by Don Davis (Duluth News Tribune) Minnesota’s senior congressman said that the plan administration officials announced this week probably will not work and threatens Minnesota’s 21 ethanol plants. “I think that is a big a problem,” said U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In France, the ministry of economy, finance and industry has launched a website that shows each of the 339 gas stations offering E85 in the country, listed by department. Not only is the gas station listed,
by Joseph Morton (World Herald Bureau/Omaha.com) The ethanol industry is preparing itself for life after federal subsidies. Key tax credits that pay blenders for using the renewable fuel are set to expire at the end of 2011. At a cost to
by Steve Everly (Kansas City Star) Say “biofuel,” and most people think “ethanol.” But someday they might think “algae-diesel.” And if they do, Missouri is likely to have helped make it happen. The idea of turning algae, also known as pond
(Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization/PR Newswire) The Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI) recognizes the 2011 Top 10 Defense Energy Technology Solutions. From over 220 global applicants spanning the energy spectrum, the organizations with the most promising military-related technologies were
by Rachel Burton (Biodiesel Magazine/Piedmont Biofuels) ...Piedmont Biofuels made a strategic decision to voluntarily implement a quality management system (QMS) at its central North Carolina production facility. With this NREL data published, Piedmont was inspired to demonstrate that smaller producers
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) ...According to Greg Springer, president of Green Fuels America Inc., interest in community-scale biodiesel production is increasing all around the world. He attributes this to both high fuel prices and the specific advantages community-scale production
by Luke Geiver (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Biodiesel co-ops are doing their part in the continued growth of the industry one 5-gallon jug of waste vegetable oil (WVO) biodiesel at a time. If the 5 MMgy producers are working to provide an
(PR Newswire/HDS International Corp.) HDS International Corp. today (August 17, 2011) announced that it has acquired an exclusive license relating to carbon capture, carbon sequestration and industrial algae-for-biofuels technologies from Hillwinds Ocean Energy, LLC. The acquired technology can be applied for
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) In an effort to bring increasingly sustainable fuels to California drivers, Redwood City-Calif.-based fuel retailer Propel Fuels is now offering B20 at three of its stations in the San Francisco Bay Area: one in Berkeley
by National Biodiesel Board (Biodiesel Magazine) ...The new numbers, coming after Congress reinstated the biodiesel tax incentive this year, demonstrate the power that strong domestic energy policy can have in helping create jobs and economic activity. Despite the weak economy, the
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Inbicon conducted an extensive crop study and biomass research project to show just how much biomass is available in the Midwest. “Our findings confirm that North America’s great abundance of corn stover and wheat
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Add-on technology developed for corn ethanol plants Rather than retrofitting a corn-ethanol plant to produce i-butanol, n-butanol or use other novel fermentation technologies, three companies are collaborating to turn a traditional ethanol plant into a
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...But the mischief that lawmakers are hiding behind a veil of budget concern extends far beyond the tax credit for ethanol blending. Using the appropriations process, lawmakers from the oil patch and elsewhere
by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan (Philippine Information Agency) The Aquino administration is eying the potential of the oil derived from coconuts or "coco-biodiesel" to reduce the country's overdependence on imported fuels, an official from the Philippine Coconut Authority said Tuesday. ...A
(The Economist/Free Exchange) LAST week I noted that volatile oil prices have played an underappreciated role in recent business cycles. Over the weekend, James Hamilton published additional analysis of oil-price changes since last year, and he presents some sobering findings. Mr Hamilton
(National Algae Association) National Algae Association Executive Director Barry Cohen has issued the following statement in response to the specific exclusion of algae from the Billion Ton Update issued by the Department of Energy: "Other than to be told that leadership
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) As a tie-in to President Obama’s current bus tour promoting his job creation plans, the White House has issued a press release promoting a three-year $510 million dollar plan to fund “drop-in” biofuel
(The White House) USDA, Department of Energy and Navy Partner to Advance Biofuels to Fuel Military and Commercial Transportation, Displace Need for Foreign Oil, and Strengthen Rural America President Obama today (August 16, 2011) announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture,
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For years, in coffee shops and grain elevators across the upper Midwest, independent thinkers have voiced their opinions on the benefits of midlevel ethanol blends. Tales of fueling the old Buick, or otherwise unapproved
Mark Muro, Jonathan Rothwell, Devashree Saha (The Brookings Institution) Growth through Innovation, Environment, Cities, Competitiveness, Jobs and the Economy The “green” or “clean” or low-carbon economy—defined as the sector of the economy that produces goods and services with an environmental benefit—remains at once a compelling aspiration and
by Aparajita Ray (Daily News and Analysis) A bio-diesel manufacturing unit with a 50-tonne daily capacity will be set up near Devanahalli in four months, Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board chairman YB Ramakrishna told DNA on the sidelines of a World
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Survivor, biofuels style? NABC trims its project roster to two (or maybe three), as it nixes two projects and puts two on the “maybe” watch. Here’s what happened, why, and what’s next. In Washington, the DOE
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency August 5, 2011, is releasing its draft Scientific Integrity Policy for public comment. The draft policy reflects the Obama Administration’s commitment to the ethical standards and transparency necessary for ensuring the
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory is looking for the best biofuels crops to grow in the northeast Illinois Indian Creek Watershed. During a recent field tour of the watershed sponsored by theConservation Technology Information Center, Argonne
by Jonathan Williams (Algae Industry Magazine) Dr. Richard Sayre keeps his plate full as both the Director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and as the CTO of the high
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With help from the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program, Abengoa is on its way to establishing a significantly sized switchgrass plantation in parts of Kansas and Oklahoma surrounding the site of the company’s proposed
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) When Eric Woodford began harvesting biomass 15 years ago, he realized that existing farm equipment wasn't up to the job. So he invented something better, and now sells it. It began more than 15 years ago
by John Lippert (The Washington Post/Bloomberg Markets) Cargill chief Greg Page, who runs the largest U.S. agricultural company, has a good idea whom to blame for the global surge in food prices at the end of 2010: governments. ...He said government
by Marc Chase (NWI.com) What had been all excitement regarding a possible economic boon for this south Lake County town is turning into some frustration and deflated spirits, according to one Schneider official. Town Council President Richard Wright said he still
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ZeaChem Inc. announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chrysler Group LLC to accelerate the commercialization of its cellulosic ethanol process and to assist in establishing a strong consumer market for the
(US Department of Energy) ...More than 600 speakers, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees were able to listen to discussions about the ongoing challenges and achievements in the bioenergy industry. Biomass 2011 addressed key issues in important areas, such as feedstock supply, conversion pathways,
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association announced Aug. 1 that it will provide free EPA-approved E15 labels to gasoline marketers as part of its campaign to assist in making higher blends of ethanol available to consumers.
by Steve Creedy (The Australian) QANTAS wants the federal government to use some of its carbon tax revenue to back sustainable aviation biofuel projects. Aviation missed out on compensation for the tax, and Qantas expects it to add $3.50 to fares
(Yahoo!Finance) At a time when the global economy is in need of every boost possible, Mission NewEnergy ... is teaching impoverished farmers in India how to operate a small business by cultivating Jatropha plants for world consumption. Over 1,940,000 acres of otherwise
By Ucilia Wang (GigaOm) Freshly minted as a public company, biofuel producer KiOR reported Thursday that it brought in no revenues and widened its losses for the second quarter. Given that no one expected the young company to make much money yet,
by Steve Colquhoun (The Age) Cheaper ethanol-blended fuel is on the nose with Victorian motorists according to Dutch petroleum giant Shell, which is withdrawing its 10 per cent ethanol-infused E10 fuel from sale. Shell will stop selling the environmentally friendlier fuel
by Eric Loveday (AutoBlogGreen) When the World Rally Championship rolled into Finland at the end of July for the 2011 Neste Oil Rally Finland, some 29 of the 124 vehicles entered in the tail-out, gravel-throwing event were fueled by Neste Oil's NExBTL
by William D'Urso (Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel) ...Cream City Grecycling, a division of Fushion Renewables, was launched in July and it's seeking out restaurants for their used cooking grease. The plan: Turn the waste grease into biodiesel. The company hopes to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Now, we live in a digital age, and bioenergy is broadly based around the globe – but the desire to network, comment, gather, share, gossip, encourage, advise, warn and occasionally commiserate is still there. As
(Diesel Technology Forum) Diesel engines – which power more than 95 percent of America’s commercial trucks and 85 percent of its buses – will play a central role of the United States’ new effort to reduce fuel consumption and lower
by David Biello (Scientific American) Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense ...Turning garbage into fuel is potentially an answer to two pressing problems—diminishing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and an alternative to burying trash in landfills. In fact, the 468 million
by Tiffany Stecker (ClimateWire/Scientific American) A study looks into giving farmers permission to harvest cellulosic feedstocks on land set aside for wetlands and wildlife conservation Growing cellulosic feedstocks on federally subsidized conservation land could balance the biofuels emissions equation to be completely carbon-neutral,
(US Department of Energy) U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $175 million over the next three to five years to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies. The funding will support 40 projects across 15
(Butamax) Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, LLC today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted patent number 7,993,889, adding another pioneering patent to its biobutanol intellectual property portfolio. This patent protects foundational methods for low-cost production of
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Power and Thermal) A follow-up report to the U.S. DOE’s 2005 “Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply,” commonly referred to as the Billion-Ton Study, has
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) Over the past 30 years, and in particular in the past decade, ethanol production has quietly become increasingly efficient. From improvements in corn production to greater efficiencies at ethanol biorefineries, America’s leading renewable fuel
(UNICA) The European Commission’s approval of certification schemes for biofuels, announced on July 19th, is an important step to add transparency to the issue and help Member States meet reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions. The measure will also benefit
(Southeast Farm Press/National Corn Growers Association) The study, which utilized Texas A&M University’s Agricultural & Food Policy Center’s premier farm-level modeling system and data from the University of Missouri’s Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute, determined that net cash farm
by Ari Levy (Bloomberg) John Doerr, head of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’s alternative-energy practice, said he would give the U.S. a C grade for development of green technology, which trails innovation in Internet and biotechnology. His grade would have been
by Andrew Smolski (OilPrice.com) ...(E)nergy policy is as defunct as ever and on most fronts the US is lagging far behind. ... (T)he US will need this Energy policy to spur growth, create jobs, and remain competitive going forward. Yet,
(AgriMarketing) ...Culminating years of U.S. Grains Council efforts, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has added corn gluten feed (CGF) and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to its import feed ingredient subsidy list, creating a strong incentive for sales. It
(OriginOil) Sensor array will manage hundreds of interactions critical to large production operations. OriginOil, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technologyto extract oil from algae and an emerging leader in the global algae oil services industry, today announced it has developed a
(Waste and Recycling News) Detroit-based DART said its new location will turn alcohol and sugar-based beverages such as old beer, wine, soda, juice and liquor into fuel grade ethanol. In addition, the company said, the facility will also convert the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In India, SG Biofuels and Bharat Renewable Energy, a unit of India’s second largest oil company, Bharat Petroleum, signed a landmark commercial agreement to develop and deploy elite hybrids of Jatropha across a total 86,000
(Argus Media) Europe's biodiesel producers have commissioned an independent review of a policy document on biodiesel's indirect effects on land use change, which the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) maintains has skewed the European Commission's thinking on the subject to the
by Brian Westenhaus (OilPrice.com) According to Promode Kant from the Institute of Green Economy in India and Shuirong Wu of the Chinese Academy of Forestry some 12.8 million ha (49,421 square miles) are expected to be planted with jatropha by
(AirportBusiness.com) Today (August 9, 2011) U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) toured the cutting-edge laboratories at Targeted Growth in Seattle and announced the launch of Washington state's first large-scale program for the growth of camelina sativa, a promising non-food feedstock for
(Recycling Portal) A Russian investment fund, Republic of Tatarstan and Wermuth Asset Management plan, is to set up a 200 million euro clean technology fund that aims to help the heavy oil producing region to manage industrial waste and boost
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the Biomass 2011 conference in Washington, a lively debate session provided a bumper crop of questions from the audience – too many to answer at the time. At the same time, it offers us
by Julian Richardson (Jamaica Observer) Jamaica Ethanol Processing has shut down its ethanol plant and terminated 31 jobs after 26 years in the business. The move was completed last week after three consecutive years of rising input costs helped to sever
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But a new generation of technologies is coming along fast, primarily in advanced biofuels, which is gasifying biomass at the front end along its path towards making fuels, chemicals or other biomaterials – or in
(BusinessWire/Ethanol Across America) Paper Makes Case for Commercial Readiness of the Fuel Ethanol Across America, a grassroots education campaign of the Clean Fuels Foundation, today released a white paper detailing ethanol as a molecule and the benefits and future of cellulosic
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Ethanol supporters, on the defensive since the last Iowa caucus cycle, have decided to do some educational outreach this year to the estimated 600-plus media that will come to Iowa for the Aug. 13
by Hari Pulakkat (Hispanic Business/The Economic Times India ) ...Macroalgae is a technical term for seaweed. It seemed an extremely attractive proposition as an oil source even at first look. Seaweed grows in the shallow ocean waters and doesn't
by Ben Edwards (Bloomberg) ...The Plymouth, Michigan-based company is raising $500,000 to complete demonstration plants and will seek the remaining funds in the next six to nine months, Chief Science Officer Geoff Horst said in a telephone interview. The plants
by John Mulcahy (Daily Telegram/LenConnect) A New York-based company has bought the closed NextDiesel plant in Adrian and plans to reopen it to produce biodiesel fuel. ...EnerVation Advisors is preparing to clean the plant’s tanks and make other preparation for reopening,
(China Briefing) Following its announcement in December last year that pure biodiesel made from waste plant and animal oil is exempt from consumption tax, the Chinese government has recently clarified the actual scope of animal and plant oils subject to such
by John C.K. Daly (Oilprice.com) After years of existing largely as an environmentalist's fantasy, commercial production of biofuels for the world civil aviation industry is slowly becoming a fact, with production starting up across three continents. The leading contenders for biofuel
by Liz Lee (The Star) Lestari, Arter Group to build 616 plants Lestari Pasifik Bhd, in an unprecedented joint venture with Russian company Arter Group, is expecting to receive project financing from the Chinese government to build bio-refinery plants in Malaysia and
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) Months are passing but New Zealand ’s new government still won’t say whether or not it will incentivise biofuels production and new plant construction. Latest in this shoot-your-own-economy-in-the foot saga is Ecodiesel’s multi-million dollar
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) After nearly five years of research and development, the work of Pacific Renewable Fuels and Chemicals, and Red Lion Bio-Energy, has turned into a new biorefining company: SynTerra Energy Inc. SynTerra Energy combines pyrolysis and
(UPI.com) Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology warn that ethanol, and especially the bacteria sometimes found in it, can worsen fatigue crack growth rates by 25 times the rate in air alone. Researchers evaluated fatigue-related cracking in two
by John Laidler (Boston.com) A plan by Global Partners to begin shipping ethanol by rail to its Revere terminal is drawing concern in the city, where it is the focus of a nonbinding ballot question. According to Fire Chief Gene Doherty,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Rhode Island, the City of Newport is soliciting a Statement of Qualifications (QBS) for the creation of a Demonstration Project converting naturally occurring algae into a biodiesel for the City of Newport. Deadline for
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In June, the U.S EPA issued its proposal to reduce the coming year’s cellulosic biofuels volume target for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The RFS goals set by Congress in 2007 call for increasing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Propel Fuels is adding B20 to locations in Berkeley and two locations in San Jose in response to growing consumer demand for higher blends of renewable fuels. Sourced from recycled vegetable oils, Propel’s
by Henry A. Stephens (TCPalm.com) The opening of the nation's first waste-derived bio-ethanol plant is running a few months behind schedule, officials said Tuesday, but not by enough time to cause concern. "We hope to be up and running by this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) On the road from Pilot to Player, three Khosla companies have gone far and fast – but now, the differentiating points become clearer. Who’s better now? They share Khosla Ventures in their DNA, and are next-gen
(EurObserv'ER) ...The EurObserv’ER Barometer regularly publishes indicators reflecting the current dynamics in renewable energies (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass, biogas, biofuels) worldwide and within the European Union. In ‘The State of Renewable Energies in Europe’ two additional technologies have been assessed: solar thermal electricity,
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) The Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s SD Tech Fund invested $53 million in 17 new clean technology projects across Canada in the areas of agriculture, transportation, mining and energy. Of those 17, four directly went to
by Luke Geiver (Biodiesel Magazine) Agrisoma may be the least known 10-year-old renewable energy company, as Steven Fabijanski told Biodiesel Magazine, but that hasn’t stopped a Canadian development fund from granting the Ottawa-based firm with roughly $425,000 in research funding. Agrisoma
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The state of Illinois has formed the Illinois Biomass Working Group (IBWG) to study near-term uses for biomass in Illinois. The team is comprised of academics, government, industry and the private sector. Ted Funk, an Extension specialist
by Niluksi Koswanage (Reuters Africa) Malaysia, the word's No.2 palm oil producer, will come up with a certification scheme to ensure the tropical oil is grown without clearing forests and destroying wildlife, a newspaper reported on Monday. The Business Times quoted
(Pacific Business News) Pacific Biodiesel, Inc., will supply at least 250,000 gallons of locally-produced biodiesel to Hawaiian Electric Co’s new 8-megawatt emergency power facility at Honolulu International Airport that will open in October 2012. The three-year contract calls for Pacific Biodiesel to supply
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Financing of clean energy got you down? The Green Bank clears a key Senate hurdle, and Bank of America chairman Chad Holliday helps explain why that’s important Last month, amidst the brouhaha of the US debt
by Riggs Eckelberry (OriginOil/Algae Industry Magazine) ecently, Australia’s largest ethanol producer, Manildra, diversified its biofuel portfolio by entering into algae production. In cooperation with Atlanta-based Algae Tec, Manildra will build a demonstration facility near Manildra’s ethanol production plant in Nowra,
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) German-based international specialty chemicals company Süd-Chemie AG held a groundbreaking July 26 for a 1,000 ton-per-year, demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Straubing, located in the Lower Bavaria region. The plant, which is expected begin
(Hoosier Ag Today/NAFB News Service) As Congress debates how much money the federal government can borrow, America continues to take out loans from China to buy oil from Venezuela. Recent U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that the United States' appetite for
(Mexican Airlines) This evening, Mexico's flagship carrier, AeroMexico, will make the world’s first Trans-oceanic flight using aviation biofuel, once again placing Mexico in the limelight with regard to the use of biofuels in the global aviation sector. Flying from Mexico City (MEX) to Madrid
by Niki Moore (Bloomberg) Southern African countries could create 1.8 million jobs if they adopted similar regulations to Brazil governing the production of ethanol and electricity from sugar, the Chief Executive Officer of Tongaat-Hulett Group Ltd. said. South African sugar companies such
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) After sitting idle for a year, Inland Empire Oilseeds LLC managed to restart production at its 8 MMgy canola-based biodiesel facility, including an adjacent canola crushing plant, in Odessa, Wash. ...Edmonds added that he expects the
by Will Thurmond (Biofuels Digest/Emerging Markets Online) ...Biofuels markets are not just a by-product of prescriptive political initiatives for change, they are also launched by commodity-driven initiatives subject to the realities of the agricultural and petrochemical-based businesses. In this context,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...A conversation with Terrabon COO Simon Upfill-Brown ...BD: Fuels or chemicals, for the first project? SU-B: We are still very much focused on fuel, we feel that fuel is the way to go for the first plant
by Darren Goode & Darren Samuelsohn (Politico) Popular energy and environmental programs should prepare for a decade of spending cuts under the debt deal reached late Sunday between the White House and congressional leaders. Less clear, however, is the effect that
by Sulaimon Salau (The Guardian Nigeria) Renewable energy projects in West African sub-region are set for a new shift, as a Nigerian energy firm, Global Biofuels (in alliance with some Chinese and African firms) has unveiled plans to float
by Fred Katerere (Bloomberg) Grown Energy Zambeze Ltda. will invest $320 million to make ethanol from sugar cane in the central Mozambican province of Sofala, state-controlled Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique reported. Production is scheduled to start in 2013,... READ MORE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Biofuels Digest announced the return of two annual competitions, with the opening of registration for the 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy and Transformative Technologies 2011. The Hot 50 is the Digest’s oldest and most-popular
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest) Reports of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit’s (VEETC) early demise have been a bit overblown. Though several groups and reporters believed the die was cast and the potential revenue savings would be redirected to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Mary Solecki and Bob Epstein of E2 and David Richey of the Goldman School of Public Policy released a monumentally good read and one of the best primers available on advanced biofuels, with
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) In the Philippines, a new study by that Asian Development Bank finds that “Pongamia provides better economic returns [than other Indian feedstocks]. Even under a 15% social discount rate Pongamia provides a positive NPV,
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory, the American Speed Association and Hot Rods Performance Group began seeking sponsors for a stock car racing series focused on renewable fuels. "Our goal is to use next-generation production cars
by William Lyons and Sten Stovall (Wall Street Journal) ..."We don't realize it, but we are living in the fossil age," he (Royal DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma) argues. "Population will increase, urbanization will increase, temperature will increase and the price of
by John Farrell (Forbes) ...A prime example: biofuels from the by-products of tequila production. In particular, the tough, fibrous leaves of the blue agave plant. A recent paper Valenzuela published in the February issue of the journal Bioenergy, A New Agenda for Blue
by Erica Gies (Forbes) At first blush, algae seemed an ideal biofuel replacement for gasoline. Unlike ethanol, for example, it wouldn’t take food from the poor, utilize key agriculture lands, or require lots of pesticides. But the economics have thus far
by Von Philip Bethge (Der Spiegel Online) Genetically modified blue and green algae could be the answer to the world's fuel problems. Bioengineers have already developed algae that produce ethanol, oil and even diesel -- and the only things the
by Emily Behlmann (Wichita Business Journal) ...According to an application submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy, the state of Kansas wants to use $5 million of federal stimulus dollars on a project to install flex-fuel pumps at 38 Wichita-area
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Following in the footsteps of other race-sanctioning bodies, the United States Auto Club now has an official fuel—ethanol. The difference is, this three-year partnership will mean much larger amounts of fuel used on
by Megan Cassidy (Columbia Missourian) Shibu Jose and his team believe that today’s soggy river bottoms could be untapped grounds for the largest advanced biofuel economy in the nation. Jose, director for MU’s Center for Agroforestry, is proposing to cultivate and harvest
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Hankinson Renewable Energy LLC, a 120 MMgy ethanol plant in Hankinson, N.D., is in the process of starting up an anaerobic digester to produce 54 MMBtu of biogas a year, according to David Rein,
by Matthew Lynley (Green Beat) Enerkem, a company that specializes in converting unusable waste into ethanol and other chemicals, announced today that it has raised $30 million in an extension of its most recent funding round. Enerkem converts household garbage and leftover
(Renewable Fuels Association) America’s trade deficit is growing and one reason for that is our crippling dependence on imported oil. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, our appetite for foreign oil accounted for 60% of the nation’s $50 billion trade
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) The second year of DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC’s corn stover collection program is under way in Iowa as the company prepares to construct Project Blackhawk - a 25 MMgy stover-to-ethanol plant which will be located adjacent
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) In New Zealand, the government’s policy to promote biofuels is facing the axe on the same day that Gull New Zealand launches GullForcePro, its new E85 offering for Kiwi performance drivers. READ MORE and
by Subhash Narayan and Noor Mohammad (Financial Express) Move over bio-diesel, the new green diesel is all set to revolutionalise the fuel market by offering cost-effective and environment-friendly solution for the transport sector in the country. US-based diversified technology and
(Platts) Specialty chemicals company Sud-Chemie AG said Tuesday it had began construction of a demonstration plant that will be the largest in Germany dedicated to the production of cellulosic ethanol from non-edible crop waste. The plant is due to start operating
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA is issuing a final rule to mitigate the potential for misfueling of vehicles, engines and equipment not covered by the Agency’s partial waivers for gasoline containing greater than 10 volume percent (vol%) ethanol (E10) and up
(GreenAirOnline) Although the aviation sector has a good track record in reducing its environmental impact through efficiency gains, it is highly unlikely to reduce or even stabilise its emissions through this means alone, but biofuels present a real potential for
(The White House) President Obama today announced the next phase in the Administration’s program to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. These new standards will cover cars
(General Motors) Chevrolet confirmed today it will add a diesel variant to the Cruze lineup in North America in calendar year 2013. Diesel versions of the Cruze are currently being sold in Europe. Additional details on the Cruze diesel for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, and US Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel provided a rousing opening to the DOE’s annual BIOMASS congress in Washington. Opening
(defenseWEb) Mozambique’s Sun Biofuels has made its first export by selling 30 tons of jatropha oil to German airline Lufthansa. The company’s director of corporate affairs Luis Gouveia on Friday told the Mozambican newspaper Diario de Mozambique of the sale. He
(NewsWise/South Dakota State University) Humans may move one step closer to colonizing space thanks to a new research project that NASA is funding at South Dakota State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Oglala Lakota College. The
(Terrabon, Inc.) Terrabon, Inc., a Houston-based bioenergy company, announced today that it has been awarded a $9.6 million, 18-month contract by Logos Technologies to design a more economical and renewable jet fuel (BioJet TM ) production solution for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Roger Rainville is ahead of the curve when it comes to reducing costs on his farm near Alburgh, Vermont. ...Rainville first got interested in oilseed production when University of Vermont Extension approached him about growing canola seed on his farm. Initially,
by Kerry Reals (FlightGlobal) Boeing and Embraer are to jointly fund a sustainability analysis into producing renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane. The study, which is also being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will evaluate the environmental effects of
by Tom Doggett (Reuters) ...Despite years of research, testing and some hype, the next-generation ethanol industry is far from the commercial success envisioned by President George W. Bush in 2006, when he pledged so-called cellulosic biofuels would be "practical and
(Click Green) The UK's first commercial flight powered by sustainable biofuels has been postponed after delivery problems, airline Thomson Airways confirmed this afternoon. Thomson Airways' flight TOM7424 from Birmingham to Palma was scheduled to make aviation history tomorrow by being the
(American Fuels) Joule Unlimited Technologies today (July 27, 2011) announced the issuance of its first two U.S. patents covering its fundamental method for producing ethanol at volumes and efficiencies far surpassing biomass-dependent processes. The patents relate to methods for increasing the
by Steve Leone (Renewable Energy World) ...In August, Air China will embark on its first flight with biofuels grown in China through a partnership between Petro China and UOP. The hope for biofuel producers is that the Chinese government will
by Michael Kanellos (GreenTechMedia) Ja, with the Diesel Chevy Cruze coming in 2013. General Motors today formally announced it will come out with a version of the gas-sipping Chevy Cruze with a diesel engine in 2013. Modern diesels can get 20
by Lori Potter (Kearney Hub) The ethanol industry is willing to immediately give up $1.3 billion in tax breaks for federal debt reduction. However, that probably can’t happen unless authorizing legislation is attached to a successful debt ceiling-budget reduction bill, said
by Benjamin Burroughs (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol has some distinct advantages as a fuel, and sweet sorghum promises even better input/output ratios Traditionally agriculture has been in food/feed stock production for humans and livestock, but as we move farther into this
by Erin Ailworth (The Boston Globe) ...“One of the big challenges with the federal budget is whether ARPA-E is going to be funded,’’ said Peter Rothstein, president of New England Clean Energy Council, a trade group in Boston. ...Alternative fuels Despite several
by Jack Kaskey (Bloomberg) Celanese Corp. (CE) would make low-cost ethanol for U.S. motorists using natural gas if policy makers end subsidies for corn-based production and amend the law that allows only renewable sources of the fuel additive. Celanese can make
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Back in October, I wrote on the RFA blog, “The E-Xchange,” about the steps that would be necessary to make E15 the standard fuel available in the United States, in much the
by Kevin Cooper (Natchez Democrat) A federal judge ruled Thursday that would-be biofuels wizard John Rivera’s claims were not worth the hill of beans he claimed could be magically turned into fuel. U.S. District Judge David Bramlette handed down a summary
by Cammy Clark (The Miami Herald/Sun Sentinel) Vegetable oil once used at Florida Keys restaurants and backyard fish fries is being processed into green fuel for trucks, tiki torches and a 53-foot sailboat that offers eco tours to the coral
(Times Colonist) A group of Cowichan Valley residents who rely on recycled cooking oil to fuel their vehicles can now process the biofuel in bigger batches thanks to new equipment. The new processor is near the Bings Creek Solid Waste Management
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) In Catawba County, N.C., a partnership between the county and Appalachian State University is planning to commemorate the completion of the Catawba County-Appalachian State University Biodiesel Research, Development and Production Facility on Aug. 15. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The drivers for biofuels and cleantech as a whole? According to the 2010 China Statistical Yearbook, from 2005 to 2009 the gross domestic product of China grew at a compound annual growth rate of 16.5%
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Martin Sabarsky was promoted to President and CEO of Kona, Hawaii-based Cellana in April of 2011. He now has the challenging and, if all goes well, rewarding job of escorting Cellana into
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA July 25, 2011, detailed an action plan for creating sustainable markets for advanced ethanol in the automotive/light duty truck sector. The paper, “The Pathway to a Sustainable “Total Biomass” Advanced Ethanol Industry ,”itemizes six steps cellulosic and
(GreenAirOnline) The first in Lufthansa’s long-heralded series of commercial scheduled sustainable biofuel flights finally took off on Friday morning (July 15). Save for camera-wielding media, the 50-minute flight from Hamburg to Frankfurt passed uneventfully for passengers taking the shuttle. Four
by Christine Metz (Sunflower Horizons) The Kansas Energy Office is pulling funding on a state program that has lent hundreds of Kansans thousands of dollars to make energy efficiency upgrades in their homes. Pending final approval from the U.S. Department of
by Phil Ciciora (University of Illinois) Regulatory hurdles abound for the successful commercialization of emerging liquid biofuels, which hold the promise of enhancing U.S. energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and serving as a driver for rural economic development, according
(Green Car Congress) Following a series of successful demonstration flights and approval of the fuel for commercial transportation through ASTM International, Mexican airline Interjet today is operating the first round trip commercial passenger flight using Honeywell Green Jet Fuel derived
(American Soybean Association/Southeast Farm Press) Newly published research from the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 5.54 units of renewable energy. A
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...A combination of industrial biotech know-how, an array of biomass feedstocks (particularly lignocellulose), a strong and growing domestic market, and ready access to scale-up debt for scale-up through China’s steadier project finance system – well,
by Jonathan Williams (Algae Industry Magazine) Brian Goodall, the Vice President of Business Development at SRS Energy, spoke at the 1st International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels, and Bioproducts on how their company is moving towards commercialization of their AlgaFrac™ System. Unlike
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