by Clifford Krauss (New York Times) Ethanol and oil don’t mix very well. At least that has been the impression left over the years by oil company executives. They have long complained that ethanol is not energy efficient and that
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Back TO HOMEBiobutanol Creeps Toward the Market
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,
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Jobs Listings (Biofuels and General Green)
In addition to the links below, job and internship opportunities may be posted as articles from time to time. See Green Jobs in the categories list or Green Jobs in the tags list along the right margin of the website.
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Analysis of Current Advanced Biofuels Trends, Challenges and Hopefilled Beginnings
Jim Lane, editor of Biofuels Digest summarizes the current state of the nascent advanced biofuels industry, including the current popularity of algae, sluggish progress of cellulosic ethanol and promise of drop-in biofuels. READ MORE
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
10 Midwest Governors Urge EPA to Allow E-15 Gasoline Blends
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Governors from Indiana, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin urged increasing the percent of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline from 10% to 15% as
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Wants to Refine the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) (Politico) ...(W)e envisioned a biofuels industry that would move beyond corn ethanol. Scientists, the environmental community and some cutting-edge entrepreneurs were confident that biofuels could come from a wide array of feedstocks and use an
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Antibiotics in Ethanol Production By-Product Raising Concerns
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
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Gulf Alternative Energy Announces Process to Increase Sugar Production Efficiency
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
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Government Resources
Table of Contents US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office Bioenergy Research Centers Clean Cities Program US National Laboratories US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency US Department of Agriculture Energy Web US
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuel Basics
This section is specifically designed for those who want to learn the basics about biofuels and advanced biofuels; for those who are new to the advanced biofuels industry; and for those who may be very familiar with one area of the wide
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels are a Long-Term Renewable Solution
by Senator John Thune (R-SD) (Politico) As Congress, the administration and the private sector look for ways to reduce our consumption of imported oil, we should not overlook the most readily available domestic alternative to imported oil: biofuels. The development
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
GAO Publishes Preliminary Observations on the Links between Water and Biofuels and Energy Production
While the effects of producing corn-based ethanol on water supply and water quality are fairly well understood, less is known about the effects of the next generation of biofuel feedstocks. ... (L)ittle is known about the effects of large-scale cultivation
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Wyoming Plant Making Ethanol from Trees
by Bob Moen (Forbes) ... The business plan of KL Energy, which has been funded mostly through private investment, is to build plants based on its Upton (WY) model near forests around the country. The plants would produce up to 5 million gallons
July 09, 2009 Read Full Article
Oil Majors Testing Clean Energy Waters
by Nick Hodges (Green Chip Stocks) While attending the Renewable Energy Finance Forum Wall Street last week, I was almost surprised to see an entire discussion dedicated to how Big Oil plans on entering the cleantech business. The talk was
July 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Brazil Seeks Decent Working Conditions for Sugarcane Cutters
The Brazilian government announced an accord with businessmen in the sugar industry to provide decent working conditions for the nation’s sugarcane cutters following criticism leveled by various human-rights organizations. “This will help tone down criticism of Brazilian ethanol,” President Luiz Inacio
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
Indiana Publishes Agriculture Roadmap Including Cellulosic Ethanol Promotion
Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman presented a roadmap for continued growth in Indiana agriculture. This publication updates the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's strategic plan and will guide that Department's focus over the next four years. Included in the strategy
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
Gigaton Throw Down Evaluates Nine Clean Energy Technologies
A “Gigaton Throw Down Initiative Team” evaluated the potential for the world to scale up clean energy technologies over the next 10 years to have a major impact on job growth, energy independence and climate change. In the 150 page
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
World War Two-Era Fungus, Elephant Dung Combine to Make Biofuels
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
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
From Soy to Mulit-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant in Minnesota
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA Rural Development has approved a $25 million loan to enable a Minnesota biodiesel facility to diversify its operations and significantly expand the production of advanced biofuels. "The investment announced today helps fulfill
June 29, 2009 Read Full Article
University/College Programs International
Table of Contents Introduction Programs United States Africa South Africa Asia/Pacific Rim China India Australia Canada Ontario South/Central America Europe Germany, France and the UK Belgium Denmark Finland Germany Iceland Poland UK Middle East Introduction While educational institutions are becoming much more focused on
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels and Greenhouse Gas Emissions on a Collision Course
by Dr. Robert Wisner, Biofuels Economist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (1) requires a gradual increase in the volume of various kinds of biofuels to be blended with U.S. motor
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
University of Florida IFAS, Buckeye Technologies and Myriant Announce Next Generation Cellulosic Ethanol Research and Demonstration Plant
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
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
News Resources and Professional Journals
Algae Biomass Organization posts peer-reviewed articles on its Algae Industry Information Resource Center Biofuels Journal Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Journal Biotechnology for Biofuels Online Journal News from the Green Car Congress Biofuels Digest Biobased News Biodiesel Magazine Biofuels International Magazine Biorefinery Magazine Climate Central Climate Change Sources (List/Links Compiled by George
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Organizations Supporting Advanced Biofuels
25 x '25 Advanced Biofuels Association African CleanTech Association Ag Biomass Council Algal Biomass Organization Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council American Biofuels Council American Biofuels Now American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute American Coalition for Ethanol American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) American Farm Bureau American Ethanol Racing American Security Project American Soybean
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Companies Involved with Renewable Fuels and Biofuels
Check topics and categories (along the right margin of this page) for links to articles about these and other companies involved in research, development and distribution of advanced biofuels. Biofuels Digest also publishes databases designed for use by government authorities tracking
June 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Atlantic Biomass Conversions Proposes "Follow-the-Crop" System
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"
June 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Commercialization of Algae Studied
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
June 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Sugar Cane and Cassavas Feedstock for Vietnam Bioethanol Plant
An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth around US$ 60 million for building a bio-ethanol plant was signed between the Petrolchemical and Bio Fuel Joint Stock Company (PVB) under the National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) and a joint
June 18, 2009 Read Full Article
Florida Plans Next-Generation Biofuels Plant
Plans for a new cellulosic ethanol research and demonstration plant to be built by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are being revamped for a location closer to Gainesville. IFAS officials announced today that they have modified
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Advances in Wheat-Based Biofuel in England
by Nidaa Bakhsh. (Bloomberg) -- Ensus Ltd. is preparing to start production at Britain’s first wheat-based bio-ethanol plant as the country increases requirements for cleaner-burning fuel. “Construction is nearly complete” on the plant at Wilton in Teesside, northeast England, Ensus Chief
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Wheat-to-Ethanol Refinery Being Built in North East England
The Ensus Group is building Europe’s largest wheat refinery at Wilton on Teesside in North East England. When completed in 2009, it will use locally grown animal feed wheat to produce over 400 million litres of bioethanol, 350 thousand tones
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Sudan Inaugurates Biofuel Plant
Sudan will begin producing ethanol from sugar cane with a target of 200 million litres in two years, President Omar al-Beshir said on Wednesday at the inauguration of a new plant. State company Kenana, which already makes sugar and molasses,
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Shell First to Sell Gasoline Blended with Advanced Biofuel
From today, customers at a Shell service station will become the first in the world to fill their tanks with gasoline containing advanced biofuel made from wheat straw. For one month starting June 10, the regular gasoline purchased at a Shell
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Used at 24 Hours of Le Mans Race
Shell is demonstrating its commitment to fuels innovation and the development of sustainable, low-carbon fuels with the blending of 10% cellulosic ethanol into its Shell V-Power race fuel at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, in France on 13
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Study Planned of Brazilian Sugarcane Bagasse as Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock
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
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Novozymes' New Product Family Hydrolyzes Cellulosic Feedstock
"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,
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Lignol Awarded $3.4 Million in Funding from British Columbia’s Liquid Fuels from Biomass Program
Lignol Energy Corporation a cellulosic ethanol and biorefining company, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lignol Innovations Ltd., has been awarded $3.4 million in funding to produce cellulosic ethanol and other biochemical products from under-utilized forest resources, including lodgepole pine killed
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Lignol Announces Production of Cellulosic Ethanol from New Biorefinery Pilot Plant
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
June 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Indonesian Government Not Serious in Developing Biofuels : researcher
The government is not serious in supporting the development of biofuel as an alternative energy source in the country, a biofuel researcher said. "There is no point in developing biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel if the effort is not
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Sneak Peak! Ford's "Bobcat" Dual Fuel Engine
by Mike Levine. A radical twin-fuel engine from Ford, code-named “Bobcat," that variably blends gasoline and ethanol on demand to realize diesel-like performance continues to make steady progress in its development, according to presentations made by the automaker to the
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Production Increasing as Columbian Government Mandates E-85 Capability.
USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service has confirmed that the Colombian government has issued a decree that beginning in 2012 all new vehicles must bear E-85 flex-fuel technology. Biofuels blend goals of E-10 and B-5 are expected to be reached by 2010
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Pelosi, US House Farm Chief Discuss Climate Bill
Speaker Nancy Pelosi met the House Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson to discuss the climate change bill that he opposes but which is a priority for House Democrats this year. ... Peterson announced opposition to the climate bill a month ago
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
“Drama Building for Biofuels in California”: a Biofuels Digest Special Report
Being a standard-bearer requires heroic endeavors, and perhaps inevitably, epic miscalculations as well. This is the situation of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) in its recent announcement of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard for alternative fuels .” For so long the
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Gold Star to Cultivate Five Million Acres of Land for Biofuels in Ghana
Gold Star Biofuels a subsidiary of Gold Star Farms Ltd., is cultivating five million acres of land in Ghana to plant jatropha for the production of biofuels for export. According to the firm it has secured commitment from farmers to
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Straw-based Ethanol Eyed for Saskatchewan Mill Site
A shuttered pulp mill at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan could be the new site for a facility to make cellulosic ethanol from farmers' cereal straw. Saskatchewan's provincial government on Monday inked a letter of intent with Domtar, owner of the pulp
June 16, 2009 Read Full Article
Prairie Grass Experiment at Fermilab's Campus
As part of an effort to develop a new collection of alternative fuels, ecologist Julie Jastrow and her colleagues from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago planted seven different combinations of native
June 03, 2009 Read Full Article
UN Event Focuses on Advanced Biofuels Development in Dominican Republic, Way to Fight Poverty
The Public-Private Alliance Foundation (PPAF) held its Third Annual "Partners Against Poverty" event at the UN with 45 high-level participants and observers representing five countries (Brazil, Dominican Republic, USA, Honduras and Haiti) to discuss business innovations in the development and production of
June 01, 2009 Read Full Article
Rye "Grassohol" Project Funded in Wales
SCIENTISTS in Wales are working on a ground-breaking £1m scheme to turn grass into fuel. The Assembly Government- backed “grassohol” project aims to develop a commercially viable way to make ethanol which is used as an alternative to petrol. The
June 01, 2009 Read Full Article
DTN and The Guardian/Greenpeace Report on Brazil Deforestation
By Kieran Gartlan (DTN): The transformation began last year when a controversial study was published in Science Magazine by environmentalist Tim Searchinger. It introduced the innocuous four-letter acronym ILUC, or Indirect Land Use Change. According to ILUC theory, corn used for
June 01, 2009 Read Full Article
US DOE Funds Lignocellulose Research
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The newly funded Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation at Pennsylvania State University will be home to investigations into plant cells to produce better biomass-based fuels. The U.S. DOE will fund the center with
May 30, 2009 Read Full Article
EPA’s Proposed Renewable Fuels Lifecycle Rule: McGuireWoods Briefing
The 500+ page proposed renewable fuels greenhouse gas lifecycle rule released by EPA on May 5th and published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2009 (74 Fed. Reg. 24904) has been met with a hail storm of criticism from
May 29, 2009 Read Full Article
Research Reinforces Economic, Environmental Benefits of Corn Cobs as Source for Cellulosic Ethanol
Corn cobs are both economical and environmentally friendly as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol, university and government reports indicate, reaffirming POET’s strategy for commercializing its new technology. Removing corn cobs from fields for use in cellulosic ethanol production appears to
May 29, 2009 Read Full Article
Watermelons Tapped for Ethanol
With their sweet, refreshing juices and succulent interior, watermelons are a favorite summertime treat, especially around July 4th. But now this Independence Day favorite could become even more of a patriotic commodity. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) studies in Lane, Okla.,
May 28, 2009 Read Full Article
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Launches Interactive Map of Alternative Fuels Stations
On the NREL web site, visitors can find a map that plots locations of ethanol plants and alternative fuel stations, including propane, hydrogen, E85 ethanol blends and other alternative fuels. Link to Map Partial Instructions
May 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Bihas Chief Minister Demands Withdrawal of Ethanol Limiting Order
In a letter addressed to PM Manmohan Singh, a day after he assumed office for the second consecutive term, chief minister Nitish Kumar has demanded favourable consideration of state's pending requests, ... Nitish also demanded the withdrawal of the order
May 28, 2009 Read Full Article
EPA Extends Comment Period on E15 to July 20
EPA is extending the comment period related to a waiver application to increase the allowable ethanol content of gasoline to 15 volume percent. Under the Federal Register Notice, published April 21, 2009, the public comment period was set to end
May 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Senator John Thune Opines: EPA Undermining the Development of Biofuels, Introduces Legislation
May 15, 2009 - In recent years, the biofuels industry has made strides in breaking our nation's addiction to foreign oil. The production of ethanol has also generated strong demand for our crops and created many jobs in rural states
May 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Süd-Chemie, Linde to Start Biofuel Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass
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
May 22, 2009 Read Full Article
US/India Cooperative Agreements for 2nd Generation Biofuel Production
Indian government-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is tying up with US-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for a pilot project to produce second generation biofuel. This biofuel — essentailly bio-ethanol — would be produced from cellulosic biomass or degradable agricultural waste
May 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Secretary Chu Announces Recovery Act Funds to Accelerate Biofuels Research and Commercialization
... “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
May 13, 2009 Read Full Article
A Level Playing Field for Biofuels and Bioproducts
Bruce Dale, Michigan State University...... Unfortunately, there is currently a great deal of irresponsible behavior concerning biofuels and bioproducts, both from their opponents and from their supporters. For example, it is irresponsible to promote virgin oils from temperate-zone oilseeds as
May 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Mascoma Announces Consolidated Bioprocessing Advances
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
May 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Considerations for the Future of the Biofuels Market
By Michael Harris ----- BioWorld sees a number of dynamics that have the capacity to impact and define the future of the biofuels market. Some of these mitigating factors are: ... Biofuels can be over-hyped, but the actual and impending consequences
May 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol-Fueled Vehicles Make Their Way Around the World
By Kathleen Kite-Powell ----- Outside of the North America, the range of progress toward the use of ethanol-fueled vehicles is quite broad, from countries that only use conventional petroleum-based gasoline-powered vehicles to countries attempting to convert to 100 percent ethanol
May 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Synthetic Biology Emerges as Key to Biofuels
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
May 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol Crops? Lab Finds New Method To Turn Biomass Into Gasoline
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
May 08, 2009 Read Full Article
US House Agriculture Committee Chair Vents About EPA's Use of Indirect Land Use Effects
"I'm off the train," Collin Peterson, US House Agriculture Committee chair said May 6 during a strongly worded statement at a hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency's new proposal for assessing indirect effects of ethanol production on greenhouse gas emissions. ...Peterson said,
May 08, 2009 Read Full Article
Mascoma Announces Major Cellulosic Biofuel
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
May 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Energy Crop Company on the Cutting Edge of Biomass Production--Switchgrass
The greatest irony of America’s 21st Century quest for energy independence is that it – whatever “it” turns out to be – most assuredly has been here all along! And none of the emerging cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks fits that description
May 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Great Plains Renewable Energy and Bioprocessalgae LLC Complete $2.1 Million Grant Funding for Algae Pilot Project in Iowa
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
May 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Jerusalem Artichoke for Armenia Ethanol Production
Armenia’s climatic conditions are not suitable for sugarcane production; however, there are several alternative crops suitable to Armenia’s climate for cultivation on available agricultural land that is not intended for the production of food crops. In particular, Jerusalem artichoke has
May 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Researchers Study Jerusalem Artichoke for Ethanol
The Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources, in Danville, Va., is studying the potential to use the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosis), a perennial native sunflower species, as a feedstock for producing ethanol. The institute is a research center jointly affiliated
May 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Drop In, Tune Out, Turn On
"The era of synthetic drop-in fuels is upon us," writes Biofuels Digest editor Jim Lane. Drop In: The future does not lie in ethanol and biodiesel, though they may well provide important fractions of the renewable fuel supply for years to
May 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Senator John Thune (R-SD) Introduces Indirect Land Use Bill
"Following California's recent decision to use flawed models to estimate ethanol's environmental impact, I am concerned that the EPA could soon apply similar standards that will handicap renewable fuel relative to regular gasoline," said Thune. "Congress has asked EPA to
May 01, 2009 Read Full Article
California to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Vehicle Fuels
LA TIMES: Margot Roosevelt April 24, 2009 California took aim Thursday at the oil industry and its impact on global warming, adopting the world's first regulation to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the fuel that runs cars and trucks. The
April 24, 2009 Read Full Article
Commendable Movement toward Decrease of Greenhouse Gases
Two announcements today should spur interest in the development of advanced biofuels: EPA's finding that greenhouse gases (including CO2) pose a threat to public health and welfare, and movement on ethanol producers' request for EPA authorization to include up to
April 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Notice of Receipt of a Clean Air Act Waiver Application to Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Request for Comment
On March 6, 2009, Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers submitted an application for a waiver of the prohibition of the introduction into commerce of certain fuels and fuel additives set forth in section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act
April 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Polyculture of Wild Grasses
(Green Transport and Energy) … But the problems of degradation and soil erosion by intensive monocultures must also be taken into account. To solve these issues, in the last few decades researchers have studied the advantage of wild tall prairie grasses,
April 09, 2009 Read Full Article
IEA Report Confirms Growing Green House Gas Reduction from Ethanol Use Warns Against Ignoring Future Innovation in Policymaking
TORONTO – April 1, 2009 – A new report commissioned by the IEA Bioenergy (IEA) underscores the importance of ethanol in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. f1The extensive research paper commissioned by the IEA Bioenergy Task
April 07, 2009 Read Full Article
About Advanced Biofuels for Growers and Investors
Advanced Biofuels are liquid transportation or power generation/heating fuels derived from: low nutrient input/high per acre yield crops; agricultural or forestry waste; or other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae. Some thoughts about the current state of Advanced Biofuels. If you are a
April 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Mascoma Plans Research Beyond 2nd Generation Ethanol
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
April 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Coskata Makes 2nd Generation Ethanol from Agricultural and Municipal Waste
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
April 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Genencor Launches Accellerase 1500, Next Step toward Scale-up of Cellulosic Ethanol
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.
April 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Scientists Seek to Turn Waste Glycerol into High-Value Gas
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
April 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Gulf Alternative Energy Corporation Expands Pre-Processing Technology
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.
March 30, 2009 Read Full Article
An Industrial Perspective on Sustainability
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
March 29, 2009 Read Full Article
Furanics: A Refreshing New Take on Biofuels from Avantium Technologies
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
March 29, 2009 Read Full Article
Funding Opportunities
Table of Contents Department of Energy Recovery Act Funding Use FedConnect to Get Detailed Information about Government Funding Opportunities Sustainable Development Technology Canada Manages Advanced Biofuels Fund Biorefinery Assistance Program (loan guarantees) Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels Payments to Advanced Biofuel Producers
March 26, 2009 Read Full Article
Defining Sustainability: Science, Standards, and Scorecards: An Industrial Perspective on Sustainability
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
March 20, 2009 Read Full Article
Enerkem Brings Next-Generation Biofuels Project to Mississippi
Enerkem Inc., a leading advanced biofuels and green chemicals technology company, announced plans to build and operate a second-generation biofuels production facility in Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA. It is expected to produce 20 million gallons per year of next-generation ethanol using a
March 19, 2009 Read Full Article
The Coskata Syngast-to-Ethanol Platform
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
March 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Commercial Challenges Facing Cellulosic Ethanol
Jack Huttner, DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, explores the current science and financial situation of cellulosic ethanol production and commercialization. From the plenary session of the US Department of Energy's Biomass 2009 conference. Download PDF
March 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Michigan State and Michigan Tech Share Trees-to-Biofuels Grant
Research to turn trees into liquid fuel gets a boost with approval of the $410 billion federal omnibus spending bill today. The bill allocates $1.4 million for a new biofuel research program at the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Tree
March 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Shell And Codexis Deepen Collaboration To Speed Arrival Of Next Generation Biofuel
Royal Dutch Shell plc and Codexis, Inc., announced an expanded agreement to develop better biocatalysts that could accelerate commercialisation of next generation biofuels. ... As part of the agreement, Codexis will work closely with Shell and Iogen Energy Corporation to
March 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Comments on CA Waiver Review
A public hearing concerning this reconsideration was held on March 5, 2009, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Deadline to submit written comments was April 6, 2009. READ MORE. Advanced Biofuels USA Executive Director, Joanne Ivancic, attended the hearing. Click Here for her testimony.
March 07, 2009 Read Full Article
News
For links to news services that specialize in topics related to advanced biofuels, see the News Resources page. Press Releases E-Newsletters Original Writing Letters to the Editor Supporting Alternative Energy Ventura County Reporter August 12, 2010 Storing Energy in Electric Cars? Washington Post March 28,
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
Education Resources
Teachers and students will also find many useful links and information on the For Teachers page and on the Grants page. In addition, Advanced Biofuels USA has prepared PowerPoint presentations available in the Biofuels Basics section on the PowerPoint Presentations page. For more examples, click on
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
For Teachers
Teachers will find many useful links and information on the Education Resources page and on the Grants page. In addition, Advanced Biofuels USA has prepared PowerPoint presentations available in the Biofuels Basics section on the PowerPoint Presentations page. This page provides
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
For Kids
Fun ways to learn about Advanced Biofuels! Puzzle Page about Carbon Cycle Bioenergy Science Center’s Students and Kids page The ABCs of Biofuels includes a glossary Learn about Biodiesel and Clean Diesel Developments Parents’ and Teachers’ Pages on Renewable Energy and Conservation Animation of Advanced Biofuels
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
Glossary
Biofuels Wiki, hosted and maintained by the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, is a one-stop, collaborative, open-source, industry-led site where knowledge about liquid renewable biofuels can be found. Think of it as a biofuels encyclopedia on the internet. BioenergyWiki, developed by a
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
Slide Presentations for Public Use
Advanced Biofuels USA's presentations are available for public use for educational purposes. Please note the source, especially the slides that may have come from other presentations. Some PowerPoint presentations can be opened with Google Slides. This allows access to the lecture
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
Federal Agency
Regulations, grant opportunities, agency actions, public comment opportunities on policy questions and legislative implementation--all these find a home in federal agencies. Click on "Federal Agency" in the categories list at the bottom right corner of each page to access articles
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Philosophy
If you can imagine a future powered by sustainable food and fuels; if you can imagine a future where globalism means that appropriate technologies are employed where they work best to the globe's greatest advantage; if you can imagine a
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The Mission of Advanced Biofuels USA is to promote public understanding, acceptance, and use of advanced biofuels by promoting research, development and improvement of advanced biofuels technologies, production, marketing and delivery; and by promoting the sustainable development, cultivation and processing of advanced
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Advanced Biofuels USA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your donations to support our mission are tax deductible. Your kind contributions in whatever amount you can give are greatly appreciated. If you are one of our contributors, THANK YOU for your support! You
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
About Us
Make + Change Happen so that we can Live Sustainably Better. Energy Security Military Strategic Flexibility Climate Change Mitigation Rural Economic Development These are the reasons the world needs Advanced Biofuels. Education Consulting Advocacy These are the reasons the world needs Advanced Biofuels USA. If you can
March 04, 2009 Read Full Article
University of Minnesota Reports on Life-Cycle Analysis Related to Corn Stover
Research shows that, as a fuel for heat and power applications, corn stover reduces the life-cycle fossil-fuel emissions of carbon dioxide by factors of approximately 15 and 25 compared to natural gas and coal, respectively. This means significant amounts of
March 02, 2009 Read Full Article
Industrial Biotechnology in China Amidst Changing Market Conditions
by Elizabeth Nesbitt (Journal of International Commerce and Economics) The increasing use of industrial biotechnology by the Chinese liquid biofuels and chemical industries is expected to help offset energy security and environmental concerns generated by China’s robust economic growth. The expanding use of bioprocesses
February 27, 2009 Read Full Article
Mascoma Facility Generating Cellulosic Ethanol With Assistance from New York State Agencies
Mascoma Corporation, a leader in the development of low carbon cellulosic ethanol, announced that the company’s demonstration facility in Rome, New York, is now producing ethanol from non-food cellulosic biomass. The demonstration facility has the flexibility to run on numerous
February 25, 2009 Read Full Article
BP and Verenium Form Leading Cellulosic Ethanol Venture to Deliver Advanced Biofuels
The joint venture company will initially focus on developing and securing financing for a first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Highlands County, Florida and expects to break ground on that site in 2010. The estimated construction cost for this 36
February 18, 2009 Read Full Article
POET’s Project Liberty Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant Uses Corn Cobs as Feedstock
A leading U.S. ethanol producer, Poet, announced the opening of an $8 million pilot plant that will produce cellulosic ethanol from corn cobs and other crop residue. READ MORE
February 12, 2009 Read Full Article
POET to Discuss Cellulosic Ethanol, Cob Harvesting with Northwest Iowa Farmers
Harvesting cobs will provide an additional revenue stream for farmers, without requiring them to change their planting practices. Agriculture equipment manufacturers are developing a wide range of options for farmers to ensure that harvesting cobs will not significantly slow the
February 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Researchers Seek to Create Ethanol from Idaho Agricultural Waste
Researchers from Idaho’s three largest public universities are seeking to create ethanol from the Gem state’s agricultural waste. And they have a realistic shot at converting potato, sugar beet and other agricultural waste – perhaps even cow manure – into
February 09, 2009 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Paves the Path for Ethanol-Powered Fuel Cells
A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware and Yeshiva University, has developed a new catalyst that could make ethanol-powered fuel cells feasible. The highly
January 29, 2009 Read Full Article
UK’s Biggest Public Investment in Bioenergy Research Includes Advanced Biofuels
At the University of Nottingham, two of six research projects being run by the national £27m BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre hope to lead the way in the development of sustainable bioenergy fuels — Ethanol and Butanol using non-food crops, such
January 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Michigan State University Pre-Treatment Process Cuts Cost of Making Cellulosic Biofuels
A patented Michigan State University process to pre-treat corn-crop waste before conversion into ethanol means extra nutrients don't have to be added, cutting the cost of making biofuels from cellulose. READ MORE
January 22, 2009 Read Full Article
South Dakota POET Plant Produces Cellulosic Ethanol from Corn Cobs
Following a successful start-up in the fourth quarter of 2008, POET Research Center in Scotland, S.D. is now producing cellulosic ethanol at a pilot scale, completing a crucial step toward development of commercially viable cellulosic ethanol. The Scotland plant is
January 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Sugar Cane Stalks Serve as Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock in Louisiana
Verenium operates one of the nation’s first cellulosic ethanol pilot plants, an R&D facility, in Jennings, Louisiana and has recently entered the start-up phase at its 1.4 million-gallon-per-year demonstration-scale facility. Stacks of crushed sugar cane stalks pile up waiting to
January 09, 2009 Read Full Article
California Scientists Create E.Coli-based Fuel That’s Much More Efficient Than Ethanol
U.S. scientists say they can turn E.coli, a strain of bacteria present in the human digestive tract, into a fuel that is twice or three times more efficient than ethanol. The scientists, attached to the University of California in Los
January 08, 2009 Read Full Article
Human Stomach Bugs Used to Make Biofuels
California scientists say they can use E.coli, a strain of bacteria present in the human digestive tract, to make a fuel that is twice or three times more efficient than ethanol. READ MORE: Article 1 | Article 2 | Abstract
January 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Termite Stomach Bug Used to Make Cellulosic Ethanol and Other Biochemicals
ZeaChem, a company that uses the microbes in termite guts to make ethanol, announced it has raised $34 million to build its first plant. The biorefinery, which could be located in Boardman, Ore., will begin operating next year, making 1.5
January 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Switchgrass-Ethanol Study Shows Positive Findings
Switchgrass grown for biofuel production produced 540 percent more energy than needed to grow, harvest and process it into cellulosic ethanol, according to estimates from a large on-farm study by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. READ MORE: Article |
January 06, 2009 Read Full Article
50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy of 2008 Published by Biofuels Digest
Among the top 50, 17 are active in cellulosic ethanol development, nine are developing algae-to-energy systems, and nine are producing other advanced biofuels or waste-to-energy technologies. The companies range from start-ups, funded by venture capital and corporate investors, to new
December 22, 2008 Read Full Article
Ethanol, Biomass May Fuel Fuel Cells
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology are exploring the use of biomass or ethanol as a primary fuel in fuel cells instead of hydrogen to produce energy from electrochemical reactions with fewer emissions and greater efficiency than internal combustion
December 17, 2008 Read Full Article
Ceres, Inc., Introduces Dedicated Energy Crop Seeds
California-based crop company Ceres Inc. has introduced two varieties each of switchgrass and high-biomass sorghum specifically designed to boost energy crop yields. Early buyers of the seeds include DOE-backed biofuels companies building demonstration cellulosic ethanol refineries as well as forward-thinking
December 11, 2008 Read Full Article
UGA Researchers Looking to Turn Fruit into Fuel
by April Sorrow (University of Georgia) Half of all the fruit grown in Georgia is never eaten by people or animals. It rots in the fields. A University of Georgia researcher says that spoiled fruit could fuel cars. That wasted
December 10, 2008 Read Full Article
Modified Lignin Has Potential Benefits for Ethanol, Advanced Biofuels, Paper, and Feed
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists, in partnership with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), have synthesized a new form of lignin that breaks down more readily than that which occurs in nature. Lignin is the mortar that holds cellulose (the thick, undigestable
December 09, 2008 Read Full Article
Utah’s Green Star Products, Inc., Plans Expanded Advanced Biofuels Production
In 2006, Green Star started plans to construct biorefineries that produce ethanol from low cost agricultural waste products (wood chips, switch-grass, rice stalks, municipal waste, etc.) from biomass based on its proprietary process patents and production of biodiesel integrating Green
November 25, 2008 Read Full Article
Meeting Ethanol Mandates in California: A 5-Part Series
Spot.us, a new venture dedicated to crowdfunded reporting, was able to commission Wired.com staff writer Alexis Madrigal to move forward with his article on meeting ethanol mandates in California. Gas2.0 is proud to be the first media source to publish Alexis’
October 23, 2008 Read Full Article
Texas Loses “Food vs. Fuel” Biofuel Feud
by Angela Neville (Power Mag) ... In April, the Texas governor jumped into the middle of this debate. Responding to what some observers thought was strong pressure from TSCRA, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) submitted a formal request to the Environmental
October 17, 2008 Read Full Article
The Science of Green Racing: Fuel for the Future
The Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT2 racing car (007) runs on 2nd generation E85 (85% proof) bioethanol fuel which is produced by the hydrolysis, or breaking down, of the cellulose found in waste wood using specially developed enzymes which act
October 08, 2008 Read Full Article
Comments on Implementation of Title IX, Energy Authorities of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
by Robert Kozak, President, Atlantic Biomass Conversions, Inc.; Board Member, Advanced Biofuels USA Title IX Implementation: Overall Goals First and foremost I urge whichever Administration takes office in January to honor the intent of Title IX legislation, to assure that the mandatory funding
September 05, 2008 Read Full Article
Now Sunlight CO2 and Bacteria Equals Ethanol
(New Energy and Fuel) A new bacterium, a cyanobacterium that is energized by sunlight and excretes the sugars glucose and sucrose with some cellulose has been created by Dr. R. Malcolm Brown and Dr. David Nobles at the University of Texas
April 30, 2008 Read Full Article
Juice: Alternate Fuels World Announcing the Advanced Biofuels Association
I recently spoke with Joanne Ivancic, the founder and director of the recently formed Advanced Biofuels USA ... (She) perceived that a whole contingent of biofuels developers were not being either recognized or represented. And surely she is right. Ethanol and biodiesel
April 27, 2008 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Forms in Maryland to Lobby for Next-Gen Biofuels
In Maryland, a trade association has been formed to advocate and lobby in behalf of second generation biofuels. Advanced Biofuels USA will serve individuals, farm co-ops, start-up companies and commercial-scale producers a voice in influencing policy. Bob Kozak, president of
April 22, 2008 Read Full Article
Advanced biofuels organization formed
A Maryland-based nonprofit has been established to promote the interests of the advanced biofuels industry. READ MORE
April 21, 2008 Read Full Article
International GeneSyst Converts Municipal Waste to Ethanol
GeneSyst upgraded the weak acid hydrolysis process to convert biomass from municipal waste to fuel ethanol by making it a 'continuous (flow) process ' using the patented Gravity Pressure Vessel instead of the former 'pump and pressure' tanks (batch). READ
March 30, 2008 Read Full Article
Pacific Ethanol Wins DOE Cellulosic Energy Grant
U.S. Department of Energy has included Pacific Ethanol in a matching award totaling $24.32 million to build the first cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant in the Northwest United States. The plant will employ a technology to produce ethanol from wheat straw,
January 30, 2008 Read Full Article
20-30 Percent Ethanol Inproves Fuel Efficiency in Some Cars, MnCAR Discovers
by Tim Krohn (Free Press/Minnesota State University) When Bruce Jones and his colleagues began a study on how higher blends of ethanol would affect gas mileage, he expected to prove conventional wisdom true: The more ethanol added to gasoline, the
January 30, 2008 Read Full Article
George Washington Carver and Henry Ford Shared a Bio-fuel (Ethanol) Vision
(The Auto Channel) Though worlds apart, George Washington Carver and Henry Ford shared a vision of a future in which agricultural products would be put to new uses to create products and industries. One idea both men worked on more than
December 30, 2007 Read Full Article
Transgenics Are Imperative for Biofuel Crops
by Jonathan Gressel (Plant Science) Petroleum dependency is a challenge that can potentially be partly offset by agricultural production of biofuels, while decreasing net, nonrenewable carbon dioxide output. Plants have not beendomesticated formodern biofuel production, and the quickest,most efficient, and
December 03, 2007 Read Full Article
'Sweet' Biofuels Research Goes Down On The Farm
(Science Daily) Oklahoma State University’s sorghum-related biofuels research is taking a localized approach, with the aim of making possible the effective production of ethanol in the farmer’s own field. Sweet sorghum can be grown throughout temperate climate zones of the United
September 30, 2007 Read Full Article
Salty Biodiesel Crops May Be Grown at the Beach
University of Delaware researchers are interested in developing a type of mallow, the seashore mallow, for biodiesel and ethanol production: And unlike soybeans and corn, which require annual plantings on valuable farmland to feed the growing appetite for biofuels, the
August 30, 2007 Read Full Article
Syngenta Introduces Tropical Sugar Beet for Food and Biofuels
Syngenta has introduced sugar beet in India for cultivation in tropical climatic conditions. Tropical sugar beet brings significant agronomic, environmental and output advantages to Indian farming and the Indian economy. The beet delivers similar output yields to sugar cane and
August 28, 2007 Read Full Article
An Apple a Day Keeps the Gas Pump Away
by Jeremy Elton (Treehugger) A team of scientists led by James Dumesic at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered a way (subscription needed) to turn the sugar commonly found in fruits like apples and oranges into a biofuel with 40%
June 30, 2007 Read Full Article
Mediterranean Energy and Ecology Center Announces New Biomass Hydrolysis Process Test Results
BIOPOLYGEN Group of the MEEC, Israel, reports a successful completion of the first phase of its new biomass hydrolysis process tests and announces the plans to construct and demonstrate a small-scale pilot biorefinery for co-production of second generation ethanol, organic-mineral
June 15, 2007 Read Full Article
University of California Berkeley, the University of Illinois and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Join Research Effort
(British Petroleum) BP today announced it has selected the University of California Berkeley and its partners the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to join in a $500 million research program that will explore how bioscience
February 02, 2007 Read Full Article
Biologist Finds Cell Wall Construction Pathway
Wood with altered properties and cheaper ethanol through more efficient production are two possibilities as a result of a find by a biologist at Washington University in St. Louis. Erik Nielsen, Ph.D., Washington University adjunct professor of biology in Arts
October 30, 2006 Read Full Article
Saab 9-3 BioPower Concept
(Left Lane) ...(T)he ground-breaking Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Concept, which delivers zero fossil CO2 emissions, enhanced performance and a range of energy-saving features by combining the use of pure bioethanol fuel and electric power generation for the first time. As
October 30, 2006 Read Full Article
Citrus Peel Waste a Potential Source of Ethanol
Thanks to recent hikes in gasoline prices, there is a renewed interest in finding a cheaper way to fill up the gas tank. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory in Winter Haven, Fla. have