by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BETO. I think it’s Latin for “I forbid petroleum.” So while presidents have the Veto, technologists have the Beto. It’s most widely known in its modern variant, as the acronym for the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, the hearth and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Minnesota, Cargill and Calysta revealed that they will co-create the world’s largest gas fermentation facility in Memphis, Tennessee to produce Calysta’s FeedKind protein, a family of sustainable, traceable nutritional ingredients for fish, livestock and
(Washington State University/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities have been awarded a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant to explore the market potential of their biojet fuel research. The team has successfully demonstrated a new, water-based process for deconstructing and
(OrbisResearch.com/ABNewsWire) OrbisResearch.com has published “Global Industrial Enzyme Market (Food and Beverage, Cleaning, Biofuel, Animal Feed): Industry Analysis and Outlook (2016-2020)” market report to its research database. The key factors driving the growth of industrial enzyme market are growing global population,
(Nikkei Asian Review) A startup founded by maverick Japanese entrepreneur Takafumi Horie is poised to launch a test rocket as early as January. If successful, it will be Japan's first private rocket to reach an altitude of 100km. Interstellar Technologies, based
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Clariant’s sunliquid technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, followed by fermentation to cellulosic ethanol, is flexible to be used to convert different feedstocks on a regional basis, for example corn stover in North
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn uses its patented and proprietary RTP fast thermal technology to convert wood residues and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to liquid biofuels. Ensyn has had continuous commercial operations for more than 25 years. Its technology has
(Phys.Org) New research at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus could significantly change ethanol production by lowering operating costs and simplifying the dry grind process. "There are currently more than 200 dry grind plants
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) The Great Plains lost more grassland to agriculture in 2014 than the Brazilian Amazon lost to deforestation, says a recent report from the World Wildlife Fund. And it argues that the continued expansion of cropland
by Glenn Roberts Jr. (Berkeley National Laboratory) Research team combines X-ray source at Berkeley Lab with other tools -- Researchers have revealed new atomic-scale details about pesky deposits that can stop or slow chemical reactions vital to fuel production and
(UPM) UPM has successfully tested Finnish wood-based diesel fuel both in laboratory conditions as well as in traffic. The tests clearly demonstrated that UPM’s renewable diesel, UPM BioVerno, works just like the best diesel fuels. The laboratory tests of renewable UPM
(Fortress Paper/Lesprom.com) Fortress Paper Ltd. announces a strategic supplement to the already announced birch usage project (the "Birch Project") at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill aimed at extracting hemicellulose from underutilized species such as birch (the " Hemicellulose Project"). The Hemicellulose Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is
(Transport & Environment) Sustainable wood waste, agricultural residues, manure and other organic residues generated in Europe will only cover around 80% of the EU’s projected bioenergy use in 2030, a new analysis by green groups BirdLife Europe and Transport &
by Aswin Mannepalli (Philadelphia Inquirer) The King of Prussia company takes biowaste and converts it into useful materials such as bioplastics. So far, it counts Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates as a backer. He led a $14 million investment in the firm
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For some time in The Digest, we have examined the problem of matching capital to projects. As Ecostrat’s Jordan Solomon observed at ABLC Next a few weeks back, “the vast majority of projects are given
by David Tenenbaum (University of Wisconsin-Madison) ... (James) Steele, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Winder-Bascom professor of food science, specializes in food, beverage and biofuel fermentation. Understanding how bacteria and yeast convert biomass into products has been his stock-in-trade for more than
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The company manufactures custom, high-quality, synthetic DNA used by scientists to construct genes, pathways, genomes and organisms that will enable the next generation of breakthroughs in biology. Founded by pioneering scientists in fabrication, genetics, and bio-engineering,
(Frost & Sullivan/PR Newswire) Biogreen has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and society by actively removing harmful waste oils from the food chain -- Based on its recent analysis of the biofuels market, Frost & Sullivan recognises
by Katherine Bourzac (Chemical & Engineering News) Technology to produce fuels from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide faces scientific and economic challenges -- READ MORE and MORE (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Excerpt from Environmental and Energy Study Institute: Scientists are pushing
by Lexy Hamilton-Smith (ABC) A green start-up technology company has surprised scientists by producing a biofuel from old rubber tyres that can run turbo-charged diesel engines while reducing emissions by 30 per cent. Green Distillation Technologies (GDT) can produce 3,000 litres of
by Theophilus Kumah* (Advanced Biofuels USA) With the issue of biofuels and renewable energy making waves all over the globe, it is therefore not surprising when Africa (particularly Ghana) is not left out on investing in the future of energy.
by Mark Elless (U.S. Department of Energy) Switchgrass, algae, forest trimmings, corn husks and corn stalks you can't eat these crops, and you would never put them on your table for Thanksgiving; however, together they make up a bountiful harvest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Caribou Biosciences provides solutions for cellular engineering and analysis based on the CRISPR-Cas9 technology for gene editing — a technique where DNA is inserted, replaced, or removed from a genome using artificially engineered nucleases. It’s been
(USDA/Biomass Magazine) The USDA recently announced that the U.S. Forest Service has identified an additional 36 million dead trees across California since its last aerial survey in May 2016. This brings the total number of dead trees since 2010 to
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Neste Corp. announced that Hamburg airport in Germany has started using its renewable diesel to reduce the airport’s reliance on fossil fuels and significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Renewable diesel will power heavy-duty vehicles such as aircraft tugs
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. has signed a commercial purchase agreement with XR Resources Inc. to buy property in High River, Alberta, near Calgary, which includes a 16 MMly (4.2 MMgy) biodiesel plant formerly owned by
(Science Daily) An alternate use for sugarcane waste has been proposed by a research team in India. While sugar is falling out of favor around the world, sugarcane residue is becoming a useful commodity, they say. -- Indian researchers pioneer
(Revista Summa (Google Translation)) In order to generate an alternative and friendly fuel with the environment, a group of graduates biotechnologists Technology of Costa Rica (TEC) is, for four years, conducting research with whey and its transformation potential in biodiesel. This entrepreneurial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Flint Hills Resources is a major force in US ethanol and biodiesel markets — and most recently in the bioeconomy news stream for its JV with and investments in Benefuel — bringing a new technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In 2011, KiOR raised $150 million in its June IPO, claiming that it was generating yields of 67 gallons per ton in its Demo unit operations. But it was miles short of that. In our previous
by Clarence Michael (Masdar Institute) Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi Presents Award to Dr. Hanifa Taher Al Blooshi for Research in Designing A NEW Novel System for Enzymatic Biodiesel Production - Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Since 2013, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has had an Algae Biomass project underway, under the direction of Dr. Phil Pienkos, aimed at “reducing algal biofuel production cost by developing advanced process options for the
(Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves) Shifting from a cookstove that burns traditional woodfuel to a stove that uses a cleaner-burning fuel such as ethanol may mitigate cardiovascular health risks in pregnant women, according to a new study led by a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Whether it is partnering with COMAC to research aviation biofuels, launching a biojet program with Aeromexico and Mexico’s Airports and Auxiliary Services, or with the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines — or launching a
(Algae Industry Magazine) A group of educators and researchers from Cornell University, the Cornell Algal Biofuel Consortium (CABC), has published a comparative commentary in the December, 2016 issue of Oceanography, the quarterly journal of The Oceanography Society. The commentary sums up a
by Alicia Lindauer (U.S. Department of Energy/Renewable Energy World) Is it possible to increase vehicle performance and fuel efficiency while also slowing climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions? New research by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and funded by the
by Debbie Sniderman (Ethanol Producer Magazine/VI Ventures LLC) One of the biggest technology upgrades for the ethanol industry in the past decade has been corn oil extraction. If Virginia Klausmeier and the team she leads at Sylvatex have their way, the
by Joan Koka (Argonne National Laboratory) ... The new analysis, published in The Royal Chemistry Society's Energy & Environmental Science, incorporates the additional effect of changes in reflectivity, or “albedo.” Albedo effects sum up the amount of incoming solar energy that
(FuelCellsWorks) ... New Flyer's innovative XE60 battery-electric bus, and its sister XHE60 hydrogen fuel cell bus, are both powered by Siemens electric motors with rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology manufactured in Michigan. ... New Flyer's XHE60 model is a battery electric 60-foot articulated transit
by Brooks Hays (UPI) Chemical engineer Jae Sung Lee said the research will offer a "new opportunity for recycling CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals." -- Researchers have developed a new way to turn captured CO2 into liquid biofuel capable
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... This one’s about the U.S. EPA and a Freedom of Information Act request that uncovered emails providing evidence of collusion between EPA and the oil industry to make sure ethanol looks bad. Many
by Amanda Cooper (Reuters) The International Energy Agency expects global oil consumption to peak no sooner than 2040, leaving its long-term forecasts for supply and demand unchanged despite the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement entering into force. ... But while demand for oil
(CBS) Some of America's best fighter jets can soar without using a drop of oil for fuel. New technology is helping the U.S. Navy power its fleet with cooking grease and plant seeds. Don Dahler reports. READ MORE WATCH VIDEO and
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuels operations under the right conditions can lead to improved household food security in developing countries, concludes a new study. Irish university research is adding to the body of knowledge about the impact biofuels production
(Iresiduo (Google Translation)) Specialists of the Center for Research Science and Higher Education of Ensenada ( CICESE) develop a prototype version biodiesel plant that will produce from microalgae and work with solar energy. Pilar Sánchez Saavedra, Department of Aquaculture, and Daniel Carvajal
(The National Research Council of Canada/Biodiesel Magazine)... Canada’s first algal biorefinery demonstration project, a collaborative research effort between the National Research Council of Canada’s Algal Carbon Conversion program, Pond Technologies and Votorantim Cimentos’ St Marys Cement, is revolutionizing how industrial carbon
(Biodico/Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel producer Biodico Inc. announced Nov. 16 that it has completed its resource assessment to support the next stage of development for its “Zero Net Energy Farm” project, which is funded in part by the California Energy Commission
(Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest) This talk introduces a web-based decision support tool for biorefinery siting and explores the economic viability of potential biorefinery locations in Chehalis, WA, Dallas, OR, and Hayden,ID. WATCH VIDEO
(Univeristy of Botswana) The University of Botswana took its research programme to loftier heights when it launched an experimental vehicle that uses biodiesel fuel on November 14, 2016. The vehicle uses blended fuel (B10) which is 90 per cent petroleum
by Lina Jang (The Korea Bizwire) Pukyong National University announced Wednesday that graduate student Seonwoo In-young (26), recently succeeded in producing bioethanol using dead seaweed that washed ashore after a tropical storm. Seaweed plays an essential role as a food source,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, Benson Hill Biosystems, an agricultural technology company unlocking the genetic potential of plants, today announced a strategic partnership and grant from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Benson Hill’s CropOS platform empowers organizations of
(Renewable Fuels Association) Millions of Americans preparing for Thanksgiving next week are undoubtedly noticing that dinner will cost less than it did a year ago. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overall grocery prices are roughly 2% lower than
by Snehlata Shrivastav (Economic Times' Energy World) Manas Agro Industries and Infrastructure Limited (MAIIL) of the city, an extension of Purti Group of Industries, has developed a process of producing bio-CNG that can be used as fuel for vehicles. MAIIL is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In May, Benson Hill Biosystems launched CropOS, a cognitive engine using cloud biology to empower a new era of plant genomics innovation. CropOS uses powerful data analytics and biological knowledge to identify the most promising plant genetics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, Global Bioenergies has completed construction of its 100 tons/year demonstration-scale plant, a project which commenced in mid-2015. It is located in the facility owned by the Fraunhofer CBP, on the Leuna refinery platform. It was
(Phys.Org/Purdue University) A global ban on genetically modified crops would raise food prices and add the equivalent of nearly a billion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, a study by researchers from Purdue University shows. Using a model to assess
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) Production and sale of biochar at biomass-using plants can result in significant financial gains, but the industry is still working at building its myriad of potential markets. -- ... While there may be hundreds of companies
by Kari Lydersen (Midwest Energy News) ... The prospects for cellulosic ethanol becoming a commercially available clean transportation fuel could also hinge on yeast’s ability to ferment corn stalks, switchgrass, wood chips or other fibrous feed stock. The same strain of
(Phys.Org/Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum) Researchers have developed a hybrid of a fuel cell and capacitor on a biocatalytic basis. With the aid of enzymatic processes, what's known as a biosupercapacitor efficiently generates and stores energy. The trick: the enzymes are embedded in a
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The state of the Canadian ethanol industry at year end. -- Optimism is growing among Canadian biofuel producers as the federal government is embracing carbon reduction strategies in its climate change action plan.
(Money Control) India may also have an 'electric highway' stretch, similar to the one inaugurated in Sweden recently, with help from the Scandinavian country, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said. India may also have an 'electric highway' stretch, similar
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lignocellulosic sugars and lignin have become necessary intermediates for advancing research towards economically producing biofuels and bioproducts. Recently, the US Department of Energy issued a Request for Information: Cellulosic Sugar and Lignin Production Capabilities. The result
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) "I want to make this land productive again," was a common refrain at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's 13th Annual Small Farm Conference November 11-12. Whether returning to a disused family farm or
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The economic drivers behind recent higher ethanol blending rates were examined by Iowa economic researcher Sampath Jayasinghe in the Renewable Energy Report from the Iowa Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. In the week ending Sept.
by Anthony King (Horizon Magazine) Hacking trees by adding bacteria to their roots could help scrub contaminated soil clean of chemicals and metals from industrial spillages and fallouts, a process known as gentle remediation. Once the approach is refined, it could
by Tom Abate (Stanford University) Solar energy has the potential to provide abundant power, but only if scientists solve two key issues: storing the energy for use at all hours, particularly at night, and making the technology more cost effective.
(Alaska Airlines/PR Newswire) First of its kind renewable biofuel made from residual wood used by Alaska Airlines -- Washington state-based Alaska Airlines today made history flying the first commercial flight using the world's first renewable, alternative jet fuel made from
(GEVO) Gevo’s Fuel to Power Alaska Airlines Flight #4 from Seattle to DCA -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO), announced that the first commercial flight using Gevo’s cellulosic renewable alcohol to jet fuel (ATJ) is expected to take place today originating in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Arzeda’s proprietary technology combines targeted computational enzyme design and protein optimization with state-of-the-art metabolic bioengineering to create entirely novel designer cell factories capable of industry-scale chemical production. CEO Alex Zanghellini gave this overview of Arzeda’s breakthrough technology at ABLC Next in San
(Algae Industry Magazine) Halifax, Nova Scotia’s clean-tech company SabrTech describes its main product, The RiverBox™, as “the world’s first modular, scalable and rapidly deployable biofilm platform for the production of algal biomass,” writes Peter Moreira, in thechronicleherald.ca. The system of growing
by Beth Miller (Phys.Org) A computer scientist at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a way to coax cells to do natural things under unnatural circumstances, which could be useful for stem cell research, gene therapy and biofuel production. Michael
by David Edwards ( Zeton Inc./Lee Enterprises Consulting) The recommended approach for scaling bioenergy and biofuels technology follows a similar stage gate process to that used in traditional Chemical Process Industry (CPI) processes. But the processing of solids in bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Capturing and concentrate (ambient) CO2 at low prices for direct use and production of fuels and chemicals, using solar or wind energy. That’s Antecy. With the help of an organic, non-amine sorbent, ANTECY turns the negative
(Goethe University Frankfurt/EurekAlert!) Goethe University Frankfurt coordinates European two million Euro project -- Microbes are already used on a wide scale for the production of fuels and base chemicals, but for this most of them have to be "fed"
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum BioEnergy has developed a “game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels including syncrude, jet fuel and diesel”. The company has successfully proven and demonstrated this
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy/Renewable Energy World) The beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii, is known for its pristine beaches and dramatic mountain ranges. But Kauai is not just a vacation spot; it is also the location of
(Greater Dandenong Leader) ... Founders Dr Rebecca Yee and Dale Barnet, who met while studying chemical engineering at university, have come up with a process to safely process waste oil into high quality biodiesel that can be used in any diesel
(European Commission) ... Used cooking oils (UCOs) are processed from food industry and catering waste; cheap and widely available, they are playing an increasing role in the development of advanced biofuels. However, although the legislative framework is in place,
(Advanced Biofuel Center/PR Underground) Groundbreaking research at the ABC has shown that Moringa Oleifera plants can produce Biofuel more efficiently than other well-known feedstocks. -- Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC) breakthroughs in Moringa oil Plantation, a new Moringa tree varietal, and
(Oxfam) The European Union must overhaul its current bioenergy policy, which is based on getting fuel from plants, because the industry is linked to the eviction of thousands of people from their lands, out-competing food crops, and creating more not
by Dave Orrick (Twin Cities Pioneer Press) Female pheasants have surprised researchers by running into corn and soybean fields — but not just for the crops. Female pheasants, Minnesota researchers have found, often abandon natural grasslands — presumably prime habitat —
by Roger Real Drouin (Yale Environment 360) A steady increase in sea levels is pushing saltwater into U.S. wetlands, killing trees from Florida to as far north as New Jersey. But with sea level projected to rise by as much as
(Bio-based News) Microalgae are a highly productive, sustainable source of raw materials for both food and non-food products. Despite this potential the implementation of algae as a production platform is still limited because of the need to reduce production costs
(Bio-based News/nova-Institut GmbH) Project STAR4BBI has been created as a means to develop a practical, effective, sustainable and harmonized regulatory network in order to support Europe’s innovative transition to a bio-based economy by removing legislative barriers to create equal market
(nova-Institute) Its concept is to combine chemical and enzymatic catalysis with insects-based biological conversion via termites, within a biorefinery integrated approach. The project is conceived to avoid waste production by recycling waste bio-based products and improve the sustainability of existing
by Dale Christensen (Glacial Lakes Corn Processors/The Hill) ... EPA has either through ignorance at best or malice at worst failed to make our continued transition to cleaner, renewable fuels an easier path. Recall the nearly decade old problem with setting
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have come up with a highly-efficient process to make liquid fuels directly from carbon dioxide and water. Because burning fuels in an internal combustion engine produces CO2 and water as
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The ASCENT Center of Excellence at Washington State University is focusing on meeting the environmental and energy goals of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, including reducing noise, improving air quality, reducing climate impacts, and energy
by Tina Casey (Clean Technica) The US Department of Defense has been a main driver of the nation’s transition to renewable energy, but so far its use of biofuel in war machines has been limited to demonstration events and exercises.
(U.S. Department of Energy) The results of the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office's (BETO's) Cellulosic Sugar and Lignin Production Capabilities Request for Information (RFI) are now available on the RFI responses web page. This new web page is a
(CNW/Newswire) The Government of Canada is supporting clean energy research, development and technology demonstration at all stages of the innovation spectrum, from high-risk, early stage research that can deliver transformative energy solutions, to later stage technology demonstrations to help speed
by Evelyn Boswell (Montana State University) A regional interdisciplinary team led by Montana State University has received $6 million to develop new innovations at the intersection of food, energy and water systems while training the next generation of scientists. The four-year
(Center for American Progress) Carbon taxes and emissions trading systems, once considered political moonshots in the battle to combat carbon emissions, have found purchase in Canada, Mexico, and parts of the United States, raising the possibility that carbon pricing could
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Technology converts human waste into bio-based fuel -- It may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants across the United States may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research at
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) made the surprise discovery that a metabolic pathway to take up CO2 exists and functions in a microorganism capable of breaking down and fermenting
(European Commission Community Research and Development Information Service/Greenovate! Europe) The ButaNexT project presented its research into a new and improved biofuel – biobutanol - at the Energy and Environment Knowledge Week (E2KW) Congress in Paris on Friday 28 October. Project partners
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The city of South Portland, Maine, began a pilot project Oct. 24 in which select city vehicles will run a 20 percent blend of biodiesel (B20) for a full year “to test the efficacy of
(WJHG.com) Imagine a world in which the military's most elite jets are fueled by a product made from kitchen grease. ... Chuck Red is the Vice President of Fuels Development with Applied Research Associates. The company's surprise finding came out
(Boeing) Boeing-COMAC Sustainable Aviation Technology Center to pursue mutually beneficial research in materials recycling, air travel for aging populations, workplace safety -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) today (November 1, 2016) signed a new agreement to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) On October 23-26 the algae industry gathered in Phoenix, AZ for the Algae Biomass Summit , its annual get together. Gone are the glory days of algae biofuels capturing headlines and promising to save the world
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reliance Industries has been working on HTL technology for algae conversion to biofuel for last 5 years and recently have started extending their work beyond algae to other feedstock. With its inherent technological advantages over other
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, the Port of Seattle, SkyNRG and Carbon War Room have signed a partnership to investigate long-term financing mechanisms that could supply all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation fuels. Sea-Tac
by Rebecca Chillrud (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) ... Traditional biofuels like ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19-48 percent compared with gasoline, while advanced or cellulosic biofuels can reduce emissions by more than 100 percent. A less-recognized benefit
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Of all the many wonders at the Algae Biomass Summit this week, perhaps there was nothing more interesting in terms of the Department of Energy’s laudable attention to the sector than a poster from NREL on
(Wired) Audi's German plants are working on climate-neutral fuel alternatives, e-gas and e-diesel -- ... One such smart solution is Audi e-gas. The fuel, which is produced through a combination of electrolysis and methanation, is being developed by two of Audi’s
by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat ( Bangkok Post) A Thai research team has successfully produced ethanol from water hyacinth. Now it needs to find the technology to turn the result into a viable business -- A Thai researcher has succeeded in producing
(Science 2.0) Ever since the 1973 oil embargo, U.S. energy policy has sought to replace petroleum-based transportation fuels with alternatives. One prominent option is using biofuels, such as ethanol in place of gasoline and biodiesel instead of ordinary diesel. Transportation generates
(Green Car Congress) A new analysis from Argonne National Laboratory, funded by the US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), shows the potential of an algae fractionation process to produce renewable diesel fuel with 63%–68% lower greenhouse gas (GHG)
(Iteris) Predictive Agriculture Analytics and APIs from Iteris Now Cover Sorghum and Sunflower Crops -- Iteris, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI), the global leader in applied informatics for transportation and agriculture, today announced the addition of growth models for sunflower and sorghum
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Joule is advancing a production platform for Liquid Fuel from the Sun, expected to eclipse the scale, productivity and cost efficiency of any known alternative to fossil fuel today. Its transformative Helioculture platform directly and
by John Upton (Climate Central) It may have seemed apparent to members of Congress a decade ago that if a motorist pumped a gallon of fuel made from corn into their gas tank, a gallon of fossil fuel would be
by Jeremy Cox (DelmarvaNow) ... The beet plants bred by his (Frank Turano's) company, meanwhile, appear to be largely free of disease. And they're producing tubers up to twice the size of the commercial varieties growing in the same rows. Turano, the
[caption id="attachment_78189" align="alignleft" width="300"] Panel of Experts discussing "Ethanol and Economic Development" at Datagrow 2016 conference[/caption] by Laís Forti Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On October 17-18, 2016, Datagro held its 16th International Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Once again, this event reunited
(Yahoo! Finance/Globe Newswire/Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc.) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (ALLM) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Airports Council International – North America (“ACI-NA”) has given its written support of the CTS process for the production of aviation
(Biofuels International) A joint investment between UK’s BBSRC and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil has been made to support collaborations between UK and Brazilian scientists in advanced biofuels research. The funding – £3.5 million (€3.9m) from BBSRC with
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Researchers at ORNL uncover the chemical reaction that helps break down biomass for biofuel -- Lignocellulosic biomass—plant matter such as cornstalks, straw, and woody plants—is a sustainable source for production of bio-based fuels and chemicals. However,
(Biofuels International) Scientists at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have turned lignin into a source of biofuel by simply adding a common chemical. The patent-pending method that converts up to 80% of lignin into valuable molecules for biofuel
(Phys.Org) The potential for at least partly replacing oil with cellulose as a renewable source of energy and materials has just improved. While abundant in nature, cellulose is difficult and expensive to find in pure or high-quality form. Now, however,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Velocys enables modular gas-to-liquids and biomass-to-liquids plants to convert unconventional, remote and problem gas and waste biomass into valuable, drop-in liquid fuels. After 15 years and some $300 million in investment, Velocys technology is headed for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, let’s consider a more compelling way to process a corn plant so that we handle the process with a goal of first extracting all the materials that are useful for food and health, and
(AZO CleanTech) In 2014, researchers announced the successful engineering of a poplar plant "designed for deconstruction.” The finding caught the attention of the global scientific community. The highly degradable poplar was the first of its kind, and could considerably lessen
(Algae Industry Magazine) Since hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity, we are increasingly thinking about hydrogen as a successor to crude oil. But where will the hydrogen come from? Its ecologically cleanest source could be from algae bioreactors, partly thanks to
(Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Urban Air Initiative has discovered that the U.S. EPA relied heavily on the oil industry to help design test fuels used for the EPAct Study. This is a critical development because the data in
(Donald Danforth Plant Science Center) James Umen, Ph.D., associate member at Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and colleagues have discovered a way to make algae better oil producers without sacrificing growth. The findings were published September 6, in a
(Ames Laboratory) A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory will be developing new instrumentation aimed at determining the chemical and structural makeup of plant cell walls to better understand how to convert plant material into
by Terry Mazanec (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... So the process removes and processes about 25 tonnes of earth to obtain each gram of Pt, valued at about $35. It is a very lucrative business. Biomass is much like the platinum mine. It
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fermentalg’s technology optimizes the industrial exploitation of the exceptional properties that are found in microalgae to produce molecules of interest such as the Omega 3 fatty acids, coloring agents, antioxidants and biopolymers, etc. that we
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Innovation in stover utilization targets feed, sugars and coproduct credits, building markets beyond cellulosic ethanol use. -- Building a robust biomass supply chain for the future will require multiple end users. Innovative companies are
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Dr. Tom Dempster works as a research professor – focusing on strain selection and development, biomass production, algal biofuels and high-value products, and air and wastewater bioremediation – at the Arizona Center for Algae
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) director says the auto industry path to improved fuel economy includes higher blends of ethanol. Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn Clean Fuel in southeast Minnesota, tells Brownfield the ethanol industry is
by Gene Hammond (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Association Motor Club Marketing) Guest columnist for ACE's Grassroots Voice column in the November EPM writes about the AMCM and Travelers Motor Club experiences with ethanol. -- ... I founded both the
by Mark E. Griffin (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) have found a way to nearly double the efficiency with which a commonly used industrial yeast strain converts plant sugars
by Anine Kilian (Engineering News) South African seed selection for research and development company Sunchem’s solaris crop – a nicotine-free tobacco variety that yields significant amounts of sustainable oil for biojet fuel feedstock – has started taking place locally for
by Elham Khaghami (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Pyrolysis of plastic wastes can be described as a chemical process and thermal decomposition of organic components in an oxygen-free atmosphere to yield char, oil and gas. Pyrolysis of plastic is an endothermic process,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest hosted the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. Here below are all the companies we covered in the series — their direct
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of the newer arrivals in Florida’s small bio-based industry is Culture Biosystems, which produces attractive economics for its advanced algae cultivation platform which enables large-scale production of algae to be used in producing biofuels,
(Energy and Environment Research Center) Red Trail Energy, LLC, and the EERC take a closer look at the expansion of ethanol production through carbon capture and storage. READ MORE
(Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking ) The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) together with 4 of its projects, introduced participants to the products and production methods of the future during the Bratislava Bioeconomy conference (BBEC2016) organised under the Slovakian Presidency of
(Microvi) Microvi has been awarded a grant from the US Department of Energy for a new groundbreaking biocatalytic technology that converts methane and carbon dioxide in biogas into valuable liquid chemicals, the company announced today. The new technology, based on Microvi’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at Fibria and Lallemand and
by Jim Seurer (Glacial Lakes Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Our good friend and colleague Dave VanderGriend wrote in this column in April that a little place called Watertown, South Dakota, could be the beginning of a revolution in how we think about
(Biofuels International) The global white biotechnology market is expected to reach $487.08 billion (€442.5bn) by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.2% with biofuels spearheading the market. According to the new report by Grand View Research, rising awareness
(Phys.Org) In a new twist to waste-to-fuel technology, scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an electrochemical process that uses tiny spikes of carbon and copper to turn carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into ethanol. Their
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Recently, we held a well-attended webinar on the markets and makers of ethanol from conventional to advanced. Here below is a slide deck presented on the day, from Praj – going through the technology landscape that is
by Meghan Gordon (Platts) US advanced biofuels production could get a boost under a rule change the Environmental Protection Agency is considering that would allow conventional refineries to receive renewable fuel credits for using drop-in biofuels when making gasoline and diesel. Developers
by Dennis O'Brien (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service) With its 30-ton frame and 50-foot-high catwalk, the newest scanner for measuring crop plants in Maricopa, Arizona, can be seen for miles. It looms over a tract the length of
(Neste) Neste has become the world's largest producer of renewable fuels from waste and residues as a result of long-term work. This pioneer in the field has an exceptionally extensive portfolio of raw materials compared to competitors. The portfolio is actively
by George Lurie (The Business Journal) In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Pacific Ethanol’s registration of its Stockton ethanol plant to generate valuable credits by producing cellulosic ethanol with the same equipment the company
.jpg)
