by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Washington, the Department of Defense has awarded $210 million under the Defense Production Act to Emerald Biofuels, Fulcrum BioEnergy and Red Rock Bio towards the construction of biorefineries that produce cost-competitive, drop-in military biofuels. Under the grants, the
(U.S. Department of Energy) Bioenergy: America's Energy Future is a short documentary film showcasing examples of bioenergy innovations across the biomass supply chain and the United States. The film highlights a few stories of individuals and companies who are passionate
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) ... The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) took to the water in 2011 to help dispel some of the myths associated with boating and ethanol. RFA partnered with the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) and
(Navigant Research) Viewed as a game changer in the race to commercialize advanced biofuels, aviation and marine biofuels represent a very significant opportunity for emerging producers in the advanced biofuels industry. Demand for advanced biofuels produced from sustainable, non-food feedstocks
(BIOtechNOW) ... However, it also takes real marketplace demand—often led by a few significant “early adopters”—to put a new technology to the real-world test. One very large early adopter, which also has a major presence in San Diego, is the
(Defense Logistics Agency) The WESTPAC Purchase Program covers the annual bulk petroleum requirements under the Western Pacific and Middle East Regions (F76, JA1, JP5, JP8, and RME180). Cost savings strategies under this solicitation include a minimum lift guarantee of 90%
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... A week before the FEW, Enerkem Inc. celebrated the inauguration of its 10 MMgy facility in Edmonton, Alberta. Commissioning is nearly completed, reported Tim Cesarek, senior vice president of business development. The thermochemical process
(Aston University/Biomass Magazine) A sustainable biofuel made from Norwegian forest wood waste could help transform the shipping industry and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative sustainable fuels are urgently needed in the marine transport sector due to stringent upcoming regulations demanding
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Washington, the Navy’s Director of Operational Energy, Chris Tindal, advises the Digest: “As of two weeks ago, the Navy has fully approved MILSPECs for JP-5, JP-8, and F-76 for the F-T and HEFA pathways. As
by Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry (Biodiesel Magazine) While lathes are turning in Washington State, dozens of riggers have begun working on the standing rigging that will faithfully support the three masts of SSV Oliver Hazard Perry. The 200-foot square-rigged
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hydrocarbon fuel from seawater and nothing else? Is it possible? Not only possible, but demonstrated as a process, and tested in a model plane. How does it rate on the Hooey scale? The Digest investigates. In
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On March 28, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the results of biofuel testing completed onboard the training ship State of Michigan. The tests compared operational, vibration and air emissions differences between regular ultralow
(The Medi-Telegraph) One of the main topics of the meeting between Italian Defence Secretary Domenico Rossi and US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus was the cooperation programme on alternative fuels between Italy and the United States. ... Today, at the bio-refinery Eni
(Sunshine Biofuels/PR WEB) The company now brings replacement fuel for marine diesel that can save thousands of dollars per week and effectively reduce environmental impact. Sunshine Biofuels now offers a replacement fuel for marine diesel and fuel oils. Branded as Sunshine Renewable
by Kim Waters (Daily Mercury) MACKAY has been flagged as a potential location to supply the Australian and US Navy with biofuel. Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning's Lindsay Pears said if an investor jumped on board a project to
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) At the US Department of Agriculture headquarters building in Washington, DC, on January 30, representatives of the USDA and Navy provided an overview of the newly announced Farm-to-Fleet program which will provide a format
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Agriculture, and Secretary of Energy delivered four co-signed letters to the heads of key House and Senate committees and subcommittees, in support of the Navy’s efforts to
(US Department of Agriculture) Program blends homegrown biofuels with conventional fuels, propelling ships, jets and jobs Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today announced the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Navy's joint "Farm-to-Fleet" venture will
by Charlie Bartlett (Seatrade Global) Given the poor quality of fuel on which many ship engines currently run, the global shipping industry has been pilloried recently for its poor emissions performance. Now, it has an opportunity to assist in shore-side
(Noodls) On November 19 through 25 the Caio Duilio destroyer of the Italian Navy which also took part in NATO's Response Force exercise Steadfast Jazz 213 earlier this month will be conducting a friendly visit in Klaipėda. The technologically advanced battleship
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Coast Guard is testing isobutanol gasoline blends in its marine engines. Since its founding in 1790 as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the U.S. Coast Guard has had a history of implementing new technology
(TravPR.com) HalongBay is one of the world's visually breathtaking locations, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage. However, thank to unstable tourism development in the past, Quang Ninh province has to face an emerging issues which directly concerns about pollution and
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Denmark-based Port of Frederikshavn, Canadian biofuel company Steeper Energy, and Denmark-based Aalborg University have announced a partnership to develop a biofuel plant in Denmark that will produce sulphur-free, drop-in marine fuel from wood feedstock. ... Roughly
by Bruce Barcott (OnEarth.org) Imagine a future in which airliners run on cornstalks and Navy ships ply the oceans on tanks of switchgrass. That day may at last be inching closer. The promise of cellulosic biofuels sounds like a fable out
by Ray Mabus (Foreign Policy) With domestic oil production up, imports declining, and new oil and gas reserves being discovered, some question whether energy remains, or ever was, a security challenge and military vulnerability for the United States. The rise
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Here are the biggest pacts and advances, tests, investments and grants with the likes of Amyris, Total, Airbus, Solena Fuels, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, AltAir Fuels, the US Navy, Emerald Biofuels, Natures BioReserve and Fulcrum Biofuels, Virent, the US Air Force, Chinese Eastern
(MarketWatch/Gevo) Fuel to be Used for Testing in Marine Engine Applications Gevo, Inc., has begun supplying the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center with initial quantities of finished 16.1% renewable isobutanol-blended gasoline for engine testing. "Gevo's proprietary isobutanol-blended gasoline is truly a drop-in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Summer of Algae has passed, but dozens of companies have remained hot in pursuit of a solution for fuels, feed, nutraceuticals, fragrances, flavorings and tailored renewable oils. Their technologies? Closed systems, open-systems, hybrid systems. Hosts
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Energy costs are a significant drain on defence budgets. This could impact on the resources available for Allies to acquire and maintain defence capabilities as well as limit their capacity to undertake military operations. Reducing the energy
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A number of federal agency initiatives are already underway in the biofuels, agriculture, and forestry sectors to help mitigate climate change and adapt to it. In a posting July 2, Doug O’Brien, Acting Under Secretary of the
(Ship & Bunker) A.P. Møller-Maersk (Maersk) says it is working with partners on two projects designed to develop biomass-based marine fuels. Both projects involve work on an organic polymer called lignin found in plants, which is released during the production of
(25 x '25) Renewable energy stakeholders were reminded again in recent weeks that misguided criticism and outright misinformation launched against the nation’s pursuit of a clean energy future must be turned back. ...An example of the latter is the recent publication
by Julia Whitty (The Atlantic/Mother Jones) ...To get to the Nimitz, 100 miles off Honolulu, our turboprop is flying a 50-50 blend of biofuel and standard JP-5 shipboard aviation fuel. The biofuel is made from algae plus waste cooking oil. This
by Pamela Serino (Defense Logistics Agency Energy/Biofuels Digest) ...A mandate in all countries to go to ULSD marine fuel would be my first step to cleaner fuels and lower emissions as many nations still burn very high sulfur fuels (1000-5000
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 Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Volatile costs for fossil fuels and rising concerns over emissions. “A doubling of present CO2 emissions by 2050 if we do nothing.” A share of “for at least 10% of global emissions in 2050, as
(CBC News/The Canadian Press) The federal government is soliciting proposals for how it might use biofuels to replace traditional diesel in Royal Canadian Navy vessels — assuming the price is right. "Naval vessels and platforms have traditionally operated by the use of
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 Amanda Stein (Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System) ...NPS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Associate Professor Dr. Christopher Brophy, and MAE Professor and Chairman Dr. Knox Millsaps, are working to help the Navy understand how alternative fuels will perform
by Ysabel Yates (Renewable Energy World) ...For the next two years, Rolf Reitz and his team will be developing a model to work out the right mix of biofuel for the Navy’s fleet. Reitz’s work is critical because Navy Secretary Ray Mabus
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the Pacific-based forces of Can-Do battle the Washington-based forces of Shouldn’t-Try, we look at the 6 Big Myths of Military Biofuels In Hawaii, the US Navy demonstrated its Green Strike Group as part of the 2012 Rim
(The Maritime Executive) Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), which is currently providing logistical support for U.S. Pacific Fleet's biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii, will deliver 900,000 gallons of a 50-50 blend of
(University of Wisconsin-Madison) With the help of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research, mechanical engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will develop a tool to characterize the performance of a new class of alternative fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The Obama Administration has laid out an integrated strategy for commercializing advanced biofuels, with a focus in this phase on military advanced biofuels at cost-competitive prices with conventional fuels. The vehicle is a joint program between
by Doug Esser (Seattle Times) The Coast Guard's Everett-based buoy tender, Henry Blake, completed its first biofuel-propelled voyage Thursday. The Coast Guard is partnering with the Navy in research of algae-based biofuels for ships, a technology the Navy plans to
The call for abstracts is currently open for presentations in the International Conference on Biofuels for Sustainable Development of Southern Europe (Bio4SuD), which will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece on 19-20th of November 2012. The Bio4Sud conference will focus on the
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation has released its analysis of a test conducted with algae-based biofuel on one of its large commercial-size vessels. This research used marine engines aboard the Great Lakes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Washington, heartbreak came early in the season when the Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to nix the purchase of aviation biofuels, should they cost more than conventional fossil fuels, even at the small
by Fred Kaplan (Slate) ...The rationale for barring the Navy from buying the 450,000 gallons of biofuels necessary for the experiment is economic: These fuels are too expensive—about four times more costly than conventional fuels. To hammer home the point, the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New tests conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have revealed that US warplanes are capable of flying faster and carry more payload on missions, when flying with synthetic fuels, including biofuels, compared to conventional military
(CNN) The U.S. Navy for the first time will demonstrate what it calls a Great Green Fleet, a carrier strike group operating in large part on nonfossil fuels, during a larger, 22-nation exercise this summer. The Navy’s two-day demonstration, which will
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Honeywell’s UOP announced two projects this week, and generally more attention was paid by ABLC delegates to its ATJ (alcohol to jet) technology release, suggesting that, in the near term, the costs for producing aviation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In “Four Star Biofuels: How the Pentagon Is Outpacing Civilians in Gen2 Adoption” a special Raymond James look at the military and biofuels demand, Pavel Molchanov writes: “A key differentiator of the next-generation (Gen2) biofuel
(Solazyme/BusinessWire) -Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, announced today that the USS Ford, a U.S. Navy Frigate fleet ship, successfully journeyed from its homeport in Everett, WA to San Diego, CA using Soladiesel HRD-76®, Solazyme’s 100% algal derived renewable
by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) Throughout our country’s history, the U.S. Navy and military proper have played a key role in developing and adopting alternative energy sources. They pioneered the switch to coal as an alternative to reliance on
by Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications (MarineLink.com) USS Ford Conducts Operational Transit on Alternative Fuel Blend. USS Ford (FFG 54) successfully transited from the ship's homeport in Everett, Wash., to San Diego, March 2, using 25,000 gallons of
by Neela Banerjee (Los Angeles Times) The report by six federal agencies was released early Monday on the first anniversary of a speech by President Obama in which he pledged to reduce American dependence on foreign oil imports by one-third in about
(Advanced Biofuels Association) Better Fuels Moment With barrels of biofuel flowing from the success of America's first commercial advanced biofuels plant, the Advanced Biofuels Association, ABFA, takes its online video series, Better Fuels Moment, on the road to get a closer
by Tina Casey (Talking Points Memo) Republicans recently had themselves a good laugh over President Obama’s enthusiasm for biofuel made from algae, but they might want to stifle that chuckle when it comes to another modest-seeming but potentially important feedstock for biofuel,
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) In mid-January the University of Rhode Island topped off its research ship Endeavor’s fuel tank with 53,000 gallons of biodiesel-blended fuel. The move was the initial step in URI’s plan to transform the 185-foot ship
by Louise Downing (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) A.P. Moeller Maersk A/S, the world’s biggest container ship owner, is leading its industry in developing biofuels made from organic waste that could cut its carbon emissions and reduce a $6 billion-a-year fuel bill. Maersk is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...While most of the United States was focused on the 2012 Super Bowl, the CSPAN television network snuck a revealing interview from Brian Lamb with Secretary of the Navy, former Mississippi governor (and ambassador to
by Jim Lane/Dr. Susan Pond (Biofuels Digest/Dow Sustainability Program at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre) In Australia, the inaugural Sustainable Maritime Fuels Forum was held this week as part of the Pacific 2012 International Maritime Exposition in
Michael Richardson (Canberra Times) Don't laugh! The United States military is dead serious about being able to fly its combat and cargo planes on jet fuel derived from algae and plants, and to power many of its warships on biodiesel
(MarketWIre/Solazyme) Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, announced today that Maersk Line, one of the biggest shipping companies in the world, has completed the testing of Solazyme's 100% algal derived renewable diesel as part of an integrated testing
by Spencer Ackerman and Noah Shachtman (Wired) The Navy is hoping to one day run a huge chunk of its fleet on biofuels. So the Navy’s advanced researchers — and their partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture — are turning
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) To comply with the mandate to increase the use of alternative fuels, the Coast Guard has enlisted the help of Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers with expertise in fuels and engines. "The Coast Guard has decided
(InfotechSpotlight) ...The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Cummins, Inc., to identify and investigate the advantages, disadvantages, required technology enhancements, performance, costs, and other issues associated with using biodiesel fuel
(OriginOil) JV receives preliminary funding commitment of $4.5 million to carry out bankable feasibility studies OriginOil, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technology to extract oil from algae and an emerging leader in the global algae oil services industry, today announced it
by Naval Sea Systems Command (Navy.mil) The Navy successfully concluded its final alternative fuel demonstration for the year today with the Dec. 7-9 operational tests of the 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in a landing craft
(The Maritime Executive) Maersk and the U.S. Navy are testing algae-based biofuel on the container ship Maersk Kalmar. The ship is en route from Northern Europe to India. Maersk Kalmar has two key attributes that make it a suitable vessel for
(Solazyme) Dynamic Fuels, LLC, a joint venture between Tyson Foods, Inc. and Syntroleum Corporation, has been awarded a contract to supply the U.S. Navy with 450,000 gallons of renewable fuels. Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, will help
by Bryan Sims (Biorefining Magazine) In a continued effort to test and validate advanced biofuel utilization in both air and sea crafts, the U.S. Navy successfully concluded its final demonstration of the year Dec. 7-9 with operational testing of a
by Tom Richardson (BoatingLocal) The December 2011 issue of BoatU.S. magazine contains a useful and informative article on ethanol-blend gasoline and the proper way to store it over the winter. Based on advice from major engine manufacturers and experts in
(Gevo) The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) just released a report evaluating isobutanol, provided by Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), that shows great promise for it as a petroleum blendstock for the boating industry. Over the summer, NMMA conducted two tests, an emissions test and
by Julie Watson (AP/Yahoo! News) The U.S. Navy launched its largest alternative fuel test to date on Wednesday, pumping 20,000 gallons of algae-based fuel into a destroyer ship that will embark on a 20-hour trip along the California coast. The success of the Paul H.
(PR NewsWire/MarketWatch) Analytical Technology Fueling Institute's Fundamental Energy Research Waters Corporation today (November 15, 2011) welcomed the Future Fuels Institute at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida into its Centers of Innovation Program. The Future Fuels Institute under its director, Dr. Chang
by Kristy Moore (Renewable Fuels Association) Recent claims from some marine engine manufacturers that E15 ethanol blends will ruin marine engines are meant solely to incite fear and not meaningful discussion. A meaningful discussion would note that E15 is illegal
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) Ethanol supporters contend that research isn't fair A blend of 15 percent ethanol and gasoline caused so much damage to boat engines during a government-funded study that the testing of two of three motor types
by Tina Casey (Talking Points Memo) ...Earlier this year, the Navy successfully tested a 50-50 algae aviation biofuel blend on a Seahawk helicopter in flight, and now an algae biodiesel blend has passed muster during tests on a 135-foot landing vessel. The ship,
by Alex Morales and Louise Downing (Bloomberg News/San Francisco Chronicle) Biofuels face their biggest test yet -- whether they can power fighter jets and tanks in battle at prices the world's best-funded military can afford. The U.S. Air Force is
(Maersk/MarineLink.com) W R Systems, Ltd (WRSystems) was asked to supply its Emsys laser-based Emissions Monitoring System (EMS) for the purpose of emission verification for an ongoing fuel trials on-board the AP Moller-Maersk vessel Maersk Kalmar. WRSystems was asked to provide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Tactically, a Green Strike Group, powered by renewable diesel-electric engines, nuclear power and aviation biofuels, is able to operate independent of fossil fuel supply line threat or disruption. In the near term, this is
by Steve Leone (Renewable Energy World) While the price of military intervention is often measured in American lives, in this case it was the staggering amount of American dollars that most clearly made his point. In today’s dollars, keeping just
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) A high percentage of biodiesel is used by consumers on land, and marine operators are trying to match that same level of usage by sea ...Perhaps no one understands the trials and tribulations of biodiesel better
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) As a tie-in to President Obama’s current bus tour promoting his job creation plans, the White House has issued a press release promoting a three-year $510 million dollar plan to fund “drop-in” biofuel
(The White House) USDA, Department of Energy and Navy Partner to Advance Biofuels to Fuel Military and Commercial Transportation, Displace Need for Foreign Oil, and Strengthen Rural America President Obama today (August 16, 2011) announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture,
by Walt Frank (Altoona Mirror) Cars and trucks are capable of running on E-10 gasoline - gas that contains 10 percent ethanol - but it may not be so good for boats and other machinery with small engines. Service departments at
(Marine Log) Wärtsilä has been contracted by STX Finland to supply liquid bio-fuel powered main engines for Aura II, the multi-purpose deck cargo vessel ordered from the Turku shipyard last October by Gaiamare Ltd., part of the the Turku based Meriaura
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Boat racers from coast to coast gathered in the ethanol-producing town of Garnett, Kansas over the weekend to speed around Cedar Valley Reservoir on ten percent ethanol fuel (E10) at the National Boat Racing Association(NBRA) “Garnett Ethanol
(The Oregonian) ...the Tsunami, recently won the most prestigious national honor awarded by Sea Scouts: the position of National Flagship. The award recognizes program quality, youth achievement and adult commitment, and is given to just one ship of the more
(OriginOil) OriginOil, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technologyto extract oil from algae and an emerging leader in the global algae oil services industry, yesterday announced that Ennesys, its joint venture partner in France, is working with large institutions to develop two
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) On April 12th at the Navy League’s 2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, the leaders of the US Navy’s 50% petroleum reduction by 2020 program honed in on what it means for the Navy and for
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A new partnership between the ethanol industry and boat racers is hoping to dunk the image of ethanol as a bad fuel for boat engines. Through the alliance between the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Boat Racing
by Jeremy Susac (Orlando Sentinel) ...Older boat motors and fuel systems were not designed for ethanol use. But, ethanol-blended fuels can still be successful in marine applications. ...So, what's a boater to do?Check the owner's manual — the vast majority of
(BYMNews) ...With the government's proposed mandate that all gasolines use up to 15% ethanol, are you ready for the switch? Using a highly advanced formula developed first for car engines, Bell Performance's MIX-I-GO and Marine MXO are the first products on
(Renewable Fuel Association) The Renewable Fuel Association has put together an informational boating document concerning ethanol-blended fuels and marine equipment. Many areas across the country successfully utilize only ethanol-blended fuels year-round and across all octane grades, proving that ethanol blended
by James Cartledge (BrighterEnergy.org) The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) has said it is aiming to become a large-scale “energy farm” to provide biofuels for the US Navy and Hawaii itself. The company based in Pu’unene, Hawaii, is set to
Slowly but surely, science seems to be advancing toward a production of biofuel that does not take away agricultural land from the world’s food supply. When this kind of fuel is ready, so is A.P. Moller - Maersk. Five Maersk business
by Charles Zusman (NJ.com) Boating interests are on guard against a move by the ethanol industry to increase the ethanol content of gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent, an action they fear might be harmful to marine engines. Boating
On September 10, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing about the national security threats posed by our reliance on fossil fuels and efforts underway by the U.S. armed services to reduce total energy use and transition
Solazyme, Inc., the renewable oil production company and leader in algal synthetic biology, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to research, develop, and demonstrate commercial scale production of algae-derived advanced biofuel that meets the United States
Washington state won't reach its goal next month of having biofuels make up at least 20 percent of its fuel use in state vehicles and ferries. The state had set a June 1 target for alternative fuels to make up
Danish oil group and shipping company AP Moller-Maersk is in talks with US plane maker Boeing about developing biofuels for planes as well as ships, a senior executive of AP Moller told a newspaper in an interview. The executive, AP Moller
.jpg)
