Supplier news

Nexterra to supply biomass gasification system to UK power plant

Nexterra Systems Corp., Vancouver, British Columbia, a provider of energy-from-waste gasification systems, has signed a contract with construction firm MWH to supply a biomass gasification system for the Birmingham Bio Power Ltd. (BBPL) renewable energy power plant in Birmingham, England’s Tyseley district.

Developed by U.K.-based Carbonarius, the plant will be capable of producing more than 10 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity for sale to the grid. The project is expected to create more than 100 engineering, project management and construction jobs and 19 full-time jobs on site once operational.

Mike Scott, Nexterra president and CEO, says, “We are very pleased to be selected by MWH, Carbonarius and the investor consortium for our first project in the U.K. We believe that this is an attractive market for our gasification solutions and look forward to establishing our energy-from-renewable-waste systems across the U.K. Nexterra was first introduced to these U.K. market opportunities by BAE Systems in 2011 as part of its commitment to Canadian industry, so it is rewarding to have signed this contract today.”

Ian Brooking of Carbonarius says, “Nexterra has demonstrated that they have a proven, robust gasification platform that will handle the wood waste feedstock available in the U.K. while still meeting the stringent U.K. emission regulations. We look forward to working with them on this and other projects.”

The Nexterra gasification system is part of the $78 million project that will use 67,000 metric tons per year of locally sourced recovered wood to produce steam that will be converted into electricity through a steam turbine and generator system.

“To execute this project we needed a gasification technology that was proven, reliable and bankable,” says Ian Miller of MWH, “After looking at different technologies, we determined that Nexterra’s technology and track record was the best fit for the project. We look forward to working with them on this project.”

Nexterra will design and supply the biomass gasification-to-steam generation system from feedstock handling to emission controls, including four gasifiers, a high pressure boiler and a flue gas treatment system. The Nexterra system qualifies as an Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT) under U.K. legislation, meaning that the power generated by the project will receive the highest band of Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

MWH, an environmental, engineering and construction services company, will be responsible for construction and installation of the system as well as the balance of the plant, including the steam turbine and associated equipment used to produce the power.

The project, Nexterra’s first in the U.K., is funded by a consortium comprising UK Green Investment Bank, Balfour Beatty plc, Eternity Capital Management Ltd., Foresight Group’s U.K. Waste Resources and Energy Investments (UKWREI), and GCP Infrastructure Fund with developer, Carbonarius. The company has delivered seven commercial plants in Canada and the United States.

NSF and Sustainable Waste Solutions establish landfill-free verification system

NSF Sustainability, a division of NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich., has partnered with Sustainable Waste Solutions, Antioch, Calif., to provide companies with a landfill-free verification system. The two firms say they are able to assess companies to document that all wastes generated are reused, recycled or processed as waste to energy.

NSF International bills itself as an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides standards development, product certification, auditing, education and risk management for public health and the environment. Sustainable Waste Solutions says it provides a range of reuse, recycling and waste services to its customers.

NSF International’s landfill-free verification “enables companies to demonstrate that less than one percent of their process waste goes to landfill for disposal and that they have documented waste management procedures and trainings in place,” says NSF.

Qualifying for NSF landfill-free verification requires the following:

• retaining documentation and tracking all waste streams;
• maintaining containers to manage waste;
• establishing a program for electronic waste management;
• employee and contracting training; and
• audits of the facility to ensure these procedures are in place.
  
   

Bandit backs away from Alamo bid

Bandit Industries, Remus, Mich., has announced that the company will remain privately owned in the hands of current owners Jerry Morey, Mike Morey Sr. and Dianne Morey. The three have elected to turn down the offer from Alamo Group Inc., Seguin, Texas, negating Alamo’s pending acquisition of Bandit.

“Alamo is an exceptional company and we are very honored that they’ve shown such an interest in Bandit and our corporate culture,” says Bandit Industries President Jerry Morey. “We share many common ideas and visions, and we are grateful for the relationships we’ve built. Ultimately, we decided the best future for Bandit and our 400 employees at this time was to remain a private company.”

According to a statement issued by Alamo on Dec. 16, 2013, “ … the transaction was subject to completion of an acquisition agreement and certain other conditions, and as of now the parties have been unable to reach an agreement on a basis for going forward.”

The company reports that 2013 has been a record sales year, and Bandit Industries recently completed a factory expansion of approximately 20,000 square feet, with additional expansions planned. The company’s dealer network in the United States and abroad also is expanding, and with demand for wood processing equipment on the increase, Bandit says, the company continues to hire employees at all levels.

“When we first announced that we were considering offers to sell Bandit, myself, Mike Morey Sr. and Dianne Morey said that we would only sell if it was the right fit,” explains Jerry Morey. “Taking care of our employees and our dealer network, continuing to support our mid-Michigan community and maintaining the Bandit legacy we built over the last 30 years; these are things we cannot put a price on.”

He continues, “Bandit Industries is stronger than ever because of our employees, the hard work from our dealers, and our basic business model of building reliable equipment and taking care of our customers. We will continue to explore options for a potential sale of the company while sticking to these basic truths that form the core of Bandit Industries.”

Bandit constructs around 50 different models of wood processing machines including wood chippers to wood waste recyclers, stump grinders and forestry mowers.

Alter NRG signs $21 million agreement with Air Products

Alter NRG Corp., Calgary, Alberta, has signed an agreement with Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Lehigh Valley, Pa., to provide a Westinghouse Plasma gasification solution for $21 million. Air Products confirmed its intention to proceed with a second plasma gasification facility during its fourth quarter earnings call in October 2013. The facility will be located adjacent to Air Products’ first project, the Tees Valley 1 Renewable Energy Facility in northeast England.

Alter NRG began its relationship with Air Products in January 2009 when it signed a Joint Development Agreement that provided Air Products with five site licenses and access to the Westinghouse Plasma technology. Subsequently, Air Products developed the Tees Valley Renewable Energy Facility, which is expected to convert 950 metric tons per day of household waste into 50 megawatts of renewable electricity.

Alter NRG has delivered all of the plasma gasification equipment for the first project. The first Tees Valley project is in late stages of construction, and Air Products has begun the procurement phase on the second Tees Valley project, which is about the same size and configuration.

Air Products says total spending on the two projects is more than $800 million. Alter NRG and its wholly owned subsidiary Westinghouse Plasma Corp. will provide gasifier equipment, related control, instrumentation and engineering services for about $21 million.

Walter Howard, Alter NRG’s CEO says that “having an industry-leading company like Air Products commencing construction of a second facility utilizing our Model G65 gasifier solution is a significant commercial milestone. This illustrates Air Products’ confidence with and commitment to the Westinghouse Plasma Technology and is encouraging to our other customers worldwide. We look forward to supporting Air Products as they continue to expand their plasma gasification energy-from-waste business.”