by Dan Dickson (Business Lexington) ... “[Switchgrass is] one of four or five native, warm-season grasses used on farms in Kentucky. Those grasses were here when the first European settlers came to Kentucky,” said Ray Smith, University of Kentucky extension forage
(Advanced Plasma Industries Inc. /Phys.Org) Hydrogen fuel cells are emerging as key players in the clean energy landscape of the future, except for one problem: it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen (H2-molecular), and here in the US,
(Algae Industry Magazine) The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. (EADS) has announced plans to build an algae technical center, to produce biokerosene from algae. One of three projects sharing a €11m ($14.6 million USD) grant from the Bavarian
(EurekAlert/World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)) The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched the IFAD-ICRAF Programme for the Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops, an initiative focused on providing clean energy for rural communities, enhancing
(Canadian Biomass) The Canadian boreal forest is one of the world's great natural treasures. Stretching from the Yukon in the west to Newfoundland and Labrador in the east, this ecologically diverse region contains the largest blocks of intact forest and
(Midwest Producer) While other biofuel producers work with cornstalks or switchgrass to make cellulosic ethanol, the people at Quad County Corn Processors are working to pull cellulosic ethanol out of the corn kernel. ... The idea started several years ago when plant
(Biomass Magazine) The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has completed a statewide woody biomass assessment in cooperation with Gelbert, Fullbright & Randolph Forestry Consultants and North Carolina’s seven economic development regions. The resulting report, titled the “Statewide Woody Biomass Project,” outlines
(US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) The process dates to ancient Egypt. Now, it’s being studied here by the USDA as a way to fuel farms. Pour a few handfuls of chopped- up corn stalks or switchgrass into a hopper.
by Patrick J. Kiger and Marianne Lavelle (National Geographic) ... KiOR's breakthrough is one part of a wide-ranging effort by a number of companies and government-supported researchers to develop and perfect "drop-in" biofuels—fuels so similar to their petroleum-based counterparts that they
(Colorado State University) An interdisciplinary team of Colorado State University researchers has received a $2 million National Science Foundation grant to research new routes to the sustainable production of biofuels using photosynthetic bacteria. “The purpose of this basic research is to
(Viesel Fuel/Biofuels Journal) Viesel Fuel, LLC announced that they have completed the upgrade of the Viesel Fuel facility to produce biodiesel using an enzymatic process developed by Novozymes of Denmark. Viesel Fuel has obtained approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Summer of Algae has passed, but dozens of companies have remained hot in pursuit of a solution for fuels, feed, nutraceuticals, fragrances, flavorings and tailored renewable oils. Their technologies? Closed systems, open-systems, hybrid systems. Hosts
(The Economic Times/India Times) In a significant development aimed at boosting research in bio-fuels in the country on micro-algae technology, Indian Oil and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have jointly set up a Centre for Advanced Bio-Energy Research. This centre is located on
(Algae Industry Magazine) Rocky Hill, CT-based Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public authority responsible for growing Connecticut businesses through innovative financing and strategic assistance, has awarded a Connecticut Innovation Challenge grant of $150,000 to AgriFuels LLC of East Hartford, CT. ... The goal
(Inventure/PR NewsWire) Inventure International (Pte) Limited, holding company of renewable process technology leader Inventure Renewables Inc., recently closed a $7.2 million round of financing that the company will use to establish a plant for the conversion of biomass into mixed industrial sugars,
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) José Olivares is a busy man. Not only the founder and kingpin of the NAABB 3-year DOE-backed consortium to ring out the potential of algal biofuel production, he also recently served as conference co-chair,
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) John Deere has introduced a flex-fuel model to its ZTrak line of commercial lawn mowers. The new, industry exclusive, Z925M Flex Fuel is compatible with the full range of fuels from E0 to
by Jennifer Laaser (Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel) Look at a leaf-cutter ant colony, and it's a bustle of activity, with ants bringing pieces of leaves in, spreading them around on a honeycomb-like bed of fungus, and weeding the garden to remove
(Yle) Finnish-Swedish forest products giant Stora Enso, which announced lower profits on Friday, plans to begin producing biofuel for sale to other manufacturers. Stora Enso, Europe’s second-largest paper manufacturer, said on Friday it will invest 32 million euros in building a
by Chidambaram Gunanathan, David Milstein (Science Magazine) Conventional oxidations of organic compounds formally transfer hydrogen atoms from the substrate to an acceptor molecule such as oxygen, a metal oxide, or a sacrificial olefin. In acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) reactions, catalytic scission of
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Goodfield, Ill.-based Chip Energy recently broke ground on a biomass recycling and pelletizing plant. Once complete, the prototype plant will be capable of producing 100 tons per day of condensed biomass from a variety
by Owen Fletcher (Dow Jones Business News) --DuPont seeks partners for joint ventures in production of cellulosic ethanol --Company is talking with potential partners in U.S., China, Brazil, Europe, Southeast Asia --DuPont is investing more than $200 million in cellulosic ethanol plant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Advanced biofuels – mirage or reality? In January we wrote: “When these 12 projects open for business (or not) in 2013, you’ll know for sure.” So, what do we know? ... We identified 12 “Bellwether projects” in
(Algae Industry Magazine) At the recent “Molecular Life of Diatoms” meeting in Paris, France, genome engineering specialists, Cellectis, announced that they have successfully used engineered nucleases to genetically reprogram diatoms with a view to producing biofuels. ... By targeting specific sequences within
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Singapore, Wilmar International and Elevance Renewable Sciences have just announced that they have begun shipping commercial products, including novel specialty chemicals, to customers from their first world-scale joint venture biorefinery, located in Gresik, Indonesia.
(United Hub) As a major airline, we have made a commitment to take actions today that shape an environmentally sustainable future. A key component of that promise is to advance the use of environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative aviation fuels.
by ANI (Yahoo! News) ..."It is thought that Jatropha's future lies in further improvement of Jatropha for large-scale production on marginal, non-food croplands through breeding and/or biotechnology," John E. Carlson, professor of molecular genetics at Penn State, said. "The more that is
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily) Distillers' grain solubles (DGS) are a co-product of ethanol production from corn and have become an important feed source for the domestic livestock industry in the U.S. While it is widely known that the
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) I heard some interesting and fun E15-related stories recently, about what the fuel has done for a South Dakota station owner as well as some on-track testing of what happens when water and E15
(Sapphire Energy/PR NewsWire) Companies Partner to Commercialize Hydrothermal Treatment Technology Used to Upgrade Algae into Crude Oil Sapphire Energy, Inc., one of the world leaders in algae-based Green Crude oil production, and the technology company The Linde Group today announced they
by Rod Pyle (Huffington Post) A team of university students is counting down toward the ultimate science ride, a weightless flight aboard a modified NASA jet to see just how certain fires burn in zero gravity. The experiment, led by engineering
by Jennifer Donovan (Michigan Tech News) Working to identify key genes in the root development of poplar trees, three Michigan Technological University scientists have come up with a new model for how genes interact and affect each other’s function. They
(Jamaica Information Service) The Government is collaborating on a project with Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, to demonstrate the viability of the biofuels industry, using mined out bauxite lands to grow oil-producing crops. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Energy costs are a significant drain on defence budgets. This could impact on the resources available for Allies to acquire and maintain defence capabilities as well as limit their capacity to undertake military operations. Reducing the energy
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e.V./Biodiesel Magazine) With 53 percent raw material content, rapeseed oil remains the most important raw material source for the production of biodiesel in Germany, followed by palm oil with 25 percent, and coconut
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The European Environment Agency has published a report that says bioenergy production should comply with E.U. objectives to use resources more efficiently. The report, titled “E.U. bioenergy from a resource efficiency perspective,” stresses that
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new report published by World Growth argues that the E.U.’s proposal regarding indirect land use change (ILUC) carbon emissions under the Renewable Energy Directive represents a futile effort to curb productive land use
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a notice of data availability pertaining to ethanol produced from barley under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). Public comments will be accepted for 30 days following the publication of
Some Earthquakes Warn That They Are About to Strike Richard A. Kerr The bad news that injecting wastewater deep into the crust can set off earthquakes has now been leavened by a bit of good news. In the past few years, the
(The Fresno Bee/Associated Press) A company that has developed a process for converting beetle-killed trees and corn cobs into gasoline says it plans to open its global headquarters in Greenwood Village, south of Denver. Cool Planet Energy Systems said Wednesday it also
by Edward Hill (VICNEWS.com) Seaweed – it’s great for sushi, and perhaps even better for biofuels. A study by a University of Victoria mechanical engineering student has shown that large-scale seaweed farms could make environmental sense in B.C. in terms of
by Simon Crouch (BlackburnNews.com) A new Chatham-area greenhouse operation expects to harvest their first crop of tomatoes in September. Right now the Truly Green Farms operation is running normally. By the end of next year it will be getting it’s heat from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Despite negative press from Bloomberg, biobased investing is surging, both direct and via strategics. The Digest has the data and the scoop. After we profiled, last April, 17 biobased ventures who raised $434 million in new
(Carbo Analytics) Carbo Analytics, developers of sugar analysis systems, today announced that it has been awarded a Department of Energy (DoE) grant for the development of a biofuels sugar analysis system. Selected from over 750 applicants, Carbo Analytics was awarded a $150,000
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ricardo Inc. is both strong on ethanol blends and efficient engines. ... Earlier in June, an advanced combustion engine research project was announced where Ricardo will partner with the University of California-Berkeley, MIT, Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence
(Ricardo) Downsizing, boosting and spray guided direct injection were presented as the route to fuel efficiency by Ricardo, Inc. president Thomas Apostolos, speaking at the Ethanol Summit 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In his presentation on Friday, Ricardo’s Thomas Apostolos said
by Michael Lauzon (Plastics News) Teknor Apex Co. has developed a clear, rigid PVC compound with UV resistance aimed primarily at outdoor tubing. The Pawtucket, R.I., firm claims the new resin is well-suited to emerging technologies in algae farming and biofuel production. Apex
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) The three-year European biofuel and biomaterial project, At-Sea, will conclude its first trials of seaweed cultivation off the coasts of Norway, Scotland and Ireland the end of the week of July 1. At-Sea, which began in
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The President’s call to climate action was supported by several recent government reports regarding: a) rapidly rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations; b) rapidly rising financial risks to the federal government posed by climate change; c) rising
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A number of federal agency initiatives are already underway in the biofuels, agriculture, and forestry sectors to help mitigate climate change and adapt to it. In a posting July 2, Doug O’Brien, Acting Under Secretary of the
(Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel) ...But since petroleum companies use a 10% blend of ethanol in gasoline to comply with the federal government's Renewable Fuels Standard, Briggs has created its own fuel additive that it says offsets some of the negative
by Ali Morrow and Alex Plough (Thomas Reuters Foundation) U.S. policy to boost the use of fuel from renewable sources is generating additional greenhouse gas emissions due to rising trade in ethanol between the United States and Brazil, rather than lowering emissions
(Brazil Business Today/EIN NewsWire) Intratec has released the publication “Green Ethylene from Ethanol” detailing the economics of an ethylene via ethanol dehydration process suggested by BP Chemicals R&D staff Seeking to reduce the chemical industry’s dependence on fossil raw materials, several companies
by Chenda Ngak (CBSNews.com) Professor Juergen Polle is packing up his laboratory on a sweltering morning in New York City, but the beakers and test tubes aren't going on summer break. The professor of biology at Brooklyn College has run out
by Watchiranont Thongtep (The Nation Thailand) To reduce fossil-fuel consumption, PTT has set its sights on introducing algae-based energy by 2017 and it is keen on setting up production facilities in Australia in the near future, according to the head
by Thomas Anderson (TG Daily) According to the new research results of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, lignocellulosic biomass can be used in the production of high-quality biofuels for the price of less than one euro per litre. A new technology
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) As part of Ford Motor Company’s comments submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency docket on proposed Tier 3 regulations regarding higher octane higher ethanol fuels, they provided an up-to-date literature review of the benefits
(JustMeans.com/Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology) Promising biofuels research at a Wisconsin biotech company and a partner university is getting a boost from a $224,967 National Science Foundation grant. C5.6 Technologies of Middleton, Wis., and the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST)
by Leon Kaye (SustainableBrands.com) Whether one believes corn-based ethanol is a viable long-term solution for the United States’ energy portfolio or not, the reality is that 280 plants across the country will continue to produce biofuels. And with the constant
by Carl Franzen (The Verge) ...Chang-Yeob Lee of the Royal College of Art wants to radically transform London's BT Tower at some point in the future, equipping it with exterior carbon fiber and steel rigging, designed to capture and convert air
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing a supplemental final rule, containing a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis for renewable fuels made from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass, and a regulatory determination that such fuels
(Ecoticias.com) The production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is a major technological advance in the waste management model. Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B), a company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the energy and environment sectors, today opened the
by Ozzie Zehner (IEEE Spectrum) ...Some states offer additional tax incentives. California brings the total credit up to $10 000, and Colorado to $13 500—more than the base price of a brand new Ford Fiesta. West Virginia offers the sweetest
(US Department of Energy) Following last week's rollout of President Obama's plan to cut carbon pollution, the Energy Department today announced four research and development projects to bring next generation biofuels on line faster and drive down the cost of
Jack Rogers (Novozymes/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Novozyme’s R&D group has been successful extracting and converting more starch from corn, so we decided to investigate opportunities to increase corn oil yields as well. Our research started with the insight that a significant amount
by Susanne REtka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bruce Dale urges careful thought about energy and agriculture. A 1-ton-per-day pilot facility on the campus of Michigan State University geared up this spring to produce pretreated biomass for feed trials. It’s part of
by Keith Loria (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Mendota Bioenergy’s plan to turn energy beets to ethanol moves to demonstration scale in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The future of advanced biofuels is in beets. At least that’s the thinking of those behind Mendota Bioenergy
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) American Process applies forestry products know-how to cellulosic conversion. Though a relative newcomer to the ethanol world, Georgia-based American Process Inc. is no stranger in the forest products industry. The company has demonstrated its consulting
by Courtney Whalen (DraytonValleyWesternReview.com) ...Mascoma Alberta Drayton Valley is in the process of solidifying the necessary financing to bring the bio-refinery, which would produce cellulosic ethanol and related products, to the community’s Bio-Mile. The bio-refinery project is supported by the federal
(Yahoo!7Finance) Greenhouse gas emissions from one of Australia's largest coal fired power stations will be used to produce biofuels as its owner attempts to reduce its carbon bill. Biofuel company Algae.Tec has signed a deal to establish a carbon capture and biofuels
by Judy Newman (Wisconsin State Journal) Virent, the Madison company working on non-petroleum fuels, will receive up to $4 million for a project designed to improve the efficiency of turning plant material into fuel, the U.S. Department of Energy said
(Science Daily) All chefs know that "you have to break some eggs to make an omelet," and that includes engineers at Iowa State University who are using high-frequency sound waves to break down plant materials in order to cook up
by Damian Carrington (The Guardian) Producing biofuels in the sea removes at a stroke many of the serious problems with conventional biofuels "It's best to get it out of the water now or it'll start getting grazed by the little beasties," says
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, KiOR announced that its Columbus, Mississippi facility made its first shipment of cellulosic gasoline on June 28, which represented the first fuel shipment since March, 2013. The company added that it has “commenced regular
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Biologics heads for scale – pilot complete, demo ready in 2014. The race for n-butanol from cellulosic materials is on. The prize for a transformative breakthrough on n-butanol’s cost, performance and sustainability? Could
by Bob Brooks (Automotive Industries) Bio diesel and JetA have moved a giant step ahead in the race to provide renewable, price competitive fuels that drastically cut GHG emissions and the need for imported fuel. At the heart of one of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A now-complete 142 million gallon green diesel monster project will easily deliver big on renewable energy targets and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. But it also offers a material path to profits for its parents, Valero Energy
(The Research Council of Norway) ...The yellowish, slimy growth that many of us have come across on ropes that have lain in seawater is the marine organism known as tunicates. Tunicates are basically living filter tubes that suck bacteria and other
(Wall Street Daily) ...Meet the gribble. Essentially, gribbles are the termites of the sea. That is, they’re marine pests that feed exclusively on wood. As you can imagine, that doesn’t make them very popular with the seafarers of the world. But thanks
(Digital Journal/FedDev Ontario) Woodland Biofuels Inc. is receiving a contribution to operate a plant that will produce low-cost biofuel from waste. Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, announced the funding today on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister
by Dahai Gao, Shishir P. S. Chundawat, Anurag Sethi, Venkatesh Balana, S. Gnanakaran, and Bruce E. Dale (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) Substrate binding is typically one of the rate-limiting steps preceding enzyme catalytic action during homogeneous reactions. However,
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) While attending the Detroit Grand Prix races earlier this month, we had the opportunity to spend some time with racing legend Bobby Rahal. Bobby is the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, a three-time IndyCar series
by David Glass (D Glass Associates) In the final breakout session of the BIO World Congress on June 19, there was a second panel on scale-up and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. As with the session on the conference’s first day,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Freedom of choice, it turns out, drives better value for drivers. The Digest goes in-depth to look at real-world data — and the power of free markets in fossil and alternative fuels. ...So it shouldn’t be
Technip was awarded by Forest BtL Oy a contract, worth approximately €5 million, for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) of a new second generation biomass-to-liquid* (BTL) plant to be built on Ajos island, Finland. This plant will produce approximately
by David Glass (D Glass Associates) One of the morning sessions at the Tenth Annual BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology put four of the companies in the forefront of commercial development of cellulosic ethanol on the same panel. Although
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Energy Collective) ...Incredibly, the American Petroleum Institute’s anti-RFS “training center” (yes, Big Oil has a “training center” apparently intended to spawn an army of certified RFS haters) has the audacity to claim, “If you
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Not quite a year after opening a demonstration facility, Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company Clariant AG announced that it has expanded the feedstocks successfully converted to cellulosic ethanol beyond wheat straw to include corn stover
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association has spoken out to criticize a study published by Rice University and the University of California-Davis that claims climate change will increase irrigation costs for corn while reducing yields. In
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Energy Collective) ...Big Oil’s PR machine regurgitates these myths via conference calls with reporters, meetings with editorial boards, sham studies, paid advertising, social media and many other channels. Their goal, of course, is to
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) The car racing carnival came to Detroit this past weekend. The venue was Belle Isle, once a beautiful island park in the Detroit River that served as a verdant escape for the residents of
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) NASCAR's sportscar racing division, GrandAm, and Green Racing aren’t words that you see together. For one thing, GrandAm competitors race on all-petroleum race fuel. Yet, GrandAm and the American Le Mans Series, the series which
(US Department of Energy) On July 31–August 1, 2013, the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Advanced Biofuels USA will co-host the Office's sixth annual conference, Biomass 2013: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy, at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. This
by Seán Ottewell (Chemical Processing) Biotechnology efforts in the United States and Europe are on the rise. For instance, Algenol Biofuels, Ft. Myers, Fl., developer of direct-to-ethanol technology for the production of advanced third-generation biofuels, has surpassed one of its own important
by StellavBezergianni and AthanasiosvDimitriadis (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews/Science Direct) Renewable fuels, as an alternative fuel, can be produced from different biomass types such as vegetable oils of various origins, waste cooking oils and fats. The most common biofuel is
Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is the ultimate industrial fuel system going to be based on electricity, waste CO2 and brackish water – to return society to the days of energy abundance? It will take a mighty production microorganism, but R&D
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new proposed rulemaking from the U.S. EPA includes several possible modifications to the renewable fuel standard program, including categorizing as advanced biofuels ethanol produced from corn fiber and butanol that meets the 50
(University of Illinois/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Two University of Illinois scientists have developed an environmentally friendly and more economical way of pretreating miscanthus in the biofuel production process. "We pretreat the biomass with switchable butadiene sulfone in the presence of water to break
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Every once in a while, I read something that really catches my attention. A study that found that distillers grains can help reduce methane output and increase milk production in dairy cows definitely falls
(Enerkem/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem Inc. announced the launch of a new research project with the government of Canada. The objective of the project is to develop new catalytic processes for the conversion of waste into drop-in biofuels that are fully
(Alternative Fuels Americas/PR NewsWire) Alternative Fuels Americas, Inc. (AFAI) announced today (May 22, 2013) that it has successfully completed research trials targeting Jatropha trees as a feedstock source for profitably produced, sustainable biodiesel, and is moving to establish above ground
by Tom Rickey (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) A new analysis shows that the nation's land and water resources could likely support the growth of enough algae to produce up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel a year in the
by Dan Seif (Mother Earth News/Rocky Mountain Institute) Advanced, non-food biofuels are gaining momentum in 2013 as several new plants have gathered the capital and momentum for large-scale production. ... Despite sparse media coverage, significant volumes of non-food biofuels have been produced
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg) Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), which has invested more than $100 million to develop algae-derived biofuels, is refocusing its research with Synthetic Genomics Inc. after almost four years of work failed to produce economically viable results. ...Exxon and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DoD goes forward, after internal wrangle, with advanced biofuels program via $16M phase 1 investment. With industry cost share, project totals $33M: aims for sub-$4, drop-in military biofuels. In Washington, the DoD will award three contracts totaling
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Beyond biomass, beyond fossil fuels, beyond light itself. And now, the direct production of drop-in biofuel blendstocks. All available from a microbial “cow”. This week in California, a research team from Shota Atsumi’s lab at the
(Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining) The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) has set a general binding target for the European Union to derive 20% of its final energy and 10% of its transport fuels from renewable sources by 2020. It is expected
by Peter Hannam (The Age) Whether it's the use of organisms first found in the guts of rabbits in New Zealand or converting the mountains of rubbish disposed of by Londoners, airlines around the world are hunting for ways to power
by Enos Shumba, et al (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) The bio-fuel debate has largely focused on large feedstock plantations that produce products for the export market. It has not acknowledged and seriously considered the existence of considerable small scale
by Lynn Yarris(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Joint BioEnergy Institute Researchers Develop Enzyme-free Ionic Liquid Pre-treatment Advanced biofuels – liquid fuels synthesized from the sugars in cellulosic biomass – offer a clean, green and renewable alternative to gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.
(United Sorghum Checkoff Program) The Sorghum Checkoff in collaboration with the NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (formerly the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center) is pleased to announce a successful bench-scale evaluation of sweet sorghum juice sugars with corn mash for
(Algae Industry Magazine) An algae research proposal from Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) was ranked No. 1 of 28 plant-related research projects, resulting in $100,000 in funding from the Oklahoma Center for
(Edeniq/Yahoo! News) Visalia Plant Milestone Signifies Greater Commercial Viability for Cellulosic Ethanol and Sugars Edeniq, a biomaterials and sustainable fuels company, today announced the company's first demonstration plant, located at its Visalia, CA headquarters, has completed a successful "performance test" that
by Barry Cohen (National Algae Association/PR Log) The DoE has spent $2.5 billion on algae research but to date nothing has been commercialized. Why? Because their mission is to develop technologies. It's not their problem or concern what happens to them
by Adam Wilmoth (News OK) OSU researcher Gerald Schoenknecht and his team recently completed genome sequencing for an algae that thrives inside active volcanoes. The researchers hope to use their findings to help make tough algae for use in manufacturing
(Enerkem/PR NewsWire) Enerkem Inc. (www.enerkem.com), a waste-to-biofuels and renewable chemicals company, announces the launch of a new research project with the Government of Canada. The objective of the project is to develop new catalytic processes for the conversion of waste into
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In an exclusive Digest interview, Shell’s VP for Alternative Energy, Matthew Tipper, reveals the company’s thinking about RFS2, their increasing re-focus on North America and the EU. Plus, Shell’s ambition to “build, own and operate”
by Yuca Waarts, Kor Zwart (LEI Wageningen UR) Recycling palm oil mill effluent, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and improving smallholder livelihoods are three important topics in debates on sustainable palm oil production. In Indonesia, Zebra Special Products BV has invested in various
(EurekAlert!) World's cassava experts to wage war against cassava viruses; introduction into Nigeria, the largest cassava producer in the world, could result in drastic food shortages in this part of Africa Cassava experts are reporting new outbreaks and the increased spread
by Heather Loney (Global News) The federal government is teaming up with two Canadian companies in a pilot project that would use algae to convert greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands into biofuels. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canadian
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) During a call to discuss its first quarter financial results, Syntroleum Corp. announced that Dynamic Fuels LLC’s renewable diesel plant in Geismar, La., is expected to resume operations in July. The facility was idled in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biofuels’s Montagues and Capulets were at it again last week — with a flurry of press releases about court decisions and commercial timelines regarding their respective isbutanol technologies. At the heart of it — a dispute
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) World’s #1 chemical company to produce renewable Butanediol using Genomatica’s process. The Digest has a one-on-one with Genomatica CEO Christophe Schilling to explore the deal in-depth. In Germany, BASF announced that it plans to begin production
by Matthew Landau (Aquatic Biosystems) In 2010, Qatar University initiated an algal biofuel project funded by Qatar Airways, and Qatar Science and Technology Park with a 3-year budget of USD 12 million. Completion of the first phase of the project, led
(SB Wire/Eccotopia) Julian Moses, president of Symphony Trade and Investment 57 (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eccotopia Ltd.,http://www.eccotopia.com/, has announced that Eccotopia and Pacific Tree West are in the process of signing a joint venture agreement for the
by RP Siegel (Industry Market Trends Green & Clean Journal/ThomasNet.com) Four years ago, American LeMans kicked off its first green racing season. The program, which requires teams to use alternative fuels such as ethanol blends (E10 or E85), clean diesel, or isobutanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Oil refiners have been waging a well-funded war on California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which requires oil companies to reduce the carbon pollution from gasoline and diesel by 10 percent by 2020. Centerpiece in their strategy
(The Coordinating Research Council, Inc) This report documents and compares the results of detailed analyses of the physical and chemical properties of ten advanced alternative and renewable diesel fuels and four commercial ultra low sulfur diesels (ULSDs). A key objective
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...“Building on the first gallons of cellulosic diesel we shipped in March, we continue to make progress with operations at our Columbus facility,” said KiOR CEO Fred Cannon. “The on-stream percentage of our core technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Raises $80M at $10 per share; becomes first new industrial biotech company to complete IPO in more than a year. What went right and how? Is the IPO window re-opening? ... First and foremost, there’s the modesty
by Jeff Dute (AL.com) Corporate America does not often invite the public into the research and development process of products that could potentially revolutionize how their vehicles are fueled, how plastics are made and even how their food is sweetened. But
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The sector’s perennial hottest company strikes again — with “potentially disruptive” new technology to change the positioning and performance of triglyceride oils. In California, Solazyme and AkzoNobel announced an agreement targeting the development of advanced tailored
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Gevo Inc. provided updated information on it Luverne, Minn., plant and patent dispute with Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC as part of its recent first quarter 2013 financial announcement. During a call to discuss the first
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published updated data on alternative fuels and vehicles through 2011. The analysis addresses several alternative transportation fuels, including E85, hydrogen, electricity, natural gas and propane. According to the EIA,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 39 group recently published a report that outlines progress on more than 100 advanced biofuel projects under development worldwide. The report, titled “Status of Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Facilities
by Fritz Bush (The Journal) A Sibley East High School sophomore earned a spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ESEF) in Phoenix next month for his research on the use of anaerobic fermentation on pre-treated biomass to
(Algae Industry Magazine) A Johns Hopkins University student team is working with a starter grant of $15,000 from the EPA to see if algae can consume nutrients from wastewater and produce clean bio-fuels and fish food. The team is showcasing their
(American Chemical Society) Scientists today reported a discovery that could speed an emerging effort to replace ethanol in gasoline with a substantially better fuel additive called butanol, which some experts regard as “the gasoline of the future.” Their report on
by Kathy Robertson (Sacramento Business Journal) Novozymes Inc. is staffing up to support a $2.5 million Department of Energy contract to find new and more efficient enzymes for turning corn leaves and stalks into fuel for cars and trucks. The two-year project
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The University of California-Davis Institute of Transportation Studies has published a new status review of the state’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). The review is the second in a series of periodic status reports.
by Carlin Rosengarten (Fueling Growth) Nearly 30 years ago, Paul Woods invented the Direct to Ethanol technology that his company, Algenol Biofuels, utilizes today to produce ethanol from blue-green algae at its state-of-the-art commercial development campus in Fort Myers, Fla. Algenol’s
(Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper) The Government of Canada is committed to investing in innovative clean energy technologies that create high-quality jobs, generate new economic opportunities and protect the environment. To this end, on May 3, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen
(SEKAB) SEKAB E-Technology welcomes SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden’s (SP) engagement in the Biorefinery Demo Plant in Örnsköldsvik, previously known as the Ethanol Pilot. SP and SEKAB have signed an agreement, which ensures continued operations of the demonstration plant.
(North Dakota State University Extension/Farm & Ranch Guide) ...At North Dakota State University, the feasibility of using new sugarbeet varieties, known as energy beets, for ethanol production is under study. Energy beets have characteristics very similar to sugarbeets used for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Norway, Norwegian Finance Minister Sigbjørn Johnsen officially inaugurated the Borregaard biorefinery demonstration plant in Sarpsborg, which will produce green chemicals and sugars based on biomass from wood and agricultural and forestry waste. ... The aim is
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) As part of its ongoing review of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the House Energy & Commerce Committee recently asked stakeholders to comment on the impact of the RFS on the agriculture sector. One of the
by Bill Scanlon (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Biofuels scientists are asking more complex questions about how molecules spin, bond, and break when enzymes attack plants — all in the name of quickening the process of turning biomass into fuels for
(EnergyDigital) In the ethanol fuel market, the US takes the lead. Pilot and demonstration plants to commence in late 2013. Ethanol is the most widely acclaimed alternative or additive for gasoline used for running vehicles, and the US ranked as number
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A study by Steffen Mueller, a researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Resources Center, and John Kwik, president of Dominion Energy Services LLC, surveyed ethanol producers and revealed a growing trend
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With a fresh investment from Brazil’s GranBio, American Process Inc. is poised to develop its first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefineries in both the U.S. and Brazil. API CEO Theodora Retsina, said the companies hope
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