by Michael Kanellos (GreenTech) It’s a sulfur scrubber, mineral maker and carbon capture machine all in one. Skyonic, which has developed a system for converting smokestack fumes into sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and other minerals, is moving toward commercialization and says that
(Biofuels International) The Brazilian Innovation Agency, FINEP (Research and Projects Financing), and Brazil’s National Development Bank (BNDES) have entered into a new partnership to promote bioethanol development, establishing a programme which will provide up to $540 million (€438.9 million) in
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Seven years ago two former college roommates set up shop in a Palo Alto garage, with the mission of becoming the first company to develop commercial algae-based fuel. They built their business plan with the
by Mark Bünger (RenewableEnergyWorld.com) ...To date, most biofuels and biomaterials developers have focused on lab- and demo-scale studies to improve performance and reduce cost so they can compete with petroleum products, and those goals are coming within sight. But in order
by Timothy D Searchinger (Environmental Research Letters) Use of biofuels does not reduce emissions from energy combustion but may offset emissions by increasing plant growth or by reducing plant residue or other non-energy emissions. To do so, biofuel production must generate and
by Nicole Beasdale (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, Biofuels Digest) ...Referred to as the NCRIS Biofuels Project, the $15 million investment has provided the platform required for Australia to become an active contributor in the global push to develop renewable
by Treena Hein (Australian Farm Journal/June 2010) Despite all the debate about negative climate change impacts on agriculture and rising world population increasing demand for food, the stark reality is that world grain stocks are finely balanced. Treena Hein discovers
(AusBiotech) AusBiotech has been appointed to manage a new Federal Government project to boost research into second generation biofuels, with a $3 million investment as part of the Super Science Education Investment Fund (EIF). The “Sustainable Energy – Second Generation Biofuels Research
by Emily Wilkins (TheStateNews.com) ...The process to produce the alternative fuel — called isobutanol — involves using molecular biology on a bacterium called Ralstonia eutropha, allowing it to use hydrogen to produce liquid fuels, said R. Marc Worden, an MSU
by Zach Gale (Motor Trend) Mississippi State's Saturn Vue-based biodiesel hybrid is the winning vehicle for year two of General Motors' EcoCAR challenge. The EcoCAR challenge started when GM donated an SUV to 16 universities and instructed engineering students to minimize emissions
(Journal of Commerce) A $1.7-million field study on the potential use of biodiesel for off-road machinery in highway construction and forest operations is being conducted by FPInnovations, in partnership with Natural Resources, Canada’s National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative. ...The study involves
(Des Moines Register) ...Ethanol producers have long used antibiotics to control bacteria that can contaminate the fermentation process. But now, the Food and Drug Administration is developing a policy to regulate the use of the drugs and is conducting tests
by Mary Nichols (California Air Resources Board, Sustainable Industries) When California Gov. Schwarzenegger cut the ribbon at the opening of the world’s first bio-butanol plant earlier this year, he credited California’s climate action law Assembly Bill 32. ... In the case of
(LPP Combustion, LLC) LPP Combustion, LLC, a Columbia, MD based innovator in liquid fuel technology, has successfully demonstrated the clean generation of green, dispatchable, renewable power on a 30kW Capstone C30 gas turbine. LPP Combustion has developed a Lean, Pre-mixed,
by Joelle Dent (Biofuels Digest) ...Two years ago, the Korean Institute for Industrial Technology developed a process of extracting ethanol from seaweed, which proves to be more cost-efficient and advantageous than other sources of biofuel, writes Philippine Senator Edgardo Angara. Seaweed grows
(US Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $11 million in funding over three years for research and development in the area of thermochemical conversion of biomass into advanced biofuels that are compatible with existing
(University of Illinois, Chicago) A new University of Illinois at Chicago study of facilities that produce most of the nation's ethanol found that the energy needed to make a gallon of the corn-based fuel decreased on average by about 30
(Energy Biosciences Institute) The Energy Biosciences Institute, a unique public-private research partnership dedicated to exploring the applications of modern biology to the energy sector, is inviting pre-proposals for possible project funding in five different areas of investigation. The deadline for pre-proposal
(Oxford Catalysts Group) Oxford Catalysts Group PLC, the leading technology innovator for clean synthetic fuels, is pleased to announce that following successful mechanical completion and pre-commissioning, start-up of its Fischer-Tropsch (“FT”) demonstration is currently underway. The demonstration facility is located in
by Cary Blake (Western Farm Press) Ongoing biofuel field trials are yielding positive findings which one day could give California and Arizona farmers a new option to diversify their crop portfolios while producing renewable energy. Switchgrass, miscanthus, jatropha, sugar crops, and alfalfa
(Chempolis) Chempolis has signed a licence and EPC agreement with Tianjin Jiuqian Paper Co Ltd. to supply three formico® biorefineries, each capable of producing 100,000 t/a of bleached wheat straw pulp. The new plants are scheduled to start up in 2012-2013. Chempolis’
(AvoidedDeforestationPartners.org) Study Shows Rainforest Protections Would Net $200 Billion for US Soy, Beef, Timber and Oilseed Producers. Leading U.S. farm and forest products groups May 26, 2010, called on Congress and the administration to help end tropical deforestation. The groups cited a new report
(PRNewsWire) Renewable fuels provider New Generation Biofuels Holdings, Inc., May 27, 2010, announced they have filed a patent application on their new glycerin-based biofuel. "We are excited to add this technology to our intellectual property portfolio," said Cary J. Claiborne, CEO and
(Boeing) Boeing and PetroChina, together with representatives of the Chinese energy sector and the global aviation industry, May 27, 2010, announced the signing of an agreement to evaluate establishing a sustainable aviation biofuels industry in China. The strategic assessment is the first such
by Max Showalter (JCOnline.com) A startup company at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette has developed an innovative yeast-based cellulosic ethanol technology and will get a big boost Wednesday and Thursday in Beijing. Representatives of Green Tech America Inc., founded by
(NALCO) The Nalco Yeast Activity Monitor is innovative technology that gives producers unique insight into their fermentation processes that has never before been possible. Dr. Michael Bradley, Naperville R&D, was instrumental in developing the Nalco Yeast Activity Monitor equipment and
by Katie Fehrenbacher (Earth2Tech) ...The company, which was founded in 2007, has largely been in stealth. At the Khosla Ventures limited partner event on Monday, however (where the venture firm announced that it had signed on former UK Prime Minister
(CSIRO) CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) together with Australasia’s major aviation players is leading a study to help plan a sustainable future for aviation fuels and reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road Map will
(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
(General Motors) Student-Designed and Built Vehicles Put to the Test; Virginia Tech, Penn State Finish Second and Third. Students from Mississippi State University placed first in the 2010 EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge finals in San Diego today after designing and building
by Bob Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Our friends at DeltaWing Racing brought their DeltaWing Prototype to the Indiana Society of Washington DC for their annual Indy 500 reception last week. “Senior Green Motor Sports Correspondent” and former Capitol Hill denizen Bob
by Pat Ferrier (Coloradoan.com) The Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fort Collins has rejected a $1.1 million experimental energy grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to replace lead-acid batteries on its fleet of forklifts with cleaner fuel cell packs. The grant, announced
(Oak Ridge National Lab) Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are improving strains of microorganisms used to convert cellulosic biomass into ethanol, including a recent modification that could improve the efficiency of the conversion process. Biofuels researchers and
(New Energy and Fuel) University of Oxford researchers are developing a method for the homogeneous conversion of CO2 to methanol, with methanol as the only resulting C1 product. With momentum building in the methanol powered fuel cell market there is good
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...A lot of people refer to methanol as wood alcohol – referring to the ancient process of extracting methanol from wood, using pyrolysis. In recent years, it has been primarily extracted from methane — the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Wilson indicated in an exclusive Digest interview that the company intends to qualify its biodiesel under the current specifications for Jet A, based on proprietary technology that has reduced the cloud point of biodiesel, making
by Ryan McBride (Xconomy.com) Lebanon, NH-based Mascoma has made strides with its process for producing ethanol from non-food plants such as wood chips and grass. Yet the firm is likely to delay the start of production at its first planned commercial
(Environmental Protection) Existing technology can produce biodiesel fuel from municipal sewage sludge that is within a few cents a gallon of being competitive with conventional diesel refined from petroleum, according to the article, “Biodiesel Production from Municipal Sewage Sludges,” which was
(Ceres) Companies take step towards commercialization of low-carbon biofuels from switchgrass and other energy crops. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. and Novozymes, the world’s largest enzyme provider, have entered a research collaboration to co-develop customized plant varieties and enzyme cocktails for
(Bloomberg Business Week, AP) ...Federal statistics show barley acres jumped from 67,000 in 2009 to 105,000 this year. David Coleman with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation says Osage Bio Energy's plant in Hopewell has created a market for barley. In the
by Christine Hall (Houston Business Journal) Escherichia coli, E. coli for short, is best known as the bacterium that can cause foodborne illnesses, but to researcher Ramon Gonzalez, E. coli can also be an alternative energy source. Gonzalez, the William W. Akers
by Samantha Sunne (The Maneater) Researchers at the biofuel lab have found a way to skip the drying step. MU researchers have found a way to convert the coffee grounds commonly found in beverages into biodiesel fuel. Most biodiesel fuel in the
(24-7 Press Release) Green solutions are the holy grail of industrial innovation today. Every company is anxiously looking for answers to the renewable challenges our world is facing. However, most of these solutions are not stimulating enough. They often build
(The Economist) ...(A) team of American researchers is developing a machine to power a vehicle that will fend for itself by gathering material like wood, leaves and grass to be used as a biofuel to run its steam-driven engine. Who might
(Chempolis) Chempolis Oy, engaged in the development and delivery of environmentally sustainable biorefining technologies, has expanded its biorefinery and R&D centre in Oulu (Finland) to the production of bioethanol. This enables the company to strengthen its position in the market, as the
by Andrew Forgrave (Daily Post North Wales) Waste food and even cow slurry could be used to feed the world using a farm-scale process being pioneered in North Wales. Start-up company Merlin Biodevelopments has devised a new way of growing protein-rich
by Steve Clark (The Brownsville Herald) ...Brad Bartilson, Photon8’s president and CEO, says the Traveling Wave Tube technology boosts algae growth by 500 percent, representing a major advance in the profitable conversion of algae to biofuel — "profitable" being the key
(Times Live) A Durban company has unveiled a light aircraft engine which can operate on biofuel or liquid petroleum gas. “Our technology benchmarks South Africa against the finest aviation engineering in the world,” said Andre Schoeman, chairman of ADEPT Airmotive, the company
(SeparationsNow.com) The burgeoning alternative fuels industry has led to a paralleled increase in related industries based on the side products of fuels processing. A prime example of this is the production of bioethanol from corn in a dry grinding process, which
(Louisiana State University) Louisiana sugarcane farmers will have a new sugarcane variety this fall with the release of L 03-371 from the LSU AgCenter and others on May 5. Developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sugarcane Research Laboratory in
(Science Centric) Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that might be important for ethanol production from plant material, providing insights into the bioethanol alternative to 'fossil fuels.' Combining new high-throughput
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) ...Now, agribusiness companies Monsanto Co., Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Deere and Co. see profits in stover and are collaborating on research into economical ways of harvesting, processing and using the stuff, including as
(PRNewswire) The number of next generation biofuels projects reached 200 globally, a report from the Global Biofuels Center (GBC) recently announced, beyond the more than 100 Brazilian bioethanol facilities that will qualify as "Advanced Biofuels" in the U.S. These projects include
(Sandia National Laboratory) Understanding the key elements of biofuel combustion is an important step toward insightful selection of next-generation alternative fuels. And that’s exactly what researchers at Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories are doing. The journal Angewandte Chemie devotes its May
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) You might think bacteria that "invade" trees are there to cause certain destruction. But like the helpful bacteria that live within our guts, some microbes help plants thrive. To find out what makes these microbe-plant interactions "tick,"
(South Dakota State University) A South Dakota State University scientist is exploring ways to re-use enzymes in processes such as making cellulosic ethanol. The research could lead to big financial savings for industry. “Enzymes are usually very expensive items in chemistry or
(North Carolina State University) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) has awarded a grant for more than $2.7 million to North Carolina State University to support research into the creation of biofuels using microbial organisms, called extremophiles,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...It was the biochemist Dr. Ganesh Kishore, now the CEO of the Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund and formerly Chief Biotechnology Officer of Dupont, who raised the issue at a recent Burrill & Company Limited
(National Algae Association) The National Algae Association is pleased to announce that construction has been completed on a commercial-scale photobioreactor (PBR) demo located at Lone Star College in The Woodlands, Texas. “Thanks to donations of materials, time and effort by
by Will Thurmond (Biofuels Digest) As we enter a new decade in 2010, leagues of prescient scientists , businessmen, politicians, commodity traders, defense hawks, activists, NGOs and social entrepreneurs are taking on future challenges by invoking ancient wisdom. Necessity is
(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 Cary Blake (Delta Farm Press) The long-term growth of the U.S. sorghum industry depends in part with scientists unraveling paths to produce cellulosic ethanol economically. “We are very excited about the future of energy (forage — whole plant) sorghum as the
(Novozymes) Novozymes, the world leader in biofuel enzymes, and Royal Nedalco, a leading yeast developer and ethanol producer, collaborate to develop a new fermentation process that can efficiently ferment C5 and C6 sugars. Fermentation of both types of sugars is essential
(US Department of Energy) DOE also released May 6, 2010, a new video which showcases how cellulosic biofuel technologies can help decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil, spur growth in the domestic biofuels industry, and provide new revenue opportunities to farmers in many
(US Department of Energy) The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) today jointly announced up to $33 million in funding for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products, subject to annual
by David Schwartz (AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com) As pioneers go, in the modern business of algae biofuels and co-products, possibly no one has built a longer record of accomplishment than Dr. John Benemann. Involved in algae biofuels and related research since the early seventies,
(PhysOrg.com) South Dakota State University food scientist Padu Krishnan said it is one example of the ways in which distillers dried grains with solubles, or DDGS, can help improve human nutrition worldwide. DDGS is produced as a co-product when processing corn
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 Sam Abuelsamid (AutoBlogGreen) ...According Jim Federico, vehicle line executive for the global mid-size platform, combining direct injection and turbocharging will allow the new engine to get much closer to the volumetric fuel efficiency of gasoline while running on ethanol.
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
(Ecological Society of America) Analyzing biofuel sources and predicting effects on water, soil and the atmosphere: The promise of switchgrass, the challenges for forests and the costs of corn-based ethanol production: Ecological scientists review the many factors surrounding biofuel crop production
(Neste Oil) Neste Oil has begun trials of Neste Green 100 diesel produced from 100% renewable raw materials and free of any fossil oil components in cars in Finland. "This is the first time anywhere that a premium renewable diesel fuel will
(BusinessWire) Rentech, Inc., announced that a successful engineering validation flight was conducted today by United Airlines using Rentech’s certified synthetic jet fuel (RenJet®). The flight marks the first time a U.S. commercial airline has used synthetic jet fuel in flight
by N P Nghiem, K B Hicks, D B Johnston, G Senske, M Kurantz, M Li, J Shetty and G Konieczny-Janda (Biotechnology for Biofuels) Background : US legislation requires the use of advanced biofuels to be made from non-food feedstocks. However,
by Shanna Shipman (Gatehouse News Service, HollandSentinel.com) ...(S)ientists and farmers are looking closer at one plant, formerly considered a mere botanical pest, and are discovering a world of beneficial possibilities. In short, this plant has the potential to yield unprecedented amounts
(Farm Futures) A recently completed analysis from Purdue University concluded that the California Air Resources Board overestimated the indirect land use change impact of grain-based ethanol by a factor of two in developing its Low Carbon Fuels Standard one year
(New World Energy) Indonesia based PT New World Energy (NWE) and leading multi-national appliance manufacturer, Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group (BSH) of Germany recently partnered together on a pilot project to bring clean cooking technology to rural communities on
(Fox News) When NASCAR takes the green flag in 2011, race cars are expected to be fueled by E15 -- a mixture of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. Hendrick Motorsports is already testing the fuel and Roush Yates engines
by Meredith Cohn (The Baltimore Sun) In response to a national call for homegrown, Earth-friendly fuels to fill Americans' gas tanks, a couple of University of Maryland researchers are planting trees. Fuel derived from the hardy, fast-growing common poplar could eventually
(US Department of Energy) At a Recovery Act Cabinet Meeting today, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the U.S. Department of Energy is awarding $106 million in funding for 37 ambitious research projects that
(American Farmland Trust) —“The findings from the 2007 National Resources Inventory (NRI) serve as a stark reminder that our nation’s agricultural land base—and the benefits it supplies—is threatened by poorly planned development,” says Jon Scholl, President of American Farmland Trust
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Opening Address at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in Washington, BP Biofuels CEO Philip New said that advanced biofuels “will require partnerships if it is to succeed,” but described biofuels as “the new
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in Washington, Chromatin CEO Daphne Preuss announced that the company is expanding its technology development portfolio to produce fit-for-purpose sorghum as a biofuels feedstock, and also announced that it
by Jim Lane (BiofuelsDigest) ...Also, what exactly is up with biobutanol, perhaps the most important fuel you never heard of — one that is gaining serious traction among bioenergy cognoscenti as a more perfect solution to the ethanol blend wall
by Jason Paur (Wired) ...A small company in Indiana is leading the way for creating an alternative fuel for piston-powered airplanes around the world. Swift Enterprises has created a biomass-derived, synthetic fuel that has already been successfully tested in several
by Martha Ellen (Watertown Daily Times) Newton Falls Fine Paper could be the first commercial plant to use a breakthrough technology that turns waste into ethanol. "It's a possibility. It's well down the road," said Donald H. Schnackel, vice president of
(University of York) A major new suite of laboratories, to be opened this week, will help scientists in the Green Chemistry group at the University of York to advance research into clean synthesis, catalysis, novel materials and the application of
(University of Minnesota) The Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE) recently awarded over $5.1 million to 24 renewable energy research and demonstration projects at the University of Minnesota. The selected projects focus on a wide-range of topics including solar
(Colorado State University) Dissolving plant biomass in “green” solvent ionic liquids - salts that melt at low temperatures - converts more sugars needed for biofuel more quickly than traditional methods, according to a new study by Colorado State University professors. The
by Kevin Bullis (Technology Review, MIT) When Noubar Afeyan, the CEO of Flagship Ventures in Cambridge, MA, set out to invent the ideal renewable fuel, he decided to eliminate the middleman. Biofuels ultimately come from carbon dioxide and water, so
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Since forming the National Algae Association over two years ago, Barry has concentrated on creating and establishing strong working relationships with what he calls “algaepreneurs” throughout the U.S. Starting the NAA was a direct result
(University of Massachusetts Amherst) A new method of converting biomass feedstock into sustainable fuel developed by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Minnesota has the potential to have a profound effect on the chemical industry. The
by Bob Brook (Automotive Industries) New information and comment by combustion experts at the recent SAE Congress meeting here provide substantial reasons to believe critical fuel combustion could be the first fundamental combustion advance for IC engines in a very
(ZeaChem) Company Produces Commercial Grade Ethyl Acetate ZeaChem Inc., a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of renewable biomass into sustainable fuels and chemicals, today announced it has produced commercial grade ethyl acetate, thereby proving its core technology platform. Ethyl acetate is
(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
(Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Report) Heating and squishing microalgae in a pressure-cooker can fast-forward the crude-oil-making process from millennia to minutes. University of Michigan professors are working to understand and improve this procedure in an effort to speed up development
(Honduras News) Agroipsa Farm in Choluteca has deployed the “BEI Jatropha Wave Harvester”, a mechanical harvesting system for jatropha which has successfully completed an eight-month trial. The system was used for a mechanical harvest of a 550 hectare plantation of three-year
(Pew Charitable Trusts) Pentagon, Service Agencies Working to Enhance Security, Save Money and Reduce Emissions The Department of Defense has initiated ambitious clean energy programs in service of economic, security and environmental goals according to "Reenergizing America's Defense," a report released today
(UOP) Fuel produced using process technology from Honeywell's UOP under contract from U.S. Defense Energy Support Center. UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced April 22, 2010, that Honeywell Green Jet Fuel(TM) produced using Honeywell UOP's renewable jet fuel process technology powered a U.S.
by Michael Kanellos (GreenTechMedia) Isoprene’s a large-volume, high-energy fossil chemical. Genencor says it can get microbes to make it. ...Genencor, the industrial enzyme specialist, has engineered a microorganism that can produce a version of isoprene that is chemically identical to the
(Michigan State University) Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more energy efficient, Michigan State University scientists concluded, after poring over 17 years’ worth of data to help settle the food versus fuel debate. "It's 36
(Environmental Protection) Gernot Pehnelt, Ph.D., director of GlobEcon, released a study that says the Renewable Energy Directive discriminates against foreign biofuels. “European Policies Towards Palm Oil: Sorting Out Some Facts,” demonstrates that the default assumptions embedded in the directive about the
(CBC News) An Ontario biofuels company is building a test plant in Sarnia to produce ethanol from wood and farm waste rather than corn. Don Hewson, managing director of the Sarnia-Lambton research park where the facility will be located, said the
by Shigeru Sato and Yuji Okada (Bloomberg Business Week) As Japan’s rice fields turn fallow and its farming communities decline, a new army of workers is preparing to make the countryside fertile again. This time the crop is motor fuel and
(SG Biofuels) SG Biofuels announced it has established a strategic partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory to accelerate the analysis and testing of oil produced by its Latin American Jatropha plantations. The company was selected by Brookhaven National Laboratory to provide
(XPrize Foundation, Marketwire) ...X PRIZE is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs, inspiring the formation of new industries, jobs and the revitalization of markets that are currently stalled. Through strategic design of ground-breaking competitions with
by Jeffrey Barbee (Global Post) ...Sun Biofuels, a British company, has been planting thousands of acres of jatropha at a former tobacco farm here and in other sites in Africa. The company hopes the jatropha oil will help it cash
by Sarah Tompkins (The Times, Munster, Ind.) ... The process that will be used in Lake County's plant to produce ethanol from trash was developed in Fayetteville more than 17 years ago. It has been tested in a pilot plant there
by Brett Walton (Circle of Blue) ...That tilt may soon be righted by researchers at the University of Virginia and the Seawater Foundation, who discovered that the most important source of the risk-benefit imbalance was the heavy reliance on fresh
by Martin LaMonica (cnet News) The U.S. auto industry needs to "go green" in more than one way, says Bill Ford. Ford is committed to making its vehicles more fuel efficient by investing in a number of technologies, including electrification,
by Matt Ford (Ars Technica) ...When it comes to the processing of organic feedstocks for use in biofuel operations, getting plant matter down to size often represents a significant cost, as grinding and milling do not come cheap. New work by
(Progressive Railroading) Under “one of the most extensive testing programs to date on the use of biodiesel fuel for locomotives,” eight SD70M-2 units and two MP15 switchers manufactured by EMD and owned/operated by NS will be used during the testing
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) LS9 Inc. announced that its trademarked UltraClean Diesel fuel has been officially registered with the U.S. EPA, now making it eligible for commercial sale in the U.S. ...The company's technology is a one-step conversion process that
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...IntAct Labs LLC has been awarded a $46,770 U.S. EPA grant to further research ethanol stillage treatment using a microbial fuel cell process, according to Justin Buck, chief technology officer for the company. The microbial
(The AutoChannel) Mazda Australia will use ethanol blend fuel to power its turbo rotary Mazda RX-8 SP at the upcoming Targa Tasmania rally. With event regulations now encouraging competitors to go green and consider alternate fuels, Mazda Motorsport has opted to
by Stephanie Yao (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have long-term studies underway to examine growing camelina as a bioenergy crop for producing jet fuel for the military and the aviation industry. This research supports the recently signed memorandum of
by Green Liver (Imperial Valley News) A Purdue University researcher will lead a portion of a federally funded effort based at Iowa State University aimed at creating genetically engineered algae for environmentally friendly biodiesel production. Currently, hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel
(e-releases) High-power sparkplug promises to improve combustion efficiency in ethanol-fueled vehicles with fuel provided by E-Fuel equipment. Ignition products company ENERPULSE, Inc. announced that their proprietary Pulstar(R) pulse plugs have been adopted by E-Fuel of Los Gatos, California. The Pulstar plugs
by Vance Owens (South Dakota State University). He stated that the overall objective was to” perform replicated field trials of diverse biomass feedstocks at different locations,” and in this way to determine the most promising feedstock as a future bioenergy
By Leila Harfuch (Brazilian Institute for International Trade Negotiations). In her talk she underlined the modeling land use and land use change in Brazil, stressing out deforestation as a serious issue. Deforestation causes and affects cattle and pasture land expansion. The
Budhedra Bhaduri (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) This session started with a talk given by moderator Budhedra Bhaduri who emphasized the role of geospatial science and technology in sustainable bioenergy. She presented the Geographic Information System (GIS) that includes computer software and
by Joshua Kagan (GreenTechMedia) The petro-chemical company uses its core competency to expand into biofuels. Unlikely as it may seem, UOP is leading the charge in developing catalysts required to transform feedstocks into "drop in" fuels like renewable diesel, jet fuel,
In their continuing effort to evaluate crops that can serve as biofuel feedstocks as well as cover crops (and that can fit into crop rotations in Pennsylvania and the Northeast) researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have found
by Loretta Sorensen (Farm & Ranch Guide) ...“There are numerous benefits to extracting oil from algae,” said Todd Hylden, vice president of marketing and investor relations for Energae LP. “I'm a farm boy from North Dakota and have no axe to
(Green Car Congress) Researchers in Spain have demonstrated the direct transformation of biomass consisting of the fungus M. circinelloides into biodiesel compliant with ASTM D6751 and EN14213 and 14214 standards. A paper on their work was published online 2 April
(GreenAirOnline) The UK’s East Midlands Airport is to establish a 26-hectare willow farm on its land to produce biofuel to power a biomass boiler, which will be situated in the terminal building. The farm is to be located north of
by Ann Perry (USDA ARS) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are figuring out how to turn wheat straw into ethanol “gold,” and learning more about the bacteria that can “infect” ethanol plants and interfere with fuel production. ...But the same environments
(Biomass Magazine) Using a high shear bioreactor (extrusion) pretreatment process can help prepare corn stover as a feedstock for making cellulosic ethanol, a South Dakota State University study finds. The SDSU study explored different temperatures, screw speeds, and enzymes to learn
Evogene Ltd., on April 8, 2010, announced the results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of biodiesel produced from castor bean varieties being developed by the Company. The assessment shows that such biodiesel reduces Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions by 90% compared to
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
Energy Allied International, a Houston-based energy projects development company, and The Seawater Foundation and Global Seawater, Inc., pioneers in the development of Integrated Seawater Agriculture Systems (ISAS), have executed an MOU to jointly develop the world’s first commercial scale seawater-based
(GreenAirOnline) The US Air Force has carried out the first-ever feasibility flight powered solely by a blended hydrotreated renewable jet fuel. The twin-engined A-10C Thunderbolt used a 50/50 blend of conventional military JP-8 jet fuel and a biofuel derived from
Ontario is investing $4 million through the Innovation Demonstration Fund (IDF) to help Woodland Biofuels Inc. and its partners build a groundbreaking demonstration plant that will efficiently produce cellulosic ethanol from renewable wastes. The plant will use Woodland’s patented technology, which
The first ARIES biodiesel production system has been delivered to Naval Base Ventura County. ARIES is the result of a collaborative effort by the U.S. Navy, Biodiesel Industries and Aerojet to produce a sustainable and reliable renewable fuel, biodiesel, using
by Cary Blake (Western Farm Press) The long-term growth of the U.S. sorghum industry lies in part with scientists unraveling paths to economically produce cellulosic ethanol. “We are very excited about the future of energy (forage-whole plant) sorghum as the cellulosic
(TheAutoChannel) The National Biodiesel Board's The Biodiesel Bulletin reported that General Motors is the latest OEM to show support for a 20 percent blend of biodiesel (B20) in its diesel vehicles. Company officials announced to biodiesel supporters at the National
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Norway, Seaweed Energy Solutions has patented the first ever modern structure to enable mass seaweed cultivation on an industrial scale in the world¹s oceans. The structure, known as the Seaweed Carrier, makes a clean
Verdezyne, Inc., an industrial biotechnology company, and Lallemand Ethanol Technology, a global provider of yeast to the fuel ethanol industry, April 7, 2010, announced they have signed an agreement to develop and commercialize a genetically enhanced high-yield ethanol producing yeast. Verdezyne
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The source of (Jack) Oswald’s excitement? An analysis from ex-USDA Peoria Lab director Peter Johnson, now CTO at BMI Biodiesel. Oswald relates: “Claim is that in any given year switching from corn to soybeans, those acres
Cobalt Technologies, the leader in commercializing biobutanol as a renewable chemical and fuel, April 7, 2010, announced a breakthrough in producing biobutanol from beetle-killed lodgepole pine feedstock. Cobalt is the first company to produce a drop-in replacement for petroleum and petrochemicals from
by Alyssa Danigelis (Discovery News) ...Humberto Blanco-Canqui, assistant professor at Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center-Hays, published an article in a recent issue of Agronomy Journal (abstract) arguing convincingly that we shouldn't use crop residue to make cellulosic ethanol. Blanco-Canqui
by Jane Meinhardt (Tampa Bay Business Journal) A startup formed when University of South Florida researchers created a patent-pending catalytic process that transformed sawdust into jet fuel is taking off. COSI Catalysts Inc. received honorable mention last week in the “Advanced
by Jonathan Fahey (Forbes) Plants wouldn't have been able to thrive for hundreds of millions of years if they weren't tough. Which is why humans are having such difficulty breaking down plants in the quest to turn plant matter into
by Vikas Bhargava/Ahmedabad (Outlook India) In a breakthrough, Bhavnagar-based Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) has discovered microbe from Indian waters to manufacture bio-degradable plastic using a by product of Jatropha plant. "We have sucessfully made bio-degradable plastic from
by Simone Pfuderer, Grant Davies, Ian Mitchell (Food and Farming Analysis, Defra) This paper is part of a larger body of work that aims to shed more light on what led to the high agricultural commodity prices in 2008. The
HCL CleanTech, a US-Israeli biofuels technology development company, has selected Southern Research Institute in North Carolina as the hosting site and operator of its first pilot plant to produce low cost fermentable sugars, high-quality lignin and tall oils from North
HCL CleanTech, a U.S.-Israeli biofuels technology development company, has chosen North Carolina as the site for its administrative headquarters and first pilot plant. The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has assisted the company and will provide office space in Oxford in
NextCAT Inc., a Detroit-based company, announced March 31, 2010, that it signed an option agreement for a biodiesel technology developed at the National Biofuels Energy Lab at Wayne State University. The technology that NextCAT brings to market allows biodiesel producers to use
by Joshua Kagan (GreenTechMedia) Algae biofuels are often considered one of those technologies --- like hydrogen fuel cells --- that are always "ten years away." Well, one company says it might have just cracked the code and could be supplying
by Joshua Kagan (GreenTechMedia) This week's announcement that the Air Force successfully tested a A-10C Thunderbolt "Warthog" plane on a 50:50 blend of petroleum jet fuel and camelina-based biofuel has brought the two disparate ways of producing aviation biofuels into
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