by Emily Waltz (Mother Jones) When Adam Freeman graduated last December from Kennesaw State University in Georgia with a degree in biochemistry, he wanted to work in only one field: pond scum. Freeman had read that entrepreneurs were squeezing out
(National Resources Defense Council 92-page report) The algae biofuels industry is comprised of many pathways to produce fuels from algae and is developing rapidly, with most companies operating in “stealth” mode. This makes measuring progress toward the promise of algae
Recyllose™, a recycled solids-based material produced from municipal wastewater, can now be turned into fuel for cars, announced Applied Cleantech and Qteros, the advanced biofuels company whose breakthrough Q Microbe™ technology can turn biomass into cellulosic ethanol. Qteros has entered into
Focusing on its work with corn cobs as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock, POET's latest video provides a basic look at what it is taking to move from fermentation of starch to conversion of cellulose to ethanol. Great visuals for people
(Wall Street Grand) Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. had announced the beginning of commercial transportation of blended 2% biodiesel (B2) through its 115 mile Oregon Pipeline which run from Portland to Eugene. A test of moving B2 through the pipeline was
The College of William and Mary and its Virginia Institute of Marine Science have formed a collaborative research initiative to investigate a promising new technology to produce biofuel from the algae growing naturally in rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. The
A team of researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are attempting to engineer biofuel-producing microbes from Rhodococcus bacteria — soil-dwelling microbes that eat a variety of toxic compounds. The aim of Professor Anthony Sinskey's team is to make an organism
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, biobutanol made another significant advance in its path towards biofuels viability with the startup of a 1 Mgy pilot plant in St. Joseph. The town that served as the traditional jumping off point
OriginOil, Inc., announced an innovative production system using a type of algae that attaches itself to growth surfaces. The new system helps pursue clean water goals while generating algae for fuel and other valuable products in wastewater treatment plants. “Previous
by Frank Vascellaro (WCCO) ... The plant creates fuel without water, chemicals or waste. The new process called "Mcgyan"-- named after its inventors -- converts fats into fuel within seconds. "When we get to full capacity in another week," said McNeff,
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Magazine) Researchers with China-based Ji Zhong Wei New Energy Technical Development Ltd. have discovered a way to convert biomass directly to regular gasoline and diesel, according to the company. The same international standard fuels many of
(Algenol Biofuels) In this presentation, Algenol Biofuels provides a description of it's developing Direct To Ethanol TM technology, taking algae, sunlight, salt water and CO2 to make ethanol and other bio-based products. Illustrations and diagrams generally explain the process of
A joint project between the Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, BioPur and the Department of Energy (DOE); BioWatz provides multiple benefits and solutions for future alternative energies. The project not only yields a new and innovative way to generate
by Michael Kanellos (Greentech Media) With an investment from Chevron, LS9 joins the small club of biofuel startups getting support from big oil. It hopes to prove its case in two years. In biofuels, the contestants for the next round
by Michael Kanellos (Greentech Media) A technology for water purification and toner cartridges could cut the onerous cost of getting algae out of water. It started as a way to purify water, but the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) believes
(Cleantech) Austrian startup says it can grow algae at three to six times higher productivity and at about 80 percent of the cost of competing systems. Vienna, Austria-based See-O-Two has developed what it says is an industrial scale system to
(WCCO) ... Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration said it was finding antibiotic residue in an ethanol byproduct. That byproduct is sold as feed for cattle and other livestock, which is a problem. For the ethanol industry, the findings
by Anne C. Mulkern (New York Times/Greenwire) ... It is a big bet with high stakes. Venture capitalists, including Bill Gates' financing arm, infused Sapphire Energy with a combined $100 million. Exxon Mobil Corp. this summer invested $600 million in a
by Ryan Randazzo (Arizona Republic)Arizona Public Service Co. will get $70.5 million in stimulus funds to study cutting greenhouse-gas emissions from coal power plants that contribute to global warming, the Energy Department said Tuesday. APS will use the money for a
Enerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels and green chemicals technology company, today participated in the sod-turning event held by its partners, the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta, to signify the start of construction on their joint advanced energy research
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Comet Biorefining announced its patent pending cellulosic sugar technology, which will produce cellulosic sugar from a wide range of cellulosic sugar from a wide range of cellulosic materials including wood chips, switchgrass and corn cobs. The company, founded by former Mascoma CTO Dr. Andrew Richard,
by Amy Hsuan (The Oregonian) ... former oil executive Jim Imbler, who now heads a Colorado biofuels company called ZeaChem Inc., thinks he might have found the key to profitability in Oregon. And it lies in Boardman, home to one
by Martin LaMonica (Green Tech) Research on nuclear energy and hydrogen has yielded what backers say is a technology that could replace U.S. oil imports with biofuels made from agricultural by-products. Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory have been working for
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) New Zealand-based LanzaTech NZ Ltd. recently announced it has developed a proprietary fermentation technology that can be used to produce ethanol using the carbon monoxide and hydrogen components of industrial waste gases and biomass-based
Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., a leader in the next generation of advanced biofuels, announced today that it has successfully demonstrated the ability to economically produce renewable ethanol. This milestone – achieved at the company’s TurningPoint Ethanol Demonstration Plant – confirms the
by Asrat Kebede (Ethiopian Review) Perhaps they are the superheroes of tomorrow. Living and thriving in the most inhospitable conditions on Earth, tiny bacteria-like microbes known as extremophiles might soon have an oversized effect on our human world. We currently
... DME or dimethyl ether, a diesel fuel alternative made from a variety of renewable materials and fossil fuels, burns soot-free, produces almost no GHG upon combustion and is very energy efficient. With a high cetane number (the measure of
An innovative technology developed by Cellulose Sciences International (CSI) dramatically reduces the recalcitrance of cellulose so that lignocellulosic biomass can be more rapidly converted to glucose. The glucose can be fermented to ethanol or any of the other advanced biofuels.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst recently granted a biofuels startup company, Anellotech, exclusive global rights to the university’s catalytic fast pyrolysis technology developed by chemical engineer and UMass Amherst faculty member George
by Laurent Lardon, Arnaud Helias, Bruno Sialve, Jean-Philippe Steyer and Olivier Bernard (Environmental Science and Technology) This paper provides an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of biodiesel production from microalgae. High production yields of microalgae have called forth interest of
... Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) and Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC) are partnering with Lincoln University and Missouri University of Science and Technology to grow algae using the carbon produced by a coal-burning power plant. Researchers have been eyeing algae,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Microbiogen, an Australia-based developer of non-genetically modified yeast, recently announced it has secured a $2.5 million government grant. The grant, which was awarded under the Australian government’s $15 million Second Generation Biofuels Research and
... (C)ultivation of microalgae may contribute decisively to tomorrow's energy supply. For energy production from microalgae, KIT scientists are developing closed photo-bioreactors and novel cell disruption methods. ... Professor Clemens Posten, directs this research activity at the KIT Institute of
(Discover) ... Synthetic biology experts say that re-engineered microorganisms may take on all sorts of jobs. For now, gene researchers are particularly excited about using energy-producing microbes as single-celled refineries for ethanol, biodiesel or other petroleum substitutes without using food
The Scripps Photobiology Group has been hosting a series on the commercialization of algae, with a focus on the possible production of biofuels from algae. The purpose of this forum is to exchange information and spur collaborative conversation about the
(Newswise) Engineers at Ohio State University have found a way to double the production of the biofuel butanol, which might someday replace gasoline in automobiles. The process improves on the conventional method for brewing butanol in a bacterial fermentation tank. Normally,
by Lisa Sibley(Cleantech Group) NASA research scientist Chad Paavola has a problem to solve: When astronauts leave the earth for long periods of time, they’re going to need to produce plants for food and the air they breathe. Some of the crops
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has just announced the 2009 awardees of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This award is a Phase II continuation that follows Trillium’s successful completion of Phase I during 2008 and early
by Alok Jha (Guardian) At Imperial College London, researchers have embarked on a £1m project to study, and eventually mimic, photosynthesis. Part of a project called the "artificial leaf", involves working out exactly how leaves use sunlight to make useful
by Bill Hewitt (Grist) Imagine a system that can: (potentially) store billions of tons of carbon in soil for centuries; dramatically reduce agricultural waste, forest debris and some municipal solid waste, thus eliminating the production of greenhouse gases that result from their
BP and Martek Biosciences Corporation announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to work on the production of microbial oils for biofuels applications. The partnership combines a broad technology platform and operational capabilities to advance the development of
by Bryan Nelson (CleanTechnica.com) Originally discovered in the Solomon Islands during World War II eating away at the canvas and garments of the U.S. Army, scientists have long known that the soil fungus Trichoderma reesei was particularly good at converting
A collaborative effort by the U.S. Navy, Biodiesel Industries, Inc. and Aerojet successfully demonstrated methods to produce cleaner and more reliable sources of renewable fuels for military use. The system, named ARIES (Automated Real-time, Remote, Integrated Energy System), is a
Don Hofstrand "focus(es) on GHG emissions including a detailed analysis of the sources of these emissions from corn and ethanol production. We will also show how GHG emissions from corn production vary based on region of the country. The sale
In a major effort to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the delivery of $377 million in funding for 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) located
Call it a "shrimp cocktail" for your fuel tank. Scientists in China are reporting development of a catalyst made from shrimp shells that could transform production of biodiesel fuel into a faster, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly process. ...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has selected 71 new genomic sequencing projects for its 2010 Community Sequencing Program (CSP)—a targeted sampling of the planet’s biodiversity—to be characterized for bioenergy, climate, and environmental applications. JGI’s Community Sequencing
Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil production company and algal biotechnology company, was awarded a $789,697 Biosynthetic Transportation Fuel Production grant from the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. ... The PIER Program Opportunity Notice (PON) announced that
by Andy Owens (Charleston Regional Business Journal) Opposition to coal-fired power plants in the South has spurred a producer of microalgae-based renewable energy and industrial products to create a division based in Charleston. Barry Toyonaga, chief business officer for San Diego-based
(GreenAirOnline.com) The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has been awarded a subcontract by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to help produce military JP-8 jet fuel from algae. Funding for the work is coming
(Energy Current) W2 Energy Inc., has successfully completed a commercial scale algae bioreactor. The Sunfilter bioreactor will be used to sequester any CO2 byproducts from the W2 Energy waste-to-energy processes. The product can also be sold separately. Customers such as
A team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, have developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels
Sustainable Green Technologies (SGT) a start-up company in Escondido, California announced today that it has discovered a highly effective and low cost way to massively increase algal oil production. Metabolic engineering research conducted at SGT over the past two years
For long-duration space missions, astronauts someday will grow plants for food and the air they breathe, while transforming inedible parts of the plants into useful resources, such as biofuels, food, and chemicals. Today, scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All microalgae are microcrops, but not all microcrops are microalgae: a larger family of diatoms, cyanobacteria, and tiny aquatic flowering plants such as the lemna family are increasingly in the mix for biofuels commercialization. As
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Magazine) University of California Berkeley and Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a relatively inexpensive way to remove oxygen from biomass, which could pave the way for producing many of today’s petrochemical products from biomass. The one-step
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
(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.
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
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
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
(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
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).
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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"
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
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 it has completed the first end-to-end production of cellulosic ethanol from its fully integrated industrial-scale biorefinery pilot plant in Burnaby, British Columbia. This production of cellulosic ethanol from Canadian woodchips followed 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.
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
... “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
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
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
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
Southern Online Bio Technologies Ltd. (Southern Online Bio Technologies), an India-based internet services provider, is planning to establish a third (jatropha and pongamia-based) biodiesel plant by the end of 2009. The company also said that its second plant is being
Dynamotive USA, Inc. executed a long-term contract for the supply of feedstock for a planned 200 TPD BioOil® plant to be developed in southern Arkansas. Contract envisages the supply of 220,000 green tons per year of green residues (sawdust) for
Commercially valuable products can be generated from different microorganism such as bacteria, yeasts and algae. These include biofuels, bulk chemicals, natural products, antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs and healthcare fragrances. READ MORE and MORE
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
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
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
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.
by Peter Halling (Novozymes, Inc.) He talked about an industry perspective, from the point of view of Novozymes, a company that actively pursues sustainability in its business practices. Novozymes is the world leader in industrial enzymes and microorganisms with 700 products used
by Simon Bennett (CleanTech Investor) ‘Furanics’ are a new class of biofuels, named after the furan rings in the fuel's molecules. The molecule contains six carbon atams and one oxygen atom and has a high energy content similar to that
Univenture, Inc. and AlgaeVenture Systems, announced the details of a disruptive solid liquid separation and dewatering technology specifically designed for microalgae which reduces the cost barrier for harvesting, dewatering, and drying by over 99.75%. Prototype and laboratory testing has successfully
In a paper published in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Frances H. Arnold, the Dick and Barbara Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry at Caltech, and her colleagues report the construction of
by Peter Halling (Novozymes, Inc.) He talked about an industry perspective, from the point of view of Novozymes, a company that actively pursues sustainability in its business practices. Novozymes is the world leader in industrial enzymes and microorganisms with 700
Peter Halliing, Novozymes, discussed the value of using enzymes and microbes in production of advanced biofuels to increase efficiency and yield--to produce more with less. From the "Devining Sustainability: Science, Standards and Scorecards" session of the US Department of Energy's
Bill Roe, Coskata, describes Coskata's "feedstock flexible" ethanol production process and provides and update on commercialization developments. From the Advanced Biofuels Research& Development session of the US Department of Energy's Biomass 2009 conference. Download PDF
Jim Imbler, Zeachem, provides a view of the world of cultivation and production of advanced biofuels--illustrated with Zeachem's experiences so far. From the Advanced Biofuels Research & Development sessions at the US Department of Energy's Biomass 2009 conference. Download PDF
Josh Heaslewood, JBEI at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, explains issues of biomass recalcitrance and work being done to convert hemicellulose, pectin and cellulose into the building blocks of advanced biofuels. From the Advanced Biofuels Research & Development session at the
Tim Donohue, GLBRC, explains the work being done to promote and develop the conversion of biomass to fuels. Includes illustration and discussion of catalytic and enzymatic processes. From the Advanced Biofuels Research & Development session at the US Department of
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