This section is specifically designed for those who want to learn the basics about biofuels and advanced biofuels; for those who are new to the advanced biofuels industry; and for those who may be very familiar with one area of the wide range of subjects crucial to the development of advanced biofuels, and who want to obtain a broader understanding of the “big picture.”

The Biofuels Basics page gives a brief overview of a myriad of concepts, issues and technologies realted to biofuels and advanced biofuels.

Topics include:

Policy Reasons for Advanced Biofuels

Technical Challenges:   If it’s such a great idea, why hasn’t it been done before?  

biomass recalcitrance

biomass logistics 

Generations 1, 2, 3 and 4:  Talking about biofuels 

Making Advanced Biofuels: Biomass to Building Blocks; Building Blocks to Biofuels

 Energy Feedstocks. 

Enzymatic Hydrolysis. 

Ammonia Fiber Expansion.   

Gasification.   

Pyrolysis. 

Fermentation. 

Mixed Alcohol Synthesis. 

Packed Bed Catalytic Reactors.  

 Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR)

Fulfilling the Promise of Advanced Biofuels:  What Will It Take?

Unique Financing Challenges (or,  Everyone Wants to Be First to Be Second)

Algae and Other Things That Grow in the Water

Bio-JetFuels, Focus of Military and Commerical Interests

Sustainability Analysis

Learning More about Advanced Biofuels or Next Generation Biofuels

The primers are another good place to start to learn about biofuels made from non-food, non-feed, sustainably grown feedstocks, including agricultural and food processing waste, algae and other substances.  They are designed for classroom use and can also be used by church and civic groups discussing stewardship or current affairs.  They include not only charts, graphs, photos, illustrations and information; but also questions for discussion or for further research.

Potential growers and investors will find a list of questions and considerations relevant to those contemplating becoming more involved in research, development, production and deployment of advanced biofuels.  The page also includes links to some pertinent resources.  This site also lists companies and organizations involved in advanced biofuels in the Resources section.  Government resources and lists of advanced biofuels-related job list sites are also accessed in the Resources section.

Many different technologies and feedstocks are subjects of research and development.  For a brief history of some of those technologies, with emphasis on technologies using algae, see Will Thurmond’s Biofuels Digest article.  For other articles, click on the category to the right of this page that includes your area of interest.

Enzymes 101:  Biofuels Digest published a brief description of enzymes and summarized breakthroughs in enzyme development through early 2010 and their potential impact on commercialization of cellulosic ethanol.

KQED’s 10 minute video, Biofuels: Beyond Ethanol explains advanced biofuels and current research being conducted to turn the material in plant cell walls (of switchgrass, corn stover, poplar, etc.)  into “drop-in” fuels.

A full definition includes practical and legal elements.  Generally, advanced biofuels can be thought of as liquid transportation fuels derived from: low nutrient input/high per acre yield crops; agricultural or forestry waste; or other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae.

A Few Types of Jobs Available in Advanced Biofuels Production

•       Biologists

•       Biologists specializing in enzyme development

•       Biologists specializing in plant cells

•       Chemists

•       Chemical engineers

•       Systems engineers

•       Researchers into bioenergy crop development

•       Agriculture/horticulture experts

•       Farmers, Growers

•       Farm workers

•       Industrial engineers

•       Industrial architects

•       Construction workers, managers

•       Truck drivers

•       Plant operations managers

•       Plant operations staff

•       Fueling station operators

•       Freight railroad operators, engineers, loaders, unloaders

•       Equipment operators, technicians

•       Harvest Equipment Developers

•       Refinery Equipment Designers

•       Farm product purchasers/traders

•       Agricultural and Forestry Supervisors

•       Agricultural Inspectors

•       Computer Software Engineers

•       Refinery Equipment Manufacturers

•       Marketing Professionals

•       Office Support Staff

•       Bankers and Loan Officers

•       And many others

This entire web site is dedicated to helping people understand what advanced biofuels are, how they are used, research being conducted to convert biomass to biofuels, and the economic, political and social aspects of developing, producing, distributing and using advanced biofuels.  For links to other educational materials about advanced biofuels, click here.  For more information on how to use the site, click here.

Enjoy the site.  Enjoy learning about this truly sustainable renewable future.

If you have any comments or suggestions–or questions about advanced biofuels that have not been addressed on the site, please contact us at info@AdvancedBiofuelsUSA.org.