Article Archive for January 2012
From June 14 to 16, 2012, the first edition of the Young Algaeneers Symposium will be organized in Wageningen, the Netherlands, to gather young scientists (PhD students and postdocs in their first 4 years), working …
The event is designed to bring together key players from across the energy ecosystem – researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and government officials – to share ideas for developing and deploying the next generation of …
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The global biodiesel market has shown an exponential growth in production and trade across the past decade. Nowadays, more biodiesel than ever before is sourced from abroad and procurement areas – especially of …
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) As a potential substitute for fossil fuels, wood energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. FAO’s programme on wood energy promotes sustainable wood energy systems as a contribution to sustainable forest management, livelihoods …
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) Brazil has over 4 million hectares of eucalypt plantations. Within that estate some plantations are dedicated to the production of charcoal while in some areas multiple land use includes forestry and agricultural production. …
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) This report was prepared as a joint effort by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute, University of Rostock, Chalmers University of Technology, Georg-August University of Goettingen, University of …
by Esteban Israel and Peter Murphy (Reuters Africa) Brazilian builder Odebrecht plans to produce sugar in Cuba, the company said on Monday, as looser restrictions on foreign investment in the communist island raise hopes of a recovery in the once-booming …
by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) Legislators revive the debate over renewable energy in Florida with a Senate bill that promises tax credits for companies and homeowners.
…The bill, SB 7202, would allow for large companies, …
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A project to build an ethanol plant co-located with anaerobic digesters is in its final phase. Growing Power Hairy Hill L.P., a 40 MMly feed wheat ethanol plant …
(EurActiv) Greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels such as palm oil, soybean and rapeseed are higher than those for fossil fuels when the effects of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) are counted, according to leaked EU …
(Novozymes) A new research collaboration between Novozymes and Sea6 Energy will explore enzymatic technology to produce fuel ethanol, fine chemicals, and protein from seaweed.
Novozymes, the world leader in bioinnovation, announced an exploratory research agreement with …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Companies creating opportunities in feedstocks are getting lots of love from investors, and giant downstream partners like BP and Shell. What’s up in the new upstream?
…At the same time, investors …
(Cyprus Mail) A consortium comprising 12 organisations from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Lebanon and Egypt has been established to study the production of biodiesel from algae in selected Mediterranean countries.
The consortium is coordinated by the …
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) On the day before the Washington DC Auto Show opens to the public, there is an event called Policy Day. Administration officials and high ranking auto company executives give …
(EcoGreen4US) … Cellulosic ethanol is produced from plant fibre which is widely available almost anywhere in the world. Today, producing cellulosic ethanol is not in a laboratory anymore. A number ofmanufacturing plants around the world have been producing cellulosic ethanol asalternative to diesel and gasoline orpetrol.
Some of the plant fibres which …
by Christopher Demorro (Gas2) …But new research shows that our existing oil refineries could process crude algae oil, meaning most of the infrastructure is already in place.
OriginOil, a leader in algae fuel research, has announced …
by Kate Bechen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The production of ethanol is a complex, energy intensive process. Critics often cite the energy usage of ethanol plants and the wastes produced by the production of ethanol, especially …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Alabama-based Clean Energy Pathways Inc. is working to help coal-fired utilities meet state and federal compliance standards by helping to identify methods to increase efficiency and produce a portion of …
Every year, Pilot International continues to provide a Global Platform for Advancement of Innovations and Clean Technology for a Sustainable World.
The growth and success of our events is testament to Pilot Internationals’
determination to provide a …
Every year, Pilot International continues to provide a Global Platform for Advancement of Innovations and Clean Technology for a Sustainable World.
The growth and success of our events is testament to Pilot Internationals’ determination to provide a …
The American Coalition for Ethanol confirmed the dates for its fourth annual “Biofuels Beltway March” in Washington, DC. ACE’s fly-in will be held Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28, headquartered at the Washington Court …
On July 10–11, 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Program will host its fifth annual conference, with Advanced Biofuels USA as a co-host. Biomass 2012: Confronting Challenges, Creating Opportunities – Sustaining a Commitment to …
by Logan Hawkes (Southwest Farm Press)
Biodiesel is experiencing a historic surge worldwide.
Pongamiapinnata is becoming a popular oilseed choice for biofuel production and has captured the attention of U.S. growers.
Pongamia is one of the few nitrogen-fixing trees …
(Butamax) Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels, LLC, the biobutanol technology leader, responded to the latest lawsuit filed by Gevo, Inc. related to isobutanol flash fermentation technology.
“Let us state emphatically, Butamax does not infringe the generic product separation …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 2.4 million man-years of employment – from replacing 10 percent of gasoline consumption with ethanol made from agricultural waste? That’s the tale of the tape from the “Moving Towards a …
by Graham Warwick (Aviation Week) …But as 2012 progresses, industry is looking to governments to capitalize on the rapid technical progress made in approving bio-derived jet fuels by providing the funding support necessary to scale …
(Biofuels International) In order to discover better ways to harvest, store and transport corn residue, DuPont is working with Iowa State University to combat residue buildup.
If the residue buildup is able to be reduced then …
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Husqvarna, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, has launched a new promotion focused on educating its customers about ethanol use in small engines. The Husqvarna …
by Robert Bailey (Biorefinery Magazine/Trusted Advisory) …As in any bold challenge to old thinking, the biofuels industry is running into resistance to funding. The Valley of Death is where concepts lie in finance limbo between proven …
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) Experts say it’s counterproductive, but biorefining firms continue on with government
The government is a tricky organization to work with. At least that’s what Pamela Serino, director for the quality and …
(GreenAirOnline) Although aviation is a key driver of growth, without tackling its global and local environmental impact, the industry will not be able to realise its economic potential, says the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). …
(US Environmental Protection Agency) he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) to release its lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of palm oil used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel and …
by Mat McDermott (TreeHugger) We just learned, based on IEA calculations, if all fossil fuel subsidies were eliminated it would result in greenhouse gas emission cuts deep enough to get us halfway to preventing dangerous climate change. Indeed, …
by Meghan Grebner (Brownfield Ag News) Fort Wayne, Ind. residents will have additional options when it comes to filling up their flex-fuel vehicles. The flex-fuel pump – the first of its kind offers drivers the option for E85 or …
by John Mathews (The Globalist) …Today it is no longer evil oil companies riding roughshod over ranchers in Texas, but shale gas prospectors riding over communities’ rights wherever they drill — in the Antrim shale …
(MSN Autos) New-vehicle buyers heavily influenced by a general feeling about a brand, but specific about fuel-efficiency ratings.
…Fuel efficiency, in fact, was found to be “the most influential reason for purchasing a particular vehicle model,” …
(EurekAlert) …Now, a team led by Professor Will Zimmerman in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Sheffield, believe they have solved the problem. They have developed an inexpensive way of …
(Edinburgh Napier University) A NEW company has been launched to commercialise a process for producing biofuel made from whisky by-products.
Celtic Renewables Ltd, a spin-out from Edinburgh Napier University’s Biofuel Research Centre, will initially focus on Scotland’s …
by Mary Rosenthal (Biofuels Digest/Algal Biomass Organization) …We need to change our approach. Below are three things the biofuels industry in general, and the algae industry in particular can do in 2012 to help accelerate …
ABO members who attend will be able to meet with their representatives in the 113th Congress and advocate for ABO’s legislative agenda. A legislative briefing on March 1st will feature key speakers from the Senate and …
by Robert E. Kozak and Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Dave Schenker, founder and president of the Greenspeed club came to the DC Auto Show to showcase the 1998 Chevy S-10 pickup, modified by Boise …
(CAAFI) The goal of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative® (CAAFI®) is to facilitate the development and deployment of alternative jet fuels that offer equivalent levels of safety and performance and compare favorably on cost …
by Joanne Lipman (The Daily Beast) For more than three years, President Obama has been singing the praises of electric cars. He’s repeatedly called for 1 million plug-in and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015. He’s …
by Alvaro Cordero (Ethanol Producer Magazine/U.S. Grains Council) From a barely recognized feed alternative 10 years ago, distillers dried grains with solubles continues to gain recognition and markets. DDGS is now widely recognized internationally, where …
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Cattlemen are increasingly turning to value-added distillers grains products from SweetPro Feeds
…Using the coproduct from ethanol production as a medium for vitamins, minerals, yeast and enzymes provides benefits that …
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) …Can a Nebraska company process wet distillers grains into a biobased resin to replace conventional petroleum-based resins? Laurel BioComposite LLC says yes.
…The pilot plant started up the end of …
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Corn stover has been used in small amounts as cattle feed for more than 100 years. Separately, distillers grains has grown in popularity as a cattle feed over the …
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has approved a conditional commitment in the amount of $232.5 million to ZeaChem Boardman Biorefinery, LLC (ZBB) through the Biorefinery Assistance Program. ZBB …
by Gus Trompiz (Reuters) French state support for crop-based biofuels has brought benefits for farming but also hidden costs for motorists who have ended up having to consume more fuel and pay higher prices, the …
by Nomthandazo Nkambule (The Swazi Observer) A South African based company will invest about E3 billion in an ethanol project to be established along the Siphofaneni/Lavumisa corridor
Minister of Agriculture Clement Dlamini said the company, FuelEthanol and Agricultural Plantation, completed …
(California Polytechnic State University) Cal Poly faculty and students will demonstrate a new technology that uses algae to treat wastewater and produces biofuel as a byproduct. The system could be used at wastewater treatment facilities …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …You just can’t turn your back for very long, around the Pyromaniax – the researchers around the world working on pyrolysis. Now, pyro comes in several flavors – fast pyrolysis, …
by Steve LeVine (Foreign Policy/Oil And Glory) In the new issue of Wired, Julie Eilperin writes that clean-technology investment is in the throes of going bust, at least in the United States. That includes solar, wind and biofuels.
…Citi …
(PR NewsWire/Allard Energy, Inc.) Synenergy Limited, LLC, a global green solutions provider, today announced their distributorship with Allard Energy, Inc. (formerly, Allard Research and Development LLC), a leading innovator for small to medium scale ethanol production. Allard …
(Lignol) Lignol Energy Corporation (TSXV: LEC), a leading technology company in advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals, today announced that it has received confirmation that four new patent applications have been approved, bringing the total number of approved patents …
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) Clean Cities coalitions in Texas have partnered with Renewable Energy Group Inc. and Omaha, Neb.-based wholesale biodiesel distributor Bosselman Energy to co-host four workshops in four different cities throughout the …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The United Soybean Board recently announced it plans to deliver funds through its Green Ribbon Fairs reimbursement program encouraging fairs across the country to promote the use of soy-based products, …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) A fleet of school buses in the United Arab Emirates will soon be fueled by a biodiesel blend. Lootah Biofuels, a fully owned subsidiary of S.S. Lootah Group, and School …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) …The latest iteration of the program, EcoCAR2, kicked off in mid-2011. A total of 16 teams were selected to participate in the current competition co-sponsored by General Motors Corp. Over …
by Megan Kamerick (New Mexico Business Weekly) …The JTIP board approved $263,542.58 for Joule Unlimited to create 20 jobs. The company is building the first phase of its commercial plant in Hobbs on land owned by the state …
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Like oil in World War II, U.S. Army Ret. General Paul J. Kern believes that biofuels are the “ammunition” for America today. …The main focus of the highly decorated retired army …
by Rudy Ruitenberg (Bloomberg Business Week) Criticism of biofuels and their impact on commodity prices by the new director general of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization is “simplistic and misinformed,” an industry lobby said.
Higher …
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama voiced strong support for renewable energy and an end to oil subsidies.
“We have subsidized oil companies for a century. …
Gov. Terry Branstad is quick to counterattack against any and all of Iowa’s critics and on Tuesday he included the nation’s largest business newspaper in comments to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association annual meeting in …
(SkyNRG) SkyNRG, the Amsterdam-based global market maker in sustainable jet fuel has supplied its first customer via a “fuel-from the factory ” option made possible with U.S. partners EPIC Aviation and Boeing.
Etihad Airways, the national …
by Jessica Testa (Cronkite News) Anticipating a day when Arizona becomes a leader in producing algae for biofuel, a Tucson lawmaker is pushing to have algae farms and related facilities defined — and taxed …
(MarketWIre/Solazyme) Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, announced today that Maersk Line, one of the biggest shipping companies in the world, has completed the testing of Solazyme’s 100% algal derived renewable diesel as …
(Balkans.com) Cyprus Agricultural Research Institute, a non-profit branch of the Agriculture Ministry, wants to grow tiny algae and see if they are a good biofuels alternative to diesel reports Cyprus Mail. …A solution seems to …
(Daily Commercial News) Pond Biofuels is piloting a new carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption system at St. Marys Cement.
The new system will reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing dirty smokestack emissions to grow algae which can be …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, Gevo has received a patent on its GIFT separation unit, addressing the separation technology used to produce propanols, butanols, pentanols, and hexanols. The claims also address how ethanol plants …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bloomberg New Energy Finance launched its report “Moving towards a next-generation ethanol economy”. Commissioned by Novozymes, the report estimates the socioeconomic prospects of deploying advanced biofuels in eight of the highest agricultural-producing …
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Here’s the President’s new energy policy.
“This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – a strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full …
by John Daly (OilPrice.com) …While U.S. energy companies began fracking for gas in the late 1990s, there was a dramatic increase in 2005 after the administration of President George W. Bush exempted fracking from regulations …
Course objectives
How is “sustainability” determined?
Why does it matter from a business perspective?
Which issues (including policy and certification) do you need to understand?
What are the costs to a business and what are the market/sales advantages?
Designed for …
Submit your presentation idea today! This is the year to present.
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to reach thousands of ethanol industry decision makers. With 4 tracks, 30 panels, 130-plus speakers, 300-plus exhibits and an anticipated …
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Retain Agricultural Land: Agricultural and forest lands are vulnerable to loss due to reduction of the dairy and pulp/paper industries and conversion to residential or commercial development. They …
by Anna Austin (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) The USDA announced Jan. 20 a Notice of Funding Availability for its Rural Energy for America Program, and is inviting agricultural producers and rural small businesses to …
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) American ethanol production is creating jobs, energizing rural economies, reducing oil imports, and helping all consumers save money at the pump emphasized the Renewable Fuels Association today in a letter to …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill denied the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) motion to stay the decision he issued on December 29, 2011 that had halted the enforcement of …
(EuropaPress) Research Center and the Department Cepsa Cepsa working since 2010 in a research project to evaluate the feasibility of using microalgae in obtaining useful fatty acids for the production of biodiesel. READ MORE
by Whitney L.J. Howell (NewsObserver) …Inside its redesigned, sustainable lab space near the Durham Performing Arts Center, GrassRoots Biotechnology uses patented research methods to study plant genes.
The goal, said company co-founder Philip Benfey, is to …
(E-Consulta) The Veracruz Institute of Bioenergetics (Inverbio) began work for the start of production of 2 000 hectares of sugar cane for bioethanol in the area known as La Brena, Tlalixcoyan Township, with the participation …
by Spencer Ackerman and Noah Shachtman (Wired) The Navy is hoping to one day run a huge chunk of its fleet on biofuels. So the Navy’s advanced researchers — and their partners at the U.S. Department …
(National Corn Growers Association) Ongoing media coverage on corn usage tends to sensationalize trends by pitting demand from the ethanol industry against that from livestock, but Corn Board member Wesley Spurlock, a Texas farmer, has …
By Douglas L. Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) What should be the priorities for federal government support for bioenergy, in an era of fiscal austerity and a broken consensus on energy policy?
My goal is develop interactively with …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two titans form a monster JV, starting out with a $250M investment.
…In Iowa, Poet has teamed with Dutch-based Royal DSM to create a 50/50 joint venture called Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels that will …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) California’s low carbon fuel standard is a hot topic at this week’s California Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Conference in San Francisco. During a panel titled “California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Although the biodiesel industry is maturing, fuel quality is still a central issue. Randall von Wedel, principal biochemist with BioSolar Group and CytoCulture International Inc., closed the California Biodiesel & …
by National Biodiesel Board (Biodiesel Magazine) The National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians training program has taken a huge leap forward in becoming the nation’s first Automotive Service Excellence accredited program for supplying biodiesel …
2 Day Pongamia State of Art International Workshop
BACKGROUND
Development of pongamia as a biofuel crop has largely been underway in India, at CJP where scientists have been assessing new crops to support sustainable rural development. There is significant …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) A legume tree native to tropical and temperate regions around the world is attracting attention as a potential new biodiesel feedstock. Pongamia Pinnata—also known as Millettia Pinnata—produces oil-rich seeds that …
by Pete Moss (Biodiesel Magazine/Frazier, Barnes & Associates) …Refined soybean oil is more expensive than degummed. Tallow is more expensive than yellow grease and so on. But why is soybean oil more expensive when it …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Choosing the most appropriate feedstock pretreatment method for a given facility can make or break plant economics
A wide variety of feedstock pretreatment materials and technologies is readily available in the …
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) Is there sufficient supply of feedstock to support the build-out of a 6 billion gallon biodiesel industry over the next decade?
…If the industry stands a chance competing with Big Oil …
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) … Northeasterners will be cozying up to heat that primarily comes in one of two forms—heating oil or natural gas—and the competition behind the scenes between the companies supplying those …
by Riggs Eckelberry (Algae Industry Magazine) If only there were enough algae to meet the demand. Algae is highly productive, soaks up toxins and CO2, and can be grown without impacting food or fresh water …
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a set of teaching resources based on its report Biofuels: ethical issues. The resources introduce students to the advantages and disadvantages of different types of biofuels, and include …
The 2nd International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts provides a new level of direct interaction between the leaders in the scientific field, the strategic partners and the attending delegates. Emphasis will be placed …
The 2nd International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts provides a new level of direct interaction between the leaders in the scientific field, the strategic partners and the attending delegates. Emphasis will be placed …
by Stephan Nielsen (Bloomberg) Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, Brazil’s state-owned agricultural research agency, plans to charge less than major seed companies including Monsanto Co. (MON), Bayer AG (BAYN) and Syngenta AG (SYNN) when it begins selling sugar cane that’s genetically …



