by Valerie Sarisky-Reed (U.S. Department of Energy) Biofuels have been proven to emit significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than petroleum-based fuels, and recent scientific studies indicate that net-zero emission biofuels are not only possible, but achievable. Corn ethanol and other biofuels are essential in America’s transition to a clean energy economy
Algae/Other Aquatic Organisms/Seaweed
by Ulrika Bergström (Swedish Research Council/Phys.Org) Microalgae can recover greenhouse gases and nutrients from industrial waste. This technology can be used to reduce climate footprint and eutrophication. Lina Mattsson’s dissertation in ecology shows that microalgae can also be used in the Nordic climate, which has previously been considered a challenge as
by Sheila Van Cuyk (U.S. Department of Energy) The potential for advancing algal biofuels and bioproducts relies on using algae strains that are best suited for industrial production. Genomic sequence data—the functional information in the DNA of a specific organism such as algae—can reveal the genes and regulatory mechanisms that control how
by Mehak Agarwal (Business Today India) The company’s Instagram handle shared a 51-second-long video clip of the same and wrote, “Fuel from algae? You heard that right! Our scientists have developed cutting-edge innovative capabilities for algae strain development, cultivation, and harvesting.” — Mumbai-headquartered energy to telecom bellwether Reliance Industries (RIL) announced
(U.S. Department of Energy) America’s car, truck, and train wheels keep turning, while planes and boats take to the skies and oceans, releasing 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere every year. Breakthroughs from the U.S. Department of Energy Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative could make
by Gaulthier Blangez* (Time to Fly and Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA, in collaboration with Time to Fly, is proud to publish a guide to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for a general audience, for corporations working on ESG (environment, social and governance) efforts, as well as for potential investors.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) The big question lately – is there enough feedstock available to meet the increased demand for renewable diesel? Pete Rocha, EVP at Lee Enterprises Consulting, shares this illuminating slide guide on how more feedstock is required to support RD growth, which feedstock of the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) …Airbus Helicopters in Japan and Japan’s leading helicopter operator Nakanihon Air (NNK) jointly performed the country’s first ever helicopter flight powered with sustainable aviation fuel. So this made us look at SAF and helicopters in a whole new way. In today’s Digest, details on
by Melina Walling (Arizona Republic/AZ Central) … Scientists in Arizona have been cultivating algae for several years, but this time, ASU researchers are working on a project with the city of Mesa in hopes of turning wastewater byproducts into fuel and other products. They want to harness the way algae naturally
(Airbus) Airbus Helicopters in Japan and Japan’s leading helicopter operator Nakanihon Air (NNK) have jointly performed the country’s first ever helicopter flight powered with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). NNK’s H215 helicopter conducted a 30-minute flight at Nagoya Airport in Aichi Prefecture today. The aircraft was fueled with 600 litres of “SUSTEO

The Seagriculture Conference USA 2022 gathers top speakers, who will share their know-how within seaweed for feed, food, offshore cultivation, biorefinery of seaweed and much more. The two-day program will go into the many different applications of seaweed that exist now and will combine plenary sessions with interactive poster presentations,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Yes, biological ocean carbon sequestration could help prevent catastrophic climate change, according to Christopher Barry from SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers). How? What are the physical and biological options? What are the moving parts that can make it happen? What are the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Can you imagine running a computer chip on algae – yes, algae – for more than six months? Apparently, that’s now possible thanks to biochemists at the University of Cambridge who created the biobased battery alternative to power small electronics during their “pandemic project”. And
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) funds research and development (R&D) on technologies necessary for the deployment and production of cost- competitive bioenergy, primarily biofuels. Results of experimental efforts are periodically compiled and compared with benchmark technology designs to assess overall progress. This
(Research and Markets/Globe Newswire) The “Algae Biofuel Market – Forecasts from 2022 to 2027” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The global algae biofuel market is estimated to show growth from US$5.022 billion in 2020 to US$9.033 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 8.75%. The key factor driving the growth is the demand
(Viridos/Business Wire) La Jolla-based biotechnology company to bring more than 70 high-paying jobs to Imperial Valley as part of State of California incentive program — Viridos, a privately held biotechnology company harnessing the power of photosynthesis to create transformative solutions to mitigate climate change, has been awarded the prestigious California Competes
by Brian Heater (Tech Crunch/Yahoo!) Don’t call it a pivot, exactly — but it’s a fascinating journey, nonetheless. Umaro Foods, which is set to release a seaweed-based bacon replacement, entered the world as Trophic. The firm, which is now technically a subsidiary of the former, was formed to compete for the
Sustainable, renewable FUELS are key to achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development GOALS to transform our WORLD. Food, feed and fuel co-products OFTEN result from sustainable, renewable fuel production; and using climate SMART agricultural practices to produce feedstock WHILE sequestering carbon help us REACH Goal #2 Zero Hunger. Certainly,
(U.S. Department of Energy) 15 teams are advancing as finalists in the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2022–2023 AlgaePrize competition. Finalist teams were selected based on their 10-page research synopsis which described each team’s research plan for their proposed project within the AlgaePrize’s areas of interest. Each team’s research
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) On this Earth Day, we highlight a very green organization – literally green – Algae for Future. This Portugal-based biotech company has the world’s largest algae cascade raceway and is designing, building, and operating commercial-scale microalgae production facilities. In today’s Digest, an exclusive Digest Q&A with
by George Waldenberger and Sarah Wilson (WFTV.com) From fish kills to ongoing high manatee mortality, algae is a major problem for Florida waterways. A pilot program to fight the issue at Lake Jesup is in its second phase, turning algae into biofuel. A barge has been harvesting the soupy green algae from
Israeli Research Identifies an Algal Strain that Can Help Make Green Hydrogen on an Industrial Scale
by Amalyah Hart (Cosmos) Green-age mutant ninja algae! — A new study from Tel Aviv University has identified a strain of algae that may help produce environmentally sustainable green hydrogen on the scale required to suit industrial production. … But the production of green hydrogen using solar panels is expensive, because
by Daniel B. Fishman and Anne Otwell (U.S. Department of Energy) National laboratories discover the telltale signs of algae distress to target effective treatments and mitigate crop collapse. — Algae are an exciting renewable feedstock for the future of sustainable fuels and products. One particularly interesting application, which the U.S.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you want to know what is being done to overcome current limitations for conversion of algae biomass to fuels and bioproducts by efficient utilization of proteins and carbohydrates, which are the dominant components of algae biomass at high growth rate and more, check out
by Alex Brown (PEW Stateline) … The state’s permitting process involves nine different agencies, and the paperwork is so burdensome and time-consuming that few people bother. “There’s a lot of people who are interested in seaweed farming, take a look at that [permitting] flowchart, and decide there’s just no functional way,”
(Bloomberg/Algae Planet) Honda Motor Co. is considering the commercialization of its algae-growing carbon capture technology, reports Shiho Takezawa in Japan’s Nikkei newspaper. The carmaker will test mass production of algae this fall and build a new facility of about 1,000 square meters (10,760 square feet), according to the newspaper. Honda
(Asia News Network/Phnom Penh Post) Efforts to reuse cooking oil and food waste as biofuel are spreading among Japan’s restaurant chains and food manufacturers. In addition to being an effective way to recycle cooking waste, such efforts are gaining attention as a means of decarbonising delivery and production processes. Nagoya-based food
(Embraer) Fuji Dream Air charter flight FDA8100 on March 16 was no ordinary one-hour hop from Shizuoka to Nagoya Komaki Airport. The tea-green E175 flew using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the first time for the airline. FDA has partnered with Euglena, a Tokyo-based company that pioneered the outdoor mass cultivation technology
(AECOM) AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced it has signed a strategic agreement with Genifuel Corporation to scale production of carbon neutral sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biogas from wild algae and biosolids. The partnership employs a patent-pending process developed by AECOM to harvest wild algae and a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)… The world desperately needs an alternative to fossil hydrocarbons. AlgEternal (www.algeternal.com) solves this problem by growing microalgae at scale faster, more reliably, cleaner and at a lower cost for use as alternative feedstock in multiple products and for carbon capture, water treatment, and soil rejuvenation.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bruce Dannenberg, CEO of Phytonix shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC Connect highlighting how Phytonix utilizes cyanobacteria engineered via synthetic biology to produce 1-butanol and potentially other higher alcohols. And there’s a sister company, CyanoMega, producing a novel microalgae for the sustainable production for
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ABLC’s theme of “Dawn of Net Zero” and hundreds of delegates from organizations all over the world grappling with the immense opportunities and supply chain challenges posed by the world’s rapid turn towards charting a path toward a post-fossil society. After hearing from leaders
by Jacob Dykes (Geographical) … Hydrogen, in both its liquid and gaseous forms, is light and powerful. If the supply chain can be made greener and cheaper, it’s seen by some as the long-term solution to decarbonising aviation. But others point to its constraints, in terms of both safety and capacity.
by Blair Fannin (Texas A&M University/AgriLife Today) Jet fuel, animal feed among potential products from algae — Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are using artificial intelligence to set a new world record for producing algae as a reliable, economic source for biofuel that can be used as an alternative fuel source

he 2022 Algae Biomass Summit will once again be a virtual conference, to be held October 3-28, 2022. We are continuing the virtual format to maximize global participation in this important event, and to leverage the online collaboration tools that have proven so successful for Summit attendees and sponsors. Join
by Rebecca White, Lieve Laurens, Nate Kommers (Algae Biomass Organization/Biofuels Diges) Among the dozens of policy innovations that Congress must consider in climate change legislation is a tool that could help trigger the next stage in decarbonizing one of the most significant industries in the world: aviation. The provision is a
(U.S. Department of Energy ) On December 1, 2021, a United 737 Max 8 carried more than 100 passengers from Chicago to Washington, D.C.—just one of roughly 87,000 flights over the United States that day. Reporters and TV crews gathered to meet the travelers on the tarmac because this flight differed
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM’s) Carbon Utilization Program announced up to $19 million in federal funding for the advancement of technologies that utilize
by Will Thurmond (Emerging Markets) Renewable Diesel & Sustainable Aviation Fuels 2030, Vol 2. (249 pages, September 2021) provides a detailed analysis and outlook for low-carbon feedstock availability, and a feasibility assessment for technology commercialization pathways in sustainable aviation fuels and low-carbon renewable diesel production. INTRODUCTION AND TABLE OF CONTENTS
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 5 million tons of CO2 reduction by 2025 and 100% of their energy products to be from renewable sources in 2040 are part of SHV Energy’s ambitions. How does renewable propane and bioLPG fit in? What was the Sustainable Fuels Open Innovation Challenge, how does
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cyamonia Bio’s tech for the production of organic ammonia based on atmospheric nitrogen fixation just might be disrupting a multi-billion dollar industry of nitrogen fertilizer production and instead contributing to more sustainable food production. How do they compare to PivotBio and Azotic Tech? Where are
(The Fish Site) Researchers with Montana State University have been awarded a series of grants totalling $6.4 million to identify ways algae can be used for biofuels and other products as it removes carbon dioxide from the air. — Building on more than a decade of MSU research on the
(Michigan State University/Phys.Org) A new study from the Michigan State University-Department of Energy (DOE) Plant Research Laboratory (PRL) shows how some algae can protect themselves when the oxygen they produce impairs their photosynthetic activity. The discovery also answers a long-standing question about how algae survive when CO2 levels are low. The findings
(Bio Market Insights) … They source excess algal sludge from natural habitats all over the world, processing it into algae-based resin pellets trademarked under the brand name BLOOM. Manufacturers can blend BLOOM pellets with conventional petrochemical-based materials. Ryan Hunt encountered the plastic potential of algae as a graduate student at
(U.S. Department of Energy)Launched in January 2022, the AlgaePrize is a new competition from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) that encourages students to pursue innovative ideas for the development, design, and invention of technologies within the commercial algae value chain.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) From algal-based wastewater treatment plants and purification ponds with biofuels/co-products in California to aviation fuels and algae strain improvements, MicroBio is leading R&D and innovation of microalgae cultivation for bio products. Get all the details from MicroBio’s CEO John Benemann in this illuminating slide
(University of Exeter) Bacteria modified to produce fuel on demand have been produced by University of Exeter researchers in collaboration with energy and petrochemicals group Shell. Academics led by Professor John Love have found a way to get the organisms to produce fuel nearly identical to diesel. This will help meet future fuel demands
by Brandie Jefferson (Washington University in St. Louis) Using wastewater to produce biomass has some drawbacks, namely, ‘what you get is messy’ — Growing algae in wastewater has been a hot topic in research for years. News reports for decades have touted the latest research as bringing us within reach of new
(Bio Market Insights) Europe’s first and only carbon-negative biorefinery has opened in Istanbul. The 2,500 square metre facility will create jet fuel from algae whilst capturing 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Mustafa Varank, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, says they want Turkish Airlines to carry out its
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Auburn University was recently awarded more than $1 million in research grants from the state of Alabama to support projects that aim to produce jet and diesel fuels from woody biomass and convert organic waste into biobased plastics. The awards were made through the Alabama Research
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In recent days, we’ve had 10 stories that shook the world. The players are so big, the technologies so ambitious, the scale so huge and the risks in some cases so high — we’ve grouped them together into one Big Story. These are ‘Quakers, as in
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) How can algae crop protection facilitate scaling of the algae industry? That’s what a BETO workshop focused on when it gathered experts in algal research and production, regulatory bodies and agriculture/aquaculture experts, to discuss where comparable issues have been solved or solutions are under
(Bioenergy Insight) Innovative biomass projects across the UK can now bid for a share of £26 million (€30.4 million) in government funding. Biomass, which is backed by the independent Climate Change Committee, will be an important part of the UK’s renewable energy mix, helping it to reach net-zero emissions by
by Hugo Martin (Los Angeles Times/Aviation Pros) … In a first, one of the two engines on the 737 Max 8 was powered exclusively by fuel made from used cooking oil and rendered waste fat from beef, pork and chicken. Refined at a Southern California plant, the fuel produces about 80%
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As you wait for the clock countdown to 2022 today, check out this slide guide from Mike McCurdy, Managing Director of Fuels & Power at ICF on how sustainable aviation fuels are taking off in the near term with the latest projected figures for 2022
by Jay Stowe (GE Aviation/Biobased Diesel Daily) After leading USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on a tour of the engine development assembly facility at GE Aviation’s headquarters in Evendale, Ohio, in early December, chief engineer Chris Lorence posed a rhetorical question to the reporters assembled for a news conference: “What does the
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) empowers energy companies and aviation stakeholders by supporting advances in research, development, and demonstration to overcome barriers for widespread deployment of low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF made from renewable biomass and waste resources have the potential to deliver the performance of
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office supports public and private partners that work to improve and increase the use of algae for production of biofuels and bioproducts. This fact sheet provides an overview of this support. Algae: A Single Cell for Multiple Solutions Fact Sheet
(Shoolini University) To purify urban wastewater for reuse, researchers develop a new algae-based bioremediation method — … Recently, based on the fascinating potential of algae to remove a large number of chemical pollutants and various bacteria from water, scientists have developed a new eco-friendly, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for urban
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How can we meet sustainable aviation fuel demand? Check out this ABLC 2021 slide guide from Syed Ali from UOP Renewable Fuels on all their available drop-in renewable fuels, current plants operating using their tech for renewable diesel and jet fuel, their first commercial SAF
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Advanced Biofuels Association commissioned LMC International to forecast the outlook for supply of lipid feedstocks to determine their ability to meet the ABFA’s goal of reaching 21 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel (BBD) by 2040 and 9 billion gallons of BBD by 2030. So
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) In the Push To Settle the Red Planet, One Startup Company Thinks NREL’s Ethylene-Emitting Cyanobacteria Offer Otherworldly Potential — Do not expect to breathe freely in the oxygen-lean Martian air. At about 95% carbon dioxide (CO2) by volume, Mars’ atmosphere would quickly lead to asphyxiation, at least
(Biofuels International) Mazda has participated in the Super Taikyu Race in Okayama and ran a car powered by biofuels. The Japanese car manufacturer entered a car with a conventional diesel engine (Skyactiv-D 1.5) that ran on 100% bio-based fuel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats. Mazda is a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You may know Iogen as the cellulosic ethanol tech and biofuel company, but did you know they are now deploying low-carbon hydrogen? Check out this slide guide from ABLC in San Francisco on net zero fuels and biomass-based fuels, which ones they think have the
by Mary Ann Showalter (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Bioenergy experts identify critical areas, opportunities for bringing technology to aviation industry — A report has been published summarizing a workshop designed to accelerate the commercialization of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The report, “Hydrothermal Liquefaction: Path to
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Check out remarks from Jim Lane, Editor & Publisher of The Digest on rationale, forecast, the top news and storylines, feedstocks, genetics, crops, supply chain and more on the state of advanced biofuels and biorefining in this exclusive Digest-only State of the Industry. READ
(Viridos/Business Wire) Viridos low-carbon intensity biofuels may substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a sustainable and scalable option to help reduce GHG emissions in heavy-duty transportation — –Viridos Inc., previously Synthetic Genomics, a privately held biotechnology company harnessing the power of photosynthesis to create transformative solutions to help mitigate climate change,
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Barriers to Scale: Algae Crop Protection Workshop covered the topic of algae crop protection to facilitate scaling of the algae industry. The workshop convened experts in algal research and production, as well as from those outside the industry such as regulatory bodies and agriculture/aquaculture experts, to discuss where
by Sergey Nuzhdin, Kristen Davis, Meredith Brooks, Ann Carpenter, Pierre Wensel, and Cindy Wilcox, (Cluster for Sustainable Seaweed Solutions (CS3)/Biofuels Digest) .. (A) similar marine “Blue Revolution” is the potential key to meet global demand for biofuel, feed, and food security in an environmentally friendly way, without the requirements for fresh
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced its intent to issue a second funding opportunity to support the scale-up of biofuel and bioproduct biorefineries. The DOE issued an initial funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in April 2021 and in August
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ABLC 2021 has come and gone with its theme of ““building a bridge to Net Zero” and 560 delegates from 300 organizations grappling with the immense opportunities and supply chain challenges posed by the world’s rapid turn towards charting a path toward a post-fossil society. We
(Russian Foundation for Basic Research/NewsWise) RUDN University chemist together with colleagues from India, Russia and South Africa showed that green microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana can be used for cleaning wastewater from a toxic pyrene. Algae absorb pyrene and at the same time change their metabolism to adapt to stressful conditions. As a result, more
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) In theory, over 1 billion tons of biomass could be sustainably collected and processed into biofuels by 2030 in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Energy analysis. But turning that theory into practice hinges on improvements in how biomass is grown, collected, and processed. This
(Georgia Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a concept that would make Martian rocket fuel, on Mars, that could be used to launch future astronauts back to Earth. The bioproduction process would use three resources native to the red planet: carbon dioxide, sunlight, and frozen
(Fuels Europe) A new study by Imperial College London Consultants concludes that the potential availability of sustainable biomass, with no harm to biodiversity, could support an advanced and waste-based biofuel production of up to 175 Mtoe in 2050. This conclusion reinforces a study by Concawe showing that advanced and waste-based biofuels,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … So, here’s what our intrepid team led by Jeffrey Blackburn and Wei Xiong did. Knowing that plants have two systems inside them for photosynthesis, and that the second doesn’t play well with others, the genetically engineered cyanobacteria to shut down the pathway and then snapped the re-imagined cell to
(Chevron Lummus Global) Chevron Lummus Global LLC (CLG) today announced the expansion of its technology portfolio with the addition of its new ISOTERRA process for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass sources. The two-step process involves hydrodeoxygenation of alternative feeds such as vegetable, algae, palm and used
by Amanda Barry (Los Alamos National Laboratory) … When we talk about algae, we’re really talking about a diverse group of organisms that thrive in a plethora of environments, from seawater to freshwater, from pulp mill ponds to hot springs. Some are strict phototrophs and can only use light for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Whether you are using novel crops, residues, developing supply-chains, or developing new feedstocks for the bioeconomy, this is an exclusive Digest slide guide you won’t want to miss! Straight from our recent State of the Sector presentation at ABLC CONNECT. READ MORE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Photosynthetic microalgae have been metabolizing CO2 for billions of years in the oceans and lakes of planet Earth and are suitable to tackle planetary-scale CO2 emissions. The resulting biomass has a multitude of uses ranging from (renewable) fuel to fertilizer to feed. … CBC

We are excited to invite you to attend, either virtually or in-person, the 13th IWA Specialist Conference in Wastewater Ponds and Algal Technologies, 3-6 July 2022 (WPAT22), which will be hosted in Melbourne, Australia, only a few hours drive from the spectacular Great Ocean Road and some of the best wine
by Steven Hermans (Phyconomy) Former CEO of Catalina Sea Ranch Phil Cruver is developing a submersible cage system to take tropical seaweed farming offshore and into a new era. In addition to providing higher yields, the cages should also protect from predators, storms and ice-ice disease. In 2010, KZO Sea Farms developed
by Christopher M. Matthews (Wall Street Journal) The oil giant, under pressure to address climate change, says it is getting closer to making the biofuel viable — Some scientists regard Exxon Mobil Corp.’s long-running quest to turn algae into a transportation fuel as little more than a PR stunt. The oil
by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) Two major industrial collaborations have been established in Japan to progress ambitions for large-scale production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country, writes Tony Harrington. In the first project, sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, six prominent corporations have joined forces to demonstrate the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) SAF agreements with airlines and airports, renewable polymers and chemicals sales and partnerships going up globally, production in Singapore and Rotterdam taking off, M&A action, and more is helping Neste achieve 2030 goals. Get all the latest details on Neste’s business segments, strategy moving forward,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed this slide guide from ABLC Digital on what it will take for advanced biofuels to take off further, here’s your chance! Haldor Topsoe leaders cover thoughts on legislation, feedstocks, biofuel production, solid to liquid technologies, upgrading of biocrudes, and more. READ MORE
by Rebekah Orton (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Phys.Org) … Biologist Scott Edmundson, who has studied photosynthetic algal cultivation for bioproduct generation for more than 15 years, suggests that if algae-derived antivirals show promise in clinical trials, their extraction could help make biofuels more economically feasible. “We’ve proved it is technically feasible to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest reported a few days ago on the Biden administration’s goal of reaching 3 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050 but how do we get there? NREL shares this illuminating slide guide on how to reach
by Christine Billau (University of Toledo) The U.S. Department of Energy awarded The University of Toledo a $3.2 million grant to continue advancing technology that speeds up the capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to grow algae, a critical part of the process of turning algae into biofuel. It’s part
(U.S. Department of Energy) Projects align with administration’s new goal of decarbonizing the aviation sector by 2050 – – As part of a White House roundtable to launch the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Grand Challenge to decarbonize the aviation sector by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $64.7 million in funding for projects focused on producing cost-effective, low-carbon biofuels. These investments will advance technologies to create replacements for petroleum fuels used in heavy-duty forms of transportation, like airplanes and
(White House) New Actions Aim to Produce Three Billion Gallons of Sustainable Fuel, Reduce Aviation Emissions by 20% by 2030, and Grow Good-Paying, Union Jobs — Today (September 9, 2021), President Biden is taking steps to coordinate leadership and innovation across the federal government, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, fuel producers, airports, and
(South Africa Today) • A startup in western Kenya has developed a process of making bioethanol from water hyacinths, addressing both the need for a clean fuel alternative to charcoal and fuelwood, and the spread of the invasive hyacinths. Proponents say a key advantage of this “second-generation” bioethanol over traditional
(Biofuels International) Waste from milk factories and breweries could be put to good use in fighting climate change, according to scientists at Green Fuels Research. The Gloucestershire-based company in the UK has won funding under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme for its Microalgae
by Will Thurmond (Emerging Markets Online/Biofuels Digest) A new study titled Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation 2030, Vol 2 (September, 2021) has discovered some surprising answers and useful insights to key questions regarding feedstock availability, scale up, partnerships and from 2020 to 2030 where many states and nations have targets. For example,
(Colorado State University) Colorado State University scientists are partners in a three-year grant of up to $3.5 million from the Department of Energy, aimed at improving how algae-based biofuels and bioproducts are made. The Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office has announced its support for the project, titled “Rewiring Algal Carbon Energetics for
(Laois News/Grant Engineering) Grant Engineering, Ireland’s leading home heating appliance manufacturer, has invested over €250,000 in pioneering a major R&D breakthrough that could help reduce carbon emissions in rural and hard to heat homes throughout Ireland, including homes in Laois. The breakthrough will also help prevent Irish homeowners from incurring
(Emerging Markets Online) New study! Renewable Diesel & Sustainable Aviation Fuels 2030, Vol 2. (249 pages, August 2021) focuses on low-carbon feedstock availability, technology pathways for low carbon renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation production. Renewable Diesel & Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) 2030 covers four key areas: 1) renewable diesel producer case studies
by Scarlett Evans (Bio Market Insights) … Now, a team from Colorado State University (CSU) is working to boost algae crop growth to reach industrial levels, with the team being awarded $3.2m from the US Department of Energy (DOE) in support of this goal earlier this month. We took a closer
(Japan Times/Nippon.com) The Japanese aviation industry is making serious efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions as the government has declared a goal of achieving carbon neutrality in the country by 2050. The industry hopes to utilize sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, made from plant-based ingredients to reduce CO2 emissions from burning
(Algae Biomass Organization) The Algae Biomass Organization’s annual Summit each fall is an opportunity to highlight the work and progress in the algae industry. This year, the Summit will be fully virtual, and the Main Stage programming will be held September 28-30. The award recipient will be announced as part of the Main
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Want your most perplexing questions of the year answered? If you missed the last DigestConnect of the season, then check out this Q&A slide guide on RD, SAF, RNG, CellEth, DME, PET, BDO, LPG, foods, chems, Therm vs Ferm, IPOs, RFS, LCFS, algae, genetics, waste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae biofuel AND high value co-products from residuals across algae strains? Are there co‐products that lead to increased LEA value, while maintaining biofuel production, to drive down the overall cost of biofuel? That is what the Consortium is tackling via marine algae strain selection, production
(U.S. Department of Energy) 11 University- and Industry-Led Projects will Develop Biomass Resources to Convert to Low-Carbon Fuel for Planes and Ships — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $34 million in funding for 11 projects that will support high-impact research and development to improve and produce biofuels,
by Kelsey Adkisson (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Newswise) Possibility of cheaper, greener fuel for remote, coastal Alaska communities — Kelp is plentiful in remote, coastal Alaska. Fuel is not. And it’s expensive. Many isolated communities rely on diesel generators for energy because they are not connected to pipelines or the electrical grid.
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) In a series of floating seaweed farms off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, a catamaran travels back and forth through lines of dangling red algae. Custom technology on board automatically harvests and replants the seaweed, which quickly grows several feet long. The system is designed
(Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG)/Surest Informa (Google Translation)) … The researcher pointed out that thanks to this line of research and the projects that have derived from it, it has been possible to model chemical processes such as the production of biodiesel from waste from grease traps and also biological processes
by Maxine Joselow (E&E News Climatewire) Two years ago, Exxon Mobil Corp. took to Twitter to promote its research into algae biofuel. The oil giant tweeted a photo of swirling beakers of bright green liquid to its hundreds of thousands of followers. “We’re researching algae biofuel with about 40% of its mass as fat,
(Vanderbilt University School of Engineering) A new, $1.5 million Department of Energy grant brings together experts from three institutions to parse the metabolism of a blue-green algae that holds great promise for biofuel production. The team, led by Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Jamey Young, will take a systems biology
(Carnegie Science) Carnegie’s Arthur Grossman and Stanford University’s Ellen Yeh were awarded a $900, 000 grant this spring from the university’s public-private partnership Strategic Energy Alliance to research the synthesis of biofuels from a species of green microalgae called Botryococcus braunii. Scientists from a diversity of research areas, including plant and algal
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) Seaweed farming could be a potent weapon in the fight against climate change. But can it scale? — In a series of floating seaweed farms off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, a catamaran travels back and forth through lines of dangling red algae. Custom technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Evaluating sustainable scale up of algae production systems, algal biofuels, and algal bioproducts is no easy task, but scientists at Argonne National Lab are looking into this by looking at the life cycle analysis of advanced algal systems to see just how feasible it really
by Carly Nairn (Mongabay) – Algae biofuel initially looked promising, but a few key problems have thwarted major research efforts, including development of a strain of algae able to produce plentiful cheap fuel, and scaling up to meet global energy demand. – Other alternative energy solutions, including wind and solar
(Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator) MEIA ‘s 2021 Pitch Competition was a smashing success. Congratulations to Grand Prize winner Manta Biofuel, and Audience Choice co-winners InventWood and Manta Biofuel. Did you miss the event? Watch the video and pitches here. Owings Mills-based Manta Biofuel was named the Grand Prize winner of the
(TotalEnergies and Veolia/Business Wire) TotalEnergies and Veolia (Paris:VIE) have joined forces to accelerate the development of microalgae cultivation using CO2. The two partners will pool their know-how to develop a four-year research project at the La Mède biorefinery, operated by TotalEnergies, with the long-term goal of producing biofuel. Through photosynthesis, microalgae
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) We’ve covered food made from air here, but Germany-based company Made of Air has developed a bioplastic derived from burnt plant and forestry waste, or biochar, that can be used in many ways. So far, H&M’s sunglasses and HexChar panels installed on the facade of an Audi
(American Institute of Physics/Phys.Org) For more than 60 years, algae have been studied as a potential feedstock for biofuel production, but the cellulose in their cell wall makes it hard to access the critical molecules inside and convert them to biogas. In the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, an international research
by Lieve Laurens (Algae Biomass Organization) The second annual Technical Standards Focus Group convened in early June 2021 to revisit some of the technical considerations and priorities for guidance development that were highlighted after the inaugural working group meeting in March 2020; nutritional information and biomass composition; identification methodology and genetic
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (June 23, 2021), the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced $8 million in federal funding for four projects to develop and test technologies that capture and utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from power systems or other industrial sources to create
Biomass, Lipid Yield Improvements: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Leveraging Algae for Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Did you know that adding plant substrate to some algae strains (not all!) can result in improved biomass and/or lipid production? That’s what Amanda Barry from Sandia National Labs reported in this slide guide on their investigation of top contender algae strains for large-scale biofuel
by Haryanto and Filda Citra Yusgiantoro (The Diplomat) The country has abundant resources of biomass, a great potential source of renewable energy. — … Indonesia has abundant resources of biomass. Indeed, many of the forms of biomass that can be used to generate bioenergy, such as food crops, forest residues, urban waste, and algae,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dan Anderson from Pacific Northwest National Lab shared this illuminating slide guide at BETO’s Peer Review this year with the latest on PNNL’s work on building algae hydrothermal liquification (HTL) pathway to fuels, with the potential to meet BETO FY 2030 goal of $2.50/GGE. READ
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Another world first just happened! All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, took another step forward in advancing its leadership in sustainability, operating a regularly scheduled commercial domestic flight utilizing sustainable aviation fuel made from microalgae, blended with traditional jet fuel. Yes, SAF made from
by Robert Tuttle and Kim Chipman (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) Top Biofuel Maker Eyes Garbage in Widening Feedstock Hunt — The world’s biggest renewable-diesel producer is looking to convert everything from tree limbs to landfill garbage into fuel for motor vehicles and planes as demand surges for low-carbon fuel sources. In Canada’s Quebec
(Chevron Lummus Global) Chevron Lummus Global LLC (CLG) and Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) today announced that the companies have been awarded a technology contract by ReadiFuels-Iowa, LLC for their renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Sioux Center, Iowa. The scope of the project includes the technology license,
by David Bradley (Inderscience/TechXplore) The search for sustainable energy sources continues apace. Research highlighted in the International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, looks at one such source—algae, from which biodiesel can be derived, The work discusses production issues, characterisation, and compares the performance of such fuels with other sources of diesel.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) We’ve all seen the horrific photos of ocean trash, much of it consisting of plastic fishing nets, but now biodegradable fishing nets made from algae and other biobased materials are on the uptake. Speaking of algae, in Italy, home-grown algae is being encouraged so folks
(Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator) Ryan Powell is the founder and CEO of Manta Biofuel, an MEIA Startup that produces crude oil from algae at a cost that could be competitive with traditional petroleum. Manta’s team has developed their proprietary magnetic algae harvesting technology and low-cost continuous flow hydrothermal liquefaction system. “We are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MicroBio Engineering, Heliae, Sandia National Labs and Cal Poly shared how they developed the capability for over 3,700 gal/ac-yrof biofuel intermediates through microalgal strain improvement, mixotrophic approaches and novel conversion technology, demonstrated annual productivity of improved strains, and more. READ MORE
(Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa) CCAP (Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa) is one of the world’s leading and oldest algal collection, supporting national and international ecological, environmental and biotechnology research and providing education and training to many scientists and policy makers https://www.ccap.ac.uk/. We provide 100’s samples to scientists each
by Diana Kenney (University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory) A team of researchers led by Loretta Roberson, associate scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico and U.S. tropical waters. The research array furthers the design and development of a system for
by Jennifer Huber (Stanford University/SLAC) Derived from microscopic algae, the rare, light-driven enzyme converts fatty acids into starting ingredients for solvents and fuels. — Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, it’s rare to find enzymes – proteins that promote chemical reactions in living things – that are driven by
(Algae Planet) A team of researchers led by Loretta Roberson of the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass, has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico and U.S. tropical waters. The research array furthers the design and development of a system for offshore cultivation of tropical seaweeds to support large-scale production of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Why algae? With biofuel yield 8-13 times larger than corn, well, why not! We took key slides from the 100+ slide deck from this year’s U.S. DOE BETO presentation on the latest goings ons with algae, program goals, portfolio and projects, progress, future plans, and
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted its 2021 Project Peer Review virtually on March 8‒12, 2021; March 15‒16, 2021; and March 22‒26, 2021. Presentations for all sessions can be found in the searchable database below. For more information, including a complete schedule, view the 2021 Project Peer Review Agenda.

Join the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Algae Technology Educational Consortium (ATEC) for an informative webinar on May 20, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Ira Levine, professor at the University of Southern Maine and president and board chair of the Algae Foundation, will provide a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ICF’s managing director for Fuels & Power, Mike McCurdy, prepared one of the most compact reviews of Sustainable Aviation Fuels key metrics and issues we’ve seen in quite some time. These were seen just a few days ago on The World Stage at ABLC Digital
(Kobe University/Phy.Org) A cross-institutional collaboration has developed a technique to repartition carbon resources from carbohydrates to lipids in microalgae. It is hoped that this method can be applied to biofuel production. This discovery was the result of a collaboration between a research group at Kobe University’s Engineering Biology Research Center consisting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today we look at using Haldor Topsoe’s HydroFlex technology to transform almost any renewable feedstock into drop-in, ultra-low sulfur gasoline, jet fuel or diesel. Ready for greenfield projects, refinery add-ons and conversions — how does it work. What’s the impact on economics, cetane, cold flow
U.S. Department of Eneryg/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, enzymes – proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions – are rarely driven by light. Scientists have identified only three types of natural photoenzymes so far. The newest one, discovered in 2017, is fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP). Derived
by Christopher Helman (Forbes) … “Nobody wants to send that material down the drain,” says Rick Sabol, president of the Mahoney division. And not just because fat globules can clog up sewer systems — but because that grease is valuable — if you gather up enough of it. “We always thought
by Gaulthier Blangez* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Let’s go back to the basics. The “Bio” term comes from ancient Greek and is translated as “Life.” Widely used in our day to day vocabulary, this term has found its place in our language by becoming a prefix. Biochemistry studies chemical reactions happening
(European Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Phys.Org) The functioning of the enzyme FAP, useful for producing biofuels and for green chemistry, has been decrypted. This result mobilized an international team of scientists, including many French researchers from the CEA, CNRS, Inserm, École Polytechnique, the universities of Grenoble Alpes, Paris-Saclay and Aix Marseille, as well
by Gaulthier Blangez* (Advanced Biofuels USA) What are we talking about? Do you know that airlines’ activities, from passenger transportation to freight are responsible for two to three percent of anthropic emissions yearly according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report? Indeed, flying comes at a cost. But while
by Philip Bulsink, Ferran de Miguel Mercader, Linda Sandström, Bert van de Beld, Fernando Preto, Alan Zacher, Anja Oasmaa, Nicolaus Dahmen, Axel Funke, and Benjamin Bronson (Energy Fuels) A round robin study evaluating the analysis of biomass liquefaction oils (BLOs) from fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) was performed, receiving data
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Southwest Research Institute’sEloy Flores, Assistant Director R&D in Chemical Engineering, shared this illuminating slide guide on SwRI’s work with alternative fuels technology and all steps from idea/concept, engine testing to pilot plant, scale up and transformation to the commercial plant. READ MORE Malaysia sends back
by Laura Thomson interview with Akshat Tanksale (AZO CleanTech) Associate Professor Akshat Tanksale at Monash University speaks to AZoCleantech about his research on how microalgae could have significant benefits when applied to the hydrogen production industry. … What makes microalgae a suitable resource that could revolutionize hydrogen production? Unlike agriculture
(Algae Biomass Organization) … Algae, encompassing photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic aquatic organisms including microalgae and seaweeds (macroalgae), create a highly versatile and tunable platform for the development of fuels and products. In most cases, large scale algae production can be done on marginal land, including the underdeveloped coastal area around the
(American Institute of Physics/TechExplore) … In their paper, published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Yangzhou University researchers in China show how a combination of monochromatic red and blue LED illumination on one type of microalga can enhance its growth and increase the biosynthesis of critical components, such as lipids, for
by Karyn Hede (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Sewage and food waste biocrude conversion process reaches major milestone — A large-scale demonstration converting biocrude to renewable diesel fuel has passed a significant test, operating for more than 2,000 hours continuously without losing effectiveness. Scientists and engineers led by the U.S. Department