Article Archive for April 2012
by Margaret Broeren (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) …Much more than a buzzword, “sustainable” means that trade-offs—social, environmental and economic factors—have been measured, modeled and validated against actual “boots on the ground data” measured at agricultural …
(Wall Street Journal/Governors Biofuels Coalition) Top European Union policy makers will next week be faced with one of Europe’s most controversial climate policies, as they consider whether biofuels do more harm than good when it …
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) A new blend of ethanol and gasoline may soon show up at the gas station pumps — along with mixed messages on whether it’s safe to put it in your …
by Jack Eidt (WilderUtopia) Fossil Fuel Alternatives: Our Way Out of the Heat and Smog
…Institutionally-Supported Industrial Monocrop Supercedes Peasant Agriculture. The search for alternatives to fossil fuels has created a land boom in Latin American-African- and …
by Julia Pyper (E&E/Governors’ Biofuel Coalition) The Audi R18 Ultra, a turbocharged-diesel prototype running on bio-to-liquid fuel, won the 2012 Sebring race and the Michelin Green X Challenge.
The checkered flag dropped at the Le Mans …
(Biofuels Center of North Carolina) A new sector and a new technology, biofuels necessarily requires places for discovery, interaction, and assistance to new companies and projects. Newly upfitted in spaces and equipment, the Biofuels Company …
(U.S. Department of Energy) As part of President Obama’s blueprint for an economy fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources, the Energy Department announced today up to $15 million available to demonstrate biomass-based oil supplements …
The Energy Department announced up to $2.5 million available this year for applied research to advance clean biomass cookstove technologies for use in developing countries. The funding will support the development of innovative cookstove designs …
“With increasing focus on sustainability in the European Union and the need to drive down operating costs, organizations need innovative technologies and solutions. This directly applies to the ethanol and alcohol industry. This workshop promotes …
by Julia Pyper (Scientific American/ClimateWire) Sooty, finicky diesel engines are a thing of the past, boosting prospects for the fuel-efficient automobiles in America
…On average, about 85 percent of the particle matter emitted from diesel trucks is …
Now in its fifth year, Biofuels International 2012 attracts high-level companies involved in biofuel production, the operation of biofuel plants, transportation, aviation and storage, as well as attracting policy developers, R&D departments, company CEOs and …
Santa Fe Community College will be offering an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) two-day course providing basic information regarding hazards, regulations, health and safety training for workers and entrepreneurs entering the biofuels industry. Completion …
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), a leader in industrial biotechnology, is pleased to announce the seventh annual Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy will be held in Vancouver, Canada from October 10th – …
by Diane Wagner (Rome News Tribune) The Floyd County Commission is expected to decide at its May 8 meeting if it will allow local farmers to make a limited amount of ethanol onsite, for use as …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Senate Agriculture Committee has approved $800 million in mandatory biofuels-related funding for the proposed energy title in the upcoming Farm Bill.
…Yesterday, Senators Kent Conrad of North Dakota …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Obama Administration releases its long-awaited, historic strategic plan for the bioeconomy, and US economic revival from advances in health sciences, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and advanced biofuels. No time …
The Ethanol Industry 101 Seminar will serve as a one day, in-depth survey of the history, science, production and market basics of the ethanol industry. Populated by some of the industry’s most recognized professionals, this seminar will …
by Dan Morgan (The Globalist) The plant world has a curious way of providing fodder for Republicans in the midst of important elections in the United States. In 1988, the party cast the Democrat’s presidential …
(Algae Industry Magazine) Many eyes are closely watching the development arc at Bioprocess Algae, in Shenandoah, Iowa, for signs that this might be the model for future farming.
…Tim Burns was also President, CEO and a …
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Bio-Energy Holdings Inc. has developed a brown grease collection process unit available for restaurants, trademarked the A-Ceptor, to help avoid clogged grease traps, fines and sewer problems. The unit, …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced the amount of administrative settlements levied against 30 obligated parties and renewable fuel exporters due to the purchase of invalid biodiesel renewable identification numbers (RINs) …
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) In an interview with Kris Bevill of Ethanol Producer Magazine, John Eichberger, National Association of Convenience Stores vice president of government relations and author of the paper, titled “The …
(25 x ’25) Wray, CO Advocate Urges President to Lend More Support to Bioenergy Development, Support Higher Ethanol Blends
Mike Bowman, a member of the National 25x’25 Alliance’s Steering Committee, met with President Obama today and …
(The CLEAN) (The) Civil Society Institute released new survey results that show that the vast majority of Americans are not only ready to grapple with tough energy choices, but also to move toward clean, renewable …
by Kris Bevill (Biorefining Magazine) A report recently released by Boston-based advisory firm Lux Research Inc., titled “Mapping Empires, Goldmines, and Landmines in the Alternative Fuels Network,” examines the role of partnerships within the alternative …
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) A team of researchers at the University of Georgia’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recently published the results of a study relating to hyperthermophiles—or heat-loving microorganisms—that may prove beneficial …
(Trillium FiberFuels Inc./Biorefining Magazine) A team of scientists from Trillium FiberFuels and Oregon State University has been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer grant from the U.S. DOE to further develop innovative enzymes that could …
(Virdia/Biorefining Magazine) Cellulosic sugar developer Virdia announced April 24 the opening of its demonstration facility at its new technology center in Danville, Va. Located on the campus for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, …
(Advanced Biofuels Association) Testifying today before the U.S. House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, Michael McAdams, president, Advanced Biofuels Association – ABFA, said he is, “proud to report to this Committee and …
(Chemrec) Chemrec today (April 24, 2012) signed a cooperation agreement with China Tianchen Engineering Corporation, TCC, to provide an integrated offering of Chemrec plants on a global lump-sum turn-key basis and co-market the Chemrec black …
(Advanced Biofuels Association) Energy security is a vital part of national security; we can improve energy security with advanced biofuel production in the U.S. The Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Advanced BioFuel Association, the Algal Biomass Organization, …
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Increasing fuel efficiency standards are expected to shrink U.S. gasoline demand over the coming years while, at the same time, the renewable fuel standard (RFS) will require increasing amounts …
by Reportlinker (Sacramento Bee) …Some of the biggest impacts of the RFS2 regulations will be in the diesel additive segment. Cold flow improvers will grow at the fastest rate relative to other fuel additives due …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Finding synergy between biogas, ethanol and power generation – the Maabjerg Energy Concept promises a new approach to energy economics and sustainability, through the capture and repurpose of industrial byproducts.
…Last …
(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded more than $1 million in grants to 15 university and college teams from across the country who participated in the 8th Annual National Sustainable Design …
by Bob Brooks (Automotive Industries) At least two commercially viable biofuel off take agreements with suppliers are expected to be announced this year with airlines, according to Airline Association VP & Economist, John Heimlich. This …
(EurActiv) Conventional biofuels like biodiesel increase carbon dioxide emissions and are too expensive to consider as a long-term alternative fuel, a draft EU report says.
The study ‘EU Transport GHG [greenhouse gases]: Routes to 2050’ estimates that …
by Paul Douglas (Bloomberg Business Week) When will American business wake up to the scientific reality of climate change?
When the common-sense moderate middle wakes up. When pragmatic entrepreneurs and investors realize an intransigent, inflexible and, …
by Joelle Dent (Biofuels Digest Asia) …The new boss, acting in the in the person of Brazil, has already wrought what most would consider a miracle by bringing India and Pakistan to the peace table …
(Radio New Zealand) The researchers are putting 7000 Miscanthus giganteus plants on sites near Port Chalmers and Oturehua in central Otago to test its growth patterns and frost-resistance.
Lead botanist Janice Lord says the grass has great potential …
by Liu Yuanyuan (RenewableEnergyWorld.com) China seeks to promote the development of its biofuels industry through a series of supportive measures despite mass production difficulties. A spokesperson for the National Energy Bureau said that the Chinese …
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A coalition of trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm and environmental interests is disappointed in a 2012 Farm Bill draft out of the Senate Agriculture Committee that …
by Robert F. Service (Science) If drivers switch from gasoline to biofuels, will it lessen the air pollution that shrouds cities around the world? Studies of auto emissions have indicated it might. But the first citywide …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Making good, affordable syngas from municipal solid waste to unlock 9 billion gallons of low-cost fuel? Covanta’s hot new gasification technology makes a big dent in the big challenge.
…The bumps …
Organizers: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – USA
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) – Brazil
European Commission – DG ENER – EU
This international conference is being organized by the U.S. National Institute of …
(The United Soybean Board/Biodiesel Magazine) …As part of a larger strategy to promote soy biodiesel’s benefits among diesel users, the checkoff will once again co-sponsor the National Tractor Pullers Association season of approximately 80 tractor …
CJP’s Global Jojoba World focuses on the entire Jojoba production from Ground zero to scale. Topics are carefully selected to cover the Agronomy, Horticulture, Biology, Engineering, Marketing and Financial aspects of Jojoba commercialization. CJP is …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) A group of researchers representing two Chinese universities have published a peer-reviewed research paper in theBiotechnology for Biofuels scientific journal that investigates how the overexpression of purple acid phosphatase 2 (AtPAP2) …
The Education and Outreach area of GLBRC supports and collaborates on a diverse array of programs, which complement our mission and goals. These programs mainly address the needs of K-12 and undergraduate learning communities, and …
If the European biofuels industry is to meet the EU Commissions’ target of 10% of transport volume by 2020 (a significant increase) then it is commonly agreed that the sector is going to need coordinate …
(Gold Eagle/PR NewsWire) Understanding Ethanol is as Easy as A,B,C and E
Consumer curiosity about ethanol continues to rise as news swirls around possible new regulations and changes consumers may soon see at their local pump. …
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has released an ‘infographic’ entitled “It’s Working” which provides a vivid depiction of how the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) and ethanol are reducing oil imports and saving Americans money …
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) According to a new report from GlobalData, government incentives and fuel demand are helping to boost biofuels markets. “Biofuels (Biodiesel and Bioethanol) Market – Global Production, Regulations, Export-Import Analysis and Key Country Analysis …
(The Energy & Environmental Research Center/Biorefining Magazine) The Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks has successfully developed and demonstrated a mobile, trailer-mounted biomass gasification technology that converts …
By Karen Gullo and Lynn Doan (Bloomberg) California won temporary reinstatement of its low-carbon fuel standard, which was blocked last year by a federal judge.
The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco yesterday granted a request by California officials to …
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of 99 ethanol producers has taken on the task of funding the nationwide fuel survey required by the U.S. EPA for E15 implementation. The fuel survey represents …
by Mary Rosenfeld (Algal Biomass Organization) … (T)the Algal Biomass Organization is launching the ABO Blog to meet a growing need for timely information about the algae industry.
The ABO Blog will be offering perspectives and updates on algae industry …
(The Hindu Business Line) The biotechnology division of the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) here has set up a Centre for Biofuels. It will be a nodal centre for research in the …
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) * Company registered with EPA sold fake credits
* Exxon, Shell, others cited for using invalid credits
* Trading firm says EPA did not do due diligence
A trading company ensnared in the fallout …
ACI’s 3rd Annual Lignofuels Summit will be taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, on 26-27 September 2012. The two day conference will bring together key industry stakeholders to discuss ways of integrating processes and technologies for production of fuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks.
In addition …
(Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) By an overwhelming majority, American voters are supportive of the key federal policy driving renewable fuel innovation in America today – the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a poll commissioned …
(AOL Energy) Researchers at UCLA say they have come up with a method for converting electrical energy into a liquid fuel, in a development that could lead to regular petrol cars being powered by electricity.
The process, which …
(University of Florida) A University of Florida-led research team has been selected to participate in a five-year, $125 million energy project involving the United States and India, U.S. Department of Energy officials have announced.
Known as the …
(Renewable Fuels Association) Providing flexibility to fuel retailers will be key to the continued growth in availability of higher level ethanol blends like E15 and other renewable fuels, according to Renewable Fuels Association President and …
(GreenAir Online) The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which advises the UK government on national carbon targets, has recommended international aviation and shipping emissions be included in carbon budgets and the UK’s 2050 overall target …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …A couple of voices expressed caution, prominent among them, algae’s Doctor No, John Benemann of Benemann Associates, who wanted at the time, “if algae looks good [for fuel], we’re all …
(CFOCEO Magazine) …Interview conducted by: Lynn Fosse, Senior Editor, CEOCFO Magazine, Published – April 20, 2012
…C1 is a very unique fungus we found in the Russian soil in an alkaline lake in the early 1990’s. …
(U.S. Federal Register) The United States Department of Navy (DoN) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (DOT FAA), …
(Platts) Groups on both sides of the issue of increasing the amount of ethanol in the country’s gasoline supply agreed Thursday on one point: refiners, blenders and retailers should not be held liable if higher …
(EcoEngineers) EcoEngineers expands into the business of providing RIN pricing data and forms EcoEngineers Indexing Services LLC to better serve biofuel markets.
EcoEngineers Indexing Services LLC is an independent, highly-focused indexing company concentrating solely on providing …
(NFU Online) The updated Red Tractor farm assurance scheme for crops and sugar beet is on the verge of being officially accepted across the EU in time for this year’s harvest, the NFU said today.
The move is …
(MarketWire) - Biofuel test program led by Bombardier Aerospace, Porter Airlines, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Targeted Growth successfully concluded
- Program funded by the key partners and by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) …
(Boeing) Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) made aviation history today as a 787 Dreamliner flew for the first time powered in part by sustainable biofuels.
“The 787 is the most environmentally progressive jetliner flying today, …
Now Accepting Presentation Ideas Presentation ideas will be accepted for the 2012 International Biorefining Conference & Trade Show through August 3, 2012. Presentation ideas may be submitted in one of four tracks:
Track 1: …
The 2012 National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo will take place November 27-29, 2012, at the Hilton Americas – Houston in Houston, Texas. This event will unite bioconversion technology providers and researchers from around the …
(Painel Forestal) Currently, the planting of forests in Tocantins generates about six thousand jobs, a number that should be raised to 60,000 by 2017.
According to a survey conducted by Seagro, Department of Agriculture, Livestock and …
(Scoop/Solid Energy NZ) The Department of Corrections has signed on to supply used cooking oil from all 18 of its prison kitchens across the country to Biodiesel New Zealand.
The deal will see about 5,000 litres …
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today announced that it has formed a political action committee (PAC). The Renewable Fuels Association PAC, to be referred to as the Renewable Fuels PAC, will help RFA …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, addressed the Renewable Fuels Association’s Washington Legislative Forum.
…“Now, as we produce more biofuels, it’s also important …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Honeywell and Agrisoma collaborate to pioneer aviation biofuels from a new carinata-based feedstock, critics wonder exactly why the military is paying so much for the biofuels it is utilizing …
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Coinciding with Earth Week, The George Washington University announced the launch of its new Sustainability Minor, a preview of degree and graduate programs to come; and, hosted “GW Moving …
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Research showing consumers are willing to pay a premium for ethanol was published in the March issue of the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. Soren Anderson, a Michigan …
(The Green Car Website) Substantial societal benefits could be the result of using higher volume blends of ethanol, according to the Ford Motor Company.
It wants to see the higher blends to leverage the inherent high …
by Bill McKibben (Los Angeles Times) The last industry in need of a public handout is the fossil-fuel companies. The use of subsidies should follow some basic, rational guidelines.
…The Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act …
by Kris Bevill (Ehtanol Producer Magazine) A recently published article in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Royal Society Interface suggests that in order for life cycle analyses (LCA) of biomass-based products such as biofuels to be most …
by Matt Daily (Reuters) Rapid growth in the U.S. biofuels markets has often pitted oil companies against small start-ups seeking a toehold in the gasoline markets, despite the need for both sides to work together, …
by Steve Tarter (Peoria Journal Star) …Michael Klare is a professor at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., and the author of a new book, “The Race for What’s Left: The Global Scramble for the World’s …
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Cellulosic ethanol could use a break, and it appears that the U.S. military may be riding to the rescue.
A Missouri cooperative called (what else?) ShowMe Energy is building an …
by Emily McMahon (Renewable Waste Intelligence/Renewable Energy World) Early leaders of the waste conversion market are at the forefront of an incredibly lucrative opportunity, states new research.
The drive towards renewable energy targets makes the need …
by Lee Edwards (Virent/The Hill) …If we really want to succeed in getting off foreign oil, policymakers need to think bigger – they need to think about how we can replace the whole barrel.
Currently, the …
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Light of specific wavelengths can be used to boost an enzyme’s function by as much as 30 fold, potentially establishing a path to less expensive biofuels, detergents and a host of …
by Andrew Wolf (DragZine.com) E85 fuels, an ethanol fuel blend containing up to 85% denatured ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbons, have become increasingly more common on roadways as flex-fuel vehicles take advantage of the …
(Air Fuel Synthesis) … The company’s demonstration unit fuel reactor has produced methanol fuels from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and also from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
The production of these first liquid hydrocarbon fuels – …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four projects, four technologies, four feedstocks, four geographies. Couldn’t be more differentiated, couldn’t be more linked in terms of affirming investor confidence in advanced biofuels.
…Virent CEO Lee Edwards… outlined four basic …
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A new petition has been launched today (April 11, 1012) to help encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support biofuels development. The petition is sponsored by Frontiers of Freedom, who says …
Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council’s Annual Sustainability Summit – Where corporate representatives, government officials, and financial partners convene to collaborate and form strategic alliances that promote and market sustainable products, programs, projects and initiatives.
Speakers:
Katherine Neal Blue, Managing Director, …
(GEM Biofuels) … Based on the internal review it is clear that, having planted very large areas of land, totalling 55,737 hectares, with Jatropha between 2007 and 2009, a lack of resources has resulted in …
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 …
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) A research team investigating the possibility converting trap grease collected from Cincinnati sewer systems into biodiesel will be presenting the initial results of its project at the U.S. EPA’s 2012 …
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here’s a 2-Minute Guide to all the Gevo and Butamax hollerin’, and how to separate the alcohol from the folderol.
In case it has escaped your attention, Butamax is suing Gevo …
