by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the heart of the United States focus on bioenergy R&D is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado — supporting feedstock development, bioconversion and understanding markets for new products. NREL’s Justin Sluiter gave this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Loan Program Office of the U.S. Department of Energy recently introduced a number of important updates to the Loan Guarantee Solicitation for Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects as well as to
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technology Office (BETO) and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines.” The
(U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science) Producing fuels from plants and other renewable sources requires breaking down the chemical cellulose; a major candidate to drive, or catalyze, this stubborn chemical is a ubiquitous microorganism called Clostridium thermocellum that works well in hot
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy) Since the publication of the Energy Department’s pivotal 2010 National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, there have been major advancements in the field of algal biofuels research and development. Today, we are announcing
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) The substance of the on-going US Department of Energy renewable energy-related conferences this week comes down to "How do we get customers to buy what we are making?" It's the question at the root
by Jodi Helmer (The Guardian) As the demand for tobacco declines in the US, farmers in Virginia are experimenting with turning the crop into viable biofuel -- ... One two-acre plot stands apart from the rest, its flavour and nicotine content
by Howard Gruenspecht (U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Administration/Iowa Farmer Today) ... Substantially increased use of biofuels can only occur if they can be used in forms other than low-percentage blends of ethanol and biodiesel that account for nearly all of
(Queensland University of Technology) A research partnership between QUT and a US National Laboratory aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop new ways of creating bio-energy from plant material. The biotechnology research partnership will bring together leading US and Australian
(U.S. Department of Energy) Study reports first significant alcohol production by an archaeon. -- The U.S. bioethanol industry depends largely on turning a certain sugar into the simple two-carbon alcohol, the biofuel ethanol. Interest has increased around microorganisms that produce
(Phys.Org) Plant cell walls, which constitute the bulk of plant biomass, are diverse, complex, and dynamic in their structural composition and integrity. Cell walls are innately resistant to deconstruction by biological or chemical catalysts. This property is often referred to
(U.S. Department of Energy) Recycling waste from biofuel production could lower cost for future biorefineries. -- Ionic liquids (ILs) have been shown to be an excellent pretreatment solvent for biomass; the ILs prepare the plant matter to be broken down into
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $16 million in funding to help businesses move promising energy technologies from DOE’s National Laboratories to the marketplace. This first Department-wide round of funding through the Technology
(U.S. Department of Energy) Alison Goss Eng, of the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, Tim Theiss, Laboratory Relationship Manager of the Bioenergy Technologies Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Tim Rials, Director of the Tennessee Forest Products
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) Fundamental enzyme study leads to increased access to bioenergy feedstocks and improves ethanol yield by modifying plant cell wall structures. Lignin is a natural component of plant cell walls, the scaffolding that surrounds each cell and plays a
by Robert Miller (TC Palm) ... The oil industry doesn't want ethanol to go away, but it doesn't want to give up any more market. It needs the low-cost oxygenate as refineries have been retooled to run more profitably by producing a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Poor DME. it burns like natural gas, handles like LPG, powers like diesel, and it’s as well-known as a good place for sewing machine repair in Burundi. San Diego-based Oberon Fuels has been the one consistent
(Phys.Org) A jar of bio-oil, an alternate “crude oil” for transportation fuels currently made from petroleum, is created by first rapidly heating plant matter in a process called pyrolysis. Scientists then use catalysts to remove oxygen and convert the pyrolysis oil
by Corinne Young and Michele Jalbert (re:chem/Biofuels Digest) A Billion Ton Bioeconomy. For those of us who have worked in this space for the last decade, the US government’s aspiration to grow the sector to such size and scope is music
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library is a physical sample repository and database for physical, chemical and conversion performance characteristics of biomass feedstock. The library provides tools to store, record, track, retrieve, and analyze data to help researchers and industry overcome challenges
by Terry Mazanec and KSL (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) A major theme of 21st Century industrial development will be replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources in the production of fuels and chemicals. Due to their massive scale and cost,
by Keith L. Kline, Siwa Msangi, Virginia H. Dale, Jeremy Woods, Glaucia M. Souza, Patricia Osseweijer, Joy S. Clancy, Jorge A. Hilbert, Francis X. Johnson, Patrick C. McDonnell, Harriet K. Mugera (Global Change Biology: Bioenergy) ... Understanding the nexus of food security, bioenergy sustainability, and resource management facilitates achievement of the 2030
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This analysis was presented by Jonny Rogers at ABLC Feedstocks 2016, and is the result of is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), National Laboratories, and various Agency
(Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc./Globe Newswire) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (OTCQB:ALLM) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce that with the senior science officers of a large U.S. ethanol producer present, the CTS process produced fermentable sugars from Distillers Grain (DDG) as
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Feedstock Supply and Logistics Program is responsible for developing technologies to support Advanced Feedstock Supply Systems (AFSS) that
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Between June 6 and 10, the Department of Energy (DOE) held its Annual Merit Review (AMR) in Washington D.C. At the meeting, over 350 national lab activities were evaluated within the Vehicle and Fuel Cell
by Jonathan H Harsch (Agri-Pulse) ... At the heart of the battle is whether it makes sense to transition from fossil fuels to renewables like biofuels, wind, and solar energy. At issue is the choice between steering new investment into renewables as
(Sorghum Checkoff/Biomass Magazine) The Sorghum Checkoff recently announced a $500,000 investment in sorghum research, made at the inaugural Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program field day at the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center in Maricopa, Arizona. This investment follows the
(Michigan State University/AgProfessional.com) ... The study, conducted by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and Michigan State University, found that using nitrogen fertilizer on switchgrass crops sharply increases the amount of nitrous oxide emitted. Switchgrass has been heralded as a significant
(Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee/Federal Register) Deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations is June 30, 2016. The Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (Biomass Act) [Pub. L. 106-224] requires cooperation and coordination in biomass research and development
(Phys.Org) While popular catalysts called zeolites could help turn paper manufacturing waste and other biomass into fuel, the catalyst crumbles after just two days in hot water. And that's a problem because hot water is nearly ubiquitous in biofuel production.
(U.S. Department of Energy/Biomass Magazine) The winner of the 2016 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge was announced during a special awards ceremony on May 11 by Jonathan Male, Director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office. The winning infographic entitled “Cellulosic Ethanol: Fueling the Future,” was
by Jennifer Blackburn (United Sorghum Checkoff Program/MyPlainView.com) The Sorghum Checkoff announced Thursday a $500,000 investment in sorghum research, made at the inaugural Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program field day at the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The signals coming out of Washington DC are so confusing, you might be wondering if there’s going to be a budget for the US Department of Energy for the fiscal year starting this October. ... Meanwhile, the DOE’s
by Jonathan H Harsch (AgriPulse) The 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposed by EPA disappointed both biofuels and fossil fuels advocates. That's because EPA set next year's mandate for corn ethanol at 14.8 billion gallons - 200 million gallons below the level
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Ethanol is often talked about as a high-octane fuel. But not everyone has a clear understanding of octane and how it affects the performance of their cars. So let's start right at the beginning : what is
(Argonne National Laboratory) Developing transformative energy technologies and cleaner manufacturing processes and new materials requires more than a great idea and some committed people. It takes an innovation ecosystem. To meet this challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Ames National Lab, Argonne National Lab, Idaho National Lab, Los Alamos National Lab, the National Renewable Energy Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, and Sandia National Lab seek
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
by David Biello (Scientific American) ... Burning cellulosic ethanol as a fuel could result in just 10 percent of the CO2 emissions produced by burning gasoline. One big secret to making it all work is the advanced biofuel refinery's location right next
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)hy is so biology so challenging? -- “It’s partly how we have done it. We sort through the research, then we design, and then we spend a lot of time in the lab pipetting
(Ames Laboratory) Biomass holds great promise as a petroleum replacement, but unlocking its true potential remains a puzzle. A group of researchers at Iowa State University and the U.S Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory hope to develop the pieces of
(National Biodiesel Board/PR NewsWire) World's experts advance the science of quantifying transportation emissions -- Scientific experts agree that America's Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel, holds significant promise in the effort to reduce carbon emissions. Last year, biodiesel use in the U.S. cut
(Algae Industry Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $10 million in funding for six projects representing innovative technologies and solutions to advance bioenergy development. These projects, located in Arizona, California, North Carolina, Delaware, and Illinois, will support
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) invites students, researchers, public and private organizations, and the general public to submit abstracts for BETO to review and consider for inclusion in the poster session at BETO’s ninth annual conference,Bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To explain the Navy’s marine and aviation biofuels program, Chris Tindal gave the following presentation at ABLC 2016 in February. As we described it earlier this year, “They’re here. $2.05 per gallon, at-scale, domestically produced advanced
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Def Con 2 alert from the biofuels educational and advocacy group (Advanced Biofuels USA) noted a House Subcommittee draft for defense appropriations, which had this language in Section 8132: None of the funds made available
by Sarah Nightingale (University of California Riverside) Charles Wyman, Distinguished Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering and holder of the Ford Motor Company Chair in Environmental Engineering at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), and Charles Cai, research engineer
by Barbara Vergetis Lundin (SmartGridNews.com) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is looking for proposals for a new Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute as part of the Administration's broader National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), which drives collaboration between small- and
(Office of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) 25 Percent of Soybean Oil Processed in U.S. is used for Biodiesel and Bioheat. Ohio Ranks Sixth in the Nation for Soybean Production. -- Today (May 11, 2016), U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) )
by Anmar Frangoul (CNBC.com) ... The DOE added that the U.S. is currently spending around $1 billion every three days on "imported oil." ... The importance of biofuels is only set to increase. A 2011 report from the IEA projects
by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) The critical need to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector has prompted great interest in the advancement of clean energy technologies. The President’s
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Consortium for Algal Biofuel Commercialization (CAB-Comm), led by the University of California, San Diego, has just released its final report, detailing the many accomplishments and impactful contributions achieved in its six years of operation. CAB-Comm
by Katie Elyce Jones (Argonne National Laboratory) Despite the potential benefits, being one of the first businesses or individuals to embrace a new product or technology can be daunting. That's why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE's) Argonne National Laboratory
by Robert Sanders (UC Berkeley/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new analysis of the genetic diversity of cassava will help improve strategies for breeding disease resistance and climate tolerance into the root crop, a staple and major source of calories for a
by Krista Eastman (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Less input, more output. That’s the achievement of a new biomass pretreatment method that could help improve the economics of cellulosic biofuels, the second-generation biofuels made from grasses, wood, and the inedible
by Krista Eastman (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Three U.S. Department of Energy-funded research centers – the BioEnergy Science Center (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (University of Wisconsin–Madison and Michigan State University), and the Joint BioEnergy
by Claire Benjamin (University of Illinois) ... The University of Illinois and the University of Florida have been awarded a third round of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to realize ultra-productive biofuel crops. ... Nearly $300,000 of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s up at the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewables unit ? Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Reuben Sarkar answered the question in this update, given at the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee meeting. In this
by Cory Hatch (Renewable Energy World) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library contains no books. What it does contain is information about biomass — organic material such as corn stover, switchgrass, wood chips and wheat straw. Nearly 50,000 biomass database entries and
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the joint investment of $10 million towards research that will drive more efficient biofuels production
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Energy security remains a top concern, even with growing U.S. supplies of oil, natural gas and renewable energy, said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, kicking off a public forum on energy policies, electric markets and the grid in Des
(U.S. Department of Energy) Recognizing the importance of biofuels to energy and climate security, the Energy Department today announced up to $90 million in project funding focused on designing, constructing and operating integrated biorefinery facilities. The production of biofuels from
(U.S. Department of Energy) Blends of petroleum-based gasoline with 10% ethanol, commonly referred to as E10, account for more than 95% of the fuel consumed in motor vehicles with gasoline engines. Ethanol-blended fuels are one pathway to compliance with elements
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s up at the DOE? Bioenergy Technologies Office Director Jonathan Male answered the question in this update, given at the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee meeting. In this deck, he looks at milestones ahead, programs,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s up at the DOE’s ARPA-E unit — the Advanced Research Projects Agency? Technology to Market advisor Krishna Doraiswamy answered the question in this update, given at the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee meeting. In
by Russell Hubbard (Omaha World-Herald) ... Convenience store operator Kum & Go says it is making a massive commitment to higher gasoline-ethanol blends, planning to sell E15 at about 100 more locations this year. The 430-store chain based in West Des
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted a roundtable discussion with a group of 4-H youth delegates from across the country on April 12, 2016. The roundtable, which was part of the larger
(U.S. Department of Energy) Bioenergy Technologies Office, in partnership with the Vehicle Technologies Office and DOE national laboratories, hosted a stakeholder listening day last June to concurrently investigate the optimization of fuels and vehicles. Formerly called “Optima,” this work is now
(U.S. Department of Energy) Algae absorb nutrients and produce oxygen—ecosystem services that are vital to the health of impaired water bodies like the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico. Energy Department-funded researchers are investigating how to mimic these natural services,
by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) Biomass is a very versatile energy resource. While it can be converted to biofuel for vehicle use, it can also serve as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels in the manufacturing of plastics,
(Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Project Definition for Pilot and Demonstration Scale Manufacturing
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced plans to issue a funding opportunity on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office to support technology development plans for the manufacture
by Christina Couch (MIT Technology Review) Next month, a team of researchers will load one small aerial drone and two ground drones with sensors and release them on a field planted with hundreds of varieties of sorghum. In just one
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Researchers and others interested in establishing a sustainable bioeconomy in the U.S. are taking part in a five-day study tour led by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Approximately 70 attendees from DOE
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “Project Definition for Pilot and Demonstration Scale
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On April 12, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) announced a new funding opportunity aimed at increasing the carbon storage potential of U.S. agricultural soils. Land-use, which includes agriculture, is responsible
(U.S. Department of Energy) Algae absorb nutrients and produce oxygen—ecosystem services that are vital to the health of impaired water bodies like the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico. Energy Department-funded researchers are investigating how to mimic these natural services,
(Tennessee Today) ... Enter Tony Bova and Jeff Beegle, a pair of doctoral candidates in the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, which is run jointly by UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The pair has developed a process to
by Jonathan Male (US Department of Energy) ... From expanding the potential of diverse microbial systems to enhancing the biocatalytic capabilities of enzymes, the application of biotechnology is accelerating the development of the advanced biofuel industry. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy
(US Department of Energy) The 2016 BioenergizeME Social Media Campaign kicks off today with high school students from all over the country sharing their infographics via social media. Check out the infographics on the BioenergizeME Challenge Map starting today through April 22, and be
(US Energy Information Administration) Since 2013, the share of premium gasoline in total motor gasoline sales has steadily increased, reaching 11.3%, the highest share in over a decade, in August and September 2015. While lower gasoline prices may be supporting demand
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuel number crunchers in the know are finding their jobs easier because of a website hosted by the USDA Economic Research Service where the Interagency Council on Agricultural & Rural Statistics pulls together links
by Ivy Tan, Trude Storelvmo, Mark D. Zelinka (Science Magazine) How much global average temperature eventually will rise depends on the Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS), which relates atmospheric CO2concentration to atmospheric temperature. For decades, ECS has been estimated to be between
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A cornerstone of U.S. environmental policy has been the reduction of harmful tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks. Thanks to EPA regulations of mobile sources, air pollutants have been reduced by millions
(Business Wire / Unitel Technologies) -Unitel Technologies announced that Altex Technologies has selected Unitel to provide engineering services to design and build a pilot system that will produce 1 BPD of synthetic gasoline from biomass. This project is funded by
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the DOE’s ARPA-E TERRA projects seek to accelerate the development of sustainable energy crops for the production of renewable transportation fuels from biomass. To accomplish this, the projects uniquely integrate agriculture, information technology,
by Julie Chao (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Berkeley Lab scientist Ee-Been Goh thrives on re-engineering bacteria and mentoring students. -- ... “My mom would say, ‘You used to be the worst in school—why would you want to go for more school?’” Goh
by Valerie Sarisky-Reed (Department of Energy) ... Unfortunately, the American Society of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Report Card gives the wastewater infrastructure in America a D-grade, and says “capital investment needs for the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems are estimated to total $298
(Department of Energy) DOE is considering more significant support for Research & Development (R&D) in carbon use. It is surveying technology approaches and seeking up-to-date information on technologies for beneficially using CO2 captured from fossil-fuel power plants. To complement existing
by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) As of April 4, the federal government's Petroleum Supply Monthly report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration includes more frequent data on ethanol and biodiesel transported by railroads. The EIA now reports monthly rail movements for crude oil, ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office has released the 2016 update of its Multi-Year Program Plan, which serves as an operational guide to help the BETO manage and coordinate its activities. The plan
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy has released its first annual energy employment analysis. The report focuses on how changes in America’s energy profile are affecting national employment in the nation’s multiple energy sectors. According
(AZO CleanTech) A few years ago, petroleum-based products, including gasoline, were not available at affordable prices, unlike the case today. However, the prices are likely to return to the same level in the coming years. Due to this impending scenario, researchers
The US-Israel Binational R&D Foundation (BIRD Foundation) is a joint program of the US Dept of Commerce and Israeli Ministry of Economy and Trade that provides grants up to $1 million for research collaboration between American and Israeli businesses. It's
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last year, we reported that Research & Markets projected the “Nanocellulose Market by Type (Cellulose nanocrystals, Cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocomposites, and others) to reach $250 Million by 2019, signifying annualized CAGR of 19% between 2014 and 2019. Heft growth
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) I just finished reading your article "Renewable Fuel Standard Continues To Devastate," published in February on the High Plains Leader & Times website. ... In fact, your article looks suspiciously like an article that
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today expressed deep appreciation to Lowe’s for responding so quickly to the industry’s request for the store to remove signs that inaccurately warned consumers to not use ethanol blends in small engines. In a
by Suzanne Goldenberg (The Guardian) Arpa-E project deploys drones and robots to breed fast-growing, drought-resistant and greener biofuel from sorghum which could replace corn ethanol -- A US government agency is trying to build a better biofuel, using a higher energy-producing
(Phys.Org) Around the world, researchers are studying microbes to see if these tiny organisms can be used to solve a host of problems, from cleaning up toxic waste to providing renewable energy. Unfortunately, attempts to develop biotechnologies often fall short
(U.S. Department of Energy) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) updated its annual survey of U.S. non-starch ethanol and renewable hydrocarbon biofuels producers. The survey report, titled 2015 Survey of Non-Starch Ethanol and Renewable Hydrocarbon Biofuels Producers, documents important changes
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) seeks feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to “challenges encountered
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... To write this, I talked to Chris Disher and Max Kinast. As Disher said, it’s a story full of controversy, intrigue and lies. And, even though that conversion kit was ultimately certified by the U.S.
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On March 3, two subcommittees associated with the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program. ... Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., defended the DOE’s
by Almuth Ernsting (Independent Science News) ... The disastrous experience with Fischer-Tropsch biofuels is just one part of a much larger failure of cellulosic and algal biofuels, on which billions of dollars of public subsidies have been spent. ... Those are just the largest
(University of Wisconsin-Madison/Phys.Org) For a world hooked on fossil carbons, the vials of amber syrup in Jim Dumesic's lab are full of sweet potential. Dumesic's group caused a stir in research circles and the media in 2014 by publishing a
(U.S. Department of Energy) In an effort to advance the clean energy economy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a new initiative to provide technical assistance and collaborative research and development (R&D) opportunities for small businesses in the
(Industrial Biotechnology) ... My current assessment is that there exists an unlimited sense of opportunity in the biobased products and bioenergy sector. I look at the work being done at the USDA, which is extensive and has been helpful in getting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment (IBCE) and the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Golden Field Office, Bioenergy Technologies Office jointly operate the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE’s second Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR) explores the current state of technologies in key energy sectors and the R&D opportunities present in the mid-term. It is intended to frame a blueprint for DOE energy
by Katie Fehrenbacher (Fortune) ... The ARPA-E Summit is meant to highlight lab research, startups, and corporate R&D projects that the Department of Energy has supported with small grants through its ARPA-E program. That program, which kicked off in 2010,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
The Hydrogen, Hydrocarbons, and Bioproduct Precursors from Wastewaters Workshop was held March 18–19, 2015, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Washington D.C. offices. Sponsored by the DOE's Bioenergy and Fuel Cell Technologies Offices, the
by Reuben Sarkar (Department of Energy) Recently I had the pleasure of briefing members of Congress on EERE’s groundbreaking fuel-engine co-optimization initiative. The new, multi-year project combines previously independent areas of biofuels and engine combustion research and development (R&D) to design
(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Berkeley Lab and Joint BioEnergy Institute scientists harness enzyme in effort to cut pretreatment costs -- Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shown for the first time that
[caption id="attachment_70483" align="alignright" width="260"] LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren visits with Advanced Biofuels USA's Bill Brandon at a pre-conference get-together.[/caption] by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) You might think that annual conferences feel the same year after year. Not true. One of
(Phys.Org) ... Today, scientists are exploring how grasses, and switchgrass in particular, can enrich the nation's biofuel supply, which is currently dominated by corn, a crop relatively easy to convert to biofuel but also in demand for food, livestock feed and
by Karen B. Roberts (University of Delaware) UD scientist's research shows promise in creating sustainable algae-based biofuels -- At the University of Delaware, associate scientist Jennifer Stewart is working to create sustainable algae-based biofuels that could reduce carbon dioxide and other harmful
by Chris Edgington (Globe Gazette) ... Today, energy represents 5.2 cents of every dollar spent on food versus 6.8 cents in 2008. According to the USDA the average grocery bill is up 1 percent in 2015 vs. 2014 and yet the
by David MacNeal (Ars Technica) The facility smell? “That’s money,” Todd French says. “That’s what it smells like.” -- “By the time it gets here, David, it’s no longer my poop,” says microbiologist Todd French with conviction. “I don’t want
(Algae Industry Magazine) President Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget request was released earlier this month, proposing increased funding levels for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The request proposes $278.9 million for the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), which is
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Ask a biofuel researcher to name the single greatest technical barrier to cost-effective ethanol, and you’re likely to receive a one-word response: lignin. Cellulosic ethanol—fuel derived from woody plants and waste biomass—has the potential to become an
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Held Feb. 15 to 17 in New Orleans, the NEC painted a strong future for the ethanol industry in the speakers addressing the conference theme, “Fueling a High Octane Future.” Following the state
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee has recommended “targeting a potential 30% penetration of biomass carbon into the U.S. transportation market by 2030 in a sustainable and cost-effective manner to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas impacts,
For Immediate Release February 12, 2016—Frederick, MD Advanced Biofuels USA correspondent Robert E. Kozak analyses the potential for a reinvigorated US shale oil/gas industry with and without government subsidies; and compares it to the potential for near-term growth of renewable sustainable clean,
by Krista Eastman (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) An assistant research specialist at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) has designed a new strain of yeast that could improve the efficiency of making fuel from cellulosic biomass such as switchgrass. Both the yeast
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking input from industry, academia, national laboratories, and other biofuels and bioproducts stakeholders to identify existing pilot- or process development-scale facilities with the capability to perform process verifications for biomass
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On February 9, 2016, President Obama released his $4.15 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2017 federal budget proposal, a 5 percent increase over 2016. In his final budget request, President Obama is seeking to increase funding
Efforts to promote a sustainable use of natural resources are not a waste of money, but rather an investment capable of providing other economic benefits in the medium term. If we look at the larger picture, we can see that
(Phys.org/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Researchers at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) say better understanding of a bacterium could lead to cheaper production of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels. Their discovery was
(Algae Industry Magazine) A new biorefinery process developed by scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has proven to be significantly more effective at producing ethanol from algae than previous research. The process, dubbed Combined Algal Processing (CAP), is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sandia’s Bioenergy and Defense Technologies department, which is part of Sandia’s Biological and Materials Sciences Center, supports mission areas in biodefense, emerging infectious disease, and biofuels. The department conducts fundamental research in cell biology, immunology, and microbiology,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You may not know it, but you are short on hydrogen. Right now. We live in a hydrogen-starved world, and it’s expensive to make. And most of what we make is unsustainable, produced from fossil sources.
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) I really enjoyed learning about research into midlevel ethanol blends from Timothy Theiss and Brian West, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "E25, E40 for the masses" went live on our website last week
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Take it to the Extreme, with these microscopic wonders that are changing the way we pursue sustainable fuels, renewable chemicals and biobased materials. -- These days, researchers are turning up life forms trapped under hundreds of
by Robert E. Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) In looking at a way to jump-start this country’s bogged down production of biomass-based jetfuel (Jet-A, JP-5, JP-8) and rocket fuel (RP-1/2), the early history of the US space program should serve as
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Widely introducing consumers to 'super premium' ethanol blends could offer substantial benefits, but the barriers to making it happen are significant as well. -- Which needs to come first, a new high-octane midlevel ethanol
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced up to $11.3 million in funding to develop flexible biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that can be modified to produce advanced fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand.
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Some of the estimated 4 million premature deaths each year attributed to indoor cookstove smoke might be prevented because of the work of researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Colorado State University and Envirofit International. With 3
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Real-world Industrial Ecology Projects and NREL’s Sustainable Mobility projects show a way forward that EPCOT once charted in our stars. -- ... After all, as population and affluence rise, so too grow the demands for
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels”. This FOA supports BETO’s goal of
(Algae Industry Magazine) The new algae raceway testing facility, opening February 4 at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California, paves a direct path between laboratory research and solving the demand for clean energy, according to lab researchers. “The success of moving
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) National Renewable Energy Lab principal engineer Robert McCormick presented results at the 2016 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Tampa, Florida, Jan. 25-28, from a recent study on biodiesel stability in high-pressure common rail (HPCR)
by Corinne Young and Michele Jalbert (Biofuels Digest/re:chem Alliance) For all of 2015’s turbulence in the renewable chemical sector, in one area – US government policy – the industry saw marked progress. For the last two years, the Renewable Chemical &
(US Department of Energy) Learn about recent updates in thermochemical biomass conversion science from BETO Director Dr. Jonathan Male, who discusses exciting breakthroughs presented during tcbiomass2015: The International Conference on Thermochemical Conversion Science in November 2015 in this short video.
(U.S. Department of Energy) In 2010, the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB) was formed to further understand the impacts of algae on overall biomass and liquid transportation fuel production. The consortium consisted of 39 partner institutions and primarily
(US Department of Energy) Argonne National Laboratory released a study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) that examines the potential effects of future biofuel production on freshwater resources in the Missouri River Basin—a region that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A primer worth knowing is “The Feasibility of Producing and Using Biomass-Based Diesel and Jet Fuel in the United States”, prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory . It evaluates the technical and economic feasibility
by Robert E. Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This weekend the 49th Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona kicks off the American sports car racing season. It promises to be one of the best with the brand new EcoBoost Ford GT joining
(National Energy Technology Laboratory) The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has granted a license for two patented sorbent technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from streams of mixed gases and enable cleaner, more-efficient energy production from renewable fuels. The license was
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