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 Members and friends
The release by Government of proposals for having a mandate for transport biofuels is long overdue. A mandate would put biofuels strongly into consideration alongside electricity for transitioning to low emissions transport. Both will have their place in future transport and the mandate will provide the incentive required by potential investors.
Electricity for transport has enjoyed a number of years of funding to establish a fuel supply network, and extensive promotion, while the biomass supply market has not received similar levels of support. The imbalance of support between biofuels and electricity for transport has been obvious. The mandate will go a long way to correcting that imbalance but is only a start. To ensure that biofuels will be available to fuel retailers at the cheapest price requires assistance to potential biofuel producers. Internationally biofuel technology is proven but making it commercial requires more than just the incentives from the mandate. We need a focus of research on the commercialisation of biofuel production which is currently lacking.
As Canada and other countries are doing (see item in International section below) their low emissions transport fuels support funding is technology neutral. There is a need for neutrality across all low emission fuels development funding including hydrogen, renewable diesel, renewable LPG, synthetic fuels, renewable natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel.
Government has identified that transport is a priority for reducing greenhouse gas emissions so there is a need for a specific Transport Fuels Strategy and Action Plan with the same level of aggregated funding which is currently applied to developing a hydrogen market, introducing electric vehicles, and addressing peak electricity supply constraints .
The aspirations behind the transport biofuels mandate can be achieved if there is a fully managed and funded Transport Fuels Strategy and Action Plan to support it, but without such support the transition to low emissions transport will continue to be slow.
Brian Cox
Executive Officer
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Bioenergy NZ, Australia & the Pacific
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 Do you understand the Climate Change Commission Advice?
The Climate Change Commission has presented its advice to the NZ Government on the paths Aotearoa can take to meet its climate targets. The Government has until December to consider that advice and set the first three emissions budgets out to 2035, and release the country’s first emissions reduction plan detailing the policies it will use to achieve the budgets.
Now that we have the benefit of the Commission’s Advice we should all understand it so we can signal support or opposition to relevant Ministers. The Government’s decisions will be important for all of us so your input over the next few months will be critical if you want decisions which you agree with.
The Climate Change Commission has published its Advice and been sharing the information and data behind that Advice here
 Proposed NZ biofuels mandate
The NZ Government is consulting on a proposed sustainable biofuels mandate. The purpose of the biofuels mandate is to increase the use of sustainable biofuels in New Zealand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
The consultation will close at 5pm, 26 July 2021. You can find the discussion document and submission form for this consultation on the web page.
More here
 Australia's first Renewable Gas Certification Pilot
New South Wales gas customers will soon have access to verified and accredited renewable gas thanks to an Australian-first Renewable Gas Certification Pilot that will drive ongoing investment in new sources of green gas.
Energy infrastructure company Jemena, NSW Government-managed renewable energy accreditor GreenPower, and peak industry association Energy Networks Australia (ENA) have joined forces to develop the certification pilot.
The pilot will be delivered by GreenPower over a minimum of two years and will inform the development of a permanent certification scheme for renewable gases.
More here
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Member announcements and advertisements in the newsletter do not reflect endorsements by the Bioenergy Association. Contact us if you have any news or announcements to be included in the Bioflash.
 DETA in the Media
a DETA Consulting member announcement
 DETA's recent interview with Radio New Zealand discussed how business can decarbonise, and also provided input into the conversation around a future use for Marsden Point’s refinery as a biofuels facility. DETA think it’s fantastic to be able to share their expertise, and contribute to wider conversations nationwide.
Contact Jeff Smit at DETA Consulting
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International Bioenergy News
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 Canada launches its $1.5-billion Clean Fuels Fund, calling for project proposals
Canada has launched a $1.5-billion Clean Fuels Fund for projects that increase the country’s capacity to produce clean fuels. The fund supports building new or expanding existing clean fuel production facilities, including hydrogen, renewable diesel, synthetic fuels, renewable natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel. Additionally, it supports feasibility and front-end engineering and design studies that will create jobs and enable the sector to grow at the size and pace required to contribute to Canada’s climate goals of a 2030 climate target and reaching net-zero by 2050.
More here
125 buses run on biogas in Bergen
The colorful port city of Bergen is surrounded by mountains, fjords and forests. As of recently, 125 city buses of the MAN Lion’s City model transport both locals and tourists around the city. This is down to the fact that the vehicles run on biogas, fitting perfectly into the natural atmosphere of Norway’s second-largest city. Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage City is also known as “the heart of the fjords”. and rightly so.
More here
 Proceedings from IEA workshop on Biomethane
The recent virtual workshop on "Biomethane", organised by Task 37 highlighted different aspects of biomethane including certification; legislation; registration and financing and new developments in the field of methanation. It looked also towards future developments with country specific contributions from Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and USA. Of special interest is the presentation of the first Geo-methanation, an industrial size project where a former underground gas storage is used as a gigantic digester.
More here
 EU methane strategy
In October 2020 the European Commission presented a strategy to reduce methane emissions. The holistic approach of the new strategy recognizes the potential of biogas and biomethane to reduce methane emissions from agriculture, which causes more than half of EU methane emissions. These emissions are avoided when methane emitting feedstock, such as manure from animal farming and biowaste, are brought to the closed and controlled environment of a biogas plant. In the biogas production facility, methane is captured and utilized instead of being naturally released into the atmosphere during manure storage. The support for biogas production from agricultural waste, as proposed in the Methane Strategy, is a positive step to recognize the role of this sector as a booster of rural development. Biogas and biomethane can also help reduce emissions from waste, the second biggest source of methane emissions in the EU. As of 2023, member states are obliged to implement separate collection of bio-waste.
More here
Canadian biomass supply chain risk standard
A Biomass Supply Chain Risk Standard (CSA W209) has been published by National Standards of Canada. It provides requirements, recommendations and guidance for understanding the potential risks to biomass supply chains, including the following risk categories and associated risk factors: supplier risk, competitor risk, supply chain risk, feedstock quality risk, feedstock scale-up risk, internal organizational risk. The Standard applies to activities starting at harvest point and ending at plant gate.
More here
 Top biofuel maker eyes garbage in widening feedstock hunt
Neste Oyj, the world’s biggest renewable-diesel producer is looking to convert everything from tree limbs to landfill garbage into fuel for motor vehicles and planes as demand surges for low-carbon fuel sources. In Canada’s Quebec province, Neste Oyj is part of a consortium looking at the possibility of building a refinery that would use forestry waste such as treetops and branches to produce renewable diesel. More fossil-fuel companies are entering the market, and U.S. production capacity for renewable diesel is expected to jump almost sixfold by the end of 2024.
More here
 Cologne Bonn airport makes Neste MY SAF available for airlines to reduce GHG emissions
In Germany, Neste, the world’s leading provider of sustainable aviation fuel, set up a supply of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Cologne Bonn Airport. Cologne Bonn Airport is one of the first German airports where Neste MY SAF is now available for all airlines.
More here
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Some events may miss the Bioflash newsletter monthly deadline, so do keep an eye on our events calendar so as not to miss out on any events at www.bioenergy.org.nz/events
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 Webinar
Replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy for covered horticulture is now mainstream
Wednesday, 30 June 2021 | 2:00PM (NZST )
Presenter: Sohum Gandhi, Enriva
With the large amount of covered horticulture that is transitioning from fossil fuels to using bioenergy it is time to see what we have learnt and share that information with growers who are considering moving from fossil fuels.
This webinar will use a number of case studies to show how successful moving to bioenergy has been and be a forum for asking questions and learning from the best.
More here
 Webinar
Transitioning to a low emissions business by using biomass fuels
Thursday, 29 July 2021 | 2:00PM (NZST )
Presenter: Kevin Liao, Fonterra
In this webinar Fonterra will outline how the Te Awamutu site 43MW coal boiler has been converted to wood pellets. They will discuss the challenges of transitioning large heat using facilities. Anyone interested in how bioenergy and biofuels could contribute to a sustainable low carbon future should attend this webinar.
Registration details here
 Webinar
Global Transitions to cleaner fuels
Thursday, 29 July 2021 | 4:00PM - 5.30PM (AEST )
The IEA has recently released a key report, Net Zero by 2050 - A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector. This report gives guidance on how energy demand and the energy mix will need to evolve if the world is to achieve net‐zero emissions by 2050 and the implications for the economy, the energy industry, citizens, and governments.
Timothy Goodson and Praveen Bains of the International Energy Agency (IEA) will present the findings of the Net Zero by 2050 report, including the proposed mix of technology pathways and wider implications.
Chris Greig, Senior Research Scientist, Princeton University will present on the Net-Zero America study including the blueprint for the next decade and the six technology pillars to support the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Registration details here
 Conference
Decarbonising New Zealand
Supporting organisations to transition to zero carbon
13 - 14 September 2021 | Venue: Te Papa, Wellington
Key themes of the conference:
- Emerging international and local trends in carbon neutral policy initiatives
- New approaches to climate thinking and risk management
- Mobilising financial markets to drive economic decarbonisation
- Delivering decarbonisation in practice
Conference Programme and Registration
Discount for Bioenergy Association members
- Bioenergy Association members are entitled to a 15% discount. BANZ Members please contact admin@bioenergy.org.nz to get your promotional code.
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Bioenergy Knowledge Centre
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The Bioenergy Knowledge Centre www.bioenergy.org.nz/bioenergy-knowledge-centre, holds 1300+ searchable documents including workshop and webinar presentations, media releases/ statements, technical reports, information sheets, submissions, and technical guides on bioenergy and biofuels relevant to New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. Access is free to members, an administration fee is charged to non members. Below is a brief summary of some recently added resources.
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 Biomethane from waste
End of waste criteria for the production and use of biomethane from landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) biogases quality protocol
More here
Bioenergy Association webinar series
Bioenergy Association has established a library of on-demand webinars which can be accessed at any time. The On-demand webinars collection is easily accessed according to a simplified search function and abstracts of each webinar:
Following is a list of our recent webinars:
Using bioenergy for industry decarbonisation involves thinking smart
15 June, presented by Jonathan Pooch, DETA Consulting
This webinar outlined the opportunities and suggests how the transition from fossil fuels can be managed and integrated into a strategic transition programme. The presentation used practical New Zealand based examples to demonstrate how biomass fuelled solutions can be optimised.
webinar recording available here
CO2 capture and high efficiency biomass energy technologies for greenhouses
22 June, presented by Graham Jolly, Windsor Energy and Kevin Vandewalle, Vyncke
The focus of this webinar was to provide examples of CCU (carbon capture and utilisation) systems and high efficiency technologies in biomass energy plants used in horticulture heating in The Netherlands.
webinar recording available here
 Bio-waste in Europe - turning challenges into opportunities
This report of the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides an overview of bio-waste prevention, generation, collection and treatment in Europe. Bio-waste can play an important role in the transition to a circular economy, by both preventing its generation and capturing its potential as a source of valuable secondary resources. The focus of this report is on food and garden waste from households and similar public and commercial activities such as food services. Bio-waste accounts for more than 34 % of the municipal solid waste generated in 2017 in the EU-28. Recycling bio-waste is therefore crucial for meeting the EU target to recycle 65 % of municipal waste by 2035. Food waste accounts for nearly two thirds (60 %) of all bio-waste from households and similar sources. More than other waste types, preventing food waste is perceived as an ethical responsibility for society.
More here
 NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy
Stage 1 : 2021-2027
- Mandating the separation of food and garden organics for households and selected businesses
- Incentivising biogas generation from waste materials
These points were highlighted in their submission.
Read strategy here
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Improved promotion opportunities for Members
Reminder - work with us to promote your business
Bioenergy Association has 2300 followers
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Contribute to growing the sector and setting best practice standards
The Association is a collective of people who believe that by working as a group we can make more progress than by acting individually. A quarter of membership fees is a contribution to a pool of money to fund activities to grow the sector and develop best practice standards. If you want to work with others to ensure that bioenergy solutions contribute to a sustainable future you should join the Association. More here
Support to grow your business
The Association provides free individual and confidential advice and support to each of its members to assist them grow their business or solve problems. If you have a bioenergy related matter where you would like assistance contact the Executive Officer. This could be related to the market, support for individual proposals or discussion of the business case for a proposal with an independent person. Association staff may not know the answer but they can point you to an expert who does know the answer.
Extend your profile through workshops and webinars
Participate in Association hosted webinars and workshops to extend your profile and your network of others in the sector. As a webinar speaker you can extend your network of contacts. If you have a topic which you would like to lead a discussion on contact the Executive Officer who will assist you prepare the idea for a webinar. As a member this is free exposure to hundreds of potential attendees you wouldn't otherwise reach. Event promotion is sent to up to 2300 potentially interested people.
News and advertising of products and services
Members are welcome to provide news for the Bioflash. The Bioflash is sent to around 1200 recipients across the sector each month according to the topics covered. If you have a product or service or have participated in a project you would like to shout about then find the news angle and we will share it with hundreds of readers of the Bioflash. Contact us
Contact an Expert
Members are listed in a Contact an Expert directory. Each member has an associated profile page where NZ and Australian specific information, case studies, contact details etc are set out. The size of the profile depends on membership levels - Silver and Gold Members get a larger profile.
Members should:
- check their online company profile - are your profiles upto date and relevant to the Australasian markets?
- check your online project case studies - do we have them?
- are the projects you have been involved with listed in the Bioenergy Facilities Directory?
- is your expertise appropriately described?
Members may now also advertise brands and products through advertising on the website.
- advertising - the new sites have dedicated advertising space - contact us for more.
Promotion of products and services
The suite of Association websites provides opportunities to improve promotion of members' products and services. Members are able to promote products in the equipment catalogues on the relevant website. A number of products listings are free to members according to the level of membership.
Contact admin@bioenergy.co.nz to have your profiles updated or replaced. Also ask us about advertising packages and rates.
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