Algae/Other Aquatic Organisms/Seaweed

The Algae Foundation — Looking Back and Moving Forward

by Ike Levine, Tiffany Cannis and Marissa Nalley (Algae Industry Magazine) In these turbulent times, when many educational programs are in limbo, we wondered what is happening to algae education? For a perspective, we asked leaders of the Algae Foundation how they are tracking the past and planning for the

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

The Secret Sauce: Industry Partnerships Key to Advancing Bio-Based Chemicals and Fuels

by Asanga Padmaperuma (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) … Today, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories study the development of chemicals and fuels with the use of cost-effective, renewable carbon sources, while working closely with the bioenergy industry. In support of the DOE mission, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) experts in

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Where’s Biodiesel At? The Diesel Market, Feedstock Options and more: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 1

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) While things are topsy turvy around the world right now, Part 1 to this visual National Biodiesel Board slide guide takes us on an industry overview, the diesel vehicle market forecast, the U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel market (and yes, they are different!), a look

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Most Efficient Source of Fuel May Be Tiniest Organism

by Shelley Schlender (VOA) … The tiny single-celled, plantlike organisms known as algae are more efficient than other organisms at converting sunlight and carbon dioxide into the raw materials needed for foods, products and fuels. And not just a few specialized fuels. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado,

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

How Asia’s Smartest Businessman Plans To Power A Clean Planet With Synthetic Biology

by John Cumbers (Forbes) … At the head of Reliance is Mukesh Ambani. As chairman, managing director, and largest shareholder of Reliance, he’s the richest man in Asia, with a reputation as a shrewd investor. He is also a self-described “big believer that technology is the biggest driver of human

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Improving Algal Strains with Genomics: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Genetic and Synthetic Biology Tools for Algae Productivity

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Wild type algal strains don’t have the productivity and robust growth characteristics needed to push algae forward as a biofuel feedstock, but researchers are working on changing that. Stephen Mayfield from the University of California San Diego, shared the latest research developments at the U.S.

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

MSU Researchers Aim to Optimize Algae Biofuel Production

by Karly Graham (The State News) Michigan State researchers are testing algae hibernation to optimize the plant’s ability to be used for biofuel production. Using algae to produce biofuels is a question of economic feasibility, Tomomi Takeuchi, a research assistant in MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory said. Algae produce oil as a response to adverse

March 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Innovation and Strategic Orientations for the Development of Advanced Biorefineries

by Giuliano Dragone, Abraham A.J.Kerssemakers, Jasper L.S.P.Driessen, Celina K.Yamakawa, Larissa P.Brumano, Solange I.Mussatto (Bioresource Technology) Advanced biorefineries are seen as key to implement a sustainable biobased economy. • Total valorization of biomass can boost the industrial implementation of biorefineries. • Tailor-made enzymes may increase process performance, reducing loadings and costs.

February 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Bringing Algal Biofuel Production to Scale: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Biocrude Production in Advanced Photobioreactor-Based Biorefinery

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everyone wants more productive algal strains – but how do you get them? Can you advance the technology enough to get economical, large-scale algal biofuel production? Ron Chance and Paul Roessler, both of Algenol Biotech, shared this illuminating presentation at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies

February 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Improving Algae Line with Faster Production: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Cellular Metabolism

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Scott Twary from Los Alamos National Laboratory is working on how to design an integrated strain improvement platform for algae with faster production and to meet BETO’s mission goals of developing technologies for algae strain improvement to meet biomass yield and productivity goals. Get the latest

February 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Handling Harsh pH and High-Alkalinity: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Improving Microalgae Cultivated in High-pH Media

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Eliminating cost and site-location constraints –sounds like something we all want. But there’s a project working on getting rid of those constraints posed by the supply of concentrated CO2 to microalgae farms while simultaneously achieving high seasonal productivities. Their objectives include improving scale and productivity of

February 7, 2020 Read Full Article

A Protein Lulls Algae to ‘Sleep,’ and What That Means for Making Green Fuels

by Igor Houwat and Layne Cameron (Michigan State University) Algae have the potential to become a sustainable source of high value biofuels and oils. A big hurdle that holds us back from mass producing algae feedstocks is that they make more oil when stressed out, like during starvation. When stressed, algae

February 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Algae Makes Wastewater Valuable

by Navid Moheimani and Parisa Bahri (Naked Scientists) … Our team at Murdoch University Algae R&D Centre has developed a unique process that uses algae to treat effluent. The process involves first passing the effluent through an anaerobic digester, which converts the organic material in the waste into biogas (methane).

February 3, 2020 Read Full Article

‘What the Hell Is That?’: Brewery Uses Algae to Reduce Carbon Emissions

by Matt Bungard (Sydney Morning Herald) One of Sydney’s most popular beermakers is using algae to make its products entirely carbon neutral, and encourage other breweries to do the same. Young Henrys has installed a 400-litre ‘bioreactor’ of algae at its brewery in Newtown to offset carbon emissions from its beer production.

January 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Yucky Scum May Someday Fuel Cars, Planes and Trains because of PNNL Researchers

by Steven Ashby (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Tri-City Herald) Algae is often seen as a yucky muck, but it may soon join crop waste and cooking oils as an important ingredient in the recipe for renewable biofuels. At the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, our biofuels research explores many homegrown fuel

January 31, 2020 Read Full Article

MU Research Puts Green Algae on the Front Line to Replace Fossil Fuel

by Mariana Labatte (Innovations in Agriculture Missourian Extension) MU computer science professor Jianlin Cheng sees the future of energy in green algae. The small aquatic plants that add a layer of scum to ponds and pools have a beneficial side — green algae can convert sunlight into energy and store it in

January 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Biodiesel from Food Waste and Used Cooking Oil

by Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) … There are six possible raw material routes for making biodiesel. These are vegetable sources – palm oil, rapeseed, sunflower, cottonseed, canola, jojoba, jatropha and others; waste vegetable oil or used cooking oil as it is called; animal fats like tallow, lard, yellow grease and

January 27, 2020 Read Full Article

JKUAT Alumni and Innovator Turns Water Hyacinth into Biofuel

by Patrick Amunavi (farmers.co.ke) Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology alumni, and Innovator, Erick Gathirwa Kariuki, has developed a biofuel innovation by harnessing the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) into a bioethanol product that can be used as cooking fuel in households. Erick Kariuki, who graduated in from JKUAT with a Bachelor

January 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Department of Energy Announces nearly $100 Million for Bioenergy Technologies Research

(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an investment of nearly $100 million in funding for research and development of bioenergy technologies. Issued on behalf of DOE’s Bioenergy Technology Office, topic areas within the FY20 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement support the U.S. bioeconomy by reducing the

January 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Cellulosic Mixotrophy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novel Platform for Algal Biomass

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a lot of flat, dry land in the U.S. but researchers at Arizona State University and others are looking at how that land could support biofuel production. How about evaporation-resistant reactors coupled with thermotolerant, high-productivity mixotrophic algae? Check out this Slide-Guide from P.I. Peter Lammers

January 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Department of Environmental Protection Moves forward on Programs Providing $13.5 Million for Local Projects to Address Harmful Algal Blooms

(New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) The Department of Environmental Protection is making $13.5 million in funding available for local projects that will improve water quality and help prevent, mitigate and manage harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New Jersey’s lakes and ponds, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today (December 19, 2019),

January 14, 2020 Read Full Article

10 Reasons Why Algae Are Interesting: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Non-Isocyanate Polyurethanes for Carbon Capture Reuse and Sequestration

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae is a wondrous thing…and here are 10 reasons why. But that’s not all! What about polyurethanes? Fully renewable polyurethanes from unsaturated lipids and protein-derived amine cross linkers? Check out this Slide-Guide from NREL’s Philip Pienkos presentation at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco where he shares

January 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Microalgae Applications and Cultivation: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to mBio’s Algae Biomass

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From microalgae applications that include adding value to feed, shrimp larvae culturing, bioplastics and anti-bacterial constituents and other applications, do you know about the latest in algae cultivation technologies? Check out what this team from MicroBio Engineering and Cal Poly State University shared during this

January 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Advanced Biofuel Center Releases Calendar of Biofuel Training Events for the Year 2020

(Advanced Biofuel Center/AltEnergyMag.com) The Advanced Biofuel Center is a bioenergy crop research and development company that has established the Biodiesel Business Academy to provide quality, impartial, informative and enjoyable advanced-level training with enhanced technology in the field of biodiesel production. The knowledge arm of Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC), Biodiesel Business

January 2, 2020 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 10 Top Advanced Bioeconomy Markets & Predictions for 2020

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2020? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2019 gives way to the dawn of 2020, once again roll the

January 2, 2020 Read Full Article

UNAIR Professor Uses Microalgae for Renewable Biodiesel Development

(Universitas Airlangga News/QS WOW News) …The government plans to allocate fossil fuel energy subsidies by reducing them and using renewable energy resources with a focus on biodiesel development. Regarding this issue, Prof. Dr. Purkan, S.Si., M.Si., Professor of Chemistry at Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) conducted

December 24, 2019 Read Full Article

Flora to Fuel: Could Wind-Powered Algae Make Bioreactors Competitive?

by Umar Ali (Power Technology) The ENBIO project uses excess energy from wind turbines to power 16 1,000-litre photo-bioreactors which grow algae that can then be used for biofuels. The project demonstrates how green technologies can work together, but can it make algae-derived fuel competitive? We find out more. The

December 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Scientist Tests whether Algae Could Help Clean up Water Polluted by Midwest Farm Runoff

by Fred Knapp (KCUR) … (Paul) Black chairs UNL’s (University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus) Biochemistry Department and is a founding member of a company called Vestal W20, which is trying to use algae to remove excess nitrates out of water. “What’s happened over the hundred-plus years of putting nitrogen fertilizer on

December 20, 2019 Read Full Article

ITOCHU Announces the Start of an Overseas Demonstration Project to Culture Euglena

(ITOCHU Corporation) ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Yoshihisa Suzuki, President and COO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) announced today that it has decided to conduct an overseas demonstration project (hereinafter the “Demonstration Project”) in collaboration with euglena Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Mitsuru Izumo, President: hereinafter “euglena Co.”) to culture euglena

December 17, 2019 Read Full Article

DE-FOA-0002202: Notice of Intent: FY20 Bioenergy Technologies Office Multi-Topic Funding Opportunity Announcement

(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 “FY20 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic FOA”. BETO develops technologies that convert domestic biomass and waste resources into fuels, products, and power to

December 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Learn Algae Production Skills with These Online Courses from the Algae Technology Educational Consortium

(Algae Biomass Organization) Algae production technologies are gearing up to provide biomass that can be used in markets that are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars. To help meet that opportunity ABO ‘s sister organization, The Algae Foundation, is coordinating a number of projects that are educating and training the

December 9, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Biofuel Market Competitive Research And Precise Outlook 2019 To 2025

(Market Watch/Market Insights Report) The Algae Biofuel Market Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis along with Major Segments and Forecast, 2019-2025. The Algae Biofuel Market report is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable).

December 9, 2019 Read Full Article

Changing Process of Bio-diesel Production Would Help Reduce Emission of Dangerous Nanoparticles: TERI

(TERI) Airborne nanoparticles from diesel vehicles are even more harmful to human health than PM2.5 and PM10. TERI has suggested modifications to India’s bio-diesel policy to reduce nanoparticle emissions — Changing the process of producing bio-diesel could help reduce tailpipe emissions of nanoparticles, contributing to improving air quality, according to a

December 6, 2019 Read Full Article

BECCS to the Future: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ARPA’s Methane Fuel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed ABLC NEXT in San Francisco, let’s go back to the future and look at BECCS – Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage – and examine the challenges, how it is fueled by methane and what methane pyrolysis can do, how we can go

November 29, 2019 Read Full Article

New PHA Pathway, Stroodles Noodle Straws, Bamboo Poutine, Seaweed Bioplastic, Rice Husk Travel Mugs and More: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 28th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S. today and many are gathering around the table, chatting about the latest news, like the new Air Protein – air-based food – and whether it will be served alongside…or instead of…the turkey next year. Or perhaps the dinner conversation

November 29, 2019 Read Full Article

The Magic behind the Molecules and Materials: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Checkerspot’s Synthetic Biology

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The measure of how disruptive Synthetic Biology is lies in the applications, the use cases and relevance to consumers,”according to Checkerspot which uses biology and chemistry to generate novel building blocks. Their ingredients include custom oils like tri-, di- and mono-glycerides, proteins and peptides, micronutrients, and

November 26, 2019 Read Full Article

TEA Tornado Plot, Technical Hurdles, and Driving Down MFSP: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to NREL’s Algal Biomass

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The commercialization of algae has several challenges, but Lieve M. Laurens from National Renewable Energy Laboratory gave this illuminating presentation at the DOE’s BETO 2019 Project Peer Review that details how they are trying to reduce the cost of algal biofuels by increasing intrinsic algal biomass

November 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Dutch Seaweed-Based Fuel Powers Car to 80 kph in Danish Trial

(Dutch News) Researchers in Denmark have achieved speeds of up to 80 kph using a car powered by Dutch biofuel made from seaweed. The seaweed fuel was produced by scientists at the TNO research centre in Petten and at Wageningen University and is part of an EU-funded project to develop

November 21, 2019 Read Full Article

“The Thing to Remember Is that It’s Agriculture.” Manta’s New Way to Think about Algal Biofuel

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Not only is the Manta Biofuel system a way to grow, harvest and process algae into oil that can be used for heating or powering heavy duty engines or ocean-going vessels, or as a feedstock for refineries; Dr. Ryan Powell sees the Manta Biofuel

November 16, 2019 Read Full Article

17 Trillion Pounds of Plastic – How Much Is Biodegradable?: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenesis’ Algae Polymers

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Science by Nature and Nature by Science is what it’s all about for Algenesis. Their goal is for 100% renewable, biodegradable, recyclable polyurethane that can be used for everything from flip flops to surfboards. Michael Burkart from UC San Diego and Algenesis Materials shared this illuminating

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

40% Biomass Boost for Bioethanol: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Aequor’s Green Chemistry

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A Wonder Woman Power Duo spoke at the recent ABLC NEXTin San Francisco and in case you missed it, this is one presentation you won’t want to miss. It’s got the goods on green chemicals and how we can replace toxic biocides and antibiotics in

November 15, 2019 Read Full Article

High Pressure Homogenisation for the Cell Disruption of Algae

(Biofuels International) … One of the most critical steps in the bioprocessing of algae to optimise economy and yield is the cell disruption stage. The functionality of algae biochemicals must be maintained while obtaining high disruption yields, hence the need for an efficient, scalable process. High pressure homogenisation (HPH) offers

November 8, 2019 Read Full Article

SOFAST It’s Scary!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Arthrospira/Spirulina Algae Strains

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Streamlined Optimization of Filamentous Arthrospira/SpirulinaTraits (SOFAST) is looking at algae in a whole new way. Lumen Bioscience in particular has been working on a unique, patented technology to genetically enhance Arthrospira for improved growth and biomass composition for biofuels and bioproducts. Damian Carrieri from Lumen Bioscience gave

November 6, 2019 Read Full Article

The Opportunity for Algae in Carbon Utilization: A $320 Billion Market that Could also Capture 3 Billion Tons of Carbon Emissions

(Algae Biomass Organization) A recent report by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) takes a close look at using carbon emissions as a feedstock to more efficiently decarbonize economies around the world. The authors identify an enormous opportunity for algae. C2ES published “Carbon Utilization–A Vital and Effective Pathway for Decarbonization” to

November 4, 2019 Read Full Article

The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework Published by Interagency Collaboration under the Biomass Research and Development Board

(Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board) Created through the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board facilitates coordination among federal government agencies that affect the research and development of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Since 2013, the BR&D Board has worked to shape an interagency

November 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Clean the Green Campaign Seeks Donations, Sponsors, Volunteers

(National Algae Association) CLEAN THE GREEN™ is a grass-roots fundraising campaign to help deploy environmentally-sound remediation technologies while minimizing the causes of toxic algae blooms and HABs. Immediate algae bloom & HAB remediation is needed along with long-term maintenance of contaminated waterways to solve algae blooms & HABs and restore water quality.

October 31, 2019 Read Full Article

High Pressure Homogenisation for the Cell Disruption of Algae

(Biofuels International) … One of the most critical steps in the bioprocessing of algae to optimise economy and yield is the cell disruption stage. The functionality of algae biochemicals must be maintained while obtaining high disruption yields, hence the need for an efficient, scalable process. High pressure homogenisation (HPH) offers

October 25, 2019 Read Full Article

Phase Genomics Lands DOE Grant as Pest-Detecting Tech for Algae Wins Support

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, Phase Genomics will receive $325,000 as part of the $73 million Department of Energy (DOE) Office Efficiency and Renewable Energy funding. Phase Genomics’ proximity-ligation metagenomic technology will be leveraged to sequence the genomes of new microorganisms to help detect and manage microbial pests in

October 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Cyanobacteria-Based Biofuel: an Innovative Platform for Clean Energy Production

by Viji Sitther, Behnam Tabatabai, Somayeh Gharaie Fathabad (Union of Concerned Scientists/Morgan State University) … We are excited to announce that the Sitther Biofuel Research Group at Morgan State University has developed a technology to generate a cost-effective biofuel using a model cyanobacterium. The team, consisting of graduate students Dr. Behnam

October 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Advanced Biofuels USA’s Public Comment to Maryland’s Commission on Climate Change on Benefits of Biofuels in Climate Change Mitigation Plan

by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Maryland’s Commission on Climate Change advises the state’s Governor and General Assembly “on ways to mitigate the causes of, prepare for, and adapt to the consequences of climate change.” The MCCC is chaired by Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles and consists

October 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Kelp Elevator Could Give Biofuels a Lift

by Katharine Gammon (Inside Science) An experiment off the coast of California may bolster efforts to make biocrude from “the Sequoia of the sea.” — Catalina Island, …. Its waters are also home to an unsual-looking science experiment: a floating bed of planted kelp that is pushed down and pulled up

October 14, 2019 Read Full Article

National Science Foundation Continues Its Support of Morgan State University STEM Research With Nearly $500K Grant Award

(Morgan State University) Funding Will Enhance Biofuel Production in Cyanobacteria Using Nanoparticles, While Preparing the Next Generation of Minority Biotechnologists — Morgan State University’s School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) has announced its receipt of a $499,999 grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Excellence in Research (EiR) grant will

October 10, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Technical, Economic and Environmental Assessment of Biorefineries

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) First comes the techno-economic assessment, then comes the deployment, as perhaps someone once said, or should have. For the road to bioeconomy passes through the graces of a successful evalutation of the inputs anf the outputs and the costs and values thereof. Those thoughtful assessors

October 9, 2019 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Commercializing Conventional and Advanced Transport Biofuels from Biomass and Other Renewable Feedstocks

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Several of the better known IEA Bioenergy rock stars — there are four and possibly five in this set, from the US and Canada, so we’ll put them sort of on a par with Neil Young and Crazy Horse for representing somethng tuneful, must-know and

October 8, 2019 Read Full Article

Researchers Develop Cheaper, Cleaner Way to Grow Biodiesel Producing Microalgae

by Gerard de Souza (Hindustan Times) The team of researchers has found that the species of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris NIOCCV grew well in a medium of seafood industry wastewater and was tolerant to different salinity regimes and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide — In a significant breakthrough that could boost the

October 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Could Be Turned into Climate-Friendly Food and Fuel

by Stephanie Manuzak (Yale Climate Connections) The newest farm bill offers support for algae growers. — …”Currently companies in the industry are producing plastics, and recyclable foam, and animal feed for cows and chickens and pigs, and aquafeed for shrimp,” Mark Allen says. Allen is board chair of the Algae Biomass

October 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Students Recognized with 2019 Young Algae Researcher Awards

(Algae Biomass Organization) Four student scientists were recognized with the Algae Biomass Organization’s Young Algae Researcher Awards for their contributions to fields of algae biology and engineering at the 2019 Algae Biomass Summit, held in Orlando, Florida, September 16-19. The awards are presented at the annual conference to recognize outstanding research

October 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Eni Opens Its 2nd Large-Scale Renewable Diesel Facility in Italy

by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Eni announced Sept. 25 it has opened its new, innovative renewable diesel production facility in Gela, Italy. The plant, a converted oil refinery, has a processing capacity of up to 750,000 metric tons a year. “All the petrochemical plants built in Gela since 1962 have closed

October 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Launches Green Barjeel Project to Cultivate Indigenous Algae

(United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment) The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) today announced the launch of the Green Barjeel research project that aims to leverage innovative methods to grow microalgae biomass with a high lipid content in tower-shaped structures. Run in cooperation with American University

October 2, 2019 Read Full Article

$73 Million, 35 Projects, Who Won, for What and Why: The DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 Project Selections

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower,

October 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Ocean Optimism: A To-Do List of Possible Climate Solutions

(Our Daily Planet) The IPCC Oceans report released on Wednesday painted a dire picture of the health of the ocean today. The ocean is a carbon sponge absorbing 93% of the carbon emitted thus far, and it is reaching a breaking point according to the IPCC. But another panel that was formed last

September 27, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Biomass Summit 2020 — September 8-11, 2020 — San Diego, CA

The Summit is the algae industry’s premier event, where leading producers of algae products go to network with industry suppliers and technology providers, where project developers converse with utility executives, and where researchers and technology developers rub elbows with venture capitalists. The 14th annual Algae Biomass Summit will take place

September 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Sizzlin’ Summit: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algae in the 2019 Farm Bill

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the hot and happenin’ Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida,Steve Mayfield, Director at UCSD California Center for Algae Biotechnology and Martin Sabarksy, CEO of Cellana, gave this illuminating introduction of some of the latest policy highlights from the 2018 Farm Bill and how it

September 26, 2019 Read Full Article

It’s MAGIC!: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algae’s Pivotal Role

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Some people believe in magic and some don’t but MAGIC is real in this case – the Marine AlGae Industrialization Consortium, that is. MAGIC is working on answering the question “How do we produce that remaining 15 bboe/year of energy-dense, liquid hydrocarbon fuels to meet the

September 26, 2019 Read Full Article

National Farmers Union Climate Presentation

Increase Value, Reduce Costs: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Algal Systems

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes to yield renewable fuel blendstocks, as well as bioproducts and

September 24, 2019 Read Full Article

NZ-Japan Partnerships Signed on Biofuels, Renewable Energy, AI, Robotics

by Maiki Sherman (TVNZ) Four new innovation partnerships have been signed today between New Zealand and Japanese entities including developing bio-fuels from microalgae, and AI and robotics research. Hirojiren and Cawthron Institute have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise Mazda’s commitment to building a research and development partnership focused

September 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Harmony with HTL: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrothermal Liquefaction

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Converting algae to fuels is challenging. But PNNL is working on developing process models and techno-economic analysis to inform hydrothermal liquefaction algae conversion research for fuels and chemicals. Check out what Susanne Jones and others from PNNL shared as part of the 2019 BETO Peer

September 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Food and Feed: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to BioMar’s Algae

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Had algae ice cream lately? BioMar is working on getting that to become a reality by making algae in food and food mainstream. At the recent Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida, Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director at BioMar shared how salmon feed has evolved

September 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Increase Value, Reduce Costs: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Advanced Algal Systems

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes to yield renewable fuel blendstocks, as well as bioproducts and

September 20, 2019 Read Full Article

The Algae Summit, Groups to Know, Slides to See, and the Megatrends

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … We’ve managed to get a hold of three presentations that really were the bomb at ABS 2019. Jonathan Male, director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office and one of the original Pyromaniax himself, gave this one on the algae R&D priorities and actions for fuels and

September 20, 2019 Read Full Article

Ethanol Facility Hosts Boeing Presentation on Sustainable Aviation Fuels

(Advantage News) The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville hosted a presentation from The Boeing Company’s Joe Ellsworth, regional director of environmental strategy and integration, who presented Boeing and Sustainable Aviation Fuels in late August. Ellsworth also met with NCERC Director of Research Dr. Yan Zhang and Assistant Professor of Chemistry and NCERC

September 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Heard on the Floor at the Algae Biomass Summit

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …Couple of good trends to point to: 1. Lot more emphasis on farms and farming these days. It’s still an industry dominated by people in white coats, but there are some more overalls around the ABS than we’ve ever seen before. 2. A little more emphasis

September 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Researchers and Private Industry Are Working in Open Collaboration to Find Algae Bloom and HAB Remediation Solutions.

by Barry Cohen (National Algae Association) Continuous and devastating algae blooms & HAB problems are affecting fishing, swimming, tourism, real estate values and local economies. NAA today is encouraging algae researchers to focus their efforts on ‘algae bloom and HAB remediation research’ and to work with private industry to find immediate

September 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Mazda Working on Carbon-Neutral Biofuel

(New Zealand AutoCar) As Mazda prepares to launch its first electric vehicle onto the market, another division of the Japanese manufacturer is working on extending the life of the internal combustion engine. The latest idea? A carbon-neutral biofuel. Mazda is providing funding to the Tokyo Institute of Technology, which is

September 16, 2019 Read Full Article

Pick up the PACE: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algae for Coproducts and Energy

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) PACE – Producing Algae for Coproducts and Energy, has several project goals including increasing algal biomass productivity to >25 grams dry weight per meter squared per day using robust engineered algal strains to reduce costs. So how do we get these high value, high market algal

September 16, 2019 Read Full Article

All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algal Biomass Yield Improvements

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Algae Innovations is working on a trifecta of goals: 1) to develop improved strains and cultivation methods to increase the algal biofuel intermediate yield by at least 70% AND 2) to develop new drying and extraction technology to reduce the energy for downstream processing by

September 10, 2019 Read Full Article

How Synthetic Biology Can Help Build Sustainable Cities

by John Cumbers (Green Biz/SynBioBeta) Sustainability is in vogue, with businesses and cities jostling to improve their public image and produce goods and services using renewable sources. Yet cities exponentially swell and carbon emissions continue to increase. Global CO2 emissions rise nearly every year (about 36 billion tons in 2014), with

September 9, 2019 Read Full Article

MU’s Cheng Utilizing Deep Learning Expertise for Key Federal Biofuel Project

(University of Missouri College of Engineering) Mizzou Engineering’s Jianlin Cheng has put his world-class protein prediction skills to stellar use in the field of healthcare, and now, he’s part of a critical effort in bioenergy — one that could dramatically improve the prospects of biofuels as fossil fuel reserves dwindle. Cheng and James

September 9, 2019 Read Full Article

Plant Research Could Benefit Wastewater Treatment, Biofuels and Antibiotics

(Rutgers University/Phys.org) Chinese and Rutgers scientists have discovered how aquatic plants cope with water pollution, a major ecological question that could help boost their use in wastewater treatment, biofuels, antibiotics and other applications. The study is in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers used a new

September 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Exxon Mobil’s Designed 2 Scale Challenge DEADLINE: November 15, 2019

(Designed 2 Scale Challenge) Algae-based feedstocks have shown tremendous potential in providing a safe, secure and locally available source of drop-in liquid fuels for the transportation sector. These feedstocks have the potential to not compete with conventional food crops and fresh water resources, and use marginal land for cultivation. Once

September 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Converting Algae into Rocket Biofuel

(ABS-CBN News) A group of Filipino scientists say they found a way to convert algae into biofuel for rockets. In an interview with ANC’s Early Edition, Orbital Exploration Technologies founder Dexter Baño also weighs in on the benefits of creating a Philippine Space Agency. WATCH VIDEO

August 29, 2019 Read Full Article

Scientists in Mexico Trial Biogas Production from Seaweed

(Bioenergy Insight) A laboratory in Yucatán, Mexico has developed a prototype system that converts seaweed into biogas. Scientists started experimenting with sargassum after large quantities of the seaweed began washing up on the Yucatán coast. Raúl Tapia Tussell, head researcher in the renewable energy unit at the Yucatán Scientific Research

August 28, 2019 Read Full Article

For The Sake Of Our Biofuel, We Must Stop This Feral Hog Menace

by Tina Casey (Clean Technica) … Aside from scaring the children and scattering the chickens, they are genuinely a major threat to US agriculture and yet another headache for farmers who are already suffering under the impacts of climate change and President* Trump’s trade policies. That includes corn growers and

August 26, 2019 Read Full Article

Scientists Identify Protein Factors Increasing Yield of a Biofuel Precursor in Microscopic Algae

(Tokyo Tech News) Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, and Tohoku University have identified a protein, Lipid Remodeling reguLator 1 (LRL1), in microscopic algae that is involved in the production of triacylglycerol, a biofuel precursor. They further reveal additional proteins and biochemical pathways that

August 26, 2019 Read Full Article

All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to DOE’s Advanced Algal Systems

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae has a lot of recent federal support, and this presentation takes us there. The Advanced Algal Systems is working on a host of strategies to focus on enhacing productivity, feedstock, quality and robust yields while developing higher-value bioproducts. Alison Goss Eng, Program Manager, Feedstock

August 21, 2019 Read Full Article

Project of Domestic Scientists of Turning Algae into Biodiesel Succeeds – Serbia Could Have Its Own Oil

(eKapija) Scientists at the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research of the University of Belgrade have managed, according to the first results of a three-year project, unique in the world, to increase the production of fats in algae for around 30% through the method of “stressing”, which will have a great impact

August 15, 2019 Read Full Article

DOE Seeks Information on Opportunities to Leverage Bioethanol Production Facilities, Food Waste Streams, High-Impact Data, and Algal Biomass to Advance the Domestic Bioeconomy –DE-FOA-0002150: FY 2019 BETO-WIDE RFI DEADLINE: September 6, 2019

(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) is requesting information on the following research opportunities to help inform its priorities and funding strategies: advanced processes and retrofits to co-produce cellulosic biofuels and other products at existing

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

The Safrinha Subpoena, or, Do They that Soy the Wind Ripen the Whirlwind?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Today we’re going to relate a detective story which begins with an unexplained and foul stink, and branches off into climate, trade, the eradication of poverty, crop rotation, the politics of the Amazon, the flow vectors of tropical seas, seafloor convection, the future of beach

August 13, 2019 Read Full Article

SAF on the Cusp of Rapid Expansion and Replication: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to CAAFI

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Since 2006, the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) has sought to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability for aviation through the use of alternative jet fuels. CAAFI is a coalition of airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, energy producers, researchers, international participants and U.S. government agencies.

August 6, 2019 Read Full Article

How Slime Will Save the World

by Ruth Kassinger (Boston Globe) … We’ve turned algae into killers. But we can change their future and ours. We can harness them to help save the environment we’ve been ravaging. AFTER THE OPEC oil embargo of the mid-1970s caused gas shortages and price hikes, government-funded biologists and engineers across the country began

August 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Funding Opportunity for Algae from the US Department of Agriculture DEADLINE: October 23, 2019

(Algae Biomass Organization) The U.S. Department of Agriculture is supporting algae like never before, thanks to a new Farm Bill that gave algae farmers everything from new crop protections, to support for advanced R&D and commercialization. This month the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced a funding opportunity from its Small

August 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Euglena Sets Sights as an Olympic Hopeful for Algae-Based Aviation Jet Fuel

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Midorimushi – other than being a cool sounding Ninja name, it’s scientific name is Euglena. No, it’s not the latest superhero in a manga comic. It’s a kind of algae. In a magical sort of hybrid way, it has both plant and animal properties and has

August 5, 2019 Read Full Article

Vampire Algae Killer’s Genetic Diversity Poses Threat to Biofuels

(Science Daily/U.S. Department of Energy Los Alamos Laboratory) New DNA analysis has revealed surprising genetic diversity in a bacterium that poses a persistent threat to the algae biofuels industry. With the evocative name Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus, the predatory pest sucks out the contents of the algae cells (thus the vampire reference) and

August 2, 2019 Read Full Article

MARINER’s Magnificent Macroalgae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ARPA-E

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oceans are the largest untapped growth opportunity for biomass and that macroalgae is the quintessential ocean crop, according to ARPA-E. But, it says that with the current state of technology, it will never scale to meet energy and CO2 capture demands. So what to do? That’s

August 2, 2019 Read Full Article

How Nature Builds Hydrogen-Producing Enzymes

(Ruhr University Bochum) The heart of the biological catalyst is introduced in the last step. The process is complex. A team from the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Oxford has found out how hydrogen-producing enzymes, the so-called hydrogenases, are activated during their biosynthesis. They showed how the cofactor – a

July 29, 2019 Read Full Article

Vampire Algae Killer’s Genetic Diversity Poses Threat to Biofuels

(Los Alamos National Laboratory/Phys.Org) New DNA analysis has revealed surprising genetic diversity in a bacterium that poses a persistent threat to the algae biofuels industry. With the evocative name Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus, the predatory pest sucks out the contents of the algae cells (thus the vampire reference) and reduces a productive, thriving, green

July 23, 2019 Read Full Article

Algae Technology Educational Consortium Prepares Students for Careers in Algae Cultivation and Technologies

by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) Algae is a fast-growing industry that needs a skilled workforce of scientists, researchers, and engineers to advance algae technology and the commercialization of algal products to support the bioeconomy. With funding from the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office

July 22, 2019 Read Full Article

Eco-Friendly Biofuels Made from Food Waste Could Cut ‘Flight Shame’ among Air Travelers

by Jeremy Deaton (NBC News) “Biofuels are what’s going to save us when it comes to aviation.” — … The airline industry has expressed concern that flight shame will put a dent in their bottom line, and they are taking steps to use less fuel — packing more passengers into fewer flights,

July 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Sea Lettuce Could Make an Ideal Future Biofuel

by Ian Heath (Jersey Evening Post) But now experts are claiming that the annual ‘plague’ of slimy green sea lettuce in St Aubin’s Bay could actually become a blessing in disguise – in the form of a source of renewable energy for Jersey. A government report published today on seaweed harvesting

July 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Solving the Puzzle Surrounding Algae for Biofuels

by Asanga Padmaperuma (U.S. Department of Energy Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) PNNL team develops new model for analyzing biocrude yield and economics Scientists have made significant strides in transforming algae to biocrude using a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, or HTL. Still, the long road from laboratories to fuel tanks harbors a few

July 10, 2019 Read Full Article

Left out to Dry: A More Efficient Way to Harvest Algae Biomass

(University of Tsukuba/EurekAlert!) University of Tsukuba researchers developed a new, highly efficient system for removing water from algae biomass with reusable nanostructured graphene, which can greatly increase the yield of ecofriendly biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers — A team at the University of Tsukuba introduced a new procedure of harvesting energy and organic

July 9, 2019 Read Full Article

All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ABO

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae Biomass Organization advocates for algae-advancing policy and funding, serves as a hub for innovation and networking, and drives demand for “made with algae” products and services. Mark Allen, Chairperson of ABO, offers this enlightening overview of the Algae Interagency Working Group, current state of the algae

July 9, 2019 Read Full Article

A Community-Based Approach for Enriching Microalgae that Grow under High Concentration of CO2

by Hualong Wang, Fru Azinwi Nche-Fambo, Zhigang Yu, Feng Chen (ResearchGate/HY-TEK Bio) Certain species of microalgae are capable of growing under high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and these microalgae have potential to be used for sequestering CO2 released as industrial pollutants using phototrophic carbon fixation system. While some CO2-tolerant algal species have been identified

July 1, 2019 Read Full Article

Sens. Coons, Moran, Reps. Thompson, Estes Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Level the Playing Field for Clean Energy

(Office of Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)) Financing Our Energy Future Act would give clean energy projects access to a tax advantage currently available only to oil, gas, and coal projects — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA-05) and Ron Estes (R-KS-04) re-introduced bipartisan legislation to level

June 19, 2019 Read Full Article

Amazing Algaculture: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MicroBio Engineering

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MicroBio Engineering works on facility designs, algae equipment, R&D, engineering consulting, techno-economic analyses, LCAs and wastewater treatment. Their focus on algaculture, specifically microalgae cultivation, is what the focus of this presentation is on. John Benemann, CEO and Tryg Lundquist, CTO, both of MicroBio Engineering, gave this

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

New Microorganism for Algae Biomass to Produce Alternative Fuels

(Bioenergy Insight) Professor Gyoo Yeol Jung and his research team utilised algae that grow three times faster than starch crops and succeeded in producing biofuel and biochemicals. … (T)he joint research team of the Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech) and Seoul National University developed a new microorganism, which they

June 18, 2019 Read Full Article

Researchers Create Microorganism for Algae Biomass to Produce Biofuel and Biochemical

(AZO CleanTech) … (T)he collaborative research team of POSTECH and Seoul National University created a new microorganism, which they christened as Vibrio sp. dhg. In their research, they effectively showed that Vibrio sp. dhg can be a capable microbial platform for the biorefinery of brown macro-algae which can substitute starch-crop biomass. Their

June 13, 2019 Read Full Article

Finnish Researcher Looks to Blue-Green Algae for Biodiesel Production

(Yle Uutiset News) Someday, the process could help reduce or eliminate the reliance on fossil fuels, according to the researcher. — One day, it may be possible to fuel vehicles with biodiesel made with blue-green algae, according to doctoral student Mikael Jämsä, who researches molecular plant biology at the University of Turku. Jämsä

June 12, 2019 Read Full Article

Towards Sustainable Bioeconomy – Lessons Learned from Case Studies

by Marta Gomez San Juan, Anne Bogdanski and Olivier Dubois (Food and Agricultural Organization) … )T)his report offers lessons from 26 case studies of sustainable bioeconomy interventions from around the world and from a range of different sectors. The overall aim of the report is to use these case studies to expand the general understanding of

June 11, 2019 Read Full Article

Algal Genomics: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Joint Genome Institute

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joint Genome Institute’s mission is to advance genomics in support of the U.S. Department of Energy missions related to clean energy generation and environmental characterization and cleanup. Supported by the DOE Office of Science, the JGI unites the expertise at Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Farming Seaweed to Make Biofuel

(AZO Cleantech) Seaweed can be broadly termed as marine macroalgae, and belongs to one of the many groups of multicellular red, green and brown algae. Seaweed is widely used to produce vitamin supplements, cosmetics, plastics and animal feed in many parts of the world. The importance of seaweed has skyrocketed ever

June 4, 2019 Read Full Article

Nordic Microalgae Cleans Wastewater and Produces Biodiesel

(Umea University/Phys.Org) Lorenza Ferro demonstrates the potential of Nordic microalgae for simultaneous production of biomass and municipal sewage treatment in our Nordic climate. She has also studied how microalgae and bacteria work together and how this impacts the composition of microbial communities in open algae cultures. … Algae biomass is considered

June 3, 2019 Read Full Article

Argonne Releases Updated Computer Model to Help Bioenergy Developers Conserve Water

(Argonne National Laboratory) Critical updates to WATER tool help the bioenergy industry manage resources. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory recently released an updated version of an online computer model meant to help bioenergy developers preserve critical resources. The model, called Water Analysis Tool for Energy Resources or WATER, has users from more

June 2, 2019 Read Full Article

Researchers Produce Renewable Engine Fuel from Wet Biowaste

by Edwin L. Aguirre (University of Massachusetts Lowell) A team of researchers from UMass Lowell, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and China Agricultural University in Beijing has developed a new, sustainable way of converting wet biological waste into diesel-compatible fuel, using heat and water. The process, called hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), converts

May 31, 2019 Read Full Article

Students Study Possible Use of Lake Algae for Biofuel

(University of Wisconsin-Stout) Could the algae on Lake Menomin make biofuel? That is the question some University of Wisconsin-Stout students looked at as part of their research for capstone projects. Jerica Hall, a senior studying mechanical engineering, talked about the findings she and fellow students Isaac Audette, senior, manufacturing engineering, St. Paul; Colin