by Jerry Warner and P.W. Singer (Brookings Institution) ... Underlying this effort are two complementary objectives. First, a significant percentage of the overall reduction in baseline energy will come from the department converting from petroleum to alternative forms of energy
Archive
Back TO HOMEFueling Our Security: The Need for a Defense Energy Strategy
by Peter W. Singer (The Washington Examiner) ... Our Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy not just in America, but the world. It burns more petroleum in the course of its operations than any other private or
August 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae Biofuels Economic Viability: A Project-Based Perspective
by Jeff H. Hassannia (Diversified Energy Corporation) ... Instead of forecasting the likely costs for capital and O&M for a given architecture and its reported yield, let’s assess what a project would require in order to make it commercially viable. That
August 30, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol Race Fuel - Why Ethanol? Because It Will Save You Money With No Performance Loss
By Rob Fisher, Forrest Jehlik (Circle Track) Shortly after the first installment of Circle Track's Project G.R.E.E.N. hit the newsstand it became apparent that the project had a multitude of different dimensions, all of which can positively impact the oval track
August 30, 2009 Read Full Article
Native Hawaiian Owned Company To Invest $200 Million in Vietnam Ethanol Plants
(FullOn Holdings, Inc./MMD Newswire) Richard Kamahele Figueroa, President and CEO of FullOn Holdings, Inc., a Native Hawaiian owned company, announed today that its Honolulu based division, Golden State Biofuels, has been awarded a forty nine year exclusive agreement by the
August 30, 2009 Read Full Article
The Rise of Biofuels from Algae
(ClearSkies.com) Clean Skies News Dipka Bhambhani reports on the rise of biofuels from algae as part of the nation's energy portfolio. WATCH VIDEO
August 30, 2009 Read Full Article
Rethinking the Value of Corn Ethanol Co-Products in Lifecycle Assessments
by Dave Vander Griend (Ethanol Across America) ...As commodity prices have returned closer to norms prior to the dramatic speculation-driven increase, we need to take a deep breath and understand the truth. We are meeting the increase in demand for
August 29, 2009 Read Full Article
USU Research: Algae May Fix Logan's Sewage Mess
by Brian Maffly (Salt Lake Tribune) For the past several years, detergents and agricultural runoff have turned Logan's five wastewater lagoons into a phosphate-filled soup, posing a menace to sensitive wildlife habitat downstream and racking up costly clean-up bills. But nature
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Mexico Plans Ethanol Push to Reduce Pollution
(Latin American Herald Tribune) The Mexican government said it will invite tenders next month for a contract to produce 176 million liters (46 million gallons) of ethanol for use as a transport fuel, part of a plan to curb pollution
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Anellotech Launches; Latest Fast Pyrolysis Venture Expands Growing Field of Biocrude Companies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst recently granted a biofuels startup company, Anellotech, exclusive global rights to the university’s catalytic fast pyrolysis technology developed by chemical engineer and UMass Amherst faculty member George
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $300 Million in Clean Cities Grants to Support Clean Fuels, Vehicles, and Infrastructure Development
Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the selection of 25 cost-share projects under the Clean Cities program that will be funded with nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects will speed the transformation of the
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Life-Cycle Assessment of Biodiesel
by Laurent Lardon, Arnaud Helias, Bruno Sialve, Jean-Philippe Steyer and Olivier Bernard (Environmental Science and Technology) This paper provides an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of biodiesel production from microalgae. High production yields of microalgae have called forth interest of
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Industry Responds to Biodiesel Tax Reform Proposition
by Nicholas Zeman (Biodiesel Magazine) The National Biodiesel Board said last week that the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act, a piece of legislation introduced to the U.S. Senate last week by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
BEI International Demonstrates Mechanical Jatropha Harvester; Potential Breakthrough in Productivity
In Honduras, BEI International has demonstrated its mechanical harvesting of jatropha at Agroipsa Farm in Choluteca, Honduras this month, harvesting 550 hectares. “If your field conditions are accommodating you can harvest about one hectare per hour with one person operating
August 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Debunking The PHEV Mythology
by John Petersen (Alt Energy Stocks) ... We've all heard the mythology that PHEVs will save users buckets of money by using cheap electricity instead of expensive gasoline. The hard reality is that none of the HEV or PHEV options
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
Biochar's Likely Market Impacts
by Tom Konrad, Ph.D., CFA (Alt Energy Stocks) Biochar, or amending soil with biomass-derived carbon, shows great potential to improve the productivity of soils, as well as to increase the utilization of fertilizers by plants, while sequestering carbon to reduce
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
New Vision on Biofuels is Urgently Needed
... (Christian Aid's report)Growing Pains urges governments to adopt a new vision on biofuels, seeing them as a force for rural development in poor countries, rather than a silver bullet solution to climate change. ‘Christian Aid believes that the best approach
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
Missouri Cooperatives Partner with Universities on Carbon Capture Research
... Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) and Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC) are partnering with Lincoln University and Missouri University of Science and Technology to grow algae using the carbon produced by a coal-burning power plant. Researchers have been eyeing algae,
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
U.S. Biofuel Boom Running on Empty
by Ann Davis and Russell Gold (Wall Street Journal) The biofuels revolution that promised to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil is fizzling out. Two-thirds of U.S. biodiesel production capacity now sits unused, reports the National Biodiesel Board. Biodiesel, a
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
Resource Documents on Ethanol Importation and Tariffs
Doug Newman, Ethanol Trade Analyst for the US International Trade Commission, has provided tables and a presentation which summarize amounts of ethanol imports to the US by source location and tariffs paid, along with a presentation which includes an outline
August 27, 2009 Read Full Article
Applications Being Accepted for Recovery Act 1603 Cash Grants in Lieu of Tax Credits
U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy announced at the end of July that they would be accepting applications for a program that will make direct payments in lieu of tax credits to companies that create
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Australians Evaluate Native Oil-Bearing Tree
by Susanne Retka Schill (Biodiesel Magazine) Early tests by Australia’s CQUniversity researchers show promise for a new biodiesel feedstock – the native Australian Beauty Leaf Tree. The wild tree grows well throughout coastal areas of tropical Australia on salty, drought-affected,
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Microbiogen Develops Yeast that Can Utilize Both C5 and C6 Sugars
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Microbiogen, an Australia-based developer of non-genetically modified yeast, recently announced it has secured a $2.5 million government grant. The grant, which was awarded under the Australian government’s $15 million Second Generation Biofuels Research and
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 'Algae Platform' Develops Efficient Photoreactors and Novel Cell Decomposition Methods
... (C)ultivation of microalgae may contribute decisively to tomorrow's energy supply. For energy production from microalgae, KIT scientists are developing closed photo-bioreactors and novel cell disruption methods. ... Professor Clemens Posten, directs this research activity at the KIT Institute of
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Ghana Debates Viability of Biofuels
by Scott Stearns (Voice of America News) Africa is central to the worldwide growth in biofuels, with Dutch, American, Swedish, Japanese, German, and British firms all competing for farmland to grow the next generation of energy producing crops. Some farmers
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuel projects in South Florida Have Promising Future, Challenging Present
by Doreen Hemlock and Jaideep Hardikar (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) The neatly planted rows of jatropha trees in Delray Beach are sprouting round, green fruit that can be crushed into oil to run diesel engines. Teri Gevinson founder of Ag-Oil LLC,
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Synthetic Life By the Year’s End? Yes, Proclaims Craig Venter.
(Discover) ... Synthetic biology experts say that re-engineered microorganisms may take on all sorts of jobs. For now, gene researchers are particularly excited about using energy-producing microbes as single-celled refineries for ethanol, biodiesel or other petroleum substitutes without using food
August 26, 2009 Read Full Article
AdvBiofUSA Disappointed in DOE Failure to Include Advanced Biofuels in SBIR/STTR Grant Program
by Joanne Ivancic Although U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu claimed to "(emphasize) the Department’s commitment to developing near-term, clean energy technologies while allowing small businesses (to) take part in the new industrial revolution that the sustainable energy economy will bring,"
August 25, 2009 Read Full Article
DOE Announces $37 Million for Small Business Research and Technology
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that $37 million in funding from the Recovery Act will be made available to qualified small businesses through the Department’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This funding
August 25, 2009 Read Full Article
25 x 25 Publishes Assessement of Ag/Forestry Costs Due to Proposed Climate Change Legislation
From the report: ... Objective independent studies now emerging on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 suggest that the costs to the agriculture and forestry sectors from its cap and trade provisions are on net modest. At
August 24, 2009 Read Full Article
US DOE Accepting Applications for Loans to Leading Edge Biofuels Projects
Section 1705 of Title XVII authorizes the Secretary of Energy ("Secretary") to make loan guarantees under this section, notwithstanding Section 1703, for only three categories of projects that commence construction no later than September 30, 2011: (1) "renewable energy systems,
August 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Harvesting Hemp at Hartacre Farms for Biofuel
by Aimee Pianosi (NapaneeGuide.com) In a white cloud of pollen, 43 acres of hemp was harvested from Hartacre Farms last Tuesday. Herb Hart grew the crop in partnership with Performance Plants Inc. of Kingston, as part of a biofuels project
August 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol Plant Project Runs Out of Gas
by Colin Bettles (FarmWeekly) WestPetro, the proposed ethanol production plant to be built in East Rockingham, changed ownership last week. The Oswal Group, who built the Burrup fertiliser plant, has decided not to proceed with the WestPetro project. The decision
August 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Scripps Photobiology Group Presentations on Algae
The Scripps Photobiology Group has been hosting a series on the commercialization of algae, with a focus on the possible production of biofuels from algae. The purpose of this forum is to exchange information and spur collaborative conversation about the
August 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series Powers Ahead on Biodiesel Blends
(Biodiesel Magazine) The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racing series had just passed the half way point at press time, when race organizers, drivers, and fans alike acclaimed this biodiesel-powered “green racing” series an utter success. Volkswagen of America named Hyperfuels,
August 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Michigan Researchers Look at Rutabagas for Biofuel
by David Runk (AP) Researchers at Michigan State University are working to turn the rutabaga into an oil-producing powerhouse that could make the turnip-like vegetable a better source of biofuel than other food crops. The idea is that the rutabaga,
August 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Nigerian,Oni, Donates Land for Chinese Ethanol Project
by Toba Suleiman (This Day) Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, has donated 15,000 hectares of land to Chinese investors handling the ethanol project at Oke-Ayedun, Ikole Local Government area of the state, for cassava plantation. His media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka,
August 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Researchers Boost Production of Biofuel that Could Replace Gasoline
(Newswise) Engineers at Ohio State University have found a way to double the production of the biofuel butanol, which might someday replace gasoline in automobiles. The process improves on the conventional method for brewing butanol in a bacterial fermentation tank. Normally,
August 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Semi-Serious Quiz: How to Rate An Algae Company
by Michael Kanellos (Greentech Media) Five years ago it was easy to divide up companies trying to make fuel out of algae. There were only a handful in the market and all were in and around the "science experiment" phase.
August 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Potential for Sweet Sorghum Ethanol is Very Sweet, Indeed
by Barney DuBois (BioBasedNews.com) ... Sorghum – and particularly sweet sorghum – seems finally prepared to emerge from behind the dense biomass shadows it casts with its giant 15-foot stalks! Sweet sorghum – a resilient grass that can be grown
August 20, 2009 Read Full Article
Automotive Materials Life Cycle Assessment Model Released for Use
WorldAutoSteel has released a 2nd iteration of the automotive materials parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, which allows for broader evaluations of automotive materials, powertrains, fuels and vehicle total energy consumed. Automakers can now evaluate more comprehensively material selections decisions and
August 20, 2009 Read Full Article
Tanzanian Jatropha Agriculture Gains Momentum with USAID
by Happy Lazaro (Arusha Times) The United States of America has given Tanzania Tsh.6.5 billion (US Dollars 5.4 million) for development of Jatropha farming in rural areas. The American government issued the money through its development agency (USAID) under a
August 20, 2009 Read Full Article
Company Planting Camelina Crops for Biodiesel
by Nathan Phelps (Green Bay Press Gazette) An upstart seed and biodiesel plant is harvesting the first seed crop of camelina — the plant that makes up the basis of the biofuel of the same name — in eastern Wisconsin. JR
August 20, 2009 Read Full Article
U.S. Biofuel Makers Want CO2 Credits in Climate Bill
(Reuters) Makers of biofuels and plastics and chemicals made from crops want U.S. senators to change the climate bill to give them free pollution permits that would be needed to emit greenhouse gases under the legislation. Companies that make the alternative
August 19, 2009 Read Full Article
NASA Looks at Plant Biomass as New Source of Biofuel in Space
by Lisa Sibley(Cleantech Group) NASA research scientist Chad Paavola has a problem to solve: When astronauts leave the earth for long periods of time, they’re going to need to produce plants for food and the air they breathe. Some of the crops
August 19, 2009 Read Full Article
Aurora Biofuels Breakthrough Doubles CO2 Uptake and Fuel Production
Through a series of biotechnology achievements, Aurora has succeeded in optimizing its base algae strains to more than double CO2 consumption and fuel production, and has proven these results in an outdoor open system over the last several months. Using tools
August 19, 2009 Read Full Article
Banned in Boston: Massachusetts Moves to Strike Algae, Miscanthus, Switchgrass, Oil from Microorganisms, from Qualifying Under Clean Energy Biofuels Act
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, the state Department of Energy Resources, in coordination with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, announced that it would ban all biofuels not made using waste feedstocks from qualifying under the
August 19, 2009 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Non-Profit Receives Tax Exemption Status
by Rachel Gantz (Oil Price Information Service) ... As Ivancic explained to OPIS, Advanced Biofuels USA launched in April 2008 with the intention of being a new trade organization representing second and third generation biofuels. However, around that time, biofuel
August 18, 2009 Read Full Article
Greener Dawn Research Releases 90-Page Algae Biofuels Report
A report by Greener Dawn Investment Group's research arm "aims to provide an in-depth and unbiased review of the algae industry’s market potential, current technologies and processes, from the point of view of a financial investor. Considering the fate of
August 17, 2009 Read Full Article
G20 Countries Practice ‘Agricolonialism’ in Developing Countries
by Betsey Piette (Worker's World) Collectively the countries which participate in the Group of Twenty comprise 85 percent of the global gross national product, 80 percent of world trade and two-thirds of the world’s population. What many G-20 countries lack,
August 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Pakistani State Oil Launches Ethanol Blended Fuel in Karachi
(The International News) The Pakistan State Oil (PSO) launched ethanol blended fuel called ‘E10 gasoline’ here on Saturday which would be cheaper by Rs2.40 per litre compared to petrol. ... Federal Minister for Privatisation and Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed
August 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Trillium FiberFuels Awarded $750,000 Grant to Develop Cellulosic Ethanol Technology
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has just announced the 2009 awardees of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This award is a Phase II continuation that follows Trillium’s successful completion of Phase I during 2008 and early
August 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Embracing Pond Scum: Algae Farms Taking Root in High Desert
by Brooke Edwards and Natasha Lindstrom (Victor Valley Daily Press) That green, slimy scum that makes swimmers and pool owners cringe may soon grow the High Desert into a hotbed for algae-based biofuel production. The algae technology can be used to
August 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Scientists Explore How the Humble Leaf Could Power the Planet
by Alok Jha (Guardian) At Imperial College London, researchers have embarked on a £1m project to study, and eventually mimic, photosynthesis. Part of a project called the "artificial leaf", involves working out exactly how leaves use sunlight to make useful
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Row Over US Biofuel Rules Intensifies
by Cath Everett (BusinessGreen.com) Corn ethanol industry accuses EPA of influencing independent panel to boost support for controversial biofuel carbon life cycle regulations. An independent peer review of proposed US biofuel regulations has only served to intensify a long-running dispute
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Biochar as the New Black Gold
by Bill Hewitt (Grist) Imagine a system that can: (potentially) store billions of tons of carbon in soil for centuries; dramatically reduce agricultural waste, forest debris and some municipal solid waste, thus eliminating the production of greenhouse gases that result from their
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
BP and Martek Biosciences Enter a Joint Development Agreement to Deliver Advanced Biodiesels
BP and Martek Biosciences Corporation announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to work on the production of microbial oils for biofuels applications. The partnership combines a broad technology platform and operational capabilities to advance the development of
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Egypt to Cultivate Jatropha Plant for Biofuels
(Reuters) Egypt plans to expand the cultivation of the jatropha plant to produce biofuels, the state news agency said. The agency quoted an Agriculture Ministry official as stating that 200 feddans (84 hectares) in the Red Sea province of Hurghada
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Picking Biofuel Starters: Government Tops Off the Tank
by Simon Grose (tcetoday news) Algae, wood and sugarcane shared the honours in the bidding for funding through the Australian government’s Second generation Biofuels research and development program. Announcing matching grants totaling A$14.4m ($12.1m) across seven projects, resource minister Martin Ferguson
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Will 'Energy Crops' Become the Next Kudzu?
by Jessica Leber (New York Times and ClimateWire) U.S. policies are subsidizing new energy crops that are likely to spread off the farm and wreak economic and ecological havoc, a federal advisory board cautioned yesterday. For years, researchers have worked
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Start-Up Goes Fishing for Biofuels
by Candace Lombardi (Green Tech) LiveFuels, an algae biofuel start-up, announced a pilot project to grow and harvest algae biofuels in open waters with the help of naturally occurring activities in the ecosystem. The approach is different than other attempts
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Who’s Your Daddy’s Daddy?: A Look at Bioenergy and Washington Lobbying
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Center for Public Integrity released a report on lobbying over the impending Climate Bill, and reported that 13 bioenergy companies plus several trade groups registered to lobby Congress for the first time
August 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Bioenergy to Fuel Growth in Regional Australia
(The Land FarmOnline) A new analysis on second generation biofuels, conducted by Southern Cross University's Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, shows that by 2025, 30 per cent of the country's petrol could be provided by bioenergy. "This would involve the
August 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Scientists Force Fungus to Have Sex to Create Biofuel
by Bryan Nelson (CleanTechnica.com) Originally discovered in the Solomon Islands during World War II eating away at the canvas and garments of the U.S. Army, scientists have long known that the soil fungus Trichoderma reesei was particularly good at converting
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Nigeria to Produce Biodiesel Commercially
(Biofuels International) Nigeria will start producing biodiesel commercially at some point next year, say scientists. Nigeria has been experimenting with biodiesel for several years. The Sweden-based telecoms operator Ericsson funded the first pilot biodiesel production in Nigeria under its corporate
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
ARIES Portable Biodiesel System Successfully Demonstrated
A collaborative effort by the U.S. Navy, Biodiesel Industries, Inc. and Aerojet successfully demonstrated methods to produce cleaner and more reliable sources of renewable fuels for military use. The system, named ARIES (Automated Real-time, Remote, Integrated Energy System), is a
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Publishes Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Corn and Ethanol Production
Don Hofstrand "focus(es) on GHG emissions including a detailed analysis of the sources of these emissions from corn and ethanol production. We will also show how GHG emissions from corn production vary based on region of the country. The sale
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Richard Branson Launches Green Venture
by Rebecca Burn-Callander (Real Business) It's one of the few private equity ventures to raise its target amount this year. And it's a green enterprise. Richard Branson's Virgin Green Fund is defying the downturn, raising £240m in total: £70m from
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
24 Senators Ask President Obama for Volume Mandates for Biodiesel
... (W)e request that the Administration exercise its authority immediately, either by Executive Order or through Agency action or guidance, to provide greater certainty for the 2009 and 2010 RFS-2 volume mandates for biomass-based diesel. Prompt attention is critical to
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Announces Biofuels Road Map at Clean Energy Summit
General Wesley Clark (Ret.), co-chairman of Growth Energy, introduced a renewable fuels road map designed to put the nation on track to create more jobs, reduce emissions and help make our nation more energy independent. The principles outlined in Growth
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
EPA Announces Peer Review Findings on the Lifecycle Analysis for the Proposed Rule to Implement the Expanded Renewable Fuel Standard Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (''EPA'') announces the availability of documents pertaining to the expert peer review record completed on the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Analysis. On May 5, 2009, EPA announced proposed revisions to
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Perdue AgriBusiness to Supply Barley for Hopewell Ethanol Plant
(Richmond Times-Dispatch) Osage Bio Energy, the company building an ethanol plant in Hopewell, is partnering with Perdue AgriBusiness to source local barley for the ethanol production. Perdue will work with farmers in the region to supply the Glen Allen-based company
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
DOE Awards $377 Million in Funding for 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers
In a major effort to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the delivery of $377 million in funding for 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) located
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
A "Shrimp Cocktail" To Fuel Cars and Trucks
Call it a "shrimp cocktail" for your fuel tank. Scientists in China are reporting development of a catalyst made from shrimp shells that could transform production of biodiesel fuel into a faster, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly process. ...
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuel-Producing Bacteria, Insect Gut Microbes, ~ 70 other Projects Fill DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Pipeline
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has selected 71 new genomic sequencing projects for its 2010 Community Sequencing Program (CSP)—a targeted sampling of the planet’s biodiversity—to be characterized for bioenergy, climate, and environmental applications. JGI’s Community Sequencing
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Safflower Topping Rest as Best Oilseed for Biodiesel
by Sue Roesler (The Priairie Star) Just ask Chuck Flynn, research chemist at Montana State University's Eastern Ag Research Center, how many oilseed crops can actually be turned into biodiesel. He has tried every oilseed crop that can be grown
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Growth Energy: GAO Report Clearly Refutes Big Food’s Claim That Ethanol was Behind Higher Food Prices
Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, evaluated a recent US Government Accountabilty Office report, "“Now it’s the GAO that is saying that farm prices are a fraction of the hike to grocery bills. Whatever is driving up grocery prices won’t
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Association Team, Other Stakeholders Unable to Verify EPA ILUC Analysis Results
In a letter to the US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, the Renewable Fuels Association explains that stakeholders are unable to replicate or verify the analysis used by EPA in its international indirect land use change model. The best and most common way for
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Solazyme Awarded California Energy Commission Grant to Develop Clean Fuel from Local Cellulosic Feedstocks
Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil production company and algal biotechnology company, was awarded a $789,697 Biosynthetic Transportation Fuel Production grant from the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. ... The PIER Program Opportunity Notice (PON) announced that
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels Innovator Forms Division in Charleston to Capture Carbon
by Andy Owens (Charleston Regional Business Journal) Opposition to coal-fired power plants in the South has spurred a producer of microalgae-based renewable energy and industrial products to create a division based in Charleston. Barry Toyonaga, chief business officer for San Diego-based
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
EERC Awarded Subcontract by SAIC to Help Produce Military Renewable Jet Fuel from Algae
(GreenAirOnline.com) The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has been awarded a subcontract by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to help produce military JP-8 jet fuel from algae. Funding for the work is coming
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
W2 Energy Completes Algae Bioreactor
(Energy Current) W2 Energy Inc., has successfully completed a commercial scale algae bioreactor. The Sunfilter bioreactor will be used to sequester any CO2 byproducts from the W2 Energy waste-to-energy processes. The product can also be sold separately. Customers such as
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
University of Minnesota Researchers Discover Breakthrough Method for Chemical Separations
A team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, have developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae Oil Lipid Trigger Breakthrough Sustainable Green Technologies Inc. Announces Innovative Way to Increase Algae Oil Production
Sustainable Green Technologies (SGT) a start-up company in Escondido, California announced today that it has discovered a highly effective and low cost way to massively increase algal oil production. Metabolic engineering research conducted at SGT over the past two years
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
NASA Studies Cellulose For Food And Biofuel Production
For long-duration space missions, astronauts someday will grow plants for food and the air they breathe, while transforming inedible parts of the plants into useful resources, such as biofuels, food, and chemicals. Today, scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Emami Biotech to Set Up Biofuel Project in Ethiopia
(Business Standard) Emami Biotech, a part of the Rs 2,000-crore Emami Group, will invest Rs 400 crore in a plantation project over five years in Oromia in Ethiopia. The company will engage in plantation of biofuel crops (jatropha) and other
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Biggie Smalls: Microcrops Go Mainstream and Head for the Big Time
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All microalgae are microcrops, but not all microcrops are microalgae: a larger family of diatoms, cyanobacteria, and tiny aquatic flowering plants such as the lemna family are increasingly in the mix for biofuels commercialization. As
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Western Australia Government Supports Hazardous Waste Biodiesel Project
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced funding of $145,000 from the Pilbara Regional Grants Scheme to support the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation’s biodiesel manufacturing business. ... The Minister said the project involved recycling potential hazardous waste products into saleable biodiesel
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
The Water Footprint of Bioenergy
All energy scenarios show a shift toward an increased percentage of renewable energy sources, including biomass. This study gives an overview of water footprints (WFs) of bioenergy from 12 crops that currently contribute the most to global agricultural production: barley,
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Jatropha: Not a Miracle Biofuel Crop After All?
(Discover) The oil-rich and weedy plant jatropha has been hailed as the most promising source of biofuel on the planet, and one airline has already begun testing a jatropha-derived fuel in its jumbo jets. But a new analysis suggests that
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Manufacturers' Electric Dreams Likely to Stumble on Forecaster's Reality
by Neil Winton (Detroit News) While manufacturers like Nissan of Japan jostle for the lead in the race to saturate markets with electric cars, automotive forecasters seeking to cut through the hyperbole tell a more sober story. ... Automotive forecaster
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Corn Farmers Coalition Publishes The Corn Fact Book
.... There is plenty of corn to eat and plenty for making ethanol and plenty for feeding cattle and plenty more to export and still more to make chemicals and fabric. After peaking briefly in July 2008 at more than
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Researchers Discover New Way to Deoxygenize Biomass
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Magazine) University of California Berkeley and Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a relatively inexpensive way to remove oxygen from biomass, which could pave the way for producing many of today’s petrochemical products from biomass. The one-step
August 03, 2009 Read Full Article
Ceres Publishes Online Crop Radius Calculator
For biofuels and biopower to be competitive and sustainable, high-yielding energy crops will be required in most areas. That is because harvesting and transporting biomass to the biorefinery or power facility are collectively the most expensive part of feedstock supply.