Article Archive for July 2009
California’s largest biodiesel plant is ready for business. State Sen. Dean Florez joined executives Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crimson Renewable Energy’s new Kern County plant off Interstate 5. The plant is designed to …
(letsrecycle.com) A protocol designed to boost customer confidence in biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats has been published today July 29. The protocol is the latest produced by the Waste Protocols …
by Stu Hutson (Southeast Farm Press) Most would identify the tree by its often troublesome, spiky “gumballs,” but what many call the sweetgum tree also goes by another name, thanks to its distinctive, reptilian bark: …
(The National Business Review) A Green Party bill that sets up a standards regime for biofuels sold in New Zealand passed its first reading in Parliament tonight with the Government’s support. Jeanette Fitzsimons drafted the …
Neste Oil has increased its capacity to produce NExBTL renewable diesel following the start-up of a second dedicated NExBTL plant at the company’s main refinery at Porvoo. The new plant will be capable of producing …
by John Lynn (Energy Tribune) … Methanol can be produced from a wide variety of feedstocks, including natural gas, coal, biomass, and even atmospheric carbon dioxide. … Using mature gasification technology, one ton of biomass …
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects. Another $750 million will …
A team of engineers has found a way to convert waste products created when producing Casabes, or flat breads from the cassava root, into ethanol, butanol, isobutanol and proponal energy compounds that can produce fuel. …
by Karin Kloosterman (Israel 21C) Ariel Krolzig, product manager of Kaiima Biotech is standing beside the star of his likely success story, a castor oil plant. He proceeds to describe the method developed by Kaiima that …
Renewable jet propellant-8 (JP-8) fuel developed and produced by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota was successfully flown in a rocket built by Flometrics, Inc., a product engineering …
by Ama Achiaa Amankwah (AllAfrica.com) The Civil Society Coalition on Land (CICOL) has urged government to expedite action on the further development and implementation of the biofuel policy in Ghana. The coalition says in as …
(Science Daily) Using electrolyzed water rather than harsh chemicals could be a more effective and environmentally friendly method in the pretreatment of ethanol waste products to produce an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix, according to research conducted …
(Biofuels International) Italian biodiesel producers currently producing from food crops are working together to substitute seaweed for first-generation feedstocks. The eight companies involved in the €10 million scheme currently produce diesel from crops like corn …
Joule Biotechnologies unveiled its breakthrough Helioculture™ technology—a revolutionary process that harnesses sunlight to directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into SolarFuel™ liquid energy. This eco-friendly, direct-to-fuel conversion requires no agricultural land or fresh water, and leverages …
Origin Oil announced that it has succeeded in extracting algae oil on a continuous basis without cell sacrifice. This new ‘milking’ process will join the company’s Cascading Production™ technique to create a combined cycle promising …
CSIRO and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers, have been awarded a A$1.6 million grant to increase the understanding of genes responsible for growth and yield in grasses for use as bio-energy and food crops. The …
by William Garvey (Business and Commercial Aviation/Aviation Week) Manufacturers of piston-engine aircraft and powerplant makers are showing interest in an experimental, non-petroleum biofuel that could possibly serve as a “drop-in” replacement for leaded avgas. Swift …
(25 x 25 REsource) Some stakeholders engaged in the climate change policy debate are expressing concern that carbon cap-and-trade legislation may lead to extensive tree planting and result in the conversion of valuable cropland to …
The bioenergy maritime shipping study published by International Enery Agency Bioenergy Task 40 describes main properties of biofuels in relation to maritime shipping, examine current shipping lanes and major tradable biomass sources (including AR, BR, CA, …
by George W. Huber and Bruce E. Dale (Scientific American) Scientists are turning agricultural leftovers, wood and fast growing grasses into a huge variety of biofuels–even jet fuel. But before these next generation biofuels go …
(Southwest Farm Press) In a field tucked into the northern side of this college town, just across from the Kansas State University football complex, some unusually tall plants are growing. They are part of the …
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes the importance of a diverse energy portfolio in meeting the nation’s energy security challenges. DOE has, therefore, set a goal in its Strategic Plan to promote energy …
(Houston Business Journal) Hilton Americas-Houston took delivery of its first load of biodiesel this week and will use the environmentally friendly fuel to help reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. … In the past 12 months, …
Beginning Aug. 1, with a few exceptions, diesel fuel in nine northwest Oregon counties will be required to contain at least two percent biodiesel. The change comes about two years after Oregon began requiring 10 …
(GenomeWeb Daily News) Seven research teams at institutions around the country will use $6.3 million from the US Government to run genomics studies of plant feedstocks for biofuel production using switchgrass, sorghum, alfalfa, and others. …
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group opened a new multi-million dollar research and support lab for seven network biodiesel production plants and others in the industry July 28th at its Ames location, including more than 25 biodiesel feedstocks …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Montreal, ZeaChem, … confirmed that it is on track to complete a demonstration-scale plant in Boardman, Oregon where yields of more than 2,000 gallons per acre per year can …
by Brian Allen (KSFY Action News) One of the stunt flying teams you’ll see at this weekend’s Sioux Falls Airshow is based out of Tea. The “Vanguard Squardon” fly just feet apart from each other …
by Tom Doggett (Reuters) Major automakers asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency not to approve higher blends of ethanol in gasoline until the agency has adequate test results showing the fuel would not damage vehicles. …
The ethanol industry should voluntarily stop the unnecessary use of antibiotics in the production process, particularly because viable alternatives are readily available, concludes a new report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).
For …
The latest research note from the UK’s Policy Exchange recommends that bio-jet fuels should become a priority for the aviation industry; that they represent the only viable option for significantly reducing emissions from aviation without cutting the number …
Lignol Energy Corporation, a technology company in the cellulosic ethanol and biorefining sector, and BAE Systems PLC announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore and develop commercial applications for biochemicals from the …
by Eliza Strickland (Discover) Can a tough and weedy shrub solve all of our energy problems and stop runaway climate change? Don’t be ridiculous—of course it can’t. But that, briefly, was the hype surrounding Jatropha …
(Biofuels International) Healy Biodiesel is to convert from production of traditional biodiesel to become the first commercial producer of a new type of renewable diesel. The Kansas-based producer signed a letter of intent with New …
Raleigh, North Carolina, residents will be able to dispose of cooking oil by setting it on the curb along with their garbage, recycling and yard waste. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a …
U.S. Department of Agriculture to enter into Contracts to make payments to Eligible Advanced Biofuel Producers to support and ensure an expanding production of Advanced Biofuels. This program is authorized under Title IX, Section 9001, …
USDA to make payments to eligible biorefineries to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of these eligible …
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop …
by Susan Kraemer (gas2.o) In a macabre When Life Deals You Lemons – Make Lemonade kind of news item: Researchers are considering that perhaps we could safely reuse radioactive land: to grow crops for biofuel.Greenfield …
Massachusetts-based biofuel company Qteros, whose Q Microbe™ technology turns biomass into cellulosic ethanol, announced at an industry conference in Montreal that it has achieved unprecedented laboratory results in the performance of its proprietary, technology known …
“For Cap-and-Trade to truly reduce CO2 emissions, many promising lab-scale technologies will have to be prototyped, tested, and commercialized quickly,” says Bob Kozak, President of Atlantic Biomass Conversions. “With the current wording, the proposed Cap-and-Trade …
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop …
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop …
Scientists from around the world – including Tom Richard , Director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment – have joined forces to seek resolution of issues related to sustainable production of …
by Chris Morrison (BNET Energy) Veteran cleantech venture capitalist Vinod Khosla will be announcing a pair of new funds to invest from today, according to a story in Forbes. If their sources are correct, it …
by Paul Winters (Biotech Industry Organization, Renewable Energy World) Both the United States and Canada have made considerable investments in founding a renewable biofuels and chemicals industry, setting standards for the production and use of biofuels …
by Jennifer Kho (Renewable Energy World) At first glance, it might look like oil companies are pulling out of renewables. At the end of June, BP closed its alternative-energy headquarters. The oil company also has …
Milligan Bio-Tech’s crushing plant and 2 Mgy biodiesel processing facility will open on July 23 with tours and truck drag races to celebrate. The plant will be the first Canadian biodiesel producer using canola as a …
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Uniol AS opened its new biodiesel plant in Fredrikstad, Norway, in June. The plant was built by Austrian turnkey provider BDI-Bio-Diesel International AG (BDI), marking its 28th project worldwide. Production …
By Slim Allagui (AFP) The Greenland shark, one of the largest species of sharks, is a nuisance to fishermen and its meat is toxic to humans, but researchers now hope the flesh can be used …
The conference will cover an overview of the industry, commercialization, market opportunities (i.e., aviation, transportation fuels, products and feed), funding opportunities, and sustainability. Speakers and attendees will discuss the commercial viability of algae production in …
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), through the Office of the Biomass Program (OBP), announces the availability of funding for establishing Consortia for two primary topic areas – Development of Algal Based …
Railways has decided to introduce bio-diesel and CNG engines, the successful laboratory trial of which has already been carried out. Informing this in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa …
GreenHouse is teaming-up with beer pioneer Karl Strauss Brewing Company to convert spent beer yeast into ethanol fuel for California residents and businesses. This news comes on the heels of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s June 4 …
(25 x25) The USDA reported last week that American farmers are expected to produce 12.3 billion bushels of corn, the second largest U.S. corn crop in history. After estimating all of the uses of corn, …
by Luke Meredith (AP) … Poet spokesman Nathan Schock said the company hasn’t yet figured out how much it will pay farmers, but it could be $30 to $60 per ton for corn stover, which …
by Clifford Krauss (New York Times) Ethanol and oil don’t mix very well. At least that has been the impression left over the years by oil company executives. They have long complained that ethanol is …
by Kate Galbraith (New York Times) … Its backers say that butanol has a higher energy content than ethanol (DuPont plans to produce fuel with 30 percent more energy than ethanol). It is also easier …
by Chris Emery (Princeton News) Biofuels derived from renewable sources can be produced in large quantities and address many problems related to fossil fuels, including greenhouse gas emissions, but only if they are made from certain …
Jim Lane, editor of Biofuels Digest summarizes the current state of the nascent advanced biofuels industry, including the current popularity of algae, sluggish progress of cellulosic ethanol and promise of drop-in biofuels. READ MORE
(Renewable Energy World) … The use of ionic liquids — salts that are liquids rather than crystals at room temperature — to dissolve lignocellulose and later help hydrolyze the resulting liquor into sugars, shows promise …
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Governors from Indiana, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin urged increasing the percent of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline …
(NECN.com) At Blue-Spruce Farm in Vermont, algae is grown using cow manure to produce biodiesel. WATCH VIDEO
by Kae Davis (Examiner.com) The newest fad in creating sustainable vehicles are Bamboo taxis. Commissioned by Tabontabon mayor Rustico Balderian, these unusual “exotic” locale are made out of 90% bamboo and run on coconut biodiesel. …
by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) (Politico) …(W)e envisioned a biofuels industry that would move beyond corn ethanol. Scientists, the environmental community and some cutting-edge entrepreneurs were confident that biofuels could come from a wide array …
by Jim Langcuster (Auburn University, Southeast Farm Press) … The distillation process requires a combination of enzymes and yeast to convert corn into ethanol. Sometimes, though, bacterial organisms present during distillation can out-compete yeast in the …
by Marcia Wood (USDA, Southeast Farm Press) High-speed and high-tech, but surprisingly affordable, the sophisticated assay equips scientists with a faster, less expensive way to discover genes that enable microbes to make an enzyme known …
The Biofuel Partnership Limited has entered into a letter of intent with the Canadian public company Pacific Cascade Minerals Inc to form a joint venture for the further development, marketing and sale of The Biofuel Partnership’s …
Joelle Brink special correspondent for Biofuels Digest provides a summary of the use of biofuels and biofuels technologies in India (and Indian technology use in the US) as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepares to …
Gulf Alternative Energy has developed a new cellulose processing technology. Gulf’s new machine processes common feedstocks, such as sorghum, switchgrass and agricultural waste into a very fine powder. Lab tests show that this powder processes …
OriginOil, Inc., announced a breakthrough technology, the Dynamic Control System, which is designed to respond continuously to algae’s behavior. This invention improves energy efficiency and growth rates by ensuring the right types and amounts of …
ExxonMobile announced its alliance with leading biotech company, Synthetic Genomics Inc., to research and develop next generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae. … ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company has entered into a research and development alliance with …
Biofuels Digest published two reports about the “Hottest 20 Companies in Bioenergy,” first listing the companies and their investors and then listing the investors and the companies they support.
All Programs in the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, are required to conduct a Peer Review of their funded projects on an annual or biannual schedule. The Office of Biomass Program …
Videos of presentations from the 2009 Waste to Fuels Conference held May 17-19 in San Diego have been published. Topics include: overview of conversion technologies, use of forest waste, municipal solid waste and other waste feedstocks to make biofuels, along …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Delaware, BP and Dupont announced the commencement of commercialization of their butanol venture, which will be named Butamax Advanced Biofuels. … Butamax combines BP’s expertise in fuels technology, development …
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum in The Hill) …This new generation of clean-diesel engines along with the millions of others already on the road is diverse in its ability to use high-quality blends of …
Researchers at the University of Nevada have described a process to produce biodiesel from the fat content of feather meal, a waste product of the poultry industry. They estimate that this process can create 150−200 million …
by Senator John Thune (R-SD) (Politico) As Congress, the administration and the private sector look for ways to reduce our consumption of imported oil, we should not overlook the most readily available domestic alternative to …
While the effects of producing corn-based ethanol on water supply and water quality are fairly well understood, less is known about the effects of the next generation of biofuel feedstocks. … (L)ittle is known about …
by Justin S. Baker, et al. (Duke University) Emerging markets and a rapidly evolving agricultural industry will strongly impact the implementation of conservation programs in the United States. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the …
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy announced an estimated $3 billion for the development of renewable energy projects around the country and made available the guidance businesses will need …
by Will Brown (Tallahassee.com) … A city of Tallahassee pilot program converts old cooking oil to biodiesel in an attempt to save money and find alternative usages for cooking oils. … Of the 2,000 pieces of …
Biomass-to-energy company Chemrec is evaluating possible sites in the state of Georgia for developing integrated fuels-from-the-forest® black liquor gasification biorefineries at pulp and paper mills there. … Chemrec biorefineries transform mills into producers of biofuels or …
by Dr. James Hansen (HuffingtonPost) … For all its “green” aura, Waxman-Markey locks in fossil fuel business-as-usual and garlands it with a Ponzi-like “cap-and-trade” scheme. Here are a few of the bill’s egregious flaws:
It guts …
by Allison Winter (New York Times, ClimateWire) … Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and other members of his panel say they want to ensure any effort at wide-ranging climate legislation in the Senate will include all of …
by Nathanial Gronewold (Climatewire) Having helped companies explore the labyrinth of greenhouse gas regulation in Europe, the Big Four auditing and accounting firms are now moving quickly to build climate and carbon shops in the United States. …
by Mike Stark (AP, MSNBC) In December, DARPA awarded a $20 million contract to General Atomics and a $15 million contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), two San Diego-based research companies. The contracts ask the …
by Hanneke Brooymans (Edmonton Journal) …There are three different pieces to the city’s (Edmonton’s) efforts to convert garbage to fuel. The largest piece is a waste-to-biofuel plant, which will begin construction late this year. The plant …
byDavid Biello (Yale Environment 360) Biofuels – made from algae and non-food plants – are emerging as a potentially viable alternative to conventional jet fuels. Although big challenges remain, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could …
by Fred Katerere (Bloomberg) Mozambique’s Companhia do Buzi and Galp Energia SGPS SA, from Portugal, plan to build a refinery in the country within the next ten years to produce fuel from jatropha and sunflowers, Noticias …
The Austrian company BDI – BioDiesel International AG has been commissioned by BioDiesel Amsterdam B.V. with the construction of a multi-feedstock BioDiesel plant in the port of Amsterdam. The contract value is about EUR 31 …
by Bob Moen (Forbes) … The business plan of KL Energy, which has been funded mostly through private investment, is to build plants based on its Upton (WY) model near forests around the country. The plants would produce …
Woody biomass from forest management is a renewable, low-carbon feedstock that can substitute for fossil fuels in the production of energy and other products — a potentially important tool in the national strategy to reduce …
Seambiotic, a global leader in the development and production of marine microalgae for the nutraceutical and biofuel industries, has announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Seambiotic USA, has entered into an agreement with NASA Glenn Research …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aquatic Energy unveiled significant progress in its pilot algae-to-energy project in the Lake Charles-Lafayette corridor of Louisiana. The company is now preparing to expand from a “couple of acre” pilot in …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Of all the hydrocarbons and simple sugars that can be made from biomass, or recovered from fossil reserves, gasoline, diesel and natural gas remain the most important end-products and are …
by Eric Bland (Discovery News) The genomes of 17 different ants, fungi and bacteria that eat through hundreds of pounds of leaf matter a year could ultimately lead to new techniques for making biofuels. Scientists from …
US Biofuels, Inc, a CA based company is setting to launch major green fuel production with recent gains of twelve greenhouses expanding over eight acres in size. Each greenhouse will be used for the purpose …
EPA is extending the comment period for the proposed rule “Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.” Under the Federal Register Notice, published May 26, 2009. the public comment …
