by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oceans are the largest untapped growth opportunity for biomass and that macroalgae is the quintessential ocean crop, according to ARPA-E. But, it says that with the current state of technology, it will never scale to meet
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Back TO HOMESolar Energy Becomes Biofuel without Solar Cells
(Uppsala University/Science Codex) Soon we will be able to replace fossil fuels with a carbon-neutral product created from solar energy, carbon dioxide and water. Researchers at Uppsala University have successfully produced microorganisms that can efficiently produce the alcohol butanol using carbon
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Zimbabwe Plans Production of Carbon Dioxide in 2020
(TVC News) Triangle Limited, Zimbabwe’s sole sugar producer is planning to construct a plant to extract the carbon dioxide, a vital ingredient in brewing soft drinks by 2020. The country expects that this will save a huge amount of foreign currency used to
August 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Chinese Firm Launches Ethanol Processing Plant in Central Zambia
(Xinhua) A Chinese firm on Wednesday launched an ethanol processing plant in central Zambia, which the government says will go a long way in helping the country tackle fuel problems and reduce poverty. The 9-million U.S. dollars plant of Zhongkai International Company
July 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Airgas Opens Liquid Carbon Dioxide and Dry Ice Facility in Stockton, California
(Airgas) Airgas, an Air Liquide company and a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and related products, announces the grand opening of its new liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice facility in Stockton, California. The facility, which was engineered
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Negatonnes: Beyond the ZEV, the Negative Emission Vehicle and Its Amazing Hydrogen Fuel and Electric Drive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s the technically tougher path, which is to split ethanol and make CO2 and hydrogen. The point source, high-grade CO2 has value. The bio-based hydrogen has even more value than the ethanol. Conceptually, the recipe is
July 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Public-Private Partnership Works on ‘Economical’ Biomethane Production
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Xebec Adsorption Inc. is working with federal research facility Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) and a California treatment facility on a research project to improve biomethane production. The project received $500,000 in funding from
July 18, 2019 Read Full Article
A Bill Bonanza: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Will Consider 23 Bills
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider 23 bills this morning on issues ranging from carbon capture to nuclear energy. Texas Sen. John Cornyn's bill, S. 1685 (116), for one, would require
July 16, 2019 Read Full Article
All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ABO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae Biomass Organization advocates for algae-advancing policy and funding, serves as a hub for innovation and networking, and drives demand for “made with algae” products and services. Mark Allen, Chairperson of ABO, offers this enlightening overview of
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Wärtsilä Forms Biogas Solutions Unit to Speed up Adoption of Clean Fuels
(Wärtsilä) The technology group Wärtsilä further strengthens its commitment to environmental sustainability with the formation of Wärtsilä Biogas Solutions. Wärtsilä Puregas Solutions, specialists in biogas upgrading technology, is now merged with Wärtsilä’s biogas liquefaction team, a unit with expert
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
ABLC Wolves Devour 6 Technologies: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to The Wolfpack
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e have the satisfying slides that will satiate your hunger for thoughts from renowned due diligence experts on the latest and hottest technologies. You won’t want to miss these slides, esp. if you missed
July 05, 2019 Read Full Article
These Nano-Bugs Eat CO2 and Make Eco-Friendly Fuel
by Trent Knoss (University of Colorado Boulder) CU Boulder researchers have developed nanobio-hybrid organisms capable of using airborne carbon dioxide and nitrogen to produce a variety of plastics and fuels, a promising first step toward low-cost carbon sequestration and eco-friendly manufacturing
July 03, 2019 Read Full Article
A Community-Based Approach for Enriching Microalgae that Grow under High Concentration of CO2
by Hualong Wang, Fru Azinwi Nche-Fambo, Zhigang Yu, Feng Chen (ResearchGate/HY-TEK Bio) Certain species of microalgae are capable of growing under high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and these microalgae have potential to be used for sequestering CO2 released as industrial pollutants using phototrophic carbon
July 01, 2019 Read Full Article
European Research Project Claims Breakthrough in Production of Renewable Jet Fuels from Sunlight
(GreenAir Online) A project funded by the EU and Switzerland claims to have made a breakthrough in producing renewable jet kerosene from sunlight, water and CO2. The SUN-to-LIQUID project follows on from an earlier project, SOLAR-JET, that developed the technology to
June 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Magnificent Methanogens: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Trelys
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Trelys’ technology is based on the bioconversion of hydrogen and carbon dioxide using methanogenic archaea. While Trelys is currently focusing on feed amino acids, this technology provides an avenue to a wide variety of products and
June 28, 2019 Read Full Article
From FEW: 45Q Represents Opportunity for Ethanol; Request for Comments DEADLINE: July 4, 2019
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Under new size specifications for the 45Q tax credit, almost all ethanol plants are eligible, said Jamey Cline, in business development for Christianson PLLP. With revenues trending downward since 2018 and falling below operating expenses,
June 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Amazing Algaculture: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to MicroBio Engineering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MicroBio Engineering works on facility designs, algae equipment, R&D, engineering consulting, techno-economic analyses, LCAs and wastewater treatment. Their focus on algaculture, specifically microalgae cultivation, is what the focus of this presentation is on. John Benemann, CEO and
June 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Jan De Nul Reveals Ambitious CO₂ Reduction Targets
(Hellenic Shipping News) Jan De Nul Group has revealed its commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by 15% a year during maintenance dredging works at the Nieuwpoort coastal marina. It is the first dredging company in the world to aspire to such
June 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Legislation Would Help Finance Carbon Capture and Storage Projects
(Office of Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)) U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today reintroduced a bill to make it easier for power plants and industrial facilities to finance the purchase and installation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage
June 12, 2019 Read Full Article
The Fuzzy Math of Carbon Capture
by RP Siegel (American Energy Society) ... But when (Peter) Eisenberger talks about a sustainable economy, he’s talking about supplementing the work of trees by capturing the greenhouse gas from, say, the smokestack of a coal-fired power plant, or even directly
June 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Startups Strive to Recycle Emissions for 'New Carbon Economy'
by Sebastien Malo (Reuters) Jennifer Holmgren, chief executive of carbon recycling firm LanzaTech, explained modestly how the Chicago-based startup had cut multi-million-dollar deals on four continents, including in China, aimed at helping curb climate change and air pollution. At the Jingtang Steel Mill
May 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Strategy for Growth: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Pacific Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest’s new “Stocks Worth Tracking” Multi-Slide Guide Series highlights hot companies that are making strides in the bioeconomy. Today’s “Stock Worth Tracking” is Pacific Ethanol. Pacific Ethanol was originally founded in 2003 as the first
May 31, 2019 Read Full Article
Food, Water, Energy: An Eternal Golden Braid of Value and Sustainability
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jonathan Trent, late of the OMEGA algae projects, has authored a column on the topic of “putting existing technologies into ecosystems, to increase food productivity and profitability, while conserving water and energy and decreasing environmental impact.”
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
What If Scientists, Not Politicians, Called the Shots on Climate Policy
by Michael Langford (The Hill/Utility Workers Union of America) ... For example, carbon capture technology could broadly decarbonize power generation including both natural gas and coal-fired plants as well as heavy industries such as steel, cement and ethanol manufacturing to cite
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
BASF Develops Process for Climate-Friendly Methanol
(BASF) Successful team of experts applies for patent for complex process; With the help of BASF’s OASE® gas treatment technology, no carbon dioxide should be emitted during the entire production process The production processes of the most important basic chemicals are responsible for around
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Six MSU Researchers Receive Prestigious NSF Early Career Awards
(Michigan State University) ... Daniel Ducat, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, received $1,033,970 from NSF’s Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology to investigate the fundamental interactions that underpin resilient microbial partnerships and may be key to solving
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
KLM, SkyNRG and SHV Energy Greenlight the World’s Largest Stand-Alone Sustainable Aviation Fuels Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From the Netherlands comes news that, SkyNRG will develop Europe’s first dedicated plant for the production of SAF in Delfzijl. KLM has committed to a 10-year, 75,000 tonne per year aviation fuels order for 10 years. Amsterdam
May 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Want to Limit Climate Change by Releasing More CO2 -- Converting Methane to Carbon Dioxide Could Help.
by Ula Chrobak (Popular Science) ... In a surprising and counterintuitive proposal published Monday in the journal Nature Sustainability, Stanford University scientists argue that we can limit warming by chemically converting methane to carbon dioxide. “Our paper is a call to view methane removal
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Dems Say Wheeler Misled Congress
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Senate Environment and Public Works ranking member Tom Carper and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone are calling on Wheeler to provide documents related to the agency's public defense of its proposed Safer
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
The Largest US Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project to Be Developed by Wabash Valley Resoureces with Funding Support from OGCI Climate Investments
(Wabash Valley Resources) - The project is expected to be the largest carbon sequestration project in the United States to date, and will create the world's first ammonia produced with near zero carbon footprint - The project will capture and sequester 1.5-1.75
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Engineered Bacteria Could Be Missing Link in Energy Storage
by Krishna Ramanujan (Cornell Chronicle) One of the big issues with sustainable energy systems is how to store electricity that’s generated from wind, solar and waves. At present, no existing technology provides large-scale storage and energy retrieval for sustainable energy at
May 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Doing the Heavy Lifting in Transport Climate Action
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe/Climate Change News) New E5, E10 and B7 labels recently appeared on petrol and diesel nozzles across Europe with hardly a mention. Behind them is the intriguing story of one of the world’s major efforts to stave off climate
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Converting CO2 to Carbon at Mild Conditions
by Paul Grad (Chemical Engineering) ... (C)onverting CO2 into a solid offers an attractive alternative method for safely and permanently removing CO2 from the atmosphere. To date, CO2 has only been converted into a solid at extremely high temperatures, making it industrially unviable. The team created a liquid
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Steffen Mueller and Sam Rushing
"(E)thanol facilities capturing carbon deserve credit for the difference in emissions between gas cleanup and compression of fermentation CO2 versus alternative CO2 production from dirtier, often fossil, resources," write Steffen Mueller and Sam Rushing in a recent Ethanol Producer Magazine piece
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
The Case for a Credit
by Steffen Mueller and Sam Rushing (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The role of ethanol-based carbon dioxide is often underappreciated, both as an important source for the nation’s carbon dioxide market and for its carbon-reduction impact. Fermentation CO2 is captured, cleaned and condensed
May 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Experts Secure £200,000 from the Department for Transport for Research into Greener Travel
(Loughborough University) Loughborough University has been awarded £200,000 for two projects which aim to make the transport sector more environmentally friendly. Dr Jin Xuan, a Senior Lecturer in Low Carbon Processes, Dr Tanja Radu, a Lecturer in Water Engineering, and Dr Jonathan Wagner, a
May 09, 2019 Read Full Article
The Plan to Grab the World's Carbon with Supercharged Plants
by Emily Dreyfuss (Wired) ... Plant biologist Joanne Chory thinks plants can do more. She has studied the genetics of plants at the Salk Institute in San Diego for more than 30 years, and she and the rest of the five-person
May 04, 2019 Read Full Article
A Tesla Model 3 Produces More CO2 than a Diesel Car, Says New Study
by Loukia Papadopoulos (Interesting Engineering) New research out of German think tank ifo is arguing electric vehicles are not the environmental heroes they are touted to be. -- A new study by German think tank ifo is putting a damper on the eco-friendliness of
May 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Government, National Labs, Academia, and Industry Convene at the 2019 BETO Peer Review! Presentations Now Available
(U.S. Department of Energy) From March 4–8, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, hosted the 2019 Project Peer Review in Denver, Colorado. This was the largest Peer Review
May 03, 2019 Read Full Article
Better Biomaterials: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the “new ideas” laboratory, was established in 1952 at the height of the Cold War to meet urgent national security needs by advancing nuclear weapons science and technology and they continue to
May 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Solar Fuel Turns to Plants for Inspiration
(European Commission) An 'artificial leaf' being developed by EU-funded researchers to produce fuel from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, could tackle soaring global energy demands, the growing impact of climate change, and dwindling supplies of fossil fuels. -- Developing new sources of
April 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Reducing Energy Required to Convert CO2 Waste into Valuable Resources
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Phys.Org) Surplus industrial carbon dioxide creates an opportunity to convert waste into a valuable commodity. Excess CO2 can be a feedstock for chemicals typically derived from fossil fuels, but the process is energy-intensive and expensive. University of
April 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Earth Day 2019 – A Look at Carbon Negative and Carbon Capture Technologies, Advancements, and Possibilities
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... What was a nationwide celebration and peaceful demonstrations for environmental reform in the U.S. by some estimated 20 million Americans, Earth Day events have now expanded to over 193 countries and more than a billion people
April 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Helps Develop a Novel Extraction Process that May Provide a More Economical Way to Make a Promising Biofuel
(Worcester Polytechnic Institute/PR Web) Isobutanol has been hailed as a possible green replacement for fossil fuels like gasoline, but producing it has proven difficult and costly. In a paper in Nature Communications, a research team that includes a WPI chemical engineer
April 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Putting CO₂ Emissions to Work: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Opus 12
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Opus 12 has developed a device that recycles CO₂ into cost-competitive chemicals and fuels. Their technology bolts onto any source of CO₂ emissions, and with only water and electricity as inputs, transforms that CO₂ into some
April 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol CO2 By-Product Is Critically Important to Merchant CO2 Industry
by Sam A. Rushing (Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ... CO2 by-product sources from ethanol dominate the source – map v. other source types, where next in line include sources from ammonia and natural /pipeline facilities. I am pleased to see that new
April 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Richardton Ethanol Plant Moves Forward with Carbon Capture Project
by Amy Dalrymple (Bismarck Tribune/Grand Forks Herald) A project to capture carbon dioxide from a western North Dakota ethanol plant continues to advance as researchers work to better understand the geology below the facility. Red Trail Energy in Richardton proposes to
April 17, 2019 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Chris Frey
Researchers tested regular E10 with 10% ethanol to a mid-level blend with 27% ethanol or E27. They found that when splash blending or simply adding ethanol to regular consumer fuel, ethanol lowered particulate matter (PM), CO and CO2. The vehicles
April 08, 2019 Read Full Article
New Study: Non Flex Fuel Vehicles Benefit From Ethanol Blends
(Urban Air Initiative) A newly published study finds that most vehicles on the road today can adapt to mid-level ethanol blends, helping cars run more efficiently while reducing greenhouse gas emissions along with other pollutants. The study was conducted by North Carolina State
April 08, 2019 Read Full Article
CO2CRC to Investigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reducation in Steel Manufacturing
(CO2CRC) CO2CRC has been awarded funding to conduct important research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions in steel production. The year-long study has been made possible by a grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Coal Innovation NSW Fund). The
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop High-CO2-Tolerant Microalgae
(Algae Industry Magazine/Chinese Academy of Sciences) ... However, the high concentration of carbon dioxide in flue gases generally inhibits the growth of industrial microalgae. Therefore, reducing the so-called “CO2 poisoning effect,” i.e., improving tolerance to high levels of CO2, has become a
March 27, 2019 Read Full Article
The Next Chapter for Algae: The Farm Bill of 2018 Recognizes Algae as a Crop for the First Time. Will We Be Bold Enough to Treat It Like One?
by Rebecca White (iWi (Qualitas Health, Inc.)/Biofuels Digest) This Wednesday marks a major milestone in the history of the American algae industry: the first meeting in which the Biomass R&D Board Technical Advisory Committee officials will discuss algae as an agricultural crop. Up
March 27, 2019 Read Full Article
FAA Launches Voluntary MRV Program for US Aircraft Operators Participating in CORSIA
(GreenAir Online) The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched the CORSIA MRV Program for US airplane operators with international flights participating in the ICAO carbon offsetting scheme. According to ICAO, it is mandatory for all operators, regardless of the country they are
March 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Growing Support among EU Environment Ministers for Applying further Carbon Pricing on Aviation Emissions
(GreenAir Online) A recent proposal by the Netherlands finance ministry for an EU-wide aviation tax to deal with the sector’s growing emissions has received backing from a Belgian environment minister at a meeting of the Council of European Environment Ministers. The
March 24, 2019 Read Full Article
First Inland Vessel on 100% Sustainable Biofuel for Heineken
(GoodFuels) Sustainable biofuel pioneer GoodFuels and partner REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker have fuelled the ‘For Ever’, the first inland vessel from Combined Cargo Terminals (CCT) that runs fully on 100% sustainable biofuel. With this delivery feasibility of using 100% sustainable biofuels in inland vessels
March 21, 2019 Read Full Article
ReactWell Licenses ORNL Catalyst for Energy Conversion Applications
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) ReactWell, LLC, has licensed a novel waste-to-fuel technology from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to improve energy conversion methods for cleaner, more efficient oil and gas, chemical and bioenergy production. ReactWell will bring ORNL’s electrochemical
March 12, 2019 Read Full Article
3-D-Printed Live Cells Convert Glucose to Ethanol, Carbon Dioxide to Enhance Catalytic Efficiency
by Anne M Stark (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory/Phys.Org) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers have 3-D printed live cells that convert glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide gas (CO2), a substance that resembles beer, demonstrating a technology that can lead
March 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Attis Industries Looks to Expand Production and Add Approximately $160M in Revenues with Recent Acquisition: Management Aims to Setup a World-Class Green Tech Campus in New York
(Attis Industries/Globe Newswire) The Company aims to harness their proprietary technology through multiple biomass processing facilities to cater to the rising demand of ethanol, carbon fibre, and other products. Attis Industries (ATIS) took its first big step in the field of renewable
March 05, 2019 Read Full Article
BioSNG Bulletin: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biomass to Synthetic Natural Gas (BioSNG)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mark Robertson, from Small Planet Engineering and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of renewable natural gas via biomass gasification and methanation, biogas upgrading to RNG, BioSNG developments, challenges, opportunities and more. Lee
March 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Delay in SAFE Rule Disappointing, But Still an Opportunity
(Urban Air Initiative) EPA’s decision to delay fuel economy rules until “later in the year” provides the Urban Air Initiative an opportunity to continue educating the agency on the benefits of clean octane from higher ethanol blends. Originally the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient
February 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Europe Agrees Final CO2 Reduction Target, It Includes Renewable Fuels
(NGVA Europe/NGV Journal) The third Clean Mobility Package, published in May, puts forward the first ever CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. As such, it was welcomed by NGVA Europe, but under the premise that it must support a technology-neutral pathway towards
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
10-Slide Guide to the US Ethanol Industry
by Douglas B. Rivers (Biofuels Digest/Lee Enterprises, Inc.) Past, Present and Future Douglas B. Rivers, PhD, from Sunflwr Consulting and a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting, offers this illuminating overview of the U.S. ethanol industry’s history, current technologies, new developments
February 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Biogas Business: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Biogas Conversion
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Terry Mazanec, a member of Lee Enterprises Consulting offers this illuminating overview of biogas, what it’s good for, scale, bio-methane, what to do with it, key players, and more. Lee Enterprises Consultingis the world’s largest bioeconomy consulting
February 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Low Hanging Fruit on the Climate Change Tree: Renewable Fuels in Gas and Diesel Engines
(Diesel Technology Forum) As more governors look to California for leadership on climate change, they should look to what’s working in California…and it doesn’t have to do with electric cars, but with use of low-carbon renewable biofuels in internal combustion engines.
February 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Carbon Dioxide Now Being Captured in First of Its Kind BECCS Pilot
(Drax) The first BECCS pilot project of its kind in the world at Drax Power Station – the UK’s biggest renewable power generator, has started capturing carbon dioxide. -- The first carbon dioxide has been captured using C-Capture technology at Drax Power
February 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Bustos Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Ethanol Production and Combat Climate Change
(Office of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos) Today (February 14, 2019), Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped introduce the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act. This bipartisan legislation would implement strategies that help ethanol producers develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Ethanol Industry Not Impressed with General Motors' Push on Octane Standard Legislation
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) While General Motors representative Dan Nicholson indicated this week it was important for the ethanol industry to get behind legislation to set a national octane standard -- starting with a 95 research octane number,
February 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Senators Intro "USE IT" ("Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies") Act
(Politico's Morning Energy) Senate EPW Chairman John Barrasso and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse reintroduced their bipartisan carbon capture legislation Thursday. The bill , dubbed the "Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act," would support carbon dioxide utilization and direct air capture research,
February 08, 2019 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"The GHG emissions of petroleum are higher than the baseline estimates originally projected by EPA" That's one finding in a new study by Life Cycle Associates. It's also one reason biofuels entering the marketplace thanks to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) exceed
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
New Study: RFS2 Has Reduced GHG Emissions by 600 Million Metric Tons, Beating EPA Expectations
(Renewable Fuels Association) A new study released today finds that the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) has been a tremendous success in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with nearly 600 million metric tons of GHG reduction since 2007. Actual GHG reductions under the
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
EPA Chief Says Agency, California ‘Far Apart’ on Car Emissions
by Ryan Beene, Jennifer A Dlouhy, and David R Baker (Bloomberg) Wheeler, Nichols signal little progress on auto MPG agreement; State shouldn’t have authority on C02 emissions, Wheeler says -- U.S. and California officials agreed Monday on one thing about auto emissions standards:
February 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Finnair Introduces CO2 Offsetting and Biofuel Service for Customers
(Finnair) Finnair today (January 15, 2019) introduced a service, where its customers can offset the CO2 emissions of their flights by supporting a CO2 emission reduction project or reduce emissions by buying biofuel. Push for change service is available on Finnair web pages at www.finnair.com/pushforchange and
January 21, 2019 Read Full Article
UC Riverside Team Examines Influence of Mid-and High-Level Ethanol Blends on Pollution from GDI Flex Fuel Vehicle
(Green Car Congress) A team from the University of California Riverside has investigated the influence of low-, mid-, and high-ethanol fueling—as well as the influence of the aromatic hydrocarbons in the fuel blend—on the regulated and greenhouse gas emissions, the mobile
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Emerging Process Tech: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to EPIC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) EPIC helps pilot plants test and scale new process technologies. Check out their latest presentation with top four emerging process technologies that they are seeing a lot of right now: carbon capture, gas-to-liquids technologies, bio-based ethylene glycol,
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Greener Days Ahead for Carbon Fuels
by Theresa Duque (Berkeley Lab) Researchers discover copper has potential as a catalyst for turning carbon dioxide into sustainable chemicals and fuels without any wasteful byproducts, creating a green alternative to present-day chemical manufacturing -- For decades, scientists have searched for effective
December 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Carbon Capturing: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Carbon Engineering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbon Engineering is commercializing two clean energy technologies that can rapidly accelerate our shift to a net-zero world by removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and converting it to fuel. Geoffrey Holmes,Business Development lead from Carbon Engineering
December 20, 2018 Read Full Article
The BioIncredibles 2: iMicrobes Is Using Methane to Produce Chemicals, and Mikey the Microbe Likes It
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The achievement of a major proof of concept is the news, in the case of Industrial Microbes — the ability to show that they can convert methane into multiple products (albeit at low efficiency, in
December 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Exclusive: Oil Giant ConocoPhillips Backs Carbon Tax Push
by Amy Harder (Axios) In the latest sign of a global oil industry shifting on climate change, ConocoPhillips is now helping fund a multi-million dollar political advocacy campaign that's lobbying Congress for a tax on carbon emissions. Why it matters: The move
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
EU Agrees to Cut Emissions from Cars by 37.5 pct by 2030
by Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union agreed on Monday a compromise over how sharply to curb carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans, finally settling differences between car-producing countries and more environmentally conscious lawmakers. “We reached a compromise to cut emissions
December 18, 2018 Read Full Article
Study: 'No Scientific Basis' For Challenges To EPA Endangerment Finding
by Barbara Moran (WBUR News) There’s more proof that greenhouse gases are dangerous to human health. That’s the conclusion of a study published Thursday in the journal Science, for which researchers reviewed hundreds of scientific papers on climate change published since 2009. The study supports the U.S. Environmental Protection
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
New Climate Response Model Calculates Impact of Road Traffic Fast
(Delft University of Technology/Phys.Org) Vanessa Rieger created a model which assesses the impact and the contribution of road traffic emission scenarios on O3 and CH4 concentration and the subsequent climate effect. She will defend her Ph.D. thesis at TU Delft on
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Bosch Trialing Fully Renewable Diesel Fuel
(Automotive World) Since early November, the cars chauffeuring the management board members of Robert Bosch GmbH have been running on fully renewable diesel. Known as “C.A.R.E. diesel,” this fuel is synthesized mainly from by-products and waste materials. Its supplier Toolfuel claims
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
CleanBC Climate Plan Boosts British Columbia’s Signal for Renewable Fuel Use and Production
(Advanced Biofuels Canada/EIN Presswire) Advanced Biofuels Canada lauds the Government of British Columbia for its new climate plan, with critical role for low-carbon renewable fuels -- The Government of British Columbia released on December 5th its CleanBC climate plan, which charts a path
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Cars and Coal Help Drive 'Strong' CO2 Rise in 2018
by Matt McGrath (BBC) A booming global market for cars has helped drive CO2 emissions to an all-time high in 2018, say researchers. The main factor in the near 3% rise has been coal use in China, driven by government efforts to
December 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Top 4 Techs: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Carbon Capture, Gas-to-Liquids, Bio-Based Ethylene Glycol, Biomass to Commodity Chemical Application
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Carbon Capture, Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) Technologies, Bio-Based Ethylene Glycol, and Biomass to Commodity Chemical Application. EPIC Modular Process writes that “through our work scaling technologies for pilot plants or commercial systems, we often get exposed to the up-and-coming processes on the verge of
December 07, 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
How the Airline Industry Is Cleaning up Its Climate Act
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) At a steel mill outside Beijing, reactors attached to the building capture emissions from the factory. Those waste gases can then be turned into fuel. LanzaTech, a biotech startup that designed a way to turn those
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
New Regenerative R33 BlueDiesel Fuel Helps Reduce CO₂ Emissions of Fleets
(Volkswagen) CO2 emissions* can be sustainably reduced thanks to R33 BlueDiesel fuel; Old cooking fat is partly converted into fuel; CO2 savings of at least 20 percent compared to conventional diesel fuel; Introduction at major customers such as Bosch Test phase successfully completed: Volkswagen has
December 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Setting European Aviation on a Pathway to Decarbonisation by 2050
(GreenAir Online) A new study, one of the first, examines whether a credible pathway to zero or near zero emissions exists for European aviation. The report, published by Transport & Environment (T&E), looks at flights within and departing Europe thus matching
December 03, 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
Department of Energy Announces $98 Million for 40 Transformative Energy Technology Projects; Fuel Cell Projects Funded for $12.5M
(FuelCellsWorks) The U.S. Department of Energy announced $98 million in funding for 40 new projects as part of OPEN 2018, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA‑E) latest open funding opportunity. These funds will support some of America’s top energy innovators’ R&D
November 22, 2018 Read Full Article
National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Publishes "Gaseous Carbon Waste Streams Utilization: Status and Research Needs"
(U.S. Department of Energy) The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, Office of Fossil Energy, and Office of Science, and Shell, which resulted in a report
November 18, 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
Heard on the Floor: Reflections and the Buzz from ABLC Global 2018
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It was, at times, not unlike the old trading floor of the Chicago Board of Trade and that was no coincidence, for there was optimism abounding and the deal-talk that flows from a general feeling that
November 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Graphene Takes a Step toward Renewable Fuel
(Linköping University/Phys.Org) Using the energy from the sun and graphene applied to the surface of cubic silicon carbide, researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, are working to develop a method to convert water and carbon dioxide to the renewable energy of the
November 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Climeworks Launches Latest DAC Plant in Italy
by Rob Cockerill (GasWorld) Switzerland-based Climeworks has just launched another of its second-generation Direct Air Capture plants (DAC-3) in Troia, Apulia in Italy. Climeworks has been developing the technology since 2009 and commissioned its first industrial-scale CO2 capture unit in late 2014
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
German-Language STEM Workshops at University of Rhode Island for High School Students--CO2 Experiment
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) For scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, Germany offers a broad range of opportunities when it comes to higher education and professional development. The University of Rhode Island’s (URI) German International Engineering Program (GIEP), together with
November 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Rule Change Likely to Take Months, Even Years
by Charles Dunlap (The Mexico Ledger) ... “The question is whether there will be a restraining order prohibiting the rules to go forward or not,” Murphy (Steve Murphy, POET general manager at the Laddonia refinery) said, adding the EPA is trying to
October 29, 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
Senators to Trump Administration: Don’t Challenge California’s Clean Car Standards
(Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein) Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today was joined by 22 senators in calling on the Trump administration to end its challenge of California’s authority to set vehicle emission standards. The senators represent states that follow California’s standards. "The changes
October 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Production of Renewable Gas from Waste Wood
(Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) KIT’s researchers succeeded in producing renewable methane from a biomass-based synthesis gas mixture in their pilot plant for honeycomb methanation. The quality of this synthetic natural gas (SNG) is comparable to that of fossil natural gas and
October 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Harvesting Solar Fuels through a Bacterium’s Unusual Appetite for Gold
by Theresa Duque (University of California Berkeley) A bacterium named Moorella thermoacetica won’t work for free. But UC Berkeley researchers have figured out it has an appetite for gold. And in exchange for this special treat, the bacterium has revealed a more
October 10, 2018 Read Full Article
IPCC Report Says Biofuel Necessary to Keep Climate Change under Control
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In South Korea, AFP reports the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change has launched a new report saying time is running out to stop climate change but that significant investment in biofuels and associated carbon capture and storage could
October 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Company Hopes to Convert Ethanol Plant to Methane
(Quay County Sun) If all goes according to plan, a long-closed ethanol plant in Tucumcari may be converted into a methane plant and become fully operational by mid-2020. Tucumcari Bio-Energy Co. is hunting for investors and may begin converting the plant to
October 08, 2018 Read Full Article
From Waste to Fuel: Researchers to Develop Next-Generation Biofuels and Bioproducts
by Julianne Beck (Northwestern University Campus News) A new collaboration led by Michael Jewett, professor of chemical and biological engineering at Northwestern University, will combine recent technological advancements in bioengineering to develop a transformative production system for next-generation biofuels and bioproducts. The
October 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Canadian University and Xebec Embark on Power-to-Renewable Gas Project
(Xebec/McGill University/NGV Journal) Xebec Adsorption Inc. will co-develop a prototype reactor to produce renewable natural gas using a power-to-gas (P2G) process with McGill University. This process combines electricity generated from renewable sources with CO2 generated from waste. The project is being
October 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Everything You Need to Know about Wednesday’s Cars CO2 Vote
by Greg Archer (Transport & Environment/EurActiv) While most of the political attention is – rightly – focused on the headline target for CO2 reduction, the discussion on car emissions has also much more to it, writes Greg Archer. ... The main fight is over
October 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Chemists Demonstrate Sustainable Approach to Carbon Dioxide Capture from Air
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Chemists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated a practical, energy-efficient method of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from air. They report their findings in Nature Energy. If deployed at large scale and coupled to geologic
September 25, 2018 Read Full Article
On the Origin of the Elusive First Intermediate of CO2 Electroreduction
by Irina V. Chernyshova, Ponisseril Somasundaran and Sathish Ponnurangam (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) The understanding of a catalytic reaction starts with understanding its first elementary step. Surprisingly, despite the large number of studies, it is unclear whether one
September 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Shell-backed Startup Creates Fuel from Carbon Dioxide and Fake Sunlight
by Cole Latimer (Sydney Morning Herald) startup company backed by energy giant Shell has developed a method to turn carbon dioxide into fuel by adding fake sunlight. US company Dimensional Energy has developed an “artificial photosynthesis” process with a photoreactor that converts carbon
September 18, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA’s SAB to Address Biogenic CO2 Framework at Sept. 26 Meeting
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has announced its Chartered Science Advisory Board will hold a teleconference Sept. 26 to address several issues, including a new draft SAB review of EPA’s Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO2 Emissions from Stationary
September 18, 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
The Silent Fuel: Methanol for Power, Fuels and Chemistry in a Low-Carbon Economy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Switzerland comes word of a technology for methanol synthesis plants which capture CO2 from the environment to create renewable methanol fuel. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s appropriately named Silent-Power. The company produces both
August 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Transforming Carbon Dioxide
(University of Delaware/Phys.Org) A team of researchers at the University of Delaware's Center for Catalytic Science and Technology (CCST) has discovered a novel two-step process to increase the efficiency of carbon dioxide (CO2) electrolysis, a chemical reaction driven by electrical currents
August 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Ingenza Embarks on Collaborative Project to Recycle CO2
(Ingenza) Ingenza is pleased to announce a collaboration with the University of Dundee and Drochaid Research Services on a highly innovative project that aims to reduce the waste carbon dioxide generated by industrial biotech manufacturing applications. Funded by Zero Waste Scotland,
August 15, 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
Federally Funded Project Uses Microbes to Convert CO2 to RNG
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has announced new grant funding for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LNNL) and Stanford School of Engineering’s Spormann Laboratory to conduct new power-to-gas research. The two entities will also receive $800,000 from the
August 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Carbon is Key to a Sustainable and Future-Oriented Chemical Industry
(nova-Institute) The equivalent to decarbonisation in the energy sector is a transition to carbon from renewable sources in the chemical and plastics industries. The nova-Institute published a position paper on the future of chemistry. The chemical industry may only develop into
August 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Carbon Capture, Solar Fuels, Fossil Bubble
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Spain, BIOCON-CO2, a new €7 million EU Horizon 2020-funded research project, has recently kicked-off with intentions of supporting EU leadership in carbon dioxide (CO2) re-use technologies. BIOCON-CO2 aims to re-use excess CO2 produced from the iron, steel,
August 01, 2018 Read Full Article
This Start-Up Turns Pollution from Factories into Fuel That Powers Cars — and One Day Planes
by Catherine Clifford (CNBC) A bacteria found in the gut of a rabbit can now help cars run in a more eco-friendly way. The bacteria, identified by biotech start-up LanzaTech, helps turn factory carbon emissions, a.k.a. pollution, into ethanol .... ... "While there are many sustainable
July 30, 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
NPPD Part of DOE Study to Develop Integrated CO2 Collection, Transportation, and Storage Infrastructure
(Nebraska Public Power District) Nebraska Public Power District is taking another step forward in the carbon world with a second Department of Energy (DOE) study. This most recent initiative has a goal of developing an integrated carbon dioxide (CO2) collection,
July 20, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of July 18th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In today’s Digest, wool without the sheep, fuels from water and C)2, bacteria-powered solar cells, spectral imagery in the sky, artificial intelligence in the crop field, sugar-based straws and more, ready for you now at The
July 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Climate Pollutants Fall Below 1990 Levels for First Time
(California Air Resources Board) Emissions down 13% since their 2004 peak while economy grew 26% -- ... The transportation sector, the state’s largest source of greenhouse gases, saw a 2 percent increase in emissions in 2016 because of increased fuel consumption. But
July 16, 2018 Read Full Article
Royal Netherlands Air Force First to Operate F-16 Fighting Falcon on SAF
(Bioenergy International) Over the next fortnight, one F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Royal Netherlands Air Force will operate from Leeuwarden Air Base on a 5 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), supplied by SkyNRG, a Netherlands-headed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
July 11, 2018 Read Full Article
An FAQ on 45Q: What Federal Carbon Storage Tax Credit Means for Midwest
by Frank Jossi (Energy News) A federal tax credit passed earlier this year could increase the amount of carbon being stored underground. The revamped “45Q” tax credit boosts the amount of money available to companies willing to capture and store carbon
July 11, 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
From LanzaTech to Sierra Energy and the Latest Research, Syngas Is on Fire
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Syngas, or synthesis gas, is on fire lately, with new technologies making the most of waste products like CO2 or low-grade biomass and converting them into useful hot stuff like syngas that can then be
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
In a Q&A with The Washington Post on Friday, Wheeler Showed He Differs from Pruitt
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) In a Q&A with The Washington Post on Friday, (EPA Acting Administrator Scott) Wheeler showed he differs from Pruitt in at least one major way. He said he considers an endangerment finding that is the agency's
July 09, 2018 Read Full Article
Boss of Teesside Plant at Centre of Beer CO2 Shortage Explains How to Stop Future Problems
by Kelly Price (Teeside Live) Ensus says a change in the law on PETROL could secure its future - and keep the CO2 flowing to the food and drink industry -- Bosses of a Teesside ethanol plant at the centre of the
July 06, 2018 Read Full Article
ICAO Council Reaches Landmark Decision on Aviation Emissions Offsetting
(International Civil Aviation Organization) The ICAO Council made important headway today on the key international standards supporting the UN aviation agency’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or ‘CORSIA’. Its adoption of the First Edition of Annex 16, Volume IV,
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
AAPCA Releases 2018 Edition of The Greatest Story Seldom Told
(Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies) Today, the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) released the 2018 edition of The Greatest Story Seldom Told: Profiles and Success Stories in Air Pollution Control. State and local air agencies have been at the
July 03, 2018 Read Full Article
The Yosemite Sam of the Microbial World, Hot Rodded Lichen, BYO Nitrogen, The Microbial Marx Brother, Sexy Hexy and More: The DOE Delves into New Orgamsism for Fuels & Chems
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The meanest, nastiest, ornierest, heat-seeking organism ever found that munches biomass and other microbes that got a booster via the DOE’s $40M grants for advanced microbes R&D. And aromatics without the mess, a sky-vacumming organism and
June 28, 2018 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Upgrades Carbon Dioxide to Fuels Found by USTC
(EurekAlert!/University of Science and Technology of China) Liquid multi-carbon alcohols such as ethanol and n-propanol are desired as renewable transportation fuels. They offer high energy densities, ease of long-range transport, and direct drop-in usage in existing internal combustion engines. Engineering catalysts
June 26, 2018 Read Full Article
How Induced Innovation Lowers the Cost of a Carbon Tax
by Joe Kennedy (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) Evidence shows a carbon tax will induce innovation that will lower the cost of reducing CO2 emissions. If the revenues are recycled to expand tax incentives for research and capital investment, a modest
June 25, 2018 Read Full Article
High-Performance: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Avantium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The company is now safely emerged from its celebrated IPO, and is embarked on the development of the first commercial plant project with its JV partner BASF — so, its been a big period and even
June 22, 2018 Read Full Article
Can Climate Change Be Stopped by Turning Air into Gasoline?
by David Fridley and Richard Heinberg (Renewable Energy World) The headline of this article was composed simply by rephrasing the title of a popular recent piece in The Atlantic — “Climate Change Can Be Stopped by Turning Air into Gasoline” — as a question.
June 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Indian Researchers Create an Artificial Leaf Which Consumes Sunlight and Carbon Dioxide to Produce Energy
by Amit Jha (Crazy Engineers) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore have found a novel approach to produce energy by using sunlight and carbon dioxide. By using a collection of quantum dots made up of Copper Aluminium Sulphate and Zinc
June 18, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA to Change How It Considers Costs, Benefits of Regulations COMMENTS DEADLINE: July 13, 2018
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On June 7, the U.S. EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, announcing the agency is soliciting public input on whether and how to change the way it considers costs and benefits in making
June 08, 2018 Read Full Article
The Carbon Rescuers: 20 Top Waste Projects and Breakthroughs that Capture Used Carbon from the Waste Pile for New Uses
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In these top 20 projects, we usually say that we are using waste, but really we are converting something from a state of waste to a state of value — and that’s not just good for
June 05, 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
Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre Officially Opens
(InnoTech Alberta) InnoTech Alberta, an applied research subsidiary of Alberta Innovates, today announced the official opening of the Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre (ACCTC). InnoTech Alberta is the owner and operator of this pioneering clean technology centre. Users of the ACCTC will
May 28, 2018 Read Full Article
Waiver Wire: Why Is the Biofuels Industry up in Arms about Oil Refinery Waivers?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But they’re part of the Washington dialogue this month, waivers and easy outs, since reports surfaced in media that the US Environmental Protection Agency granted a Renewable Fuel Standard hardship waiver for CVR Energy’s Wynnewood, Oklahoma
May 22, 2018 Read Full Article
The Interaction of the Clean Air Act, California's CAA Waiver, Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, Renewable Fuel Standards and California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Trump Administration is taking a new look at Obama Administration era Co2 regulations. On the transportation side, these include reviewing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards; threatening to take away California’s authority to set
May 21, 2018 Read Full Article
Congressman Veasey Introduces Bipartisan Energy Research Legislation
(Office of Congressman Marc Veasey) The Fossil Energy Research and Development Act would set the course for the next generation of climate change mitigation -- Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Science Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, along with Congressman David
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Manhattan Institute
The Manhattan Institute looked at "zero emission vehicles" and found: Broad-based adoption of ZEVs will increase overall emissions of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and particulates, compared with the same number of new internal combustion engines. The simple fact is
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Short Circuit: The High Cost of Electric Vehicle Subsidies
(Manhattan Institute) Many claim that “zero-emissions vehicles” (ZEVs), especially battery-powered electric vehicles, should replace most, if not all, cars and trucks powered by gasoline-burning internal combustion engines. The primary rationale is to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To effect
May 15, 2018 Read Full Article
Electricity-Based Fuels: As Much as Needed for the Sake of the Climate, as Little as Possible for the Sake of Efficiency
(Agora Verkehrswende and Agora Energiewende) ... The production of power-based synthetic fuels is a multi-stage process. First, clean energy from wind or PV electrolyzes water into hydrogen and oxygen. Then, the hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide to create gaseous or
May 09, 2018 Read Full Article
New Research Shows the Health Benefits of Ethanol-Fueled Cookstoves
by Jieyi Lu (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Today, about three billion people still cook and heat their homes with traditional stoves and solid fuels worldwide. These fuels and stoves are major contributors to household air pollution in the developing world.
May 07, 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