by alana Fraga (RevistaGlobalRural) Petrobras and the state government invested over £ 10 million in cultivation for biodiesel production The castor production in Bahia should have an increase of over 560% in the 2013/2014 harvest in the previous season, according to
(National Algae Association) When the National Algae Association opened its test center for algae production technologies and methods to high school and college students, many interesting things started to happen! Students are given the opportunity to see how what they
(VIB) The results of a field trial with genetically modified poplar trees in Zwijnaarde, Belgium, shows that the wood of lignin modified poplar trees can be converted into sugars in a more efficient way. These sugars can serve as the
by Dr. Jeff Wright (ArborGen Inc./Renewable Energy World) Bio-energy forest plantations will supplement woody biomass from other sources such as logging residues. In the southern U.S., projections are for an increase of up to 25 million “new” tons of woody biomass
by Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The substitution of fossil fuels by advanced biofuels per se has a huge impact on the environment through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, consequently mitigating global warming effects by the transportation
by Ramu Bhagwat (Times of India) Pune-based Praj Industries which is a pioneer in developing new technology for ethanol production from agricultural waste has signed an agreement with Nitin Gadkari-promoted Purti Sugar to set up a new generation ethanol plant. To be located
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Overcoming the E10 blend wall is priority No. 1 for the ethanol industry, and progress is being made on two fronts. The number of retail stations offering E15 is growing in step with the
by Keith Norman (Forum News Service/Ag Week) The promoter of an idea to raise sugar beets to be converted into energy and chemicals says 13 communities in central North Dakota could be home to processing plants. Maynard Helgaas, president of the
(South Australia Department of Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy) Developing higher-value forestry products is the key to creating a sustainable future for the forestry industry. A new study into developing more sustainable and higher-value products from the Limestone Coast’s forestry
(GTL Resources/Ethanol Producer Magazine) GTL Resources USA Inc., owner of Illinois River Energy LLC, and Quality Technology International Inc., through its subsidiary, QTI-AMG LLC, announced that they have formed a partnership to collaborate on a new, transformative hybrid fractionation technology
(University of Bern, Switzerland) If grassland used intensively, biodiversity decreases. Particularly affected are rare species, a new study headed by Berner plant scientists shows. Such negative effects could be reduced if farmers would vary the intensity of their management in
by Lisa Deeney (Agriland) A new European research project seeks grass crops that could be grown and harvested on marginal lands, away from areas suitable for food crops. According to the researchers, grass could be used to produce biofuels. The advantage of
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute at the University of Illinois evaluated woody and grassy biomass feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production at Illinois. Twenty-one species of short-rotation woody biomass were included in the study.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The technology is there. Demand for alternative fuels, chemicals and materials is there. Feedstock is expensive. In so many of the signature developments announced around the world this year, there’s been an EU technology in
by Rob Vierhout (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) At the yearly F.O.Licht's World Ethanol Conference, two speakers spoke about ethanol as a coproduct, focusing on front-end separation of high-value protein from the corn, or recovering the yeast to produce a protein concentrate. ... There were
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Illinois researchers reported results from a decade of field trials with miscanthus, the first plots to be planted in the U.S. The average annual yield of miscanthus grown in seven Illinois locations over
by Martiin Kidston (Missoulian) If 1 ton of woody debris can produce 50 gallons of fuel, how many gallons of fuel could 42 million acres of dead and dying forests produce? Funded by a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department
by Todd Woody (New York Times) ... Hailed about six years ago as the next big thing in biofuels, jatropha attracted hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, only to fall from favor as the recession set in and as growers
by Carolyn P. Hubbard , James E. Anderson , and Timothy J. Wallington (Environmental Science and Technology) Engine-out and tailpipe emissions of NOx, CO, nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), nonmethane organic gases (NMOG), total hydrocarbons (THC), methane, ethene, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, ethanol, N2O,
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) Gevo Inc., which produces an alternative alcohol in a former ethanol plant in Luverne, Minn., said Monday that the Army has successfully flown a Black Hawk helicopter using a 50-50 blend of jet fuel and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Asia looks at petroleum reserves and exploration and concludes: our future is in biomass. As we wrote in 2012: “There’s only one complete region for biofuels where abundant feedstock, lack of oil & gas production, rising energy
by Simon Khoo (The Star) iNNOVATIVE Green products that can help to address climate change are the way forward as far as Kuantan-based businessman Datuk Seri Tan Hoe Beng is concerned. Tan said after 10 years of intensive research and development by
by Leah Small (Progress-Index) A plan by Vireol Bio-Industries PLC to open the ethanol plant instead of shipping it overseas was unofficially announced at a meeting of city industrialists, sparsely attended by the public. Larry Wilson, plant manager, made the
(MarketWatch/KiOR) KiOR, Inc., provided today (December 23, 2013) an update on the operations at its Columbus, Mississippi, facility. KiOR expects that, given current and anticipated operations through the remainder of the year, the Columbus facility will produce approximately 410,000 gallons of
On November 27, 2012, CAAFI—in conjunction with FAA and the Department of Energy—hosted a stakeholder workshop to benchmark the cost of producing sustainable bio-based jet-fuel processes. The event was held in advance of the 2012 CAAFI Research & Development Team
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) JatroDiesel’s technology has been selected by Patriot Renewable Fuels for its 4-5 million biodiesel facility under construction next to its ethanol plant in Annawan, Illinois. The biodiesel plant, when it goes into operation in September 2014 will use the corn oil
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent ethanol, has arrived in Fort Dodge, Iowa. STAR Energy is the 14th E15 retailer in the state, offering the blend to drivers of cars manufactured in 2001 or
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving rural American industries, has published a report predicting that the U.S. EPA’s proposed 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume requirements will have little impact on U.S. ethanol production
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Brazil ethanol industry saw record supplies for the 2013/2014 crush season just being wrapped up, and got a welcome boost from auto executives who said ethanol-powered cars are more viable for reducing
(ICM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ICM Inc. has announced that IGPC Ethanol Inc. of Ontario, Canada, has signed a letter of intent to be the first Canadian adopter of ICM’s Generation 1.5 technology. Today’s milestone announcement will enable IGPC Ethanol to produce corn
(Democrat & Chronicle) Sweetwater Energy Inc. has won a $2.5 million award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to pay for five facilities in New York state to produce sugar from various types of waste plant material, including agricultural
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, Underwriters Laboratories announced a joint research program has determined that gasoline fuel storage and dispensing equipment meeting latest UL standards can safely and successfully use blends of up to 16% biobutanol. This is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New York, Sweetwater Energy and Pacific Ethanol announced a project to supply customized industrial sugars for the production of cellulosic ethanol. The agreement supports the construction of a cellulosic biorefinery, contingent upon Sweetwater Energy
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) (Todd) Sieben (Chairman Central Bank and retired state senator) is currently working with the Illinois General Assembly on passing legislation that would incentivize the use of E15 in Illinois. He explained that for many years there has
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has invalidated 33.5 million renewable-fuel credits sold by an Indiana company for biofuel it didn’t produce, the fourth time the agency has alleged fraud in the program. The filing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...As POET-DSM’s folk advise: “The communication to the local, regional and national community is critical as we face challenges to the RFS with grain ethanol. Our educational efforts, updated construction photos and participation in local
by Elton Alisson (Agencia) FAPESP and Peugeot Citroën approved a proposal for the creation of a Research and Engineering Center focused on the development of biofuel-powered combustion engines. The center will bring together researchers at the Mechanical Engineering School of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Pennsylvania and Germany, BASF and Renmatix signed a non-exclusive joint development agreement to scale up the Renmatix Plantrose process for the production of industrial sugars based on lignocellulosic biomass. The parties have agreed to
by Kathleen M. Howley (Bloomberg) ... Now, as corn prices start to decline, bankers and agricultural economists are predicting a slowdown in farmland prices that could turn into a bust. “I can see the fear in farmers’ eyes when they think of
(Algae.Tec/Biodiesel Magazine) Algae.Tec Ltd. announced receipt of a validation report from Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory Pty Ltd., a National Association of Testing Authorities approved company. Algae.Tec Chairman Roger Stroud is extremely pleased with the results of the validation that confirms
(Neste Oil/Biodiesel Magazine) Neste Oil has achieved its long-term target of using only certified palm oil as an input for its renewable diesel production process. The original target, set in 2009, was that 100 percent of the raw palm oil
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association/Biodiesel Magazine) The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association announced speakers that will address expansion of the biodiesel market through policy initiatives and broader distribution networks at the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show taking place at
(JOil) JOil (S) Pte. Ltd., a scientific bioenergy crop developer of a new generation of Jatropha, has achieved an average seed yield of 3.53 metric tonnes per hectare in the third year of its large scale India field trials. Unpruned, the
by Moises Avila (Phys.Org) Hundreds of scientists are helping Brazil's giant agricultural sector prepare for the effects of climate change and anticipate pests that hit neighboring countries. Spearheading the effort is the Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation (Embrapa), a state agency
by Jie Ma , Hong Luo , George E Devaull , William G. Rixey , and Pedro J. J. Alvarez (Environmental Science and Technology) Ethanol-blended fuel releases usually stimulate methanogenesis in the subsurface, which could pose explosion risk if methane accumulates
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Murphy USA opened the first E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) station in Arkansas on Dec. 11. It is located at 2720 N. West Avenue in El Dorado. The Arkansas station is also the
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) today announced $8 million in research grants to develop non-food feedstocks that can be used for bioenergy. The grants are part of a broader effort by the
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Alternative Fuels Americas Inc. announced it is beginning a three-phase trial production run of jatropha-based biodiesel to verify its processes and procedures. The jatropha oil feedstock for biodiesel production in Phase 1 will come from
(EurekAlert/Dartmouth) For first time, Dartmouth study puts a dollar value on snow's reflection of solar energy Replacing forests with snow-covered meadows may provide greater climatic and economic benefits than if trees are left standing in some regions, according to a Dartmouth
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) BDI-BioEnergy International AG announced that it has completed commissioning of the largest multifeedstock biodiesel plant in France, Estener’s 75,000 ton (22.5 MMgy) plant in Le Havre. The plant processes used cooking oils and animal fats
(GreenGasTrading) Future Biogas, an established and experienced builder and operator of anaerobic digestion plants in the UK, is to become the first registered producer to join the Biomethane Certification Scheme (BMCS) run by Green Gas Trading Limited (GGT). Explaining the company’s
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) After two years of development, Bellingham, Wash.-based biodiesel distributor Whole Energy has opened its new glycerin refinery in Mount Vernon, Wash., the Whole Energy Glycerin Distillation Facility. ... The new refinery can process 15,000 tons of crude glycerin
by Lauren D. Quinn, Elise C. Scott, A. Bryan Endres, Tom Voigt, Jody M. Endres (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Media coverage of the controversy surrounding the use of certain non-native feedstocks for bioenergy is as pervasive as invasiveness itself. Plants such as giant reed
(Sioux City Journal/Associated Press) A New Zealand company plans to move its headquarters to Kearney and set up a production plant for its biomass resin product. The plant will use distillers grains to produce a functional filler for the plastics industry. Marge
(Monsanto) The companies establish The BioAg Alliance to discover, develop and sell microbial solutions that enable farmers worldwide to increase crop yields with less input Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) and Novozymes (NASDAQ OMX: NZYM B) today announce a long-term strategic alliance to transform
(Sapphire Energy/PR NewsWire) Agreement to Co-Process Algae Crude Oil with Conventional Crude Oil and Complete Fuel Certifications Sapphire Energy, Inc., one of the world leaders in algae-based Green Crude oil production, and Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX), an integrated energy manufacturing and logistics
by Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) The Indonesian-Swedish Initiative for Sustainable Energy Solutions (INSISTS) will help the Indonesian government develop policies on environmentally friendly, renewable energy. The initiative will include reducing deforestation caused by oil palm planting, the result of
by Bill Northey (The Gazette) ...The renewable fuels industry has the capacity to produce well beyond the levels set by the EPA. What they need now is fair access to the fuel distribution system, which is unfortunately controlled by the
(Lanza Tech) Evonik Industries and LanzaTech have signed a three year research cooperation agreement which will see Evonik combining its existing biotechnology platforms with LanzaTech’s synthetic biology and gas fermentation expertise for the development of a route to bioprocessedn precursors
(BusinessWire/Proterro) The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 8,597,914 to Proterro, Inc., protecting Proterro’s unique, biosynthetic sugar-making process. The only biofeedstock company that makes sugar instead of extracting it from crops or deconstructing cellulosic materials, Proterro
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University has expanded its partnership with the West Virginia Division of Energy’s Office of Coalfield Community Development to explore the reuse and redevelopment potential of land that
by Patrick Rucker (TD Waterhouse) Rail safety rules contemplated by U.S. regulators could require multibillion dollar upgrades to a tank car fleet that has helped spur domestic oil production and meet demands of a booming biofuel sector. More flammable liquids such
by John O'Connell (Capital Press) Ethanol plants in Idaho, Oregon and California are making ethanol from beet sugar forfeited by Amalgamated Sugar Co. Pacific Ethanol plants in Burley, Boardman, Ore., and Stockton, Calif., have started making ethanol for the first time utilizing
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has launched an initiative with the help of The Boeing Company to support small farmers in Southeast Asia by expanding their opportunities to grow feedstocks that produce sustainable fuels. More than 60 participants
(E! Science News/Earth & Climate) The first long-term U.S. field trials of Miscanthus x giganteus, a towering perennial grass used in bioenergy production, reveal that its exceptional yields, though reduced somewhat after five years of growth, are still more than twice
(Royal DSM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Royal DSM, together with DONG Energy, announced it has demonstrated the combined fermentation of C6 and C5 sugars from wheat straw on an industrial scale. The combined fermentation results in a 40 percent increase in ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (I)t has been an incredibly strong week for innovation, with key announcements that advance the narrative at LanzaTech, Elevance, Earth Energy renewables (e.g. “the technology that once pwoered Terrabon, and PGF Biofuels (the first
by Steve Byrns (AgriLife Today) Pecos is usually egg-frying hot, bone dry and much of the groundwater is brackish, but Texas A&M AgriLife Research personnel know the area is prime real estate for conducting algae research, something they’ve been doing successfully
(ICIS/PR NewsWire) New Routes in Sustainable Chemistry Aim to Deliver Broader Supplies of Affordable Bioplastics ICIS Innovation Awards -- At today's ICIS Innovation Awards in London, winners Renmatix and Virent announced a strategic collaboration to convert affordable cellulosic sugars to renewable chemicals and
(PR NewsWire/Alternative Fuels America) Alternative Fuels Americas, Inc. (OTCQB: AFAI), an advanced biofuels company, confirmed the extension of 150 agreements with private landowners in Costa Rica, providing immediate access to sufficient raw material for up to 2 million gallons of biodiesel
by John Phair (Petroliatopic.com) The ethanol industry has a strong presence in Southwestern Ontario, converting corn into fuel at plants in Chatham and in Sarnia's Chemical Valley. But now a Sarnia-based organization is proposing that the stalk from the corn
(ZimEye.org) The Zimbabwean government has increased the mandatory blending level of the controversial anhydrous ethanol with unleaded petrol from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15) with effect from the 30th of November 2013. The state media reports that the E15
by Lucia Kassai (Bloomberg) Brazil, the world’s largest producer of ethanol from sugarcane, may start producing the biofuel from corn after a record crop prompted domestic prices to slump below costs, the country’s agriculture policy secretary said. “We’re studying to provide
(The Daily Fusion) Petrobras, a Brazilian multinational energy corporation, and Embrapa, a state-owned company affiliated with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, are developing a new technology for sugarcane ethanol production. The project will generate knowledge for the expansion of sugar
(Thrive in North Carolina/North Carolina Governor's Office) Biochemtex will be locating its new cellulosic biofuels production operations in North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Biochemtex will be locating its new cellulosic biofuels
(New Zimbabwe/The Source) THE country’s sole ethanol producer Green Fuel on Wednesday said it plans to start construction of the $300 million Kondo Dam in 2015 after completing financial due diligence. Green Fuel general manager Graeme Smith told The Source that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Brazil, Raizen has started construction on a 10 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol plant using Iogen Energy technology. The $100 million project, located adjacent to Raízen’s Costa Pinto sugar cane mill in Piracicaba,
(National Committee of the Netherlands) This report aims to provide insight in the quality and in the level of assurance of voluntary standard systems (VSS) for biomass, including soy and palm oil in order to help stakeholders “bet on best quality”. The
(World Wildlife Fund) Brussels, Belgium: A WWF analysis has shown that the standards used to assess biofuel sources fall well short of ensuring that Europe’s push towards increased biofuel use is not contributing to environmental destruction and social exploitation. The study, assessing the
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) PGF Biofuels Ltd. (“PGF Biofuels”), in conjunction with Paterson Grain, and the RSB Services Foundation are pleased to announce that PGF Biofuels has received Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (“RSB”) certification for Resonance® carinata. PGF Biofuels is the first
by Rachel Passmore (NewBIO) ... The shrub willow lifecycle begins with a place to plant the seeds. Part of NEWBio's research focuses on the use of land that is undesirable for food production, land that contains "marginal soils". According to Dr.
by Tony Kryzanowski (Ag Annex) ... “Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It contains the main nutrients that algae need,” says, Bob Mroz, president and chief executive officer of a Maryland-based biotech company called HY-TEK Bio, which is
(Platts) A report released Tuesday calling for a well defined advanced biofuel policy framework in the EU up to 2030 and beyond has been given full support by the group of international auto manufacturing and oil companies responsible for its
by Isis Almeida (Bloomberg) Ethanol prices in Brazil, the world’s second-biggest producer, need to fall below 60 percent of gasoline costs for motorists to switch to the biofuel, boosting domestic demand, according to consultants Datagro Ltd. Brazil’s flex-fuel cars can be filled up with
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Good & Quick located in Nevada, Iowa has begun selling E15 to 2001 and newer vehicles, making it the 11th registered E15 station in the state. In addition to E15, Good & Quick also offers E20, E30
by Jean Caspers-Simmet (AgriNews.com) Eric Koehlmoos' research on cellulosic ethanol led to national champion honors at the National FFA Science Fair last month in Louisville. The 17-year-old junior at South O'Brien High School finished first in Division 2, which includes individual
(Washington State University) ... NARA (Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance) is developing regional aviation biofuel solutions, since the aviation industry is in need of a viable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. IDX’s specific role within NARA was to propose a supply
(Friends of the Earth Europe) Illegal and harmful production of palm oil in Indonesia is continuing, reveals a new report released today by Friends of the Earth. The study concludes that voluntary guidelines, such as those established by the Round Table
by James Palen (The Daily Transcript/San Diego Source) ... Brawley-based California Ethanol + Power is bringing the matter closer to home. The company has yet to build its first facility, but by possibly the first quarter of 2014, it looks to break ground on
by Jayashree Bhosale (Economic Times) ... The sugar industry is exploring the possibility of adopting the Brazilian model. Brazil, which tops the world in sugar production, increases ethanol production if sugar prices rule low. Ethanol is manufactured from molasses, the byproduct
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) High gas prices?! They’re a scandal, all right. Turns out, alternative fuels are affordable fuels. And getting them distributed — well, here’s a chance for Iowa to show the way. ... As the noted energy writer, Robert
by Lauren Quinn (University of Illinois/Renewable Energy World) ... “When the topic of potential invasion by non-native biofuel crops has been raised at conferences I’ve attended, the ecologists in the room have suggested we use biomass from existing invaders instead,” said Lauren
(MENAFN-Arab News) Saudi Arabia will be one of the few algae producing countries around the world, with production capacity expected to reach 30,000 tons by 2014, said Jaber Al-Shehri, undersecretary of research and agricultural development at the Ministry of Agriculture. A
(Biofuels International) The paper industry in Old Town, Maine, US has been stuck in gradual decline for some years now. However, one company - Old Town Fuel and Fiber (OTFF) - is said to be 'on the cusp' of a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Ceres points towards minimal plantings of its sweet sorghum hybrids in its key market of Brazil for next year, investors ask two questions. Will sweet sorghum realize its vast potential, and when? Just when many
by William I.Y. Byun and Philipp Barrage (Greenpower Fuels Singapore/London School of Economics/Renewable Energy World) ... For example, from the palm harvest itself, when wastewater and waste biomass such as husks, shell kernels and fibers are stripped away, only about 10 percent
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ECI has announced it has begun selling registered E15 to motorists who drive a 2001 or newer vehicle. ECI is located near Waterloo at 1144 Hwy 63 North in Hudson, Iowa. E15, a blend of gasoline and 15
by Michael Wines (The New York Times) Gov. John W. Hickenlooper of Colorado proposed on Monday tough new limits on leaks of methane and other gases from well sites and storage tanks. Supporters called the limits, which would exceed existing
Excerpts from a November 10, 2013, letter from 74 African organizations to US President Barack Obama. Dear President Obama, We are African organizations working for the realization of a healthy and just environment for the people of our countries. We believe that
(Fuels Institute) The growth of vehicles running on alternative fuels will accelerate over the next decade, but diesel fuel- and gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to dominate market share, according to “Tomorrow’s Vehicles: What Will We Drive in 2023?” a new
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) ...“In the matter of just a couple of weeks we’ll have E15 in 11 states, roughly 50 stations, and lots in the hopper,” adding there’s high interest among gas station operators, especially the small businesses, in
(Algae Industry Magazine) Currently Vice President of QA & Services at OriginOil Inc., Jose Sanchez Piña is a veteran in the design and field operation of open pond, photobioreactor and dark-growth algae production systems, as well as an experienced executive
(Green Air Online) SkyNRG has signed a Letter of Intent with the Dutch government, KLM, Neste Oil, Schiphol Airport and the Port of Rotterdam to scale up production of sustainable jet fuels in the Netherlands. As part of its ambitious
by Tshepiso Mokhema (Bloomberg) South Africa’s plan to source all grain needed for biofuels production locally means sorghum output will have to climb at least fivefold, the nation’s biggest representative of commercial farmers said. Biofuel must comprise at least 5 percent
by Jade Boyd (Rice University) Synthetic biologists at Rice probe biochar’s impact on microbial signaling In the first study of its kind, Rice University scientists have used synthetic biology to study how a popular soil amendment called “biochar” can interfere with
(Algae Industry Magazine) Can scientists grow algae in polluted water on dairy farms and then safely feed it to livestock? That’s what Shelton Murinda, an associate professor of animal and veterinary sciences, Marcia Ewers of the biological sciences department, and
(Global Bioenergies) Global Bioenergies announces its decision to construct its second industrial pilot on the site of the Leuna refinery, close to Leipzig in Germany. This new pilot plant, to be supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through a EUR
by Bruce Dorminey (Renewable Energy World) Shrub willow — the short rotation crop that kept the world in wicker baskets for centuries — is gradually finding new life as a cold-resistant biomass, particularly in upstate New York where it’s augmenting traditional
by Meg Cichon (Renewable Energy World) ... On Monday afternoon, Power-Gen and Renewable Energy World attendees headed to the Culture Fuels site to learn about their algal biomass technology. According to Mike Welch, research associate in Biofuels at University of South
by Laura Legere (NPR/StateImpact) ... The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a resource you can take on the road. A free iPhone app shows the location of more than 15,000 alternative fueling stations throughout the country with services for electric, natural gas,
by Joel Davis (The Daily Times) Nearly four years after the ribbon was cut on one of the world’s first cellulosic ethanol demonstration facilities in Vonore, hopes for a commercial-scale biorefinery being constructed in the state still remain unfulfilled. The biofuel
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Douglas Tiffany, assistant extension professor at the University of Minnesota, discussed the economics of co-locating torrefaction, ethanol and coal power plants at the University of North Dakota on Nov. 6. “What we wanted to get
(Lux Research/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Lower feedstock prices can drive down prices of fermentable cellulosic sugar to 26 cents per kilogram (kg), down from 32 to 36 cents per kg, competitive with sugars from corn or sugarcane, according to Lux Research.
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) During a webinar held Nov. 14 four experts talked about corn oil extraction from the viewpoint of animal nutrition, corn oil markets, its financial impact on ethanol plants and taking the technology to the
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The record corn supply has multiple implications for the ethanol industry. The USDA’s Nov. 8 supply/demand report pegged the 2013 corn crop at 13.989 billion bushels, a new record at more than 700
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Adkins Energy LLC, a 48 MMgy ethanol plant located in Lena, Ill., is poised to begin construction on a 2 MMgy co-located biodiesel plant, which will utilize the distillers corn oil separated at the
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new paper from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University indicates that if the U.S. EPA does significantly reduce the renewable fuel standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations, it would mean only
(Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council/Biodiesel Magazine) Thanks to Staples Enterprises, motorists traveling through Heron Lake, Minn., now have even more biodiesel choices to fill their tanks. The Heron Lake convenience store recently held an open house and biodiesel promotion to
(Ceres) - Plantings have commenced for the 2013-14 growing season in Brazil. - Number of mills evaluating Ceres' sorghum hybrids has increased over previous season. - Lower expenses forecast for fiscal year 2014. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERE) today announced financial results for
(US Department of Energy) BETO recently published a new two-page overview document that highlights significant Office achievements from 2013. One noteworthy success was the demonstration of two cellulosic ethanol production processes at a cost of $2.15 or less per gallon.
by Seth Meyer and Rob Johansson (US Department of Agriculture/FarmDocDaily) ...Alternatively, if the EPA's estimates of the potential for E85 consumption are too high and the actual blend wall is lower than the estimated13 billion gallons, then the potential use of domestic
(Brownfields Ag News) E-15 fueling pumps are coming to Rochelle, Illinois. A ribbon cutting will be held Wednesday at the Petro Travel Plaza on 900 Petro Road. Ten new fueling stations with E15 will be lined up at every station
by Dustin Mulvaney (EcoShift Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... EcoShift Consulting (www.ecoshift.com) recently conducted a GHG intensity analysis of a seaweed-based ethanol product that performs significantly better than gasoline as well as ethanol made from other feedstocks. The ethanol is being developed by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you were buying higher blends of renewable fuels this year, you saved on dollars per mile. So many blends, so many fuels, and a commodity price roller-coaster to navigate. Who’s the biggest fuel smartie? We
(Science Daily) Expanding millions of hectares of Brazilian land to produce palm oil for food or for renewable, clean-burning biodiesel could result in extremely high emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) unless strict controls are put in place. This is according to
by Hayat Gazzane (Le Figaro) The group Musketeers opened the first factory in France specializing in the production of biodiesel from the inedible waste. The future of biofuels is in animal fat. In any case believes that the Groupement des Mousquetaires. The supermarket group (Intermarket ,
by Watcharapong Thongrung (The Nation) The Energy Ministry will focus more next year on promoting natural gas for vehicles (NGV), gasohol, and palm-oil-based biodiesel, according to Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal. He told executives of Toyota Motor (Thailand) of this plan during a
by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (The Daily Nonpareil) ... The predictable efforts to smear ethanol’s reputation ignore the renewable fuel’s valuable contributions to clean energy, rural development, job creation and U.S. energy independence. The latest round of misguided untruths disregards the
by Tom Tobin (Democrat & Chronicle) Naturally Scientific Technologies Ltd., a business described as an anchor in the Eastman Business Park's efforts to compete in the bioenergy field, will locate at the park to pursue a partnership with Rochester's Sweetwater Energy. The tenancy,
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Waukon Feed Ranch in northeast Iowa will begin offering E15 for 2001 and newer cars, trucks and other vehicles. It becomes the state’s ninth registered E15 retailer. ... Now, most motorists have access to E10, but
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Massachusetts, applied mathematicians Markos Katsoulakis and Luc Rey-Bellet of the University of Massachusetts Amherst will share a three-year, $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, with others, to develop new methods to improve mathematical
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) M&G Chemicals announced its decision to construct a second-generation biorefinery in China to convert 1 million metric tons of biomass into ethanol and bioglycols. The project in the Fuyang region in Anhui Province is
by Roger A. Sedjo, Brent L. Sohngen, Anne Riddle (Resources for the Future) A concern of many environmentalists is that the use of biomass energy will decimate the forests. Searchinger et al. (2008, 2009) examined this issue related to corn ethanol
by Bill Chameides (Duke University) New study concludes that biofuels can be part of climate-energy solution. The debate has been raging for years. Can biofuels, fuels derived from recently alive plant materials (or manure), serve as the fuel of choice to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the EPA released its 2014 proposed standards and volumes for renewable fuels. The volumes, as widely expected, include substantial reductions from the statutory standards in the original Energy Independence & Security Act. The announced proposed volumes
(PRWEB/CTi) Cavitation Technologies, Inc. ("CTi") (OTCBB: CVAT) (Berlin: Stuttgart: WTC) announced today that the Company’s U.S. Patent Application, entitled ‘Process for Producing Biodiesel through Lower Molecular Weight Alcohol-Targeted Cavitation’, has been approved for patent issuance. This approval adds another significant accomplishment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Primus Green Energy recently completed a landmark technology demonstration — and heads off to scale with a catalytic technology for making $2.00 gasoline. But, in shifting to natural gas as a feedstock for the first
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Douglas Tiffany, assistant extension professor at the University of Minnesota, discussed the economics of co-locating torrefaction, ethanol and coal power plants at the University of North Dakota on Nov. 6. “What we wanted to get
By Dina Cappiello (Associated Press/StarTribune) The hills of southern Iowa bear the scars of America's push for green energy: The brown gashes where rain has washed away the soil. The polluted streams that dump fertilizer into the water supply. Even the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Iowa, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association responded to an Associated Press ethanol story that’s set to be published in news outlets around the country tomorrow. The IRFA was able to view an early version of
(Battelle/Biomass Magazine) Battelle engineers and scientists have developed a mobile device that transforms unwanted biomass materials such as wood chips or agricultural waste into valuable bio-oil using catalytic pyrolysis. As currently configured, the Battelle-funded unit converts 1 ton of pine
(The Center For Agricultural And Rural Development/Sacramento Bee) Meeting demand is key to achieving federal renewable fuel volume mandates A new paper by Iowa State University economists Bruce A. Babcock and Sebastien Pouliot identifies a bottleneck of too few fuel stations that offer
(Aviation Pros/GE Aviation) A 10-year agreement calls for GE’s baseline commitment of 500,000 gallons of cellulosic synthetic biofuel annually. GE Aviation, which consumes more than 10 million gallons of jet fuel annually at its engine testing centers, will broaden its fuel
by Jonathan Coppess (FarmDocDaily) ... The statute provides EPA with the authority to waive a requirement for an individual calendar year by "reducing the national quantity of renewable fuel required." The RFS is housed in the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
by Bruce Finley (Denver Post) The federal government is launching a $10 million, five-year project to tap overgrown and beetle-ravaged Western U.S. forests as a new source of non-oil liquid fuel that could power cars, warships and airliners. The Colorado State
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Minnesota Corn Growers Association recently announced the creation of a new, interactive map that pulls together data that was previously tracked but not pulled together in one easy to digest format. By clicking
(Biofuels International) It has been reported auto manufacturer MAN Latin America has completed tests on diesel made from sugarcane. The company is believed to have performed over 500 hours of testing on Euro 5 engines within four Volkswagen Constellation trucks and
(Ennovor/PR NewsWire) Customers seeking premium quality, reliable and sustainable biofuels will have greater choice. This follows a $12m investment in expanding the supply chain, production and feedstock capabilities of sustainable energy sector leader Ennovor Group. The enhancements are being financed by a $12 million
(US Department of Energy) The Bioenergy Technologies Office seeks stakeholder feedback regarding bioenergy technology validation to accelerate the deployment of advanced biofuel, bioproducts, and biopower technologies. BETO is specifically interested in information technologies that are ready for technology validation at
(Press Trust of India/Business Standard) There is a need to educate, communicate and spread more information about Genetically Modified crops in India to quell people's apprehensions about their safety, according to Bayer Crop Sciences CEO,Liam Condon. "I think it is a very big topic, not
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