by Dipankar Chakraborty (Bangalore Mirror) This may reduce country's dependence on imported fossil fuel to meet energy needs, say experts With more than one lakh trained farmers and local stakeholders from across 2,039 of the total of 2,584 villages, Karnataka's Hassan district
(PR Web) Several of the plants grown as biofuel crops have proved to be invaders in some environments – spreading rapidly and overwhelming surrounding natural ecosystems. Scientists at Virginia Tech used two of the best-respected and most widely used weed
(Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) Switchgrass, a perennial native to the tallgrass prairie, is one of the most promising bioenergy crops in the United States, with potential to provide high-yield biomass on marginal soils unsuitable for traditional agricultural crops. New research by
by Karissa Rosenfield (Arch Daily) The Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) has announced GreenWave as the winner of its 2015 Fuller Challenge - "Socially-Responsible Design's Highest Award." The non-profit is responsible for designing the world's first multi-species 3D ocean farms with the intent to "restore ocean ecosystems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)The production of Agrisoma’s Resonance Carinata is being expanded to multiple locations globally to provide a supply of sustainable, non-food oils for meeting the demand for sustainable biofuels. Resonance Carinata is certified sustainable by the Roundtable
(Tyton BioEnergy Systems) Tyton BioEnergy Systems and Sunchem announced today a research and commercial partnership combining Tyton’s research, development and commercial capabilities with Sunchem’s Solaris tobacco variety to establish a globally significant alliance to advance tobacco-based green chemicals and biofuels.
by David Hest (Corn+Soybean Digest) Farmers find stover removal for cellulosic ethanol boosts yields, reduces costs and saves soil. Like a lot of farmers, Curt Ferris has wrestled with large amounts of crop residue in corn-on-corn fields. He invested in a
by Plamena Tisheva (See News) A pilot contract for the supply of algae-derived biofuel to Hawaiian Electric Co by Ohio-based Phycal Inc has been terminated after the algae project was never finished, a spokesman for the utility told Pacific Business News
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For a number of years, readers all over the world have been following the fortunes of Joule Unlimited, in and out of stealth, and its goal of making hydrocarbons directly from CO2, sunlight and water
by Ben Barnett (Yorkshire Post) East Yorkshire bio-refinery Vivergo is leading calls for the Government to support initiatives that will give farmers an alternative market for their wheat. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has reported it is expecting a record UK
by Boyd Webb (IOL News) Once home to millions of displaced black South Africans, former homelands are expected to become the heart of the country's biofuels production. Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Lulama Xingwana said on Tuesday the presidential commercial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sapphire is a venture capital backed company founded in 2007 for the purpose of growing and processing micro-algae into products that serve very large and diverse markets where the unique attributes of algae provide valuable
(Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute/PR Newswire) The Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund has invested $150,000 into Manta Biofuel LLC, a company that produces crude oil from algae at a cost that is competitive with traditional petroleum, University of Maryland officials announce today. The
by Tom Doran (AgriNews) ... “When it comes to growing corn, no one does it better than America’s family farmers,” National Corn Growers President Chip Bowling said at a Farm Progress Show press conference. “But our challenge today is two-fold: First, we must
by T.J. Page (Des Moines Register/Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Letter to the Editor-- It’s disappointing, but not surprising to read a recent letter from a non-Iowan repeating discredited Environmental Working Group statistics to bash corn farmers and ethanol production [“Ethanol plays role
by Nicholas Bergin (Lincoln Journal Star) Sorghum, a grass with a colorful seed about the size of a BB, was selling at more than a dollar a bushel above corn thanks to China’s voracious appetite for grain free of genetically
(Times of India) Popularly known in our old Tamil folklore as the 'Tree that cures' or as the 'Tree that protects', the Punnai tree's population along our coastal and river belts has been dwindling in the last three decades owing
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Faculty of Engineering (FI) of the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), a Mexican public university based in the city of Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, is carrying out a greenhouse drainage water treatment project using microalgae so
(EurekAlert!/ UniVerve) Novel and scalable technology and production process combining algal biomass cultivation, harvesting and concentration as well as extraction and fractionation of fatty acids from the biomass results in ability to offer high quality feedstock for various industries in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sapphire’s Jamie Levine, Matrix Genetics’ Margaret McCormick, Algal Scientific’s Geoff Horst, Heliae’s Len Smith and USCD’s Steve Mayfield reflect on the commercial progress of algae. There is the dream of algae. All that photosynthetic productivity,
(The Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®)) On September 30, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a workshop on genetically engineered (GE) algae to give stakeholders an opportunity to hear about EPA's plans for improving its risk
(GreenAir Online) Aviation industry leaders will gather next week in Geneva for their green conference and congratulate themselves on their efforts to reduce emissions. But a reality check is needed. A bio-fuelled flight here and a more efficient engine there
(Green Air Online) The South African ‘Project Solaris’ initiative that is developing an energy-rich tobacco crop for use as a feedstock for producing aviation biofuel has been awarded certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The project, formally launched
(Aemetis/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Aemetis Inc., an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company, announced the harvesting of 12- to 15- foot tall biomass sorghum grown in Central California that was produced using proprietary Nexsteppe seed genetics. Biomass Sorghum is a feedstock
by Gillian Klucas (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) ... The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will lead a $13.5 million, multi-institutional research effort to improve sorghum as a sustainable source for biofuel production. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, this five-year grant takes a comprehensive
(Bioenergy Insight) The government of Estonia has passed a bill which will secure a large investment into the Baltic country’s biomethane market and infrastructure. In the expansion project’s pilot phase, the Estonian state will support the re-commencement of the production of
(Stockholm Environment Institute) This brief draws together SEI research done between 2011 and 2014 on agribusiness developments – especially of oil palm – in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The brief presents overarching insights from that work, along with recommendations
by Mark Harris (The Guardian) In Las Cruces, New Mexico, a pilot project is using heat-loving algae to clean wastewater and generate energy ... “Galdieria sulphuraria is one of the most interesting microorganisms on the planet,” says Peter Lammers, a professor
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) NexSteppe is dedicated to pioneering the next generation of scalable, reliable, cost-effective feedstock solutions for the biofuels, biopower and biobased products industries. Using advanced breeding techniques and cutting-edge analytical technologies, NexSteppe is developing Malibu sweet
by Alexander Cornwell (Gulf News Aviation ) Boeing, together with Etihad Airways, Takreer, Masdar and Total, has been working since January 2014 to develop biofuel in emirate -- An initiative to produce environmentally friendly aviation jet fuel in Abu Dhabi is progressing.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The make-or-break moment for algae-based and cyanobacteria fuels is nigh upon us, and it turns on the prospects for carbon capture and use. Will policymakers enable low-cost carbon to become available for this nascent, petroleum-displacing
(EnAlgae) The final report card for the EnAlgae project has been published and is now available online. Focusing on products and impact, the report summarises the work undertaken during the lifetime of the project and highlights the legacies that will
by Eric Mortenson (Capital Press) The recent drop in oil prices put the brakes on biofuel production, but industry insiders believe in the long-term promise of the technology. -- It’s like leasing ground to the future. On about 90 acres that in
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Commercial-scale production and harvest of several annual and perennial biomass feedstocks is under way, paving the way for biofuels, biopower and biobased products. -- ... There are, however, a handful of other feedstocks that are
by Casey Logan (News-Press) ... (Algenol CEO Paul) Woods isn’t on the mission alone. Algenol employs more than 200 people in Lee County, he said, and the company has invested $260 million here. ... “This is the first week we will be able
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BIOFAT is a microalgae-to-biofuel FP7 demonstration project that integrates the entire value chain of algae process from optimized growth, starch and oil accumulation, to downstream processing (biorefinery) including biofuel production . The BIOFAT approach integrates
by Carl R. Woese (Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Science Daily) How farmers can sustainably, and affordably, meet humanity's growing demand for food, fuel -- Experts predict farmers can sustainably, and affordably, meet humanity's growing demand for food
(Cambrian News) Mid Wales farmers are being offered the chance to help turn bracken into biofuel by a renewable energy company. Oakland Biofuels extracts valuable bioethanol from the plants which would otherwise be left to infest farmers’ land and reduce their
by Kevin Sief (The Washington Post) In Zimbabwe, farmland has been a central issue in the African nation’s violent struggles over race. Fifteen years ago, the government began seizing property from thousands of white farmers and giving it to blacks as
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A multitude of questions surround the challenge of bringing in the mountains of biomass needed to feed a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant: Are crop residues a reliable resource? Will farming communities support the
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) The UN FAO has released data showing that global food prices have experience the steepest monthly drop since 2008, casting doubt upon concerns about the impact of ethanol production in food price increases. The recent decline
by Dr Gloria Naa Dzama Addico & Mr Kweku Amoako Atta deGraft-Johnson (Graphic Online) When one economic activity is on the decline, there is always the natural urge to look for alternatives. That is the situation confronting the coastal communities in
(Michigan State University) Michigan State University has earned a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to better understand how biofuel crops acquire nitrogen, insights that could help maximize yields while minimizing fertilizer use. Sarah Evans, an integrative biologist
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tobacco’s been re-thought, re-engineered and re-invented as a platform for sustainable, low-carbon fuels, and green chemicals – who’s doing what, where and how? ... If tobacco’s reputation has fallen into disrepute on soil sustainability and smoking
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tyton BioEnergy Systems is manipulating the DNA of standard tobacco to boost its sugar and oil content, allowing the plant to be used as feedstock for both ethanol as well as biodiesel. The company is collaborating
(Foodtank.com) ... Miraci Pereira Silva is an organic farmer from the Roseli Nunes settlement in western Brazil. For years, together with other members of her community, she has grown crops like lettuce, beans, and papaya, which are sold locally and provide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 1. Who are Joule? Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) IEA Bioenergy Task 39, a group of international experts working to commercialize sustainable transportation biofuels, recently released its latest newsletter, featuring an update on opportunities for biofuels in New Zealand. Newsletter Issue No. 40 distributed by
by Joelle Kovach (Petersborough Examiner) A local company that's developing new technologies to purify water opened a new local facility on Tuesday. Noble Purification was founded by Adam Noble, 21, a medical student who grew up here. ... Noble Purification uses
by by msemmawhite (Auvisa.org/2GreenEnergy) ... Biodiesel can be truly green when it’s produced and distributed locally and grown efficiently without extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers. An even better option would be a crop that also can improve marginal land and produce
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s not just fish meal, it’s happy meal — for investors, we hear. As Calysta pivots towards methane-to-protein and supersizes its business plan, we visit with CEO Alan Shaw to find out who’s lovin’ it.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) No fossil fuel, no biomass, low carbon, no kidding. -- ... The top 10 new technologies. Note: Some amazing technologies such as Industrial Microbes, Trelys, Kiverdi and Mango Materials fell outside the concept for this rankings —
by Mark Harris (The Guardian) In Las Cruces, New Mexico, a pilot project is using heat-loving algae to clean wastewater and generate energy --- ... “Galdieria sulphuraria is one of the most interesting microorganisms on the planet,” says Peter Lammers, a
(Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems) The meeting presentations are now available for download on the IBSS website: IBSS 2015 Annual Meeting Presentations IBSS 2015 Annual Meeting Posters READ MORE
(PR Underground) Can 100% of Moringa Biodiesel Project be Commercially Viable? Expert Shares Surprising Facts About Moringa Business on 21 & 22 November in Global Moringa Meet 2015 India --- Entrepreneurs around the globe are finding new ways to monetize the
by Bill Levy (Pacific Ag/Biomass Magazine) There are several main challenges in constructing an effective ag biomass supply chain, and they are influenced by a variety of factors. --- As biobased product manufacturers evaluate sites for future facilities, a key consideration
(US Department of Energy) BETO recently published a report summarizing the proceedings of the second Incorporating Bioenergy in Sustainable Landscape Designs Workshop, held June 24–26, 2014, in Argonne, Illinois. The workshop focused on agricultural landscapes and convened a discussion on the
(Hellenic Shipping News) NYK has concluded a contract with United Green* for partial ownership of a canola flower field along the Sanriku shoreline, an area that suffered extensive damage from the tsunami that accompanied the Great East Japan Earthquake in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO’s) Algae Program is carrying out a long-term applied research and development (R&D) strategy to increase the yields and lower the costs of algal biofuels by working with partners to develop
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Earth Room Problem and how is osmotic shock helping us to solve it? You may have wondered to yourself — at some point between 2009’s Summer of Algae and now, in 2015’s Summer of Where
by Jessica Holdman (Bismarck Tribune) Harvest is underway for North Dakota's first crop of jet fuel. "Yields are looking pretty good," said Garret Groves, of Canadian seed producer Agrisoma Biosciences. "We’ve had some stuff we’re really happy with, and we've had some
(The Asahi Shimbun) An experimental facility to produce oil from algae was constructed on former farmland that was abandoned after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami struck the region. ... The Minami-Soma city government bought abandoned fields in
(DENSO) DENSO Corporation today (August 19, 2015) announced that it will build a large 20,000 square meter test facility for the culture of Pseudochoricystis ellipsoidea, an oil-producing microalga patented by DENSO that is used to help reduce CO2 emissions.
(Smithfield Foods/Globe NewsWire) Smithfield Foods' Hog Production Division, Murphy-Brown, LLC, and Tyton BioEnergy Systems announced today a research partnership to develop new applications for Tyton's dedicated, non-smoking tobacco crop and the resulting soil amendment, filtration, and feed products within Smithfield's
(Algae Industry Magazine) VITO is a leading Belgium-based independent research and technology organization in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development, and a pioneer regarding research into algae. They focus on the harvesting, medium reuse and downstream processing. VITO and
(US Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins today for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products
(EnAlgae) Studies conducted by EnAlgae partners in Ireland, France and Belgium point the way to seaweed being a viable and sustainable feedstock for the future in North West Europe (NWE). This is the conclusion of a new paper entitled “Comparative environmental
by Jan Overney (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) Microalgae are a promising feedstock for biofuels, but current methods of harvesting and dewatering them are unsustainable. Now researchers have shown that growing the algae with certain filamentous fungi to form lichens can
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced up to $9 million for the design of sustainable bioenergy systems that maintain or enhance the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of cellulosic bioenergy through the improvement of feedstock production, logistics systems,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Accelergy uses advanced catalysts and state-of-the-art process technologies to transform natural gas, biomass, and/or coal into clean specialty products and transportation fuels. Accelergy’s Hydroconversion to X (where X = solvents, lubricants, performance fluids, or fuels)
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) AGCO is well-equipped to aid the first U.S. cellulosic ethanol plants in devising efficient and effective feedstock supply chain models. Name the crop, and AGCO has baled it. Extensive work with kenaf, hemp, miscanthus, energy
by V. Nilesh (Deccan Chronicle) The government’s national policy on biofuels which aims to blend 20 per cent biofuels by 2017 seems a farfetched dream, at least in the case of biodiesel in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana even though both states
(Biofuels International) ... The Advanced Hardwood Biofuels (AHB) Northwest Project is hoping to build the world's first biorefinery for trees. Other trees often grown for harvest, such as Douglas fir and red cedar take 50 years to grow, while poplar will
by Lara Webster (ABC Rural) Water cleaning technology being trialled in the Queensland prawn industry is set to expand to the cane sector. MDB Energy developed the technology which uses algae to absorb the nutrients in fish ponds, expel clean water, and
(US Department of Energy) “Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected” is a short documentary highlighting personal stories and the efforts being made by communities across the United States to develop, produce, and provide bioenergy, while ensuring it is environmentally, economically,
by Jan Overney (Phys.Org) To cut the cost of biofuels, their production-process can be enhanced to include additional valuable biochemical compounds. A recent experimental study focuses on one source of biomass: residues from Brazilian palm oil production. ... One way to make
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 1. What is Semios? The Semios platform allows you to view and control your ranch in real-time. ... 2. Why is Precision Ag on the march? Using Semios’ portal, you can see events as they unfold; or,
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Photobioreactor manufacturers detail their latest designs and performance metrics and provide project updates from around the globe. ... Whether through open ponds, raceways or closed photobioreactors (PBR), growing algae is both a science and an art. ... PBRs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, Genera Energy has launched its first mobile agriculture app, Biomass, developed to serve as a tool for planning, selecting and calculating biofuel crop needs, for use with Android and Apple smart devices. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 1. Who is PrecisionHawk? PrecisionHawk customers, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and education institutions, regularly leverage significant amounts of data to support their day-to-day business practices and recognize that the value delivered extends far beyond
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As America’s farmers hit retirement age and technology options explode, what comes next? ... The average age of the US farmer reached 58.3 years in the USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture. For sure, farmers have been
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With 3 acquisitions, the biomass consolidation czars consolidate as markets expand. Funding will enable company to expand biomass supply chain services across U.S. In Oregon, Pacific Ag has received a $7M investment from Advantage Capital Agribusiness
(Bergeson & Campbell) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it is developing a project intended to support public dialog concerning the development and use of synthetic biology (synbio). EPA has oversight responsibility for the production and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 1. Huge deal volume. A site worth knowing is AgFunder, here — whose slide deck on the transformation of agricultural technology is digested here. Bottom line, whether it is drones & robotics, precision ag, crop & soil
(Energizing Arkansas) A nonprofit is trying to grow camelina, which can be combined with vegetable oil to produce an alternative fuel source, to encourage economic and biofuel development in DeWitt. Tami Hornbeck made the best of it during a recent field day in DeWitt, where consultants, financers, farmers
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Energy World) A rapid-growing tree, many researchers think poplar is missing its calling as a high-quality cellulosic bioenergy feedstock. -- As the world’s fastest growing temperate tree species, poplar can add a dozen feet annually and reach maturity
by Duane Shimogawa (Pacific Business News) Maui’s Pacific Biodiesel Technologies is looking to help move the Big Island to 100 percent renewable energy through the use of its renewable fuel, the company’s vice president confirmed to PBN. Earlier this month, Pacific Biodiesel
by Dinfin Mulupi (How We Made It in Africa) Africa is seeing a surge in mobile phone-based solutions promising to revolutionise the agricultural industry. Technology entrepreneurs have developed mobile platforms offering a variety of solutions, including online livestock and produce
(Southeastern Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems) The Southeastern Biomass Interactive Mapping Service (IMS) is a tool for exploring the biomass resources and the competitors who use these resources in the southeast US. It allows users to spatially examine feedstock, competitors
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) An example of sheer innovation over time, farmers today grow five times as much corn as they did in the 1930s, on 20 percent less land. As science and farming continue to evolve, agriculture machinery
by Ilona Amos (The Scotsman) PLANS have been unveiled that will see mainland Britain’s first commercial-scale seaweed farm set up in Scottish waters later this summer. The new facility will be run as a demonstration project that will help shape
(USDA Agricultural Research Service/Ethanol Producer Magazine) USDA scientist is providing much needed guidance to sorghum farmers in the Texas High Plains who are trying to save water by using less-than-optimal amounts of it. Farmers in the area are turning to sorghum because
by Itai van Rijn (Y Net News) New research shows that growing and producing bioethanol from algae of the species sea lettuce has potential but is not currently viable economically. ... New research at Tel Aviv University, which has just recently been
(Extension.org) Renewable energy production options are growing thanks to expanded farm equipment capabilities for harvesting biofuel feedstocks like shrub willow. -- Harvesting is the single most expensive operation in the production of shrub willow biomass, accounting for about 30% of costs
(AltEnergyMag.com) The oil from the Moringa tree is considered to be a more sustainable biodiesel feedstock as it can yield both food and fuel. -- Among those searching for solutions to feed the hungry, Moringa is well known. Malnourished children
by Dale Hildebrant (Farm & Ranch Guide) ... Using dried distillers grain as a fertilizer source The first stop on the tour was a plot where research is being done to use dried distillers grain (DDG) from ethanol plants as a source
(Department of Energy) ... We know many of you are interested in some of the presentations from our great lineup of speakers. We have posted select presentations from the conference to our Bioenergy 2015 presentations website. They include: Breakout Session 1-C: Bringing Biorefineries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, Algae.Tec has shipped 7 containers of equipment, including photobioreactor modules and solar light units, on schedule and received in Jamnagar, India for installation within the world’s largest oil refinery, owned and operated by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found that with the addition of a single gene, rice can be cultivated to emit virtually no methane from its paddies during growth. With
(Biofuels International) A research team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a multi-program US security laboratory, has received an additional $1 million (appr. €907,000) to protect algal crops by developing ‘probiotic’ bacteria to combat pond infestation and increase ecosystem function and
[caption id="attachment_63689" align="alignleft" width="300"] A plenary session at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology (July 19, 2015, Montreal).[/caption] by Stefaniya Becking* (Advanced Biofuels USA) If one is looking for an international gathering of leaders in industrial biotechnology to expand their professional
by Padma Nagappan (TakePart) ... Now researchers at the United States Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory think they have a solution that allows farmers to profit from growing both food and advanced biofuels while benefitting the environment. They planted willow on
(Science Daily) A new study, led by Professor Nick Hewitt of Lancaster University, examined changes in ground level ozone in response to projected land use change associated with future biofuel cultivation. Publishing in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers
(Algae Biomass Organization) The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, applauded U.S. Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ) for introducing a bill designed to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that would spur
by Greg Watry (R&D Magazine) Rotifers are semitransparent microscopic animals. Watching them feed under a microscope, one can’t help but feel a sense of awe at nature’s complexity. Its oval-shaped body rotates as it ingests small beads of algae. However, grazers, such as
(Algae Biomass Organization) Latest bill to encourage using carbon dioxide as a feedstock for valuable products -- The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, hailed language included in the energy reform package released last Wednesday by the Senate
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A game-changing new platform — in tobacco? Controversial by its feedstock role for the cigarette industry, tobacco’s been unjustly overlooked. Yet, according to Australia’s CSIRO, “tobacco can greatly expand global capacity for renewable oil production.” In
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and La Coop fédéréem, after two years of work with value chain players, including farmers, have been able to reduce projected corn stalk costs by 40%, the partners
(New Holland) Following the United States Department of Energy’s announcement to award State University of New York up to $3.5 million to fund a research project that seeks to develop ways to reduce the cost of delivering biomass for refinement,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who are they? “Nature’s biodiversity holds answers to challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more,” they say. “Organism Engineers at Ginkgo learn from Nature to develop new organisms that replace technology with biology.” ... “if
by Tim Tierneyn (Syngenta) Plymouth Energy collaborates with corn growers to increase plant efficiency and make ethanol more sustainable. ... Sourcing alpha amylase enzyme directly from area corn growers and working with them to enhance grain quality is not only helping Plymouth
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Energy World) As the world’s fastest growing temperate tree species, poplar can add a dozen feet annually and reach maturity in as few as four years. One of its hybrids, populus x generosa, has the widest
(Algae Industry Magazine) lgiran, an Iranian algal biotech company, has recently established a pilot scale algal cultivation demonstration facility at the Chabahar Free Zone, in the Baluchistan Province of Iran. ... ... The team is looking at products like beta carotene and
(City of Raleigh) Deep in the southeastern corner of Wake County are a series of rolling fields that look like they are more suitable for a Van Gogh painting than part of the Raleigh landscape. Nestled among the corn, soybeans,
(Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute ) The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program, an initiative of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, has approved 15 collaborative technology product development
(Algae Industry Magazine) Studies conducted by EnAlgae partners in Ireland, France and Belgium point the way to seaweed being a viable and sustainable feedstock for the future in North West Europe (NWE). This is the conclusion of a new paper
(Power-Technology) Bio-bean and Network Rail have extended their partnership to start a new recycling project that will turn coffee waste into fuel and will be used to cut down the costs for railway in the UK. The firms had conducted successful
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana’s patented ALDUO system enables economic, sustainable, and consistent production of photosynthetic, non-GMO algae at industrial scale. Cellana intends to construct and operate commercial facilities to produce these products as integrated algae-based biorefineries. To date,
Nina Ying Sun (Plastics News) Lake Taihu, the third largest freshwater body in China, once was pure and beautiful and one of my fondest childhood memories. But like many things in China, it has fallen victim of GDP-focused development and
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that turn climate risk and other environmental problems into business opportunities, spurring innovation and economic development. “From academia
by Bill Brandon (Biofuels Digest) Can Cooperation Survive Within a Non-cooperative Economic System? I say yes it can, but we should not assume it is only a voluntary cooperation. Forty-five years ago we made a major transition in our fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 31 Algae players, what do they make now, and how are they making out? ... Here’s our company by company guide to 31 of the players on the scene — project developers and technology suppliers. ... AlgaEnergy AlgaEnergy is
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced six projects that will receive up to $18 million in funding to reduce the modeled price of algae-based biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) by 2019. This
by Payal Marathe (Argonne National Laboratory) We ask a lot of the land: feed the world with crops, power the world with bioenergy, retain nutrients so they don’t pollute our water and air. To help landscapes answer these high demands,
(Algae Industry Magazine) OriginClear Inc. and partner AlgEternal have announced that, based on AlgEternal’s field tests, they believe their pure algae concentrate, harvested with OriginClear technology, may reduce conventional fertilizer cost by up to 40 percent. AlgEternal reported these findings
(Michigan State University) Converting large tracts of the Midwest’s marginal farming land to perennial biofuel crops carries with it some key unknowns, including how it could affect the balance of water between rainfall, evaporation and movement of soil water to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Drop-in Hydrocarbon fuels made directly by plants? Here. we look at the science and risks of turning an “ability” into an “industrial reality”. It’s common knowledge that terrestrial plants (and many aquatic species) use carbon dioxide,
(Northeast Woody/Warm-season Biomass Consortium - NEWBio) As the largest supplier of shrub willow planting stock in the United States, Double A Willow is a critical link between research and the commercial development of renewable energy. ... Double A Willow in Fredonia, New
by Amy Bickel (Kansas Agland/The Garden City Telegram) The wheat field here is shaved down to a schoolboy’s haircut, but Courtney Wilson’s harvest is just beginning. “I sometimes feel like a door-to-door salesman,” the man admitted as he stood in a field
(SciDev.net) At least 500 million hectares are available for growing biofuel crops; This is after considering rising food demand and growing urbanisation; Only up to 200 million hectares would be needed to slash fossil fuel use Converting grazing land into fields to grow
by Becky Kramer (The Spokesman-Review) ... A $40 million research project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is studying poplars’ potential to produce cellulose-based biofuels. The grove north of Hayden is one of four test plots in the five-year project, which
by Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed (US Department of Energy) For the past seven years, All-American football player and Iowa farmer Bruce Nelson has been using corn stover—the non-edible corn stalks, husks, and leaves of a corn plant—to generate extra income at his
(EnAlgae) EnAlgae researchers have published an economic model to help to explore the economics of cultivating macroalgae at sea. The model and report can be found here as outputs WP2A7.06 and WP2A7.11. Both documents together are a study into the
(Danforth Plant Science Center) Understanding key phenotype-to-genotype associations will enhance efforts to bring products to market -- The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced today it was awarded an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA–E TERRA program.
(AZO CleanTech) Using switchgrass to produce biofuel is one way to decrease the United States’ dependence on oil, but growing it and making it profitable can be complicated. Switchgrass is an excellent candidate for biofuel production. It is an adaptable plant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Six projects land major multi-year awards for Project TERRA, Tramsportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture In Washington, ARPA-E announced awards totaling $30 million for projects seeking to accelerate the development of sustainable energy crops for the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) HOSPRO is dedicated to battle the 95+% import of petroleum for energy and electricity generation by promoting the development of tree based oil seed crops. We are focusing on oil palm a proven producer in
(Outdoor Power Equipment Institute/PR NewsWire) Improved Consumer Education on Ethanol Fuel Options in the Marketplace Needed, Says OPEI ... Consumers are ill-equipped to make smart decisions about new gasoline choices entering the marketplace, such as fuel blends greater than ten percent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the advanced bioeconomy, the question for some time has been “how do you fund it?” or “how do you make it?”. But now, feedstock is becoming the key variable, it’s a case of “where
by Scott Miller (Clemson University) A new public-private partnership led by Clemson University and a worldwide biomass and bioenergy producer will research the use of crops that can both open new markets for South Carolina landowners and support the growing
(Algae Industry Magazine) There are around 4500 dairy farms in Victoria, Australia, according to Business Victoria. Together they produced about 86 per cent of Australia’s dairy product exports, worth almost $2 billion, in 2011-12. The wastewater generated from daily cleaning is
by Greg Norman (Mongabay.com) ... Cross River State, a coastal jurisdiction in southeastern Nigeria, still bears the marks of the country's agricultural heritage when it was the world's largest palm oil producer. That lasted until the late 1960s, when Malaysia and Indonesia
(The American Society of Agronomy/Biodiesel Magazine) In the U.S., federal mandates to produce more renewable fuels, especially biofuels, have led to a growing debate: Should fuel or food grow on arable land? Recent research shows farmers can successfully, and sustainably,
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that incentives will resume this summer for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in growing and harvesting biomass for renewable energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop
by Joby Warrick (The Washington Post) ... Soaring demand for this woody fuel has led to the construction of more than two dozen pellet factories in the Southeast in the past decade, along with special port facilities in Virginia and Georgia
(ECN Magazine/Argonne National Laboratory) The handling of agricultural crop residues appears to have a large impact on soil's ability to retain carbon, making land management practices increasingly important, especially under a scenario where cellulosic materials become more heavily used as
by Kelly Taylor (Chronicle Herald) ... Still, ethanol does have some advantages, including lower net greenhouse gas emissions due to its recycling of carbon-dioxide emitted by today’s plants (or factories), as opposed to oil, which is releasing the CO2 of plants
(Protec Fuel) –Offering the first E15 in the greater Orlando area, Kissimmee Citgo, assisted by Protec Fuel, has launched the 88-octane E15 ethanol blend fuel. E15 can run in any 2001 and newer gasoline engine and costs less than regular
by Dr V Sivasubramanian (Phycospectrum Environmental Research Centre/Algae Industry Magazine) Although removal of nutrients from wastewater by algae is well established in India, Phycospectrum Environmental Research Centre (PERC) claims to be the first organization in India to take microalgal technology successfully
by Osaretin Omorodion* (Advanced Biofuels USA) During late March 2015, the US Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) offered what amounted to a seminar for the public consisting of a series of presentations from industry professionals and researchers
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