by Louisa Burwood-Taylor (AgFunderNews) “A lot of what’s needed in African agriculture is quite low-tech if tech at all,” says Gary Vaughan-Smith, chief investment officer at SilverStreet Capital, the agribusiness private equity firm. SilverStreet has been investing in African agriculture since 2011 when it
(NGV Journal/Eesti Gaas) AS Eesti Gaas and Rohegaas OÜ made an agreement, according to which Eesti Gaas will buy approximately 11 million m³ of biomethane from Rohegaas OÜ in 2018 and 2019. The sales of biomethane will be possible because in
by Tim Albrecht (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Indonesia instituted a national ethanol policy in 2006, but has been having troubles meeting their goals. The country’s plans to develop bioethanol are facing many setbacks, including costly inputs, capacity limitations and trade restrictions limiting
by Aminur Rahman Rasel (Dhaka Tribune) ...The government has decided to allow the use of bio-ethanol as vehicle fuel by mixing it with petrol and octane at a 5% ratio. The initiative, first ever in Bangladesh, was taken to reduce the use
by John Greig (Manitoba Co-operator) An Ontario government proposal could dramatically increase the amount of Ontario corn going into ethanol production and help bring consistency to the basis price for corn in the province. The government has posted its proposal to increase
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is at commercial-scale. The
by Amy Mayer (Harvest Public Media/NetNebraska) Advanced biofuels have been touted as the next step beyond the corn-based ethanol that’s the bulk of the country’s renewable fuel for cars and trucks. But cellulosic ethanol is harder to make and companies have
(NGV Journal/NUI Galway) National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) and Gas Networks Ireland are leading a new transport revolution as they introduce CNG and renewable natural gas for trucks, vans and buses. ... In addition to this, a renewable gas injection facility
(Algae Industry Magazine) ... In September, the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $22 million in grants to fund projects for marine biomass farming for production of commercial products, including feedstock for domestic transportation fuels. The funding was provided through the
by Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) The government plans to expand the scope of its biodiesel subsidy to businesses operating outside the public service obligation (PSO) program starting in May in a bid to boost domestic use of such palm
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last year, industry consultant Vonnie Estes — whose latest Digest column is here — picked up the Rosa Franklin Award for leadership in industrial biotechnology — and her most recent presentation decks offer a pretty good sense of why
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2018? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2017 gives
(Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium/Ethanol Producer Magazine) To accelerate innovation and adoption of new practices and technologies to determine the root cause of biomass handling failures and designing solutions, the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium is overseeing a directed funding opportunity (DFO) call. Interested industrial
by Deepak Kumar; Stephen P. Long; Vijay Singh (The Conversation/Inverse Innovation) Airlines look to biomass-derived jet fuels to reduce their carbon footprint. ... Bio-jet fuel can be produced from various plant materials, including oil crops, sugar crops, starchy plants and lignocellulosic biomass, through
(U.S. Department of Energy) Added sugar takes on a whole new meaning in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) work to uncover the secrets behind one of nature’s most powerful tools—cellulose-degrading enzymes. Researchers at NREL are seeking to unlock the bioenergy stored
by Deborah Gertz Husar (Herald-Whig) ... University of Illinois agricultural economist Madhu Khanna said the low-carbon fuel standard creates incentives to switch to low-carbon advanced biofuels, but including the indirect effect makes compliance more costly and fuel more expensive for consumers. "What
by Candace Ruud (The News Tribune) ... In a few years, the stuff you flush could be used as green fuel, potentially powering vehicles around the country. The city’s Environmental Services Department also is hoping to make a little money from the
by Sarina Locke (ABC Rural) Australia has secured access to a billion-dollar European biodiesel market for canola, just two weeks away from a cut-off date. The CSIRO has found that using Australian canola in the biodiesel supply chain produced half the greenhouse
(FGUSAL/DICYT) Researchers at the University of Salamanca test a catalyst to produce biodiesel more efficiently and economically in accordance with the requirements imposed by the regulations for the coming years -- ... However, the problem is that nowadays it is only possible
by Phil Franz-Warkentin (Manitoba Co-Operator) ... ICE Futures Canada canola contracts climbed to their highest levels in more than two months during the week ended Oct. 27, as declines in the Canadian dollar and gains in U.S. soyoil provided double the
(Economic Times) Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) would initiate production of second generation ethanol by utilising crop residues and other biomass as feedstock at village Baoli in Panipat district of Haryana. The capacity of proposed plant would be 100 kilo litre of ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy has a goal of developing industrially-relevant strains to meet titer, rate, and yield targets for fuel precursors for the 2022 BC Platform cost target goals of $3/GGE. A project led by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In December, we reported that Cargill and Calysta will co-create the world’s largest gas fermentation facility in Memphis, Tennessee to produce Calysta’s FeedKind protein, a family of sustainable, traceable nutritional ingredients for fish, livestock and pets. Start-up is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In a striking pledge made in the latter part of 2016. 20 Latin American countries promised to promote biofuel production and use, with the support of development finance institutions. That was then, this is now. What’s happening towards
by Mitch Daniels (The Washington Post) Of the several claims of “anti-science” that clutter our national debates these days, none can be more flagrantly clear than the campaign against modern agricultural technology, most specifically the use of molecular techniques to create
(Algae Industry Magazine) China Daily Editor Zhang Shiyu writes that Wang Qiang, the lead scientist behind a project at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Hydrobiology, said a new strain of microalgae they are developing has recently entered a
(Real Agriculture) The European Commission published its decision to allow Canadian canola to have continued access to the EU biodiesel market this week. “This decision means continued access to an important market for Canadian canola,” says Jim Everson, president of the Canola
(Wisconsin State Journal) ... A study conducted for the U.S. Agriculture Department found corn ethanol’s life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, by 2022, will be 43 percent lower than gasoline baseline emissions if ethanol plants continue as usual. If ethanol production makes improvements with available
(Bangkok Post) ... The commonly used biodiesel B100 reportedly has 13 factories producing 6.6 to 7 million litres a day, but national demand is around 3.3 to 3.5 million litres per day, said Sanin Triyanont, president of Thai Biodiesel Producers Association.
(The EU Biodiesel Chain) On Dec. 18, the EU Energy Ministers agreed on the Council General Approach for the post-2020 EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). The EU Biodiesel Chain welcomes the council decision to increase the minimum share of renewable
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 50
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over the years we’ve all seen a lot of curveballs in the advanced bioeconomy. You see companies like Valero, which lobby the United States Congress with unbridled intensity to get rid of the Renewable Fuel Standard,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Ontario Centres of Excellence have announced 20 semi-finalists for Ontario’s Solutions 2030 Challenge, which calls on innovators to propose solutions to help the province’s industry reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. Several of the finalists
(New Indian Express) After initiating the move to set up a second generation ethanol plant in Bargarh district with an investment of `750 crore, the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has partnered with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)
(Rigzone) Eni has signed an agreement with Utilitalia and CONOE to boost the collection of used vegetable oil produced in the homes of its employees. The oil will be processed through Eni’s bio-refinery in Venice for subsequent transformation into HVO, the bio-component
by Zunaira Saieed (The Star) FELDA, which harbours the largest population of oil palm smallholders in Malaysia, fully condemns the discriminatory act by the European Union (EU) to ban palm oil from entering its market. This year, the EU Parliament has passed
(U.S. Grains Council/4 Traders) Representatives from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently traveled to Indonesia and Thailand to visit with ministry and industry officials there and gain a better understanding of the opportunities for and challenges to expanded ethanol use in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where scientists discovered novel catalysts that convert a wide range of alcohols into various hydrocarbon blend stocks which can be used in existing gasoline, diesel and jet
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With apologies to every other region around the world. we continue to see Asia as the epicenter of the biobased revolution over the next 20 years. The reasons are three and relatively straightforward: 1. Continued and robust
(NGV Journal) Waste-to-product company Renewi plc has started accepting the first waste at its new Organics Biofuels Processing Facility in Surrey – the first closed-loop and fully-integrated organics waste management system in Canada. The facility is the largest of its kind
by Tamara Scully (Country Folks) The next big thing in alternative energy may be pretty small. Algae, which are aquatic, single-celled organisms, produce oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide. Nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients which can degrade our waterways, plus sunlight and
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking provides notice and an opportunity to comment on the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with biofuels that are produced from grain sorghum oil extracted at dry mill ethanol plants. EPA's
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Qatar, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment launched a project to produce biogas from wastes with Qatar University’s College of Engineering with the goal of using that biogas as a clean energy to power
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) 2017 was a roller coaster year. There was a paradigm shift in biofuels, technology advancements, innovations abounded, politics chaotic. Some companies shut down and disappeared like the Hobo vanishing in the snow atop the Polar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) An early stage renewable energy company focused on commercializing patent-pending technologies to convert low-value forestry residuals to high value liquid hydrocarbons that are compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure. EnerSysNet Canada CEO Gary Scoggins gave this illuminating
by Susan van Dyk, Emile van Zyl, Brett Pletschke (International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 39) This short contribution provides some perspectives on opportunities for biofuel production on the African continent. Africa has a large land base, with only 27% of its arable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, we’d like to share news that a new biorefinery for diesel and jet fuel has finalized $112.6 million loan, backed by a USDA loan guarantee. This is Ryze Renewables, which will construct its biorefinery in Storey County,
(DISS Express) South Norfolk Council is asking residents to recycle their cooking fats this Christmas – in a bid to reduce the number of blocked drains. The council is helping people do this with a variety of used cooking oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL — home to the National Bioenergy Center — advances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we’ve received news from three companies that have struck out in search of new markets for their fundamental processes, and new applications for biotechnology in some ancient and ossified markets such as jet fuel,
(Biofuels International) A (CDN) $76.8 million (€50.7 million) industrial scale advanced biofuel demonstration plant will be constructed at a former pulp mill in Tofte, Norway. The new facility is apparently a step towards the creation of a commercial scale project. Danish-Canadian clean-fuel
by Marianne Curtis (Farmers Guardian) The biofuels market for Red Tractor assured crops has been secured with the news that the European Commission will continue to recognise the scheme under the Renewable Energy Directive, says Red Tractor. Since 2012 compliance with Red Tractor
(Phys.Org/Cell Press) Consumers across the world enjoy Greek yogurt for its taste, texture, and protein-packed punch. Reaching that perfect formula, however, generates large volumes of food waste in the form of liquid whey. Now researchers in the United States and Germany
Pius Rugonzibwa In Mwanza (Daily News) The production of cassava in the country has received a major boost after the government recently signed a deal with a Chinese firm worth over 2.5trl/- aimed at commercialising its farming. -- Opening the annual review
(The Hindu Business Line) Should the oil marketing companies (OMCs) go for a second round of tender, sugar mills may be able to offer some more quantity of ethanol for fuel blending, said a sugar industry official here on Thursday. Though India’s
(GEVO) Testing Being Performed as Part of FAA’s CLEEN Program to Promote the Use of Bio-Based Jet Fuels -- Gevo, Inc.(NASDAQ:GEVO), announced today (December 11, 2017) that GE Aviation had commenced jet engine combustor component testing with a jet fuel comprised
by Paola Tamma (EurActiv) Biofuel producers in the Visegrad countries plus Lithuania and Bulgaria have warned that a phase-out of biofuels will lead to a phase-in of ‘greenwashed’ fossil fuels under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), as it currently stands in
by Mike Foley (The Land) A new fuel technology to convert harvested crops and other plant waste into biofuel and green chemical products is being developed with $11.9 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The new technology uses
(University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/Newswise) ... Although sorghum is a source for table syrup, scientists see a future in which we convert sorghum to biofuel, rather than relying on fossil fuel. That potential just grew as University
(General Automation Lab Technologies/PR Newswire) New $1.5 million DOE grant will utilize GALT's novel high throughput microbiome research platform to improve algal biofuel growth through microbiome engineering -- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been awarded a 3 year $1.5 million grant by the
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) According to a report by Cerulogy for T&E, e-fuels only have meaningful climate benefits if strict sustainability criteria are observed throughout the production process. Renewable e-fuels can have low greenhouse gas intensities, lower environmental risk than biofuel production, could
(U.S. Department of Energy) Responses to Request for Information DE-FOA-0001526: Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Pilot Verification Capabilities ... In February 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) reached out to industry, academia, national laboratories, and other biofuels and
by Erik Hyrkas (U.S. Department of Energy) Did you know that the Energy Department is working to create biofuel from resources like human waste? In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office works with national laboratories to research the
by M. Cristina Negri (U.S. Department of Energy) Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) in Argonne, Illinois, are examining innovative new agricultural landscapes that incorporate perennial bioenergy crops to provide environmental benefits, such as improved nutrient management and pollinator nesting. This work prioritizes
by Cliff Gladstein (ACT News) ... Attitudes toward the utility of natural gas as the environmentally preferred fuel began to change when technologies to effectively extract natural gas from local shale formations—a process called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”—became widely used. Although the U.S.
(Biofuels International) An innovative gene editing technique could allow algae to produce ‘vast’ quantities of renewable fuels, new research claims. The method, developed by scientists at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, could lead to cheap ways of producing fuels, medicine, and
by Julia Evangelou Strait (The Source Washington University in St. Louis) Medical, engineering schools team up to create biofuels independent of food crops -- Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received a $3.9 million grant from the Department of Energy
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On November 7th, 2017, industrial experts, leaders and policy makers alike met for the 20th Annual World Ethanol & Biofuels Conference held in Brussels, Belgium to discuss how the future of de-fossilizing the transport
(Waste Management World) Celtic Renewables has secured planning permission from Falkirk Council to build a commercial demonstrator plant, which will produce over half a million litres of biofuel each year from whiskey wastes. Scottish biofuel start-up, Celtic Renewables Ltd, has secured planning permission
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... What are the top trends? Here are the 11 we see dominating the debate on the stage and on the floor. Jet fuel deployment – how much, how soon, by whom? California, look up, not down!
(Biofuels International) Researchers have carried out systematic analysis of the latest scientific evidence on indirect land use change (ILUC) greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of biofuels and bioliquids. Experts from the Biomass Department of CENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of
by Sarah Boden (WESA) The number of acres permitted to grow industrial hemp in Pennsylvania is going to increase 100-fold in 2018, from less than 50 to possibly more than 5,000. This year was the first since the 1930s that farmers could
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is working with bioenergy industries and leaders to assist them in the sustainable development of bioenergy that includes our fish and wildlife resources, in the quest towards sustainable bioenergy
(Algae Industry Magazine) Stelco Algae Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Stelco Inc., one of Canada’s leading integrated steel companies, and algal cultivation specialists Pond Technologies Inc., of Markham, Ontario, Canada, have announced their collaboration for the construction of what they
(Bioenergy Insight) UK anaerobic digestion specialist Clearfleau has started construction on a new biogas facility at a distillery in Scotland. Part of a £3 million project commissioned by Inver House Distillers, the new facility will generate energy in the form of
by Luke Acton (Bioenergy Insight) With the dearth of subsidies and volatile political environment, Charlotte Morton shared her views on what lay ahead for the UK’s anaerobic digestion (AD) industry. Of the ten million tonnes of food waste a year in the
by Joseph Bebon (NGT News) Novi, Mich.-based Aria Energy has announced it purchased a 50% interest in Mavrix LLC from BP and will work with the global oil and gas company to market and distribute renewable natural gas (RNG) to U.S. customers. Financial
by Sarah Rieger (CBC News) Nabaa Alam named an Everyday Political Citizen by Samara Canada -- ... University of Alberta graduate Nabaa Alam was named an Everyday Political Citizen by civic engagement non-profit Samara Canada on Thursday. When Alam was in his last year of
(Pearson Fuels/Ethanol Producer Magazine) East Kansas Agri-Energy of Garnett, Kansas, and Pearson Fuels of San Diego, California, announce the signing of an exclusive West Coast marketing agreement for the distribution of renewable diesel from EKAE’s recently commissioned plant in Garnett. Renewable diesel
(ArcelorMittal) The world’s most prestigious award programme for the circular economy, The Circulars, has highly commended ArcelorMittal for demonstrating leadership and innovation by applying circular economy principles to its business models. ... Partnering with technical and industry leaders to develop and scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Faced with two problems – 1) what to do with human waste in space and 2) how to get needed supplies to astronauts in space (especially longer space missions like Mars), scientists are working on
(Neste) The Ham Trick campaign, a demonstration of circular economy in action, and EduCycle, a learning game that makes use ofaugmented reality, won awards in two prestigious marketing and communications competitions yesterday. The Ham Trick (Kinkkutemppu in Finnish) won gold at the 2017 European Excellence
by Emma Cosgrove (AgFunder News) ... Tom Schenck of TerViva, an agtech startup working with citrus growers in Florida, says the disease has changed the face of the sunshine state. ... Startups are also looking to provide Florida citrus growers with alternative crops to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Japan, Sekisui Chemical and LanzaTech, have successfully demonstrated the production of ethanol from unsorted municipal solid waste — which can be used directly as a fuel or as a precursor to butadiene (a key raw material in the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sekisui Chemicals, LanzaTech break-through in MSW-to-ethanol demonstration -- ... Were trash to acquire a substantial uplift in value, that’s the end to the landfill crisis. In Japan, Sekisui Chemical and LanzaTech have successfully demonstrated the production of ethanol from unsorted municipal solid
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he Australian Renewable Energy Agency has made its single largest direct investment in second-generation biofuels via $11.9M in funding support for Ethtec to complete the development and demonstration of its advanced biofuel production technology. ... But times are changing in
(Biofuels International) A scientist from the University of Manchester has argued that developing a modern bioenergy and biofuels system “has huge potential for providing sustainable, low-carbon energy facilitating a range of key sustainable development goals.” Dr Mirijam Roeder is a scientist from
(Advanced Biofuels Canada/EIN Presswire) Advanced Biofuels Canada applauds government for new funding to support biofuels in Alberta and expand the province’s lower carbon economy. -- The government of Alberta announced today new initiatives to strengthen the biofuels sector in Alberta. The province has
(Virvergo) “We reluctantly welcomed the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuel obligation proposals in September, but have remained extremely concerned that there is no roll-out framework for E10 in the UK, the absence of which could have serious consequences for the long-term future of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Philippines, a local entrepreneur has won several awards for the fuel additives he developed from used cooking oil that improves performance by rearranging the molecular structure of diesel, gasoline and motor oil. The product,
(Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is proud to announce the establishment of the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium—a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming technical uncertainty in research and development of robust biomass supply,
by Marko Janhunen (EurActiv/Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels) The International Energy Agency confirms that sustainable biofuels are needed to secure transport decarbonisation. The European Parliament’s Industry Committee, for its part, confirms the need to set a specific mandate for advanced biofuels, writes
by David Iaconangelo (E&E News) Ethanol made from Brazilian sugar cane could replace as much as 13 percent of the world's crude oil consumption by 2045 — over 5 percent of carbon emissions — if the country maximized cultivation, according to an
by Anne Ju (Cornell Chronicle) A Cornell research team has received a $910,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to work toward revolutionizing how biofuels are produced from algae. David Erickson, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Largus Angenent,
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) ... Another aspect of U.S. agricultural exports that is changing is ethanol and its byproduct DDGs. In the past 3 years, U.S. exports of ethanol have grown significantly. Cary Sifferath, Senior Director of Global Programs
(New Indian Express) A day after Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sought the assistance of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for setting up an ethanol plant in Bargarh district, the State BJP on Sunday targeted Labour Minister Sushant Singh for the delay
(Reuters/Channel News Asia) Tokyo's park along Meguro river, a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms each spring, has been transformed by pink LED lights hanging from the trees resembling the pretty flowers ahead of the Christmas season. The more than 420,000 lights on
by Sarah Loftus (Nanowerk News/Duke University) ... Although biofuels made from algae provide numerous environmental benefits, they will not win market share until they can compete economically with cheap fossil fuels. Algae require tremendous volumes of water to grow, and reusing that
(NGV Journal) Toyota Motor North America, Inc. will build the world’s first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station to support its operations at the Port of Long Beach. The Tri-Gen facility will use bio-waste sourced
(RNG Coalition) Renewable Natural Gas ('RNG') is an ultra-clean and ultra low-carbon natural gas alternative. As organic waste breaks down it emits methane gas, called biogas, that can be processed to meet natural gas pipeline quality specifications. Biogas is a mixture
by Mark R. Edwards (Algae Industry Magazine) t the recent Algae Biomass Summit in Salt Lake City Algae Foundation President Ira Levine shared this year’s advancements in algal-based education for K-14 and beyond. The past year has been an eventful year
(Australian Renewable Energy Agency/Ethanol Produce Magazine) The Australian Renewable Energy Agency recently announced $11.9 million in funding for Australian biofuel company Ethanol Technologies Ltd. to complete the development and demonstration of its groundbreaking advanced biofuel technology. As part of a $48 million project, Ethtec aims
(Enhanced Online News/Whitefox) The modular bolt-on membrane system will increase production rates, improve energy and operational efficiencies and reduce cooling water load -- United Ethanol LLC is to install a Whitefox ICE™ membrane system at its plant in Milton, Wisconsin. The modular bolt-on system frees
(Malay Mail Online) The vote on Nov 28, 2017 by the Industry, Research & Energy Committee (ITRE) of the European Union’s (EU) Parliament to endorse the ban on palm oil biofuels in Europe, under EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is a step backwards for
(U.S. Department of Energy) Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, have successfully modified a microorganism to produce a useful intermediate from sugar fermentation, which can then be upgraded into valuable biobased fuels and chemicals. NREL’s modified
by Dameon Pesanti (Columbian) With the earnestness of a missionary, Peter Brown will proselytize about the eco-friendliness of biodiesel and methane digesters — or extol their virtues with the already converted. In his mind, Vancouver could be to the green-energy movement
( São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP/EurekAlert!) Expansion of sugarcane cultivation for biofuel in areas not under environmental protection or reserved for food production could also reduce global emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 5.6%, according to a study by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to cellulosic ethanol, is flexible to be used to convert different feedstocks on a regional basis, for example corn stover in North
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) have announced the launch of the ASC-MSC Seaweed Standard. The joint standard marks a first for the two certification programs, bringing together expertise in sustainable fishing
(Air Transport Action Group) This guide looks at the opportunities and challenges in developing sustainable aviation fuel. READ MORE
by Paola Tamma (EurActiv) Contrary to the European Commission’s initial proposal, the European Parliament voted on Tuesday (28 November) to increase targets for sustainable energy and reintroduce a sub-target for transport, by using “sustainable” biofuels. ... Boost to renewables in transport MEPs also reintroduced a
by John Capone (Quartz Media) ... It’s where the dregs of every vodka still and every 9-year-old barrel-aged small batch bourbon expire. It’s where all the watery beer that didn’t end up at frat parties does its final keg stand. And
(Reuters) Brazil’s lower house of Congress approved on Tuesday a bill to set up a program to boost the use of biofuels, a move that could sharply change the way fuel distributors operate in the country. ... The program, called RenovaBio, will give
by Carol Spaeth-Bauer (Wisconsin State Farmer) A University of Wisconsin-Madison study released on Nov. 15 has officials in the ethanol industry frustrated, disputing the methodology of the study saying the claims of the study are not supported by fact. The study showed a shift of
(Neste Corporation) Neste, along with Mr. S. Iswaran, Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry (Industry), Mrs Jayalekshmi Mohideen, Singapore's Ambassador to Finland, and Ms. Paula Parviainen, Finnish ambassador to Singapore, and many distinguished guests celebrated the tenth anniversary of Neste Singapore
(Western Economic Diversification Canada/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem Alberta Biofuels, a subsidiary of Montreal-based Enerkem Inc., is receiving $3.5 million from the Government of Canada through the Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative to build the final phase of a facility that converts non-recyclable, non-compostable municipal solid
(University of Hohenheim) Until now, acreage was designated for either photovoltaics or photosynthesis, that is, to generate electricity or grow crops. An agrophotovoltaics (APV) pilot project near Lake Constance, however, has now demonstrated that both uses are compatible. Dual use of
(ePURE) Industry Committee vote falls short of what is needed to fix the Commission’s RED II proposal -- The report adopted today by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee sets the stage for a real clash with EU Member States
by Ray Grabanski (Progressive Ag/Ag Week) ... Japan announced that it will allow gasoline blenders to use ethanol sourced from the U.S. Japan currently allows blending with Brazilian sugar ethanol, but U.S. ethanol is currently 35 percent cheaper than Brazilian sugar
(Bio-based News) Biorefineries are the heart of the bioeconomy. Here, different types of biomass are fully utilised and transformed into a large variety of chemicals and materials The map distinguishes between “Sugar-/starch based biorefineries”, producing bioethanol and other chemicals (63), “Oil-/fat-based biorefineries
(AntaraNews.com) The government has initiated a program to rejuvenate palm oil plantations in North Sumatra spread across 9,109.29 hectares in 12 districts. Serdang Bedagai, Langkat, South Labuhan Batu, Labuhan Batu, Asahan, Batubara, Simalungun, North Labuhan Batu, North Padan Lawas, Padang Lawas, Deli
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels and
(Safran Group) Safran, which is already involved in the development of biofuels for aeronautics, is supporting an initiative led by the Masdar Institute’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) in the Abu Dhabi desert to produce a salicornia-based biofuel. This sector is
by Samuel White (EurActiv) The biofuels industry has hit out at the European Commission’s proposal to reduce the cap on crop-based biofuels in the EU’s transport fuel mix, saying it would undermine the EU executive’s renewable energy policy and slash investment in
(TO-SYN-FUEL) Members of twelve SME, industrial, and scientific partners, co-ordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, and representatives of the European Commission participated in the first consortium meeting in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on the 26th of October 2017. Discussions took place regarding the progress
by Mohsen Soleymani and Kurt A. Rosentrater (Bioengineering) A techno-economic evaluation of bioenergy production from macroalgae was carried out in this study. Six different scenarios were examined for the production of different energy products and by-products. Seaweed was produced either via
(FortisBC) ... Together, FortisBC and Vancouver are working to increase the use and supply of renewable natural gas. FortisBC is an industry leader in renewable energy innovation through programs such as the Renewable Natural Gas program. The first of its
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) The Mexican ethanol market could have more room to grow as the states of Nuevo Leon and Jalisco have asked for a repeal of a ban on ethanol blending in their principal cities of Monterrey and Guadalajara, respectively. ... Mexico
(Reuters/Malaysian Digest) Researchers have created for the first time a detailed map that will help buyers and consumers of palm oil work out whether the supply chain is harming forests on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. Developed over the past year,
by Andhra Pradesh (The Hindu) Chairman of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas Pralhad Joshi on Thursday wanted the State and Union governments to address the issues related to availability of ethanol for selling ethanol-blended petrol. Addressing the inaugural of an
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The promise is this: Manta could one day skim algae right off of the Chesapeake Bay and convert it into oil, simultaneously cleaning up deadly algae blooms and providing the precursor for clean, renewable fuels. Manta licensed
(The Economic Times) The government plans to allow foodgrains during surplus production years to be used for production of ethanol that can be blended with petrol, in a bid to widen the availability of raw materials needed for making biofuel, according
(The Telegraph) Numaligarh Refinery Ltd on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Manipur to source bamboo for its upcoming bio-refinery. The MoU was signed between Bruno Ekka, the senior chief general manager (marketing and business development), NRL, and Sambhu Singh, the
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, a team of scientists charted greenhouse gas emissions resulting from biofuel production, presenting them as global maps. Dedicated crops grown on grasslands, savannahs and abandoned agricultural lands could provide around 30 exajoules per year (i.e.
(Financial Express) Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday emphasised the need for offtake guarantee by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to increase ethanol supply for blending with fuel. Speaking at a consultative workshop of stakeholders to chalk out a path for biofuel in
(EU Science Hub) Bioenergy is the most common renewable energy source in Europe - and it's expected to continue to make up a significant part of the energy mix in the future. However, its climate performance can vary significantly depending on the
(Scania) First came Nicolas, then Jérôme and finally Sophia. Today, the Faramia triplets have reached the age of 31 and are all active in the family transport business that bears their initials, Transports NJS Faramia. With the motto “The environment lies at
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With corn distillers oil (CDO) selling for around 25 cents per pound and DDGS for a nickel per pound, extracting as much CDO as possible is the goal for many plants. CDO sales account for
by Ross Marowits (National Observer) A Quebec biofuels company has signed its first deal to power an airline's jets with energy grown from Canadian oilseeds. Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. of Gatineau will supply biofuel to Australia's Qantas Airways made from Carinata seed, a
(Associated Press/U.S. News and World Report) Researchers in Kansas and China are using mathematical modeling to improve the process of converting wheat straw into pellets for the production of ethanol. Wheat straw, the plant residue left after wheat harvest, is abundant in
(Capital Press) According to the OSU study, Canola poses no greater threat to specialty seed producers than other Brassica species regularly grown in the valley. -- Results of a recent study by Oregon State University strongly suggests canola production could coexist with
(UkrAgroConsult) Third quarter sales of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) diesel in Sweden increased by 24% on the year, the Swedish Bioenergy Association (Svebio) said Thursday. This was at the expense of other biofuels used for transport, with consumption for B100 FAME falling
by Shine Jacob Sanjeeb Mukherjee & Shreya Jai (Business Standard) A NITI Aayog suggests an estimated ~11,500 crore would be needed to permanently address the problem of stubble burning -- After announcing early rollout of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms in Delhi by
(POET) Distillers grains use is growing under a new partnership that will expand availability of premium Dakota Gold feed in the Middle East. U.S.-based POET, the largest biofuels producer in the world, has signed a partnership agreement with U.S.-based Al Dahra ACX,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kebbi State Government to build an 84 million litres per annum capacity fuel-ethanol project. The Sugarcane and Cassava-Fuel Ethanol Project in Kebbi State
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You won’t hear it from the NGOs orbiting Brussels who have long figured out that bashing biotechnology is good for the fund-raising cash register, but Europe has become the hottest geography on the planet for
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Cellulosic technology companies have invested time and millions of dollars to explore ways to convert biomass into cellulosic ethanol for the better part of 20 years. Most technologies have fallen victim to high capital and
by Michelle Ma (Phys.Org/University of Washington) In the quest to produce affordable biofuels, poplar trees are one of the Pacific Northwest's best bets—the trees are abundant, fast-growing, adaptable to many terrains and their wood can be transformed into substances used in
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