(1380KCIM.com) Congressman Steve King has endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz for the GOP Presidential nomination, causing many to ask Iowa’s fourth-district representative about his commitment to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). ... Cruz’ plan is to phase down the RFS over
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Back TO HOMEThe Miami Republican Debate: Trump vs. Cruz on Ethanol
(FactCheck) ... Cruz said he bravely opposed ethanol mandates in Iowa where they are popular with corn growers, but Trump accused him of waffling on that issue. ... During the run-up to Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, Cruz publicly defended his long-standing opposition to
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
How to Make Sure the US and Canada Get It Right on Methane
by David Babson (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... But recent science suggests that we don’t have a great handle on how large methane emissions really are, so we are going to need strong science to back up this commitment. Methane is a
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
“Call Me TerraVia”: Solazyme Transforms, Shakes up and Refinances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Solazyme undergoes Focus Reassignment Surgery and re-emerges as TerraVia. Industrials to spin off, nutrition the focus now. The what, the why, and the “why now?” In California, Solazyme said that it is now focusing exclusively on
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
US, Canada Pledge Cooperation on Paris Climate Accord, Clean Energy, Methane Leaks
by Gavin Bade (Utility Dive) ... A key part of the climate mitigation strategy will be reducing emissions of methane — a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide — from oil and gas operations. In the statement, the two nations
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
How Cheap Oil Is Undermining Obama's Fuel-Economy Rules
by Brad Plummer (VOX) ... Note that the CAFE standards come up for a midterm review in 2017. Some automakers have been arguing that the rules should be weakened in light of recent low oil prices and shifting preferences. A recent
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Scientists Turn to GMOs in Search of Better Biofuels
by Christina Maza (Christian Science Monitor) ... Now, researchers across the US are pouring resources into discovering whether it’s possible to produce sustainable biofuel through selective plant breeding and genetic modification. That technique, which has generated controversy in the food industry,
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Chemical Snapshot Unveils Path to Greener Biofuel
(University of Copenhagen) Vehicle fuels made of plant waste are sustainable and climate friendly. Unfortunately the energy in stems, bark and twigs is locked up in cellulose, which is tough to crack open by the enzymes used to transform cellulose
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Alternative Crops for Biofuel Gaining Attention
by Colleen Scherer (Ag Professional) ... A recent University of Illinois study is using genetic markers to identify early developmental traits in Miscanthus that correlate with future yield. ... On a practical level, the researchers saw strong positive correlations between biomass yield and
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Momentum Builds behind Researcher's New Biomass Process
(University of Wisconsin-Madison/Phys.Org) For a world hooked on fossil carbons, the vials of amber syrup in Jim Dumesic's lab are full of sweet potential. Dumesic's group caused a stir in research circles and the media in 2014 by publishing a
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Korean Company Enters JV to Produce Bioethanol in Laos
(Biofuels International) South Korea's TN Energy has entered into an agreement with Lao State Fuel to set up a joint venture (JV) to produce Power Gasoline-branded bioethanol fuel. The JV, to be called Lao K-tech, will be established later this year
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Big Year Dawns: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Amyris
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Amyris reported Q4 revenues of $9.6mn and a net loss for Q4 of $41.9 million ($34 million after elimination of non-recurring items), well below Wall Street consensus estkmates of $32.4 million. “The fourth
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
The Shale Reckoning Comes to Oklahoma
by Asjylyn Loder (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) ... The excitement made it easy to ignore one big problem: It was one of the most expensive booms in history. Devon, Chesapeake, SandRidge Energy, and Continental Resources were spending almost $2 drilling for every $1
March 11, 2016 Read Full Article
BETO Allocates $1.9 Million for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Vouchers Pilot
(U.S. Department of Energy) In an effort to advance the clean energy economy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a new initiative to provide technical assistance and collaborative research and development (R&D) opportunities for small businesses in the
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Craft Breweries Bet on Sustainable Technology
by John Wiegand (MiBiz) ... The independent family-owned businesses also often take the long view on the investments, worrying less about immediate ROI in favor of finding workable solutions to persistent problems. That’s led to opportunities for scientists and entrepreneurs working to
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Defense Innovation - Technology Acceleration Challenges (DI-TAC) --- November 29-December 1, 2016 --- Austin, TX DEADLINE: August 18, 2016
Join global innovation, business and defense leadership as they accelerate state-of-art technology solutions in support of national security and the warfighter. Showcase your Technology in the Nation's largest Defense Innovation Prospecting Program. Submit your technology for consideration today. Selected innovations will have
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: Ethanol Good for Iowa's Environment
by Michael Barr (Iowa State University) When reading a recent article on “Improving fuel mileage” something caught my attention: there are many benefits of using ethanol-blended fuels that are not mentioned in the article. The 14.3 billion gallons of ethanol produced in
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Biomass Goes from Golden Age to the Brink of Demise
by Marc Heller (E&E Publishing/ClimateWire) ... In California, once home to 66 biomass plants, about 30 remain in business, dashing the hopes of orchard growers looking for places to sell downed trees and branches. "When oil is less than $30 a barrel,
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Experimental Biomass Harvest a Step toward Sustainable, Biofuels-Powered Future
by Jeff Mulhollem (Penn State) The first harvest of 34 acres of fast-growing shrub willow from a Penn State demonstration field this winter is a milestone in developing a sustainable biomass supply for renewable energy and bio-based economic development, according to
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Are You Ready for the E30 Challenge?
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM/Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Watertown is challenging conventional wisdom in order for biofuels like ethanol to finally realize their true potential. Conventional wisdom says our nonflex autos can only operate on 10 percent ethanol blends and, at most,
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
One if by Land, Two if by Sea, Three if by Air: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Honeywell UOP renewable fuels technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Honeywell’s UOP has developed a renewable jet fuel processing technology, a renewable diesel process, as well as a joint venture, Envergent Technologies, that will market technologies and equipment for generating power, transportation fuel and heating
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Fly the Eco-Friendly Skies: United to Launch 50% Jet Biofuels on LAX-SFO Route
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, United Airlines will be using jet biofuels produced by AltAir using Honeywell UOP technology on up to 150 flights a day out of Los Angeles, the Digest has learned. March 11. A two week,
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Despite Record Production, Ethanol Mandate Continues to Cost Public
(Institute for Energy Research) 2015 was a good year for the ethanol industry for both production and blending. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. ethanol producers increased their production 3.4 percent to 14.81 billion gallons in 2015, and
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
University of Florida Scientists Identify Algal Lipid Agent
(Algae Industry Magazine) University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) researchers may have found a key to converting algae to fuel. The scientists have found what researchers call a “transcription factor,” called ROC40. Bala Rathinasabapathi, a UF/IFAS
March 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Women Are Central to Africa's Energy Transformation
by Fiona Lambe and Marion Davis (Stockholm Environment Institute/Reuters) ... The reality, of course, is that electricity will not reach all households in the immediate future – not to mention, power is so unreliable in much of sub-Saharan Africa, and so expensive,
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Include Climate Change in the Debates
by Helen Mountford (New Climate Economy/Miami Herald) Letter to Editor: None of the 16 presidential debates so far have taken on climate change as a major focus. As candidates from both sides head to Florida for some of the last
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Bringing Clean, Safe, Affordable Cooking Energy to Kenyan Households: An Agenda for Action
(Stockholm Environment Institute) This briefing note synthesizes the latest evidence on the impacts of traditional biomass cooking and discusses options for addressing these challenges, with recommendations for policy-makers in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, 76% of the population relies
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Climate Risks Could Wreak Havoc on Financial Markets, EU Watchdog Warns
by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) Banking advisory group calls for risk disclosure and stress tests to protect against climate inaction should move to low carbon economy happen too late -- The EU’s financial watchdog has called for governments to consider
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Gasohol Phase-Outs to Drive Biofuel Use
by Yuthana Praiwan (Bangkok Post) Gasohol 91 will be phased out of petrol stations nationwide by 2018, with gasohol 95 to follow suit in 2027, according to the National Oil Plan for 2015-35. The Energy Business Department, which drafted the plan,
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodico Trains Future Bioenergy Leaders To Excel in Green Economy, Drive Local Job Growth
(Biodico/BusinessWire) Program Part of Commitment to Spur Job Growth in San Joaquin Valley; Train Engineers in Next-Generation Bioenergy Technologies -- Internship Program Aligns with Curricula at University of California Santa Barbara and West Hills Community College To train students for the next-generation
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
The PLA Story: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Polylactic Acid Markets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As we look this week at markets for cellulosic sugars, this classic powerpoint that outlined the case and markets for biobased polylactic acid came to mind. We’ll not debate whether PLA is really polyacid or a
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Comet Biorefining Picks up $10.9M SDTC Grant for Low-Cost, Non-Food, Bio-Based Sugars Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada awarded Comet Biorefining a CA$10.9 million grant for the construction of its first-of-a-kind advanced bio-based chemicals plant. Located in Sarnia, Ontario, the plant will use proprietary conversion technology to
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings from Natural Gas Substitutions in Vehicles, Furnaces, and Power Plants
by Daniel S. Cohan and Shayak Sengupta (Inderscience Publishers/International Journal of Global Warming) We compare the net greenhouse gas emissions impact of substituting natural gas for other fossil fuels for five purposes: light-duty vehicles, transit buses, residential heating, electricity generation, and
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Contributed $2B to Minnesota’s Economy
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A new study by ABF Economics found that the ethanol industry in Minnesota contributed $2.13 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2015. The report also found the industry generated $7.37 billion in gross sales
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Hybrid Truck: How This Came About, How It’s Used, Experience with Performance
by Jennifer Horrillo (Diesel Direct/Special to Advanced Biofuels USA) At Diesel Direct, we are proud to have the nation’s first hybrid diesel electric fuel delivery truck. The truck was put into use in the fall of 2010. At the time,
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
‘Digester’ Turns Supermarket Produce Waste into Liquid Fertilizer
by Tom Leyde (The Californian) The invention of a digester that turns supermarket produce waste into liquid fertilizer is on the cusp of revolutionizing the farming industry. It is the brainchild of Dan Morash, founder of California Safe Soil, one of
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Making Concrete Green: Reinventing the World's Most Used Synthetic Material
by Annie Kane (The Guardian) ... Dr Rabin Tuladhar, senior lecturer at the university’s college of science, technology and engineering, supervised (Shi) Yin’s work. He says using recycled plastic in reinforced concrete has great environmental savings. “Steel is often used as a
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
BDI Subsidiary Reopens Expanded Distillation Research Center
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) UIC GmbH, a subsidiary of Austrian biodiesel technology provider BDI-BioEnergy International AG, has just reopened its expanded and modernized research center near Frankfurt, Germany, in Alzenau. According to BDI, UIC is a pioneer in fine vacuum
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Gives Rural Communities an Economic Boost
by Rick Edwards (Adams County Farm Bureau/Herald-Whig) Letter to Editor: A commercial airing locally, produced by Smarter Fuel Future, is out to make you believe ethanol is really bad -- bad for you, for your wallet and especially for the
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Canada's Biofuels Industry Facing Increasing Headwinds Despite Climate Change Push
by Ian Bickis (The Canadian Press/Winnipeg Free Press) Canada's biofuels industry is facing significant headwinds even as interest grows in ways to reduce carbon emissions. A combination of low oil prices, the end of a biofuels incentive program, continued competition from
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Houston Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Biodiesel Fraud Scheme
(U.S. Department of Justice) Philip Joseph Rivkin, aka Felipe Poitan Arriaga, was sentenced today in Houston, Texas, to 121 months in prison, three years of supervised release and to pay more than $87 million in restitution and was ordered to
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
'Dodgy Diesel' Threatens EU Green Fuel Market
by Matt McGrath (BBC) There are growing concerns that cheap imports of biodiesel from Poland could wreck the European market in biofuels. All diesel sold in the EU needs to contain a percentage of fuel made from crops such as rapeseed. But
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Fuel vs. Food? A New Study from a UVA Environmental Scientist and Colleagues Shows about a Third of the World’s Malnourished Population Could Be Fed by Using Resources Now Used for Biofuel Production.
by Fariss Samarrai (University of Virginia) As strategies for energy security, investment opportunities and energy policies prompt ever-growing production and consumption of biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel, land and water that could otherwise be used for food production increasingly are
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
#FlexMyChoice Massages at #Classic16
by Cindy Zimmerman (AgWired) Visitors to the 2016 Commodity Classic had the opportunity to voice theirsupport for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and relax their aching muscles at the same time at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) booth. It was the first
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Farmers Try to Make Sense of Presidential Race
by Chris Clayton (DTN/Progressive Farmer/KTIC Radio) ... Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a farmer from Primghar, Iowa, said his take on the election is that “it’s mindboggling who is in the lead in the presidential campaign.” Nieuwenhuis supported Marco Rubio in the Iowa
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Cardin and Delaney: Clean Energy Rising
by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md. 6th) (The Hill) ... Closer to home, the Chesapeake Bay communities of Smith Island and Tangier Island could be two of the first U.S. communities displaced by the effects of climate
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Rep Defends RFS
(Environmental Compliance News) ... Americans should not misunderstand the current state of domestic production, foreign production, international economics, and low prices, according to Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council. “Oil dependence is still a problem, and recent
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Analysis Finds Improvement of Corn Ethanol Net Energy Balance
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) An analysis conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association and released March 7 finds the net energy balance of corn-based ethanol at U.S. dry mill biorefineries averages 2.6–2.8, an improvement over previous estimates, reflecting efficiency gains. The figures build
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Integrated Bioprocess for Conversion of Gaseous Substrates to Liquids
by Peng Hua, Sagar Chakraborty, Amit Kumar, Benjamin Woolston, Hongjuan Liu, David Emerson, and Gregory Stephanopoulos (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) In the quest for inexpensive feedstocks (cost-effective fuel production), here we show a two-stage integrated bioprocess for
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Chasing Viability: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the Abengoa Viability Plan
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month, Abengoa Bioenergy US Holding, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on behalf of itself and 5 of its US bioenergy subsidiaries. The companies
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
“Lack of Collateral” Damage: Abengoa’s Descent into Fiscal Hell, and Its Hopes for Redemption
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Last week, we reported that potential buyers of Abengoa Bioenergy’s six first generation ethanol facilities have been looking at acquiring the assets even before the company’s announcement that they would be put up for sale. We
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
API’s Understatement of RFS Belies Attempts to Weaken Influential Program
(Renewable Fuels Association) In an interview with POLITICO Pro Energy’s Morning Energy, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard stipulated that his organization was pivoting its strategy toward reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard rather than continuing to call for
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Obligation Reduces Biodiesel Sales
(Union for Promoting Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) google translation) The Union for Promoting Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) feel their expectations to those established in Germany by 1 January 2015 greenhouse gas mitigation through the development of sales of biodiesel
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
A Conversation with US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
(Industrial Biotechnology) ... My current assessment is that there exists an unlimited sense of opportunity in the biobased products and bioenergy sector. I look at the work being done at the USDA, which is extensive and has been helpful in getting
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Manufacturer to Invest US$95 Million in Jamaican Plant by 2017
(South Florida Caribbean News) As renewable energy demands increase globally, biofuel developer Benchmark Renewable Energy LLC has officially announced plans to develop a large scale bio-ethanol operation in Jamaica. The company has confirmed that the project will include the development of
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable, Affordable Biomass: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the Biomass Research and Development Initiative
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment (IBCE) and the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Golden Field Office, Bioenergy Technologies Office jointly operate the
March 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Whatever Happened to Jatropha, and All Those Other Wonder Feedstocks?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If jatropha faltered, never mind, went the argument, we’ll always have switchgrass. Or giant miscanthus, or pongamia, or poplar, or camelina. The list could get really long. For example, try this list of the 44
March 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Canada PM, Provinces Set Outlines of Carbon Pricing Deal
by Julie Gordon (Reuters) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau persuaded the country's 10 provinces on Thursday to accept the concept of putting a price on carbon but agreed the specific details could be worked out later. The compromise deal was unveiled
March 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Become a Next Generation Biodiesel Leader
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling for the next crop of biodiesel leaders to join the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel program. NGSB is seeking additional co-chairs to help take this student professional organization to
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Biogas in Europe: Current Situation and Perspectives
by Dan Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This article is the result of a technical trip to Germany and the UK to participate in strategic meetings and visit labs; to attend seminars, an expo, a short course and a symposium. Posted after
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Hanky-Panky With Big Oil Hinted at in Records Spat
by Britain Eakin (Courthouse News Service/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Environmental regulators are keeping a lid on the defective vehicle-emissions model they adopted after working with oil interests, activists claim in Federal Court. Dubbed MOVES2014 in the complaint filed Monday, the newest federal
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Velocys: Study Commences on UK-Based Waste-to-Liquids Plant
(Velocyc/Biomass Magazine) Velocys plc, the company at the forefront of smaller scale gas-to-liquids (GTL), is pleased to announce the commencement of an initial engineering study on the development of a new waste-to-liquids (WTL) project in the U.K. The proposed project would
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Highlights Bioeconomy Investments
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA recently published a fact sheet highlighting its investments in rural America, including several related to sparking innovation in America’s bioeconomy to support the development of biomanufacturing and advanced biofuels. According to fact sheet, USDA
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Vislack Defends Biofuels, Bioenergy during House Hearing
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Feb. 24, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on the state of the rural economy. Biofuels and bioenergy were among the topics discussed during the nearly three-hour event. When asked to characterize the
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA: Chartered SAB to Review Biogenic Framework
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has scheduled a public meeting of the chartered Science Advisory Board March 31-April 1. During the meeting, the SAB is expected to conduct a quality review of a draft report on the
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
UT and Genera Energy Harvest Hybrid Poplar Stand in Next Step Toward a Biobased Economy UT and Genera Energy Harvest Hybrid Poplar Stand in Next Step Toward a Biobased Economy
by Patricia McDaniels (University of Tennessee) A small stand of poplar trees harvested from a University of Tennessee AgResearch Center is set to help scientists progress further down the path toward low-cost, high-quality biomass and a bioeconomy. Located on UT’s East
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Proposed Ethanol Facility in Maumelle Causing a Stir
by Marielle Mohs (KTHV) A town hall meeting got pretty heated on Wednesday night in Maumelle. Many angry citizens voiced their concerns about a proposed ethanol storage facility that would store 4.2 million gallons of ethanol and cost about $12 million.
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
€2.1 Trillion and Counting: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Europe’s Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, the European bioeconomy is generating 18.3 million jobs and driving €2.1 trillion in annual revenue in the E28, says nova-insitut, in report for the Bio-based Industries Consortium just now released. You can download
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
€2.1 Trillion Revenues and 18.3M Jobs: The European Bioeconomy, Demystified
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, the European bioeconomy is generating 18.3 million jobs and driving €2.1 trillion in annual revenue in the E28, says nova-insitut, in report for the Bio-based Industries Consortium just now released. What is the
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Republican Jay Faison Launches Super PAC to Boost Clean-Energy Candidates
by Rebecca Ballhaus (The Wall Street Journal) Republican millionaire Jay Faison is pushing his party to embrace clean energy, saying conservatives don’t need to be on the defensive on climate issues. The North Carolina businessman this week launched a super PAC
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Are Back on the EU Agenda
by Sonja van Renssen (Energy Post) Biofuels are returning to the political agenda in Europe as EU policymakers start to shape a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport after 2020. Biofuels producers continue to argue that they are
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Perspectives for Sustainable Aviation Biofuels in Brazil
by Luis A B Cortez, et al. (International Journal of Aerospace Engineering) The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social,
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
UFOP-Project “Lowering of the Boiling Curve of Biodiesel"
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The boiling line of diesel fuels is relevant for the combustion in modern engines. Biodiesel shows a boiling behavior that is very different to diesel fuel especially during the regeneration phase, fuel beddable the piston walls and is
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
OPIS Publishes Renewable Fuels Supply Supplement
(OPIS) The Renewable Fuels Supply Supplement is the first publication in the OPIS Market Trends series and is now available! This supplement is designed to analyze, educate and inform the global downstream industry of the latest trends, technologies and regulatory
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Report Finds Iowa Well Positioned for Biorenewable Chemicals
(Iowa State University Bioeconomy Institute) A new white paper has found that Iowa is better positioned than many domestic competitors to capitalize on the next frontier of bioprocessing in the United States. The report, titled “Biobased Chemicals: The Iowa Opportunity,” was released
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Nominate a Future Maker: Nominate a Future Maker Imagine a World Free of Disease, Hunger and Environmental Threats --- DEADLINE: March 11, 2016
For the thousands of innovative treatments and scientific advancements we have today, there are believers who overcome challenges, and enormous obstacles, to make the world a little better for all of us. These individuals are not content to wait for
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Arizona High School Students Take Part in Biodiesel Project
(Arizona Charter Academy/Biodiesel Magazine) Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a high school math and science teacher from Arizona Charter Academy and a group of enthusiastic high school students, a diesel bus will soon driving down the road,
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
MSC and ASC Collaborate to Set Global Standard for Seaweed
(Marine Stewardship Council) The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) are working together to create a joint global standard for certifying seaweed operations. The collaboration offers the unique opportunity to build on the expertise of the two
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Corn Ethanol: The Rise and Fall of a Political Force
by Tristan R. Brown (The Conversation) The 2016 primary race is defying conventional wisdom, with erstwhile fringe candidates competitive in the polls despite their unorthodox policy positions. The Iowa Republican Caucus provided additional material for this storyline as Senator Ted Cruz defied
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
UK’s Top Environmental Groups Lay Down Challenge to Next Mayor to Make London a Treener, Healthier City
(Green Alliance) A coalition of the UK’s leading environmental groups,[1] including the National Trust, WWF, RSPB and Greenpeace, are today calling for the next mayor to commit to a greener London during their term. As part of Greener London week,[2] they
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
ACT Expo Fleet Awards -- DEADLINE: March 18, 2016
The ACT Expo Fleet Awards are the ultimate recognition of fleet operators who show true leadership in sustainable transportation—having gone above and beyond what has been required to achieve sustainability in their transportation operations. (Note: OEMs, technology suppliers, and fuel suppliers
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Novozymes CEO Calls on EU to Introduce Blending Mandate for Biofuels by 2030
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Novozymes CEO Peder Holk Nielsen has called for the EU to introduce a blending mandate for advanced biofuels by 2030 to help decarbonise the transport sector. The chief executive of the biotech specialist made the announcement
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
A Model of State and Federal Biofuel Policy: Feasibility Assessment of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Adam Christensen, Benjamin Hobbs (Science Direct/Applied Energy) Biofuel policy is under near constant review at both the federal and state level. For example, as part of on-going implementation of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), the California Air
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Implementation of 1st Project of Extraction and Export of Bio-Ethanol
(Agence Tunis Afrique Presse) A contract on the implementation of a project of cane cultivation to extract and export bio-ethanol was signed Friday in Tunis by the Ministry of Development and International Co-operation and the Manager of the Tunisian-Italian joint
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Portable Biodiesel Refinery on Display at GLOBE 2016
(Exchange Magazine) Visitors to the GLOBE Innovation Expo will get an up-close look at a made-in-B.C. portable biofuel refinery built inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. BioCube has successfully deployed its refinery on remote sites in The Congo, in India,
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
A Visionary Union - Prince Ea Unites with World's Largest Renewable Diesel Producer Neste
(Neste/Globe Newswire) Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable fuels, has started collaboration with spoken word artist and YouTube star Prince Ea. Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince Ea is known as a passionate environmentalist and a
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
What’s Hot, What’s Not: The Digest’s 2016 Visual Guide to the DOE Quadrennial Technology Review
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE’s second Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR) explores the current state of technologies in key energy sectors and the R&D opportunities present in the mid-term. It is intended to frame a blueprint for DOE energy
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Disruptive Renewable Chemicals: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Rennovia
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Rennovia, Inc. is a chemical process technology development company focused on the creation of novel processes for the cost-advantaged production of commodity and specialty chemicals from renewable feedstocks. Rennovia is developing processes for the production of
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Politico Morning Energy: Gerard: API Huddling to Create New RFS Strategy
by Eric Wolff (Politico) ... The oil lobby is polling its members to develop ... a new strategy on the Renewable Fuel Standard in the wake of significant policy and political shifts in the ethanol world, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
3 Ways Youth are Engaging with the Global Goals
by Donya Nasser (United Nations Foundation) In 2015, world leaders adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a shared global development agenda from now until 2030. These goals build on the eight Millennium Development Goals that were adopted in 2000 and
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Bubbles Boost Efficiency of Biorefinery Systems
by Brooks Hays (UPI) Researchers say their breakthrough can be scaled for industrial biomass processing. -- A team of researchers in Japan have developed a relatively simple pretreatment strategy to boost the efficiency of biorefinery systems. In the pretreatment process the
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
New University of Texas Arlington Technology Removes CO2 from Atmosphere to Make Fuel
by Vittorio Hernandez (International Business Times) A one-step conversion process that turns carbon dioxide and water into useable liquid hydrocarbon fuels makes change of current fuel distribution system in vehicles unnecessary. The inexpensive and simple new sustainable fuels technology has the
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Boardman Biorefinery Gets $11 Million USDA Backing
by George Plaven (East Oregonian) The U.S. Department of Agriculture is stepping up with an $11 million loan to build a new biorefinery in Boardman. -- With financing in place, a Minnesota-based energy company plans to build its first
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Using Data to Project Future Results: What Do Super Tuesday Primary Numbers Say About the General Election?
by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Editors Note: We usually don’t write about election results, but today’s mainstream media coverage of the Super Tuesday primaries seemed to call for some analysis. In some ways it’s very similar to trying to
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
CALL FOR BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION: 20th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference — June 14-16, 2016 — Portland, OR DEADLINE: April 8, 2016
The ACS Green Chemistry Institute® hosts the only business plan competition (BPC) exclusively devoted to innovations in sustainable green chemistry and engineering. Applicants have the chance to receive expert feedback, training and mentorship, and the opportunity to market their business
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
An Update on Alternate Fuels and Taxes
by John Martin (Fleet Equipment Magazine) ... The fuel tax credit for LNG was also made in energy equivalency rather than gallons since LNG occupies so little volume. The tax credit will either be calculated on a diesel—gallon equivalency or a
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Popular Government Energy Program Seeks a Big New Twist
by Katie Fehrenbacher (Fortune) ... The ARPA-E Summit is meant to highlight lab research, startups, and corporate R&D projects that the Department of Energy has supported with small grants through its ARPA-E program. That program, which kicked off in 2010,
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Researchers' New Advance in Quest for Second Generation Biofuels
(Phys.Org) ... The team, including Professor Paul Walton and Professor Gideon Davies of the Department of Chemistry at York, today presents the first published molecular structure of one of the key enzymes (lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases or LPMOs) involved in these processes. Reported
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
National Black Farmers Association Scholarships
(National Black Farmers Association) Scholarship Program With the National Black Farmers Association Supports African American Farmers -- The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) Scholarship Program today opened the application period for 2016 scholarships. The application site, https://scholarsapply.org/blackfarmersassociation, will remain open from
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Sugar-Cane Fuel Wins In Brazil As Cheap Ethanol Beats Gasoline
(Bloomberg/European Supermarket Magazine) Brazil’s economic and political crises are proving to be a boon to one of the nation’s most embattled sectors: ethanol producers. Drivers, who used to switch between ethanol and gas depending on the price gap, are now just going
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
The Barrel Counters: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the Energy Information Administration
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
IKEA Joins Advanced Bioeconomy via Newlight Deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Sweden, IKEA and Newlight Technologies have entered into a supply, collaboration, and technology license agreement that will supply IKEA with Newlight’s AirCarbon and enable IKEA to produce AirCarbon thermoplastic under a technology license. Under the
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
News from Greenspeed Research
by Dave Schenker (Greenspeed Research) The major happenings in 2015 that you might remember: In March, Greenspeed Research became a federally recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with a mission to create learning opportunities for the STEM disciplines and renewable energy sources. This was a HUGE
March 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Iowa Poll: Iowans Love Ethanol Law Regardless of Party
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Regardless of their political party, Iowans strongly support a government program promoting ethanol — reaffirming its popularity in the nation's No. 1 ethanol-producing state, according to results of the new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Seventy-one percent of Iowans favor the Renewable
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels from Algae: A Budding Technology Yet to Become Viable
(Phys.Org) Despite high expectations and extensive research and investment in the last decade, technological options are still in developing stages and key resources for algal growth are still too onerous for economically viable production of algal biofuels, according to a
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Miscanthus Issue of Frontiers in Plant Science DEADLINE: April, 2016
Miscanthus papers are sought to contribute to a special issue of Frontiers in Plant Science called "Optimising Miscanthus for the Sustainable Bioeconomy: from Genes to Products." Sections include plant physiology and genetics of different Miscanthus species to inform crop breeding;
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
UK Renewable Energy Trade Group Calls on Government to Back On-Site AD
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) The Renewable Energy Association (REA), a UK-based renewable energy trade body, has issued a new report calling on the UK government to support on-site anaerobic digestion (AD). In its new report, entitled 'REA paper on support
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
AAAS President Seeks Increasing Support for Curiosity-Driven Research
by Earl Lane (Science Magazine) From a childhood fascination with cactus plants, to fieldwork in Brazil tracing the wild progenitor of the cassava plant, to learning the subtleties of rice cultivation from an expert farmer in the highlands of Thailand,
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
DATA CHECK: For Innovation, No Magic in 3% Rule
by Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine) Science policy wonks use the ratio of research spending to overall economic activity to judge whether a country is investing enough in innovation. For decades 3% has been the magic number, and Israel and South Korea
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Eliminating GMOs Would Take Toll on Environment, Economies
(Purdue University) Higher food prices, a significant boost in greenhouse gas emissions due to land use change and major loss of forest and pasture land would be some results if genetically modified organisms in the United States were banned, according
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
The Big, Big Buyer: The Digest’s 2016 Guide to the Defense Logistics Agency
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Defense Logistics Agency is the DoD Executive Agent for Bulk Petroleum supply chain. FY15 sales and acquisitions: ~ $15B; federal only: ~$418M. READ MORE
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Leaf Resources Expands Equity Stake in ZeaChem, Signs JV to Develop Celluosic Sugars Project in US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, Leaf Resources and ZeaChem signed a joint venture agreement to establish a Glycell based project in the USA. The new agreenent advances the relationship between the two companies from an October 2014 Collaboration