by Stu Hutson (Southeast Farm Press) Most would identify the tree by its often troublesome, spiky “gumballs,” but what many call the sweetgum tree also goes by another name, thanks to its distinctive, reptilian bark: The alligator tree. So it
A team of engineers has found a way to convert waste products created when producing Casabes, or flat breads from the cassava root, into ethanol, butanol, isobutanol and proponal energy compounds that can produce fuel. ... "This product, popularly known
by Karin Kloosterman (Israel 21C) Ariel Krolzig, product manager of Kaiima Biotech is standing beside the star of his likely success story, a castor oil plant. He proceeds to describe the method developed by Kaiima that doubles a plant's chromosomes from
Renewable jet propellant-8 (JP-8) fuel developed and produced by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota was successfully flown in a rocket built by Flometrics, Inc., a product engineering company specializing in fluid dynamics
(Science Daily) Using electrolyzed water rather than harsh chemicals could be a more effective and environmentally friendly method in the pretreatment of ethanol waste products to produce an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix, according to research conducted at the University of Illinois.
(Biofuels International) Italian biodiesel producers currently producing from food crops are working together to substitute seaweed for first-generation feedstocks. The eight companies involved in the €10 million scheme currently produce diesel from crops like corn and rapeseed. They hope to
Joule Biotechnologies unveiled its breakthrough Helioculture™ technology—a revolutionary process that harnesses sunlight to directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into SolarFuel™ liquid energy. This eco-friendly, direct-to-fuel conversion requires no agricultural land or fresh water, and leverages a highly scalable system capable
Origin Oil announced that it has succeeded in extracting algae oil on a continuous basis without cell sacrifice. This new ‘milking’ process will join the company’s Cascading Production™ technique to create a combined cycle promising new efficiencies. Live Extraction™, or
CSIRO and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers, have been awarded a A$1.6 million grant to increase the understanding of genes responsible for growth and yield in grasses for use as bio-energy and food crops. The research team will identify the
by William Garvey (Business and Commercial Aviation/Aviation Week) Manufacturers of piston-engine aircraft and powerplant makers are showing interest in an experimental, non-petroleum biofuel that could possibly serve as a “drop-in” replacement for leaded avgas. Swift Enterprises Ltd., a West Lafayette,
by George W. Huber and Bruce E. Dale (Scientific American) Scientists are turning agricultural leftovers, wood and fast growing grasses into a huge variety of biofuels--even jet fuel. But before these next generation biofuels go mainstream, they have to compete
(Southwest Farm Press) In a field tucked into the northern side of this college town, just across from the Kansas State University football complex, some unusually tall plants are growing. They are part of the university´s research into promising biofuel
(GenomeWeb Daily News) Seven research teams at institutions around the country will use $6.3 million from the US Government to run genomics studies of plant feedstocks for biofuel production using switchgrass, sorghum, alfalfa, and others. The Department of Energy and
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group opened a new multi-million dollar research and support lab for seven network biodiesel production plants and others in the industry July 28th at its Ames location, including more than 25 biodiesel feedstocks of tomorrow including coffee bean
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Montreal, ZeaChem, ... confirmed that it is on track to complete a demonstration-scale plant in Boardman, Oregon where yields of more than 2,000 gallons per acre per year can be achieved. ... Why the
Lignol Energy Corporation, a technology company in the cellulosic ethanol and biorefining sector, and BAE Systems PLC announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore and develop commercial applications for biochemicals from the Lignol biorefinery process that have
by Eliza Strickland (Discover) Can a tough and weedy shrub solve all of our energy problems and stop runaway climate change? Don’t be ridiculous—of course it can't. But that, briefly, was the hype surrounding Jatropha curcas, a poisonous plant that
(Biofuels International) Healy Biodiesel is to convert from production of traditional biodiesel to become the first commercial producer of a new type of renewable diesel. The Kansas-based producer signed a letter of intent with New Mexico’s Cetane Energy on 17
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is
by Susan Kraemer (gas2.o) In a macabre When Life Deals You Lemons - Make Lemonade kind of news item: Researchers are considering that perhaps we could safely reuse radioactive land: to grow crops for biofuel.Greenfield Project Management wants to plant
Massachusetts-based biofuel company Qteros, whose Q Microbe™ technology turns biomass into cellulosic ethanol, announced at an industry conference in Montreal that it has achieved unprecedented laboratory results in the performance of its proprietary, technology known as “C3” (Complete Cellulosic Conversion).
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), through the Office of the Biomass Program (OBP), announces the availability of funding for establishing Consortia for two primary topic areas - Development of Algal Based Biofuels, and Development of Advanced
GreenHouse is teaming-up with beer pioneer Karl Strauss Brewing Company to convert spent beer yeast into ethanol fuel for California residents and businesses. This news comes on the heels of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s June 4 press conference, where he unveiled
by Luke Meredith (AP) ... Poet spokesman Nathan Schock said the company hasn't yet figured out how much it will pay farmers, but it could be $30 to $60 per ton for corn stover, which includes cobs and some stalk.
by Kate Galbraith (New York Times) ... Its backers say that butanol has a higher energy content than ethanol (DuPont plans to produce fuel with 30 percent more energy than ethanol). It is also easier to transport — unlike ethanol,
by Chris Emery (Princeton News) Biofuels derived from renewable sources can be produced in large quantities and address many problems related to fossil fuels, including greenhouse gas emissions, but only if they are made from certain sources, according to a new
(Renewable Energy World) ... The use of ionic liquids — salts that are liquids rather than crystals at room temperature — to dissolve lignocellulose and later help hydrolyze the resulting liquor into sugars, shows promise as a way of pre-treating
(NECN.com) At Blue-Spruce Farm in Vermont, algae is grown using cow manure to produce biodiesel. WATCH VIDEO
by Kae Davis (Examiner.com) The newest fad in creating sustainable vehicles are Bamboo taxis. Commissioned by Tabontabon mayor Rustico Balderian, these unusual "exotic" locale are made out of 90% bamboo and run on coconut biodiesel. Better than a hybrid, the
by Jim Langcuster (Auburn University, Southeast Farm Press) ... The distillation process requires a combination of enzymes and yeast to convert corn into ethanol. Sometimes, though, bacterial organisms present during distillation can out-compete yeast in the breakdown of this sugar. "This
by Marcia Wood (USDA, Southeast Farm Press) High-speed and high-tech, but surprisingly affordable, the sophisticated assay equips scientists with a faster, less expensive way to discover genes that enable microbes to make an enzyme known as an alpha-glucuronidase. In nature,
The Biofuel Partnership Limited has entered into a letter of intent with the Canadian public company Pacific Cascade Minerals Inc to form a joint venture for the further development, marketing and sale of The Biofuel Partnership’s BioCube technology. BioCube is an
Gulf Alternative Energy has developed a new cellulose processing technology. Gulf's new machine processes common feedstocks, such as sorghum, switchgrass and agricultural waste into a very fine powder. Lab tests show that this powder processes into sugars for ethanol much
OriginOil, Inc., announced a breakthrough technology, the Dynamic Control System, which is designed to respond continuously to algae’s behavior. This invention improves energy efficiency and growth rates by ensuring the right types and amounts of light are used at all
ExxonMobile announced its alliance with leading biotech company, Synthetic Genomics Inc., to research and develop next generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae. ... ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company has entered into a research and development alliance with SGI, a privately held company
All Programs in the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, are required to conduct a Peer Review of their funded projects on an annual or biannual schedule. The Office of Biomass Program (OBP) conducts these reviews by
Videos of presentations from the 2009 Waste to Fuels Conference held May 17-19 in San Diego have been published. Topics include: overview of conversion technologies, use of forest waste, municipal solid waste and other waste feedstocks to make biofuels, along with sessions related to financing and
Researchers at the University of Nevada have described a process to produce biodiesel from the fat content of feather meal, a waste product of the poultry industry. They estimate that this process can create 150−200 million gallons of biodiesel in the
While the effects of producing corn-based ethanol on water supply and water quality are fairly well understood, less is known about the effects of the next generation of biofuel feedstocks. ... (L)ittle is known about the effects of large-scale cultivation
by Mike Stark (AP, MSNBC) In December, DARPA awarded a $20 million contract to General Atomics and a $15 million contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), two San Diego-based research companies. The contracts ask the companies to find a biofuel
byDavid Biello (Yale Environment 360) Biofuels – made from algae and non-food plants – are emerging as a potentially viable alternative to conventional jet fuels. Although big challenges remain, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could be major. .... While homes, cars,
Seambiotic, a global leader in the development and production of marine microalgae for the nutraceutical and biofuel industries, has announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Seambiotic USA, has entered into an agreement with NASA Glenn Research Center to develop an on-going
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aquatic Energy unveiled significant progress in its pilot algae-to-energy project in the Lake Charles-Lafayette corridor of Louisiana. The company is now preparing to expand from a “couple of acre” pilot in Lake Charles, to an 30-acre
by Eric Bland (Discovery News) The genomes of 17 different ants, fungi and bacteria that eat through hundreds of pounds of leaf matter a year could ultimately lead to new techniques for making biofuels. Scientists from the University of Wisconsin, the
by Tom Schneider (Carlsbad Current-Argus) ... With the snipping of a ribbon, the Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management moved its Algae Biofuels Project from pilot scale to the commercial demonstration level. Located on the grounds of the
"Without overcoming biomass recalcitrance, cellulosic biofuels will be more expensive than corn biofuels. Improved sugar conversion is not enough." From the presentation by Martin Keller, Ph.D., Director of the BioEnergy Science Center describing the efforts of the 304 people in
by Susanne Retka Schill (CheckBiotech) Researchers at two centers in St. Louis are gearing up to launch five-year research programs on algae, backed by U.S. DOE grants. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center received $15 million and Washington University $20 million
The Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division has received a $49,873 grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program to explore the feasibility of sustainable biofuel crop production in Wyoming. The three-year SARE grant provides funding for test
Chromatin Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide research and commercial license agreement with Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. for Chromatin's proprietary gene stacking technology in sugar cane. Chromatin has developed a novel approach to gene stacking, using the
by Ariel Schwartz (FastCompany) Hemp, soy, mustard, sunflower and palm oil can all be used to make biofuels, so why not elephant dung and World War Two-era fungus? Copenhagen-based Danisco A/S is using the fungus, which was discovered during WWII
by Jason Szep (Reuters) From the outside, the rustic red-brick mill on a bend in Maine's Penobscot River resembles any other struggling American pulp and paper mill. But along with its usual business of pulp-making, the century-old mill is doing something
Amyris Brasil Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Ltda., a wholly owned subsidiary of Amyris Biotechnologies, Inc., today announced the opening of the Amyris Renewable Products Demonstration Facility in Campinas. The facility, located in the midst of the sugar cane processing industry, secures
by Rudy A. Fernandez, Checkbiotech Rural households can increase their income by growing jatropha. Attesting to this is a study done by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR). Conducted by Dr. Nena
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Buckeye Technologies Inc. and Myriant Technologies LLC (formed by BioEnergy International, LLC) have announced plans for a research and demonstration plant that will explore ways to harness byproducts from some
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is issuing this RFI to solicit feedback on the Draft “National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap” Document. This Draft Roadmap was prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. Feedback will be incorporated into the
Jatropha has been labeled the most likely crop for future biofuels. However, it suffers from low seed yield and high plant growth. A comprehensive series of trials has been conducted in Indonesia using AuStar's paclobutrazol to solve these major issues. The
At the Paris Air Show, Boeing and a series of partners involved in four biofuels-based test flights released the data from the tests, and said that with the release they are on a path towards flight certification of biofuels as
Green Gold Ray Energies, Inc., aims to double its jatropha crude oil output by 2011 through continuous increase yields of jatropha feedstocks, while the company increases its jatropha plantations. The jatropha plantations are expanding from 5,000 hectares to over 30,000
Biofuels Manufacturers of Illinois believes that Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) has the potential to go from “weed to wonder-fuel”. The company is working with farmers, university and government researchers to transform Pennycress into an advanced energy crop grown to produce biodiesel.
Instead of bringing sufficient supplies of biomass to processing facilities, Atlantic Biomass Conversions, Inc., proposes taking decentralized enzymatic conversion units to the crops. Following the model of wheat harvesting combines that follow the harvest season, they will develop a "Follow-the-Crop"
EdeniQ, a California-based technology company serving the global biofuels industry, announced that it has begun a multi-year, field-to-fuel trial to evaluate low-carbon, non-food energy crops, like switchgrass, in California’s Central Valley. The company’s pilot-scale field trial of switchgrass was planted
Emerging Markets has released Algae 2020 a 460-page study on algae biofuels markets, strategies and the commercialization outlook. The Algae 2020 study observes algal biomass can produce multiple fuels from a single feedstock, including biodiesel ethanol, biocrude, renewable diesel, renewable
Biofuels Digest published a special report on algae biofuels and CO2 sources, including an analysis of power plant fuel gas. "In the world of biofuels, algae is under the spotlight" writes Biofuels Digest special correspondent Sam Rushing in a report on
Biofuels Digest summarizes conversations from its LinkedIn Group about development of Chilean coastal algae and biodiesel developments in other South American countries. READ MORE
An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth around US$ 60 million for building a bio-ethanol plant was signed between the Petrolchemical and Bio Fuel Joint Stock Company (PVB) under the National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) and a joint
Agragen, a leader in using biotechnology to modify Camelina sativa to increase agronomically desirable traits, announces the acquisition of intellectual property rights that will increase oil content in the second generation oilseed crop. Through an agreement with the University of
Metso and UPM have developed a new concept for the production of biomass-based bio-oil to replace fossil fuels in heating and power generation. Test production will begin at Metso's test plant in Tampere, Finland, in June 2009. Bio-oil can be manufactured
by Lisa Gibson, Biomass Magazine. Brazil could produce 4.6 billion to 8.2 billion liters (1.2 billion to 2.2 billion gallons) of biofuel from sugarcane residue by 2020, in addition to that made from sugar itself, according to a recently released
"Novozymes’ latest products for second-generation ethanol production are much better than anything previously seen on the market,” says Cynthia Bryant, Global Marketing Manager, Biomass industry at Novozymes. “While this in itself is a giant leap forward for the biofuel industry,
ATI Petroleum, a petroleum exploration management and operations company, announced that the US Department of Commerce awarded the first patent on bioreactor technology to ATI Petroleum. The bioreactor technology was created through a collaborative effort with the US Department of Energy,
Lignol Energy Corporation a cellulosic ethanol and biorefining company, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lignol Innovations Ltd., has been awarded $3.4 million in funding to produce cellulosic ethanol and other biochemical products from under-utilized forest resources, including lodgepole pine killed
The government is not serious in supporting the development of biofuel as an alternative energy source in the country, a biofuel researcher said. "There is no point in developing biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel if the effort is not
by Mike Levine. A radical twin-fuel engine from Ford, code-named “Bobcat," that variably blends gasoline and ethanol on demand to realize diesel-like performance continues to make steady progress in its development, according to presentations made by the automaker to the
by Bas Vlugt. 'The Sustainer is a containerised installation which can be used in rural areas to convert oil-bearing crops and seeds into edible oil and biodiesel. The seeds are stored in an integrated bunker which feeds the oil press.
In California, SG Biofuels announced that it has identified multiple strains of cold tolerant Jatropha capable of thriving in climates outside the crop’s traditional subtropical habitat. The strains are included among thousands of variations of Jatropha curcas the firm has
by Ron Kotrba. A group of Spanish developers working under the company name Ecofasa, headed by chief executive officer and inventor Francisco Angulo, has developed a biochemical process to turn urban solid waste into a fatty acid biodiesel feedstock. “It
by Susan Wilson. Algae has been cultivated primarily as a source of biofuel, but Renewed World Energies (RWE) is taking it one step further. The company wants to clean up power plant and industrial plant emissions using algae and then
by Susanne Retka Schill. Western Biofuels Inc. released the results of an independent validation test and announced plans to build a 1.4 MMgy demonstration plant for a new biofuel process. Fuel chemist Nicholas Irving, president and founder of Western Biofuels,
Industrial-scale production of bioenergy from algae, or seaweeds, can be expected in 10 to 15 years, helping Europe to reach its green energy targets, the top official at a newly created bioenergy body said on Wednesday. ... Research into algae-made
Gold Star Biofuels a subsidiary of Gold Star Farms Ltd., is cultivating five million acres of land in Ghana to plant jatropha for the production of biofuels for export. According to the firm it has secured commitment from farmers to
As part of an effort to develop a new collection of alternative fuels, ecologist Julie Jastrow and her colleagues from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago planted seven different combinations of native
Every spring, the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Biomass Program hosts a FREE 2-day conference and expo exploring biomass as an energy source. The Biomass Program works with industry, academia and national laboratory partners
SCIENTISTS in Wales are working on a ground-breaking £1m scheme to turn grass into fuel. The Assembly Government- backed “grassohol” project aims to develop a commercially viable way to make ethanol which is used as an alternative to petrol. The
Velocys, Inc. (“Velocys”), has been awarded a $5 million commercialisation grant, applicable over a period of two and a half years. The grant will assist in commercialising the Oxford Catalysts Group’s microchannel technology for hydro-processing − an important step in
Biofuels Digest reports that in Ethiopia, Ardent Energy Group announced an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD) of Ethiopia to transfer 15,000 hectares, approximately 37,000 acres, to AEG for the purpose of cultivating jatropha and castor.
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The newly funded Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation at Pennsylvania State University will be home to investigations into plant cells to produce better biomass-based fuels. The U.S. DOE will fund the center with
The intersection of Jackson Avenue and North Johnson Street looks like many in Central City. There are vacant lots overgrown with vegetation and strewn with debris alongside boarded-up, decaying houses optimistically donning "for sale" signs. But on one corner in
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Fuels is developing biofuels that can be used to power both the mothership Eve that will launch the spacecraft from the stratosphere, while the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft will itself be designed to run on biobutanol. Branson is
Corn cobs are both economical and environmentally friendly as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol, university and government reports indicate, reaffirming POET’s strategy for commercializing its new technology. Removing corn cobs from fields for use in cellulosic ethanol production appears to
Waste Management, Inc. and InEnTec LLC announced the formation of S4 Energy Solutions LLC, a joint venture to develop, operate and market plasma gasification facilities using InEnTec's Plasma Enhanced Melter (PEM™) technology. The joint venture is expected to process waste
With their sweet, refreshing juices and succulent interior, watermelons are a favorite summertime treat, especially around July 4th. But now this Independence Day favorite could become even more of a patriotic commodity. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies in Lane, Okla.,
Some researchers hope to turn plants into a renewable, nonpolluting replacement for crude oil. To achieve this, scientists have to learn how to convert plant biomass into a building block for plastics and fuels cheaply and efficiently. In new research,
U.S. Freedom Bio Fuels, LLC, manufacturer of Biodiesel production equipment for the commercial end user, has developed a processor for converting animal fat to fuel. There BD65AF processor will produce 200 gallons of fuel per day without acid pre-treat. READ
The Crowley County Commissioners announced the award of a $9,000,000 Private Activity Bond Allocation through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. This allocation authorizes the issuance of $9 million in tax free bonds to support the development of an animal
Biofuels Digest presents a special report on biofuels aviation, including coverage of feedstocks, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine makers and policy. READ MORE
According to Biofuels Digest, in Florida, PetroAlgae said that it believes it is now the closest company to commercialization of micro crops as a biofuel will complete its microcrop demonstration farm in Florida this year and will commence booking revenues
Scientists in California are reporting use of a first-of-its-kind approach to craft genetically engineered microbes with the much-sought ability to transform switchgrass, corn cobs, and other organic materials into methyl halides — the raw material for making gasoline and a
Honeywell Aerospace is gearing up for biofuel tests on its APUs and engines this summer in a bid to stay ahead of the alternative fuel push. ... That project is now entering a second phase with biofuel tests, and Honeywell
Diesel Brewing announced the company has launched its initiative to manufacture cellulosic bio-butanol from Oregon’s ample supplies of biomass and dairy farm manure. Bio-butanol is a 100% “green” liquid fuel that can be blended into conventional gasoline or diesel stocks
GreenFuel Technologies, one of the first companies to enter the algae biofuels business, is shutting down after running out of money. Investor Duncan McIntyre of Polaris Venture Partners on Wednesday confirmed GreenFuel Technologies' demise, saying that the company is a
Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation, a leader in second generation biomass-to-biofuel technology, and BlueLeaf Inc., a Canadian private social purpose enterprise active in applied research concerning the environment, announced results of a year long test in application of Dynamotive’s CQuest™ Biochar
Süd-Chemie AG (Germany), a leading manufacturer of catalysts and adsorbents, and The Linde Group (Germany), a leading global company in the sector of gases and engineering, have launched the production of climate-friendly biofuels based on lignocellulosic biomass in Munich. The
On May 5, President Obama announced steps to further his Administration’s commitment to advance biofuels research and commercialization. Specifically, he signed a Presidential Directive establishing a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, announced additional Recovery Act funds for renewable fuel projects, and
At the time, jatropha’s promise seemed boundless. APJ Abdul Kalam, the president, even used his presidential address that year to extol its virtues. Jatropha can survive in the most arid wastelands, the story went, so vast barren swathes of India
... “Developing the next generation of biofuels is key to our effort to end our dependence on foreign oil and address the climate crisis -- while creating millions of new jobs that can't be outsourced,” Secretary Chu said. “With American
Rentech, Inc., announced a plan to build a plant in Rialto, California for the production of ultra-clean synthetic fuels and electric power from renewable waste biomass feedstocks. The Rialto Renewable Energy Center (Rialto Project) is designed to produce approximately 600
Mascoma Corporation announced that the company has made major research advances in consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP, a low-cost processing strategy for production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass. CBP avoids the need for the costly production of cellulase enzymes by using
Farming Biodiesel, Inc., a sustainable, social Jatropha farming organization, in association with New Eye Productions and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), announces they will be featured in the upcoming television series titled Worldview Program. Breaking ground since 2007, Desert Center, California
by Amanda Lyle ----- Converting cellulose quickly and cheaply into biofuel may be feasible any day now - what remains to be seen is who will be the first to use synthetic biology to create an organism capable of such
Bio Base Europe is a joint initiative of Biopark Terneuzen and Ghent Bio-Energy Valley. Both organisations have been working for some time for the expansion of a bio-based economy in the Flanders-Netherlands border region. Contrary to what is frequently assumed,
Scientists have combined a discovery from a French garbage dump with breakthroughs in synthetic biology to come up with a novel method for turning plant waste into gasoline, without the need of any food sources. A synthetic biology lab at
Genifuel has teamed up with Pacific Northwest National Labs to make natural gas out of algae. Why? It's cheaper and easier than producing liquid fuel. Why crush algae when you can incinerate it? That's one way to describe a shift
A 76-year-old manufacturer of car wash soaps says it's developed a new line of clean biofuel products that could revolutionize alternative fuels. Stone Soap Co. Inc. has applied for a patent for the chemistry behind three related products: a so-called
...At The University of Texas at Austin, the scope of the project includes identifying the best strains of algae for producing oil from sites in Texas and from the university's algal culture collection, harvesting the algal strains, breaking the algal
Based on technology exclusively licensed from North Carolina State University, the CentiaTM process can use virtually any triglyceride feedstock (virgin oils, waste greases, animal fats, algal oils, among others) to produce fuels similar to petroleum-derived gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Mascoma Corporation today announced that the company has made major research advances in consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP, a low-cost processing strategy for production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass. CBP avoids the need for the costly production of cellulase enzymes by
Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., and BioProcessAlgae LLC have executed a grant award agreement with the Iowa Office of Energy Independence for a $2.1 million research and development grant from the Iowa Power Fund to build an algae pilot project
The Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources, in Danville, Va., is studying the potential to use the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosis), a perennial native sunflower species, as a feedstock for producing ethanol. The institute is a research center jointly affiliated
A technological breakthrough that dramatically reduces the cost of removing water from algae – making algae an economically feasible source of fuel was announced by Algae Venture Systems, an Ohio company. Algae VS process slashes the cost of harvesting, dewatering and
This is the first solicitation for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). ARPA-E is a new organization within the Department of Energy (DOE), created specifically to foster research and development (R&D) of transformational energy-related technologies. … ARPA-E will
In late April, 2009, President Obama announced the launching of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), a new Department of Energy organization modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the defense agency that gave us the Internet, stealth aircraft,
With virtually all of the biofuels currently produced in the United States sourced from either soybeans or corn, there is significant interest in developing a diverse array of biomass feedstocks that will not compete for food resources. Dedicated energy crops
Camelina sativa is a member of the mustard family, a distant relative to canola, and the new darling of biodiesel production. Camelina plants are heavily branched, growing from one to three feet tall producing seed pods containing many small, oily
A life cycle analysis (LCA) comparing camelina-derived renewable jet and diesel fuels to petroleum fuels and biodiesel found that the green jet and green diesel fuels are lower in fossil energy demand and also lower in GHG emissions compared to
Most Jatropha growers currently plant and harvest Jatropha curcas primarily for its pure plant oil (PPO) for use as biofuel and biodiesel. However, it is shown that PPO only accounts for a mere 14% of the usable resources in every
CHEMREC is helping pulp and paper mills transform into Biorefineries with a unique, proprietary black liquor gasification technology. Opening up new markets in sustainable, low-carbon chemicals and fuels will be a step-change in the industry. Full implementation of the Chemrec technology
TORONTO – April 1, 2009 – A new report commissioned by the IEA Bioenergy (IEA) underscores the importance of ethanol in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. f1The extensive research paper commissioned by the IEA Bioenergy Task
In Fall 2008 Central Carolina Community College began offering an associate degree in Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels. This program is designed to equip students with the skills needed for a career in the growing biofuels industry. Visit their site for
UGA’s Biofuels, Biopower, and Biomaterials Initiative (B3I) unites the University’s legacies in agriculture, forestry, environmental science and engineering with its strengths in carbohydrate science, genetics and microbiology to provide a scientific and practical foundation to support an economic and sustainable bioenergy future. Visit
It is widely recognized that substantial technical advances must be achieved in all aspects of the bioenergy industry, including developing new energy crops; new biological, chemical, and thermal conversion technologies; and new byproducts. The goal of the MASB program, funded
UOP is focused on developing profitable and efficient ways to convert biofeedstocks, such as oils from plants and algae, greases and certain waste products into valuable fuel and chemicals. UOP focuses on technologies that maximize the use of existing infrastructure
The University of Guelph officially opened the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre researchers will use agricultural products, turning soy, wheat, corn and other crops into everything from car parts and furniture to fuel. "This discovery centre is a nexus where
Michigan State's Office of Biobased Technology aims to integrate innovations in the lab with advances in the marketplace to enhance the economy, the environment, and the quality of life in Michigan and around the globe. "There is more to the bioeconomy
Providing a local source of fuel is a critical element of energy independence and the jatropha plant has several qualities that make it an ideal choice as a fuel provider for a multi-function power unit (MPU) that can be used
Solazyme's unique microbial conversion technology process allows algae to produce oil in standard industrial facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale. These oils are tailored not only for advanced biofuel production, but also as replacements for fossil petroleum and plant
Virent’s BioForming® process pioneers the commercial production of biofuels and bioproducts which are both sustainable and economical. This technology can convert a wide roster of feedstocks, including non-food and home grown energy sources, into the variety of fuels and chemicals
MixAlco™ is a biomass conversion technology that transforms low-cost, readily available, non-food and non-sterile biomass into carboxylic acids, the chemical precursors to valuable industrial chemicals and transportation fuels. READ MORE.
Carbon Diversion, Inc., has been operating for two years at the Campbell Industrial site in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, testing and refining the CDI Carbonization™ equipment for managing various feedstocks including rubber tires, macadamia shells and other green wastes, sewage sludge,
Many technologies have been used over the years to destroy troublesome waste, including incineration, but at an expense to the environment. Now, technological development at Changing World Technologies, Inc., has produced a new process that allows waste to be reformed
Mascoma’s R&D team is focused on developing biofuels from non-food biomass wood, straws, fuel energy crops, paper pulp and other agricultural waste products. The knowledge and expertise being generated by Mascoma's R&D activities can be transferred to target other high-value products
Coskata’s biology-based technology enables production of ethanol from a wide variety of input material including biomass, agricultural and municipal wastes, as well as other carbonaceous material. Using proprietary microorganisms and patented bioreactor designs, the goal of Coskata is to play
Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, launched Accellerase® 1500, the next generation of its cellulosic ethanol enzyme product, which has significantly improved formulation and higher activity resulting in higher ethanol yields and robust operation in a wider variety of processes.
The Taipei Times reports that scientists from the Universities of Leeds and Cardiff in the UK are exploring ways to convert glycerol, a ubiquitous waste-product of biodiesel production, into high-value hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. The 6.8 billion gallons of
South Korean scientists have developed a high-tech process to extract commercially viable chemical compounds from a biodiesel by-product that can help cut costs of making the synthetic fuel, according to the South Korean government. READ MORE
Willow Biomass is an environmentally sound, locally produced, renewable source of energy and bio products. Driven by concerns about global warming, air pollution, rural development, and national security, research conducted by SUNY-ESF has reconnected the historic willow cultivation industry to
Feedstock Production for Biofuels: Economic Drivers, Policy Implications, and the Role of Research advises on the economic feasibility of developing both farm- and forest-derived biofuel feedstocks for expansion of the national fuel mix. The report looks at the potential impacts
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. and Brazil's state-run oil producer, Petrobras, will execute a trial - beginning as early as September - to make hydrogen gas from sugar cane waste and other farm leftovers. They will use a technology developed by Sapporo
by Richard Hamilton (Ceres) This presentation was part of “Growing Energy” at Biomass 2009 in March. The President and CEO of Ceres, Hamilton promoted breeding hardier plants, resulting in more efficient harvesting of their stems, stalks and leaves for cellulosic
Gulf Alternative Energy Corporation announced that it is expanding its strategic development to other forms of alternative energy beyond its ethanol pre-processing technology. It is now exploring additional alternative energy projects to add value to its operations. Gulf Alternative Energy Corp.
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