by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA unveiled its Agriculture Innovation Agenda on Feb. 20. The initiative, in part, aims to support renewable fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel and biomass. This includes a goal to achieve market-driven blend rates of E30
by Cynthia Thyfault (Global Biofuture Solutions) The USDA Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, also known as the “9003” program, provides loan guarantees up to $250 million to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Between droughts, trade wars, and more, Rural America has had so many challenges, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to help with various Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s programs including investment of approximately $2 billion across
(Great Plains Institute) This Initiative is exploring a clean fuels policy, at the state or regional level, as a marketdriven approach to achieving our economic, energy security, climate, environmental, and public health goals. This white paper presents policy design considerations that
by TV Jayan (The Hindu Business Line) In an attempt to give a push to the diversion of used cooking oil (UCO) for making biodiesel, the government has created an online ecosystem, which would make it possible to trace the source
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In India, All India Radio reports that the cabinet has given the green light to sign a memorandum of understanding with Brazil to further develop bioenergy. The Brazilian president is set to visit the country soon
(U.S. Department of Energy) Earlier this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its first annual U.S. Biodiesel Plant Production Capacity Report. The report includes the total biodiesel production capacity for all operating plants in both million gallons per year (gal/y) and barrels
(European Commission) The European Commission today presented The European Green Deal – a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainableby turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘The European
(Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, India) The Hinduja Group on Wednesday offered to help Punjab in addressing the stubble burning problem by lifting all the paddy straw from the fields for use in ethanol plants. The offer came during a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cyclotron Road is a partnership between the non-profit Activate.org and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to empower scientists to advance their technologies from concept to first product through a fellowship program. It’s a home for hard tech innovators. Companies
by Steve Hanley (Clean Technica) There is nothing inherently wrong with internal combustion engines. The problem is the fuels we use to run them emit billions of tons of greenhouse gases every year, gases which cause the Earth to get hotter.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The commercialization of algae has several challenges, but Lieve M. Laurens from National Renewable Energy Laboratory gave this illuminating presentation at the DOE’s BETO 2019 Project Peer Review that details how they are trying to reduce
(United Nations Industrial Development Organization) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and its partners initiated the roll-out of 500,000 ethanol cook stoves to households in various wards of Dar es Salaam. Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Ilala, the
(Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board) Created through the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board facilitates coordination among federal government agencies that affect the research and development of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Since
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy and U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes today (October 24, 2019) announced a Memorandum of Understanding between the two
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Over 10 years (2007–2017), three Bioenergy Research Centers produced multiple breakthroughs in the form of deepened understanding of sustainable biomass production practices, targeted re-engineering of biomass feedstocks, development of new methods for deconstructing feedstocks, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Agile BioFoundry brings together a specialist team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff from eight of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories, with the aim that their collective skills, expertise, and experience lead
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Developing efficient and economical biological and chemical technologies to convert biomass feedstocks into energy-dense liquid transportation fuels, such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as bioproducts, chemical intermediates, and biopower is the primary goal
(Solutions from the Land) Florida Rep. Kathy Castor told a group of farmers, ranchers and timber producers in her state Monday that responding to a changing climate must be a collaborative effort, drawing together producers, government agencies and academics to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Federal Aviation Administration is a governmental body of the United States with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation in that nation as well as over its surrounding international waters and have been working
(American Coalitin for Ethanol/Market Screener) American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings highlighted the important role corn ethanol could have in further reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if properly valued under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in a letter to Environmental Protection
by J.Richard Hess (Idaho National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy) A new techno-economic analysis by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) demonstrated that, by using integrated landscape management (ILM) techniques, bioenergy stakeholders could produce biomass at costs 20% lower than previous assumptions.1 The efficiencies
(Maryland Clean Energy Center) The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) is excited to announce the launch the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA) to help commercialize technologies and research originating within the State of Maryland. MEIA is an exciting new program for
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA is inviting nominations of scientific experts to be considered for appointment to the agency’s Science Advisory Board and four SAB committees, including the SAB Agricultural Science Committee, which provides advice to the chartered
(Department of Energy) The INL (Idaho National Laboratory) Bioenergy Program's mission is to support DOE in achieving their vision by developing processes and technologies through applied science and engineering that remove the barriers associated with accessing a sustainable, efficient feedstock supply. INL
(Argonne National Laboratory) Critical updates to WATER tool help the bioenergy industry manage resources. -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory recently released an updated version of an online computer model meant to help bioenergy developers preserve critical resources. The model, called
The RoadToBio project is funded by the EU under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It aims to pave the way for the European chemical industry towards a higher bio-based portfolio and competitive success based on the benefits offered by the bioeconomy. The
(UNCTAD) Stockholm Environment Institute and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is an overarching mechanism to foster cooperation on trade and environment, backed up by the research and convening
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model is a tool that examines the life-cycle impacts of vehicle technologies, fuels, products, and energy systems. It provides a transparent platform through which energy and vehicle producers,
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem is producing methanol and ethanol at its Edmonton, Alberta, plant, diverting up to 24 percent of the city’s landfill waste. The company has partners for another project in the Netherlands. -- A Canadian company is
(U.S. Department of Energy) This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will provide funding to address the highest priority R&D areas within biofuel technologies, bioproducts, and biopower. It includes Areas of Interest (AOIs) from all five BETO programs: Feedstock Supply and Logistics; Advanced
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Netherland Enterprise Agency is a government agency which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The Netherland Enterprise Agency stimulates entrepreneurs in sustainable, agricultural, innovative and international business. It aims
(U.S. Department of Energy) From March 4–8, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. This was the largest Peer Review
(European Investment Bank) EIB loans, channelled through partner banks, will mobilize close to EUR 2 billion of financing for agriculture and the bioeconomy; At least 10% of EUR 1 billion loans package will be dedicated to young farmers; Results of fi-compass survey of
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA announced the results of its 2017 Census of Agriculture on April 11. The report includes millions of new points of information about America’s farms and ranches and those who operate them, including data on
(Bio-based News) CENER is involved in 4 specific initiatives, in order to develop the most adequate management and valorization routes of different urban biowastes -- The Biomass Department of CENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain) is convinced of the need to
(State of Minnesota) The AGRI Bioenergy/Biochemical Pilot Project Grant provides funding that would advance a bioenergy or biochemical production technology beyond the bench scale/proof-of-concept scale toward commercial scale, through construction and operation of a pilot plant. See the glossary in the
by Lauren Manning (AgFunder News) ... the issue of livestock farming’s impact on the environment is not as clear cut as many of these businesses would have you believe. In fact, many of the data dairy and meat alternative businesses are
by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority/Biofuels Digest) ... Toward that end, Iowa offers incentives such as the Research Activities Tax Credit to alleviate the potential financial risk associated with R&D investments, and ultimately, improve the potential for profitability. As one
by Elisa Iannunzio (Energy Magazine) The Queensland Government has opened up expressions of interest for its new $5 million Queensland Waste to Biofutures Fund (W2B Fund). The fund will help Queensland companies find innovative ways to convert waste into bio-based products –
(Algae Biomass Organization) ABO members are among a new generation of innovators that are bringing solutions to global challenges like food production, water use and climate change. As these innovators garner more attention, Congress has just begun to develop more programs
(US Department of Agriculture) The federal Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board today unveiled a multi-agency strategy to accelerate innovative technologies that harness the nation’s biomass resources for affordable biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework was developed by the B&RD
(Growth Energy) Federal forecasts in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) newly released Annual Energy Outlook 2019 (AEO2019) underscore the importance of delivering cleaner, lower cost options to the fuel pump, said Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth
(National Science Foundation) The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs
by CJ Evans (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) Many promising ideas, concepts, and innovations that could improve, add to, and make game-changing breakthroughs in energy, sustainability, and the bioeconomy – and create new jobs, bring economic growth to U.S. communities, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, we work with industry to rapidly transition R&D discoveries
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... While the bill is largely viewed as a status-quo farm bill, the bill importantly reauthorizes the Energy Title (IX) and contains some new programs and tweaks aimed at helping producers become more
by Debi Durham (Iowa Economic Development Authority/Biofuels Digest) ... Nearly $4 billion dollars was infused into capital investments in the U.S. for renewable and bioscience projects in 2018. This significant investment is merely part of an upward trend that’s yielded more than
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A wide array of federal incentives supports the development and deployment of alternatives to conventional fuels and engines in transportation. These incentives include tax deductions and credits for vehicle purchases and the installation of refueling systems,
Cyclotron Road is a fellowship program affiliated with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that supports leading entrepreneurial scientists as they advance a project with the potential for global impact. Since 2015, more than $15 million has been awarded to 41
(North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) EcoAgriculture Partners, a non-profit, integrated-landscape-management advocacy group, has announced a new climate smart agriculture (CSA) training curriculum is under development. Louise Buck, the organization's director of collaborative management, was in New York City for last month's
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the 2019 Project Peer Review on March 4-8, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. Approximately 90% of projects in BETO’s early-stage research and development portfolio will be presented to the public
(University College Dublin Innovation) €28 million in total invested in BEACON and National Bioeconomy Campus; Launch at Lisheen part of inaugural Bioeconomy Ireland Day -- Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD today launched the new €22.2 million BEACON Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BETO has been developing a broad understanding of different conversion processes that produce bioproducts and the associated market attributes. However, there is not much understanding around how investment decisions are made and the possible successful
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, a research team at Argonne National Lab released its GREET 2018 update. GREET is a life-cycle analysis (LCA) tool, structured to systematically examine energy and environmental effects of a wide variety of transportation fuels and
by Bill Keba* (Advanced Biofuels USA) October 2, 2018, Annapolis, Maryland. Inside the Doubletree Inn, it was as hectic as the traffic on Route 50. Eightyfive paid attendees were gathering, registering, networking, and hurriedly settling in for the 9:15 start
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Natural Resources Canada recently announced the Sky’s the Limit Challenge, which aims to stimulate the development of sustainable aviation fuel supply chains. The challenge consists of two competitions and aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Six states accounted for 72% of U.S. fuel ethanol production in 2016, according to the most recent estimates from EIA’s State Energy Data System. Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, and South Dakota collectively produced 265 million barrels of
(GreenAir Online) Following recent grants awarded to two projects developing potential commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel production, the UK government has pledged £343 million ($448m) public and industry investment for R&D into cleaner and quieter civil aircraft. The government says a principle
(U.S. Department of Energy Newswise) Systems biology leads the way to exascale computing on Summit supercomputer. -- ... To improve biofuel production, scientists must understand the fundamental interactions that lead to the expression of key traits in plants and microbes. To understand
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service/Federal Register) This Notice announces the solicitation of applications for funds available under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (the Program) to provide guaranteed loans to fund the development, construction, and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy’s Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy says that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton by 2040, and 1 billion tons would be available
by O.C. Cluss (Daily Trust) The Federal Government is to focus more on the development of jatropha production as part of efforts to diversify the nation’s economy, the Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, has
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The goal of the US Department of Energy’s Demonstration and Market Transformation focus at the BioEnergy Technologies Office is to de-risk bioenergy production technologies through validated proof of performance at the pilot, demonstration, and pioneer scales
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy’s Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy says that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton by 2040, and 1 billion tons would be available
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office issued a request for information (RFI) titled, Understanding Catalyst Production and Development Needs at National Laboratories. Catalysts increase the rate of a chemical reaction and are used in
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On July 10, the U.S. Department of Energy officially launched the Lab Partnering Service, an online, single access point platform for investors, innovators, and institutions to identify, locate, and obtain information from DOE’s 17 national
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s known by the ungainly acronym ABPDU, which might as well decode as “All Bioeconomy Processes Developed Upstairs,” but actually stands for the far more modest “Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit.” It’s run out of the Berkeley Lab,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The Renewable Fuel Standard aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector through 2022. It requires that transportation fuels (such as gasoline and diesel) sold in the U.S. contain annually increasing amounts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium and why does it exist? The Why is simple. #1 issue plaguing High and Low Temperature IBR projects is consistent operability of preprocessing and primary deconstruction. In response, researchers have joined
by Anmar Frangoul (CNBC) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado is a hotbed of research and innovation. One field its researchers are looking at is that of biofuels, which can be produced from biomass. Breaking things down, biomass can include anything
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) JBEI’s mission is to convert biomass to biofuels. The goal is to provide the nation with clean, renewable transportation fuels identical to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Inside JBEI’s Emeryville laboratories, researchers are using the latest tools
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to:
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Renewed program to boost consumer choice for higher biofuel blends -- Last night (May 2, 2018) the Iowa Legislature voted to secure another year of funding for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) – a move that
by Steve Hanson, Neil Agarwal (U.S. Department of Energy Energy Information Agency) Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from various feedstocks, including refined vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils, and rendered animal fats. Different feedstocks produce biodiesel with distinct qualities that must be
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office establishes partnerships with key public and private stakeholders to develop technologies for producing cost-competitive advanced biofuels from non-food biomass resources, including cellulosic biomass, algae, and wet waste (e.g.,
(U.S. Department of Energy) While vehicles and fuels currently on the market get travelers from Point A to Point B, are there new options that could save fuel and money, while also delivering higher performance and cleaner air? Co-Optima research is exploring
by Yvonne Rudman and Lynn Abramson (TechLink/Clean Energy Business Network) Are you a clean energy business interested in learning more about energy innovations coming out of the Department of Defense? If so, you should know about a free resource called TechLink. ... TechLink is the Department
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today hailed the release of two studies by the Department of Energy that find ethanol-based high octane fuels can deliver substantial fuel economy improvements and emissions reductions when paired with optimized internal combustion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Consortium for Computational Physics and Chemistry (CCPC) is a joint core research and development activity among five national laboratories that has been created to utilize unique DOE computational modeling facilities and experience in order to
(South Dakota State University/Biomass Magazine) Can farmers produce at least 1 billion tons of biomass per year that can be used as biofuels feedstock? That’s the question that researchers are trying to answer, according to North Central Regional Sun Grant Center Director
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) hosted the 2017 Project Peer Review on March 6–9, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. During the event, approximately 192 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio were
(U.S. Department of Energy) Responses to Request for Information DE-FOA-0001526: Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Pilot Verification Capabilities ... In February 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) reached out to industry, academia, national laboratories, and other biofuels and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, we work with industry to rapidly transition R&D discoveries
(Bioenergy Insight) A number of research projects focused on bioenergy and biofuels have been selected for the US Community Science Programme (CSP) of the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. ... Boulos Chalhoub of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research is
(U.S. Department of Energy/Newswise) Those who are selected for the Chain Reaction Innovations program will gain, among other things, access to Argonne National Laboratory’s world-class R&D infrastructure and technical expertise. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory announced the
(TVC News) One of the manufacturers in Nigeria who specialised in the use of cassava for the production of Ethanol has said that the country is losing billions of naira due to a shortfall in Cassava supply. He noted that the
by Jules Bernstein (Sandia National Laboratory) ... A Bay Area company has patented a group of three single-celled, algae-like organisms that, when grown together, can produce high quantities of sugar just right for making biofuels. Sandia is helping HelioBioSys Inc. learn whether farming
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit, where is it, who does it serve and how? Located at Berkeley Lab, the ABPDU aims to “support the commercialization of industry-, academic-and DOE-driven biofuels and bio-products by providing
(European Commission Science Hub) A new Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre has been created by the JRC and DG RTD to better support policy makers with science-based evidence in this field. Launched by the European Commission on 20 July, this online platform will
(Agri-Pulse) Research aimed at finding the right combination of fuels and engine technology that would maximize a car's performance while reducing its greenhouse gas emissions has reached a milestone that ethanol advocates hope gets wider acknowledgement from policy makers. The Co-Optimization of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ChemCatBio is a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion processes. Led by U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, the consortium works “with industry to rapidly transition R&D
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) NREL's sustainability analysis program studies air pollutant emissions from the entire biofuel supply chain and their implications on air quality and human health. Additionally, we study how air quality regulations can affect the cost, operation, and sustainability
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s the Department of Energy working on with respect to algae? The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Alison Goss-Eng answered the question in this update, given at DOE Project Peer Review 2017. In this deck, she looks at milestones ahead,
by Paul Nazzaro (Advanced Fuel Solutions Inc./Biodiesel Magazine) As biodiesel continues to emerge as a sought-after blending component for generic distillates in the Northeast and beyond, a recent study commissioned by the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association highlighted why it’s imperative that
by Patrick C. Miller (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Department of Energy’s three bioenergy research centers have no intention of resting on their accomplishments. -- In the 10 years since the U.S. DOE established three bioenergy research centers with the goal
(Smart Pilots/Interreg Europe) SmartPilots' objective is to improve regional policies in support of Shared Pilot Facilities (SPF) to increase their impact on the Key Enabling technology (KET) Industrial Biotech and the bio-economy. The bio-economy adresses societal challenges such as climate change, sustainable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Although the bigger players — China, the US, Brazil and the EU take most of the headlines in the advanced bioeconomy, Canada is definitely “boxing above its weight class” these days, as the saying goes. In
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have reported in Nature a new high resolution approach to visioning the impact of biomass pre-treatment technology. By combining spectroscopy and emerging microscopy techniques, the team measured the
by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) Are we using the right tools to understand land use change, particularly at the local level, and how can understanding of land use change be improved? The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been around
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel hit extreme heights in 2016, fulfilling a third of the consumption market, driving the domestic biodiesel industry to more actively seek counteracting measures to protect its own investments. --
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) published a report titled Alternative Aviation Fuels: Overview of Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps. This new report provides an overview of the current state of alternative aviation fuels,
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In California, review of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard is well underway with a public meeting looking scheduled for April 4 looking at lifecycle assessment modeling for fuels and feedstocks including potential updates to CA-GREET
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe/National Renewable Energy Laboratory) The reports tracks the status of non-starch alcohol and renewable hydrocarbon projects. What it is: Publicly available annual report summarizing U.S. advanced biorefinery projects and global trends in the deployment of commercial technologies as of year-end
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. ethanol production set a new record of 15.33 billion gallons (bg) in 2016, according to data released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA data also show that the average
(U.S. Department of Energy) ... U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced the publication of a report, titled Biofuels and Bioproducts from Wet and Gaseous Waste Streams: Challenges and Opportunities. The report is the first comprehensive assessment of
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announces the launch of its Chemical Catalysis for Bioenergy Consortium (ChemCatBio), a research and development consortium dedicated to identifying and overcoming catalysis challenges for biomass conversion
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Biorefinery Optimization Workshop Summary Report is now online! Read this new report for an overview of industry challenges and opportunities discussed during the Biorefinery Optimization Workshop, which was held on October 5–6, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. The
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines green jobs as either "jobs in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources" or as "jobs in which workers'
by Jessie Stolark (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) The Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), in the Office of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy (EERE), released its updated strategic plan in January. Revised every five years, the strategic plan refreshes and
by Ifeanyi Lawrence-Agbai (Today) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Tuesday disclosed that the federal government would invest about $50 billion to the development of a domestic biofuel industry which would serve as an alternative energy source for Nigeria. It said the
(U.S. Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The 2016 Billion-Ton Report (BT16), Volume 2: Environmental Sustainability Effects of Select Scenarios from Volume 1, jointly released by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is a pioneering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Outgoing Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack put it best: “The bioeconomy is a catalyst for economic development in rural America, creating new jobs and providing new markets for farmers and ranchers. Investing in the businesses and
by Robin Booker (The Western Producer) There are many innovative products and services available to Canadian crop producers that could help improve sustainability. However, the global food sector is struggling to find ways to reward growers who adapt sustainable technologies and
by Chen, Xiaowen; Kuhn, Erik; Jennings, Edward W.; Nelson, Robert; Tao, Ling; Zhang, Min; Tucker, Melvin P. (Energy & Environmental Science) Distilling and purifying ethanol and other products from second generation lignocellulosic biorefineries adds significant capital and operating costs to biofuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... the most innovative public-private policies are likely for some time to proceed out of regions, provinces and states. In some ways, in the United States the forces arrayed against the Renewable Fuel Standard will end up
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Regional Feedstock Partnership (the Partnership)—a multi-institutional collaboration of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, representatives from land-grant universities, and industry—was first established to address issues associated with the development of
(Iowa State University) Iowa State University will bring its expertise in biorenewable technologies and pilot plant operations to the country’s 10th Manufacturing USA Institute. The recently announced advanced manufacturing institute is dedicated to improving the productivity and efficiency of chemical manufacturing.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s known by the ungainly acronym ABPDU, which might as well decode as “All Bioeconomy Processes Developed Upstairs,” but actually stands for the far more modest “Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit.” It’s run out of the Berkeley
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit.” It’s run out of the Berkeley Lab, and is the technology center behind the technology centers, if you will, of companies such as Kiverdi, Sylvatex, Perfect Day, Lygos, Microvi,
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
(National Biodiesel Board) NREL report a comprehensive guide for biodiesel users -- The biodiesel industry welcomed the publication of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) fifth edition of the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide, developed in conjunction with the DOE
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
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2017 Borlaug Global Research Alliance Fellowships. Fellows will work with a mentor at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service or a U.S. university for up to 12
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service publishes regular GAIN reports on biofuels in countries around the world. Some of the recent reports included the European Union (download), Japan (download), Philippines (download), Brazil (download), Colombia (download), Canada (download), Thailand (download), Indonesia (download), Malaysia (download), Argentina
(Bio Base Europe/Biomass Magazine) SuperBIO is an innovation project supported through the EU Horizon2020 funding program. The € 3.8 million ($4.24 million) project supports the development of promising industrial value chains in the bioeconomy. It therefore engages with the EU
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A recent report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network provides updated data on Australia’s biofuel industry, noting ethanol production is expected to reach 250 million liters (66.04 million gallons)
by Jodi Delapaz (Agri-Pulse) High octane fuels (HOF), specifically mid-level ethanol blends (E25-E40), could offer significant benefits for the U.S., according to a new study by the Energy Department's Oak Ridge, Argonne National laboratory (ANL) and the National Renewable Energy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In California, so far industry has only harnessed a fraction of the diversity available for biotechnological applications, including biofuel production. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team led by DOE Joint
by Fernando Olmedo (Biodisol/Agence France Presse (Google Translation)) Twenty Latin American countries pledged Friday to continue "promoting emphasizing" the development of biofuels with support from multilateral financial institutions, during a forum on clean energy in San Salvador. "There is a belief by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month, the DOE released the first volume of its monumental two-volume update of the Billion Ton report, looking not only at the economics of biomass but also the environmental trade-offs associated with various approaches
(U.S. Economic Development Administration) U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine today announced the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will invest more than $4 million to help diversify and grow the Maine economy, which includes
(U.S. Department of Energy) Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of light-duty vehicles are pursuing a broad portfolio of technologies to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy. Central to this effort is higher efficiency spark ignition (SI) engines, including technologies reliant
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the European Union’s biofuel market, including data on wood pellets and biogas. Regarding pellets, the report explains that
(U.S. Department of Energy) Algae-based biofuels and bioproducts offer great promise in contributing to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office’s vision of a thriving and sustainable bioeconomy fueled by innovative technologies. The state of technology for producing
(U.S. Department of Energy) What are the key considerations when installing ethanol equipment at a fueling station? For those new to ethanol fueling, installing the necessary infrastructure may be unchartered territory. From fuel specifications to dispensing regulations, the recently updated Handbook
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, the US Department of Energy released its 2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, and said that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $40 or less per ton
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Department of Energy released its 2016 Billion-Ton Report: Advancing Domestic Resources for a Thriving Bioeconomy, and said that 1.2 billion tons of biomass would be available at $60 or less per ton by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the heart of the United States focus on bioenergy R&D is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado — supporting feedstock development, bioconversion and understanding markets for new products. NREL’s Justin Sluiter gave this
by Alison Goss Eng (U.S. Department of Energy) Since the publication of the Energy Department’s pivotal 2010 National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, there have been major advancements in the field of algal biofuels research and development. Today, we are announcing
(U.S. Department of Energy) Alison Goss Eng, of the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, Tim Theiss, Laboratory Relationship Manager of the Bioenergy Technologies Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Tim Rials, Director of the Tennessee Forest Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This analysis was presented by Jonny Rogers at ABLC Feedstocks 2016, and is the result of is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), National Laboratories, and various Agency
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) "How much value is in the entire value chain, going from stover in the field to all the products?" asked Sandy Marshall, chairman, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. His question opened his description of the birth of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In April, we reported that Comet Biorefining has signed an off-take agreement with bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber for cellulosic dextrose from Comet’s upcoming first commercial plant in Sarnia, Ontario. The dextrose will be produced from agricultural
(Argonne National Laboratory) Developing transformative energy technologies and cleaner manufacturing processes and new materials requires more than a great idea and some committed people. It takes an innovation ecosystem. To meet this challenge, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that incentives resume this month for farmers and foresters who grow and harvest biomass for renewable energy and biobased products. The funds
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)hy is so biology so challenging? -- “It’s partly how we have done it. We sort through the research, then we design, and then we spend a lot of time in the lab pipetting
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