(Biofact) In Japan, the market is supported by a feed-in-tariff (FIT) scheme which provides a 20-year subsidy to firms producing renewable energy. By March 2017 almost 12GW of biomass projects had been approved under the FIT scheme. Industrial groups are moving in
Archive
Back TO HOMESoCalGas, Énergir, GRDF & GRTgaz Join to Promote Biogas Development
(SoCalGas/NGV Journal) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), Canadian natural gas utility Énergir, and French utilities GRDF and GRTgaz announced a new collaboration aimed at advancing the research and development of renewable natural gas and technologies such as power-to-gas. The collaboration will
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Mexican Ethanol Optimism Returns after States Ask for Ban Repeal
(UkrAgroConsult) The Mexican ethanol market could have more room to grow as the states of Nuevo Leon and Jalisco have asked for a repeal of a ban on ethanol blending in their principal cities of Monterrey and Guadalajara, respectively. "If our gasoline
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
A Trade War with Canada Is the Last Thing That U.S. Ethanol Producers Need
by Tristan R. Brown (Seeking Alpha) The worsening state of America's trade relations with Canada has raised the risk that U.S. ethanol will be targeted with import tariffs due to its political importance. China and Brazil have both already imposed tariffs or
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Q.E.D.: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s known by the ungainly acronym ABPDU, which might as well decode as “All Bioeconomy Processes Developed Upstairs,” but actually stands for the far more modest “Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit.” It’s run out of the Berkeley Lab,
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
First Single Site with Biomethane Value Chain Launched in France
(CNH Industrial/NGV Journal) In Cestas, southwest France, the CNH Industrial brands, including IVECO, New Holland and FPT Industrial, are partners in an initiative promoted by Pot au Pin Energie (a local energy company), Air Liquide and Carrefour to create the first
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association Releases 2018 Half Year Report
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) released its 2018 Half Year Report to its producer and vendor members at a networking event in Prior Lake yesterday. The report gave members an overview of Minnesota's ethanol industry in the first
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Bioenergies and Audi Renew Their Partnership in Renewable Gasoline
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies (Euronext Growth: ALGBE) and Audi announced today the signing of a new agreement focused on the implementation of residue usage, preparation of a path to commercialization and engine testing of new blends. Following the completion of a
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
UPM Joins Together for Sustainability (TfS) Initiative to Enhance Sustainability in Its Supply Chains
(UPM) UPM has joined Together for Sustainability (TfS), a chemical industry initiative that promotes and improves sustainability practises within its supply chains. By joining the initiative the member companies share a wide coverage of supplier data, such as audit reports and
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Annual ‘Biofuels in Canada’ Report Released with Expanded Coverage of Canadian Biofuel Use, GHG Reductions, and Costs
(Advanced Biofuels Canada/EIN Presswire) Advanced Biofuels Canada commissions third report, now addresses tax impacts. -- Advanced Biofuels Canada (ABFC) announced the release of the Biofuels in Canada (BIC) 2018 report, which updates and expands upon the last annual report by Navius Research. “Data
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Fairland Preps for Next Round with Ethanol Company
by John Walker (Shelbyville News) Area residents worried about a proposed ethanol manufacturing plant intend to voice their concerns at an upcoming meeting of the Shelbyville Plan Commission. But first, questions about the project are to be sent to the Shelbyville mayor’s office. POET LLC,
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Scraps Detailed Plan to Force U.S. Refiners to Blend More Biofuels
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ditched a detailed plan that would have forced refiners to blend more biofuels into their gasoline and diesel in 2019 to compensate for volumes likely to be exempted under the agency’s small
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
(iGEM Foundation) A pioneer in engineering biology. -- The iGEM Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. This is done by fostering an
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
MaREI Secure €4.4 Million to Support Ireland’s Indigenous Biomass and Bioenergy Industry
(Science Foundation Ireland) ... The Spoke research teams will collaborate in developing technologies capable of converting a wide variety of residues and by-products to homogenous energy carriers and optimising performance of internal combustion engines using advanced fuels including biofuel blends. The Spoke
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
France: Palm Oil Sustainability Still a Concern for Consumers
by Rachel Lau (Borneo Post) Palm oil will not be discriminated as a biofuel in the European Union, but the oil’s sustainability remains a key concern for its consumers and its industries. Earlier this year in January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
REG Ultra Clean Diesel Powers Incredible Adventures Fleet
(Renewable Energy Group/Biodiesel Magazine) Renewable Energy Group Inc. announced a supply agreement July 11 with Dogpatch Biofuels to provide REG Ultra Clean Diesel to the bus fleet of Incredible Adventures, a leading adventure travel company. REG Ultra Clean Diesel is a patent-pending
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Brazil Ethanol Output Could Double by 2030 -Gov't Study
by Rodrigo Viga Gaier (Reuters) Brazil’s ethanol production could double by 2030, boosted by growing investments in the sector due to the government’s RenovaBio program aimed at boosting the use of renewable fuels, according to a government study. RenovaBio, which Congress approved
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Former DuPont Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Trade Secrets and Lying to the FBI
(U.S. Department of Justice) Took Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information When He Accepted a Job with a Competitor -- Josh Harry Isler, age 55, from St. Ansgar, Iowa, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids to one count
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofutures: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Queensland Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Queensland’s vision is for a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector, attracting significant international investment and creating regional, high-value and knowledge-intensive jobs. The Biofutures Roadmap provides the leadership required to help Queensland leverage
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Maryland Seeks Applicants for Alt-Fuel Infrastructure Funding DEADLINE December 31, 2018
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) From July 1 through Dec. 31, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is accepting applications for its competitive Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Program (AFIP). The program is designed to aid in the development of alternative fuel refueling/recharging infrastructure in Maryland,
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Altfuels Iberia 2019 --- June 11-14, 2019 --- Madrid, Spain
Efforts to improve air quality and reduce emissions produced by petroleum-based fuels continue throughout Europe. In addition, there is a strategic objective of reducing dependence on oil for all energy uses and applications. All this, as well as the economic
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
EVs Could Drive 38% Rise in US Electricity Demand, DOE Lab Finds
by Robert Walton (Utility Dive) Rising electricity demand could lead to sustained absolute growth of 80 terawatt-hours per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. -- ... The study considers three scenarios, a reference case and medium-
July 12, 2018 Read Full Article
On Energy Independence Day, India, China Surge as Leaders in Clean Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Because if you want it, here it is, come and get it, biofuels that is, and especially of the advanced type. If you like it from waste, even better. Out of the east, the dual
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Rise for Climate --- September 8, 2018 --- Various Locations
On September 8, we’re planning thousands of rallies in cities and towns around the world to demand our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that puts people and justice before profits. No more stalling, no more delays: it’s time
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Royal Netherlands Air Force First to Operate F-16 Fighting Falcon on SAF
(Bioenergy International) Over the next fortnight, one F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Royal Netherlands Air Force will operate from Leeuwarden Air Base on a 5 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), supplied by SkyNRG, a Netherlands-headed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
NREL: Novel Genetic Method Improves Efficiency of Enzyme
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Georgia developed a new genetic engineering technique to dramatically improve an enzyme’s ability to break down biomass. The new method, Evolution by
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Fight Heats up over Washington State Carbon ‘Fee’ Likely to Make Fall Ballot
by Hal Bernton (Seattle Times) Proponents of a Washington carbon-fee initiative showed up at the Secretary of State’s office in Olympia with more than 370,000 signatures to put their measure on the November ballot. The signatures tally for Initiative 1631 — backed
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Canadian BioDesign Conference: Building a Low Carbon Bioeconomy --- September 12, 2018 --- Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Please join us for the first inaugural “Canadian BioDesign Conference” hosted by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) and Lambton College on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. TENTATIVE AGENDA: 8:30am - 9:00am - Registration 9:00am - 9:10am - Opening Remarks 9:10am - 10:10 - Building Strong Hybrid
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Saying ‘No’ to Palm Oil Would Likely Displace, Not Halt Biodiversity Loss – IUCN report
(IUCN) Banning palm oil would most likely increase the production of other oil crops to meet demand for oil, displacing rather than halting the significant global biodiversity losses caused by palm oil, warned an IUCN report published today (June 26, 2018). The
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
We Still Have No Idea How to Eliminate More than a Quarter of Energy Emissions
by James Temple (MIT Technology Review) Air travel, shipping, and manufacturing are huge sources of carbon that we lack good options for addressing. -- ... But a new paper in Science offers a stark reminder that there are still huge parts of the global energy
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Clean Transportation Expo --- April 23-26, 2019 --- Long Beach, CA
North America's largest advanced transportation technology and clean fleet event. ACT Expo provides unrivaled content on the mega trends driving the future of the commercial transportation sector—connected technologies, trucking efficiency, electrification, urban mobility, sustainable goods movement, and more. READ MORE
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
NCDA&CS Grant Supports Research of Biochar Combined with AD
(Appalachian State University/Biomass Magazine) Thanks to a $98,599 grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), a team of professors in Appalachian State University’s Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, along with Hei-Young Kim, research assistant in
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Cogeneration for the Ethanol Industry: Optimizing Plant Efficiency and Reliability Through Innovative Solutions --- July 24, 2018
In our changing landscape of energy consumption, industrial customers within the ethanol industry are identifying opportunities to optimize their production processes and ensure the reliability and availability of their plants. Ethanol is produced in over 123 countries, and customers are
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
China's Domestic Production Will Meet 75% of E10 Demand by 2020: Consultant
by Christina Siantar (S&P Global/Platts) China's production of fuel ethanol is expected to rise to around 10 million mt/year, which will help meet part of the 13 million mt/year ethanol demand for E10 mandate by 2020, Xiao Gang, general manager of consultancy
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
WEBINARS: The Digest's Early Stage Webinar Series --- On-going
This weekly one-hour webinar series will bring you hundreds of slides, perspectives, voices introducing the hottest emerging technologies, applications, markets and players in the bioeconomy. It's free, and you register once via a one-time sign-up, and then you'll receive an exclusive
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Teresa Kok’s Palm Oil Challenges
by Tan Xue Ying (The Edge) With numerous challenges dominating Malaysia’s palm oil industry, all eyes are on Teresa Kok as she officially begins as the minister of primary industries. ... Other markets that the Malaysian palm oil industry could look at is the
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Growth Energy: American Drivers Pass 5 Billion Miles on E15
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy announced today that American drivers have logged 5 billion miles on E15. The latest milestone was reached in the midst of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restrictions on the sale E15 fuel across most of the country. During
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
An FAQ on 45Q: What Federal Carbon Storage Tax Credit Means for Midwest
by Frank Jossi (Energy News) A federal tax credit passed earlier this year could increase the amount of carbon being stored underground. The revamped “45Q” tax credit boosts the amount of money available to companies willing to capture and store carbon
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Indonesia to Strengthen Industry Amid Trade War: Minister
by Anton Hermansyah (Jakarta Post) ... On Monday, after attending a more than four-hour Cabinet meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the government would guarantee the supply of raw material to manufacturing industries. ... He added
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
California Trucking Company Cherokee Freight Lines Makes the Switch to Neste MY Renewable Diesel
(Neste/PR Newswire) Cherokee Freight Lines, a Northern California trucking company, has switched its entire fleet of more than 200 trucks to run on Neste MY Renewable Diesel™. Cherokee Freight Lines is a diversified carrier of food grade commodities, specializing in kosher-certified hauling and serving
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 11th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Nanocellulose on the March: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to American Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A few years back, Research & Markets startled the bio world when they projected that the “Nanocellulose Market by Type (Cellulose nanocrystals, Cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocomposites, and others) would reach $250 Million by 2019, signifying annualized CAGR of 19%
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
UPDATE 2-Canada's Ontario Government Scraps Cap-and-Trade Program
by Danya Hajjaji (Reuters) The newly elected Ontario government announced on Tuesday (July 3, 2018) it would end the province’s cap-and-trade program, a policy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fulfilling one of Premier Doug Ford’s election promises. However, it leaves businesses
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Video: Biofuel from Algae
(University of Michigan) University of Michigan scientists grew various combinations of freshwater algal species in 80 artificial ponds at U-M’s E.S. George Reserve near Pinckney, Michigan in the first large-scale, controlled experiment to test the widely held idea that biodiversity can
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Potential of Biodiesel in the Commercial Vehicles Sector Revealed
(Biofuels International) A recent survey among vehicle manufacturers shows that the widespread use of biodiesel in the commercial vehicle sector is ‘technically possible’, according to the Association Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM). AGQM, along with the Union for the Promotion of Oil and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: NCSE Annual Conference: Sustainable Infrastructure & Resilience — January 8-9, 2019 — Washington, DC DEADLINE: August 3, 2018
The National Council for Science and the Environment is a non-profit organization that works with scientists, educators, policymakers, business leaders, and officials at all level of government to inform environmental policy and decision-making with the use of science. At the
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
NCSE Annual Conference: Sustainable Infrastructure & Resilience --- January 7-10, 2019 --- Washington, DC
The National Council for Science and the Environment is a non-profit organization that works with scientists, educators, policymakers, business leaders, and officials at all level of government to inform environmental policy and decision-making with the use of science. At the
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewal of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership DEADLINE: August 17, 2018
(International Trade Administration/Federal Register) Pursuant to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Commerce announces the renewal of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (the Committee). The Committee shall advise the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel for VUSD Fleet Makes Healthier Communities
(The Vista Press) Imagine an alternative diesel fuel that reduces carbon emission levels, improves air quality, and performs as well as and costs less than current fuel. If you’re thinking this sounds too good to be true, you’d be wrong. Renewable diesel not
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
New Algae Bloom Remediation Group Starting
(National Algae Association) There is a growing 'state of emergency' on the expansion of algae blooms in the US and throughout the world. This group is a collaboration of algae bloom remediation technologies (proven to work outside the lab, scalable and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
California Regulator Sees 'Window' for Deal on Fuel Economy Rules
by David Shepardson (Reuters) California is ready to work with major automakers on revisions to greenhouse gas emission vehicle rules through 2025 and sees a “window” for a deal in the coming months, the state’s top clean air regulator told Reuters
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Brett Kavanaugh Could Be Good for Ethanol
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) President Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court could be good news for the ethanol industry and clean energy programs where adherence to the law is often challenged. Trump said Kavanaugh, in his twelve years as
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Biorefineries Will Have Only Minimal Effects on Wood Products and Feedstocks Markets
(International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis/Phys.Org) A new report from researchers from IIASA, Luleå University of Technology (LTU), and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has shown that more biorefineries, which produce biobased fuels and chemicals, will have only a small effect
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Punjab Will Produce Bio-Ethanol from Paddy Straw: Sunder Sham Arora
(5 Dariya News) To curb the menace of crop residue burning and create a positive atmosphere for industrialization, Punjab Government has taken a decision to set up a Bio-ethanol project. In this regard, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed today
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Neutrons—Making Sustainable Biofuels
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using neutrons to understand why certain hydrocarbons produced by blue-green algae are important to their biology, so new strains can be engineered to sustainably produce biofuels. Neutron scattering makes
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
RED Alert -- Canadian Biofuel Lobbying Intensifies
(Politico Brussels Influence) Canadian company Agrisoma Biosiences Inc. is pushing to get “Carinata,” its second generation biofuel, subsidized by the EU and placed on the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) list. The proposal passed the first hearing in the Parliament and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
EA Confident in Sealing Energy Deal ... A Greener Fuel
by Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn & Jesus Alcocer (Bangkok Post) ... EA (SET-listed renewable energy firm Energy Absolute) is also expanding its biodiesel portfolio, which now accounts for close to 40% of its revenue. Like biodiesel, "Green Diesel" is also derived from palm, but it
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Industrial Glucose: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Fluid Quip Process Technologies Clean Sugar Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For over 20 years, Fluid-Quip has been engineering and manufacturing separation equipment for corn wet milling and pulp and paper applications. Fluid-Quip Process Technologies has more recently leveraged wet milling knowledge to develop enhancements for dry-grind
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
The 10 Green Chemicals Driving a Disruptive New Biobased Industry
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A Petro Brexit (a/k/a, British companies exiting petroleum for the sustainable bioeconomy) : New report highlights how to ensure Britain becomes a world leader in bio-based chemicals In the UK, a recent report identifies 10 specific bio-based chemicals, in
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
As UPS Expands, So Does its Commitment to Alternative Fueling
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) ... Currently, UPS’ clean fleet totals roughly 9,100 ground vehicles as part of a “rolling laboratory” approach of testing out different types of alternative fueling, including CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), electric,
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Algae Production Workshop --- October, 2018 --- The Woodlands, TX
(Algae Industry Magazine) National Algae Association (NAA) is reaching out to commercial algae producers of high-value nutraceutical omega-3 EPA/DHA, cosmetics, food, animal feed, biostimulants, biofertilizer, bioplastics and potential algae biofuels, to attend the NAA’s next Algae Production Workshop, to be held
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Biomethane Refueling Station Opens near Bordeaux
(Bioenergy Insight) Air Liquide has recently inaugurated a biomethane production unit in Cestas, near Bordeaux, France. The new biomethane production unit uses organic matter from the agricultural sector to produce biogas, and purifies this biogas into biomethane. As well as the biomethane facility,
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
AD Industry Responds to Vegan Energy
(Bioenergy Insight) ... The UK’s Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has responded to the Ecotricity campaign, noting that it has served to highlight the issue of waste generated by society. “We fully support the waste hierarchy and believe that as little
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
New Biomethane Double Decker Bus Arrives in Eastern England
(Scania/NGV Journal) Ipswich Buses has joined forces with Scania to bring a biogas-powered double decker to the streets of Ipswich. The state-of-the-art vehicle started the 6-week trial in June and will operate on Route 5, which runs from Ipswich Town centre
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Memorandum of Understanding Signed for the Realisation in California of a Plant for the Production of Energy from Renewable Sources
(Saipem) Saipem has signed a Memorandum of Understanding as well as an exclusive agreement with California Ethanol & Power, LLC, for the realisation of a low carbon emission plant for the production of ethanol fuels, electricity from renewable sources, biomethane and
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
More RNG Flowing into California Pipelines and Fueling Refuse Trucks
(SoCalGas/NGV Journal) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and waste management company CR&R Environmental (CR&R) are now injecting renewable natural gas produced at CR&R’s anaerobic digestion facility in Perris, Calif., into SoCalGas pipelines. This is the first renewable natural gas produced within
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
More RNG Flowing into California Pipelines and Fueling Refuse Trucks
(SoCalGas/NGV Journal) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and waste management company CR&R Environmental (CR&R) are now injecting renewable natural gas produced at CR&R’s anaerobic digestion facility in Perris, Calif., into SoCalGas pipelines. This is the first renewable natural gas produced within
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Industrial Enzymes Markets (2013-2020) - 2018 Global Strategic Business Report - Surging Demand for Biofuel Enzymes Drive Healthy Market Growth
(ResearchAndMarkets.com/Globe Newswire) The "Industrial Enzymes - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2013 through
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Student Videos on Green Chemistry
(Yale University) Our Center hosted a student video competition at the 22nd Green Chemistry & Engineering conference in Portland, Oregon. The competition is part of the bigger Yale-UNIDO initiative, which aims to increase the general global awareness and capacities on deployable
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Green Chemistry Brings Its Virtues to the Classroom
by Paul D. Thornton (Chemical Institute of Canada) ... More significantly, these real-world problems of toxicity, safety, and sustainability call for a multi-disciplinary approach and familiarity with many branches of chemistry. By educating students in green chemistry, they will have a
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
The 'Octane Olive Branch' Is Full of Thorns
by Doug Durante (The Hill/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) With a final rule on fuel economy likely to come out in the near future, a considerable amount of attention has centered on higher octane fuels as a pathway to increased efficiency in
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Pruitt Departure Allows for ‘Reset’ between Trump and Ethanol
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) ... The EPA also jettisoned a plan to incorporate an additional 1.5 billion gallons of biofuel requirements in last week’s proposal to make up for the potential waivers granted to small refineries. The agency said that it
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
MME Flexible Voluntary Mixing of Percentage of Biodiesel to Diesel
(Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy (Google Translation)) The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) published in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) this Wednesday (4) ordinance that flexibilizes the voluntary mixture of percentages of biodiesel to the mineral. The measure
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
From Water to Hydrogen Biofuel – ASU Uses Light-Driven Energy Extraction
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Arizona, Arizona State University researcher Kevin Redding is working on biological, light-driven energy extraction. Redding, a biochemist who leads the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis at ASU, is producing hydrogen biofuel from water instead of
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Creative Debt and Equity: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Structures for Bioeconomy Project Finance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Swiss Re No Longer Offers Re/Insurance to Firms with More Than 30% Coal Exposure
(Insurance Journal) Swiss Re announced it no longer is providing re/insurance to businesses with more than 30 percent exposure to thermal coal across all lines of business. The thermal coal policy applies to both existing and new thermal coal mines and power
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
From LanzaTech to Sierra Energy and the Latest Research, Syngas Is on Fire
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Syngas, or synthesis gas, is on fire lately, with new technologies making the most of waste products like CO2 or low-grade biomass and converting them into useful hot stuff like syngas that can then be
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
In a Q&A with The Washington Post on Friday, Wheeler Showed He Differs from Pruitt
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) In a Q&A with The Washington Post on Friday, (EPA Acting Administrator Scott) Wheeler showed he differs from Pruitt in at least one major way. He said he considers an endangerment finding that is the agency's
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard: Program Unlikely to Meet Production or Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector through 2022. It requires that transportation fuels (such as gasoline and diesel) sold in the U.S. contain annually increasing amounts
July 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Custom RFA E85 Motorcycle Hits the Road
by Kelsey Quargnenti (Renewable Fuels Association) Last month, the Renewable Fuels Association custom E85 motorcycle from Paul Jr. Designs made its debut on “American Chopper.” It seems that most companies that commission a custom motorcycle from Paul Jr. Designs never register
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
A Matter of Gravity—Understanding How Plants Grow in Space
by Tom Rickey (Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory/Phys.Org) Last month a rocket thundered off a NASA launch pad in Virginia, destined for the International Space Station. Nestled among the 7,400 lbs. of supplies was a handful of seeds designed to open new
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
More than 100 SC Farmers Apply for Permits to Grow Hemp
by Lisa Weismann (Live5News) ... The South Carolina Department of Agriculture will select 40 farmers to receive industrial hemp permits. These permits will allow farmers to grow up to 40 acres of hemp. ... Hemp can be used to make products including rope, clothes, food,
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Boss of Teesside Plant at Centre of Beer CO2 Shortage Explains How to Stop Future Problems
by Kelly Price (Teeside Live) Ensus says a change in the law on PETROL could secure its future - and keep the CO2 flowing to the food and drink industry -- Bosses of a Teesside ethanol plant at the centre of the
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
CalRecycle Awards $25 Million for Organics Recycling Projects--Communities Get Environmental and Economic Boost from California Climate Investments
(CalRecycle) The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery has awarded more than $25 million in California Climate Investments to bolster organics recycling infrastructure in the state and rescue edible food for Californians in need. The projects in 10 California communities
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
BETO Issues Workshop Summary Report On Performance-Advantaged Biobased Chemicals
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbell/Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group) On June 27, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) issued a new report, Moving Beyond Drop-In Replacements: Performance-Advantaged Biobased Chemicals Workshop Summary Report, that summarizes
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Seeking a Friend for the End of Unreliability: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium and why does it exist? The Why is simple. #1 issue plaguing High and Low Temperature IBR projects is consistent operability of preprocessing and primary deconstruction. In response, researchers have joined
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Protein, Protein: The Bioeconomy’s Latest Technology Fad Is, Actually, a Pivot Back to an Ancient and Enduring Concern
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Protein has become the answer to almost every question. How will you achieve scale? Protein. How will you make money? Protein. What will save the world? Protein. What are you going to talk about in your
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
5 Minutes With… Dhivya Puri, Senior Technical Lead at Fiberight.
by Dave Songer (Bio-Based World News) “The milestones and professional growth I've achieved in this role are above and beyond what I could have accomplished in academia within the same time frame.” Fiberight is a UK- and US-based small and medium-sized enterprise
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Iran to Trump: Oil Will Cost $100 per Barrel, and It Is Your Fault
by Alex Lawler (Reuters) Oil will soon cost $100 per barrel due to supply disruptions caused by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran’s OPEC Governor told Reuters on Thursday, as he warned expectations that Saudi Arabia and Russia would help bring down
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Scott Pruitt Steps down as EPA Head after Ethics, Management Scandals
by Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) Scott Pruitt, the former Oklahoma attorney general who relentlessly pursued President Trump’s promises of deregulation at the Environmental Protection Agency, resigned Thursday after controversies over his lavish spending, ethical lapses and management decisions eroded
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Big Oil, Utilities Are Lining up for an Electric Vehicle War
by Kelly Gilblom and Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) BP and Shell have bought electric-car charging companies; Power utilities are boosting sales to homes, chargers on roads -- A red-hot electric vehicle market has triggered a face-off between Big Oil and utilities. Oil majors, who’ve sold fossil
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
SAS and Preem in Cooperation on Renewable Aviation Fuel
(Scandinavian Airlines(Google Translation)) SAS and Preem have signed a letter of intent to produce renewable aviation fuel. SAS has the ambition to replace today's fuel volume for domestic aviation with biofuel by 2030. The letter of intent means that SAS and Preem
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Valmet and Turun Seudun Energiatuotanto: Joint Development of an Industrial Internet-Based Fuel Chain Management Solution for Biopower Plants
(Valmet) Valmet, together with its customer Turun Seudun Energiatuotanto Oy (TSE), is developing a comprehensive Industrial Internet-based set of production information systems and district heating network optimization solutions. This is being implemented for the first time as an integral part of
July 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Materials – Printing with Plants
by Kim Askey (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) A scalable processing technique developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory uses plant-based materials for 3D printing and offers a promising additional revenue stream for biorefineries. Scientists created a new material with excellent printability and performance by
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Vivo Energy Kenya and Koko Networks Form Ethanol Cooking Fuel Partnership
(Koko Networks) Vivo Energy becomes first multinational fuels company to enter Kenyan market for ethanol cooking fuel, using KOKO technology to enable affordable mass-market access. Vivo Energy Kenya today announces a partnership with KOKO Networks (“KOKO”) that sees it enter the Kenyan
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Swedavia’s Operations at Visby Airport Now Entirely Fossil-Free
(Swedavia Airports) In mid-June, Swedavia's operations at Visby Airport became entirely fossil-free. Following years of focused work, which includes electrification of its vehicles, a switch in fuels and implementation of efficiency measures, the airport has now secured its position as one
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
New ‘Promiscuous’ Enzyme Helps Turn Plant Waste into Sustainable Products
(University of Portsmouth) A new family of enzymes has been discovered which paves the way to convert plant waste into sustainable and high-value products such as nylon, plastics, chemicals, and fuels. The discovery was led by members of the same UK-US enzyme
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Operation Considering Barley for Biofuel, Fish Food
by Jessica Holdman (Bismark Tribune) ... The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved an $83,810 Renewable Energy Program grant to Midwest AgEnergy Group to research using North Dakota barley for biofuel and a high value protein concentrate byproduct to sell to
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Pope to Oil Execs: Energy Needs Mustn’t Destroy Civilization
(Associated Press) Pope Francis told leading oil executives Saturday that the transition to less-polluting energy sources “is a challenge of epochal proportions” and warned that satisfying the world’s energy needs “must not destroy civilization.” The Vatican said Francis held a two-day conference
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
North America Climate Smart Agricultural Alliance Launches Website
(North America Climate Smart Agricultural Alliance) The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NASCAA) has launched a new website. The new online hub, which can be reached at www.NACSAA.net, was announced June 25 during a webinar of the Alliance's steering
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Schedules Hearing on Proposed RFS Rule for July 18 COMMENT DEADLINE August 17, 2018
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced it will hold a public hearing in Ypsilanti, Michigan, July 18 to gather public input on its proposed rule to set 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
ICAO Council Reaches Landmark Decision on Aviation Emissions Offsetting
(International Civil Aviation Organization) The ICAO Council made important headway today on the key international standards supporting the UN aviation agency’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or ‘CORSIA’. Its adoption of the First Edition of Annex 16, Volume IV,
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Synthetic Methylotrophy: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Engineering Platform Organisms for Methane & Methanol Conversion to Fuels & Chemicals
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Harnessing Methane & Methanol as Feedstocks, that’s the subject of this overview of the uses of methanol when used by engineered platform organisms for fuel and chemical production. The background is the abundant CH4supply of recoverable
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Letter from Byzantium: Answers to Your Questions about Byzantine Biofuels Budgets and Policy Moves
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Yes, Virginia, there is cant, pettifoggery, self-dealing, obfuscation, and downright dirty pool when it comes to the deployment of biofuels, chemicals and advanced biomaterials — but there are also some mysteries which can unraveled and
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
AAPCA Releases 2018 Edition of The Greatest Story Seldom Told
(Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies) Today, the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) released the 2018 edition of The Greatest Story Seldom Told: Profiles and Success Stories in Air Pollution Control. State and local air agencies have been at the
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Helps Fourth of July Travelers Declare Independence from High Gas Prices
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) A record number of travelers will take to America’s highways and byways this Fourth of July holiday, and ethanol will be lowering the price they pay for gasoline while simultaneously strengthening our nation’s energy
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Swedish Shipping Company Takes on Liquefied Biogas
(Bioenergy News) Skangas, a subsidiary of Gasum, has supplied liquefied biogas (LBG) to Furetank, a major Swedish shipping company. The LBG was delivered to Furetank’s tanker ship, Fure Vinga, from Gasum’s biogas facility in Lidköping. The fuelling was carried out at the
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Environment: Second Triennial Report to Congress
(Environmental Protection Agency) This report is the second of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) triennial reports to Congress required under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). EISA Section 204 calls for EPA to report to Congress on the environmental
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Trump Administration Appoints New Biomass R&D TAC Members
by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee has appointed several new volunteers from industry, academia, nonprofits, and local government to the TAC which advises the federal government about its bioenergy R&D programs. These
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
New Household Cooking Oils Recycling Service Launched
(Scottish Borders Council) A new service which allows the public to recycle their leftover cooking oils has been launched. The service is now available at all seven community recycling centres in the Borders and has the backing of Scottish Water, who last year
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Land O'Lakes, Inc. and California Bioenergy Partner to Advance "Barn to Biogas" in California
(Land O'Lakes/Cision/PR Newswire) Land O'Lakes, Inc. and California Bioenergy, LLC (CalBio) have launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support the financing, installation and management of on-farm methane digesters to generate renewable compressed natural gas ("R-CNG") fuel in California – creating an innovative farmer-led model
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Leveling the Playing Field: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Reserves Accounting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In November 2011, the Digest ran a story on a remarkable proposition — advanced by Richard Hamilton, then CEO of Ceres — that biofuels companies – on the “level playing field” theory advanced by opponents of
July 02, 2018 Read Full Article
$25 Grand Prize: Climate Change Needs Behavior Change DEADLINE: August 7, 2018
(Solutions Search) Climate change needs behavior change.What people eat, what they buy and what they use contributes directly to climate change. In just eight months, humans consume what the earth can sustainably produce in a single year. Nearly two-thirds of