Representatives from both governments signed the MOU in Stockholm this
month identifying how the two states can benefit from enhanced information
sharing and interaction to develop bioenergy for transportation fuels and
other uses.
"Through strong cooperation between its industry and government, Sweden is
showing the world how bioenergy can be developed in a cost-effective
manner that benefits its economy and environment," said Joe Desmond,
Resources Agency Undersecretary for Energy Affairs. "This MOU will provide
a basis for intensified collaboration between our states to help
California develop a thriving bioenergy industry."
Sweden has been recognized as a global leader in converting biowaste
derived from agricultural material and residues into usable biomethane.
The gas is used to generate electricity, residential heating, or as a
transportation fuel. Biomass sources make up 45 percent of Sweden's
methane, and the country's biomethane industry has been growing at an
annual rate of around 20 percent over the last five years.
Officials signed the MOU after a tour of Swedish biomethane facilities by
a delegation of California business and government leaders. Led by Desmond
and California Energy Commissioner Jim Boyd, the delegation included
leaders from the state's dairy and ranching industries, a gas utility, as
well as other key regulatory officials. The tour was organized by CALSTART
in partnership with the Business Region Gothenburg.
"This MOU is consistent with Governor Schwarzenegger's bioenergy agenda
for California. We can benefit from Swedish knowledge and technology to
advance our own bioenergy industry here," said Boyd, who also serves as
chairman of the Governor's Interagency Bioenergy Task Force.
Biomethane powers more than 8,000 transit buses, garbage trucks, and 10
different models of passenger cars in Sweden. The country has more than 25
biomethane production facilities and 65 filling stations. Since biomethane
is developed from methane sources that would normally release into the
atmosphere, it is considered one of the most climate-friendly fuels.
Biomethane is 98 percent methane and easily meets the Swedish and
California pipeline standards.
Biomethane is developed by heating up and breaking down biomaterials in a
digester. Among the raw materials the Swedes feed their digesters are
slaughterhouse waste, swine manure, and grassy crops. The materials break
down over a 20-day period and impurities are removed to produce the gas.
In some cases, renewable biomethane is injected into Sweden's natural gas
pipeline network to augment supplies. The program is similar to the "green
energy" program operated by some electric utilities in California.