Latest news with #NCTC
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Reformed Carbon 2: Raven SR From Landfill To Hydrogen Riches
The Los Angeles County Garbage Challenge In the second article of the Reformed Carbon series, we meet Raven SR, which core technology is a proprietary, non-combustion, non-catalytic steam reforming process engineered to convert a wide array of organic waste into clean hydrogen-rich gas. Unlike traditional thermal conversion methods such as incineration, gasification, or pyrolysis—which typically rely on combustion, oxygen input, or catalytic beds—Raven SR's two-stage process is driven by indirect electric heating, offering superior control over reaction conditions and emissions. This method is thermally efficient, feedstock-flexible, and especially well-suited for decentralized, modular waste-to-hydrogen installations. In a June 2025 report 'Transforming Waste Biomass into Clean Hydrogen: A Sustainable Path for Los Angeles and California,' the Green Hydrogen Coalition examines opportunities to produce hydrogen from biomass through non-combustion thermal conversion (NCTC) solutions in Los Angeles County, California. The analysis highlights landfill biosolids, wood, and paper waste as high-potential organic feedstocks. The study identifies nine existing waste processing facilities as candidate sites for NCTC deployment, with a combined processing capacity of 1.125 million tons of organic biomass—approximately one-third of the county's total annual organic waste. At full capacity, these facilities could produce an estimated 90,000 tons of renewable hydrogen per year, sufficient to power roughly 9,000 Class 8 fuel cell trucks. The environmental impact would be significant: diverting biomass from landfills and reducing diesel combustion could prevent approximately 520,000 tons and 790,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, respectively. In this Reformed Carbon series of articles, we will examine whether Raven SR's technology might offer a sound solution here. Richmond Project The Richmond Project is Raven SR's first commercial-scale deployment of its proprietary, non-combustion waste-to-hydrogen technology. Located at the Republic Services' West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill in Richmond, California, north of San Francisco. The facility represents a pivotal advancement in the transition to renewable hydrogen and low-carbon fuels. This project integrates Raven SR's patented Steam/CO₂ reformation process, one of the world's only non-combustion pathways for converting organic waste into hydrogen, with a modular and scalable facility design that maximizes operational efficiency and sustainability. The project is jointly owned 50/50 by Raven SR and Chevron Renewable Energy Group, following the exit of earlier partner Hyzon Motors. The total project cost has grown from its original estimate of $50 million to approximately $75 million, with around half already spent on equipment. The increase in cost is attributed to inflation, permitting delays, and project scope adjustments. The facility is engineered to process up to 100 tons of organic waste per day, sourced locally from Republic Services. This feedstock includes mixed commercial waste with high organic content—such as green waste, and other carbon-rich materials. The output will include up to approximately 5.5 metric tons of renewable hydrogen per day (equivalent to ~2,000 metric tons per year), which will be cleaned to 99.999% purity, suitable for fuel cell and mobility applications. The plant will consume less than 6 MW of power, which doubles the hydrogen output relative to if the same energy were used for electrolysis. Hydrogen produced at Richmond will be shared accordingly, with Chevron taking 50% of the output for mobility applications. The other 50% is expected to be marketed by RavenSR through partners and investors, such as Itochu (Japan-based trader). Distribution of the hydrogen will be managed via tube trailers, avoiding the need for pipelines and allowing flexible delivery to fuel stations and industrial users. The company has also engaged with additional potential off-takers but remains focused on executing this first project before scaling further. From a regulatory standpoint, the Richmond Project navigated significant challenges, including CEQA approval, CalRecycle permitting under SB 1383, and a Health Risk Assessment by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Raven SR successfully pivoted to a biomass conversion designation to comply with regulatory definitions and unlock pathway exemptions for certain organic waste streams. 'Raven's organic waste to hydrogen project sets a new standard in environmental sustainability. It will provide a triple benefit for local air quality and the climate by reducing landfill waste, using landfill gas instead of flaring it, and using the hydrogen in place of diesel in heavy duty trucks. Raven will also provide good jobs in a community that desperately needs them, adding economic benefits on top of environmental.'Zaragoza, Spain For the past several years, Raven SR has been developing a business case for Zaragoza, Spain as a pioneering initiative for the company, which marks the first industrial-scale, non-combustion waste-to-hydrogen production facility in Europe. The project has been designated as a "Project and Investment of Regional Autonomous Interest" by the Government of Aragón. In addition to this regional recognition, Raven SR has received €1.4 million in funding from Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. This follows a €1.7 million award from the European Commission in 2022, as part of the Hy2Market consortium, which also focuses on expanding hydrogen production in Europe. The facility will be the first of its kind in Europe, which will help Spain meet its environmental goals under the EU Green Deal and Hydrogen Valleys initiatives. Raven SR modular plant layout, artist rendering Raven SR Non-Combustion Technology The system is built around two principal reactors. The first-stage reactor is an indirectly heated rotary kiln or calciner. This vessel operates at temperatures between 500°C and 750°C, initiating the thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of the solid feedstock. During this phase, volatile organic compounds are released and partially converted to gaseous products while solid carbonaceous residues (biochar) are retained. The feedstock waste is pre-processed to a 2-inch-minus particle size. It can include municipal solid waste, plastics, green waste, and other chemically organic materials—as long as they contain carbon and hydrogen. The vapors and gases generated in the first stage are immediately transferred to the second-stage reactor, a high-temperature cracking chamber that elevates the gas stream temperature to approximately 1000°C using powerful electric heating elements requiring ~2 MW of electric input. This stage includes a highly engineered flow path designed to maximize turbulence, ensure uniform heat distribution, and extend residence time. At these temperatures, even the most stable hydrocarbon molecules, such as methane, undergo decomposition into hydrogen, carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). To enhance conversion reactions, steam and recycled syngas are co-fed with the feedstock, enabling both steam reforming and dry reforming (CO₂ reforming) within the same system. The process operates with minimal air input (oxygen kept below 2%) to suppress combustion reactions, improving hydrogen yield and reducing pollutant formation, including carbonyls and dioxins. The process is engineered around the high energy requirements of methane cracking, which serves as a proxy for achieving full conversion of less stable hydrocarbons. The reactors provide a minimum of two seconds residence time at high temperature—sufficient to reach thermal equilibrium—but are designed for up to six seconds for robustness and complete molecular breakdown. The system's cold gas efficiency, a standard metric for evaluating the energy content of syngas relative to the feedstock, is reported at 95%, significantly outperforming conventional pyrolysis and gasification technologies, which typically range between 65% and 75%. From this syngas, hydrogen is derived through a downstream water-gas shift reaction, where CO reacts with steam to produce additional H₂ and CO₂. The syngas stream then passes through multiple purification stages including a water wash column, zinc oxide bed for sulfur removal, activated carbon filtration, and an ammonia absorber, before entering a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit for final hydrogen separation. The hydrogen output is notably high. Approximately one-third of the hydrogen is produced in each of the three stages: the first-stage thermal reactor, the second-stage cracking chamber, and the water-gas shift unit. This distribution supports a balanced design and increases process stability. Beyond hydrogen, the system produces biochar as a byproduct, only 15% by weight of the feedstock—a stable carbonaceous solid that has passed leachability and toxicity tests (TCLP). Biochar can be sequestered or blended into composts to enhance carbon content in soil, contributing to negative carbon emissions. Additionally, process CO₂ is released but can be captured or managed within low-carbon regulatory frameworks. The system is also energy-integrated: up to 60–65% of its electrical needs can be met through onsite landfill gas generation, with the remaining portion supplied by grid electricity—potentially renewable depending on location. This energy mix further improves the system's carbon intensity profile, supporting favorable CI scores under programs like California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The Richmond Project establishes Raven SR as a key player in sustainable hydrogen production by deploying a scalable, non-combustion technology that converts organic waste into hydrogen while reducing reliance on landfills and fossil fuels. The system's modular design, combined with indirect electric heating, controlled chemistry, extended thermal residence time, and multi-stage gas cleanup, provides a highly efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to combustion-based garbage elimination methods.
CairoScene
20-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Egypt Opens National Tech Hub to Commercialise Local Invention
Backed by the Ministry of Higher Education, the National Center for Technology Commercialization will help translate Egypt's research into market-ready technologies. May 20, 2025 Egypt has launched the National Center for Technology Commercialization (NCTC), a new facility designed to help researchers and inventors turn their innovations into viable products. Developed by Progressio in partnership with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), the centre operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education. The centre aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by offering a public platform where scientists, startups, and private companies can collaborate. It will provide support in areas such as intellectual property protection, tech transfer, licensing, and early-stage venture development—particularly in high-impact fields like agriculture, energy, healthcare, and information technology. Despite high levels of entrepreneurial intent in Egypt—60% of adults report interest in starting a business, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor—there remains a disconnect between research output and commercial application. Egypt filed just over 1,000 patent applications in 2022, a modest figure compared to international benchmarks. The NCTC is being positioned as a national response to this gap, aiming to equip inventors with the tools needed to take ideas to market. The centre is part of a broader initiative known as the One Million Minds Movement, which plans to engage Egyptian innovators through incubators, workshops, and mentorship programmes. Additional details on the centre's digital platform, service rollout, and public initiatives are expected in the coming months.
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NCTC Promotes Jeff Nourse to General Counsel
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Jeff Nourse to General Counsel, effective immediately. Nourse, who most recently served as Senior Vice President of Legal & Regulatory Affairs, has been with NCTC for over 15 years and has played a critical role in guiding the organization's legal and business strategy through a time of dynamic industry change. In his new role as General Counsel, Nourse will serve as the chief legal officer of NCTC and a key member of the senior leadership team. He will oversee all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters affecting the organization, including supervising NCTC's internal legal team and managing outside counsel. Additionally, he will act as NCTC's Corporate Secretary and Compliance Officer, supporting the NCTC Board of Directors on various governance issues. 'Nourse's deep understanding of the legal landscape, combined with his institutional knowledge and strategic insight of the NCTC, makes him an ideal choice to serve as our General Counsel,' said Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC. 'He has been an indispensable part of our leadership team, and we're excited to see him step into this critical role.' As General Counsel, Nourse will continue to provide counsel on a wide range of issues impacting NCTC's members and operations, including regulatory developments in television, broadband, and telecommunications; antitrust and cooperative risk; contract negotiation; employment law; and the legal aspects of employee benefits and healthcare plans. He will also lead internal compliance initiatives, training, and audits, promoting a culture of ethics and accountability across the organization. 'I'm honored to take on the role of General Counsel at a time when our members' industry is more complex and transformative than ever,' said Nourse. 'Over the past 15 years, I've had a front-row seat to our members' remarkable shift from traditional video service providers towards embracing more diversified and dynamic solutions to serve their customers and communities. I am immensely proud to have a small role contributing to their success.' About the National Content & Technology Cooperative The National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation comprised of nearly 700 independent cable and broadband operators serving one-third of the connected households in all 50 United States and territories. The NCTC negotiates content, connectivity, and technology solutions for its member companies that create operational efficiencies, new products, and revenue streams for sustainable growth. For more information, visit: Media Contact: Christy Drummond, VP Marketing and Communications (913) 310-1551 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NCTC
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eaglets killed when 75-mph windstorm knocks bald eagle nest out of tree
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.V.– Three baby bald eagles were killed over the weekend when their nest was blown out of a tree during a sudden windstorm. The eaglets were hatched in March and lived in a nest atop a sycamore tree at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia. The nest was 22 years old and located about 90 feet in the air, according to the NCTC. "The day was peaceful," said Randy Robinson, NCTC outreach coordinator. "We didn't have any rain or hail." But thunderstorms Saturday night triggered severe wind gusts in the region ranging from 60-80 mph. An anemometer in nearby Hagerstown, Maryland reported a gust of 75 mph right at 10 p.m. The eaglets didn't survive the fall from the tree. The nest was "pretty much obliterated," Robinson said. The group of eagles is highly watched and loved via "eagle cams" or 24/7 U.S Fish & Wildlife livestreams of the eagle nests. Robinson said the 4-week-old eaglets weren't ready to fly. Typically, he said, eagles don't learn to fly until 12 weeks old. Bald Eagle Caught By Fish Hook In Texas Takes First Flight Toward Recovery The NCTC said the two adult eagles who lived in the nest, known affectionately by eagle cam watchers as Bella and Scout, seemed to be well and have been seen flying around and perching in the nest tree since the incident. Last fall, the center said the two adult bald eagles had built a new nest in the same tree, 15 feet below the original one. It's hoped that the eagles will lay eggs in the new nest and will use it to raise their young next season. Watch: Baby Bald Eagles Hatch In Longtime Nest Of Beloved Bird Couple The NCTC said the newer nest is in a much stronger part of the sycamore tree and had minimal damage after the windstorm. "We extend condolences to everyone who enjoyed daily visits to the NCTC Eaglecam and many thanks for all the kind words of support," the training center said in a Facebook post. The original nest was built in 2003 by a different bald eagle pair, the training center said. The first eggs were laid in the nest in 2004, and the first eagle cam was installed in 2005. Robinson said the NCTC estimates around 45 offspring had fledged from the original nest. He said the eaglets will be honored with a private flute ceremony. Editor's Note: A mobile push notification to this story stated there were four eaglets killed during the windstorm instead of article source: Eaglets killed when 75-mph windstorm knocks bald eagle nest out of tree
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
West Virginia eagle parents repairing second nest after losing three chicks in storm
SHEPHERDSTOWN, (WBOY) — Bella and Scout, an adult eagle pair living at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, have already begun repairing a second nest after their nest was blown out of a 90-foot tree during a storm last week. The three chicks in the nest, who were about four weeks old—named Sage, Echo and Cotton by local students—all died when the nest fell, to the dismay of viewers across the U.S. that watch the nest on the NCTC live Eaglecam feeds. According to NCTC officials, eagle nests are not engineered to last forever. During the weekly 'Live from the Eagle Nest' livestream on April 24, Randy Robinson from the NCTC said that they 'knew that the upper nest would not last forever,' and that the 22 years that it lasted was a good lifetime of an eagle nest. Over the 22 years, 45 offspring were fledged from the nest, which Robinson said is a 'very productive nest.' While the old nest was 'obliterated,' there is a second lower nest that the pair built last year, about 15 feet below the older nest. In fact, biologists expected the pair to use the new nest after it was built, but they used the old instead. Wild deer named Bucky who visits bar and homes investigated by West Virginia DNR That new nest only suffered minor damage in the storm, and Bella and Scout have already been seen on the new lower nest making repairs, and although there is a small chance that they could mate and lay a new clutch this year, it is more likely that the next clutch will be in 2026. NCTC officials will inspect the nest and reposition the cameras in the fall when there's no eagle activity. Viewers can continue to follow the eagles at the NCTC by watching the live Eaglecams, following the NCTC on Facebook, and tuning in for 'Live from the Eagle Nest' specials on YouTube. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
