(Airbus/Biomass Magazine) Airbus Group Inc. continues its commitment to promote innovation and advance environmentally-friendly aviation initiatives by supporting development of sustainable fuels with the potential of reducing lifecycle carbon emissions. Airbus Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with
Archive
Back TO HOMEUPM Advocates for EU Advanced Biofuel Policy
(UPM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels, an industry coalition to promote advanced biofuels, met on Dec. 4 at the European Parliament with Members of the European Parliament, Commission representatives, and stakeholders in Brussels. LSB, chaired by UPM’s Marko Janhunen,
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
ASTM Approves New Standard for Butanol Purity Testing
(ASTM International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) With several beneficial attributes that make it a good blending agent in gasoline, butanol continues to hold promise for use as a biofuel. It is compatible with existing vehicles and refueling infrastructure. ... Now, a new ASTM
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Alternative Clean Transportation Expo May 4-7, 2015 Dallas, TX DEADLINE: uncertain
Nearly 200 transportation industry leaders will present throughout the four-day program on the key fueling, equipment, technology, and policy advancements driving the future of sustainable transportation. Are you interested in joining the speaker roster? Real-world fleet success stories and economic data
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Early Slowdown Signs Emerge for U.S. Oil States after Crude Slide
by Tim Reid (Reuters) ... In Houston, Texas, the first oil industry layoffs have been announced, with realtors there predicting a sharp decline, up to 12 percent, in home sales next year. Alaska's 2015 fiscal year budget revenue forecast will have
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Fuel4me Consortium Targets 2017
(Algae Industry Magazine) ... The overall aim of Fuel4me is to establish a sustainable chain for continuous biofuel production using microalgae as a production platform, thereby making 2nd generation biofuels competitive alternatives to fossil fuels. More specifically, they intend to
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
CNH Industrial and Evogene Subsidiary Announce Ongoing Collaboration for the Development of a Mechanised Harvesting Solution for Castor Beans
(CNH Industrial Latin America Ltda.) CNH Industrial Latin America Ltda., a subsidiary of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE, MI: CNHI), together with Evogene Ltd. (NYSE, TASE: EVGN), announce the ongoing cooperation between CNH Industrial and Evofuel Ltd., Evogene's wholly-owned subsidiary. This
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Oman Has Good Prospects for Microalgal Biofuel Production
by Santhosh Muthalath (Oman Observer) The production of liquid fuels from biological material or ‘biomass’ is gaining popularity across the world. Factors such as climate change, rising fuel prices, political instability and depletion of petroleum resources are some of the
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
ASTM Approves Spec for Heating Oil with 6 to 20 Percent Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ASTM International, an organization which sets industry consensus standards for fuels and lubricants, has voted to approve performance specifications for blends of 6 to 20 percent biodiesel with traditional heating oil. The move is a significant leap
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Meghan Sapp, Secretary General, PANGEA, and Senior Editor, The Digest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) PANGEA is a leader in the promotion of technology transfer and investment into Africa’s growing bioeconomy, ... . PANGEA in 2015 is breaking out beyond its traditional policy-oriented focus, away from Europe, and looking more
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Poll: Half of Republicans Back Limits on Carbon
by Dina Cappiello (Associated Press/Seattle pi) When Republicans take control of Congress next month, top on their agenda will be undoing environmental regulations they claim will harm the economy, chief among them President Barack Obama's plans to limit
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Small Number of Wells Responsible for Methane Emissions
by Max B. Baker (Star-Telegram) A small number of natural gas wells are responsible for the majority of the methane gas being released into the atmosphere during production, but at higher levels than previously estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protection
December 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Genera Receives Growth Investment from WindSail Capital Group
(Genera Energy) Biomass supply company, Genera Energy, receives strategic financing to support business growth Leading biomass supply company, Genera Energy Inc., has received a strategic financing commitment from WindSail Capital Group, a Boston-based investment firm that provides growth financing to companies
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Indirect Land Use Change: ARB Needs Evidence, Not Theory
by Steve Shaffer (Capitol Weekly) ... More than two millennia later, Sacramento has its own version of the Flat Earth Society—the California Air Resources Board (ARB). Only this time, the debate isn’t over the shape of the Earth; it’s over
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Solutions Deserve a Major Role in U.S. Emission-Reduction Strategy
(25 x '25) A broad survey of farmers has documented a yield boost from the use of cover crops in corn and soybeans. The increased yields reflect an upward trend in all of the benefits that come from planting cover
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: tcbiomass2015: Technology for the Bioeconomy November 2-5 Chicago, IL DEADLINE: April 10, 2015
Join the thermochemical bioenergy community and meet the experts that are shaping the world for tomorrow. Don't miss your chance to attend the 4th international conference on thermochemical biomass conversion science, tcbiomass2015; an event that gives you an in-depth look at
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: International Biomass Conference and Expo April 20-22, 2015 Minneapolis, MN DEADLINE: December 23, 2014
The 8th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo will take place April 20-22, 2015, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This dynamic event unites industry professionals from all sectors of the world’s interconnected biomass utilization industries—biobased power, thermal
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Northeast Bioenergy Scholars Program DEADLINE: February 1, 2015
(NewBIO) The Northeast Bioenergy Scholars Program is an exciting summer research experience program for enthusiastic undergraduates who are interested in exploring bioenergy utilizing cutting-edge techniques. Check out the list of current topics and locations for summer research opportunities. An accepted
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: Southern Crossroads: Progress In Biomass Production, Processing and Use February 2-4, 2015 Auburn, AL DEADLINE: December 15, 2014
The Southeastern Sun Grant Center will host a regional conference -- "Southern Crossroads: Progress In Biomass Production, Processing and Use". It will be held February 2-4, 2015 at the Hotel at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. The conference will highlight
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: The 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts June 7-10, 2015 San Diego, CA DEADLINE: January 30, 2015
The 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts provides direct interaction for attending delegates, with scientific and technical leaders in this field. Emphasis will be placed on the latest unpublished technical and scientific results, along with discussion and
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 11th International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries June 3-5, 2015 York, UK DEADLINE: January 15, 2015
The 11th edition of the International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries will take place in York, United Kingdom, from Wednesday June 3 until Friday June 5, 2015. Delegates from university, industry, governmental and non-governmental organizations and venture capital providers will
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 37th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals April 27-30, 2015 San Diego, CA DEADLINE: December 7, 2014
The Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology is currently accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentations to be presented at the 37th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. Technical presentations make up the majority of presentations, however detailed and
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Hemp Produces Viable Biodiesel, UConn Study Finds
by Christine Buckley (University of Connecticut) Of all the various uses for Cannabis plants, add another, “green” one to the mix. Researchers at UConn have found that the fiber crop Cannabis sativa, known as industrial hemp, has properties that make it viable and
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Crooked Brothers Sentenced over Huge Waste Cooking Oil for Biofuel Scam in Rhode Islanld
by Ben Messenger (Waste Management World) Two brothers in their 70s have been sentenced for conspiring to sell and transport used cooking oil stolen from restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to a processing plant in New Hampshire for
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Iowa’s Advanced Energy Industry Employs More than 22,000, with the Most Jobs in Energy Efficiency, Advanced Fuels, and Wind Power
(Advanced Energy Economy) First-time Survey of Iowa Firms Projects 6 Percent Job Growth in Coming Year Advanced energy employment in Iowa is more than 22,000 strong and on pace to reach nearly 24,000 jobs in 2015, according to the first-ever comprehensive
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Where’s the Upside in $60 Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Boom times for two-product strategies? Can feed markets offer relief for the challenges on the fuel side? ... A two-product strategy is no guarantee of good times during period of rapidly falling energy prices. But
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Frustrated at EPA over Ethanol Mandate Delay
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) Lawmakers vented their frustration at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wednesday over its repeated delays of the annual ethanol mandate. The Wednesday hearing in the House Oversight Committee’s subpanel on energy came weeks after the
December 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Algae Biomass Organization Calls for Robust Renewable Fuel Standard
(Algae Biomass Organization) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) submitted comments to the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy yesterday calling on Congress to ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) includes timely approval for advanced biofuel pathways as
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
As US Cleans up, It's Exporting More Pollution
by Dina Cappiello (Associated Press) Heat-trapping pollution released into the atmosphere from rising exports of U.S. gasoline and diesel dwarfs the cuts made from fuel efficiency standards and other efforts to reduce global warming in the United States, according
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Oil Price Fall a "Golden" Chance to Shift to Clean Energy - IEA
by Mitra Taj (Reuters) World leaders have a "golden opportunity" with plunging oil prices to put a price on carbon emissions since cheaper fuel makes the move less risky politically, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. Crude prices have
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
BP Said Planning to Close US Cellulosic Operation by End-1Q 2015
by Sheela Tobben (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) BP Plc (BP/) plans to close down its U.S. cellulosic operation by the end of next year’s first quarter, according to a person familiar with the development. The business was part of an effort to find ways
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
E85 Prices Shock EPM Reader
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Big Oil isn't above stooping to dirty tricks to mislead consumers into thinking E85 isn't a good fuel to buy, including by trying to price the fuel right out of the market. We recently received
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Improves Pathway Petition Process for the RFS
(Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has taken action to improve and streamline the pathway petition process under the renewable fuels standard (RFS). In March, the agency said it would take approximately six months to improve the petition process for new
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Biomass Producers Today, Carbon Kings Tomorrow
by Matt Carr (Biomass Magazine/Algae Biomass Organization) ... To control carbon dioxide (CO2), the agency (Environmental Protection Agency) places a significant emphasis on burying emissions underground (carbon capture and sequestration or CCS), but I believe it should equally encourage the
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
California’s ILUC Analysis Must Consider Newly Released Real-World Data
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has again called on the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to adjust its current indirect land use change (ILUC) analysis to better reflect real-world land use patterns. In written comments submitted on
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Message to the Masses
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The biofuels mobile education center is a 45-foot long trailer filled with interactive touch screen computers, educational displays, movies and more, to educate visitors about ethanol and other biofuels. ... Curt Froyen, project manager, tells EPM: TRAILER
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Spotlight on Iowa
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Producer Magazine digs into the details of ethanol production in Iowa and how the industry got started. When Jerry Mohr, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association board of directors, talks to politicians, he
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Prime the Pump Seeks to Expand E15 Infrastructure
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The fate of the Chicago E15 ordinance is still unknown. Passed by the city council’s finance committee on Monday, a vote by the full council was deferred Dec. 10 for at least a month.
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS, POSTERS: 7th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (GSC-7) and 4th JACI/GSC Symposium July 5-8, 2015 Tokyo, Japan DEADLINE: February 6, 2015
With the purpose of promoting chemical technology innovation for sustainable development, the JACI/GSC Symposium is held in Japan annually by JACI, while the International GSC Conference is held biennially on a rotating basis in the different countries of Asia, US
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Green Chemistry: The Nexus Blog
by David Constable (American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute®) Last week I attended and spoke at a Materials Research Society meeting. It was very interesting despite having only a short time to spend there, but I was reminded once again
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Is Cellulosic Ethanol All it’s Cracked Up to Be?
by Edward Dodge (Breaking Energy) The EPA has long promoted cellulosic ethanol as the future of biofuels, but technical challenges have kept production far below targets. A recent rule change allows RNG, renewable natural gas, to qualify as cellulosic biofuel
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Thomas Leue, President, Homestead Engineering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Homestead Engineering has been a biodiesel producer and for the past 14 years has sold Yellow Brand Biodiesel, always B-100, retail throughout Western Massachusetts, both packaged and bulk deliveries. For road fuel or for off-road,
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition
by Baroness Kramer (Department for Transport) £25 million advanced biofuels demonstration competition is launched to support the development of a domestic advanced biofuel industry. I have today (10 December 2014) launched the government’s £25 million advanced biofuels demonstration competition to support the
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Process Converts Human Waste into Rocket Fuel
Brad Buck (University of Florida) Buck Rogers surely couldn’t have seen this one coming, but at NASA’s request, University of Florida researchers have figured out how to turn human waste -- yes, that kind -- into rocket fuel. Adolescent jokes aside, the
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Rob Yenne, President, Peloton Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Peloton Technologies, LLC specializes in technologies for the production of bio-based fermentable sugars, advanced transportation fuels and biopolymer monomers used in the production of biosynthetic rubber. ... Producing next generation energy and chemicals requires novel (but practical)
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Kahului Biodiesel Price Lowest in Hawaiʻi
(Maui Now) Pacific Biodiesel’s Hobron fueling station now has the lowest diesel price in the state, according to a press release issued by the company today. B20, which is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, dropped today
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Viesel Develops Continuous Enzymatic Biodiesel Process
by Brent Chrabas (Viesel Fuel LLC/Biodiesel Magazine) In collaboration with Tactical Fabrication of Dublin, Georgia, and Novozymes of Denmark, a novel biodiesel production technology developed by Viesel Skunk Works LLC will soon be offered commercially. The innovative system features a
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Boeing, South African Airways Look to First Harvest of Energy-Rich Tobacco to Make Sustainable Aviation Biofuel
(Boeing) Pioneering project supports South Africa’s rural economy, environment, public health Boeing [NYSE:BA] and South African Airways (SAA) announced today that South African farmers will soon harvest their first crop of energy-rich tobacco plants, an important step towards using the plants
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Rivertop Renewables to Start Commercial-Scale Production in 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Contract manufacturing agreement with DTI speeds Rivertop’s time to market for its novel performance chemicals In Montana, Rivertop Renewables announced that it has begun construction of its first commercial plant, located at DanChem Technologies’ facility in Danville,
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
REG Acquires Majority Stake in Petrotec; Tender Offer for All Shares Imminent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) US biodiesel leader heads for the EU – what’s up with used cooking oil, and what is REG’s path forward with the German-based biodiesel producer? In Iowa, Renewable Energy Group and IC Green Energy announced
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Report Published on Algae Product Opportunities
(Algae Industry Magazine) Companies involved in the algae-to-fuels domain have started to realize that it could take much longer than originally expected to derive fuels from algae. Hence, as a starting point, many of these companies are exploring venturing into
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Not Broken, Don’t Fix It: Why Congress Should Refrain from RFS Reform
by James C. Greenwood (The Hill/Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to issue a final 2014 rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other missteps are being misinterpreted or misconstrued as a sign that the program is
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
AG Schmidt Challenges EPA Ethanol Emissions Model
(Office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt) Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has asked a federal appeals court to block new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that discourage the use of ethanol by requiring states to adopt conclusions about ethanol
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioplastic – Greener than Ever
by Angelika Jacobs (ETH Zurich) Polylactic acid is a degradable plastic used mostly for packaging. To meet the rising demand, ETH researchers have developed an eco-friendly process to make large amounts of lactic acid from glycerol, a waste by-product in the
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Sandra Dunphy, Director, Energy Compliance Services, Weaver and Tidwell
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We currently work with ~250 participants in the RFS program including producers, importers, exporters, blenders and retailers. ... If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? - change
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Are the Answer to Reducing Global Transport GHG Emissions: GRFA
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) Today, as COP 2014 is fully underway in Lima, Peru, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) reiterated that biofuels, like ethanol, are presently one of the most commercially viable, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reducing transport fuel
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
FGV Set to Triple Biodiesel Production by 2016
by Zarina Zakarian (New Straits Times) Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) aims to be the world’s leader in biodiesel by tripling its production capacity to 350,000 tonnes a year by 2016. The country’s largest biodiesel exporter will spend US$47.5
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
$60 Oil: The New Normal, or a Bump in the Road?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oil prices in the 60s — what does that mean for the global economy, energy markets, and alternative fuels in the short-term and long-term? As if tough financing conditions and policy instability weren’t worrying enough
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
SEFA to Help Scale-Up Innovative Clean Cooking Business in Nigeria
(African Development Bank Group) The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) approved a US $580,000 preparation grant for the expansion of Green Energy & Biofuels (GEB) Bio-refinery project in Nigeria. The project is a pilot of Small & Medium Entrepreneurship
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Direct Measurements of Methane Emissions from Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells in Pennsylvania
by Mary Kanga, Cynthia M. Kannoa, Matthew C. Reida, Xin Zhangb, Denise L. Mauzeralla, Michael A. Celia, Yuheng Chen, and Tullis C. Onstott (PNAS) Abandoned oil and gas wells provide a potential pathway for subsurface migration and emissions of methane and other fluids to
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Plant Expansions Fueled by Shale Gas Boom to Boost Greenhouse Gas, Toxic Air Emissions
by Talla Buford (The Center for Public Integrity) ... By 2018, the land (Stacey) Ryan and other holdouts have fought to keep will be consumed by an $8.1 billion ethane cracker and a multibillion-dollar gas-to-liquids facility, a massive addition to
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Larry Sullivan, Consultant, Lawrence D. Sullivan & Company
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The industry must come to grips with the disconnect between feedstock producers and companies that convert feedstocks to products. In petroleum, the oil and gas producers enjoy higher returns than the oil refiners fitting
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Three Convicted in £23m Biofuel Fraud
by Peter Walker (FT Advisor) Three directors were convicted on Friday (5 December) as part of the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation into Sustainable Growth Group’s £23m fraud between April 2011 and February 2012. Gary Lloyd West, former director and chief commercial
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Bio Revolution Americas to Invest $200 Million in Bahaman Pongamia Project
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the Bahamas, Bio Revolution Americas plans to invest $200 million in a pongamia biodiesel project based on an outgrower model that would spread across unused arable land on several islands. The company says it has already
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Congress Should Not Fix What Isn’t Broken
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization) The underlying legal constructs of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) remain in working order, despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to issue a final 2014 rule and its other regulatory missteps. Over the
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
BP to Make Major Job Cuts, Sell Assets as Energy Prices Fall: Lignocellulosic Business Goes on the Block
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Butamax, KRL, Vivergo, sugarcane ethanol business not impacted by cuts; consolidation to Brazil; San Diego research center, Highland feedstock operation also up for sale. In the UK, news broke from BP headquarters that the company has
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Abengoa Plant May Reopen
by Joshua Lucero (Portales News-Tribune) More than two years after the Abengoa plant went off-line, Houston, Texas, based Natural Chem Group is looking to acquire the plant and resume operations. Roosevelt County Community Development Corp. Director Stan Livengood said the company
December 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Solanbridge Group Announces Reseller Agreement With Vega Biofuels SLNX to Market Biochar in Canada, Jamaica, and South Central Asia
(Accesswire/Solanbridge Group) Solanbridge Group Inc (OTC: SLNX) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Reseller Agreement with Georgia-based Vega BioFuels, Inc (OTC: VGPR) where Solanbridge has the opportunity to market Vega's Biochar product to its clients worldwide. Vega's Biochar
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Milo Poised to Help Water Woes in Western Kansas
by Tim Unruh (Salina Journal) Grain sorghum could be among the keys to reducing the massive mining of water in western Kansas, once it’s deemed economically desirable. Long an ugly stepcousin in the family of Kansas staple crops, grain sorghum —
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
RFA Not Surprised Oil Companies Suing EPA
(WNAX.com) Renewable Fuels Association officials are not surprised oil industry groups are looking at suing EPA over their delay in getting out the 2015 RFS volumes. RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper doesn’t think the American Petroleum Institute or American
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Model Evaluates Where Bioenergy Crops Grow Best
(University of Illinois/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Farmers interested in bioenergy crops now have a resource to help them determine which kind of bioenergy crop would grow best in their regions and what kind of harvest to expect. Researchers at the University of
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Report Highlights Impact of CTPA on Exports to Columbia
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network highlights the impact of the Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement on U.S. ethanol exports. The agreement went into force in May
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Canadian Government Funds Enzyme Research
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Canadian officials have announced that the University of Toronto has been selected to receive $5 million to launch its Industrial Biocatalysis Network, which will explore new ways to use enzymes to produce environmentally friendly
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Quality Farms Plans Waste Alcohol-to-Fuel Ethanol Plant in S.C.
(South Carolina Department of Commerce/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A processor and convertor of wine and beer waste into fuel-grade ethanol and livestock feed is establishing operations in Marion County. Quality Farms is investing $1.9 million resulting in the creation of 27 new jobs
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Report on Rail Car Retrofits Pegs $5.3 B Cost to Ethanol in 2019
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new report prepared by economic research firm The Brattle Group showed that the proposed Department of Transportation rule on rail tank cars could cost the economy as much as $60 billion and projected
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Tim Sklar, President, Sklar & Associates
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Sklar & Associates is a South Carolina based consulting firm now specializing in Biofuels project development. ... S&A is actively engaged in development of a biorefinery converting 360,000 dry tons per year (~1,000 dTPD) of Refuse
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
UPM and WWF Finland Co-operate to Promote the Sustainability of Wood-Based Liquid Biofuels
(WPM) UPM and WWF Finland have engaged in a dialogue on the status of wood-based liquid biofuels in Finland and present a list of joint measures to be carried out to promote sustainability. Renewable sources of energy and sustainable production methods
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Large Scale Microbial Production of Advanced Biofuels: How Big Can We Go?
by Gregory T. Benz (Benz Technology International, Inc./Biofuels Digest) Conventional biofuels, whether from starch, sugar or lignocellulosic materials, tend to be low energy density products such as ethanol or butanol. These are made using catabolic (anaerobic), thermodynamically “downhill” processes. Such
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Feedstocks, Techniques, and Enzymes: The Critical Trio in Any Cellulosic Ethanol Project
(Global BioBusiness) It may be surprising to know that, strictly speaking, there is no such thing as “cellulosic ethanol”. Instead, there is cellulosic “sugars”. That because it is often forgotten that the cellulosic process (also called “2nd generation”) creates glucose,
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Lifting America’s Game in Climate Education, Literacy, and Training
(The White House Office of Science and Technology) ... Continued progress into the future will depend on ensuring a climate-smart citizenry and a next-generation American workforce of city planners, community leaders, engineers, and entrepreneurs who understand the urgent climate-change challenge and are equipped
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Phyconet’s 5-year Plan for Algae
(Algae Industry Magazine) Launched in January 2014 and operating over the course of five years, Phyconet is a UK-based network enabling biologists, engineers and industrial partners to “consolidate their knowledge and expertise to unlock the IB potential of microalgae.” Officially,
December 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Could Algae Be the Key to Cleaning up Cornish Mine Water?
(Western Morning News) Westcountry scientists are using algae to develop an innovative new method of cleaning up contaminated mine water while harvesting valuable resources in the process. Research teams from universities in Exeter, Bristol, Bath and Cardiff are piloting the
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Green Skies Ahead: Airbus Partners with EFT to Promote Aviation Biofuel Research
by Juliet Van Wagenen (Avionics Magazine) Airbus Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emerging Fuels Technology (EFT) to promote EFT in the commercialization of technologies to produce sustainable fuels for aviation. ... "Our belief is that, with support from regional
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Production and Profits Are Through The Roof
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Corn ethanol production has soared to record heights this year, and with large harvests and low corn prices, that means record profits for the industry. ... ... Production has soared in large part because of
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuel Promise Evaporates as Algae.Tec Moves Offshore
by Adam Wright (South Coast Register) In December 2013 Algae.Tec announced plans for an $80 million facility at South Nowra that would employ 100 people. The company signed a long-term lease with Shoalhaven City Council for a shed at Flinders
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
The Old Man and the Rising Sea
by Jeff Guo (The Washington Post) Assateague, a 37-mile-long smear off the shores of Maryland and Virginia, is the East Coast’s climate change canary. It’s one of the most vulnerable islands in America, almost certain to be one of the
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
‘Stranded Assets’: Will Efforts to Counter Warming Render Energy Reserves Worthless?
by Alex Morales (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) A major threat to fossil fuel companies has suddenly moved from the fringe to center stage with a dramatic announcement by Germany’s biggest power company and an intriguing letter from the Bank of England. A
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Fossil-fuel Lobbyists, Bolstered by GOP Wins, Work to Curb Environmental Rules
by Tom Hamburger (The Washington Post) Oil, gas and coal interests that spent millions of dollars to help elect Republicans this year are moving to take advantage of expanded GOP power in Washington and state capitals to thwart Obama administration
December 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioasphalt Made with Lignin under Development in the Netherlands
(Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research/Biomass Magazine) Bioasphalt for roads in Zeeland, a Dutch province, is being developed by Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research, the Asfalt Kennis Centrum (Asphalt Knowledge Centre, AKC) and the company H4A from Sluiskil (NL).
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Researchers Find Way to Turn Sawdust into Gasoline
(KU Leuven/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at KU Leuven’s Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis have successfully converted sawdust into building blocks for gasoline. Using a new chemical process, they were able to convert the cellulose in sawdust into hydrocarbon chains. These
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Bio-Electric-Hybrid-Aircraft Concept Aims to Quietly Rule the Skies
by Colin Jeffrey (GizMag) Touted as the world's first true hybrid aircraft, the Faradair BEHA (Bio-Electric-Hybrid-Aircraft) is a triple box-wing design concept that combines electric motors and a bio-diesel engine. Fitted with a range of energy conservation and recovery technologies,
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Entrepreneur Makes Fertilisers, Extracts Biofuel with Locally Made Oil Palm Trunk Pulveriser
by Joy Lee (The Star) Malaysia is home to a thriving palm oil industry and we are the second largest palm oil producer in the world. And with some 5.1mil ha of oil palm plantation land in Malaysia, Trunk Busters Sdn
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
How Much Will Falling Gasoline Prices Affect Ethanol and Corn Demand?
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) In a recent farmdoc daily article (November 12, 2014) we initiated a discussion of whether the decline in gasoline prices had been large enough to threaten the competiveness of ethanol in gasoline
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with…Jeff Lievense, EVP Process Technology, Genomatica
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Our engineering team — numbering 30 and growing — translates biology into 100 kiloton fermentation-based chemical plants that perform. We speak both languages — biology and engineering — fluently. ... If you could snap your fingers and
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Quehenberger Group Chooses Biodiesel and SafetyPackage with Purchase of New MAN TGX
(Automotive World) The Austrian logistics specialist Quehenberger has placed an order for 350 of the new 440 hp and 480 hp MAN TGX semitrailer tractors. Based in Straßwalchen near Salzburg, the company is a pioneer in the use of efficient
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
All I Need is the Air That I Breathed: Microbial Dairies Using CO2, Sunlight and Water
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Take CO2, add water and an energy source: voila, Fuels & Chemicals from Microbial Dairies. We revisit 3 top practitioners of the art and one outlier, and their progress. ... There are a number of technologies based on
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
EU Encourages Action on Advanced Biofuels
(Biofuels International) Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB), an industry coalition to promote advanced biofuels, met on 4 December at the European Parliament with Members of the European Parliament, Commission representatives, and stakeholders in Brussels. LSB, which is chaired by
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Joins U.S. Fuels Dominating Global Export Market: Energy
by Mario Parker (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) The U.S. is adding ethanol to the list of fuels it dominates in world markets. Exports of the additive derived from corn rose 31 percent this year to the highest level since 2011, meeting demand
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Flight Test by Boeing's ecoDemonstrator 787 Marks First-Ever Use of Green Diesel as an Aviation Biofuel
(GreenAir Online) Boeing yesterday conducted the first-ever flight using green diesel as a biofuel component. The blend of 15 per cent green diesel and 85 per cent conventional jet fuel was used in one engine of a 787 currently testing
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
4 minutes with…Peter Keeling, Innovation and Industry Collaboration Director, Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (Iowa State)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... CBiRC was founded in 2008 with funding from NSF, creating an Engineering Research Center focused on advanced manufacturing for sustainable biobased chemicals. The R&D program creates a multi-year, interdisciplinary, multi-institutional center that joins academia, industry
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Energy is Energy: Segregation of Renewable and Fossil Fuels Impedes Energy Security Goals
by Antoine Schellinger (South Texas Law Review/SSRN) Seven years after the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the United States is entering the heart of renewable fuels legislation that was implemented as RFS2 by the EPA. The
December 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Troll the Ancient Waste-Oil Carol : FFA la la la la la la la la la
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “On the way” forever, talked up by all, deployed by some – technologies that handle high free fatty acid feedstocks like used cooking oil are coming into their hey-day, via players like REG, Novozymes, Pacific
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Governor Bentley to Visit Algae Systems, Inc.
by Hal Scheurich (Fox10TV.com) A biochemical company based in Daphne is ready to expand from its small research facility. Algae Systems, Inc. has spent the last few years perfecting waste water treatment using algae common to south Alabama. The “green”
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
The Environmental Pros and Cons of Feeding Dried Distillers Grains
by Alma Release (Alberta Farmer) Cattle fed DDGs produce less methane and more nitrogen, Lethbridge Research Station scientists have found ... Feed is one of the highest on-farm costs and when the price of barley, corn and wheat rises, producers often turn
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
New Castle Plant Lines up $170 Million Green Upgrade
by Jeff Montgomery (The News Journal) An international specialty chemical manufacturer plans what state officials described Wednesday as a $170 million green upgrade to its plant near New Castle. It is a move that will save dozens of jobs, create as
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
New Ethanol Gas Pumps Open in Fort Myers
by Brittany Weiner (ABC-7) Lee County is now home to one of the first ethanol gas stations in Florida. The higher-octane gas is cheaper and better for the environment, but we found local mechanics who say buyers beware. Gas at $2.15
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $7 Million to Develop Advanced Logistics for Bioenergy Feedstocks
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department announced today up to $7 million for two projects aimed at developing and demonstrating ways to reduce the cost of delivering bioenergy feedstocks to biorefineries. Examples of bioenergy feedstocks include corn stover, switchgrass,
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Elsevier Science Publishes "Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels" by Anju Dahiya (Editor)
(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels examines all current and emerging feedstocks and the advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of their end products, ranging from solid (wood energy, grass energy, and other biomass) to liquid (biodiesel from oil seed
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Finance for Climate Action Flowing Globally Stood at $650 Billion Annually in 2011-2012, and Possibly Higher
(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Publishes 2014 Biennial Assessment and Overview of Climate Finance Flows Report. Annual public and private flows from developed to developing countries ranged from $40 to $175 billion. Dedicated multilateral climate funds -
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Novozymes' Eversa Enzymatic Biodiesel Solution Ready for Market
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) After working with a handful of producers over the past several years to prove the technical and economic viability of liquid enzymatic biodiesel processing, Novozymes is making its Eversa enzymatic processing solution commercially available to
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
France's Total Developing Advanced Biofuel Sugars from Plant Waste
by David Brough (Reuters) Total SA is exploring ways to convert sugars from plant waste that could be used to fuel aircraft while cutting greenhouse gases, the French oil major said on Tuesday. As commercial production of transportation fuel made from
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Vertimass Receives Up to $2 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Energy to Convert Ethanol Into Jet Fuel, Diesel Fuel, and Gasoline
(Vertimass) "Green" Catalyst Technology Will be Commercialized Into Stocks Compatible With Current Transportation Fuel Infrastructure Vertimass LLC announced today the company has received a grant of up to $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant was awarded to
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Looking beyond Incentives
by Scott Jamieson (Canadian Biomass Magazine) Executives from Canada's biofuels industry are looking at efficiencies and diversification as tools to ensure the sector's continued growth. That was the main message shared with a packed room at the first day of
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Sweet Smell of Success: JBEI Researchers Boost Methyl Ketone Production in E. coli
by Lynn Yarris (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Two years ago, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to convert glucose into significant quantities of methyl ketones, a class of chemical compounds
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
4 minutes with…Basil Karampelas, President, American Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve developed 2 proprietary biorefinery technologies producing low-cost cellulosic sugars from non-food based biomass. Our Green Power+ technology produces low-cost cellulosic sugars from the hemicelluloses. AVAP technology produces cellulosic sugars from cellulose and hemicelluloses. Our
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Facility Proposed in Southwestern Idaho
by Sean Ellis (Capital Press) A proposed ethanol facility in Southwestern Idaho would convert barley and tubers into fuel. It's not the first ethanol facility proposed in the Treasure Valley and two others have failed to get off the ground. An
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Road-Map to Multi-Million Pound Sustainable Aviation Fuels Industry Launched
(Sustainable Aviation) Sustainable Aviation (SA), a coalition of the UK’s airlines, airports, manufacturers and air navigation service provider NATS, has launched its latest Road-Map, which considers the opportunities for sustainable aviation fuels. The Road-Map identifies the potential for a 24
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the nation to support the production of advanced biofuels, and is awarding more than $4 million in additional
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Edeniq Heads down Success-at-Scale Avenue, in China
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Virtuosos of Visalia land a major contract with China giant Global Bio-chem — a 50KT cellulosic sugars plant is underway in Jilin province. In California, Edeniq announced a Joint Development Agreement with Global Bio-chem Technology Group
December 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Ho Chi Minh City Switches to Biofuel
(Thanh Nien News) Filling stations across Ho Chi Minh City will begin selling biofuel this week. Under a government plan that went into effect in December, the city will gradually replace 92-octane gasoline (A92) with E5--five percent of which is
December 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Iowa Novices Expected to Join Republican Chorus of EPA Critics
by Amanda Peterka (E&E Publishing) The two new members headed to the House from Iowa are so far untested in a political office but are likely to add to the GOP voice against environmental regulations. David Young and Rod Blum rode
December 02, 2014 Read Full Article
EPA Puts RFS In Jeopardy
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Futures) Actions taken by EPA to help keep RFS alive have actually backfired and brought more attacks in defending Congress’ intent. ... Wally Tyner, Purdue University ag economist, said it’s quite ironic that EPA likely proposed lower corn-based
December 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Flex Fuel Awareness Campaign Completes Mid-Atlantic Road Show Promiting High Level Ethanol Blends
(Biofuels Journal) The FlexFuel Awareness Campaign completed a highly successful tour of several key locations in Maryland and Virginia last week as part of the Mid Atlantic Alternative Fuel Road Show. The tour featured exhibits and workshops providing information to fleet
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Myths And Facts About The Renewable Fuel Standard
by Kevin Kalhoefer and Denise Robbins (Media Matters) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay its decision about the 2014 levels for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil refiners to blend renewable fuels into the
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
IRFA Reminds Diesel Users Biodiesel Can Stretch Supply
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Following Gov. Branstad’s Emergency Proclamation Due to Diesel Shortages, IRFA Reminds Users Biodiesel Can Help Following Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s emergency proclamation to allow for more transport of diesel products, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Inside OPEC Room, Naimi Declares Price War on U.S. Shale Oil
by Alex Lawler, Amena Bakr and Dmitry Zhdannikov (Reuters) Saudi Arabia's oil minister told fellow OPEC members they must combat the U.S. shale oil boom, arguing against cutting crude output in order to depress prices and undermine the profitability of
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
14 for ’15: The Bioeconomy Agenda, 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 14 perspectives on policy, technologies and geographies of compelling interest in the new year -- At ABLC Next this year in San Francisco — naturally, the focus is on “what’s next” in technology, finance, deployment
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Briefing: Cellulosic Ethanol: A Technology Update
by Carole Abourached* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recently held a briefing on the technologies involved in commercial cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from agricultural residues such as corn stover and wheat straw
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels at the Heritage Foundation
by Carole Abourached* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Derrick Morgan, Vice President for the Institute for Economic Freedom & Opportunity hosted a presentation on the moral case for fossil fuels November 17, 2014 at the Heritage. According to Morgan, there should not
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
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