How to Play Cheap Natural Gas
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) All you have to say is “natural gas” and a lot of people in the biobased world turn pale, tremble, and scamper into corners. The cause for anxiety? It seems to be a toxic combination from
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) All you have to say is “natural gas” and a lot of people in the biobased world turn pale, tremble, and scamper into corners. The cause for anxiety? It seems to be a toxic combination from
by Weber Shandwick (MENA/Biodiesel Magazine) McDonald's UAE this week showcased its successful biodiesel initiative to executives from Emirates Transport, the leading transportation company in the country, during a visit to the Neutral Fuels biorefinery in Dubai. The visit was set up
by Jim Lane (BioBased Digest) ... When last we checked in with Verdezyne at length, the company had a transformative cellulosic biofuels fermentation technology and a real foothold en route to bioadipic acid as well – a key component of
by Steve Raabe (Denver Post) A Colorado ethanol producer is set to employ a landmark technology that could help resolve the food vs. fuel controversy swirling around corn-based ethanol. Front Range Energy in Windsor successfully has tested a new process to
by Charles Lane (The Washington Post) The Obama administration’s electric-car fantasy finally may have died on the road between Newark, Del., and Milford, Conn. The New York Times’s John M. Broder reported Friday that the Tesla Model S electric car he was test-driving repeatedly
by Jeremy Martin and Jim Collins (Politico) The fuels of the future are here today, and we can thank Congress for enacting the Renewable Fuel Standard. This bedrock policy has brought us to the point where the first commercial facilities producing
by Tassia Sipahutar (The Jakarta Post) State-owned sugar and tobacco plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) X is expanding into biofuel production and electricity this year in an effort to offset increasing sugar manufacturing costs. The firm needs additional income from other
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) ... With aviation demand at 60 billion gallons worldwide, and 50 percent biofuels blends now approved (for HEFA fuels) — there’s no reason to suppose that there’s not 30 billion gallons of fuel demand up for
by Bryan McBournie (SmartBlog) ... Shell Oil Products’ Downstream Policy and Advocacy Manager John Reese said his company is a big supporter of biofuels, but the RFS needs to be adjusted to avoid problems down the road. He said ethanol blends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Changes in EU policy and the financing of advanced biofuels have led to a revival of project formation in Europe. The latest news from Finland is that St1 is proceeding towards a build on its 10
(PR NewsWire/Yahoo! News) Top 5 States For Advanced Biofuel Companies: Calif., Ill., Colo., Texas and Iowa; New Web Site at www.FuelingGrowth.org Documents Impact of Growing Industry California is home to nearly 30 advanced biofuel companies, but dozens of other states from coast to
by Douglas L. Faulkner (“The Cleantech Conservative”/BiofuelsDigest) ... That is, the cost of renewed tax breaks for the biofuels industry came at a great cost relative to the benefits gained. Being lumped in with Hollywood filmmakers, rum distillers, NASCAR track owners, Goldman
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Three dissident voices offer challenges to cherished orthodoxies. ...Though they offer tough love, they are written by friends of the movement. They don’t wish to cast you down to the devil, but to rescue you therefrom. I
by Ben Geman (The Hill E2Wire) Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), President Obama’s nominee for Defense secretary, is backing a controversial ban on military purchase of alternative fuels that have higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil-based fuels. Hagel, in a written
by Dan Haugen (Midwest Energy News) By organizing as a type of partnership instead of a corporation, companies that extract, process or transport “depletable” natural resources have been exempt from corporate income taxes. That word — “depletable” — specifically excludes renewable
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Iogen Corp., a closely held biotechnology company, is focusing on producing ethanol from sugar cane waste in Brazil after selling its industrial enzyme business to Novozymes A/S (NZYMB), according to Chief Executive Officer Brian Foody. “We’re
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Ireland, former Ryanair CEO Declan Ryan has joined investors in backing Aer Sustainable Energy Ltd, better known as Aer Bio. He was a director of Ryanair Holdings from August 1986 until 2004, holding several
(Rockwood Summit High School/Biodiesel Magazine) Students at Rockwood Summit High School in Missouri are asking the community to support their plans to build a renewable fuel education center. Among the fundraising efforts, students are selling raffle tickets for the chance to
By Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Transforming Transportation ’13 conference, held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC, proved to be an exciting event for sustainable industry everywhere. During one of the primary plenary sessions it was announced
The Agri Investment Forum is the only program of events in Canada dedicated to showcasing the highest potential emerging and growth stage agri-businesses. The Forum brings together active institutional and private investors with leading edge entrepreneurs and commercialization professionals. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Earlier this week, a new study from researchers at UC Santa Barbara determined photovoltaics to be much more efficient than biomass at turning sunlight into energy to fuel a car. “Even the most land-use efficient biomass-based pathway,” the
(Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania) The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP/NEP) Board of Directors has approved the investment of $354,876 in support of regional economic development. BFTP/NEP’s goal is to help lead northeastern Pennsylvania to a
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) The technologies out there are five in number. They are all in commercial deployment now, though some are at the capacity-construction stage. Some of them vary the feedstock, some vary the products produced. What they
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of biofuels’ most-celebrated technologies falters; the struggle to raise capital claims a high-profile victim. ...The company had been known for its awesomely promising technology, leisurely pace towards commercialization compared to synth-bio companies like Amyris, brutal
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Energy World) By taking full advantage of both its natural subtropical climate and its own citrus resources, Florida's fledgling biomass energy sector looks to be finally coming into its own. Two recent initiatives tackle biomass conversion from very
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Though building capacity globally, Solazyme’s operations in Brazil are getting traction fast – and raised $235M last week. How much oil could be produced in Brazil via sugar-munching microalgae? Today, the Digest looks at
by Carrie Napoleon (Chicago SunTimes/Post-Tribune) Until the first commercial trash-to-ethanol plant in Vero Beach, Fla., is up and running, plans by a local construction consortium to take over a similar project here are in a holding pattern. Ed Cleveland, spokesman for
by Mark Schulman (BlueRidgeNow.com) The Biofuels Center of North Carolina awarded $766,256 to 14 entities led by AdvantageWest Economic Development Group to advance biofuels in the region and create jobs, support sustainability, agribusiness, diverse education and research and development capabilities. “This
(Bioenergy News) Finland-based bio and forestry business UPM has picked up multi-million investment to aid the construction of a biorefinery in France. The European Commission has awarded a grant of €170 million ($222 million) as UPM earmark a wood waste-to-biodiesel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Front Range becomes third ethanol plant in 3 weeks to head for cost reductions, RIN opportunities with advanced feedstocks, technology. ...In New York, Sweetwater Energy announced a 15-year commercial agreement with Colorado-based Front Range Energy, to
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) There is a little secret in the renewable energy sector that many don’t know about –New Markets Tax Credits. These tax credits provide incentives for private investors to help fund projects that create jobs and diversify
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Strong biofuels flight results, advances in algae, new commitments in venture capital and revived interest from the Canadian Navy. Biofuels are off to a fast start in 2013 in Canada. Canada’s been known for years
(Algae.Tec/PR NewsWire) Algae.Tec today announced approval from the Australian Government for an AU$12.15 million cash refund on Australian and overseas development expenditure for the financial year 30 June 2012 to 30 June 2015. The terms of the payment allow for an
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) ... Blue Sun Biodiesel CEO Leigh Freeman said his company will immediately invest payments from credits earned in 2012 to advance its next-generation biofuel technologies. ...Specifically, Blue Sun is investing in a new enzymatic processing technology at
(Ashville Citizen-Times) Thanks to an innovative program aimed at helping North Carolina become more self-sufficient when it comes to energy, Asheville’s popular Biltmore Estate, that venerable bastion of the region’s travel and tourism industry, soon may become a source for
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) ...What exactly are they? As the name suggests, they are products made from renewable sources that are not sold directly into the end-user market but are, instead, sold to other manufacturers who refine, upgrade, blend,
By Kabona Esiara (The East African) A biodiesel project that was seen as one of Rwanda’s solutions to its high energy bill has run into trouble. The government launched the pilot biodiesel and bioethanol production plant in Mulindi in Kigali in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Now – it’s all about organizing sustainable, affordable feedstock and building capacity. And, airlines providing capital for the first commercial projects — to ensure that capacity building reaches levels in line with the industry’s self-imposed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, ENEnergy Australia (ENA) announced approval has been received from the Australian Government for its first project in Northern Australia under the R&D tax incentive scheme. The project approval covers the development of a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As cellulosic biofuels reach commercial-scale, is the tipping point for wide deployment near – and will it be based on breakthroughs in capex, opex or yield? Actually, it may be feedstock costs, in the end. ...What
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) It is not often I disagree or take issue withBiofuels Digest; however, the recent article and analysis on cellulosic tax credits left out some key points. There are a number of policy tools to help
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) The extension of a $1.01 per gallon tax credit for cellulosic ethanol will help the fledgling industry later this year or in 2014 when plants now under construction in Iowa come on line, the
by Mackinnon Lawrence (Biofuels Digest/Pike Research) ...The Retreat of Oil Majors ... Trend: Oil Majors double down on “Golden Age of Gas” while narrowing investments across the advanced biofuel space. ... Mind the Gap ... Trend: Although installed biorefinery production capacity is expected
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Finding it hard to explain to taxpayers why the PTC is needed, for the jump to cellulosic biofuels lightspeed, or to ward off predatory fossil-fuel evildoers? ...So, although the “fiscal cliff” tax rate deal didn’t directly
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The bad news is, all mandatory funding for energy title programs were stripped from the farm bill at the last moment. “The programs have lived, but they don’t have money,” said Lloyd Ritter, co-director
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.K. Department for Business, Innovation & Skills recently declared the U.K. Green Investment Bank plc open for business. The entity is the world’s first investment bank dedicated solely to green investments. According to
by Jim Lane (BioInvest Digest) An obscure EPA ruling may change the economics of ethanol production, forever — who wins, who loses, what’s the investor’s bottom line? Just before Christmas, the EPA issued a final rule, determining that ethanol made from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But Amyris is still there, and this week achieved what, for many, was the last-chance, must-hit milestone. The company’s purpose-built, 50 million liter industrial fermentation facility in Paraiso, Brazil has successfully begun production of Biofene,
by Sean Hubbard (EdmondSun.com) The U.S. Department of Agriculture, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Oklahoma Bioenergy Center and the South Central Sun Grant Program have taken note and funded the majority of the research of Danielle Bellmer, associate professor in Oklahoma
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Four tax provisions were in the bill that directly impact biofuels. Cellulosic biofuels producer tax credit. ... The provision would extend this production tax credit for one additional year, for cellulosic biofuel produced through 2013. The proposal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Technology, market, price, management, feedstock, and policy – these are always vital. But here in Digestville, we see capital as the overwhelming issue for 2013. Capital-raising activity is increasing sharply, and will increase more as projects move
(Kansas City Business Journal) Kansas City isn't exactly flush with cash, but it has managed to make $2 million the past few years through its innovative handling of sludge, The Kansas City Star reports. The city has turned a profit from handling sludge
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A long war of opinion has been waged for years between advanced biofuels’ detractors and supporters. Mirage or reality? Completion of 6 key projects 2012 decided much of the debate. When these 12 projects open
Biofuels Digest announced its annual awards for achievement in the development of biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased materials - all available with background on the who, what and why of each award - today at biofuelsdigest.com. Best Project (thermochemical) Best Project (fermentation) Best
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...As the sunset of 2012 gives way to the dawn of 2013, here at the Digest we resist the holiday temptation to look back over the challenges and highlights of the year gone by, and
by Emily Bruns (Ashton Gasette) In an effort to evolve with the constant changes and challenges within a $50 billion industry, Rochelle’s Illinois River Energy ethanol plant began producing and industrial corn oil on Nov. 27. This corn oil byproduct, which
by Yuval Azoulai (Globes) The Office of the Chief Scientist is planning a NIS 1.5 billion program to create a new alternative fuels industry. The Office of the Chief Scientist has a new program of loans for industrial and financial companies to
by Roy Robertson (Southeast Farm Press) • Steve Kresovich is part of a team of USC researchers looking for crops that can be adapted to less productive and often under-utilized South Carolina soils. • The end goal, Kresovich says, is to
by Jim Kinney (The Republican/MassLive) Qteros and the “Q microbe” discovered byUMass researchers and valued for its ability to digest plant waste into ethanol fuel is making a comeback. ...But the money dried up early in 2012. In September, creditors auctioned Qteros'
by Robert Rapier (Biofuels Digest/Energy Trends Insider) Last month KiOR announced the start of production of biocrude from their Columbus, Mississippi plant. KiOR CEO Fred Cannon stated in an earnings call that when the product shipped it would be “the world’s
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) The Obama administration lent its support Wednesday to a congressional effort that would open a financing structure for renewable energy. Energy Secretary Steven Chu called on Congress to approve legislation that would let investors utilize
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As renewable fuel developers put steel in the ground, oil & gas points to a fossil-based transformation in transportation fuels just “five years away”. Today, it is the oil & gas industry talking in terms of
by Eric Ng (South China Morning Post) Projects to convert agricultural waste into ethanol are at an early stage on the mainland, but could provide new sources of this clean energy Novozymes, the world's largest industrial enzyme maker, is in discussions
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Cobalt Technologies is the latest company to announce its second generation technology will be developed in Brazil. The final piece in the n-butanol technology developer’s financing came with a commitment from global agribusiness Bunge. ... BP Biofuels
(Bangkok Post) The National Innovation Agency (NIA) joined hands with Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to support the first pilot plant for ethanol production from cassava pulp in Thailand. ...A feasibility study was conducted, showing Thailand is
The event is the preeminent meeting place for international leaders and energy experts at the forefront of the clean energy movement. Securing energy independence and developing a clean energy industry that promotes the vitality of our planet are two reasons
by Nick Moase (The Advance) The Bowater mill site will soon see activity again, as two businesses take up tenancy. ...Cellufuel will be doing research and development, with plans to create a diesel biofuel demonstration plant with construction starting next Spring.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is your favorite biofuels venture in trouble? — or might look in trouble but actually be just fine. Here are 12 tell-tale signs if you’ve “got trouble, right here in River City.” ...Solazyme went to 500,000
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Unofficial reports indicate that biofuels provisions have survived a House-Senate conference over the Defense bill. According to sources, House and Senate conferees have finished work on their conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act. Sources
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) Cellulosic biofuel companies will boost production almost 20-fold in 2013 as the first high-volume refineries go into operation, signaling a shift from an experimental fuel into a commercially viable industry. Production of the fuel made
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But very few are working in solid phase – where essentially instead of working with a liquid vat, microbes are growing on a fabric or film — and the organisms are provided with a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Why is making affordable renewable sugars potentially big business? Which intrepid investors have targeted biofuels’ biggest bottleneck? News has been circulating that Proterro raised $3.5 million for a demonstration-scale of their renewable sugars technology, and secured
by Jeff Ayres (Clarion Ledger) Mississippi alternative-energy development projects that have received more than $400 million in state backing through loans, grants and other incentives in recent years have seen widely varying degrees of success. KiOR, a Texas biofuels company, recently started
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Markets shape ethanol production, Nathan Kauffman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, argues in the most recent issue of the Main Street Economist. In a seven-page analysis, Kauffman takes a
by Stephanie Strom (New York Times) A blue-ribbon panel of scientific and technology advisers to President Obama warns that the nation risks losing its longstanding supremacy in food production because research in agriculture has not kept up with new challenges like climate
by Douglas Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) ...Throughout his campaign President Obama proclaimed himself an oil and gas supporter even while talking about federal “investments” in green energy. And, while much ink has already been spilled in this publication about this or
(PRNewswire/Reportlinker.com) Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue. The report titled "Global Biofuel Market Outlook to 2016 – Going Mainstream Through Government Support" provides a comprehensive analysis of market size of biofuel industry on the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Policy, finance, technology, feedstocks, markets, prices, opposition. Here’s what’s on your mind, as the critical 2013 deployment year for biofuels looms. So here are 15 burning questions as suggested by various Digesterati — divided for convenience
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Chico, Calif.-based Springboard Biodiesel announced that its trademarked BioPro EX has met the Green Restaurant Association’s rigorous endorsement standards for alternative fuel refueling stations. By using the BioPro EX, restaurants can make biodiesel that meets
by Jim Lane (Biobased Digest) California’s cellulosic gearhead gurus head from the San Joaquin Valley to Sao Paulo, in search of big, aggregated loads of sugarcane bagasse. In California, Edeniq announced that it has begun engineering and construction of a bagasse
by Stephan Nielsen (Bloomberg) Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, the Brazilian sugar-cane research agency, will build an 80 million- real ($38.5 million) plant to demonstrate a method of producing ethanol from crop residues. The plant, with the capacity to make 3 million
by Denis Scott Chabrol (Demera Waves) The United Kingdom-based Whitefox Technologies, together with its partner Green, have secured a bioethanol contract with the Guyanese Government. Whitefox said it is working together with the Brazilian company, Green, to install the units for
by Randall Smith (The New York Times) ...Since then, Mr. Khosla, the founder of Khosla Ventures, has watched much of those paper gains evaporate. As the clean energy industry broadly has taken a hit, shares of the biofuel companies —
by Sara Mojtehedzadeh (Edmonton Journal) Bedford Biofuels’ plantation is stalled, and along with it the company’s promise to provide jobs and cash for community development ...Though this is an arid and unforgiving area, the land surrounding Garsen should have been green with
by Jennifer Alsever (CNN Money) ... While most of its rivals raced to commercialize the fuel, San Diego-based SG Biofuels took a different path: It hired plant geneticists. They hunkered down in the laboratory to come up with the best genetic variations
by Kari Lydersen (Midwest Energy News) ...Commercial-scale development of aviation biofuels is still in the early stages, and as experts explained at the Airports Going Green conference in Chicago earlier in November, viable aviation biofuel industries would look significantly different in different regions
(GreenAirOnline) The British Airways and Solena GreenSky London project to build a sustainable jet biofuel facility in East London is gaining momentum, say the two partners. They won’t reveal the location but an exclusive option on a site for the
(Biofuels International) A new Scottish biofuel programme officially launched this month after securing over a million pounds worth of investment. The programme is a partnership between five Scottish universities and research institutions, with the £1.6 million ($2.5 million) funding coming via
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is the US government right in aiming to commercialize aviation biofuels production – or should it be aimed at ensuring affordable feedstock? Pain at the pump. $5 gasoline in California. $8 gasoline in the EU. We
by Peter Hemphill (Grain & Hay WeeklyTimes) An American biofuels company is looking to build a refinery in Australia to produce ethanol from wheat straw and other residues. ...Investors in the biorefineries include Australia's Macquarie Bank and Japanese commodity trader Itochu Corporation. ZeaChem
(Stabroek News) A plant to produce ethanol from sweet potatoes is in the pipeline, according to Dr Leroy McClean, chief executive officer of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC). Without providing details, he said, “I have a Chinese company .
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... BioGasol ApS, the renewable energy company announced today that it has raised $19.2M — €5 million in new equity financing — and received a confirmation of €10 million grant allocation from The Energy Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dozens of deals – what are the hottest paths to $$$? Who’s forming capital in bioenergy this year, and when, where, why and how? In the old days, the process seemed simple: seed round to fund
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today (November 16, 2012) announced payments to 189 companies to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. “These payments support the nation’s expanding alternative fuels industry by encouraging
(IPPMedia/The Guardian Reporter) The government has been urged to reduce the maximum land size of each bio-fuel developer from the proposed 20,000 ha to 10,000 ha and give investors conditions which would enable them deliver. Speaking during a two-day workshop which
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Solazyme lands monster capacity expansion agreements with ADM and Bunge – what’s the sector’s hottest company up to now? ... The Bunge agreement will expand joint venture-owned oil production capacity at Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils from
(EurekAlert!) To celebrate World Toilet Day on November 19, researchers at Columbia University's Engineering School, working in Ghana with Waste Enterprisers Ltd., the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, are launching a pilot
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...What we keep running into is what Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee once described to me as the immutable “Natural Law of Alternative Commodity Markets”. ...NLACM states that “the value of any intermediate products produced in any
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn – moving rapidly towards scale as a transport fuel technology after decades in smaller, high-value markets. What does Ensyn’s signature RTP technology, that’s making such a splash, look like? ...Ensyn has become a signature part
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Canada’s $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund, five years after formation, gets close to making its first investments just as Canada’s leaders consider pulling the plug It was the most amazing sovereign commitment to biofuels of its
(ABC Rural) The Illawarra, south of Sydney, has received another rescue package from Federal and State Governments to help it rebuild after major job losses in the steel industry. ..."What we're able to do as a result of facilities like this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) UOP, Eni update on the complete conversion of Eni’s Venice refinery to renewable diesel. Why is renewable diesel getting traction – and where, and when? ...Unlike biodiesel, Green Diesel is a drop-in replacement for traditional diesel.
by Marc D. Anderson (AL.com) A company using NASA-licensed technology is looking at a small patch of bayfront property to launch what one day could be a revolutionary wastewater-treating and biofuel-creating endeavor. Since 2009, Algae Systems LLC of Carson City, Nev.,
by Marc Chase (Northwest Indiana Times) ...The board voted at the beginning of the year to find Powers Energy in breach of contract for failing to deliver on its promise to secure land and financing to construct a plant in
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Here’s a riddle: If Congress doesn’t want to raise income tax rates but wants to raise revenue, what can it do? One answer: Pass a carbon tax. A relatively moderate-sized carbon tax could raise $1.25 trillion over the next
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 500 ton per day wood biomass to biocrude plant commences oil production – the long wait for cellulosic biofuels at scale is over. ...But the news from Columbus, Mississippi, that cellulosic biocrude production has started up,
(Algae Industry Magazine) Mitsubishi Corp has signed a research collaboration agreement with the Sarawak Biodiversity Council, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to explore the state’s diverse algal biodiversity as a potential source of renewable energy. Over the next two years, it
by Paula Emberland (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Christianson & Associates PLLP) Multiple revenue streams lessen impact of ethanol prices ...First, and perhaps most importantly, more plants are producing different types of coproducts, and they’re making more money from those coproducts, both in real
by Holly Jessen & Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Looking into the future, Jeff Roskam, CEO of the Kansas Alliance for Biorefining and Bioenergy, fears any modification of the renewable fuel standard (RFS). “Period,” he says. “Not only would this
by Kelley Price (Evening Gazette) A Scottish whisky distillery is about to become the first in the world to turn its waste into advanced biofuel - here on Teesside. Tullibardine, an independent malt whisky producer, is using Centre for Process Innovation’s
by Kevin Quon (Seeking Alpha) When it comes to renewable oils company Solazyme (SZYM), it would be good to check your understanding of biofuels at the door. Solazyme's heterotrophic algae are utilized within a closed fermentation process to make triglyceride oils.
(Stoel Rives) Businesses benefit by having informed decision makers. That is why Stoel Rives developed the award-winning Renewable + Law blog in 2007, together with a series of "Law of" guidebooks covering the gamut of renewable energy topics. Our bloggers keep our
by Nick Perry (The Australian) A Technology breakthrough by two Australian brothers could offer a solution to the world's insatiable appetite for food and fuel. Phillip and Geoff Bell have developed a new way to produce ethanol from waste products such
by Bradley J. Fikes (North County Times) Famed genomics researcher J. Craig Venter, who is working to develop biofuels from photosynthetic algae, acknowledged this week that alternate fuels are “dead” unless the federal government mandates their use with a carbon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Better routes to capital formation may offer routes to a better world. ... Tax credits, loan guarantees, mandates, subsidies, and grants have been popular with project developers. Increasingly less so with Congress and the general public
(Biomass Magazine) A report published by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) demonstrates that the biofuel industry is well-positioned to meet increased demand for advanced biofuels, which will be driven by the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS) and California’s low carbon fuel standard
by James L. Stewart (Biofuels Digest/BioEnergy Producers Association) For the past decade, repressive provisions in statute have discouraged developers of conversion technologies from operating in California. Among its statutory roadblocks, the state has a scientifically inaccurate definition of gasification, which, if
by Roger Moore (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Leifmark LLC) ...If you’re Denmark, and practically surrounded by the North Sea, global warming and the anticipated rise in the ocean level tend to focus the national mind. To thrive economically, as well as survive
(Central European Initiative) Ministers of Science and their representatives from 18 CEI Member States, together with High Officials from the European Commission and from international scientific institutions attended the CEI Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology in Trieste on 19 September 2012.
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Heliae is the 9th startup for CEO Dan Simon, and the company is finally at his favorite stage. “We are completing our charge through the Valley of Death,” he says. Indeed. In 2012, Heliae
(MarketWire/National Research Council of Canada) Historic Milestone for the Aviation and Sustainable Energy Industries The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) achieved a major milestone for the aviation industry today as it flew the first civil jet powered by 100 percent unblended biofuel.
(ZeaChem) ZeaChem Inc., developer of highly-efficient biorefineries, today announced that it has completed construction of its 250,000 gallons per year (GPY) cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon. The project was completed on budget and is expected to begin production of
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Historically, 2009 was a hard year for biofuels. Biofuel spending was down to $5.6 billion from $15.4 billion in 2008. Investments in the industry focused on cellulosic technologies and sugarcane. This according to NRG Expert’s World Biofuels Report. ...The
(Environmental Leader) Google has been using Cool Planet Energy Systems’ biofuel blend to run a fleet vehicle at the search giant’s Mountain View, Calif. campus, according to the energy-tech startup. ...During the Google trial, a campus vehicle called GRide ran on
(Petrobras/ Biodiesel Magazine) Petrobras Biofuel and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperative programs focused on the exploration and production of biodiesel from residual fish oil. ...The initiative is aligned with the Harvest Plan
by Heidi Gaiser (Daily Interlake) The four partners of Clearwater Biologicals are working to turn a crop popular in the Bronze Age into a 21st-century source of fuel and nutrients — and they are beginning the process here in the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes becomes preferred enzyme supplier for Beta Renewables’ current and future cellulosic biofuel projects; embedded in Proesa production technology. In Denmark and Italy, Novozymes, the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes, and Beta Renewables, a global
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Nevada-based biodiesel equipment provider International Procurement Tools LLC has announced what it is calling “phased financing,” an approach that allows would-be biodiesel project developers with access to a million dollars to start a small production
by Tim Leeds (Havre Daily News) A standing-room-only crowd filled a newly re-opened building at Montana State University-Northern to hear dignitaries and university representatives talk about the latest addition to its cutting-edge alternative fuels laboratory. ...The center houses the oil presses
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, BP announced it is canceling plans to build a 36 million gallon commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Highlands County. The company said that it would refocus its US biofuels strategy on R&D, as
by Marsha W. Johnston (Renewable Energy World) By all rights, many believe aviation biofuel producers should be attracting deep-pocketed investors ambitious enough to build the infrastructure necessary to meet a clearly burgeoning industrial-sized demand. At the Aviation Biofuels Development Conference, representatives
(Bourne's Energy) Bourne's Energy announces the grand opening of their local biofuel blending facility that produces cleaner and greener fuel for vehicles and home heating. Bourne's Energy is thrilled to announce a new milestone in Vermont's green energy history with the grand opening of
by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) RETECH 2012, an international conference on the business, policy, and technology of renewable energy, took place this year in DC at the regal Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC. Under the luxurious chandeliers and
by Billy Gunn (TheTownTalk.com) ...Not quite one year ago, Louisiana Economic Development chief Stephen Moret and local economic development officials announced that Sundrop Fuels would locate its biofuels plant at a site off Interstate 49 north of Alexandria. The company plans
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Deployment of next-gen bagasse-to-biofuels technologies could expand ethanol production in Brazil, India by 35 percent without land, water intensification. ...Guidance being given by the projects is that capacities could increase by up to 35 percent at
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(California Energy) Commission staff have proposed a $4.6 million award to ZeaChem for the development of a pilot plant at its Menlo Park, Calif. research and development (R&D) facility to scale up the company’s C3 (three-carbon
by W. Stephen Burke (Citizen-Times) America and North Carolina have a clear imperative to augment imported, carbon-emitting, politically destabilizing and unsteadily priced petroleum-based liquid fuels with increased production of renewable biofuels. How to effectively gain new biofuels in coming years
(BBC News) The Green Investment Bank being set up by the UK government has been given the green light by the European Commission. It ruled that the plan to lend for low carbon investment projects did not break Europe's state aid
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Today, we’ll look at the bigger balance sheets to see who is investing what, and when, with whom, and why. ...We’ve also focused here, for the sake of brevity, on those financing commercial scale projects. So,
by Dan Parsons (National Defense Magazine) ... Military leaders, particularly within the Navy, want to find a drop-in alternative fuel that will reduce their dependence on foreign oil, but do not want to pay a premium for it. Industry is poised
(Biodico/PR NewsWire/Herald Online) Today Biodico announced signing a new agreement with the U.S. Navy for the development and evaluation of advanced biofuels and bioenergy. The goal is to jointly develop renewable fuel and energy technologies that are appropriate for use
(Pennsylvania State University) The Northeast could help lead the way to a renewable-energy-based economy by utilizing marginal and abandoned land to grow energy crops such as perennial grasses and fast-growing woody plants. That's the goal of a new research and education
by Michael Fabey (Aerospace Daily and Defense Report/Aviation Week) Despite continued opposition from lawmakers like U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the U.S. Navy will continue its efforts to leverage biofuels technology for its ships and aircraft, service Secretary Ray Mabus
by Kristofor Husted (KBIA) In the parched, rolling hills of western Missouri, you might expect to see a desolate scene after this summer’s drought. But in this field, hip-high native grass sways across the landscape like seaweed in the ocean. Wayne Vassar
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) There are two ethanol-related firsts at the new Tampa Gateway Rail terminal in Florida. The Port of Tampa now has the nation’s first ethanol unit train-to-refined productions pipeline and Florida’s first on-dock unit train
by Bernadette Tansey (Xconomy) The South San Francisco company LS9 recently produced five tons of industrial chemicals from plant sugars at a Florida demonstration facility, a step toward proving that its genetically engineered microbes can manufacture carbon compounds and fuels at a commercial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Malaysia, LanzaTech and the Malaysian national oil company, Petronas, announced they will work together to accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies to produce sustainable chemicals from carbon dioxide (CO2) and natural gas. ...The good
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) World’s largest producer of sugarcane ethanol commits investment to cellulosic ethanol development with Iogen. In Brazil, Raízen Group and Iogen Energy announced that Raízen has committed an initial investment to develop a commercial cellulosic ethanol project in Brazil
(AMEInfo.com) Both Lootah Biofuels and AlgaOil Ltd. announced the entry into a new project in which the two companies will merge their expertise together to develop new high oil content raw material for Biofuels such as Algae Oil. ...The agreement framework
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In biofuels, feedstocks come in many shapes, phases, and sizes — but only three colors – red, yellow and green. That’s what our friends in the financial world tell us. Now, sometimes even a red-light