by Marc Kellens (Biodiesel Magazine) Marc Kellens, the global technical director for Desmet Ballestra, takes us through the history and future of biodiesel production, identifying key milestones and cultural shifts, including the introduction and proliferation of renewable diesel. -- ... The food-vs.-fuel
algae
Back TO HOMEAviation Solutions: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Neste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Neste has a strong history of developing, commercializing, and marketing new fuels, including diesel, renewable chemicals, renewable jet fuel, and more. Neville Fernandes from Neste, gave this illuminating overview of their plans for the production and expansion
January 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Enemy Submarine Detecting Microorganisms, Algae-Based Polymers, Edible Antimicrobial Film, Limestone-Based Bags, Soybean Oil Based Road Sealant: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of December 26th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of December 26th. In today’s Digest, enemy submarine detecting microorganisms, algae-based polymers, edible antimicrobial film, limestone-based bags,
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Table’s Been Set in 2018: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Cellana
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana develops algae-based products and has demonstrated commercially scalable yields for multi-products. Their algae is the world’s first biomass with two high-value product applications from different components. Martin Sabarsky, Cellana’s CEO gave this illuminating overview of cellana’s
December 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Grease. Gunk. Sludge. Where Most People See a Nasty Nuisance, These Scientists See Powerful Potential.
(U.S. Department of Energy) Join us on this episode as we wade into the world of bioenergy and learn about the folks working to turn noxious waste into useful energy. Then read on for more bioenergy stories and background from the Department of Energy and
December 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Direct Electrolysis Has Mixed Results for Extracting Fuel Sources from Microalgae
(Universiti Malaysia Sabah/Phys.Org) Researchers are investigating ways to improve biodiesel production by using electrical fields to break open microalgae cells with varied results, according to a new study in the Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology. Lipids inside microalgae are a promising source
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Kampachi Company Wins $3.3m Grant to Turn Seaweed into Food, Feed, Fuel
by Jason Huffman (Undercurrent News) The Kampachi Company may be best known for its recent efforts to grow “king kampachi”, aka kahala or almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana), in ocean-based cages, but it also is performing research with plans to make a
December 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Energy Department Seeks Information on Algae, Biomass, and Waste Feedstock Research -- DE-FOA-00002020 FY 2019 Bioenergy Technologies Multi-Topic RFI DEADLINE: extended to January 18, 2019
(Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is requesting information on research opportunities related to outdoor algae research, biomass characteristics and feedstock performance, and renewable energy
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Algae Agriculture Triumphs in Farm Bill Compromise
(Algae Biomass Organization) In a historic day for the algae industry, the U.S. Senate Tuesday approved a Farm Bill compromise that dramatically expands federal support for algae agriculture. The bill sets U.S. farm policy through 2023. It is expected to pass the House
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
School of ExxonMobil: Algae Biofuel
(ExxonMobile)Discover the wonderful world of algae, along with a very inquisitive young scientist. WATCH VIDEO NREL, ExxonMobil Teams Imagine, Research New Solutions for Tomorrow’s Energy Challenges (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
A Kill Switch For Genetically Modified Algae
(Hiroshima University/Asian Scientist Magazine) By preventing bioengineered microalgae from growing outside the lab, researchers have reduced the risk of the genetically modified organisms escaping into the wild. Researchers at Hiroshima University, Japan, have developed a biocontainment strategy for genetically modified microalgae. They
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to ARPA-E’s Agro-Energy Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy. ARPA-E
December 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Omani Woman Scientist Wins UNESCO Fellowship for Research in Biofuels
(Muscat Daily) An Omani woman scientist is among those honoured at the fifth edition of the L’Oréal-Unesco ‘For Women in Science Middle East Fellowship’. Dr Lamya al Haj from the Sultan Qaboos University was recognised at a ceremony held on Monday
December 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Coffee Sunglasses, Cotton Biofuel Cells, Evolving Yeasts, Biobased Boat Stickers, Microalgae Chemicals, Potato Plastic, Bioplastic Shoes: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of December 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of December 5th. ... #7 Cotton-based hybrid biofuel cell could power pacemakers In Georgia, a glucose-powered biofuel cell that
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Florida ‘Best Site’ for Algae Cultivation
(Biofuels International) New research has evaluated a number of specific regions across the United States and concluded Florida is the best for algae production. According to a statement, the 19 month long study involving scientists from NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and
December 03, 2018 Read Full Article
New Biocontainment Strategy Controls Spread of Escaped GMOs -- Engineers Safely Control Genetically Engineered Microalgae
(Science Daily) Researchers successfully developed a biocontainment strategy for GMOs. Their new method prevents genetically modified microalgae from surviving outside of their test environment, enabling ways to more safely research the effects of GMOs. Hiroshima University (HU) researchers successfully developed a biocontainment
December 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Double Helping: Maryland Researcher Featured in New Big Ten Network Video Creates Clean Energy While Cleaning Bay
by Samantha Watters (Maryland Today) University of Maryland researchers are helping to keep pollution out of the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay while providing a pollution-free source of renewable energy. Stephanie Lansing, associate professor of environmental science and technology,
November 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Brain Regeneration, Data Storage with Biocomputers, Plastic from Waste Gases, Bamboo Diapers, Gene-Edited Wheat, Jackets from Bison Fluff : The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 29th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of November 29th. ... #3 Munich researchers use algae to convert waste gas to carbon fiber In Germany, researchers
November 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Tapping the Genetic Power of Algae: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algenol is a global, industrial biotechnology company that is commercializing its patented algae technology platform for production of ethanol and other biofuels, chemicals and biobased materials. Formed in 2006, and headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida with an
November 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Algae ‘Blooms’ in Automotive Industry
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Mazda is investing in it. Honda is using it for R&D and potential byproducts. Algenol, AlgaEnergy and others grow and develop it. Euglena began producing it for biojet fuel at its new biofuel refinery plant in Japan. The U.S. government has a whole R&D department that
November 26, 2018 Read Full Article
The 2018 Algae Biomass Summit: Tracing the Evolution of the Algae Industry and Its New Trajectories Forward
by Jenna Bloxom* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The kickoff of the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit in The Woodlands, TX, was awash with the same professional ambition, intellectual zeal, and indomitable sense of hope which likewise distinguished the opening ceremony of this
November 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Company Removing Nitrates from Water Using Algae
by Jon Vanderford (1011 Now) The algae found in a lab at the University of Nebraska's Beadle Center may hold the key to clean water. Research on algae first started several years ago with a goal of producing oil. "The initial impetus
November 16, 2018 Read Full Article
3D Printed Bio-Eyes, Biobased Surfactants, Duckweed’s Comeback, Cow Poop Fabric, Starch Algae Opp, Disney Goes Bio, Alt Tuna: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 14th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of November 7th. In today’s Digest, 3D printed Bio-eyes, biobased surfactants, duckweed’s comeback, cow poop fabric, starch
November 15, 2018 Read Full Article
How Maryland Is Cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay: LiveBIG 2018-19
(BTN Live BIG) With a specially-built algae growth system, University of Maryland researchers are scrubbing excess nutrients from Chesapeake Bay waters, a process that will help restore oxygen levels in the troubled coastal ecosystem. The algae, in turn, can be used
November 14, 2018 Read Full Article
DOE Announces SBIR/STTR FY 2019 Phase I Release 2 Topics
(U.S. Department of Energy) As part of last week's posting of topic areas for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research and development proposals, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced 12 topics to fund
November 14, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Biobased Chemicals
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42’s goal is to contribute to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries as part of highly efficient sustainable value chains (co-)producing food/feed ingredients, chemicals, materials, fuels, power and/or heat out of sustainably sourced
November 13, 2018 Read Full Article
World Industrial Photobioreactor Challenge 2019
(National Algae Association) The Challenge: To identify the best commercial algae cultivation systems on the market. With many different variations of algae cultivation systems throughout the world, the emerging algae production industry needs to identify the best commercial algae cultivation systems in indoor and
November 12, 2018 Read Full Article
ASU Teams Find New Ways to Harness CO2 to Reduce Biofuel Costs
(Arizona State University/Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy has announced 36 projects that together have been awarded $80 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development. Two Arizona State University research teams are among the grantees, with the grants to
November 12, 2018 Read Full Article
AlgaEnergy and Yokogawa Sign Strategic Partnership & Equity Agreement to Accelerate Growth of the Microalgae Biotech Sector
(AlgaEnergy/Yokogawa/BusinessWire) AlgaEnergy, a Spanish biotechnology company specializing in the production and commercial applications of microalgae, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6841), a leading provider of industrial automation, control, and measurement technology, announce the signing of a partnership & equity participation agreement. The
November 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Biobased Bridges, Carrot Concrete, Chicken-Feather Plastics, Edible Cottonseed, Nanofibers from Crabshell : The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 7th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of November 7th. #10 Mazda backs carbon-neutral biofuel research on microalgae In the United Kingdom, Mazda is involved
November 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Federal Investments in Algae Cultivation Technologies Paying Big Dividends
by Matt Carr (Algae Biomass Organization/Biofuels Digest) Algae-derived products and technologies are on the cusp of changing nearly everything. Algae will transform how we eat; will make the materials in your shoes more sustainable; provide fuel for vehicles and planes; recycle greenhouse gases and deliver many more products
November 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Scientists Find a "Switch" to Increase Starch Accumulation in Algae: A Brighter Future for Renewable Energy and Materials
(Tokyo Tech News) Results from a collaborative study by Tokyo Tech and Tohoku University, Japan, raise prospects for large-scale production of algae-derived starch, a valuable bioresource for biofuels and other renewable materials. Such bio-based products have the potential to replace fossil
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Jet Biofuel Mass Production to Begin in Japan
by Akane Okutsu (Nikkei Asia Review) Biotech company euglena teams with ANA to fuel green commercial flights -- Japan's biotechnology company euglena is to start mass production of bio jet fuel and biodiesel out of algae and waste oil, with the aim of being the
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
DBT Set up the Fifth Centre of Excellence in Bioenergy
(India Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology) Memorandum of Understanding was exchanged between Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) today (31st October 2018) for setting up of India’s
November 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Mazda Backs Carbon-Neutral Biofuel Research
(Mazda/Automotive World) Mazda is currently involved in joint research projects and studies as part of an ongoing industry-academia-government collaboration to promote the wide-spread adoption of biofuels from microalgae growth -- As part of its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’ long-term technology development programme, the
November 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethiopia: Private Sector Promise for Biofuel
by Behailu Ayele (AllAfrica/Addis Fortune) ... A new bill is in the works to allow the involvement of the private sector in development, production, distribution and the sale of biofuel energy. The law will be the first to be enacted for
November 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Can Utah Lake's Algae Be Harvested? UVU Professor Has Plans, Is Seeking Funding to Turn Algae into Fuel
by Braley Dodson (Daily Herald) Barges could be running across Utah Lake by next summer, sucking up water and filtering out algae to prevent future massive blooms from forming on the lake. At least, that’s Kevin Shurtleff’s plan. Shurtleff, an associate professor of chemistry
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
ABO Announces Six Winners of the Young Algae Researcher Awards at the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit
(Algae Biomass Organization) Six student scientists were presented with this year’s Young Algae Researcher Awards for their contributions to fields of algae biology and engineering at the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit, held in The Woodlands, Texas Oct 14-17. The awards are presented at the annual
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Carbon Utilization Research Can Lead to Big Emissions Reductions
(Algae Biomass Organization) A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine makes the case for robust, coordinated research and development programs that can accelerate the development of technologies that can turn greenhouse into useful products such as fuels, construction
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Dispatch from the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit
(Algae Biomass Organization) This month hundreds of entrepreneurs, scientists, investors and government leaders gathered in Houston for the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit. The themes that emerged from the tours, speaker presentations, poster sessions and product demonstrations all pointed to an industry
October 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Growing Algae More Sustainably for Biofuel Production
by Jessica Cox (Colorado State University/Phys.Org) ... Another source used to create biofuel is algae – both single-celled microalgae and macroalgae such as kelp. Though algal biofuels are a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, there remains room to improve the production of the algae used
October 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Lightfast Polyurethane; YPF Adds Biofuels; Mars, BH Improve Cacao, Chocolate; 20 New Food Waste Start-Ups; Fossil-Free Ocean Freight: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 24th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of October 24th. ... #2 Oil and gas giant YPF to start producing biofuels In Argentina, Miguel Gutiérrez, President of
October 26, 2018 Read Full Article
An Algal Biofuel Obituary
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ... It is true that some species of algae produce oils that can be converted into fuel. It is also true that crude oil originated from algae and plankton that lived millions of years ago, died, sunk
October 25, 2018 Read Full Article
Pyromaniax Unbound
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Why the attention? Some of it in the most recent data and news regarding commercial status. TCat-8 has operated for over 2,000 hours with continuous catalyst circulation including a fluid bed reactor, catalyst stripper, catalyst regenerator, quench tower,
October 25, 2018 Read Full Article
The R&D Platform: 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to the Bioeconomy Technologies Office Strategic Vision
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) establishes partnerships with key public and private stakeholders to develop technologies for producing cost-competitive advanced biofuels from non-food biomass resources, including cellulosic biomass, algae, and
October 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Boosting Crop Yields
(Algae Industry Magazine) Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) have engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue-green algae into plants, in an innovation that can help boost the yields of important food crops such as wheat, cowpeas and cassava. READ MORE/WATCH
October 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Argonne GREET 2018 Update
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, a research team at Argonne National Lab released its GREET 2018 update. GREET is a life-cycle analysis (LCA) tool, structured to systematically examine energy and environmental effects of a wide variety of transportation fuels and
October 12, 2018 Read Full Article
PHYCO2 Algae Production and Carbon Emissions Reduction Pilot Program with MSU Reach New Milestones
(PHYCO2) PHYCO2 LLC reached a new milestone in its three-year pilot program with Michigan State University, announcing today the operation of its new, scalable algae production technology reactor, which will reduce the level of carbon emissions produced by electric power generation
October 11, 2018 Read Full Article
How Some Algae May Survive Climate Change
(Rutgers Today) Green algae stole genes from bacteria to survive in harsh environments, Rutgers-led study suggests -- Green algae that evolved to tolerate hostile and fluctuating conditions in salt marshes and inland salt flats are expected to survive climate change, thanks to hardy
October 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Interest in DOE Algae Biomass Program/BETO Technologies Diminishes Because They Have Proven to Not Be Scalable Outside the Lab in Demonstration or Pilot Tests.
by Barry Cohen (National Algae Association) After over 10 years of attempts at collaboration between the DOE Algae Biomass Program/BETO, university algae researchers and commercial algae producers over highly advertised pay-to-play taxpayer funded technologies, NAA and its algaepreneurs have no further
October 09, 2018 Read Full Article
A Bird's Eye View of Bioenergy
by Bill Keba* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Mid-Atlantic Bioenergy Conference and Expo (MABEX) was held on September 12 and 13 at the Convene at CityView in Philadelphia, Pa. The Mid-Atlantic Bioenergy Council did well in selecting this terrific skyscraping venue.
October 06, 2018 Read Full Article
From Ponds to Power: $2M to Perfect Algae as Diesel Fuel
by Nicole Casal Moore (University of Michigan) U-M becomes one of the few institutes in the world working on the problem end-to-end -- With $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, University of Michigan researchers aim to make the long-touted promise
October 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Development, Deployment of Integrated Biorefineries: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Biorefining in the US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42’s goal is to contribute to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries as part of highly efficient sustainable value chains (co-)producing food/feed ingredients, chemicals, materials, fuels, power and/or heat out of sustainably sourced
October 02, 2018 Read Full Article
New Algae/Fungi Biofuels System, Breakthru on Sugar Yields, Biodegradable Clothes, Beyond Burger’s monster GHG Benefit, Indigo Ag’s $250M, Robotic Precision Harvest: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of October 3rd
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. In today’s Digest, a new algae/fungi biofuels system, breakthru on sugar yields, biodegradable clothes, Beyond Burger’s monster GHG benefit revealed, Indigo Ag raises $250M, robotic
October 02, 2018 Read Full Article
ABO Secures $44 million for Algae, Carbon Utilization Research in FY 2019
(Algae Biomass Organization) Following close on the heels of the U.S. Department of Energy’s latest round of algae funding awards, President Trump Friday (September 21, 2018) signed into law a Fiscal Year 2019 spending bill providing an additional $44 million in FY2019 for algae
October 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Reaping Profits from Microalgal Biorefineries
by Annie Megan Santamaria (Research Matters) Biorefineries which run on microalgae make for unconventional alternatives to satisfy our ever-growing thirst for energy. Studies in the past have proved that producing only biodiesel from microalgae biomass is non-profitable, and hence not sustainable. However,
September 20, 2018 Read Full Article
'Next Gen Scientists for Biodiesel' Program Selects Two New Leaders
(National Biodiesel Board) Rowan University and Missouri University of Science and Technology students chosen as co-chairs -- Shyam Paudel’s interest in energy comes from deep in his childhood, growing up in the mountains of Western Nepal. Children commonly studied by the light
September 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Continued Testing, Cleaner Fuel Proposed for Diesel Engines
by Roger Gilroy (Transport Topics) Diesel fuel still has a large role to play in achieving greater emissions reductions in heavy-duty trucks, experts said during a recent conference in San Francisco. Separately, they urged more in-use testing of engines to verify
September 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Harnessing Algae and Fungi to Create New Biofuel System
by Igor Houwat (Michigan State University) Michigan State University scientists have found a solution to enhance oil production and harvest using what many consider sea sludge. The new proof of concept, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels, is a biofuel production platform that uses
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Energy E3 to Build Innovation Center, Increase Access to Sustainable Energy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
(U.S. Department of Energy) It powers nearly every aspect of our daily lives, but in low- to middle-income countries, more than one billion people live without electricity. The issue is particularly overwhelming in sub-Saharan Africa where, according to the U.S. Agency
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Cyanotech® Corporation Signs Asset Purchase Agreement for Cellana’s Kona Demonstration Facility
(MarketWatch/Cyanotech) Cyanotech [®] Corporation (nasdaq capital market:CYAN), a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, is pleased to announce that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cellana LLC to acquire a six-acre production and research facility, known
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Pain-Relieving Yarns, Dissolvable Plastic Made out of Algae, Probiotic Nutrition from Soy Waste, Squid-Inspired Smart Materials. Illinois Okays Hemp Cultivation: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Announces 36 Projects for Bioenergy Research and Development
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of 36 projects totaling $80 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development (R&D). This R&D will enable cost-competitive, drop-in renewable hydrocarbon fuels, bio-based products, and power from
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
ODU Algae Research Aims to Fuel Bioeconomy
by Sarah Huddle (Old Dominion University) ... Cutting-edge research in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University is fueling the bioeconomy through the discovery of useful applications for algae as well as a proprietary process that can make
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
These Researchers Want to Use Pollution to Make Fuel
by Bruce Lieberman (Yale Climate Connections) They think nutrients in farm runoff could feed algae for biofuel. -- When fertilizer and pesticides run off farmland, they can contaminate waterways with nutrient pollution. Davis: “A classic example is the Mississippi Basin.” That’s Ryan Davis of
August 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Put Algae in the Farm Bill!
(Algae Biomass Organization) ... Algae are fast becoming a significant component in food and health products, and it is time that this new crop was afforded the support by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that other crops have seen for decades. Thanks
August 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Scientists Identify Enzyme That Could Help Accelerate Biofuel Production
(R&D Magazine/Tokyo Institute of Technology) Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have honed in on an enzyme belonging to the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) family as a promising target for increasing biofuel production from the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Algae are known to store
August 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Algaennovation Signs Deal with Iceland Geothermal Plant
(Algae Industry Magazine) exander Richter writes in thinkgeoenergy.com that Israel-based Algaennovation last week signed a 15-year contract with Icelandic energy utility and operator ON Power for the purchase of energy and other inputs for small-scale algae production, which the companies say will be the first
August 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Earnings Season: as Novozymes, DSM, Amyris, Gevo, Corbion, and Aemetis Report, Who’s up, Who’s down?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In today’s Digest, let’s look at trends driving the industry’s results at scale — and while money is not the measure of all progress, it is the ultimate yardstick and especially for companies that have reached
August 17, 2018 Read Full Article
New Approach Derives Hydrogen from Algae
by Elizabeth Montalbano (Design News) Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland have discovered a novel way to develop biofuel from green algae. -- ...One of the most promising alternatives has been molecular hydrogen, which provides carbon-free power in one of the
August 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Brief Thoughts on the 2018 Bio World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology (July 16-19, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)
by Craig Laufer* (Advanced Biofuels USA) After hearing from many speakers at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, one recurring theme from the sessions I attended was the application of digital biology, synthetic biology in silico modeling, machine learning
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Leahy among Lawmakers Taking Farm Bill to Conference
(WCAX) Both houses of Congress have passed their respective versions of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that affects farmers around the country. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, will try to come together to
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
New Mexico Natural History Museum Launches Online Game to Grow Algae for Biodiesel
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In New Mexico, the state’s Museum of Natural History and Science has launched an online exhibition called Bio-AI that allows users to grow an algae crop—or fail and lose the crop—using an online game “Growing Green Goop”
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
How Is CAAFI Engaging with Emerging Companies, and What Early-Stage Pathways Should SAJF Stakeholders Be Aware of?
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative) ... Feedstocks: The companies are pursuing various feedstock categories, including algae, cellulosics, lipids, sugars, oilseeds, tall oil residue, and sugars. Most of the companies were only pursuing one feedstock category, with only a couple continuing
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Florida Posts Harmful Algal Bloom Management Grant Information
(Florida Department of Environmental Protection) On July 9, 2018, Governor Rick Scott issued an Executive Order for Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties to help combat algal blooms (HABs) caused by Lake Okeechobee water discharges from the
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Algal Biotechnology Research at Sheffield
(Algae Industry Magazine) Jags Pandhal is a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, at the University of Sheffield, in the UK. His research involves biological resource recovery utilizing algae from landfill leachate at 300L scale. This project
August 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Can Blue-Green Algae Be Used as Biofuel?
by Ross DiMattei (ABC-7) Suspending freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee is only a temporary solution to the water quality issues in Southwest Florida. -- You may have seen a proposal for a more permanent solution circulating on social media that would
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
More Support for Carbon Utilization in Congress
(Algae Biomass Organization) This month the momentum for supporting technologies that put carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to good use got a boost in Congress with the introduction of the bipartisan Carbon Utilization Act of 2018. The House bill would
August 02, 2018 Read Full Article
LANL Researching Algae to Convert to Affordable Fuel
by Andy Stiny (Santa Fe New Mexican) ... And those lawn clippings? They could be used to convert algae into a mass-produced, economical biofuel to be used in cars, trucks and airplanes. Molecular biologist Amanda Barry and a team at Los
July 31, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 27th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
July 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Osaka City University Develops CO2 Consuming Biofuel Cell Utilizing Microalgae Spirulina
(Japan for Sustainability) Osaka City University announced on April 25, 2018, that it succeeded in developing a new biofuel cell system with the functions of a solar cell and the ability of carbon dioxide conversion. Utilizing the photosynthesis function of spirulina,
July 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Harmful Algal Blooms: Engineering Solutions to a Growing Problem
by Bethany Jensen (Ignite Utah State University) With the increase of global climate change effects, many local bodies of fresh water are experiencing dangerous toxic algae blooms. These are detrimental to water recreation, to agriculture, and to the natural ecosystem. They
July 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Feeding Plants to This Algae Could Fuel Your Car
(Los Alamos National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and partner institutions provided today the first published report of algae using raw plants as a carbon energy source. The research shows that a freshwater production strain of microalgae, Auxenochlorella protothecoides,
July 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at the BIO World Congress: Dinneen Steps Down at RFA, Cooper Succeeds; EPA Hearings in DC; Organic Solar Cells; Lygos rockin’; Biomaterials Advance; Iffy News for Algae Tech.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... News spread like wildfire at the 2018 BIO World Congress in Philadelphia that Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen will transition into the role of RFA’s Senior Strategic Advisor, and Executive Vice President Geoff Cooper
July 19, 2018 Read Full Article
SET-Plan Steering Group Approved Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport
(European Technology and Innovation Platform-Bioenergy) On 13 June 2018 the SET-Plan Steering Group approved the Implementation Plan of SET-Plan Action 8: Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels for Sustainable Transport. The plan was prepared by a working group, co chaired by industrial experts from
July 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Boyle Selected for DOE Early Career Research Program
(Colorado School of Mines) Nanette Boyle, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at Colorado School of Mines, has been awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Early Career Research Program. Boyle will receive $750,000 over five years to develop predictive metabolic
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Algae for the Advanced Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Cellana
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana uses the most productive plants on earth—marine microalgae—to photosynthetically produce its ReNew line of Omega-3 EPA and DHA oils, animal feed, and biofuel feedstocks. Cellana’s patented ALDUO system, a series of photobioreactors coupled with open
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Overcoming Limitations of Engineering Eukaryotic Algae
(Algae Industry Magazine) Have some of the final engineering limitations of microalgae been overcome? Can microalgae be hosts for genetic engineering as powerful as bacteria and yeast? A promising new technique for gene design seems to overcome expression limitations of
July 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Transformations – Pivotal Pivots for Survival in the Bioeconomy
Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Some of these started with biofuels then went into chemicals, nutrition or protein and some are going back to their beginnings. What they all have in common, however, is they are transforming…as markets change, as
July 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Video: Biofuel from Algae
(University of Michigan) University of Michigan scientists grew various combinations of freshwater algal species in 80 artificial ponds at U-M’s E.S. George Reserve near Pinckney, Michigan in the first large-scale, controlled experiment to test the widely held idea that biodiversity can
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
New Algae Bloom Remediation Group Starting
(National Algae Association) There is a growing 'state of emergency' on the expansion of algae blooms in the US and throughout the world. This group is a collaboration of algae bloom remediation technologies (proven to work outside the lab, scalable and
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Neutrons—Making Sustainable Biofuels
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using neutrons to understand why certain hydrocarbons produced by blue-green algae are important to their biology, so new strains can be engineered to sustainably produce biofuels. Neutron scattering makes
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
From Water to Hydrogen Biofuel – ASU Uses Light-Driven Energy Extraction
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Arizona, Arizona State University researcher Kevin Redding is working on biological, light-driven energy extraction. Redding, a biochemist who leads the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis at ASU, is producing hydrogen biofuel from water instead of
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Protein, Protein: The Bioeconomy’s Latest Technology Fad Is, Actually, a Pivot Back to an Ancient and Enduring Concern
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Protein has become the answer to almost every question. How will you achieve scale? Protein. How will you make money? Protein. What will save the world? Protein. What are you going to talk about in your
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
DOE’s Scum Ranchers
(Algae Industry Magazine/Vice News Tonight/HBO) The Department of Energy is trying to turn the Salton Sea, a lake in the California desert, into a farm for renewable fuels — and clean its infamously polluted water in the process. The Salton Sea
June 29, 2018 Read Full Article
A First-of-a-Kind Algal-based College Certificate Program Sends Off Its First Graduates
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)-funded Algae Technology Educational Consortium (ATEC) is proud to announce its first graduates from the algal certificate program at Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. These first ATEC graduates
June 27, 2018 Read Full Article
EERE Success Story—From Breakfast to Biocrude: Study Identifies Production Potential across Nation
(U.S. Department of Energy) Cattle waste and wastewater. Sludgy grease ensconced in restaurant and cafeteria grease traps. Food waste—uneaten leftovers or culinary mistakes. Contrary to the lyrics in The Sound of Music, these aren’t a few of our favorite things. But when paired with
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Heating up in Hawaii – Hot News from Sea to Shore
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... The VERGE conference was held in Honolulu last week gathering energy and transportation leaders to talk about lessons learned in clean energy and electricity that can be transferred to the transportation sector. Among the topics
June 25, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of June 21st, 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
A New Type of Photosynthesis Is Discovered
(Algae Industry Magazine) Hayley Dunning writes from the Imperial College of London that a new discovery has changed our understanding of the basic mechanism of photosynthesis and should rewrite the textbooks. It will also tailor the way we hunt for
June 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Large Outdoor Study Shows Biodiversity Improves Stability of Algal Biofuel Systems
(Phys.Org/University of Michigan) ... Overall, the researchers found that diverse mixes of algal species, known as polycultures, performed more key functions at higher levels than any single species—they were better at multitasking. But surprisingly, the researchers also found that polycultures did
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
New Algae Biofuel Production Method Could Someday Compete with Petroleum
by Philip T. Pienkos (R&D Magazine) ... This time, the leading force was not the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), but the investment community acting in the belief that the power of modern biotechnology could be brought to bear against the
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Unloading Sustainability in the Most Unlikely Places: Germany’s Entrepreneurial Spirit to Realizing Closed Photo-Bioreactor Systems
by Michael Eggelston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The excessive water evaporation of open pond photo-bioreactors (PBRs) seriously limits the geographical applicability of algae as a catalyst for bio-based products. As a result, these industries in Europe have turned to closed PBR
June 13, 2018 Read Full Article
French Partners to Build Photovoltaic Greenhouses for Microalgae
(Algae Industry Magazine) Global EcoPower (GEP), of Aix-en-Provence, France, has signed a 5-year partnership contract with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). This partnership, launched with the CEA’s technological research department, provides for a research and development
June 12, 2018 Read Full Article
In a First, Indian Oil Corporation to Channel Refinery Waste Gas for Ethanol Production
(Outlook India) In a first-of-its-kind venture in the world, Indian Oil Corporation is planning to utilise off-gases (waste gas) from various processing units of its refineries for production of ethanol. The move will reduce the carbon footprint of the state-run company’s refineries, while helping
June 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 10 Biodiesel Trends 2018: What’s up with the World’s Favorite Advanced Biofuel?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We’ve organized the state of biodiesel into 10 areas of vital interest ranging from the development of markets to the entry of ancillary products and new feedstocks. #1 Tax & Trade Free trade vs fair trade: Dumping
June 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Mandate to Take Effect from 1st September
(EU Scoop) Bulgaria is expected to implement a minimum of 6% biodiesel blend requirement for all transportation fuels from 1st September 2018. At least 1% of the blend will come from new generation biofuels. The mandate comes through a new regulation
May 31, 2018 Read Full Article
ABO Internships Available for Summer and Fall of 2018
(Algae Biomass Organization) Students – Are you interested in doing more for your industry while completing your degree? Help define the algae sector of today and shape the industry of tomorrow as an Algae Biomass Organization volunteer virtual intern. Internships of 8-12
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
ABO Secures Unprecedented $136 Million For Algae and Related Projects — Deadlines Approaching
(Algae Biomass Organization) ABO’s ongoing work in Washington, DC, to educate Congress and federal agencies on the importance of robust algae research, development and demonstration has resulted in the release of an unprecedented series of funding opportunities for algae. Deadlines for
May 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Back to the Future All Over Again: ExxonMobil Targets Algae Fuels at Scale by 2025, as Oil Prices Rise
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) So, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics have announced a new phase in their joint algae biofuel research program that could lead to the technical ability to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel per day by 2025. With that,
May 25, 2018 Read Full Article
New Generation Biofuels Increasing in Viability
by Giles Kirkland (ACT News) Those interested in advanced transportation will be well aware of the massive potential of introducing such kinds of biofuels as microalgae-based fuels. With fossil fuels still making up a total of 80% of the world’s energy, they
May 24, 2018 Read Full Article
PU BioNEST Gets Rs 2.57-cr Grant
(Tribune News Service) The Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (BioNEST), Panjab University (PU), has got a grant of Rs 2.57 crore for projects in food and agriculture processing.“The government wants us to suggest ways of converting biomass into high-value product.
May 24, 2018 Read Full Article
A New DNA Editing Toolkit for the alga Nannochloropsis
by Igor Houwat, Eric Poliner (MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory) Eric Poliner and a team of MSU scientists in the Farre and Benning labs have released a new genetic engineering toolkit for the alga Nannochloropsis. The alga is of interest for the
May 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuel from Algae: CUK Scientist Finds Key to Increase Yield by 30 Per Cent
by George Poikayil (Indian Express) The "path-breaking" findings were published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Plant Physiology in May. -- A team of 14 scientists from Korea, Spain and India discovered a key to increase biofuel from algae by 30%. Their "path-breaking"
May 21, 2018 Read Full Article
OMEGA Project Update
(Algae Industry Magazine) Jonathan Trent, of the OMEGA Global Initiative, explains to a CNBC reporter at the recent Myriad Conference, in Brisbane, Australia, how his efforts to study the possibility of living on Mars paved the way for potential applications
May 18, 2018 Read Full Article
ICYMI: $227M Available from US in Push for Vehicle, Feedstock and Bioconversion Advances
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We usually say, ICYMIs for those In Case You Missed Its that show up in someone’s inbox. This week, we might re-purpose that useful acronym to: In Case Your Money Isn’t Sufficient — because there are three funding opportunities
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Saccharification Treatments Using Cellulase and Laminarinase Results in Higher Ethanol
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In the Philippines, researchers from University of the Philippines and Hiroshima University in Japan conducted a study that focused on ethanol production from macroalgae using only enzymatic treatment for saccharification of algal biomass. This involved the isolation
May 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production and Consumption in the US: Status, Advances and Challenges
by Mahmood Ebadian and James D. McMillan (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) ... The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was enacted in 2007 to enhance domestic production of fuels and spur economic development while reducing reliance on imports and improving the
May 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Algal Systems Listening Session --- June 13, 2018 --- Seattle, WA
On June 13, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) will host the Advanced Algal Systems Listening Session in Seattle, Washington. BETO is seeking feedback from experts in algal biology, cultivation, and conversion on how to address near-term
May 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Secretary Perry Announces Up to $78 Million for Bioenergy Research Funding Opportunities LOI due May 30, 2018
Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced four funding opportunities totaling up to $78 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office. “The Department of Energy is focused
May 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Tesla-Inspired Euglena Bets Big on Algal Jet Fuel
(Algae Industry Magazine) JapanNews.com reports that Euglena Co., a Tokyo-based maker of nutritional supplements, is spending ¥5.8 billion ($5.3 million USD) on building a test refinery that converts algae into biofuel used to power jets and vehicles. The investment is
May 01, 2018 Read Full Article
California's Scum Ranchers Are Working on a Fuel to Replace Oil
by Agnes Walton (Vice News) The Department of Energy is trying to turn a lake in the California desert called the Salton Sea into a farm for renewable fuels — and clean its infamously polluted water in the process. The Salton Sea
April 27, 2018 Read Full Article
India’s Biofuels Horizons: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Praj Industries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Praj is an India-based process solutions specialist with continued leadership in ethanol & brewery space over many years — aiming to emerge as a significant water company within 5 years. The company is expanding its new
April 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Facility Would Grow Algae from Papaya for Feed, Fuel
by Tom Callis (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) ... The state’s Agribusiness Development Corp. is proposing to build a $1.5 million facility at the Shipman Business Park that would grow algae from leftover produce, in particular, papaya. The algae could then be used for
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
ABO Insider Briefing: Algae’s Big Winning Streak in DC – How to Take Advantage --- May 1, 2018
(Algae Biomass Organization) Algae is on a roll in Congress. Despite a challenging fiscal environment, the latest federal spending bill passed by Congress includes new funding for algae R&D that will be available in FY2018 and, for the first time, tax
April 25, 2018 Read Full Article
New Method Significantly Improves the Production of Biohydrogen and Other Biochemicals
(VTT) A joint study by the University of Turku and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has shown that the ability of photosynthesising microbial cells to produce biohydrogen from solar energy can be markedly improved by attaching the cells to a
April 24, 2018 Read Full Article
International Conference on Sustainable Biofuel 2018 (26-27 February 2018): A Report
by Gunjan Mukherjee* (Advanced Biofuels USA/Chandigarh University Institute of Biotechnology (UIBT)) The International Conference on Sustainable Biofuel was held at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, India. The concept of the conference was that use of fossil fuels for transportation contributes
April 23, 2018 Read Full Article
House Committee Passes 2018 Farm Bill
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... In a statement, House Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., criticized the legislation, calling it “a flawed bill that is the result of a bad nontransparent process.” Cuts to Energy Title programs are among
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
SDC Developing Techniques to Produce Bio-Crude Oil: Director
by Joey Aguilar (Gulf Times) The Sustainable Development Centre (SDC) at Qatar University’s College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) is now developing the techniques to produce bio-crude oil through its Qatar Biofuel Project, it was announced Monday. QU had revealed the one-of-its-kind
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Florida Polytechnic University Students Study How Algae Could Produce Biofuel
by James Coulter (The Daily Ridge) Can the algae growing within Polk County’s lakes be used to fuel our gas tanks in the near future? Students at Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) have been researching this question for the past several months, and
April 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Researchers Develop Two-Step, One-Pot Process for Synthesis of Benzene from Microalgal Oils
(Green Car Congress) Benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon, is a natural component of crude oil and is one of the elementary petrochemicals. It is used as a precursor to the manufacture of more complex chemicals, and, with a high octane number, is
April 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Blockchain’s WaterChain Is Thirsty For Success In Industrial Treatment
by Bruce Haring (Block Tribune) WaterChain is developing a blockchain solution for cleaning up the water industry. The company is working on an initial coin offering (ICO) that will allow investors to stake tokens and facilitate the funding of water recycling projects. ... BLOCK TRIBUNE: Okay,
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Call for Young Researchers: 2018 Algae Biomass Summit
If you are a student, postdoc or early career professionalinterested in algae and algae-based technologies, the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) would like to invite you to our 2018 Algae Biomass Summit, the world’s largest algae conference. This year’s summit will be in the Woodlands, Texas,
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
Why Hydrothermal Liquefaction Hasn’t Taken off Yet
(Algae Industry Magazine/Science Trends) enguang Zhou writes in Sciencetrends.com about work recently published in the journal Bioresource Technology regarding why Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) of microalgae — a bio-oil technology which does not require dewatering and drying of algal biomass — up to now, has rarely
April 02, 2018 Read Full Article
High Tech Algae Farming Industry Gets Boost with Introduction of Bipartisan Algae Agriculture Act of 2018
(Algae Biomass Organization/Globe Newswire) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today applauded the introduction of the Algae Agriculture Act of 2018, a bill that would give algae cultivators and harvesters many of the same advantages as other
March 23, 2018 Read Full Article
DTI Seeks Technology Partners for Algae Extraction
(Algae Industry Magazine) Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) has received a Phase II SBIR for the USDA NFIA to use pulsed electric field (PEF) processing for algal extraction and predator control. Working with the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI),
March 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Chinese Researchers Boost Algae Lipids, Reduce Peroxidation
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Researchers from Nanjing Tech University in China have published a paper in Biotechnology for Biofuels on their method to increase lipid content and reduce peroxidation in Schizochytrium sp., a marine microalgae rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is touted for
March 21, 2018 Read Full Article
New Federal Budget Puts Price on Carbon
by Joshua D. Rhodes (University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute) Expanded Carbon Credit Could Spur New Coal Power Investment -- The Furthering carbon capture, Utilization, Technology, Underground storage, and Reduced Emissions (FUTURE) Act, part of the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of
March 19, 2018 Read Full Article
Algility: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Algae as a New Crop and Technology Platform
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae has been reinvented in recent years as a Sustainable New Crop for Food, Feed, Fuel and other products. Part of an international effort to expand Agricultural Production and productive land, and keeping key nutrients on the farm
March 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Leveraging the Power of Algae: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Algenol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algenol is a global, industrial biotechnology company that is commercializing its patented algae technology platform for production of ethanol and other biofuels, chemicals and biobased materials. Formed in 2006, and headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida with an
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil, Synthetic Genomics, Scale up Algae Biofuel
by Bradley J. Fikes (San Diego Union Tribune) Advancing work under a collaboration established a decade ago, ExxonMobil and La Jolla’s Synthetic Genomics said they will begin outdoor growth of naturally occurring algae for biofuel. The research could lead to the technical ability
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
It’s All about Sex with Algae Research
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, researchers from Donald Danforth Plant Science Center studied the earliest stages the evolution of male and female sexes in a group of freshwater photosynthetic protists called volvocine green algae, which could have implications for breeding
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
March Madness: These Colleges are Mad for Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board) National Biodiesel Board releases field of "Elite Eight" -- March Madness kicks off next week, showcasing the very best of college basketball. In that spirit, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has released its own bracket of colleges and universities
March 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Young Female Scientist Hopes to Create Energy Efficient Biofuel from Bacteria
by Emma Nobel (ABC Central Victoria News) Environmental microbiologist and science champion Marianne Haines hopes her work converting bacteria into biofuel will lead to more sustainable outcomes, and more women studying science at the postgraduate level. Growing up in regional Victoria, the former
March 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Exxon Thinks It Can Create Biofuel From Algae At Massive Scale
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) The oil and gas giant says it could be making 10,000 barrels a day within a few years–a small drop in the amount of oil it produces, but a huge boost in the amount of algae-based
March 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Boliden Grows Algae to Reduce Emissions
(Algae Industry Magazine) The “Microalgae cultivation for treatment of process emissions from the metals industry” project, which is being financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, started recently and will run for two years at Boliden Bergsöe, where, among other things,
March 06, 2018 Read Full Article
We Fold Water: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Folded Aquaculture for Expanded Yield
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Source Integration has developed a technology that creates a 12x surface area for a 12x algae harvest and expects expects an optimized production of 8 – 10 times plain algae raceway for same (water/land) surface area. Source —
March 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference—Thoughts and Tidbits from Day 1
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The ABLC 2018 conference began at the US Department of Agriculture headquarters with a focus on feedstock. Jordan Solomon, Managing Director & CEO Ecostrat Inc.. kicked off the event with news of new US
March 01, 2018 Read Full Article
A Newly Identified Photoenzyme Helps Algae Pump Out Fuel
by Katarina Zimmer (The Scientist) The finding could lead to a new way of producing “green” alternatives to fossil fuels. -- ... Green Fuel -- Finding enzymes in nature that convert plant oils into fossil fuel–like hydrocarbons could lead the way toward
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Algae Could Be Major New Food Source, Major New Industry
by Richard A. Lovett (Cosmos) Could green microorganisms be the geoengineering fix the world's needs? -- ... Not only can these fast-growing single-celled plants provide biomass for carbon-neutral fuels, they can provide animal feeds and high-quality protein supplements for a human population