Truly Sustainable Renewable Future
March 17, 2009 – 10:42 am | No Comment

Advanced Biofuels are high-energy liquid transportation fuels derived from: low nutrient input/high per acre yield crops; agricultural or forestry waste; or other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae.  The key word is “sustainable.”
A technical definition that …

Read the full story »
Federal Agency

Regulations, agency actions, funding and public comment opportunities

Federal Legislation

Political news and views from Capitol Hill.

Opinion Advanced Biofuels USA

R & D Focus

Research and development from feedstocks to process and distribution

States

Legislation, regulation, innovative ideas and programs

Home » Archive by Month

Article Archive for June 2009

Evaluation of Bio-Derived Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK)
June 30, 2009 – 5:37 pm | No Comment

by  Dr. James D. Kinder and Timothy Rahmes (The Boeing Company)  … Virgin Atlantic paved the way with its proof of concept flight powered by biofuel in February 2008.  Since that time, a broader range …

A Global Overview of Vegetable Oils, with Reference to Biodiesel
June 30, 2009 – 5:23 pm | No Comment

IEA Bioenergy Task 40 commissioned a study on a global overview of bio-oils (vegetable and palm oil) to: i) assess major producers and consumers of vegetables oils, ii) main emerging markets, iii) analyze main policy …

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 Passes House
June 30, 2009 – 2:21 pm | No Comment

By a margin of 219 to 212, the American clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 passed the US House of Representatives on Friday evening, June 26.  The next stop is the US Senate where, because it is …

Abundant Biofuels Corporation Offers Low-Cost, Long-Term Contracts to Supply Jatropha Oil to U.S. Refiners With Under-Capacity Production Problems
June 30, 2009 – 12:16 pm | No Comment

Dr. Charles Fishel, Chairman of Abundant Biofuels Corporation, noted that “There are about 100 biodiesel refineries operating below capacity and another 47 idle refineries in the United States, alone.” To help solve this problem, Abundant …

World Biofuels Markets March 15-17 Amsterdam, Netherlands
June 30, 2009 – 11:58 am | No Comment
World Biofuels Markets March 15-17 Amsterdam, Netherlands

WBM is the leading industry networking event where, each year, the leaders of the biofuels world convene to meet new customers, suppliers and partners and help drive innovation and business.  Over 4500 high calibre executives …

U.S. Pulp-Maker Pioneers New Biofuel
June 29, 2009 – 12:22 pm | No Comment

by Jason Szep  (Reuters)  From the outside, the rustic red-brick mill on a bend in Maine’s Penobscot River resembles any other struggling American pulp and paper mill.  But along with its usual business of pulp-making, the …

The New Roadmap for Measuring & Valuing Carbon in the Agribusiness Sector
June 29, 2009 – 10:03 am | No Comment

 
by Dawson Williams (Clear Carbon Consulting)  Agribusiness is a Significant Source of Carbon Emissions and Potential Reduction Opportunities It is widely acknowledged that production agriculture, such as livestock rearing, crop cultivation, timber production, and ornamental …

From Soy to Mulit-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant in Minnesota
June 29, 2009 – 9:49 am | No Comment

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA Rural Development has approved a $25 million loan to enable a Minnesota biodiesel facility to diversify its operations and significantly expand the production of advanced biofuels.  “The …

Amyris Opens Renewable Products Demonstration Facility in Brazil
June 29, 2009 – 9:41 am | No Comment

Amyris Brasil Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Ltda., a wholly owned subsidiary of Amyris Biotechnologies, Inc., today announced the opening of the Amyris Renewable Products Demonstration Facility in Campinas. The facility, located in the midst of the …

Roadsters Embrace Green Racing
June 29, 2009 – 7:32 am | No Comment

by Doug Dollemore, American Chemical Society  
Fast and green. That’s what it takes to get to the winner’s circle in a new type of auto racing. Called green racing, it’s a meshing of the fast and …

House Ag Committee Chair Reaches Climate Change Bill Agreement
June 24, 2009 – 3:05 pm | No Comment

 House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson issued the following statement on an agreement with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

“We have reached …

Jatropha Can Raise Rural Incomes–Phillippine Study
June 24, 2009 – 2:28 pm | No Comment

by Rudy A. Fernandez, Checkbiotech      Rural households can increase their income by growing jatropha.  Attesting to this is a study done by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Forestry and Natural Resources …

A Fair Accounting of Greenhouse Gases For All Potential Transportation Fuels
June 24, 2009 – 1:37 pm | No Comment

by Bob Dinneen, Renewable Fuels Association     It is troubling–and, at the same time, sadly amusing–that an enterprising reporter at USA Today has done more homework on the possible indirect effects of increased renewable electricity generation …

Resources Lost if Congress Fails to Broaden Definition of Renewable Biomass
June 24, 2009 – 10:42 am | No Comment

Efforts continue to amend federal policy and widen the availability of renewable biomass resources that would be available from agriculture and forestry to meet the nation’s renewable energy goals. A number of advocacy groups and …

California’s Looming Showdown over Waste Feedstocks
June 24, 2009 – 9:15 am | No Comment

by Biofuels Digest special correspondent Scott Miller    A showdown is looming in the California State Senate this summer over an issue that is at the heart of the nationwide drive to develop and deploy bioenergy …

Biofuels and Greenhouse Gas Emissions on a Collision Course
June 24, 2009 – 9:04 am | No Comment

by  Dr. Robert Wisner,   Biofuels Economist,   Ag Marketing Resource Center,   Iowa State University       The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (1) requires a gradual increase in the volume of various kinds of biofuels to …

Manila OKs Pacific BioFields Holdings to Plant Biofuel Coconut
June 24, 2009 – 8:51 am | No Comment

Pacific Bio-Fields Holdings Plc said it has received approval to use 400,000 hectares of land to plant coconut trees in the Philippines to make alternative auto fuel, which it aims to sell to Japanese users …

University of Florida IFAS, Buckeye Technologies and Myriant Announce Next Generation Cellulosic Ethanol Research and Demonstration Plant
June 24, 2009 – 8:34 am | No Comment

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Buckeye Technologies Inc. and Myriant Technologies LLC (formed by BioEnergy International, LLC) have announced plans for a research and demonstration plant that will explore ways …

US Dept. of Energy Requests Information for Algal Biofuels Roadmap
June 23, 2009 – 4:09 pm | No Comment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing this RFI to solicit feedback on the Draft “National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap” Document. This Draft Roadmap was prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. Feedback …

AuStar Reports on Jatropha Growth Management Trials in Indonesia
June 23, 2009 – 4:03 pm | No Comment

Jatropha has been labeled the most likely crop for future biofuels. However, it suffers from low seed yield and high plant growth. A comprehensive series of trials has been conducted in Indonesia using AuStar’s  paclobutrazol to …

Boeing, UOP Release Biofuels Flight Data
June 23, 2009 – 3:53 pm | No Comment

At the Paris Air Show, Boeing and a series of partners involved in four biofuels-based test flights released the data from the tests, and said that with the release they are on a path towards …

GreenGold Ray Energies Aims to More Than Double Its Jatropha Crude Oil Output by 2011
June 23, 2009 – 3:42 pm | No Comment

Green Gold Ray Energies, Inc., aims to double its jatropha crude oil output by 2011 through continuous increase yields of jatropha feedstocks, while the company increases its jatropha plantations. The jatropha plantations are expanding from …

Germany’s Chemical Industry Looks at Switching to Biomass
June 23, 2009 – 3:01 pm | No Comment

by Jane Burgermeister (Renewable Energy World)     Germany’s chemical industry — the world’s third biggest — depends on fossil fuels for its products. But a new research center to be built in Germany’s industrial heartland Leuna in …

Stinkweed Used as Biodiesel Feedstock in Illinois
June 23, 2009 – 2:49 pm | No Comment

Biofuels Manufacturers of Illinois believes that Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) has the potential to go from “weed to wonder-fuel”. The company is working with farmers, university and government researchers to transform Pennycress into an advanced energy …

Atlantic Biomass Conversions Proposes “Follow-the-Crop” System
June 23, 2009 – 2:35 pm | No Comment

Instead of bringing sufficient supplies of biomass to processing facilities, Atlantic Biomass Conversions, Inc., proposes taking decentralized enzymatic conversion units to the crops. Following the model of wheat harvesting combines that follow the harvest season, …

EdeniQ Grows Improved Energy Crops in California’s Central Valley
June 23, 2009 – 2:18 pm | No Comment

EdeniQ, a California-based technology company serving the global biofuels industry, announced that it has begun a multi-year, field-to-fuel trial to evaluate low-carbon, non-food energy crops, like switchgrass, in California’s Central Valley. The company’s pilot-scale field …

Commercialization of Algae Studied
June 23, 2009 – 1:00 pm | No Comment

Emerging Markets has released Algae 2020 a 460-page study on algae biofuels markets, strategies and the commercialization outlook.   The Algae 2020 study observes algal biomass can produce multiple fuels from a single feedstock, including biodiesel …

Biofuels Digest Publishes Special Algae Biofuels Report
June 23, 2009 – 12:48 pm | No Comment

Biofuels Digest published a special report on algae biofuels and CO2 sources, including an analysis of power plant fuel gas.
“In the world of biofuels, algae is under the spotlight” writes Biofuels Digest special correspondent Sam …

Platt’s 4th Annual Cellulosic Ethanol and 2nd Generation Biofuels Conference, October 22-23, Chicago, IL
June 18, 2009 – 3:16 pm | No Comment
Platt’s 4th Annual Cellulosic Ethanol and 2nd Generation Biofuels Conference, October 22-23, Chicago, IL

This is the premier networking event for the cellulosic ethanol industry. Not a trade show, it gives you the chance to meet and hear presentations by top management of leading companies in industrial biotechnology, agribusiness, …

Air Transport Action Group Publishes Beginners Guide to Aviation Biofuels
June 18, 2009 – 7:43 am | No Comment

One of the most exciting developments for aviation is the use of sustainable biofuels to replace the standard kerosene, or Jet-A, fuel that is currently being used. It is clear that our industry’s dependence on …

Prospects for Chilean Coastal Algae as Energy Feedstock under Review
June 18, 2009 – 7:27 am | No Comment

Biofuels Digest summarizes conversations from its LinkedIn Group about development of Chilean coastal algae and biodiesel developments in other South American countries.   READ MORE

Sugar Cane and Cassavas Feedstock for Vietnam Bioethanol Plant
June 18, 2009 – 7:21 am | No Comment

An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth around US$ 60 million for building a bio-ethanol plant was signed between the Petrolchemical and Bio Fuel Joint Stock Company (PVB) under the National Oil and Gas …

Florida Plans Next-Generation Biofuels Plant
June 17, 2009 – 4:42 pm | No Comment

Plans for a new cellulosic ethanol research and demonstration plant to be built by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are being revamped for a location closer to Gainesville.
IFAS officials announced …

Agragen to Increase Oil Content in Camelina
June 17, 2009 – 2:15 pm | No Comment

Agragen, a leader in using biotechnology to modify Camelina sativa to increase agronomically desirable traits, announces the acquisition of intellectual property rights that will increase oil content in the second generation oilseed crop.  Through an …

Advances in Wheat-Based Biofuel in England
June 17, 2009 – 1:46 pm | No Comment

by Nidaa Bakhsh.  (Bloomberg) — Ensus Ltd. is preparing to start production at Britain’s first wheat-based bio-ethanol plant as the country increases requirements for cleaner-burning fuel.   “Construction is nearly complete” on the plant at Wilton in …

Wheat-to-Ethanol Refinery Being Built in North East England
June 17, 2009 – 1:35 pm | No Comment

The Ensus Group is building Europe’s largest wheat refinery at Wilton on Teesside in North East England.  When completed in 2009, it will use locally grown animal feed wheat to produce over 400 million litres …

Sudan Inaugurates Biofuel Plant
June 17, 2009 – 1:26 pm | No Comment

Sudan will begin producing ethanol from sugar cane with a target of 200 million litres in two years, President Omar al-Beshir said on Wednesday at the inauguration of a new plant.  State company Kenana, which …

Shell First to Sell Gasoline Blended with Advanced Biofuel
June 17, 2009 – 12:28 pm | No Comment

From today, customers at a Shell service station will become the first in the world to fill their tanks with gasoline containing advanced biofuel made from wheat straw.
For one month starting June 10, the regular …

Cellulosic Ethanol Used at 24 Hours of Le Mans Race
June 17, 2009 – 12:24 pm | No Comment

Shell is demonstrating its commitment to fuels innovation and the development of sustainable, low-carbon fuels with the blending of 10% cellulosic ethanol into its Shell V-Power race fuel at the 24 Hours of Le Mans …

Bioenergy Markets West Africa, October 27-29, Accra, Ghana
June 17, 2009 – 12:08 pm | No Comment
Bioenergy Markets West Africa, October 27-29, Accra, Ghana

The inaugural Bioenergy Markets West Africa conference and exhibition will bring together key players from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region with global industry experts.  This event is a new edition to …

Biofuels & Jatropha Markets Mexico & Central America, October 7-9, Mexico City, Mexico
June 17, 2009 – 11:56 am | No Comment
Biofuels & Jatropha Markets Mexico & Central America, October 7-9, Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico and countries across Central American have great potential to grow their biofuels industries as governments recognize the opportunity as a chance to stimulate economic growth in rural areas. Biofuels Markets Mexico & Central America …

5th Next Generation Biofuels Markets, September 28-30, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
June 17, 2009 – 11:37 am | No Comment
5th Next Generation Biofuels Markets, September 28-30, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Green Power’s 5th Next Generation Biofuels event will bring together key players who are pioneering the development of next generation biofuels to address the latest developments in creating cost competitive, industrial scale production of next …

4th Annual Biofuels Markets & Jatropha Asia, June 29-July 1, Jakarta, Indonesia
June 17, 2009 – 11:27 am | No Comment
4th Annual Biofuels Markets & Jatropha Asia, June 29-July 1, Jakarta, Indonesia

Following highly successful editions in Bangkok, Singapore and New Delhi, the 4th annual Biofuels Markets & Jatropha Asia will take place in Jakarta.  Over 40 leading biofuels and jatropha thought leaders will provide expert insight …

Finland Tests Biomass Derived Bio-Oil for Heat, Power, Biodiesel
June 17, 2009 – 10:47 am | No Comment

Metso and UPM have developed a new concept for the production of biomass-based bio-oil to replace fossil fuels in heating and power generation. Test production will begin at Metso’s test plant in Tampere, Finland, in …

Study Planned of Brazilian Sugarcane Bagasse as Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock
June 17, 2009 – 10:32 am | No Comment

by Lisa Gibson, Biomass Magazine.   Brazil could produce 4.6 billion to 8.2 billion liters (1.2 billion to 2.2 billion gallons) of biofuel from sugarcane residue by 2020, in addition to that made from sugar itself, …

Novozymes’ New Product Family Hydrolyzes Cellulosic Feedstock
June 17, 2009 – 10:18 am | No Comment

“Novozymes’ latest products for second-generation ethanol production are much better than anything previously seen on the market,” says Cynthia Bryant, Global Marketing Manager, Biomass industry at Novozymes. “While this in itself is a giant leap …

Biofuels Digest Provides Overview of EPA ILUC Hearings
June 17, 2009 – 9:05 am | No Comment

In Washington,  National Biodiesel Board public affairs heard Manning Feraci said that the EISA Act required the EPA  to conduct a lifecycle analysis of biofuels as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard’s implementation, but said …

BIO Focuses on Advanced Biofuels Asking EPA to Maintain Flexibility in Life Cycle Analysis for Renewable Fuel Standard
June 17, 2009 – 9:00 am | No Comment

Large uncertainties in calculating international land use change effects and associated greenhouse gas emissions remain in the Environmental Protection Agency’s life cycle assessment of biofuels for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) …

US Department of Commerce Awards First Exclusive Bioreactor Patent to ATI Petroleum
June 17, 2009 – 8:32 am | No Comment

ATI Petroleum, a petroleum exploration management and operations company, announced that the US Department of Commerce awarded the first patent on bioreactor technology to ATI Petroleum.  The bioreactor technology was created through a collaborative effort with …