by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) A bill (H.R. 5489) recently introduced to the House Ways and Means Committee on Space, Science and Technology would add more biogas applications to the list of technologies that qualify for the federal Section 45 investment
by Selena Yakabe (The Dickinson Press) South Dakota’s $3.8 billion ethanol industry is facing a “glass ceiling,” according to officials. ... Hunter Roberts, the South Dakota representative for the Governor’s Biofuel Coalition, said this (Renewable Volume Obligation announced by the Environmental
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Dimethyl ether has several fuel properties that make it attractive for use in diesel engines. It has a very high cetane number, which is a measure of the fuel's ignitibility in compression ignition engines. The energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Poor DME. it burns like natural gas, handles like LPG, powers like diesel, and it’s as well-known as a good place for sewing machine repair in Burundi. San Diego-based Oberon Fuels has been the one consistent
by Devin Henry (The Hill) A bipartisan group of senators on Friday chided federal regulators for pulling back on the federal ethanol mandate. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, the 39 senators said the agency should
(U.S. Grains Council) U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Manager of Ethanol Export Promotion Programs Ashley Kongs presented the roadmap for building global ethanol export demand developed by the organization and its domestic partners, including the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth
(Thai Visa) The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangchak Petroleum Plc and three transportation and logistics operators to use B20 biodiesel in their vehicles. According to Energy Minister Gen. Anantaporn Kanjanarat, this
by Erin Guiltenane (University of Calcary UT Today) Christine Sharp and Marc Strous' Solar Biocells uses microorganisms in capture and conversion of carbon dioxide -- Sharp and Strous co-founded the startup Solar Biocells which uses an entirely new concept for the capture and
(Universidad National de Colombia (Google Translation)) solventogénicos microorganisms, whose main characteristic is that they grow in oxygen-free conditions, transform glycerine 1.3 propanediol, a molecule used, for example, to create textile fibers, the color and provide permanence repel dirt. During the laboratory
(Geregras (Google translation)) The ecological fuel obtained from recycling used cooking oils is becoming a reality thanks Life Bioseville an EU - funded project that will be tested in the fleet of city buses in Sevilla and whose pilot plant
(La Hoja Dario (Google translation)) ALUR completed a new Biodiesel export to Holland. This time around 140,000 liters were sent with a competitive price internationally. Since late 2015 specifying exports come to this country, a product that takes more and more
(GreenTechBiofuels) Greentech Biofuels, an Irish Company based in Kildare Ireland specialising in green energy solutions, has teamed up with Saint Etienne Metropole and Ondaine Agro in order to bring biofuel-powered floodlights to one of the stadiums hosting Euro 2016. The three
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Through The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes landmark green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that turn climate risk and other environmental problems into business opportunities, spurring innovation and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... So if the advanced bioeconomy is so prevalent and so pervasive, why do we hear so much about the struggles of projects to be built? Why is it so much easier to build wind and
by Zoltan Kish (Lee Enterprises/Biofuels Digest) ... The primary challenge of clean energy production is the heterogeneous nature of waste and biomass, which creates a widely varying chemical constituency of the energy products generated from these processes. Feedstocks can be converted to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Much has been written about terpenes in the area of flavors and fragrances. But they have astonishing properties for super high-density jet fuels in the 130,000-140,000 BTU range. Think valencene, premnaspirodiene, and b-caryophyllene. Now, we
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) Most discussions about biofuels center on ethanol, but biodiesel—a diesel-substitute made from vegetable oils and animal fats—is increasingly important as well. But where does biodiesel come from, and what does it mean for the
(US Department of Agriculture) Insurance Changes Expand Farm Safety Net for Double Cropping -- Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse today announced that the federal crop insurance program will provide additional flexibility to farmers. The modifications center on the
(Bioenergy Insight) Researchers from the Agro-Energy Group at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) have used geographic information systems to assess the potential use of the residual biomass of bananas produced in the province of El Oro, based in the south east of Ecuador, for
Carina A. Ortiz, , Torun Hammar, , Serina Ahlgren, , Per-Anders Hansson, , Johan Stendahl (Forest Ecology and Management/Science Direct) Stump bioenergy was assessed using LCA and forest ecosystem modelling; Stump bioenergy gave a climate benefit within ca two decades when
(MyJoyOnline) President John Mahama has inaugurated the revamped Komenda sugar factory in the Central region, predicting that the manufacturing plant will create over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs. At a colorful ceremony on the site of the factory, President Mahama said
(Ithaca Voice) The Tompkins County Solid Waste Division is pleased to announce the opening of a new collection station at the Recycling & Solid Waste Center for fats, oils and grease (FOG) left over from prepared foods. The FOG collection station
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Iogen says it has has “one of the world’s largest and most experienced teams in developing, designing, de-bugging, scaling-up and deploying cellulosic biofuel technology. We’re using innovative thinking and disciplined engineering to transform cellulosic biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... If you haven’t been to an LP meeting before, they are generally intimate gatherings of venture capitalists, their underlying investors (the Limited Partners), portfolio company CEOs, and some thought leaders invited to share their perspective
(25 x '25) The award of a $500,000 grant from the prestigious W.K. Kellogg Foundation to Solutions from the Land (SfL) this week (week of June 1, 2016) underscores the priority and responsibility that SfL takes in putting farmers first
(Amerigreen Energy/Biodiesel Magazine) Amerigreen Energy, in conjunction with Clean Cities of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, hosted “The Fleet Footprint Event: Emissions Requirements and the New Energy Landscape,” in Morristown, New Jersey, this spring. The event presented an honest assessment of all transportation fuels
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ... So it comes as little surprise that Sydney (Jaeger) has developed a love for biodiesel, and lists operating heavy equipment on the family farm and working in the biodiesel plant among her hobbies. As the Miss
(POET) POET is expanding its cover crop research as part of soil sustainability work in Emmetsburg, Iowa for cellulosic ethanol development. The work is part of an ongoing commitment to helping farmers make sound management decisions around harvesting crop
(Phys.Org) A jar of bio-oil, an alternate “crude oil” for transportation fuels currently made from petroleum, is created by first rapidly heating plant matter in a process called pyrolysis. Scientists then use catalysts to remove oxygen and convert the pyrolysis oil
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) Increasing the amount of ethanol blended with gasoline, both in the US and across the globe is "crucial" to supporting global grain prices, POET CEO Jeff Broin said Tuesday. ... The worst case scenario would be a global
by Xolisani Ncube (NewsDay) Zimbabwe has stockpiled over 130 tonnes of jatropha seeds for biodiesel production, but cannot commercialise the product due to lack of funding to blend the fuel for public consumption, Parliament was told yesterday. ... “We want to have
by Wayne Risher (The Commercial Appeal) A 75-year-old Memphis chemical plant may advance the environmentally friendly cause of non-food plant waste replacing a petroleum-based key ingredient in plastics, antifreeze and de-icer. Pennakem LLC, which originated as a Quaker Oats-run chemical plant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Founded in 1998 in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Ag is the largest, most experienced agricultural biomass supply company in the US. Today, Pacific Ag provides biomass supply chain solutions from six locations across the nation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The eyes of the world might well be on tiny Prince George, British Columbia these days — because that is the proposed site of Canfor’s commercial-scale biofuels and chemicals project. The success of such a
by Nathanael Johnson (Grist) ... Running cars and planes on corncobs would, at its best, produce 90 percent less greenhouse gas than gasoline. Until now, though, it’s only been an idea. We’ve been able to make cellulosic ethanol for more than a century,
(WXII) North Carolina lawmakers are pushing a proposal to authorize the cultivation of industrial hemp with the goal of allowing researchers to begin planting next spring. The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill Thursday allowing for state land grant universities to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In California, Greenyug said it will build an industrial-scale ethyl acetate manufacturing facility adjacent to Archer Daniels Midland Company’s wet mill corn processing facilities in Columbus, Nebraska. Greenyug has formed a subsidiary, Prairie Catalytic
(Bioenergy Insight) Ireland-based renewable energy developer Stream BioEnergy has commenced construction in Northern Ireland on a new biogas plant that will process large volumes of chicken litter. The plant, to be located just outside the town of Ballymena, will generate 3MW
by Joanna Schroeder (AgWired.com) California Ethanol & Power LLC (CE&P) proposed sugarcane-to-ethanol plant project is moving forward. To be located in Imperial Valley, California, CE&P has awarded the project management, engineering and construction contract to Technip, who will also serve
by Art Cullen (Storm Lake Times) ... So how can we produce ethanol sustainably — that is, a scheme under which farmers can make money without releasing nitrate to the river and help power America while emitting less carbon? First, the federal
by Bill Tiedje (Iowa Farmer Today) After weathering a winter of big stocks and low oil prices, the U.S. biofuels industry is looking forward to a strong year, thanks to growth in domestic gasoline demand and higher vehicle emissions standards
by Chuck Zimmerman (AgWired.com) Iowa Speedway was the place for corn growers this weekend as Enogen presented the American Ethanol E15 250 NASCAR XFINITY race. Kicking things off was a press conference with representatives from Syngenta, American Ethanol, Growth Energy and
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On June 16, Representative Tom Reed (R-NY) and Ron Kind (D-WI) along with 12 Republican and Democratic co-sponsors introduced the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act (H.R. 5489), which would expand the eligibility of biogas systems under the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Kansas, ICM said it is is currently in discussion with a short list of those interested in being selected as an early adopter of its Gen 1.5 technology, and they anticipate construction of the
by Janweb B. Lagazo (US Navy, USS Mason) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy Joseph M. Bryan and Chief of the Italian Navy Adm. Guiseppe De Giorgi, visited guided-missile destroyer
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Bioenergy Feedstock Library is a physical sample repository and database for physical, chemical and conversion performance characteristics of biomass feedstock. The library provides tools to store, record, track, retrieve, and analyze data to help researchers and industry overcome challenges
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They call it the Valley of Death, but it’s a complete misnomer. It’s the “nearly impassible Khumbu Icefalls” of Death — filled with chasms, crevasses and painful progress towards the summit in the far distance. But
by Bob Dinneen (The Hill) ... It’s worth recalling why a bipartisan coalition of policymakers, including President George W. Bush, worked together in 2007 to expand the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil companies to make increasing amounts of biofuel
by Orrie Swayze (Argus Leader) ... Let’s revive S.D.’s leadership for big vision, good business policies by putting state-owned non-flex fuel vehicles on E30 and utilize remaining pipeline tax revenues assuring all S.D. auto owners’ access to lower cost ethanol’s premium
by Ben Rosen (Christian Science Monitor) Algae grows faster and produces higher energy yields than other plants, but is much more expensive to turn into fuel than traditional petroleum byproducts. -- ... Airbus researchers are growing algae for biofuel
by Steve Scherer (Reuters) A U.S. warship took its first delivery of Italian-made biofuel on Thursday as part of the Navy's program to use more alternative energy. The USS Mason was refueled alongside an Italian vessel, the Andrea Doria, in the
by Geoffrey Carr (The Economist) If agriculture is to continue to feed the world, it needs to become more like manufacturing, says Geoffrey Carr. Fortunately, that is already beginning to happen -- Tom Rogers is an almond farmer in Madera County,
by Mohan K Ramanujam (paultan.org) ... In response to the implementation of B10 biodiesel for the transportation sector, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) sent a letter to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), claiming the usage of biodiesel in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month. Benson Hill Biosystems launched CropOS, a cognitive engine using cloud biology to empower a new era of plant genomics innovation. CropOS uses powerful data analytics and biological knowledge to identify the most promising plant genetics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Here, we profile 15 techs that offer incremental to profound shifts in the economics of the Gen-1 ethanol fleet, and have implications for everything from passenger cars to jets. #15 Vertimass and Byogy #14 Croda #13 Hummingbird #12 Alliance BioEnergy #11 GeoSynFuels #10
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) The National Biodiesel Board announced June 16 that the advanced biofuel industry trade group has launched a promotional media campaign for the fifth straight year. With a theme of “More is Less,” the ads illustrate that
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) ... The controversy centers on a specific provision in theHouse appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 regarding the burning of biomass (typically wood and other plant material) for energy. The bill proposes that the Environmental Protection Agency treat
(Plastics and Rubber Weekly) European Bioplastics (EUBP) has backed a new European Parliament report on revised waste legislation which has emphasised the role of bioplastics to help the move to a circular economy. The report, produced by Italian MEP Simona Bonafè,
(North American Climate Smart Agricultural Alliance) Solutions from the Land (SfL) is taking an active role in the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) summit underway this week in Rome, pressing business, government, NGO and other leaders there to
(International Council on Clean Transportation) Explores the potential for improving home collection of used cooking oil for biodiesel production in the EU. -- Used cooking oil (UCO) is a low carbon feedstock for biodiesel production in the EU, but this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fuel cells are important technology. You may remember them from the space program. They show up in the drama of Apollo 13, for example. Many car companies have investigated their potential — but here’s a
(Biofuels International) A team of three Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) students have come up with a prototype called FAME One to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel. The invention, which outwardly resembles a washing machine, is not only eco-friendly
(Biofuels International) Government and industry investment in new equipment will dramatically increase access to higher-ethanol blends but not fast enough to raise mandates to use the fuel next year, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Grants supporting the installation
(Biofuels International) More than two thirds of the palm oil used in Germany is sustainably certified, according to German biofuels industry group VDB (Verband der Deutschen Biokraftstoffindustrie. Around 1.5 million tonnes of palm oil has been used in Germany in 2013,
(Biofuels International) Greentech Biofuels, an Irish firm specialising in green energy solutions, has teamed up with Saint Etienne Metropole and Ondaine Agro in order to bring biofuel-powered floodlights to one of the stadiums hosting Euro 2016. The three organisations will join
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) EPA's proposed rule reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the RFS's purpose, which was designed to change the realities of the market and the way oil companies do business, and to spur investment
(Algae Industry Magazine) Porelogix Ultrafiltration Systems, LLC and Algae.Tec, Ltd. have announced the successful implementation of an advanced ultrafiltration algae extraction system. The yearlong collaborative effort between Algae.Tec’s research and development team and Porelogix engineers resulted in a scalable system
by Clint Jasper (ABC Rural) A leading agricultural economist is confident Australian canola growers will meet the European Union's (EU) strict new environmental rules for importing feed stocks for biofuel production. Anywhere between 40 to 90 per cent of canola is
by Keith L. Kline, Siwa Msangi, Virginia H. Dale, Jeremy Woods, Glaucia M. Souza, Patricia Osseweijer, Joy S. Clancy, Jorge A. Hilbert, Francis X. Johnson, Patrick C. McDonnell, Harriet K. Mugera (Global Change Biology: Bioenergy) ... Understanding the nexus of food security, bioenergy sustainability, and resource management facilitates achievement of the 2030
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This analysis was presented by Jonny Rogers at ABLC Feedstocks 2016, and is the result of is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), National Laboratories, and various Agency
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There are many pathways from biomass to jet — right now, the hottest is ATJ, or alcohol to jet. In the case of Gevo, they want to convert first-gen ethanol projects to making isobutanol,
(Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc./Globe Newswire) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (OTCQB:ALLM) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce that with the senior science officers of a large U.S. ethanol producer present, the CTS process produced fermentable sugars from Distillers Grain (DDG) as
(The Daily Independent) ... After diesel students complete the online biodiesel course sponsored by the Kentucky Soybean Board, instructors and students often want to know: “What can I learn about soy biodiesel next?” After being asked that question several times, biodiesel education
(Katmandu Post) The government has formed a committee to study the possibility of making biodiesel from jatropha seeds. Jatropha oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the plant known locally as sajiban or kadam, is superior to other oils. The
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) Feedstock Supply and Logistics Program is responsible for developing technologies to support Advanced Feedstock Supply Systems (AFSS) that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) "How much value is in the entire value chain, going from stover in the field to all the products?" asked Sandy Marshall, chairman, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. His question opened his description of the birth of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Siouxland Energy Cooperative has licensed the Edeniq’s Cellunator and Pathway technologies for its 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant located in Sioux Center. Production will start by Q4 2016. Meaning that Edeniq is shifting
(U.S. House Committee on Agriculture) ... (T)he House Agriculture Committee debuted a new blog, Homegrown, to chronicle daily life of American farmers and ranchers from the perspective of producers. The gap between urban and rural Americans is growing, and many
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ontario Biomass Producers Cooperative Inc., a group of Ontario farmers producing and marketing biomass, recently launched an effort to make it easier for its members to sell the miscanthus and switchgrass they produce to
(Viaspace/PR Newswire) VIASPACE CTO, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, made an invited presentation on Giant King Grass at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference – Feedstocks held in Miami, Florida June 6-8, 2016. The Conference, organized by Biofuels Digest (http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/), focused on the most
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) US-based White Dog Labs have developed a new process that eliminates the production of CO2, a potent greenhouse gas, during fermentation and instead shifts the carbon to added ethanol production, boosting fermentation yields by around
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In what might become the most transformative development in fermentation yields since Noah debuted winemaking technology in the Book of Genesis, US-based White Dog Labs have unveiled a new process that eliminates the emission of CO2, a
(Borneo Post) The implementation of the biodiesel 10 per cent blend (B10) programme for the transportation sector and the biodiesel seven per cent blend (B7) programme for the industrial sector will benefit smallholders, the Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) said. ... MBA in
(Sorghum Checkoff/Biomass Magazine) The Sorghum Checkoff recently announced a $500,000 investment in sorghum research, made at the inaugural Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program field day at the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center in Maricopa, Arizona. This investment follows the
by Charlotte Hsu (University at Buffalo/Biomass Magazine) Researchers from four U.S. universities are teaming up with dairy farms across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to study the effect of three different manure management techniques on preventing the occurrence and spread of
by Kylie Veleta (Inside Indiana Business) Under the tutelage of a major engine manufacturer, the Indianapolis Zoo is now converting leftover cooking oil into biofuel to power its maintenance vehicles. Cummins engineers built the on-site system, spearheaded the science and guided
by Michael Le Page (New Scientist) A small pilot project in Iceland has shown that carbon dioxide can be safely stored in basalt rocks. The finding could help tackle climate change, especially in countries such as India that have lots of basalt
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Blundermeisters of Media Misinformation are at it again. The world’s favorite advanced biofuel, biodiesel, gets another hit job from mainstream media. The Digest investigates. -- AFP, the major international news service, reported last week that
by Vonnie Estes (AgFunderNews) With the need to produce more food using fewer inputs, agriculture is seeking new products, practices and technologies. As a planet we must use fewer chemicals and less water. Subsistence farmers need to close the yield
(University of Sydney) International paper waste and plastic recycling contracts signed for ground-breaking Australian technology. -- It’s been a busy few days for Australian start-up Licella, whose innovative technology, developed in partnership with the University of Sydney, is the subject
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New Holland makes a wide range of farming, construction equipment; with related financing: excavators, loaders (backhoe, wheel, skid steer), crawler dozers, motor graders. Scott Wangsgard of New Holland gave this overview of highlights of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For the advanced bioeconomy, the question remains and will remain for some time, where are the gallons? Specifically, projects that use biobased feedstocks that can be converted into renewable fuels, chemicals, advanced foods, and biobased materials. Projects
by David Roberts (Vox) ... However, some uses of energy are not easy to electrify in the short term, maybe even in the long term. They rely on energy-dense liquid fuels. So if we're ever going to get to net zero emissions,
(Michigan State University/AgProfessional.com) ... The study, conducted by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and Michigan State University, found that using nitrogen fertilizer on switchgrass crops sharply increases the amount of nitrous oxide emitted. Switchgrass has been heralded as a significant
(IWBweek.com) IWB Week was held at Stockholmsmässan 24-26 May, 2016. The three eventful days confirmed IWB Weeks´s status as the premier and most progressive meeting place for the wood biorefining industries including pulp, paper, bioenergy and new wood-based innovations and
(Q13Fox.com) Alaska airlines made aviation history today, when it flew two planes partially fueled by “biofuel” made from fermented corn. The airline fueled up two jets at Sea-Tac Airport. One headed south, to San Francisco, the other east, to Washington, DC. “We aren’t
(Test Magazine (Google Translation)) Over 62 thousand tons of waste vegetable oil collected in 2015, an increase of 44% compared to 2010, 85% of which were initiated in regeneration for the production of biodiesel. Are some of the data emerging
by Keith Norman (The Jamestown Sun) Officials with New Energy Investors are planning on submitting an updated grant request to the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Committee after its previous request was denied in May, according to Robert Johnson, CEO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In April, we reported that Comet Biorefining has signed an off-take agreement with bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber for cellulosic dextrose from Comet’s upcoming first commercial plant in Sarnia, Ontario. The dextrose will be produced from agricultural
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The headline from the event is that projects and feedstock providers are more engaged than we have seen previously — a wave of technology development that once took place with a “we’ll work out
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) When margins matter most, strategies to ratchet up ethanol yield make good business sense. -- In the ethanol production world, yield is king. Fluid Quip Process Technologies and Edeniq Inc. have technologies that can help
(Repreve Renewables LLC) Repreve Renewables LLC celebrated the official opening of its North Carolina processing center on June 1. This investment marks the company’s initiative to build local economies, while providing customers with reliable and cost effective feedstock solutions. The
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) A recent report entitled “The Real Economic Benefit of Separate Biowaste Collections” released by U.K.-based Renewable Energy Association shows that food waste collected separately in a majority of situations can reduce costs for businesses and
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) Seattle-based Impact Bioenergy, a small startup focused on distributed energy with its portable, prefabricated anaerobic digestion (AD) technology, deployed its first microdigester at the Fremont Brewery Co. in Seattle this April. The company manufactures and sells
(Rubber & Plastics News) Kultevat Inc., a company devoted to the commercial development of high-quality rubber and co-products from the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz, or TKS), has received its first process patent. U.S. Patent No. 9,346,924 B2, issued May 24, covers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Virent is in the business of replacing crude oil by applying clever chemistry to create the fuels and chemicals the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable resources. Virent’s patented technology features catalytic chemistry
(Algae Industry Magazine) Rochester Institute of Technology and Synergy Biogas are exploring the environmental benefits of microalgae to clean agricultural wastewater and make biofuels. Jeff Lodge, associate professor in RIT’s Thomas Gosnell School of Life Sciences, is running the three-month
by Jennifer Blackburn (United Sorghum Checkoff Program/MyPlainView.com) The Sorghum Checkoff announced Thursday a $500,000 investment in sorghum research, made at the inaugural Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program field day at the University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... It’s that way for nanocellulose, too — a material made from the largest organisms imaginable — our friends, the trees — which display astonishing Marvel-like properties when processed into nanofibrils and nanocrystals, with gigantic implications
(Biofuels International) UK import and consumption of palm oil-based biodiesel has fallen dramatically, and currently stands at zero, according to statistics from the UK’s Department for Transport. The government department has recently published statistics on the UK’s biodiesel industry, analysing the
by Megan Greenwalt (Waste 360) With municipalities increasingly collecting organic waste, finding ways to convert that waste into clean energy is a hot topic in the solid waste industry. A multitude of techniques are in use or being developed, including aerobic and anaerobic
by Ilari Kauppila (Biofuels International) Finnish fuel producer Neste is set to start a trial project to turn used cooking oil (UCO) into biodiesel at its biorefinery in Finland. The trial, to be held at the company’s Kilpilahti refinery in Porvoo
(Queens Gazette) City Council Member Costa Constantinides, joined by environmental groups and others, rallied in support of his bill INT. 642 on May 25. The legislation would ensure more sustainable energy consumption by increasing the use of biodiesel in home
(Transport & Environment) ... In 2014, 45% of all the palm oil used in Europe ended up in the tanks of cars and trucks, data from EU vegetable oil industry association Fediol and obtained by green group Transport & Environment has
by Gerald Kutney (Lee Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... From the time of the caveman until the early Industrial Revolution, biofuels – namely wood and the advanced biofuel of the day, charcoal – reigned supreme. Both fossil fuels and biofuels originate from biomass. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The signals coming out of Washington DC are so confusing, you might be wondering if there’s going to be a budget for the US Department of Energy for the fiscal year starting this October. ... Meanwhile, the DOE’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) These days, Cathay Pacific trades under the slogan “Life Well Travelled” and the delivery of the first of 48 super-modern, super-quiet, super-chic Airbus 350-900s is another milestone for that branding — but it might as
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy AgWired) Trestle Energy and Larksen are partnering to commercialize a new Fuel Pathway Management Platform using biomass pellets. The platform would enable ethanol producers to reduce their fuel carbon intensity by powering their plant with biomass
by Brooks Hays (UPI) Researchers in South Korea have turned a bathroom into a laboratory for sustainable energy. They're turning human waste into biofuel. The experimental bathroom features a waterless toilet system that breaks down human waste into a dehydrated and
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Not only does Tulare County, California-based Calgren Renewable Fuels LLC manufacture renewable transportation fuel and utilize renewable energy to power its operations, but starting next month, the plant will also send renewable electricity to the
by Nancy Hicks (Lincoln Journal Star) The city’s public works staff members have a picture they like to point to when explaining their latest project. It shows city bus riders in the UK -- sitting on toilets. It’s a fun, visual
by Committee on Propulsion and Energy Systems to Reduce Commercial Aviation Carbon Emissions; Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies Press) The primary human activities that release carbon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella produces drop-in biofuels from a wide range of biomass and uses a supercritical water-based technology and catalysts to break up biomass and reform it into a drop-in fuel hydrocarbon. The compelling features of supercritical are
(University of Adelaide/Newswise) A weedy plant found on the roadside in northern Australia has stems ripe for biofuel production. -- Scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls at the University of Adelaide have discovered that a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella and Canfor will form a joint-venture under the name “Licella Pulp Joint Venture” to integrate Licella’s unique Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor upgrading platform into Canfor Pulp’s kraft and mechanical pulp mills to economically convert biomass,
by Senator Timothy Wirth and C. Boyden Gray (Yale Environment 360) The criticism of ethanol by environmentalists is misguided and just plain wrong. In fact, thanks to improvements in farming techniques, increasing the amount of corn ethanol in U.S. gasoline
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that incentives resume this month for farmers and foresters who grow and harvest biomass for renewable energy and biobased products. The funds
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $8.8 million to boost the production of advanced biofuels and sustain jobs at renewable energy facilities in 39 states. USDA continues
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
by Pallab Ghosh (BBC) The ban on GM crops by European countries should be reassessed, the president of UK science body the Royal Society says. -- Prof Venki Ramakrishnan said the science of genetic modification had been misunderstood by the public
by David Biello (Scientific American) ... Burning cellulosic ethanol as a fuel could result in just 10 percent of the CO2 emissions produced by burning gasoline. One big secret to making it all work is the advanced biofuel refinery's location right next
(Daily Bruin) UCLA has sustained interest in reducing waste over the years, but it might have lost its interest in innovation. While the 45 tons of food waste and biodegradable packaging its dining halls produce every month are all composted, UCLA has
(Phys.Org) As Iowa farmers have planted more acres of corn to meet the demand driven by the corn-based ethanol industry, many models predicted that nitrate concentrations in Iowa streams would increase accordingly. However, recent IIHR research based on water monitoring
(Paper Advance/FPInnovations) The agreement covers the installation of a next-generation biorefinery facility in the city of La Tuque -- FPInnovations and Bioénergie La Tuque (BELT) are proud to announce the signing of a collaborative agreement, the main purpose of which is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative Helioculture platform directly and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) India’s SunLight Fuels licenses IH2 Technology for hydrocarbon transportation fuels from agricultural waste -- In India, Sunlight Fuels has signed a Front End Loading license agreement for IH2 Technology with CRI Catalyst, a division of
(IEA Implementing Agreement for Renewable Energy Technology Deployment) The integration of advanced (2nd generation / 2G) biofuel plants with conventional (1st generation / 1G) biofuel plants can lead to significant synergies and cost savings, especially for bioethanol plants. For biodiesel,
by Tomas Ekbom (Task 39 May 2016 Newsletter) The production and use of biofuels in Sweden have increased substantially since the mid-2000s. According to preliminary statistics from SPBI, the share of renewable energy in the road sector was 14.7% in 2015
(Algae Biomass Organization) Algae has the potential to make a large impact as an ingredient in animal feed, according to Xingen Lei, professor of molecular nutrition at Cornell University. Lei, who has been studying algae’s nutritional benefits for years, is
(Office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts) Today, Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska and the importance of biofuels to the state by kicking off a unique ethanol promotion at Sapp Brothers in Omaha. The Governor previously designated
(Clariant/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, and Scania, one of the world's top heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, are celebrating the results and the opportunities generated by the partnership established last year, which involved an investment in sustainable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In March, United Airlines made history by becoming the first U.S. airline to begin use of commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights with the departure of United Flight 708 from Los Angeles International
(GreenAir Online) Canadian carrier WestJet is to team with the new Clean Energy Technology Centre (CETC) in the town of Drayton Valley in central Alberta to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable aviation biofuels in Western Canada. The area
(ACS Green Chemistry Institute) Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies in the world and the only one in Europe to develop a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The company has focused initially on the
(Jamaica Observer) ‘We are yet to see that,’ says economist as he outlines vision for sugar sector -- Jamaica is still not producing ethanol for the E10 mix of petrol which the Government introduced into the petroleum sector in 2008,
(Biofuels International) A joint venture (JV) project between Chempolis Ltd and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), which should cost around €110 million, moves on after getting approval from NRL’s board. The project has preceded several preparation stages including signing MoUs with neighbouring
(Biofuels International) Dutch chemicals giant AkzoNobel and agro-industrial cooperative Royal Cosun have formed a new partnership to develop novel products from cellulose side streams resulting from sugar beet processing. The partnership will combine Royal Cosun's specialist knowledge in separating and purifying
(Tri-State Neighbor) A gas station in Aberdeen added a biodiesel blender pump as part of a program sponsored by the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. ... “Brown County is one of the top soybean producing areas in South
(NewsWise/University of Guelph) An almost entirely accidental discovery by University of Guelph researchers could transform food and biofuel production and increase carbon capture on farmland. By tweaking a plant’s genetic profile, the researchers doubled the plant’s growth and increased seed production
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Biologics is focused on the production of renewable n-butanol and other C4 chemicals from various renewable feedstocks, including sugar (cane, molasses, beets), starch (corn) and cellulosic biomass (corn residues, sugar cane bagasse, forest materials
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