by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) The latest clean-tech energy contender pushes toward commercial production, even as federal money is drying up. The ingredient list for products ranging from jet fuel to dietary supplements may soon get an unusual addition: algae. Entrepreneurs who
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...ABO 2011 has offered an opportunity to consider the progress that the algal biomass sector has made in its race for commercial-scale, to marvel at the proliferation of robust business models, and to sneak a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Overall, there remain more than 100 companies chasing the prize of developing an algae biomaterials project, profitable and at commercial scale. Yesterday (October 24, 2011), on the eve of the annual Algal Biomass Summit, two of
(Harvard Science) Chris Somerville, director of the Energy Biosciences Institute, said global biofuels are already mainstream, with ethanol from corn totaling 13 to 14 billion gallons annually in the United States, or about 10 percent of gasoline use. In Brazil, it
by Dr. Carl Kukkonen (Viaspace) At the September 2011 Biorefining Conference,Dr. Kukkonen spoke about the properties of Giant King Grass. -- Giant King Grass is the lowest cost cellulosic feedstock for a biorefinery -- Co-location of biorefinery with Giant King Grass plantation greatly simplifies
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) The biodiesel and oilheat industries have a long-standing history working alongside each other respectively serving the home heating needs of their customers, particularly in the Northeast, and delivering clean-burning Bioheat was the sentiment echoed by
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) The biomass industry is a new frontier for the team at the Gemstone Group, a renewable energy investment banking firm, and according to Gary Kleiman, founder, his team is looking for opportunities to partner and help
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) Ask J.D. Lindberg, principal and CFO for Resource Recycling Systems Inc., about the intricacies of feedstock supply contracting, and he would most likely tell you that “glass time is money.” Lindberg spoke during a feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Rod Beazley of Ricardo said that, based on tests conducted to date by the company, the Ricardo EBDI (ethanol boosted direct injection) engine could achieve equal mileage per gallon when burning E85 ethanol, compared to straight
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Agrisoma CEO Steve Fabijanski outlined his company’s plan to challenge canola for dominance in Canadian oilseed production with the introduction of carinata, which the company said could achieve up to 130 gallons per
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A major trend emerging from the conference was a broad agreement on the strong potential for XTL fuels – that is, fuels that combined both fossil and biomass inputs, to provide the opportunities for massive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Marie-Helene Labrie said that the company looked for markets where there was effective government support all through the project from R&D, pilot & testing, commercial demonstrations, and full scale commercialization, noting that a “suite of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In financing, Stern Brothers managing director John May said that the majority of advanced biofuels projects were obtaining debt ratings of BBB to single B, which indicated the presence of material technology risk, and that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(Imperium CEO John) Plaza said that the company would remain committed to its biodiesel business, which has been profitable since Q4 2009 and is running at near-capacity, but was unlikely to expand because of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In commenting on trends in financing advanced biofuels technologies, Alberti Advisors principal Doug Cameron said that, for seed and Series A rounds, investors generally looked for strong IP, deeply credible, passionate founders; exciting, big disruptive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Ramsbottom said that companies looking at international expansion generally ask themselves four questions before proceeding: is there a need?; is the local environment welcoming?; does the company have the time and resources”; can the company afford
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The production of advanced biofuels was one of many renewable energy topics addressed by speakers at the recent annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. During a keynote lunch address on green technology, Jonathan Wolfson,
(Iowa State University) Iowa State University's Robert C. Brown keeps a small vial of brown, sweet-smelling liquid on his office table. "It looks like something you could pour on your pancakes," he said. "In many respects, it is similar to molasses." Brown,
by Vidya Ramanathan (Advanced Biofuels USA) “Artificial leaf, Nanowires and Biomass - Are these the fuels and technologies of the future? Emerging from the BP Gulf Oil spill, and witnessing the post-quake-tsunami nuclear-reactor incidents in Japan, we are rightly poised
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) The project life cycle for second- and third-generation biofuels and biobased chemical facilities has changed from the traditional model. That life cycle, which commonly begins at the pilot phase led by researchers, chemists or biologists
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The International Biorefining Conference & Trade Show in Houston wasn’t exclusively about biobased chemicals and next-gen biofuels. In fact, the event featured two speakers who presented novel biodiesel technologies that are on the verge of
by Matt Glynn (BuffaloNews.com) ‘Green’ consistency is needed to succeed, Noco chief says James D. Newman calls it the “green-versus-green debate” in biofuels. People want to be environmentally conscious, but they hesitate to part with more green — as in money — to
(OriginOil/Enhanced Online News) Algae World Australia delegates tour university test site, view next-generation algae harvest technologies 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
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alternative fuels have work to do, say retail marketing experts, to win customer acceptance, but the work can be done. Here are 14 points to consider. “(A)lternative fuels need many things, but the most important thing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, former Queensland premier Peter Beattie issued a stark challenge to Australia on biofuels, at the opening of the Australian Alternative Fuels Summit in Brisbane. “As President Obama has said, ‘the country that leads on
by Holly Jessen, Kris Bevill, Ron Kotrba and Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo is well-known for its top-notch networking opportunities and technically oriented panel sessions, but it also provides an opportunity for
(The Pew Charitable Trusts) This week, former Navy secretary and U.S. senator John W. Warner (R-Va.) is traveling with Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn (Ret.), vice chairman of the CNA Military Advisory Board, as part of a national tour to discuss
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Add-on technology developed for corn ethanol plants Rather than retrofitting a corn-ethanol plant to produce i-butanol, n-butanol or use other novel fermentation technologies, three companies are collaborating to turn a traditional ethanol plant into a
(European Commission) This Workshop was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with Airbus. The purpose was to discuss with all key stakeholders a road map for accelerating the deployment of paraffinic sustainable biofuels in the aviation sector and ensuring
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory is looking for the best biofuels crops to grow in the northeast Illinois Indian Creek Watershed. During a recent field tour of the watershed sponsored by theConservation Technology Information Center, Argonne
(EurekAlert!) U.S. production of ethanol for fuel has been rising quickly, topping 13 billion gallons in 2010. With the usual rail, truck and barge transport methods under potential strain, existing gas pipelines might be an efficient alternative for moving this
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) Algae may be garnering the most attention as a viable third-generation feedstock for biodiesel production. As Gary Breitenbeck, professor in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Science at Louisiana State University’s Agricultural Center, and
by Holly Jessen (DomesticFuel.com) Although the U.S. corn ethanol industry is frequently misunderstood and misrepresented, it’s the only domestic renewable fuel industry to reach significant scale and make a measurable impact on the U.S. fuel supply, said Luca Zullo, principal
by Lance Nixon (Renewable Energy World) Those pyrolysis plants would pass that crude “bio-oil” on to refineries elsewhere to be made into drop-in fuels and industrial chemicals; they would capture and use for their own energy needs a byproduct called
by Jonathan Williams (Algae Industry Magazine) Researchers at the University of Florida are looking at ways to grow algae in landfill leachate, or the coffee colored liquid sludge that pools at the bottom of landfills as the waste decomposes. Landfill
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On July 19, 2011, the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) and Environmental and Energy Study Institute(EESI) held a briefing on the energy title of the Farm Bill, with a special focus on the Rural Energy for
by Jonathan Williams (Algae Industry Magazine) Brian Goodall, the Vice President of Business Development at SRS Energy, spoke at the 1st International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels, and Bioproducts on how their company is moving towards commercialization of their AlgaFrac™ System. Unlike
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Drop-in fuels all the rage? Not smart, says Coskata CSO Rathin Datta, ethanol is the champion for biomass-based fuels. In Washington DC later this month, at the DOE’s Biomass 2011 annual conclave, Rick Wilson, the CEO of
by AGQM (Biodiesel Magazine) The Association Quality management Biodiesel reg. Ass. (AGQM) recently presented results of a jointly initiated project at the 5th annual expert discussion dealing with the issue of biodiesel filterability. ...It was shown that the contents of alkaline
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Carolyn Hoagland was recently awarded the Volkswagen Distinguished Scholar for her work in learning about how farmers choose to grow bioenergy crops. Hoagland, an adult student, is an environmental science major at the University of Tennessee at
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Southeast is ripe for energy crop development, according to several panelists who spoke during a session devoted to next-generation feedstock strategies June 28 at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo in
by Ron Kotrba (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...(Pete) Moss, (vice president of marketing for cereal process technologies) says the 15 billion gallon cap on corn ethanol in RFS2 is one reason why fractionation will finally come to the dry mill corn
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...(I)ndustry experts discussed their views toward integrating cellulosic production at existing corn ethanol facilities. ...The panelists seemed in agreement that integrating cellulosic ethanol production with existing first-generation plants presents an ideal expansion opportunity. However their
by Will Dalen Rice (Earth Science Erratics) ...The final day of the conference was all about being “feedstock agnostic” in terms of what you give to your genetically engineered, “proprietary organisms.” This was the really cool day where they all
(Diesel Technology Forum) A near-capacity room of Congressional staff members, industry and energy representatives gathered on Capitol Hill on May 13th to hear a diverse group of speakers – including U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett – discuss clean diesel technology and
by Will Dalen Rice (Earth Science Erratics) ... The ALBC was more of a business conference than it was a technology conference. Many technologies have been able to prove viability in the laboratory. Step two, proving it can work at
(National Advanced Biofuels Consortium) This 55-slide presentation from a National Advanced Biofuels Consortium Webinar describes the organization and work of the consortium using many valuable charts, graphs and illustrations, including those that depict existing infrastructure. One of the most useful illustrations
by Will Dalen Rice (Earth Science Erratics) When looking at ways to reduce our energy dependence on foreign countries, biofuels are one solution. In an attempt to learn more about biofuels, I subscribe to and receive a daily newsletter about
(Bobby Likis/YouTube) Bobby Likis: You've got Ethanol Questions? Here are some Answers from industry leaders in the know, including NORRIS MARSHALL [president and owner of Marshall Engines], FRED BOSSELMAN [president and owner of Bosselman Energy], SCOTT MERRITT [executive director of
(Milken Institute Global Conference) With oil prices spiking and concern over climate change growing, biofuels hold tremendous appeal. But they must overcome considerable hurdles. Further process and technology refinements are needed to ensure that biofuels make a significant dent in
(Task 39) Around 140 guests followed the invitation of ISCC to the first General Assembly and discussed the status quo and development of sustainability certification with speakers like Ron van Erck from the European Commission and Dr. Hans-Jürgen Froese
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(F)or some time, observers have been waiting for an intermediate group of technologies to spring up, or even one, that takes in unsorted MSW from a municipality, crushes, sorts and spits out an low-cost stream
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Animated discussion characterized the fourth day of the Infocast series on cellulosic biofuels. Much is at stake. The industry is so close to being able to find success. If gasoline was $4.00/gallon, implementation would
(Butamax) This PowerPoint presentation describes the development of Butamax as a company, a joint venture between Dupont and BP. It also diagrams the process of biobutanol production and explores their analysis that isobutanol production combines economic manufacture with high value
by Richard Karlstetter (Shell Global Solutions-Germany) At the Future of Transportation Technology seminar at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia on September 30, 2010, in connection with the ALMS Petit Le Mans endurance race, Richard Karlstetter, Shell's Racing Fuels Technology Manager, demonstrated
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel) ...The potential for energy crops in the state was one of the topics at the recent Florida Farm to Fuel Summit. One of the presenters was Bill Vasden Jr., Chairman of the Florida Feedstock Growers Association.
(National Academies of Science) Expanding Biofuel Production: Sustainability and the Transition to Advanced Biofuels: Summary of a Workshop (2010) While energy prices, energy security, and climate change are front and center in the national media, these issues are often framed to
(ELMIA.se) Sugar beets from Europe can help solve the conflict between food and bioenergy in the developing world. “Sugar beets have greater energy content than sugar cane but require rotation with other crops,” explained Jan Öhrvall at the World Bioenergy conference
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Although equity investors (primarily strategics and venture capitalists) and the government grant market has continued to participate strongly in biofuels investing, the debt market that typically represents up to 80 percent of commercial scale financing
(VIASPACE) VIASPACE Inc., a clean energy company growing Giant KingTM Grass as a low-carbon, renewable energy crop, announced that Chief Executive Dr. Carl Kukkonen made an invited presentation at the International BIOMASS Conference and Expo held May 4-6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...“It allows us to produce a greater abundance of all three which are at the heart of the intersection of energy and agriculture. We can put an end to the “food vs. fuel” debate and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) When we say bioisoprene, think synthetic rubber – but only for a start. Think “platform” for renewable diesel, jet fuel, renewable gasoline, and synthetic adhesives. It replaces fossil-based oils, can make money now, and can
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...With respect to energy security, consider this: it is estimated that ten percent of all US military casualties come from the delivery of fuel. Even if it were true that none of the deployments of
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On March 18, 2010, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on the state of the cellulosic biofuel industry and its prospects for producing the volumes required by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Ethanol producers and corn farmers who were hoping for President Obama to make a strong show of support for the ethanol industry when he appeared at a POET plant in Missouri on Wednesday were probably a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference, Rick Gilmore, President/CEO of The GIC Group discussed possible carbon mitigation strategies which the biofuel industry could pursue as U.S. regulations and mandates come online. Of key
by Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D. (Director, Office of the USDA Chief Scientist) The USDA has a diverse protfolio of programs supporting the production of advanced biofuels. In this presentation to the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in Washington, DC in April 2010,
(POET) Technology ready, CEO says, but loan guarantee, policy stability and market access still needed to achieve vision. POET plans to have a hand in producing 3.5 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year by 2022, POET CEO Jeff Broin said
Crop Residue- What’s It Worth? Robert Fireovid (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service) explained the interest in crop residues, concerns about crop residues, how USDA-ARS is addressing these concerns, what research it has shown, and what would be the next
by Mark Emalfarb (Dyadic International) In addition to explaining Dyadic's C1 enzyme, its history and uses, this presentation includes clear diagrams of how enzymes are used in breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose and charts of the published effectiveness of a
Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, Dr. Jurgen Ringbeck, Senior Partner of Booz & Co said “Fuel is strategic, and there is an argument that can be made that an energy monopoly will be dominating the aviation industry.” Dr. Ringbeck
by Riggs Eckelberry (Origin Oil) In his presentation at the World Biofuels Markets conference March 2010 in The Netherlands, Eckelberry reviewed current industry approaches to extraction and harvesting in depth. These approaches typically require high capital investment, heavy energy usage,
by Tony Prehm (Virtuoso Biofuels Services) Prepared for the March 2010 National Algal Association conference in Las Vegas, reviews a variety of processes used in algal biomass-to-biofuels production, including separating solids, drying the product and extracting oils. The processes are
by Jack Oswald, CEO of SynGest (MIT/Stanford Venture Lab) In this PowerPoint presentation, SynGest's CEO took his experience as a "start-up guy" and applied it to a strategy for developing biofertilizers in concert with biofuels. He illustrates key points about
(GeneSyst International, Inc.) This presentation from a 2009 Virginia Energy Summit explains, complemented by charts and graphs, GeneSyst's combination of patents and proprietary technologies for converting waste to energy, utilizing the Gravity Pressure Vessel (GPV). Of particular interest may be a quote from a local
by Philip H. Steele (Mississippi State University) This presentation explains the work being done by the Forest Products Department, Forest and Wildlife Research Center at MSU to develop bio-oil and drop-in biofuels using a fast pyrolysis process. The PowerPoint provides
The United Soybean Board (USB) released a new peer-reviewed life cycle profile that documents multiple energy and environmental benefits of U.S. soybean farming and processing. It confirms why manufacturers are increasingly using U.S. soy in green chemistry for a wide
by Jim Long (Gabriel Ventures and Aurora Biofuels) At the January 2010 Pacific West Biomass Conference in Sacramento, California, this presentation focused on comparing the economics of algae's potential productivity for biodiesel to that of sugar-based feedstocks and processes. Charts of Aurora's process
by Bill Belden (Prairie Lands Bio-Products, Inc.) This presentation at the 4th Cellulosic Ethanol Summit describes developing a sustainable “fuel,” i.e., “feedstock” supply for biofuels and biomass-to-energy projects. Prairie Lands Bio-Products, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a current membership of
Neil Rossmeissl (Department of Energy, Office of Biomass Program) Presentation includes Biomass Program goals and objectives; charts of biomass pathways to biofuels, biochemicals, other biomass-based products; description of grant-making metholology; charts of biomass conversion techniques; chart of key strategic relationships
(Algenol Biofuels) In this presentation, Algenol Biofuels provides a description of it's developing Direct To Ethanol TM technology, taking algae, sunlight, salt water and CO2 to make ethanol and other bio-based products. Illustrations and diagrams generally explain the process of
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