USFGIS announces agreement with Twin Ports Testing

USFGIS LLC, a global inspection company, has announced a strategic agreement with Twin Ports Testing planning a joint market approach for the biomass industry. USFGIS is committed to helping customers safeguard their businesses though its domestic and global operations. The company operates through the Global Superintendence Alliance, a network of highly specialized inspection companies active in more than 595 countries. TPT has been involved in the wood pellet industry since the early 1980s and is an active member of the Pellet Fuel Institute. In addition, TPT has been involved in developing the North American standards for pelletized/densified commercial and residential fuel as well as QA/QC procedures. 

Denham Capital, Thesis Energy announce partnership

Denham Capital and Thesis Energy have announced a partnership to pursue opportunities in European power generation. The new platform, called Thesis Energy, will acquire and actively manage large-scale gas, coal and biomass-fired power-generation and cogeneration assets across Western Europe. 

Vecoplan appoints manager

Luther “Luke” Peoples has been named electrical department manager at Vecoplan LLC. His responsibilities include overseeing aspects of the design engineering, programming, production and quality control teams at Vecoplan. Peoples has served as an electrical quality control engineer at Vecoplan since 2006 and has 33 years of combined experience in electronics and industrial controls.

Saxlund, Axis Industries announce CHP projects

Saxlund International and Axis Industries have announced two new combustion projects to deliver combined-heat-and-power (CHP) for customers in Estonia and Lithuania. Under the agreement, Axis Industries will be responsible for full turnkey project delivery covering design, installation and commissioning and incorporating licensed technology from Saxlund International, including furnaces, turbines and materials handling, together with flue gas condensation and cleaning. The first project for Danpower Baltic, a joint venture between Danpower GmbH and Geco Investicijos, will provide 5 MW electric CHP to provide heat and power to the municipality of Kaunas, Lithuania. At Tallinn, Estonia, a larger project for Utilitas will deliver 21.4 MW electric CHP.

Rodman & Rodman names tax manager

Newton, Massachusetts-based CPA firm Rodman & Rodman P.C. has named Kevin Michaelan, a certified public accountant, as tax manager. Michaelan will also serve as a member of the firm’s Green Team, a specialty practice serving renewable energy clients. In his new role at Rodman & Rodman, Michaelan serves the owners and managers of established, privately held companies in a variety of industries, as well as entrepreneurs of technology startups. His experience includes business combinations, compensation and benefits, international tax, and multistate tax planning and compliance.

Ashurst advises UK investors

Ashurst has advised Irish utility Electricity Supply Board and the U.K. Green Investment Bank on their investment as sponsors to the £190 million ($291.41 million) waste wood biomass power project at the Port of Tilbury, Essex. This is the first investment by ESB in the U.K. waste and bioenergy sector. The 300 GWh facility is expected to be operational in 2017.

ABO announces new members

The Algae Biomass Organization has announced the addition of new members. Joule Unlimited has joined as a platinum member and Algae Systems has joined as a gold member. In addition, HY-TEK Bio  and Parker Hannifin’s Renewable Resources Unit, focusing on algae industry research and development, have each joined as corporate members.

Drax Biomass appoints CEO

Drax Biomass has appointed Peter Madden as CEO of U.S. operations. He has nearly 30 years’ experience in the forestry industry and will play a critical leadership role as Drax’s workforce and investment in the U.S. grow. He will guide the overall strategy and oversee day-to-day operations in the U.S. Madden most recently served as the vice president of renewable energy and supply chain for Plum Creek Timber Co.

VEIC appoints director

The Vermont Energy Investment Corp. has named Karen Glitman director of policy and public affairs. She has served as VEIC’s director of transportation efficiency since 2011. In her new role, Glitman will lead the organization’s work designing and advancing cutting-edge policy related to sustainable energy.