Technology

FS confirms geological feasibility of BECCS project and will be able to produce the world’s first carbon-negative ethanol

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2024

By capturing and storing carbon in Lucas do Rio Verde plant, Brazil’s first corn ethanol industry could also be the first to produce carbon-negative ethanol

LUCAS DO RIO VERDE, Brazil, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — FS, one of the largest producers of ethanol and animal nutrition in Brazil, has just completed technical studies that prove suitable geological conditions for injecting carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted in the fermentation phase of biofuel production, in the subsoil. Hence, the company can become the world’s first ethanol producer with a negative carbon footprint and the first to develop BECCS technology (acronym in English for bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage) in the production of ethanol outside the U.S., as announced by the Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, during the 3rd Energy Transition Working Group, G20 meeting, which took place in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais

The adoption of the technology will prevent the release of approximately 423 thousand tons of CO2 into the atmosphere per year by the industry’s operation in Lucas do Rio Verde (MT). Subsequently, the solution can be implemented in other industrial units of the company, reaching a potential for removing CO2 from the atmosphere of more than 1.8 million tons of carbon per year.

The technology is an innovative solution for capturing carbon, one of the main causes of the greenhouse effect, and injecting it underground into deep geological layers, where it will be safely stored for thousands of years, without influencing global warming.

FS, which has been working on this project for 4 years, drilled a stratigraphic well approximately 2,000 meters deep in October 2023 to examine rock formations in the area below its Lucas do Rio Verde industry. Studies concluded that the Diamantino rock formation, located in the Parecis Basin in Mato Grosso, has adequate porosity and permeability conditions to receive CO2 to be injected at a depth of more than 800 meters.

Currently, there are only two ethanol producers in the world with BECCS technology in operation, both in the United States. Mato Grosso’s industry, however, will be the first carbon-negative industry, as it only uses second-crop corn as a raw material and renewable biomass from planted forests as an energy source.

“The technical study’s result is an essential milestone to encourage the next steps necessary to unlock investments in BECCS technology by the ethanol sector. Now what we need is the advancement of regulation and carbon trading markets”, says FS CEO, Rafael Abud. “In addition to utilization in automobiles, ethanol produced with the technology can be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and marine fuel, making Brazilian ethanol increasingly one of the largest contributors to the world’s energy transition”, he adds .

As soon as the senate approves the regulation of the activity – included in the bill for the Fuel of the Future program –, FS will invest an additional R$350 million in the implementation of equipment to capture, dehydrate, compress and inject CO2 underground. Work could begin later this year, with completion scheduled for the end of 2025. Around 230 direct jobs will be created during well drilling, construction and assembly of CO2 compression and dehydration equipment. Recently, the project had the financial support of FINEP, a public agency that promotes innovation and works with a focus on strategic, structuring and impactful actions for sustainable development in Brazil.

According to FS’s Vice President of Sustainability and New Business, Daniel Lopes, “This is a crucial step towards achieving FS’s vision, which is to be the largest producer of carbon-negative fuel in the world. We will now dedicate our efforts to monetizing this project through the sale of carbon credits, and await the approval of the legal framework by the Senate”, he comments.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fs-confirms-geological-feasibility-of-beccs-project-and-will-be-able-to-produce-the-worlds-first-carbon-negative-ethanol-302158603.html

Technology

FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

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SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/