by Lauren Tyler (NGT News) Leading a coalition of 13 attorneys general and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has given notice to the Trump administration that any effort to roll back key vehicle
Archive
Back TO HOME40 Under 40 Class of 2017: Jenna Long
by A. Kam Napier (Pacific Business News) Jenna Long, 31, Director of operations, Pacific Biodiesel The state’s only commercial biofuel producer is humming along in Keaau, on the Big Island, a family-run business that pioneered that form of renewable energy in
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Vonnie Estes to Receive 2017 Rosalind Franklin Award
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization/BusinessWire) Estes to accept award and deliver remarks at 2017 BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology -- The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today announced that biotech industry veteran Vonnie Estes will receive the 4th annual Rosalind Franklin Award
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Proactive Biodiesel Blending Practices Help Improve Performance
by Paul Nazzaro (Advanced Fuel Solutions Inc./Biodiesel Magazine) As biodiesel continues to emerge as a sought-after blending component for generic distillates in the Northeast and beyond, a recent study commissioned by the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association highlighted why it’s imperative that
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Reaches 21 Percent Penetration
by Matt Rudolf (SCS Global Services/Biodiesel Magazine) Industry by industry, third-party certification of sustainability performance is increasingly helping to move the dial toward more responsible production and supply chain practices in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nowhere is this more apparent that
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Georgia Biodiesel Project Moves Closer to USDA Loan Guarantee
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Smisson-Mathis Energy LLC, a joint venture between The Smisson Group of Macon, Georgia, and Tactical Fabrication LLC, has been selected by USDA to initiate Phase 2 of the Section 9003 program for the company’s $6.75
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Norway Bans Government Buying Palm Oil-Based Biofuel
(Biofuels International) The Norwegian parliament voted today to ban the public procurement and use of palm oil-based biofuel, according to media reports. According to media reports in Mongabay, the move may make Norway the world’s first country to ban palm oil
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Keeping the Forests as Forests
by Charlie Niebling (Biomass Magazine/Innovative Natural Resource Solutions LLC) Across the Northeast U.S. and much of the country, markets for low-grade wood resources have fallen off dramatically. In this context, “low grade” is used to describe wood feedstocks that have few,
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Stimulating Sustainability Certification in North America
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The Dutch are motivated buyers of North American wood pellets, but the lack of sustainability certification of small forest owners in the U.S. and Canada has created an intense need for intercontinental collaboration. The fact that
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Algae — Life after Biofuels: Mining Algae's 1001 Uses
(Algae Industry Magazine) Monica Jain of Fish 2.0 writes in National Geographic about how the algae brand is about to undergo an image makeover, and may soon seem flat-out glamorous — once again. Algae got a lot of excited press
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
African Oil Trader Taleveras Takes First Step into Biofuels
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) Taleveras signs joint venture with Global Green Development; First phase of biofuels project seen costing $400-$600 million -- Taleveras Group, the African oil trading company, is making its first moves into renewable energy by setting up a
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Rayeman Elements Partners with Saola Energy on Leading Industry Bolt-On Enzymatic Biodiesel Technology Platform
(Rayeman Elements/EIN News Desk) Rayeman Elements expands their product offerings to include enzymatic bolt-on biodiesel technology, with Saola Energy providing project engineering and design -- Rayeman Elements, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has diversified its business model and
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Cornell Engineers Transform Food Waste into Green Energy
by Blaine Friedlander (Cornell University) In a classic tale of turning trash into treasure, two different processes soon may be the favored dynamic duo to turn food waste into green energy, according to a new Cornell-led study in the journal
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Cellulosic on the Rise: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Cellerate Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To date, QCCP has produced more than 5 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol via the Cellerate process, which represents 90 percent of total U.S. cellulosic ethanol production (D3 RINs) in the last three years. Not long ago, Quad
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Don’t Spill That Ethanol! Those Cellulosic Fuels Are Worth $4.33 a Gallon.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The value of cellulosic fuels has reached $4.33 per gallon in the California market. That’s real-world, today, including the energy and the low-carbon attributes, and not based on speculation. The value has risen 59 cents,
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Teachers and Parents: Are You Teaching Climate Change?
by Amy Harmon (The New York Times) Last week I wrote about a teacher, James Sutter, who is teaching the basics of climate change — the planet is warming and humans are primarily responsible — in a Ohio high school
June 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Advanced Biofuels Business Council Ask Senators to Support Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act
(Biofuels Journal) More than 25 advanced biofuel producers and trade associations today sent a letter to members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, asking them to support the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S.517), the Biotechnology Innovation
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
European Ethanol Achieves Record Breaking GHG Reduction in 2016
(Biofuels International) Renewable European ethanol achieved its highest greenhouse gas (GHG) savings yet in 2016, according to the latest producer data. A European association of renewable ethanol producers, ePure says that the new figures mark “another increase in ethanol’s EU
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Releases New Survey Results Showing Small Engine Owners Confident With Using Ethanol Blends
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy released a new survey showing that U.S. small engine owners are pleased with the performance of their fuel and find it easy to pick the best option, including regular unleaded blends of 10 percent ethanol (E10).
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
U of Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Pilot Promises to Turn Scum into pProfit
(University of Minnesota) For University of Minnesota (UMN) researchers, scum is a word packed with profitable promise. College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) professor and Center for Biorefining director R. Roger Ruan and doctoral candidate Erik Anderson
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Are Waste-Based Biofuels Ready for Take Off?
by Madeleine Cuff (Business Green) Green Fuels makes biofuels from waste oils - and it's planning to take its invention to the skies -- In business, sometimes there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings. Skype, FaceTime and other e-conferencing software has
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
U of Minnesota Helps Startup Resynergi Create Energy from Plastic Waste and Biomass
(University of Minnesota) California waste recovery company Resynergi Inc. is drawing on University of Minnesota expertise and technology to develop and commercially manufacture a biorefining technology that converts both plastic and biomass into oil and gas. Resynergi is combining U of
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Revamp Debate Powers Up, Includes Higher Ethanol Blends
by Brian Dabbs (Bloomberg BNA) Long-awaited efforts to modify biofuel policy are entering the limelight across Capitol Hill. A Senate panel will host a hearing next week on a bill to allow summer sales of vehicle fuel with high concentrations of
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Carbon: The Final Frontier
by Jennifer Holmgren (LanzaTech/Biofuels Digest) ... With recent prices of renewables at
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Fuels from Thin Air: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Soletair Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Soletair process, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lappeenranta University of Technology, is using carbon dioxide and solar power to produce renewable fuels and chemicals and has reached an end-to-end small
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Fuels from Thin Air: Drop-In Liquid Fuels from Sky CO2, Water and Solar Power
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the latest news, the Soletair process, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lappeenranta University of Technology, is using carbon dioxide and solar power to produce renewable fuels and chemicals and has
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Making Ethanol from CO2 at ORNL Sparks Considerable Interest
by Carolyn Krause (OakRidger) ... According to the video, the ORNL nanotechnology researchers were experimenting with graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms linked together in hexagons somewhat like chicken wire. Their intention was to use this nanomaterial to stimulate
June 13, 2017 Read Full Article
BIO Latin America Conference --- September 4-5, 2018 --- Sao Paulo, Brazil
BIO Latin America is the ideal venue to explore the innovation and partnering opportunities in Latin America’s rapidly-growing life science industry. Join high level executives, government leaders, academics and investors from around the globe to discuss trends, navigate industry challenges
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewable European Ethanol Delivered Higher Greenhouse Gas Savings than Ever before in 2016
(ePURE) According to latest producer data, ethanol production and use scored better than 66% average savings over fossil petrol – yet another increase in ethanol’s EU decarbonisation performance. European renewable ethanol delivered an average of more than 66% greenhouse-gas savings over fossil
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Assam' Oil Refinery Soon to Process Biofuel from Bamboo
(The Northeast Today) A biofuel refinery, the first of its kind in India, set up at the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) in Assam, will soon process biofuel from bamboo, abundantly found in Arunachal Pradesh, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
360º NREL Algae Lab Tour
(Algae Industry Magazine) Explore the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s algae lab as researcher Nick Sweeney takes you on a 360-degree tour of the algal biofuels research facility. Discover how NREL is growing algae to learn how it can be used
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
DLR and Lufthansa Technik Investigate Biofuels in New Study
(DLR) In a large-scale test, DLR combustion researchers investigated the use of biofuels as well as blends of biofuels and kerosene in a real engine. Biofuels have the potential to improve the carbon footprint and to make air transport more
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Researchers Strive to Reduce Cost and Time of Algal Biofuel Production
(U.S. Department of Energy) Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, Washington, are working to lower the cost of producing biofuels from algae by utilizing an indoor system that mimics the conditions of outdoor ponds.
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
FAO Official: Food-Based Biofuels Not Necessarily Bad
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV) Brazil demonstrates that sugar cane cultivation can supply both food and ethanol for fuel without harming the environment or pushing up food prices, a senior official from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation of the
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Case: $4.5M for Investors under Federal Settlement
by Jeff Amy (Fox Business/Associated Press) A federal judge has approved a $4.5 million settlement for private shareholders of failed biofuel maker KiOR, and a lawsuit by the state of Mississippi seeking to recover a much larger amount continues. U.S. District
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Guest column: Ethanol Saves You Money
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM Inc./Wichita Business Journal) I was driving home last week and was surprised to see the price differences on the gas station sign. Regular 87 octane gas was $.40 cheaper than “No Ethanol” 87 octane. Regular 87 has
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol-Free Gasoline Has Pros and Cons
by Doug McAllister (Daily Herald) ... We travel to Iowa about one or two times a month. At one gas station, they sell gas with 10 percent ethanol and gas without ethanol. The price difference is 40 cents more for ethanol-free.
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Consider Corn Challenge: New Uses for Field Corn as Feedstock for Making Sustainable Chemicals --- DEADLINE: September 28, 2017
(NineSigma/National Corn Growers Association) Field corn production makes incredible contributions to human nutrition as a primary source of feed for cattle, hogs and poultry; to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gases as the source of ethanol fuel; and to the economy. The
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Phyco2 Refocuses Algae R&D on Agriculture, Nutrition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Phyco2 said that is shifting its focus to meet the growing market demand for algae production. Six primary high-value markets with strong growth both in the United States and globally have been identified as
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Performance, Price, Sustainability: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Genomatica
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Genomatica is a widely-recognized technology leader for the chemical industry, delivering new manufacturing processes that enable its partners to produce the world’s most widely-used chemicals from alternative feedstocks, with better economics and greater sustainability than petroleum-based
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Rockin’ PEFormance: €25M for Synvina-Led Consortium for Biobased Materials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, a BBI subsidy of €25 million has been granted to “PEFerence,” a consortium consisting of 11 companies including Synvina, Avantium, BASF, Tereos Participations (France), Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co Kg
June 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump and the EPA Should Stay Out of Point of Obligation Fight
by Gary Baise (OFW Law/Morning Consult) ... Like the EPA, the vast majority of the liquid fuel industry is also strongly opposed to shifting the RFS point of obligation for a variety of regulatory and economic reasons. Over the past 12 years,
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Deinove, Flint Hills Enter New Stage of Animal Feed Partnership
(Deinove/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Deinove, a biotech company that discovers, develops and produces high-value compounds from rare bacteria, notably from the Deinococcus genus, announces the start of the second phase of the animal nutrition research and development project initiated with Flint Hills Resources
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
New Computer Model Harnesses Ancient Biology for Climate Change Solution
(LanzaTech) Acetogens are one of the oldest living organisms, with the acetogenic CO2 fixing pathway considered to be one of the first biochemical pathways on Earth. Today, these organisms still play a major role in the global carbon cycle, accounting
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
VIDEO: Biodiesel
(Soundings.com) Biodiesel: it's safe, it's biodegradable, and it's produces less pollutants than petroleum-diesel. WATCH VIDEO
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Turn to China
(Jakarta Post) Indonesian biodiesel producers are eyeing China as a new promising market amid negative sentiment in the European Union and the United states. Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (Aprobi) chairman MP Tumanggor stressed Thursday that their members could no longer rely
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Queensland Government Invests Big in Biorefinery
(Biofuels International) The government of Queensland, Australia has announced it will inject $8.64 million (€5.8 million) into a proposed $50 million (€33.7 million) biorefinery, in a bid to help accelerate the project’s development and construction. It is hoped the new biorefinery
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Minnesota Soybean Teams Up With DieselSellerz to Promote Biodiesel
by Kelsey Barchenger (KEYC) The stars from Discovery's hit show 'Diesel Brothers' are partnering with the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council to promote biodiesel. The DieselSellerz brothers are taking on the task of building a biodiesel truck for the Soybean organization
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Heineken Brews Biofuel Barge Plan to Cut Emissions
by Turloch Mooney (JOC.com) Heineken is working on a joint pilot with a marine biofuels maker and goods distributor to use low emission barges for exports from The Netherlands. The pilot uses an advanced marine fuel in a 104-TEU barge carrying beer
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
European Ethanol Delivers Record GHG Savings in 2016
(PRIMA-Markets.com) European ethanol provided an average greenhouse gas (GHG) saving of over 66% compared to fossil fuel in 2016, up 2% YoY, the European ethanol industry Association (ePURE) stated in a press release this week. This was the fifth consecutive
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
New Process Offers Hope for Grounded KSRTC Biodiesel Buses
(Deccan Herald) MGRIED shows the way to source raw material from hotels -- All Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses running on biodiesel are now grounded. Reason: Fuel procurement problems. But what if a fuel plant comes up right here
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Updating and Improving the Social Cost of Carbon
(Resources for the Future) The social cost of carbon is an economic tool used to quantify the societal benefits of reducing —or conversely the damages of emitting—one ton of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. The estimate informs billions of dollars
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Siouxland Energy Is the Fourth Edeniq Customer to Receive an EPA D3 RIN Registration
(Siouxland Energy/Edeniq/BusinessWire) Edeniq, Inc. (“Edeniq”), a cellulosic technology company, and Siouxland Energy Cooperative (“Siouxland Energy”) today announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has approved Siouxland Energy’s registration of its 60 million gallon per year (MGPY) corn ethanol plant
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
After The Trump Paris Pullout, US Energy Dept. Comes Through With $$ For The Clean Cars Of The Future
(CleanTechnica) ... Last Thursday, the same day Trump announced the Paris pullout, the Energy Department’s funding arm ARPA-E clapped back with a promise to follow through on $20 million in funding for 10 projects in two cutting edge fuel efficiency and
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $15.8 Million Investment for Innovation in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $15.8 million for 30 new projects aimed at discovery and development of novel, low-cost materials necessary for hydrogen production and storage and for fuel cells onboard light-duty
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Ecofiscal Commission Urges Governments to Set a High Bar for Non-Pricing Climate Policies
(MarketWired/Canada's Ecofiscal Commission) Canada's Ecofiscal Commission finds that some -- but not all -- additional GHG policies can support carbon pricing in driving low-cost emissions reductions -- Canada's Ecofiscal Commission today released a new and timely report, Supporting Carbon Pricing:
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Biomass Pyrolysis Comes of Age
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) After many years of development biomass pyrolysis is finally maturing as a commercial technology. Pyrolysis is not incineration. The goal is to use heat in the absence of oxygen to convert the biomass
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Algae, Algae, Algae: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Global Algae Innovations
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Algae Innovations designs innovative technology to make algae production more efficient and consistent. They are accelerate the commercialization of algal biofuels and other products through development of an integrated, photosynthetic, open raceway pond system to produce
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
$45B Annual Windfall for US Consumers with a Gasoline-Engine Overhaul? EPA Is Getting a Patent Worth Knowing about
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Patent & Trademark Office has just issued a “notice of allowance” for a patent by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for a high efficiency, high compression engine that would reduce
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Announces Ad Launch for E15 Fix
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy today announced a seven-figure campaign aimed at promoting legislation that will allow U.S. retailers to offer more biofuel choices to customers year-round. The bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517) is now awaiting action
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Cost of Elon Musk's Dream Much Higher Than He and Others Imagine
by Brian Rogers (America Rising Squared/Real Clear Energy) ... It’s what Greenpeace International co-founder Rex Weyler calls “The Tesla dream,” the false idea that Mr. Musk’s electric vehicles (EVs) are a true game-changing “clean energy” solution to global climate
June 09, 2017 Read Full Article
IRFA: 3 Eastern Iowa Stations Add E15
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Renewable fuels are more accessible than ever in Eastern Iowa. Three stations in Davenport and Conesville recently added E15 to their selection of fuels. Gas Depot and GD Xpress in Davenport have both long offered
June 08, 2017 Read Full Article
RSB Report Outlines 2016 Achievements
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Biomass Magazine) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials recently released a report reviewing its 2016 activities and highlighting its increased impact and presence in the global renewable fuels industry. The report shows the organization launched a
June 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Funeral for a Friend: Wave Goodbye to the Light-Duty Diesel
by Richard Truett (Automotive News) ... The diesel engine has been on life support before only to make a miraculous recovery, thanks to innovations such as selective catalytic reduction and super high-pressure fuel injection. So, the light-duty diesel's current diagnosis
June 08, 2017 Read Full Article
France's Avril Sees Improved Outlook for Biodiesel
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters Africa) Europe's largest biodiesel maker Avril said a rebound in oil prices since early last year had improved its industry's outlook, but warned that an EU proposal to cap crop-based fuels would damage
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Alliance Bioenergy Licenses Process to Earth's Renewable Energy
(Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc.) Alliance BioEnergy Plus Inc. recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, AMG Energy Group, has entered into a sublicensing agreement with Earth's Renewable Energy LLC of Newport Beach, California. The sublicense agreement permits Earth's Renewable Energy to use the
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
E85 Excitement in Nebraska Capitol
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Nebraska’s capitol city will be all about E85 today with the grand opening of Pump & Pantry’s flex fuel pumps, which now dispense E85 and Clean 88 – a high-octane, cleaner-burning blend of 15 percent ethanol. Flex
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Work for Oregon
by Jim Talent (Capital Ag Press/Americans for Energy Security and Innovation) Unfortunately, even as fracking reached new heights, America’s total domestic crude oil production declined in 2016. According to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that lost domestic
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Airlines Affirm Aviation Emissions Deal after Trump's Paris Pullout
by Allison Lampert and Victoria Bryan (Reuters) U.S. airlines on Tuesday affirmed their support for a plan to curb emissions from flights, under review by the administration of President Donald Trump who recently decided to take the country out of
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
ND Ethanol Plant Could Become First in US to Store Carbon Underground
by Ellie Potter (Grand Forks Herald) Red Trail Energy may soon be the first ethanol plant in the United States to store carbon dioxide underground as part of an environmental and economic effort. Last month, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., secured
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Neste Deepens Its Knowhow on the Circular Economy - Waste Plastics Now in Focus
(Neste) Neste deepens its knowhow on the circular economy - waste plastics now in focus -- Neste, the world's leading biofuel producer in the circular economy, is putting a large amount of resources into research on waste and residue raw
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Tallowmasters Transaction with Darling Ingredients
by Monika Donimirska (SatPRNews) Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) has acquired the assets of Tallowmasters, LLC, a family owned rendering and recycling company with headquarters in Medley, Florida and processing operations in Miami, Florida. Irving, Texas-based Darling Ingredients provides a
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Urban Transport Cleans Up Its Act - HSL and Stara Shift to Renewable Fuels Only
(Globe Newswire/HSL/The Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT Ltd/UPM Biofuels) Buses in the Helsinki region and most of machinery and trucks used by the City of Helsinki are switching to waste and residue-based biofuels. Helsinki Region Transport HSL, the City
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Advanced Downstream Recovery: Converting Fermentation Broth into Products
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC/Biofuels Digest) Advanced biotechnology has historically focused on fermentation as the key technology for development, with synthetic biology and proprietary organisms the key intellectual property. As any biotechnology moves toward commercialization, recovery and purification of the
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
The Low pH Edge: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Reverdia
by Eduardo Baral (Novvi/Biofuels Digest) Reverdia is a joint venture between Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, and Roquette Frères, the global starch and starch-derivatives company. Reverdia is dedicated to be the global leader in the
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
The Sexy 7: The Bio Markets and Apps in PET, PX, PEF, PLA, PHA, PBS, and PE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 200,200 downloads for the DOE’s classic report on value-added chemicals — but some hot molecules are missing! -- “Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass” a 2004 survey, completed by staff led by Gene Petersen and Todd
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
RFS Has Been ‘Tremendous Success’ Since Adoption, According to RFA Analysis
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) More than a decade after the original renewable fuel standard (RFS) was signed into law, tremendous progress has been made toward its goals of energy security, clean air and boosting local economies, according to
June 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Pools and Fluxes: Modeling the Carbon Cycle
(Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) We see that most students are not able to explain how biofuels vs fossil fuels influence atmospheric CO2, but these modeling activities can help build the systems thinking skills to do this. This activity helps
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
CLEAN Collection Now Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards
(Climate Generation) There are multiple ways you can search this robust collection of classroom resources using NGSS: NGSS browse – a user-friendly search portal into the collection NGSS at a Glance – overview of all NGSS standards that are relevant
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
'First' Biomethane Plant Opened in Brazil
(Bioenergy Insight) The ‘first’ plant in Brazil to make biomethane for fuelling vehicles has been opened in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná. Brazilian company Intaipu Binacional, the ‘world’s largest’ generator of renewable clean energy, opened
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
MEP Calls for Sweeping Changes to EU Biofuel and Bioenergy Legislation
(Bioenergy Insight) MEP Bas Eickhout has proposed sweeping reforms to EU legislation regarding bioenergy and biofuels. They come amid the Dutch politician’s proposals for increasing the EU’s renewable energy share target for 2030 from 27% to 45%. ... Eickhout proposes allowing sustainable and
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Understanding Why Cellulose Resists Degradation Could Lead to Cost-Effective Biofuels
(Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory/Phys.Org) A major bottleneck hindering cost-effective production of biofuels and many valuable chemicals is the difficulty of breaking down cellulose—an important structural component of plant cell walls. A recent study addressed this problem by characterizing molecular features
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Review of Auto Standards Raises Concerns From Former EPA Officials
by Iulia Gheorghiu (Morning Consult) Former Environmental Protection Agency officials worry the Trump administration’s review of auto emissions standards could slow down U.S. innovation on fuel efficiency. Stricter standards place a burden on automakers because of lackluster consumer interest in fuel-efficient
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Blend with Diesel Oil Obligatory by 2018
(Daily Sabah) Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) will make it obligatory to blend diesel oil - a kind of fuel like gas produced from oil - with at least five per thousand biodiesel by the beginning of 2018. According to the
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
European UCOME 2017 Demand Lower, Biodiesel GHG Savings Increase
by George Griffiths (Platts) Demand for UCOME -- used cooking oil methyl ester -- this year has been lower than in recent years, largely due to increased greenhouse gas savings from first-generation biofuels across Europe, sources said. Demand for UCOME has also
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Biogas – What, Why, When and How? The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to RNG and Its Markets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As we wrote in our Digest Top 10 Predictions for 2017: Whether it is Intrexon, Calysta or potentially Synata Bio, companies have been switching to methane as a source of cleaner yet cheaper carbon, compared to
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
What’s My Feedstock Worth? A Primer for Measuring Bio-Value
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Whether you are owner or seller, you need to know the underlying value of a feedstock in the advanced bioeconomy — and that is not the same thing as its current market price. In fact, what
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
E85 Flexible Fuel Gas Station Opens in Imperial Valley
by Joselito Villero (The Desert Review) The first E85 flexible fuel gas station in Imperial Valley opened for business Thursday at the El Centro Market on Fourth Street. Motorists queued in long lines to refuel their cars at the promotional
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
CFTC Says It Is Not Probing Icahn's Activity in Biofuels Credits
by Timothy Gardner (Reuters) The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission informed eight Democratic U.S. senators last month that it is not investigating biofuels credits after the lawmakers had urged it to probe billionaire Carl Icahn's activity in that market, according
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Here we have EPA agreeing that higher ethanol blends can reduce emissions and acknowledging that engines and fuels must be looked at as an integrated system. Adjusting compression to address the slightly lower energy content of ethanol while taking advantage
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol's Biggest Advocate May Be EPA
(Urban Air Initiative) In plot twist that may open the door to higher ethanol blends, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received an engine patent it has been pursuing for nearly a decade for a high efficiency, high compression
June 06, 2017 Read Full Article
How Will We Move the Planet Forward? It's time to make your voice heard; submit your essay to the Editor
by Frank Sesno (Planet Forward) President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. Fundamentally, this decision reflects the belief that climate change is neither a serious problem nor human induced. What’s next for efforts to mitigate climate
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
California Forecasts Robust Growth in Biodiesel, Feedstock Demand
by Graham Noyes (Noyes Law Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) Over the past decade, California has developed a complex policy framework pertaining to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction including policies that drive demand for low carbon fuels. The original authorizing statute was the
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel in Minnesota: 15 Years in the Blink of an Eye
by Tom Slunecka (Biodiesel Magazine) ... Fifteen years ago, March of 2002, a gallon of unleaded gas averaged around $1.36 a gallon. ... Minnesota became the first in the nation to require that all diesel fuel sold in the state contain at
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Study Evaluates Camelina’s Varied Response to Location
(American Society of Agronomy/Biomass Magazine) A new study, led by Augustine Obour at Kansas State University, looks at how three varieties of camelina perform when grown in two different regions within the Great Plains. The end goal is to find the
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
American Ethanol Driver Wins
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.Agwired.com) The No. 3 Chevrolet owned by Austin Dillon’s grandfather, Richard Childress, returned to Victory Lane during the Coca-Cola 600 for the first time since the late Dale Earnhardt won his last race on Oct. 15, 2000
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
DTE Biomass Acquires RNG Facilities to Fuel Texas Transit Buses
by Lauren Tyler (NGT News) DTE Biomass Energy, an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based subsidiary of DTE Energy, says it has acquired two landfill gas-to-energy projects in Texas, which will generate enough renewable natural gas (RNG) to fuel more than 1,000 transit buses each
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Pioneering Iowa Sustainable Agriculture Research Center Hangs On, Barely
by Amy Mayer (High Plains Public Radio) A leading research center focused on local farmers and environmental conservation is hanging on by a thread, even as the movement to diversify agriculture, which it helped launch, continues to thrive. The Iowa Legislature
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Film About the Farm Crisis of the 80s Sets the Stage for What’s to Come
by Siena Chrisman (CivilEats.com) 'Homeplace Under Fire,’ The new film from Farm Aid, profiles the heroes of 1980s Farm Crisis and sets the stage for the next round of farm losses. -- ... A New Farm Crisis on the Horizon? Though Homeplace Under
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Fourth Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st – GCP21-IV — June 11-15, 2018 — Cotonou, Benin DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2018
SAVE THE DATE After Ghent, Belgium in 2008, Kampala, Uganda in 2012 and Nanning, China in 2016, come and join us for the Fourth Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st in Cotonou, Benin, in June 11-15,
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Fourth Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st – GCP21-IV --- June 11-15, 2018 --- Cotonou, Benin (And Photo Contest Deadline May 1, 2018)
After Ghent, Belgium in 2008, Kampala, Uganda in 2012 and Nanning, China in 2016, come and join us for the Fourth Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st in Cotonou, Benin, in June 11-15, 2018. Exchanging Information: The
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
A New Research and Innovation Project Will Foster Europe-Brazil Cooperation on Advanced Lignocellulosic Biofuels
(BECOOL/AltEnergyMag) A new Horizon 2020 project will foster cooperation between Europe and Brazil in the development of advanced biofuels from sustainable agricultural value chains, based on lignocellulosic biomass. Coordinated by the University of Bologna, Department of Agricultural Sciences, the four-year
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Up to $9 Million through the Interagency Biomass Research and Development Initiative
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced that up to $9 million in funding will be made available through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) to
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Regs Under the Microscope
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Trump's OMB has dramatically ramped up the number of EPA regulations it is reviewing and has begun taking lots more meetings to gather input from interested parties, Pro's Alex Guillén reports in Energy Regulation
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Virent Moves Biofuels Closer to Market as New CEO Takes Over
by Judy Newman (Wisconsin State Journal) If Madison-based Virent‘s biofuels are going to fill the tanks of cars and airplanes, it will be up to Stacey Orlandi to drive the company there. Orlandi, 45, took over as chief executive of Virent,
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Exports Needed to Boost Ethanol
by Bill Tiedje (Missouri Farmer Today) With U.S. ethanol plants churning out record-high production, new export markets will be key for demand to keep pace with supply, industry experts say. George Hayes, global ethanol trade coordinator with CHS, said first-quarter ethanol
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Corn Ethanol Faces Its Limits under EPA Fuel Mandate
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Corn ethanol has reached its official limit under the Environmental Protection Agency's renewable fuel program, which means other less-developed, low-carbon fuels will have to step up to fill a 21 billion-gallon gap by 2022. ... Under the
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Exports Dip in April, as India and Philippines Disappear from Market
(Renewable Fuels Association) ... Noticeably absent from the April roster were India and the Philippines. Together, the two counties imported more than 50 mg of U.S. ethanol in March, and India had been the third-leading market for U.S. export in the
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
The RFS, Now and Beyond: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The EPA administers the US Renewable Fuels Standards out of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and management of the Standard has come under increasing scrutiny from critics of renewable fuels, and supporters of
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Responding to Trump: The New Economies of Pittsburgh…and Paris and Paris and Paris
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Where Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto joined the mayors of more than 175 cities in a rebel yell that has been heard nationwide since President Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords last Thursday. Peduto said:
June 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Koehler Letter: Renewable Energy
by Neil Koehler (Pacific Ethanol/Idaho Statesman) ... The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has played a vital role in protecting the environment and American consumers. Without it, oil companies would once again have free rein to limit choices at the pump, eliminating competition
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Racing Professionals Help Educate Professionals
by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In this month's Drive column, Growth Energy's CEO outlines the partnership with racing professionals to demonstrate why ethanol is a good choice for powering engines and the planet. -- ... We know that
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
KnipBio’s Microbe Technology Creates Better Fish Feed
by Debbie Sniderman (Ethanol Producer Magazine) KnipBio, a Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, has developed a series of microbes that converts low-cost feedstocks into premium, nutritious, single-cell proteins that are an alternative to fishmeal in aquaculture. Its fermentation process yields a protein flour
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
A Decade of Bioenergy Research
by Patrick C. Miller (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Department of Energy’s three bioenergy research centers have no intention of resting on their accomplishments. -- In the 10 years since the U.S. DOE established three bioenergy research centers with the goal
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Champions of Change
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Past FEW Award of Excellence winners reflect on decades of research advocacy and leadership -- Marty Andreas, the late Archer Daniels Midland Co. executive, once followed Charles Abbas out of a boardroom after a
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Sustaining Opportunities
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry provides young people with wealth of job opportunities. -- Nineteen-year-old Marcus Niehaus sees a future in the ethanol industry. The Southeastern Illinois College student said he wants to make a
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Concept for Turning Corn Chip Oil into Biodiesel Fuel Earns Appalachian Students Second Place in International Food Solutions Challenge
(Appalachian State University) What has 18 wheels and runs on corn chips? Thanks to a food solution from two Appalachian State University students, a chip producer’s transportation fleet well could. Senior chemistry major and sustainable business minor Kelsey Simon and senior management
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump’s Withdrawal from Paris Is Bad News for the ICAO Emissions Deal
by Aaron Karp (Air Transport World) I expect to hear a lot of talk over the coming days, particularly at the IATA AGM in Cancun that starts June 4, about how the Paris climate agreement and ICAO’s Carbon Offset and
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Boating, Biofuels and Dirty Politics
by William Delahunt* (Special to Advanced Biofuels USA) Washington, D.C. is full of advocates. Some are very effective champions for important causes, but others get sucked into the maelstrom of competing special interests. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of the latter
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewable Jet Fuel’s Progress: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s ATJ
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alcohol-to-jet. Several are working on it – Byogy, for example, and Vertimass, Virent and LanzaTech. But Gevo has been working through the rigorous ASTM process for six years, which includes extensive engine testing and data analysis
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Algae Industry Magazine Announces 2017 Readers Poll Winners
(Algae Industry Magazine) Algae Industry Magazine announced winners in its 2017 Readers Poll in the following categories: Algae Ambassador; Save Our World Application; Political Event or Action that Impacted Our Industry; Culinary Innovation, Chef, Recipe or Restaurant; Algae Photograph, Art
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Airbus Demonstrates Regular Customer Delivery Flights with Sustainable Jet Fuel
(Airbus) 15 A350 XWB deliveries already dispatched to Cathay Pacific all with jet fuel blend -- Showing its strong commitment towards eco-efficiency, Airbus becomes the first aircraft manufacturer to offer its customers the option of delivering new jets using a
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Entrepreneur Scoops Old Mutual Funding to Develop Biofuel Enterprise
(BizCommunity) At an event held on 27 May 2017, Old Mutual Foundation, in partnership with Red Bull, announced Thabang Mabapa as the winner of their “business pitch challenge” A combined judging panel from Old Mutual and Red Bull met on 11
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Bullfrog Power and Less Emissions to Reduce CO2 Footprint of Canada C3 Expedition
(Bullfrog Power) Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, and Less Emissions Inc. are announcing an environmental partnership with Canada C3, an expedition that aims to engage millions of Canadians from across the country, both virtually and on board the
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
McLean AAUW Honors Student for STEM Research
(Inside NOVA) The McLean Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) awarded Rose Rasty, a junior at George C. Marshall High School, the 2017 STEM Excellence Award at the AAUW Branch Annual Dinner, held May 25 at
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Have Faith that US Leadership in Advanced Biofuels Development Will Continue Regardless of Trump Administration Policy
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) For the record, Advanced Biofuels USA has faith that the world will continue to develop technologies and products to address climate change, improve air quality, and develop truly sustainable, renewable fuels for transportation, cooking, heat
June 02, 2017 Read Full Article
IIT-Kharagpur Develops Technology to Make Pollution-Free Biofuel
(Business Insider) ... The 'soil-to-soil' manufacturing technology developed at the P.K. Sinha Centre for Bioenergy at IIT - Kharagpur is in the process of being patented. Researchers say bioethanol can be produced from various naturally available ligno-cellulosic components, but to do
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
New Gladstone Plant a Boost for Biofuel Industry in Queensland
(Queensland Government) Queensland is now home to the first commercial-scale advanced biofuels pilot plant and on the cusp of a new biofuel production-based industry for the State, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. Speaking from Gladstone where the Premier officially opened the $18
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Increasing Biofuel Content in Petrol to 8pct Could Make the Market Turn More to Imports (Analysis)
(Agerpres) The biofuel business, a business based more on getting in line with European directives and less on the country's agricultural potential, could get a new impetus in 2018 by switching to at least 8-percent biofuel content in gasoline from
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
GRFA: Ethanol Production Does Not Drive Food Prices
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance recently released a new chart showing opposite trends in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Food Price Index and world fuel ethanol production since 2008, demonstrating clearly that ethanol
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Forced Summer Hiatus Begins for E15
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) It’s June 1st, which means the kids are out of school, the pools are open, and E15 pumps in two-thirds of the nation are shutting down. Today marks the official beginning of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Worthington High School Visits Heron Lake BioEnergy
(Minnesota Bi0-Fuels Association) Eleven students from Worthington High School visited Heron Lake Bioenergy on May 30 to learn about ethanol production. The students, all 12th graders, were briefed on the various processes of ethanol production at Heron Lake Bioenergy, which produces
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Cummins B6.7, L9 Engines Compatible with Renewable Diesel
(Fleet Owner) Cummins Inc. announced its B4.5, B6.7 and L9 engine platforms are compatible with paraffinic renewable diesel fuels meeting the EN 15940 specification. Both on-highway and off-highway versions of the B6.7 and L9 platforms and all vintages are approved
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Industrial Hemp Coming to South Carolina
by Graham Abbott (Ganjapreneur) Shortly after the close of South Carolina’s legislative session earlier this month, Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill legalizing the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp, according to a report by The State. Next, the South Carolina
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Stockholm Pursues Climate Holy Grail: A Fossil-Fuel-Free Future — Part 2: Stubborn Emissions
by John J. Berger (Huffington Post) ... Sweden’s parliament, prompted in part by the 2015 Paris climate agreement, has proposed a fossil-free Sweden initiative under which the nation would become fossil-fuel free by 2045. The city has an even more ambitious
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Transforming Eco-Product Performance and Accessibility: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to DuPont and Biomaterials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DuPont has developed a multi-part strategy to deliver new technologies to the growing biofuels and chemicals markets market. The strategy includes: (1) improving existing ethanol production through differentiated agriculture seed products and crop protection solutions as
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Carbon Dioxide from Flue Gas v. Concentrated By-Product Chemical Sources; and the Impact of Distribution Costs on Economic Feasibility
by Sam A. Rushing (Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ... Concentrated by-product sources such as ethanol v. Lean flue gas fermentation is a critical part of the merchant co2 supply network in north america, particularly in the united states. The lion’s share of
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Burn Better, Cook Faster, Save $$: The Quest for an Efficient African Cookstove
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Africa, the overwhelming use is cookstoves, and for a generation now, companies and organizations have been handing out LPG or ethanol cookstoves trying to move Africa to a new energy source for cooking. There’s
June 01, 2017 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil’s Owners Revolt against Management over Climate Change Transparency
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In a stunning result in Dallas, ExxonMobil shareholders revolted against management over the company’s climate change policy, as investors holding 62.3% of the company’s shares called on the company to reveal the impact of climate