedeselskabet, will develop microorganisms and technologies to harvest the valuable components from manure in the form of energy and nutrients. The process will, in part, optimize the yield of energy from these slurries, and increase the quality of the by-product for use as fertilizer (basic flow-chart of biogas production, click to enlarge).
While Novozymes can develop microorganisms so they optimize the processes in a biogas facility, Xergi has close contact to the market and knows how to optimize the technology where it will be installed and used. By promoting and distributing both green energy and manure management technologies globally, these two companies will strengthen Denmark’s competitive advantage.
Large market possibilities
In Denmark less than 5% of agricultural manure is converted to energy in the form of biogas. Of this 5%, only 50% of the energy is harvested. If all the energy stored in Danish manure could be extracted, the country could, according to the Danish Board of Technology, supply 25% of the energy required by the Danish transport sector.
The ambition and goal of the collaboration between Novozymes and Xergi is to increase substantially the yield of energy from manure so society can get enhanced access to a green, sustainable source of energy that can be used for electricity, heating and the transport, all delivered via the existing natural gas system. And beyond conserving the planet’s natural but dwindling energy resources, this biotechnology will help reduce the release of CO2.
Illustration: Xergi's integrated biogas concept. Credit: Xergi A/S.
References:
Novozymes: Enzymes at Work [*.pdf] - a guide to the world of industrial enzymes and how they are used to make sustainable solutions for many industries.
Article continues
This initiative stems from the Danish government’s globalization strategy [*.pdf], to strengthen Denmark’s competitive abilities. The strategy includes support for business-to-business partnerships within five focus areas as formulated by the Ministry of the Environment: giant wind turbines, biofuels, potable water, hydrogen/fuel cells and industrial biotechnology.
Novozymes, a leading industrial enzyme developer, and Xergi, an innovative biogas producer, enter into the last-named partnership, established by the Minister of the Environment Connie Hedegaard. Several other private and public institutes are also participating, among them the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Århus University, where Xergi has recently supplied a large anaerobic digestion facility in Foulum.
We see the possibility of a new business area in manure management. Biotechnology has the potential to create increased value in this exciting new field, where energy production is combined with an environmentally friendly process to re-use manure for fertilizer. We are looking forward to our collaboration with Xergi, where we can put our skills and abilities together to shed light on the technological and business opportunities. - Rasmus von Gottberg, Vice President at NovozymesThe Partnership for Industrial Biotechnology has chosen to focus on the area of manure management. The partners identify a set of areas with positive development potential and large export possibilities so Denmark can become a leader in the global marketplace. Denmark already holds a global leadership position in both anaerobic digestion and enzyme & microorganism biotechnology, and together these two leading companies with the other partners will boost Danish environmental technology, benefiting renewable energy and the use of fertilizer globally:
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: biogas :: biomethane :: fertilizer :: enzymes :: anaerobic fermentation :: Denmark ::
Through their joint effort, Novozymes and Xergi, which is jointly owned by the holding company Schouw & Co. and Hedeselskabet, will develop microorganisms and technologies to harvest the valuable components from manure in the form of energy and nutrients. The process will, in part, optimize the yield of energy from these slurries, and increase the quality of the by-product for use as fertilizer (basic flow-chart of biogas production, click to enlarge).
While Novozymes can develop microorganisms so they optimize the processes in a biogas facility, Xergi has close contact to the market and knows how to optimize the technology where it will be installed and used. By promoting and distributing both green energy and manure management technologies globally, these two companies will strengthen Denmark’s competitive advantage.
Large market possibilities
In Denmark less than 5% of agricultural manure is converted to energy in the form of biogas. Of this 5%, only 50% of the energy is harvested. If all the energy stored in Danish manure could be extracted, the country could, according to the Danish Board of Technology, supply 25% of the energy required by the Danish transport sector.
The ambition and goal of the collaboration between Novozymes and Xergi is to increase substantially the yield of energy from manure so society can get enhanced access to a green, sustainable source of energy that can be used for electricity, heating and the transport, all delivered via the existing natural gas system. And beyond conserving the planet’s natural but dwindling energy resources, this biotechnology will help reduce the release of CO2.
Illustration: Xergi's integrated biogas concept. Credit: Xergi A/S.
References:
Novozymes: Enzymes at Work [*.pdf] - a guide to the world of industrial enzymes and how they are used to make sustainable solutions for many industries.
Article continues
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
WWF condemns Planktos Inc. iron-seeding plan in the Galapagos
Scientists have warned against this type of 'geo-engineering' schemes, which have - in the case of iron seeding - clearly shown not to work and could harm ocean life (previous post). Simulations also indicate that such strategies carry considerable environmental risks and could even worsen the effects of climate change (earlier post). For these reasons, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change has clearly stated in its latest report that none of these techniques carry a priority to mitigate climate change (report of the IPCC's Working Group III).
One of those far more feasible and less risky geo-engineering options is the implementation of carbon-negative bioenergy systems (also known as 'Bio-Energy with Carbon Storage' or BECS, see earlier post, and here, here).
According to a summary by the United States Government submitted to the International Maritime Organization, Planktos, Inc. - a for-profit company - will dump up to 100 tons of iron dust this month in a 36 square mile area located approximately 350 miles west of the Galapagos Islands. Planktos, Inc. plans to dump the iron in international waters using vessels neither flagged under the United States nor leaving from the United States so U.S. regulations such as the U.S. Ocean Dumping Act do not apply and details do not need to be disclosed to U.S. entities:
Potential negative impacts of the Planktos experiment include:
biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: climate change :: carbon dioxide :: carbon cycle :: algae :: iron-seeding :: geo-engineering :: BECS :: marine life :: Galapagos ::
- Shifts in the composition of species that make up plankton, the base of the marine food chain, would cause changes in all the species that depend on it.
- The impact of gases released by both the large amount of phytoplankton blooms induced by Planktos, Inc. and resulting bacteria after the phytoplankton die.
- Bacterial decay following the induced phytoplankton bloom will consume oxygen, lowering oxygen levels in the water and changing its chemistry. This change in chemistry could favor the growth of microbes that produce powerful greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide.
- The introduction of large amounts of iron to the ecosystem - unless it is in a very pure form, which is likely cost-prohibitive at the scales proposed - would probably be accompanied by other trace metals that would be toxic to some forms of marine life.
In the waters around the Galapagos, some 400 species of fish swim with turtles, penguins and marine iguanas above a vast array of urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, anemones, sponges and corals. Many of these animals are found nowhere else on earth.If you feel like protesting against Planktos Inc.'s questionable experiment - we do - then join us in writing to the company to express your concerns. Send your email to Russ George, CEO of Planktos Inc.:[email protected].
Reference:
Eurekalert: World Wildlife Fund warns against plan by Planktos, Inc. - June 27, 2007.
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posted by Biopact team at 5:35 PM 0 comments links to this post