by Jessica Leber (New York Times and ClimateWire) U.S. policies are subsidizing new energy crops that are likely to spread off the farm and wreak economic and ecological havoc, a federal advisory board cautioned yesterday. For years, researchers have worked
Start-Up Goes Fishing for Biofuels
by Candace Lombardi (Green Tech) LiveFuels, an algae biofuel start-up, announced a pilot project to grow and harvest algae biofuels in open waters with the help of naturally occurring activities in the ecosystem. The approach is different than other attempts
August 14, 2009 Read Full Article
Who’s Your Daddy’s Daddy?: A Look at Bioenergy and Washington Lobbying
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Center for Public Integrity released a report on lobbying over the impending Climate Bill, and reported that 13 bioenergy companies plus several trade groups registered to lobby Congress for the first time
August 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Bioenergy to Fuel Growth in Regional Australia
(The Land FarmOnline) A new analysis on second generation biofuels, conducted by Southern Cross University's Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics, shows that by 2025, 30 per cent of the country's petrol could be provided by bioenergy. "This would involve the
August 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Scientists Force Fungus to Have Sex to Create Biofuel
by Bryan Nelson (CleanTechnica.com) Originally discovered in the Solomon Islands during World War II eating away at the canvas and garments of the U.S. Army, scientists have long known that the soil fungus Trichoderma reesei was particularly good at converting
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Nigeria to Produce Biodiesel Commercially
(Biofuels International) Nigeria will start producing biodiesel commercially at some point next year, say scientists. Nigeria has been experimenting with biodiesel for several years. The Sweden-based telecoms operator Ericsson funded the first pilot biodiesel production in Nigeria under its corporate
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
ARIES Portable Biodiesel System Successfully Demonstrated
A collaborative effort by the U.S. Navy, Biodiesel Industries, Inc. and Aerojet successfully demonstrated methods to produce cleaner and more reliable sources of renewable fuels for military use. The system, named ARIES (Automated Real-time, Remote, Integrated Energy System), is a
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Publishes Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Corn and Ethanol Production
Don Hofstrand "focus(es) on GHG emissions including a detailed analysis of the sources of these emissions from corn and ethanol production. We will also show how GHG emissions from corn production vary based on region of the country. The sale
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Richard Branson Launches Green Venture
by Rebecca Burn-Callander (Real Business) It's one of the few private equity ventures to raise its target amount this year. And it's a green enterprise. Richard Branson's Virgin Green Fund is defying the downturn, raising £240m in total: £70m from
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
24 Senators Ask President Obama for Volume Mandates for Biodiesel
... (W)e request that the Administration exercise its authority immediately, either by Executive Order or through Agency action or guidance, to provide greater certainty for the 2009 and 2010 RFS-2 volume mandates for biomass-based diesel. Prompt attention is critical to
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Announces Biofuels Road Map at Clean Energy Summit
General Wesley Clark (Ret.), co-chairman of Growth Energy, introduced a renewable fuels road map designed to put the nation on track to create more jobs, reduce emissions and help make our nation more energy independent. The principles outlined in Growth
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
EPA Announces Peer Review Findings on the Lifecycle Analysis for the Proposed Rule to Implement the Expanded Renewable Fuel Standard Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (''EPA'') announces the availability of documents pertaining to the expert peer review record completed on the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Analysis. On May 5, 2009, EPA announced proposed revisions to
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
Perdue AgriBusiness to Supply Barley for Hopewell Ethanol Plant
(Richmond Times-Dispatch) Osage Bio Energy, the company building an ethanol plant in Hopewell, is partnering with Perdue AgriBusiness to source local barley for the ethanol production. Perdue will work with farmers in the region to supply the Glen Allen-based company
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
DOE Awards $377 Million in Funding for 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers
In a major effort to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the delivery of $377 million in funding for 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) located
August 12, 2009 Read Full Article
A "Shrimp Cocktail" To Fuel Cars and Trucks
Call it a "shrimp cocktail" for your fuel tank. Scientists in China are reporting development of a catalyst made from shrimp shells that could transform production of biodiesel fuel into a faster, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly process. ...
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuel-Producing Bacteria, Insect Gut Microbes, ~ 70 other Projects Fill DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Pipeline
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has selected 71 new genomic sequencing projects for its 2010 Community Sequencing Program (CSP)—a targeted sampling of the planet’s biodiversity—to be characterized for bioenergy, climate, and environmental applications. JGI’s Community Sequencing
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Safflower Topping Rest as Best Oilseed for Biodiesel
by Sue Roesler (The Priairie Star) Just ask Chuck Flynn, research chemist at Montana State University's Eastern Ag Research Center, how many oilseed crops can actually be turned into biodiesel. He has tried every oilseed crop that can be grown
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Growth Energy: GAO Report Clearly Refutes Big Food’s Claim That Ethanol was Behind Higher Food Prices
Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, evaluated a recent US Government Accountabilty Office report, "“Now it’s the GAO that is saying that farm prices are a fraction of the hike to grocery bills. Whatever is driving up grocery prices won’t
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Association Team, Other Stakeholders Unable to Verify EPA ILUC Analysis Results
In a letter to the US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, the Renewable Fuels Association explains that stakeholders are unable to replicate or verify the analysis used by EPA in its international indirect land use change model. The best and most common way for
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Solazyme Awarded California Energy Commission Grant to Develop Clean Fuel from Local Cellulosic Feedstocks
Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil production company and algal biotechnology company, was awarded a $789,697 Biosynthetic Transportation Fuel Production grant from the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. ... The PIER Program Opportunity Notice (PON) announced that
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels Innovator Forms Division in Charleston to Capture Carbon
by Andy Owens (Charleston Regional Business Journal) Opposition to coal-fired power plants in the South has spurred a producer of microalgae-based renewable energy and industrial products to create a division based in Charleston. Barry Toyonaga, chief business officer for San Diego-based
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
EERC Awarded Subcontract by SAIC to Help Produce Military Renewable Jet Fuel from Algae
(GreenAirOnline.com) The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota has been awarded a subcontract by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to help produce military JP-8 jet fuel from algae. Funding for the work is coming
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
W2 Energy Completes Algae Bioreactor
(Energy Current) W2 Energy Inc., has successfully completed a commercial scale algae bioreactor. The Sunfilter bioreactor will be used to sequester any CO2 byproducts from the W2 Energy waste-to-energy processes. The product can also be sold separately. Customers such as
August 11, 2009 Read Full Article
University of Minnesota Researchers Discover Breakthrough Method for Chemical Separations
A team of researchers, led by chemical engineering and materials science professor Michael Tsapatsis in the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, have developed a more energy-efficient method of chemical separations that could revolutionize processes in the petrochemical and biofuels
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae Oil Lipid Trigger Breakthrough Sustainable Green Technologies Inc. Announces Innovative Way to Increase Algae Oil Production
Sustainable Green Technologies (SGT) a start-up company in Escondido, California announced today that it has discovered a highly effective and low cost way to massively increase algal oil production. Metabolic engineering research conducted at SGT over the past two years
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
NASA Studies Cellulose For Food And Biofuel Production
For long-duration space missions, astronauts someday will grow plants for food and the air they breathe, while transforming inedible parts of the plants into useful resources, such as biofuels, food, and chemicals. Today, scientists at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Emami Biotech to Set Up Biofuel Project in Ethiopia
(Business Standard) Emami Biotech, a part of the Rs 2,000-crore Emami Group, will invest Rs 400 crore in a plantation project over five years in Oromia in Ethiopia. The company will engage in plantation of biofuel crops (jatropha) and other
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Biggie Smalls: Microcrops Go Mainstream and Head for the Big Time
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All microalgae are microcrops, but not all microcrops are microalgae: a larger family of diatoms, cyanobacteria, and tiny aquatic flowering plants such as the lemna family are increasingly in the mix for biofuels commercialization. As
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Western Australia Government Supports Hazardous Waste Biodiesel Project
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has announced funding of $145,000 from the Pilbara Regional Grants Scheme to support the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation’s biodiesel manufacturing business. ... The Minister said the project involved recycling potential hazardous waste products into saleable biodiesel
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
The Water Footprint of Bioenergy
All energy scenarios show a shift toward an increased percentage of renewable energy sources, including biomass. This study gives an overview of water footprints (WFs) of bioenergy from 12 crops that currently contribute the most to global agricultural production: barley,
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Jatropha: Not a Miracle Biofuel Crop After All?
(Discover) The oil-rich and weedy plant jatropha has been hailed as the most promising source of biofuel on the planet, and one airline has already begun testing a jatropha-derived fuel in its jumbo jets. But a new analysis suggests that
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Manufacturers' Electric Dreams Likely to Stumble on Forecaster's Reality
by Neil Winton (Detroit News) While manufacturers like Nissan of Japan jostle for the lead in the race to saturate markets with electric cars, automotive forecasters seeking to cut through the hyperbole tell a more sober story. ... Automotive forecaster
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Corn Farmers Coalition Publishes The Corn Fact Book
.... There is plenty of corn to eat and plenty for making ethanol and plenty for feeding cattle and plenty more to export and still more to make chemicals and fabric. After peaking briefly in July 2008 at more than
August 05, 2009 Read Full Article
Researchers Discover New Way to Deoxygenize Biomass
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Magazine) University of California Berkeley and Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a relatively inexpensive way to remove oxygen from biomass, which could pave the way for producing many of today’s petrochemical products from biomass. The one-step
August 03, 2009 Read Full Article
Ceres Publishes Online Crop Radius Calculator
For biofuels and biopower to be competitive and sustainable, high-yielding energy crops will be required in most areas. That is because harvesting and transporting biomass to the biorefinery or power facility are collectively the most expensive part of feedstock supply.
August 03, 2009 Read Full Article
California's Largest Biodiesel Plant Opens
California's largest biodiesel plant is ready for business. State Sen. Dean Florez joined executives Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crimson Renewable Energy's new Kern County plant off Interstate 5. The plant is designed to produce 30 million gallons of
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
UK Quality Protocol Unveiled for Waste-Derived Biodiesel
(letsrecycle.com) A protocol designed to boost customer confidence in biodiesel derived from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats has been published today July 29. The protocol is the latest produced by the Waste Protocols Project - a joint Waste
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Florida Researchers Believe Sweetgum Bacteria Key to Breaking Down Hemicellulose
by Stu Hutson (Southeast Farm Press) Most would identify the tree by its often troublesome, spiky “gumballs,” but what many call the sweetgum tree also goes by another name, thanks to its distinctive, reptilian bark: The alligator tree. So it
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
New Zealand Bill on Biofuels Standards Sent to Committee
(The National Business Review) A Green Party bill that sets up a standards regime for biofuels sold in New Zealand passed its first reading in Parliament tonight with the Government's support. Jeanette Fitzsimons drafted the member's bill and said it
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Neste Oil's Renewable Diesel Plant in Finland on Full Capacity
Neste Oil has increased its capacity to produce NExBTL renewable diesel following the start-up of a second dedicated NExBTL plant at the company's main refinery at Porvoo. The new plant will be capable of producing 170,000 t/a of NExBTL renewable
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Can Methanol Really Make a Dent in US Oil Demand?
by John Lynn (Energy Tribune) ... Methanol can be produced from a wide variety of feedstocks, including natural gas, coal, biomass, and even atmospheric carbon dioxide. ... Using mature gasification technology, one ton of biomass can be used to produce
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Obama Administration Announces Billions in Lending Authority for Renewable Energy Projects and to Modernize the Grid
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects. Another $750 million will support several billion dollars more
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Venezuela Pioneers Alternative Fuel from Cassava Root
A team of engineers has found a way to convert waste products created when producing Casabes, or flat breads from the cassava root, into ethanol, butanol, isobutanol and proponal energy compounds that can produce fuel. ... "This product, popularly known
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Double Chromosomes Equals More Plant Power
by Karin Kloosterman (Israel 21C) Ariel Krolzig, product manager of Kaiima Biotech is standing beside the star of his likely success story, a castor oil plant. He proceeds to describe the method developed by Kaiima that doubles a plant's chromosomes from
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Renewable Jet-Fueled Rocket Approaches the Sound Barrier
Renewable jet propellant-8 (JP-8) fuel developed and produced by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota was successfully flown in a rocket built by Flometrics, Inc., a product engineering company specializing in fluid dynamics
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Ghana: Civil Society Advocate for Speedy Development of Biofuel Policy
by Ama Achiaa Amankwah (AllAfrica.com) The Civil Society Coalition on Land (CICOL) has urged government to expedite action on the further development and implementation of the biofuel policy in Ghana. The coalition says in as much as it appreciates the
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
New Method Uses Electrolyzed Water For More Efficient Fuel Production
(Science Daily) Using electrolyzed water rather than harsh chemicals could be a more effective and environmentally friendly method in the pretreatment of ethanol waste products to produce an acetone-butanol-ethanol fuel mix, according to research conducted at the University of Illinois.
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Italians to Produce Biodiesel from Seaweed
(Biofuels International) Italian biodiesel producers currently producing from food crops are working together to substitute seaweed for first-generation feedstocks. The eight companies involved in the €10 million scheme currently produce diesel from crops like corn and rapeseed. They hope to
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Joule Biotechnologies Introduces Sunlight-based Process For Producing Renewable Transportation Fuels
Joule Biotechnologies unveiled its breakthrough Helioculture™ technology—a revolutionary process that harnesses sunlight to directly convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into SolarFuel™ liquid energy. This eco-friendly, direct-to-fuel conversion requires no agricultural land or fresh water, and leverages a highly scalable system capable
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae ‘Milking’ Promises New Efficiencies as Part of a Combined Production Cycle
Origin Oil announced that it has succeeded in extracting algae oil on a continuous basis without cell sacrifice. This new ‘milking’ process will join the company’s Cascading Production™ technique to create a combined cycle promising new efficiencies. Live Extraction™, or
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Plant Feedstock Genomics Program Awards $1.6 Million for Genetic Studies of Biofuel Crops
CSIRO and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers, have been awarded a A$1.6 million grant to increase the understanding of genes responsible for growth and yield in grasses for use as bio-energy and food crops. The research team will identify the
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
New Biofuel Is Potential Avgas Replacement
by William Garvey (Business and Commercial Aviation/Aviation Week) Manufacturers of piston-engine aircraft and powerplant makers are showing interest in an experimental, non-petroleum biofuel that could possibly serve as a “drop-in” replacement for leaded avgas. Swift Enterprises Ltd., a West Lafayette,
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
Ample U.S. Forestlands Can Provide Resources Needed to Meet New Energy Goals
(25 x 25 REsource) Some stakeholders engaged in the climate change policy debate are expressing concern that carbon cap-and-trade legislation may lead to extensive tree planting and result in the conversion of valuable cropland to forests. Some even have suggested
July 31, 2009 Read Full Article
World Biofuel Maritime Shipping Study
The bioenergy maritime shipping study published by International Enery Agency Bioenergy Task 40 describes main properties of biofuels in relation to maritime shipping, examine current shipping lanes and major tradable biomass sources (including AR, BR, CA, MY, RU and Baltic States),
July 30, 2009 Read Full Article
Grassoline at the Pump
by George W. Huber and Bruce E. Dale (Scientific American) Scientists are turning agricultural leftovers, wood and fast growing grasses into a huge variety of biofuels--even jet fuel. But before these next generation biofuels go mainstream, they have to compete
July 30, 2009 Read Full Article
Scientists Searching for Best Plants to Fuel Cars of the Future
(Southwest Farm Press) In a field tucked into the northern side of this college town, just across from the Kansas State University football complex, some unusually tall plants are growing. They are part of the university´s research into promising biofuel
July 30, 2009 Read Full Article
US Biomass Multi-Year Research Development & Deployment Program Plan
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes the importance of a diverse energy portfolio in meeting the nation’s energy security challenges. DOE has, therefore, set a goal in its Strategic Plan to promote energy security through a diverse energy
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Hilton Americas-Houston Switches to Biodiesel
(Houston Business Journal) Hilton Americas-Houston took delivery of its first load of biodiesel this week and will use the environmentally friendly fuel to help reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. ... In the past 12 months, 14,000 pounds of kitchen oil
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Oregon Will Begin Requiring a Biodiesel Blend in August
Beginning Aug. 1, with a few exceptions, diesel fuel in nine northwest Oregon counties will be required to contain at least two percent biodiesel. The change comes about two years after Oregon began requiring 10 percent ethanol in most gasoline
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
DOE, USDA Grant $6.3M for Biofuel Studies
(GenomeWeb Daily News) Seven research teams at institutions around the country will use $6.3 million from the US Government to run genomics studies of plant feedstocks for biofuel production using switchgrass, sorghum, alfalfa, and others. The Department of Energy and
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Group Opens Biodiesel Research Facility in Iowa for Studies Beyond Soy
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group opened a new multi-million dollar research and support lab for seven network biodiesel production plants and others in the industry July 28th at its Ames location, including more than 25 biodiesel feedstocks of tomorrow including coffee bean
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
ZeaChem Says 2,000 Gallon Per Acre Threshold in Sight for its Cellulosic Ethanol Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Montreal, ZeaChem, ... confirmed that it is on track to complete a demonstration-scale plant in Boardman, Oregon where yields of more than 2,000 gallons per acre per year can be achieved. ... Why the
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol Powered Stunt Team Ready For Sioux Falls Airshow
by Brian Allen (KSFY Action News) One of the stunt flying teams you'll see at this weekend's Sioux Falls Airshow is based out of Tea. The "Vanguard Squardon" fly just feet apart from each other and perform all sorts of
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Automakers Worry about More Ethanol in US Gasoline
by Tom Doggett (Reuters) Major automakers asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency not to approve higher blends of ethanol in gasoline until the agency has adequate test results showing the fuel would not damage vehicles. ... the Alliance of Automobile
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Can Stop Using Unnecessary Antibiotics,
The ethanol industry should voluntarily stop the unnecessary use of antibiotics in the production process, particularly because viable alternatives are readily available, concludes a new report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). For decades, ethanol producers have added
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Green Skies Thinking: Promoting the Development and Commercialisation of Sustainable Bio-jet Fuels
The latest research note from the UK's Policy Exchange recommends that bio-jet fuels should become a priority for the aviation industry; that they represent the only viable option for significantly reducing emissions from aviation without cutting the number of flights flown. ... Despite their potential,
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Lignol Energy Corp. and BAE Systems to Refine Biochemicals at Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
Lignol Energy Corporation, a technology company in the cellulosic ethanol and biorefining sector, and BAE Systems PLC announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to explore and develop commercial applications for biochemicals from the Lignol biorefinery process that have
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Can Botanical Tweaking Turn Jatropha Into a Biofuel Wonder Plant?
by Eliza Strickland (Discover) Can a tough and weedy shrub solve all of our energy problems and stop runaway climate change? Don’t be ridiculous—of course it can't. But that, briefly, was the hype surrounding Jatropha curcas, a poisonous plant that
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Healy Biodiesel Converts to Renewable Drop-In Diesel
(Biofuels International) Healy Biodiesel is to convert from production of traditional biodiesel to become the first commercial producer of a new type of renewable diesel. The Kansas-based producer signed a letter of intent with New Mexico’s Cetane Energy on 17
July 28, 2009 Read Full Article
Raleigh, NC, to Recycle Grease for Biofuel
Raleigh, North Carolina, residents will be able to dispose of cooking oil by setting it on the curb along with their garbage, recycling and yard waste. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a pilot program for curbside grease
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Grants for Advanced Biofuel Producers
U.S. Department of Agriculture to enter into Contracts to make payments to Eligible Advanced Biofuel Producers to support and ensure an expanding production of Advanced Biofuels. This program is authorized under Title IX, Section 9001, of the Food, Conservation, and
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Grants for Biorefineries to Use Renewable Biomass for Fuel
USDA to make payments to eligible biorefineries to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in the operation of these eligible biorefineries. READ MORE and MORE
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Experts Plug into Biofuel to Reduce Uganda Power Bill
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels to Remediate Ruined Radioactive Landscapes?
by Susan Kraemer (gas2.o) In a macabre When Life Deals You Lemons - Make Lemonade kind of news item: Researchers are considering that perhaps we could safely reuse radioactive land: to grow crops for biofuel.Greenfield Project Management wants to plant
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuel Leader Qteros Achieves Major Breakthrough in Performance of Its Q Microbe Process
Massachusetts-based biofuel company Qteros, whose Q Microbe™ technology turns biomass into cellulosic ethanol, announced at an industry conference in Montreal that it has achieved unprecedented laboratory results in the performance of its proprietary, technology known as “C3” (Complete Cellulosic Conversion).
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
R&D Futures Contracts Proposed to Address Climate Change Bill Weakness
“For Cap-and-Trade to truly reduce CO2 emissions, many promising lab-scale technologies will have to be prototyped, tested, and commercialized quickly,” says Bob Kozak, President of Atlantic Biomass Conversions. “With the current wording, the proposed Cap-and-Trade legislation does not have a
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Experts Plug into Biofuel to Reduce Uganda Power Bill
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Experts Plug into Biofuel to Reduce Uganda Power Bill
by Mehret Tesfaye (Ethiopian Review) Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future. The research which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is
July 23, 2009 Read Full Article
Global Sustainable Bioenergy Project Launched
Scientists from around the world - including Tom Richard , Director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment - have joined forces to seek resolution of issues related to sustainable production of energy from biomass. In response
July 22, 2009 Read Full Article
Khosla Raises A Cool Billion For Green Investments
by Chris Morrison (BNET Energy) Veteran cleantech venture capitalist Vinod Khosla will be announcing a pair of new funds to invest from today, according to a story in Forbes. If their sources are correct, it would make Khosla one of
July 22, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels and Biobased Chemicals Race to the Starting Line
by Paul Winters (Biotech Industry Organization, Renewable Energy World) Both the United States and Canada have made considerable investments in founding a renewable biofuels and chemicals industry, setting standards for the production and use of biofuels and committing money for research,
July 22, 2009 Read Full Article
Big Oil Bets on Biofuels
by Jennifer Kho (Renewable Energy World) At first glance, it might look like oil companies are pulling out of renewables. At the end of June, BP closed its alternative-energy headquarters. The oil company also has cut its alternative-energy budget and
July 22, 2009 Read Full Article
Canada's Milligan Bio-Tech Opens Canola-Fed Biodiesel Plant
Milligan Bio-Tech's crushing plant and 2 Mgy biodiesel processing facility will open on July 23 with tours and truck drag races to celebrate. The plant will be the first Canadian biodiesel producer using canola as a feedstock. The company, established in
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Norway Biodiesel Plant Opens
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Uniol AS opened its new biodiesel plant in Fredrikstad, Norway, in June. The plant was built by Austrian turnkey provider BDI-Bio-Diesel International AG (BDI), marking its 28th project worldwide. Production capacity for the new Uniol
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Greenland Shark May Become New Source of Biofuel
By Slim Allagui (AFP) The Greenland shark, one of the largest species of sharks, is a nuisance to fishermen and its meat is toxic to humans, but researchers now hope the flesh can be used to create a biofuel for
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
US Dept of Energy Sets $85 Million for Development of Algal Based and Advanced Cellulosic Biofuels
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), through the Office of the Biomass Program (OBP), announces the availability of funding for establishing Consortia for two primary topic areas - Development of Algal Based Biofuels, and Development of Advanced
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Successful Tests by Railways in India of Biodiesel/Compressed Natural Gas Engines
Railways has decided to introduce bio-diesel and CNG engines, the successful laboratory trial of which has already been carried out. Informing this in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa said trials have been completed
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Brew Your Own Fuel Ethanol at Home in California Using Spent Beer Yeast
GreenHouse is teaming-up with beer pioneer Karl Strauss Brewing Company to convert spent beer yeast into ethanol fuel for California residents and businesses. This news comes on the heels of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s June 4 press conference, where he unveiled
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
USDA Report Confirms Advances in Feedstock Production Technology, Practices
(25 x25) The USDA reported last week that American farmers are expected to produce 12.3 billion bushels of corn, the second largest U.S. corn crop in history. After estimating all of the uses of corn, USDA projects an excess corn
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Iowa Plants to Offer Farmers Cash for Corn Cobs
by Luke Meredith (AP) ... Poet spokesman Nathan Schock said the company hasn't yet figured out how much it will pay farmers, but it could be $30 to $60 per ton for corn stover, which includes cobs and some stalk.
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Big Oil Embracing Biofuels?
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
July 21, 2009 Read Full Article
Biobutanol 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
Biofuels 'Done Right' Can Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Provide Other Benefits
by Chris Emery (Princeton News) Biofuels derived from renewable sources can be produced in large quantities and address many problems related to fossil fuels, including greenhouse gas emissions, but only if they are made from certain sources, according to a new
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
New Technique Can Fast-track Better Ionic Liquids for Biomass Pre-treatments
(Renewable Energy World) ... The use of ionic liquids — salts that are liquids rather than crystals at room temperature — to dissolve lignocellulose and later help hydrolyze the resulting liquor into sugars, shows promise as a way of pre-treating
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
Cow Manure to Algae for Biodiesel in Vermont
(NECN.com) At Blue-Spruce Farm in Vermont, algae is grown using cow manure to produce biodiesel. WATCH VIDEO
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Bamboo Taxi Runs on Coconut Oil
by Kae Davis (Examiner.com) The newest fad in creating sustainable vehicles are Bamboo taxis. Commissioned by Tabontabon mayor Rustico Balderian, these unusual "exotic" locale are made out of 90% bamboo and run on coconut biodiesel. Better than a hybrid, the
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
New Test Helps Identify Biofuels Enzyme
by Marcia Wood (USDA, Southeast Farm Press) High-speed and high-tech, but surprisingly affordable, the sophisticated assay equips scientists with a faster, less expensive way to discover genes that enable microbes to make an enzyme known as an alpha-glucuronidase. In nature,
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Australia's Biofuel Partnership Joins Canada's Pacific Cascade Minerals to Develop BioCube
The Biofuel Partnership Limited has entered into a letter of intent with the Canadian public company Pacific Cascade Minerals Inc to form a joint venture for the further development, marketing and sale of The Biofuel Partnership’s BioCube technology. BioCube is an
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels Digest Provides Summary of India's Biofuels Use
Joelle Brink special correspondent for Biofuels Digest provides a summary of the use of biofuels and biofuels technologies in India (and Indian technology use in the US) as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepares to visit. READ MORE and MORE
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
Bio-feedback Process Controller Optimizes Algae Growth And Daily Harvesting Rates
OriginOil, Inc., announced a breakthrough technology, the Dynamic Control System, which is designed to respond continuously to algae’s behavior. This invention improves energy efficiency and growth rates by ensuring the right types and amounts of light are used at all
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil to Launch Biofuels Program
ExxonMobile announced its alliance with leading biotech company, Synthetic Genomics Inc., to research and develop next generation biofuels from photosynthetic algae. ... ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company has entered into a research and development alliance with SGI, a privately held company
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Special Reports on Key Biofuels Investors and Investments
Biofuels Digest published two reports about the "Hottest 20 Companies in Bioenergy," first listing the companies and their investors and then listing the investors and the companies they support.
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
US Dept of Energy Office of Biomass Programs Peer Review Presentations Available
All Programs in the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, are required to conduct a Peer Review of their funded projects on an annual or biannual schedule. The Office of Biomass Program (OBP) conducts these reviews by
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Waste to Fuels Presentations Available
Videos of presentations from the 2009 Waste to Fuels Conference held May 17-19 in San Diego have been published. Topics include: overview of conversion technologies, use of forest waste, municipal solid waste and other waste feedstocks to make biofuels, along with sessions related to financing and
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
BP, DuPont Butanol JV, Butamax, Heads for Commercialization
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Delaware, BP and Dupont announced the commencement of commercialization of their butanol venture, which will be named Butamax Advanced Biofuels. ... Butamax combines BP’s expertise in fuels technology, development and infrastructure with DuPont’s leading
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
Amid New Fuels’ Uncertainty, Clean Diesel’s Benefits Proven
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum in The Hill) ...This new generation of clean-diesel engines along with the millions of others already on the road is diverse in its ability to use high-quality blends of renewable biofuels made from soybeans,
July 17, 2009 Read Full Article
A Green Process for Producing Biodiesel from Feather Meal
Researchers at the University of Nevada have described a process to produce biodiesel from the fat content of feather meal, a waste product of the poultry industry. They estimate that this process can create 150−200 million gallons of biodiesel in the
July 13, 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
Policy Options for the Conservation Reserve Program in a Low‐Carbon
by Justin S. Baker, et al. (Duke University) Emerging markets and a rapidly evolving agricultural industry will strongly impact the implementation of conservation programs in the United States. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the nation’s largest and most successful
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Direct Federal Payments Available for Renewable Energy Projects
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy announced an estimated $3 billion for the development of renewable energy projects around the country and made available the guidance businesses will need to submit a successful application.
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Tallahassee Recyles Cooking Oil into Biodiesel
by Will Brown (Tallahassee.com) ... A city of Tallahassee pilot program converts old cooking oil to biodiesel in an attempt to save money and find alternative usages for cooking oils. ... Of the 2,000 pieces of equipment in the city's fleet
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
Chemrec Studies Georgia Pulp/Paper Mills for BioRefineries
Biomass-to-energy company Chemrec is evaluating possible sites in the state of Georgia for developing integrated fuels-from-the-forest® black liquor gasification biorefineries at pulp and paper mills there. ... Chemrec biorefineries transform mills into producers of biofuels or biochemicals or even green electricity
July 13, 2009 Read Full Article
G-8 Failure Reflects U.S. Failure on Climate Change
by Dr. James Hansen (HuffingtonPost) ... For all its "green" aura, Waxman-Markey locks in fossil fuel business-as-usual and garlands it with a Ponzi-like "cap-and-trade" scheme. Here are a few of the bill's egregious flaws: It guts the Clean Air Act, removing
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Senate Ag Panel's Members Look to Stake Major Claim in Climate Bill
by Allison Winter (New York Times, ClimateWire) ... Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and other members of his panel say they want to ensure any effort at wide-ranging climate legislation in the Senate will include all of the provisions that House Agriculture
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Big Four Will Be Among the Big Winners if U.S. Adopts Climate Law
by Nathanial Gronewold (Climatewire) Having helped companies explore the labyrinth of greenhouse gas regulation in Europe, the Big Four auditing and accounting firms are now moving quickly to build climate and carbon shops in the United States. Their goal is to stake
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae-Based Biofuel Could Power Gas Guzzlers of the U.S. Military
by Mike Stark (AP, MSNBC) In December, DARPA awarded a $20 million contract to General Atomics and a $15 million contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), two San Diego-based research companies. The contracts ask the companies to find a biofuel
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Edmonton Waste-to-Energy Project Expands with Research Center
by Hanneke Brooymans (Edmonton Journal) ...There are three different pieces to the city's (Edmonton's) efforts to convert garbage to fuel. The largest piece is a waste-to-biofuel plant, which will begin construction late this year. The plant will be built by Enerkem
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
For Greening Aviation, Are Biofuels the Right Stuff?
byDavid Biello (Yale Environment 360) Biofuels – made from algae and non-food plants – are emerging as a potentially viable alternative to conventional jet fuels. Although big challenges remain, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could be major. .... While homes, cars,
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Jatropha and Sunflowers Growing for Mozambique Biodiesel Refinery
by Fred Katerere (Bloomberg) Mozambique’s Companhia do Buzi and Galp Energia SGPS SA, from Portugal, plan to build a refinery in the country within the next ten years to produce fuel from jatropha and sunflowers, Noticias reported, citing the group’s General
July 10, 2009 Read Full Article
Amsterdam Energy Park to Include Biodiesel Plant
The Austrian company BDI - BioDiesel International AG has been commissioned by BioDiesel Amsterdam B.V. with the construction of a multi-feedstock BioDiesel plant in the port of Amsterdam. The contract value is about EUR 31 million. The plant with an
July 10, 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
EESI Publishes Sustainable Forest Biomass Policy Paper
Woody biomass from forest management is a renewable, low-carbon feedstock that can substitute for fossil fuels in the production of energy and other products — a potentially important tool in the national strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resist
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
NASA Explores Algae for Aviation Fuel
Seambiotic, a global leader in the development and production of marine microalgae for the nutraceutical and biofuel industries, has announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Seambiotic USA, has entered into an agreement with NASA Glenn Research Center to develop an on-going
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Louisiana’s Aquatic Energy Moving from Pilot to Demo with Algae-to-Energy without External CO2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aquatic Energy unveiled significant progress in its pilot algae-to-energy project in the Lake Charles-Lafayette corridor of Louisiana. The company is now preparing to expand from a “couple of acre” pilot in Lake Charles, to an 30-acre
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels and Feedstocks: A Commercialization Outlook
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Of all the hydrocarbons and simple sugars that can be made from biomass, or recovered from fossil reserves, gasoline, diesel and natural gas remain the most important end-products and are likely to remain so for
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
Community Genome Could Produce Biofuels
by Eric Bland (Discovery News) The genomes of 17 different ants, fungi and bacteria that eat through hundreds of pounds of leaf matter a year could ultimately lead to new techniques for making biofuels. Scientists from the University of Wisconsin, the
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
US Biofuels Plans 8-Acre Greenhouses for Algae Production
US Biofuels, Inc, a CA based company is setting to launch major green fuel production with recent gains of twelve greenhouses expanding over eight acres in size. Each greenhouse will be used for the purpose of growing algae in a
July 07, 2009 Read Full Article
EPA Extends Renewable Fuel Standard Comment Period to September 25
EPA is extending the comment period for the proposed rule "Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard Program." Under the Federal Register Notice, published May 26, 2009. the public comment period was set to end
July 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Global Renewable Fuels Alliance Urges World Bank to Invest in Sustainable Biofuels
I am writing to you to express our deepest concern that the World Bank is failing developing countries in their desire to develop sustainable biofuels industries and relieve their crippling reliance on imported crude oil. Your Bank remains on the
July 06, 2009 Read Full Article
Algae Biofuels Project in New Mexico Advances
by Tom Schneider (Carlsbad Current-Argus) ... With the snipping of a ribbon, the Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management moved its Algae Biofuels Project from pilot scale to the commercial demonstration level. Located on the grounds of the
July 06, 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
The Bioenergy Science Center's Efforts to Overcome Biomass Recalcitrance Described
"Without overcoming biomass recalcitrance, cellulosic biofuels will be more expensive than corn biofuels. Improved sugar conversion is not enough." From the presentation by Martin Keller, Ph.D., Director of the BioEnergy Science Center describing the efforts of the 304 people in
July 02, 2009 Read Full Article
New Zealand Green Party Introduces Sustainable Biofuels Legislation
A bill introduced in the New Zealand Parliament re-instates the legal framework for selling sustainable biofuels in New Zealand without violating World Trade Organization obligations. It does not distinguish between imported and locally produced biofuel, but requires both to meet the sustainability
July 02, 2009 Read Full Article
Ag-Oil Plans Oilseed Biodiesel Production with Univ of Florida, Agronne National Lab, Univ of Southern Illinois
Ag-Oil Announces Plan to Build and Operate a Pilot-Scale Non-Food Oilseed Biodiesel Production Facility and Algae-based Integrated Biorefinery Ag-Oil, has announced its plan to work with United Environment and Energy (UEE), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), University of Florida (UF), and
July 02, 2009 Read Full Article
Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant Contracted for Alberta
(RenewableEnergyWorld) SRS Engineering Corporation has finalized a contract with ReNvision Biofuels Inc. to build its 10 million-gallon-per-year (MMGY) biodiesel plant in, Alberta, Canada. SRS Engineering Corp. will provide the complete design and engineering services and the equipment required to build
July 02, 2009 Read Full Article
USDA Funds Available for Powering Biorefineries with Biomass
The US Department of Agriculture announced a Notice of Funding Availability to make payments to eligible biorefineries to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power in
July 02, 2009 Read Full Article
Senate Western Caucus Launches with CARE Act
In response to the climate change bill passed by the House on June 26, Senators Orin Hatch (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), David Vitter (R- La.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) introduced the Clean, Affordable,
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
St. Louis Researchers Launch Algae Research
by Susanne Retka Schill (CheckBiotech) Researchers at two centers in St. Louis are gearing up to launch five-year research programs on algae, backed by U.S. DOE grants. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center received $15 million and Washington University $20 million
July 01, 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
Obama Administration Sees Biofuels As Way to Wean Americans from Foreign Oil
"The President has been very, very clear about this. He wants the biofuel industry to take hold in this country. He wants us to break our addiction to foreign oil. The only way we can do that is by producing
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
Biofuels Research in Wyoming Gets Boost
The Wyoming Business Council Agribusiness Division has received a $49,873 grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program to explore the feasibility of sustainable biofuel crop production in Wyoming. The three-year SARE grant provides funding for test
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
Chromatin Licenses Gene Stacking Technology for Sugar Cane to Syngenta
Chromatin Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide research and commercial license agreement with Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. for Chromatin's proprietary gene stacking technology in sugar cane. Chromatin has developed a novel approach to gene stacking, using the
July 01, 2009 Read Full Article
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