Nexterra Systems Corp., a leading supplier of advanced, renewable biomass gasification heat and power solutions, earlier this week announced that it has received the Best Application of Technology Award from the British Columbia Industry Association (BCTIA).

This award recognizes Nexterra's biomass gasification system at Kruger Products LP's New Westminster tissue mill. The system converts wood residue into clean burning syngas that is being fired directly into a boiler to generate 40,000 lbs/hr of process steam. The project will displace about 400,000 gigajoules of natural gas per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20,000 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to taking 5,500 cars off the road.

This unique application of Nexterra's gasification technology demonstrates its ability to retrofit existing natural gas, fuel oil or coal fired boilers to run on syngas fuel. Re-purposing of existing equipment will cut the capital cost of implementing biomass energy systems at industrial and institutional customer sites. Performance testing of the system has verified that emissions from Nexterra's gasification technology fall well below the limits established by Metro Vancouver while achieving natural gas equivalent emissions for particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and total organic compounds.

"We congratulate Nexterra for its ingenuity, adaptability and resiliency in a challenging economic climate," said Pascal Spothelfer, President and CEO of BCTIA. "The company has demonstrated an impressive track record of technical innovation, market execution and growth that has made Nexterra one of the top cleantech firms in BC. This project with Kruger Products reaffirms the breadth of BC's technology sector, delivering cross-cutting innovations that touch all sectors of the economy."

"We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award, which is a tribute to our employees, Kruger Products and other partners including FP Innovations," said Jonathan Rhone, President and CEO of Nexterra. "This project is a terrific demonstration of the versatility of our technology and its ability to deliver best-in-class air emissions performance. Now that we have been able to demonstrate the technology in British Columbia, we will be able to replicate it in domestic and international markets."

www.nexterra.ca
www.bctia.org

The Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation of Alberta announced this week its commitment to a $10 million grant to Plasco Alberta for the construction of the previously announced Plasco Conversion System for the Central Waste Management Commission (CWMC) to be located in Red Deer County, Alberta. The grant is subject to all funding for the Red Deer Project being committed by September. The Federal Government is also considering a grant for the project under the Green Infrastructure Fund.

Plasco Alberta, majority owned by Red Deer County, will contract to Plasco to build and operate a Waste Conversion and Renewable Energy Facility. The facility will receive, process and convert MSW delivered by the CWMC, a municipal commission led by Red Deer County which includes eight other communities in Central Alberta. The facility will deliver renewable baseload power to the local distribution network and reduce greenhouse gases.

"This grant will prove to be a catalyst to get this project done quickly," said Earl Kinsella, Chair of the CWMC. "It's also encouraging to know the CCEMC supports the work of the Commission to lower greenhouse gas emissions and understands the waste management challenges our communities face."

The CCEMC is a not-for-profit, independent organization with a mandate to expand climate change knowledge, develop new 'clean' technologies and explore practical ways of implementing them.

"We are excited about this project with Plasco and the CWMC," said CCEMC Chair Eric Newell "The Plasco Conversion System fits our mandate to achieve actual and sustainable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and provides an environmentally sound solution to a waste management problem."

Plasco and the CWMC signed a contract in 2008 for the development of a Plasco Waste Conversion facility. Ground-breaking for the facility, at the Horn Hill Transfer Station, will take place after all funding arrangements are finalized.

"The facility for Red Deer County and the Central Waste Management Commission will be an asset for the community," said Chris Gay, Executive Vice President of Plasco, "The interest generated by this implementation of this technology and for the community will be international."

Cartier Wind Energy Inc. accepted Company of the Year and Construction of Wind Farms awards in Quebec's 2nd Wind Energy Industry Gala organized by the "Technocentre éolien" (Wind Energy Technocentre), in addition to seeing an officer recognized for his contributions. The gala is designed to recognize organizations and individuals that have excelled in Quebec during the past three years.

"Cartier Wind Energy accepts these awards with enthusiasm," says Michel Letellier, President of Cartier Wind Energy. "We are grateful for the hospitality the Gaspe communities made to our company. Cartier has shown leadership with our first three wind projects and today, our company is being emulated by the industry. We are also proud to have contributed to expanding the market in the Gaspésie."

"We are also very pleased to see the work of Normand Bouchard rewarded by the industry. His involvement is an extremely important element in building our company and the success of it since the beginning. Mr. Bouchard is responsible for environmental issues and public hearings and has contributed greatly to the social acceptability of our wind projects. He certainly helped to position the wind industry in Quebec," says Michel Letellier, President of Cartier Wind Energy.

Cartier Wind Energy has three wind farms in operation, Baie-des-Sables, Anse-à-Valleau and Carleton, for a total of 319.5 megawatts (MW) in production. By December 2012, the Gros-Morne and Montagne Sèche wind farms will be added and Cartier will have 589.5 MW of wind energy production.

Cartier Wind Energy, headquartered in Longueuil, won the wind projects in the first Hydro-Quebec call for tenders for wind power. These projects represent an investment of more than $871 million. Cartier is a partnership of TransCanada Corporation and Innergex énergie renouvelable inc.

Novozymes, the world's leading producer of industrial enzymes, and Lignol Energy Corporation, a leading company in the cellulosic ethanol sector, this week signed a research and development agreement to make biofuel from wood chips and other forestry residues. The partners aim to develop a process for making biofuel from forestry waste at a production cost down to $2 per gallon, a price competitive with gasoline and corn ethanol at the current US market prices.

"Novozymes' goal is to enable commercial production of cellulosic biofuel from a wide range of feedstocks," says Claus Crone Fuglsang, Senior Director of BioEnergy R&D in Novozymes. "Our enzymes have the unique ability to turn wood residues and plant waste into fuel for our cars. Lignol is an industry frontrunner and our work together over the past couple of years has reinforced a shared vision to produce energy and value from wood waste. We look forward to continued improvement under this partnership."

Pilot-scale biorefinery in Canada
Together, Lignol and Novozymes have the necessary know-how to turn wood residues into fuel. Lignol's pre-treatment technology has established them as a leader in dealing with woody biomass and in February 2010, Novozymes launched enzymes that enable commercial production of biofuel from plant waste. The enzymes convert cellulose in biomass into sugars that can then be fermented into ethanol. The parties plan to use Lignol's industrial pilot plant in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada to optimize both Lignol's process and Novozymes' enzymes on different types of forestry waste. Later, Lignol plans to construct large-scale biorefineries for the production of cellulosic biofuel from wood chips and forestry residues.

"The progress we have achieved to date with enzymes from Novozymes is extremely promising and a successful outcome of this collaboration should position us to produce cellulosic ethanol from woody biomass profitably and without the need for long term government subsidies," says Lignol President and CEO, Ross MacLachlan.

The agreement between Lignol and Novozymes formalizes a Memorandum of Understanding between the partners from February 2010.

www.novozymes.com
wwww.lignol.ca

Alter NRG Corp. has announced that it has signed a strategic alliance agreement with SMS EnvoCare Ltd (SMS), which has constructed and operates two hazardous waste to energy facilities in India using the Westinghouse Plasma technology. Westinghouse Plasma Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alter NRG.

SMS intends to construct further plasma gasification facilities for itself and other customers in India and other parts of the world. Under the terms of the agreement, SMS will market the Westinghouse Plasma Technology for hazardous waste, municipal solid waste, commercial waste, clinical waste, C&D wood waste, biomass and any combination of the forgoing into energy projects. SMS will provide the balance of plant, effectively offering the market complete waste-to-energy facilities. SMS is part of the SMS Infrastructures Limited Group which is Central India's largest civil engineering and infrastructure development company with over 2,500 employees worldwide.

Mark Montemurro, President and CEO of Alter NRG believes that "signing this strategic alliance agreement illustrates the confidence that SMS has in Alter NRG's Westinghouse Plasma technology. As an experienced owner, constructor and operator of plasma gasification facilities, SMS is the ideal partner to help Alter NRG rapidly deploy plasma gasification systems for treating hazardous and other waste streams in numerous geographic markets but with a focus in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Alter NRG will provide its plasma gasification technology including plasma torches along with engineering support and expects revenues of $2 to $10 million per project. Alter NRG will also benefit from having access to the operational and environmental data at SMS's two existing facilities as well as future facilities so that Alter can continue to optimize its product offering."

SMS has constructed two facilities, which use the Westinghouse Plasma Technology for treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, at Ranjangaon, Pune and Butibori, Nagpur in India. Each of these facilities is designed to destroy 72 metric tonnes per day of hazardous waste and has the capability to generate 3 Megawatts of electricity through waste heat recovery. SMS's Ranjangaon, Pune facility has been in operation for about 18 months and processes hazardous waste from more than 30 industry sectors including automotive, defense, petrochemical and pharmaceutical. The facility meets all regulatory requirements prevailing in India. SMS has demonstrated expertise in complete design engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of balance of plant for waste to energy using plasma gasification.

Hemant Lohda, Director of SMS states "We are pleased to be working with the industry leader, Westinghouse Plasma, and have aggressive plans to develop and build plasma gasification facilities ourselves and for our customers in India and the Middle East. We have received many inquiries from customers who want to construct facilities similar to the plants in Pune and Nagpur. We have dedicated 140 people to expanding our plasma gasification business and we expect to construct up to 4-5 facilities over the next 2-3 years."

Under the terms of the agreement, SMS will operate as Alter NRG's preferred partner for the design and construction of the balance of plant that surrounds Alter NRG's plasma gasifier for hazardous waste applications for facilities under 300 tonnes per day. The agreement is for a term of 2 years and is exclusive in India, non-exclusive in other areas of the world and specifically excludes China, United States, Canada, South America, Iraq and Pakistan.

SMS has the ability to provide complete facilities or turnkey facilities around the world and will offer industry standard performance guarantees and warranties. This turnkey product offering between the two companies is expected to help lower the overall capital costs in many regions and reduce risk for customers through the integration and offering of financeable construction wraps for the project.

www.alternrg.ca

Canadians could soon see renewable fuels produced on a large scale from algae grown in Nova Scotia. Speaking in Halifax, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), made the announcement at the launch of the algal biofuel project at the National Research Council Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) earlier this month.

"Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, improve the quality of life of Canadians and strengthen the economy," said Minister Goodyear. "These new fuels have the potential to deliver clean air, clean energy, clean water, and economic benefits for Nova Scotians and all Canadians."

Biofuels produced from renewable resources such as algae are key to future energy sustainability and have the highest potential for carbon capture. Some species of microalgae are expected to yield as much as twenty times more oil than traditional agricultural crops. As a renewable resource, algae are a clear winner — they don't require arable land, nor do they compete with food production.

The project received approximately $5 million through the National Bioproducts Program and NRC-IMB. Preliminary work and engineering plans have been drawn up to build a 50,000 litre cultivation pilot plant at the Ketch Harbour facility. A main component to help the algae grow will be carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Carbon2Algae, an industrial partner in the effort, eventually plans to operate algae photobioreactors that will capture carbon dioxide from facilities like the Alberta oil sands or coal-fired power plants, and use these emissions to allow local strains of algae to thrive.

Researchers at the Marine Research Station in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia, have been growing algae for over 50 years. In assessing how best to grow algae for biofuel, NRC has joined forces with the United States Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.

Dr. Stephen O'Leary, an NRC researcher working on the project, forecasts that commercial production of algal biofuels is likely in another five to 10 years. The project will ultimately join forces with NRC aerospace expertise to work toward commercializing algal biofuel, among other projects.

"We're asking plants to do what they do best," explained Dr. O'Leary. "With little more than water and carbon dioxide, algae can harvest sunlight and turn it into energy that could eventually be used to create jet fuel."
A key component distinguishing the National Research Council algal biofuel project from other international efforts is the focus on identifying local strains of algae that are suitable for biofuel production from specific sites in North America. The local species are already acclimatized to the environment, making them easier to grow, and avoiding the risks of importing foreign species that might accidentally be released into the environment.

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) on Monday released the much anticipated CanGEA Member Projects Database. The report outlines all the various CanGEA member projects under development around the world. This inaugural report is the first of its kind for the Canadian geothermal energy industry.

According to the report CanGEA members are currently working on more than 70 projects under development representing more than 1,400 MW, and nearly 2,000 MW of installed geothermal capacity. The projects listed span four continents and eleven countries giving CanGEA members a truly global reach in their operations. While there is currently no geothermal power production in Canada there are nevertheless a number of projects under development which may soon come online to supply Canada's first few megawatts of geothermal power.

Typically projects have been categorized in terms of resource development. The CanGEA Member Projects Database instead recognizes three levels of Geothermal Resources and two levels of Geothermal Reserves. With increasing geological knowledge and confidence a Geothermal Resource progresses from Inferred, to Indicated, to Measured. Similarly, with consideration of energy recovery and conversion, economic, marketing, environmental, social, legal, and regulatory factors (all Modifying Factors) the resource may be labelled a Probable or Proved Geothermal Reserve.

The CanGEA Member Projects Database uses the Canadian Geothermal Code for Public Reporting to provide a framework for comparison among industry players. Included in the Database is the Geothermal Progress Checklist which lays out the framework to categorize projects under development based on geological knowledge and modifying factors such as economic and legal factors. The checklist highlights the necessary steps in the development of a geothermal resource from exploration to production. Applying this framework allows for universal comparison among projects under development while also providing the cursory framework to adhere to the Canadian Geothermal Code for Public Reporting.

For a copy of the CanGEA Member Projects Database click here.

Last week, Nissan broke ground on a project that brings Nissan LEAF production to the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction on a manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., that will produce the lithium-ion batteries that power the Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicle. The all-electric Nissan LEAF will be produced at Nissan's vehicle assembly facility in Smyrna beginning in 2012.

Nissan LEAF and battery production will create up to 1,300 jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity. The battery plant, one of the largest vehicle battery manufacturing plants in North America at 1.3 million square feet at full capacity, will be capable of producing 200,000 advanced-technology batteries annually. It will be located adjacent to the vehicle assembly plant, which will be retooled to accommodate production of Nissan LEAF and will be capable of producing 150,000 electric cars annually.

"Nissan is committed to affordable, sustainable mobility. What we're doing here will radically transform the automotive experience for consumers. Today is a major step in helping create a green economy in the United States," said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. "Production of Nissan LEAF and lithium-ion batteries in Smyrna brings the United States closer to its goal of energy independence, creates green jobs and helps sustain American manufacturing. Nissan is a leader in global manufacturing innovation, and this state-of-the-art battery plant will strengthen that leadership."

"Tennessee has become a national leader in driving clean energy innovation, and Nissan's commitment to build this advanced-technology battery facility here in Tennessee is a key part of that success," said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. "Nissan's investment in Tennessee began more than two decades ago, and this new manufacturing plant leads the way to the next generation of automotive and clean energy jobs in the Volunteer state."

Combined, the construction of the battery plant and modification of the Smyrna manufacturing facility to accommodate Nissan LEAF production represents an investment of up to $1.7 billion, which initially is being supported by a U.S. Department of Energy loan for 80 percent of that investment, up to $1.4 billion.

The loan was issued as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a $25 billion program authorized by Congress as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program is designed to accelerate the development of vehicles and technologies that increase U.S. energy independence, create cleaner means of transportation and stimulate the American economy.

Approximately 13,000 U.S. consumers have placed a reservation for Nissan LEAF since reservations opened on April 20. The reservation process, which is open to the general public via NissanUsa.com, is the first step in securing a place on the list to purchase or lease Nissan LEAF. Nissan LEAF begins rolling out to select markets in the United States, Japan and Europe in December, with increased availability beginning in spring 2011, and full market rollout in 2012. It initially will be produced in Oppama, Japan, and will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries being produced in Zama, Japan. The Renault-Nissan Alliance will also produce lithium-ion batteries in Cacia, Portugal, and Sunderland, UK, as well as in Renault's Flins plant in France.

www.nissanusa.com

Lignol Energy Corporation, a leading technology company in the cellulosic ethanol and biorefining sector, last week announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between its wholly owned subsidiary, Lignol Innovations Inc. and Pacific Ethanol, Inc., the leading West Coast marketer and producer of ethanol, to evaluate the benefits of integrating Lignol's proprietary second generation biorefinery technology with Pacific Ethanol's existing corn ethanol facilities.

Pacific Ethanol seeks to reduce the carbon intensity of the ethanol it produces by integrating cellulose ethanol into existing operations. Pacific Ethanol's production locations are ideally located for the deployment of Lignol's biorefineries due to the abundance of woody biomass on the West Coast and regulations to improve the greenhouse gas profile of ethanol produced and marketed in California.

By deploying Lignol's proprietary technology within these established operations the companies believe there will be significant capital and operating cost advantages, from leveraging existing infrastructure, logistics, staffing and partnerships. Lignol expects the benefits of co-hosting could also significantly improve the timelines for the start-up of biorefinery operations and further assist Lignol in meeting its objective of being a low cost producer of cellulosic ethanol.

Lignol continues to evaluate unique ways to deploy its technology in order to drive the cost of cellulosic ethanol lower and exploit its technology platform. The integration of cellulosic ethanol into existing corn ethanol plants is one such opportunity. Lignol is also evaluating the feasibility of exploiting the unique attributes of its technology within the pulp and paper sector. Lignol's fractionation technology produces clean substrates that are ideal inputs for the cellulosic ethanol, pulp and paper and green chemical industries and the Company reports that it is having early stage discussions with potential partners in Canada to deploy a version of its technology to address these opportunities.

"By integrating cellulose ethanol production into existing operations, we can lower our carbon footprint, diversify our feedstock, and meet the future demand for advanced biofuels as required by the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard. Our work with Lignol will help advance their technology and take us nearer to our goal of producing and marketing ethanol from a variety of feedstocks," said Neil Koehler, Pacific Ethanol's CEO.

"Working with Pacific Ethanol on the West Coast is a natural fit for Lignol," said Lignol's President and CEO, Ross MacLachlan. "They have established themselves as a major force in the region and we are excited to be working with them to enhance their economic and long term plans to integrate cellulose ethanol into existing production. Pacific Ethanol's assets are first class and each of their locations appears to offer tremendous synergies for our technology deployment."

www.lignol.ca

SkyPower Limited (Toronto) and Conergy, Inc. (Canada) have formed an international joint venture to deploy solar energy solutions on commercial rooftops in Canada.

The two companies plan to lease space from or partner with real estate companies, big box retailers, property owners and governments to design, finance, build, own and operate rooftop solar systems

"The intention of this partnership is to bring the best technical solutions possible to building owners so they can enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy with confidence," said Conergy Canada's Managing Director Jared Donald. "We are bringing a track record of experience and quality engineering to Canada's burgeoning marketplace to optimize Ontario's investment in this important energy realm -- and to help the government meet its target of 100,000 solar rooftops across the province," said Donald.

The joint venture also aims to save building owners time, effort and money by procuring solar (PV) panels compliant with the new domestic content requirements set out by Ontario's Feed-in Tariff (FIT). The Conergy-SkyPower team is currently in active negotiations with many of the world's leading manufacturers of solar panels to make this happen.

Conergy and SkyPower combine successful industry track records, innovative talents, deep and broad industry experience with entrepreneurial strengths to assure building owners that you can have a solar installation while respecting the integrity of rooftop properties while optimizing the investment opportunities of leased rooftop space.

SkyPower brings expertise in project development, planning, contracting, procurement, finance and strong relationships with federal and provincial governments, municipalities, universities and commercial rooftop owners and property management companies. Conergy's global manufacturing, engineering and project execution experience ensures that the partnership provides a technical solution perfectly tailored to the Ontario markets the joint venture will serve. Conergy's extensive dealer network allows the partnership to install projects in all areas of Ontario using only experienced, qualified businesses.

"It is reassuring to see companies such as SkyPower and Conergy working with the Green Energy Act and the FIT program to continue developing renewable energy projects across the province," said Dave Levac, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy. "Working together, we will achieve our objectives to build a cleaner and brighter future for Ontario."

"Since first hearing Premier McGuinty's vision for 100,000 solar rooftops installed on Ontario structures, we have spent a tremendous amount of time studying the market, looking at how to effectively meet requirements and optimize lease revenue for property owners," said Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower Limited "Our new partnership is the most formidable solar joint venture in Canada in that it has the best business formula to help commercial real estate owners, big box retailers and the Ontario Government realize this exciting vision. We look forward to the opportunity to provide clean, renewable commercial rooftop energy projects and to solarizing Ontario Rooftops while becoming a significant participant in the marketplace,"

SkyPower has a successful track record in joint venture projects in Canada such as First Light, Canada's first-ever and award winning solar energy park, located in Stone Mills, Ontario. First Light has deployed 126,000 solar panels spread across 90 acres of land to produce clean, renewable energy for local distribution to meet Canadian interests. SkyPower recently announced the start of construction for two more utility-scale solar projects. The two projects currently under construction when complete in Fall 2010, will produce enough electricity to power 33,000 homes in Norfolk County, Ontario. Construction is scheduled to begin on SkyPower's fourth third utility-scale project in Chatham-Kent, Ontario in early June 2010 and once complete will cut over 250 thousand metric tons of CO2 emissions from the environment. Combined, by end of 2010 SkyPower anticipates it will have over 50MW of installed solar projects in the Province of Ontario.

Conergy works closely with reputable distributors like RESCo Energy to produce efficient, leading edge projects like LoyaltyOne's 163 kW rooftop solution in Mississauga, Ontario. Featuring 796 solar modules producing clean, renewable energy for its owners, it's the largest utility-connected rooftop solar installation in Canada. Conergy brings the expertise associated with 1.25 Gigawatts of successful renewable energy projects worldwide to assist the Canadian marketplace in optimizing the return on its solar energy investments.

www.skypower.com
www.conergy.ca