by Mahmood Ebadian (Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group/Biomass Supply Chain Consulting Ltd./Biofuels Digest) ...With specialization occurring in feedstock engineering, these new business entities will be well-positioned to produce multiple products including both intermediate and final bio-products. In other words, they
feedstock logistics
Back TO HOMEPlanned Project to Produce Ethanol, Chemicals from Beets on Hold
by Keith Norman (Forum News Service/Prairie Business Magazine) Industrial grade sugar beets, which can be used to produce ethanol and plastic, may become a farm crop for central North Dakota in the future, although the time is not right now,
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
ORNL Hosts Southeast Bioenergy Meeting, Study Tour
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Researchers and others interested in establishing a sustainable bioeconomy in the U.S. are taking part in a five-day study tour led by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Approximately 70 attendees from DOE
April 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Scale-Up of Emerging Biofuel Technologies
by Lorenz Bauer and William Quapp (Biofuels Digest) ... However, attempts to translate these small scale successes into commercial technologies have been less successful. It is easy to blame lower oil and natural gas prices and opposition from special interest
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Make Haste with Waste
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)hen you compare them to homogenized, uniform, high-yield, purpose-grown energy crops. residues may be queer, but they are here. Not only available, but reliable, you can count on the fact that they will not
April 08, 2016 Read Full Article
University of Tennessee Center Continues Efforts to Develop Low-Cost Biofuels and Bio-Based Products
(AZO CleanTech) A few years ago, petroleum-based products, including gasoline, were not available at affordable prices, unlike the case today. However, the prices are likely to return to the same level in the coming years. Due to this impending scenario, researchers
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
UT and Genera Energy Harvest Hybrid Poplar Stand in Next Step Toward a Biobased Economy UT and Genera Energy Harvest Hybrid Poplar Stand in Next Step Toward a Biobased Economy
by Patricia McDaniels (University of Tennessee) A small stand of poplar trees harvested from a University of Tennessee AgResearch Center is set to help scientists progress further down the path toward low-cost, high-quality biomass and a bioeconomy. Located on UT’s East
March 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Benefits and Ordeals of a Biofuel Project in Nigeria
by Oladunjoye A. Waleola (Avandith Renewable Energy Limited Nigeria; special to Advanced Biofuels USA) Avandith Renewable Energy Limited Nigeria is a company deeply involved in Jatropha curcas cultivation as well as biofuel production. We have been on the ground and
February 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $11.3 Million Available for Mega-Bio: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced up to $11.3 million in funding to develop flexible biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that can be modified to produce advanced fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand.
February 08, 2016 Read Full Article
DE-FOA-0001434: Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels (NO. DE-FOA-0001433)
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels”. This FOA supports BETO’s goal of
February 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Addendum to NAABB Report Released: Genifuel Corporation
(U.S. Department of Energy) In 2010, the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB) was formed to further understand the impacts of algae on overall biomass and liquid transportation fuel production. The consortium consisted of 39 partner institutions and primarily
January 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Biomass Supply Chain Trade-Offs: Basis for Successful Bioenergy Businesses
by Rajdeep Golech (Biomass Magazine) Feedstock sourcing is a critical aspect in the development of cellulosic biofuel businesses. -- Emphasis toward greenhouse gas reduction and massive availability of agriculture and forest residue has led to an increased interest in converting
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biofuel: The Importance of Managing Biomass Supply Chain
by Ajay Shah (Renewable Energy World) Massive availability of agricultural waste, left unutilized in the field, and its potential to be converted to environmentally friendly biofuel has led to an increasing attention towards the advancement of cellulosic biofuel. ... Cellulosic biofuel
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
The Bioeconomy’s River Pilot: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the USDA
by Valerie Reed (US Department of Agriculture/Biofuels Digest) A great government agency is a little like a river pilot — doesn’t run the ship, but steps in as a vital partner for complex, critical tasks where specialized know-how and resources
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
First Commercial! Construction Underway in Minnesota for Green Biologics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In Minnesota, construction is now underway at the Green Biologics bio-based n-butanol and acetone manufacturing facility in Little Falls, MN. The existing manufacturing site, formerly known as The Central MN Ethanol Cooperative (CMEC), was
December 04, 2015 Read Full Article
What Makes Scale-Up of Industrial Biotechnology so Difficult?
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC) Two questions have dominated the responses received after my Lessons Learned series on commercializing industrial biotechnology (here) and the deep-dive into the industrial biotechnology commercialization process (here), the questions are what makes scale-up of industrial
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Whole Crop Utilization: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Idaho National Laboratory’s BioEnergy Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) INL’s program aims to overcome key technical barriers facing the U.S. bioenergy industry by systematically researching, characterizing, modeling, demonstrating, and harnessing the physical and chemical characteristics of the nation’s diverse agricultural residues. By finding ways
November 24, 2015 Read Full Article
Genera Energy, Precision Hawk Launch Drone/Analytics Partnership for Sustainable Biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC NEXT, PrecisionHawk and Genera Energy announced a partnership to develop new analysis algorithms specific to improving the efficiency and quality of sustainable biomass crop production and distribution. The algorithms will convert raw aerial
November 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Energy Department Harvesting Technology Goes Commercial
by Alison Goss Eng and Daniel Adams (U.S. Department of Energy) ... Earlier this year, we highlighted five cost-saving harvesting technologies that private companies and universities developed through $21 million in 2009 funding from the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). At the
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Not Becoming Toast: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Supply Chain Risk
by Jonathan McCoy (Zurich Energy/Biofuels Digest) So, you have a great technology, it scales and it works. You have a customer. Supper. But if you don’t have a supply chain, you’re toast. Here’s a recent deck on avoiding the toaster,
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Vertically-Integrated Ethanol at Scale: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Green Plains
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Plains is a vertically-integrated ethanol producer based in Omaha, Nebraska. They currently have an ethanol production capacity of approximately 1.0 billion gallons per year with 12 plants located in Atkinson, Nebraska; Bluffton, Indiana; Central
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Can Reduce Fall Tillage
by David Hest (Corn+Soybean Digest) Farmers find stover removal for cellulosic ethanol boosts yields, reduces costs and saves soil. Like a lot of farmers, Curt Ferris has wrestled with large amounts of crop residue in corn-on-corn fields. He invested in a
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Sugar Is the New Crude: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to American Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Although American Process has been most closely associated with its complete cellulosic biofuels package — of late, the company has been much in focus because of its capabilities in producing low-cost renewable sugars. Thought it was
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Production Is Complex
by Len Calderone (Robotics Tomorrow/Altenergymag.com) Introduction of biofuels is proceeding so quickly, that the environmental risks of biofuel production are being disregarded. Without careful and thorough assessment and regulation, the promise of biofuels may well be delayed. ... Collecting feedstock to convert
September 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Bringing in the Biomass for Cellulosic Ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A multitude of questions surround the challenge of bringing in the mountains of biomass needed to feed a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant: Are crop residues a reliable resource? Will farming communities support the
September 14, 2015 Read Full Article
BETO Seeks Stakeholder Input on Achieving High Yields from Algal Feedstocks
(US Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released a Request for Information (RFI) titled “High Yields through Productivity and Integration Research.” BETO is seeking input from
September 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Grease Collection in the US: Feedstock for Biodiesel
by Ian Winner* (Optimus Technologies/special guest author for Advanced Biofuels USA) Grease Collection Overview -- When we talk about grease, what do we mean? Grease can refer to yellow grease, choice white grease, edible or inedible tallow, lard, trap grease
September 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems Posts Annual Meeting Presentations and Posters
(Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems) The meeting presentations are now available for download on the IBSS website: IBSS 2015 Annual Meeting Presentations IBSS 2015 Annual Meeting Posters READ MORE
August 31, 2015 Read Full Article
The Virtuous Cycle of Biomass Supply
by Bill Levy (Pacific Ag/Biomass Magazine) There are several main challenges in constructing an effective ag biomass supply chain, and they are influenced by a variety of factors. --- As biobased product manufacturers evaluate sites for future facilities, a key consideration
August 28, 2015 Read Full Article
VIDEO: Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected
(US Department of Energy) “Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected” is a short documentary highlighting personal stories and the efforts being made by communities across the United States to develop, produce, and provide bioenergy, while ensuring it is environmentally, economically,
August 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Yep, There’s a Biomass Crop Planning App for That, Says Genera Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, Genera Energy has launched its first mobile agriculture app, Biomass, developed to serve as a tool for planning, selecting and calculating biofuel crop needs, for use with Android and Apple smart devices. The
August 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Is Biomass Expanding Faster than Fuels?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With 3 acquisitions, the biomass consolidation czars consolidate as markets expand. Funding will enable company to expand biomass supply chain services across U.S. In Oregon, Pacific Ag has received a $7M investment from Advantage Capital Agribusiness
August 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Southeastern Biomass Interactive Mapping Service
(Southeastern Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems) The Southeastern Biomass Interactive Mapping Service (IMS) is a tool for exploring the biomass resources and the competitors who use these resources in the southeast US. It allows users to spatially examine feedstock, competitors
August 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity for Innovative Bioenergy Technologies
(US Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announces its intent to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) targeting innovative technologies and solutions to
June 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Bioenergy and Biofuels Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass via Anaerobic Digestion and Fisher-Tropsch Reaction
(US Department of Agriculture/Ohio State University) The long term goal of this project is to commercialize an integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) that promises cost competitive bioenergy and biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass. The specific objectives of this proposal are
June 17, 2015 Read Full Article
An Amazon.com for Bioenergy Supply Chain Logistics
by Bill Levy (Pacific Ag/Biofuels Digest) ... Amazon has become the world’s largest retailer by winning at logistics. They simply found (and keep finding) ever more efficient ways to meet demand with supply. And that’s the name of the game
June 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Sustainable, Available, Reliable Affordable Bioeconomy Feedstocks: The Hottest Slides from ABFC 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the advanced bioeconomy, the question for some time has been “how do you fund it?” or “how do you make it?”. But now, feedstock is becoming the key variable, it’s a case of “where
June 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Pennsylvania State University (PSU): An Example to Follow
by Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) I had heard about Pennsylvania State University's bioenergy and biofuels educational initiatives from Advanced Biofuels USA's Joanne Ivancic, just after starting to work on a project to identify college level biofuels education
May 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Genera Energy Reaches Milestone with Recent Harvest
(Genera Energy) Genera Energy Inc., a leading biomass supply company specializing in biomass feedstocks for advanced biobased industries, set new standards for efficiency with its recently completed harvests of miscanthus, switchgrass, and biomass sorghum. With this harvest, Genera continues to
March 09, 2015 Read Full Article
BETO’s 2015 Project Peer Review March 23-27 Alexandria, VA
The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the 2015 Project Peer Review on March 23–27, 2015, at the Hilton Mark Center, in Alexandria, Virginia. Approximately 185 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio will be presented to the public
March 04, 2015 Read Full Article
New Farmer Co-Operative to Help Build Ontario Bioeconomy
(Farmers.com/Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative) A group of Ontario farmers have a plan to convert crop residue into cellulosic sugar to help fuel the province’s bioeconomy. Based in Sarnia, the Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) will work to develop a market
January 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Improving the Way We Harvest And Deliver Biofuels Crops
(U.S. Department of Energy/Breaking Energy) America is the largest biofuels producer in the world — accounting for 48 percent of global output. To remain the global industry leader, the Energy Department is investing in projects that address critical barriers to
January 12, 2015 Read Full Article
The DOE’s Shifting Worldview for Biofuels Deployment, Now through 2030
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Feedstock costs and challenges come under the microscope as the DOE reports new data on algae-based feedstocks and terrestrial crops too. Can algae-based biofuels reach full commercial scale by 2030? The Digest investigates. Twice this year, the
December 29, 2014 Read Full Article
$3M Grant Supports Bioenergy Development
(State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry) Work focuses on making renewable feedstocks more affordable The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded up to $3 million to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) to
December 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Leifmark and New Holland Run Stover Harvest Trials in Western Iowa to Cut Investor Risk for Cellulosic Ethanol Refineries
(Liefmark/PR NewsWire) In two Iowa cornfields in early November, Leifmark, LLC and New Holland Agriculture teamed up to test equipment and methods used to gather, bale, and store the corn stover left behind after the grain harvest. Paul Kamp,
December 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $7 Million to Develop Advanced Logistics for Bioenergy Feedstocks
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department announced today up to $7 million for two projects aimed at developing and demonstrating ways to reduce the cost of delivering bioenergy feedstocks to biorefineries. Examples of bioenergy feedstocks include corn stover, switchgrass,
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Cornstalks Aren't Just for Scarecrows Anymore
by Reanna Trudell and Daniel Adams (US Department of Energy) ... Our scientists have identified corn stover, which includes the corn plant’s stalks, husks, cobs, and leaves, as a plentiful and reliable feedstock for producing bioenergy. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS,
November 20, 2014 Read Full Article
Harvesting Poplar to Fuel Green Energy
by Patricia Townsend (Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest) Fall is harvest season and kicks off AHB’s first harvest of hybrid poplar for bioenergy. The Jefferson, Oregon and Hayden, Idaho demonstration sites were both harvested at the end of September and early October
November 19, 2014 Read Full Article
“What About That, Er, Cellulosic Feedstock?” Pacific Ag CEO Bill Levy on the Where, When and How
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Feedstock. Now that cellulosic ethanol has reached scale, it has replaced Motherhood and Apple Pie as staple faves for industry chat. Meanwhile, Pacific Ag has been rolling up the acres, getting it done. How’s it
November 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Press Release: “Should Corn Land Be Used for Bioenergy/Biomaterial Crops?” Advanced Biofuels USA Publishes Thought-Provoking New Approach to Food, Feed, Fuel and Fiber Crop Land Use
October 6, 2014—Columbus, OH -- Robert Kozak of Atlantic Biomass Conversions contributes his thoughtful approach to answering these questions* posed by Biofuels Digests’s Jim Lane: “As the first wave of cellulosic biorefineries launch — is there really enough affordable feedstock
October 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Ahead of His Time
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The idea of wet biomass storage has yet to catch on in the cellulosic industry, despite long-term use in the pulp and paper industry. Jim Hettenhaus is a passionate advocate of wet biomass storage. ...
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Stover Pellets Pack in the Pounds
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Pelletizing corn stover offers some tantalizing prospects. Where it is virtually impossible to load a truck to maximum weight with bales, one could with pellets. The densification process improves bulk density by a
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Boosting Biomass for Bioenergy
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Many dedicated energy crops hold promise as feedstocks for next-generation ethanol. Extensive R&D is still needed, however, to overcome the challenges in making these plants viable for commercial applications. ... This year, $12.6 million was awarded to
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
GranBio Starts Cellulosic Ethanol Production at 21 Million Gallon Plant in Alagoas, Brazil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) World’s largest-known cellulosic ethanol project to date comes online in Brazil in record time. In Brazil, GranBio has initiated production at the first commercial-scale plant for second-generation ethanol in the Southern Hemisphere. The Bioflex 1, unit
September 25, 2014 Read Full Article
Genera Energy Releases Biomass Infographic
(Genera Energy) Infographic highlights a variety of biomass feedstocks, provides insight into choosing the right solution for any biomass project Genera Energy, a recognized innovator in sustainable biomass feedstock supply advancements and supply chain improvements, released a new infographic featuring a
August 25, 2014 Read Full Article
Save up to $4M per Year on Biomass Costs? Yep, Genera Energy Has an App for That.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, Genera Energy has come up with a biomass management methodology that results in a 13% reduction in the delivered cost of biomass feedstock — or as much as $4 million per year for
August 05, 2014 Read Full Article
ACORE Announces Submission of Comments on DOE's Biofuel Research and Development Pathways
(American Council On Renewable Energy) Today (June 2, 2014), the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) announced that it has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) which sought stakeholder input regarding the biofuel pathways that the DOE's Bioenergy Technologies
June 03, 2014 Read Full Article
The Year is Here
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) 2014 will bear witness to the commissioning of some of the first U.S. commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants. Those in the cellulosic ethanol industry know “five more years down the road” as a phrase that’s been associated
March 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Requires Efficiently Collecting Corn Stover Bales
by Andrea Johnson (Midwest Producer) Corn stover experts have found ways to reduce the cost of bringing corn stover from the field to cellulosic ethanol plants. A study conducted by DuPont Cellulosic Ethanol and Iowa State University was able to reduce the
March 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Tennessee’s Biomass Innovation
by Susanne Retka Schill (BBI International/Biomass Magazine) Genera Energy is applying a systems approach to developing customized energy crop supply chains. ... Genera Energy aims to help clients answer those questions using a systems approach to developing customized supply chain solutions. As it wrapped
March 05, 2014 Read Full Article
2013 Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office Peer Review Report Released
(US Department of Energy) In 2013, BETO implemented a comprehensive external review of its project portfolio through a Project Peer Review and Program Management Review. Results of this peer review process inform the Office’s strategic planning, budget formulation, FOA development,
March 05, 2014 Read Full Article
First Production Scale Test of Giant King Grass Grinding Equipment for Nicaragua Power Plant
(Viaspace/PRNewsWire) VIASPACE Inc. (OTCQB: VSPC) conducted a full production scale test of Giant King Grass grinding equipment on February 18, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. 6,000 pounds of 18 foot tall Giant King Grass stalks were cut and shredded in a few minutes in
February 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Universities Receive $10M to Study Biofuels
by Martiin Kidston (Missoulian) If 1 ton of woody debris can produce 50 gallons of fuel, how many gallons of fuel could 42 million acres of dead and dying forests produce? Funded by a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department
December 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Innovation in Feedstock Transport, Testing
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In August, Ernest Moniz, secretary for the U.S. DOE, announced more than $22 million in new investments to develop a more efficient feedstock supply chain for advanced biofuels, in addition to more affordable algae-derived
November 05, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA OK’s Arundo, Napier Grass for Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing a supplemental final rule, containing a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis for renewable fuels made from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass, and a regulatory determination that such fuels
July 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Sugar for Food, Fuel and Power: The ISO Datagro Sugar & Ethanol Conference in New York City
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) What used to be known as “The New York Sugar Conference” has become “The ISO and Datagro Sugar & Ethanol Conference” with a record-setting number of attendees (350 from 25 countries) demonstrating the growing
May 16, 2013 Read Full Article
National Labs Release New Biochemical Biorefinery Sizing Study
(US Department of Energy) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory have released a joint study on biochemical biorefinery sizing. “Investigation of biochemical biorefinery sizing and environmental sustainability impacts for conventional
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
The Cutting Edge of Corn Stover and Switchgrass Supply: A Comprehensive Feedstock Solution
(U.S. Department of Energy) Supplying high-quality feedstock for use in a broad range of sustainable conversion processes to produce advanced biofuels is a complex, multi-step process. Each step in the feedstock supply and logistics chain—from harvesting, preparing, and packaging, to
March 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Blend Right In
(Nanowerk.com) A collaborative study by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a bioenergy research center led by Berkeley Lab, and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for
February 01, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S. DOE Allots $6 Million to Biomass Supply Chain Technologies
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. DOE has made $6 million available for projects focused on developing and demonstrating supply chain technologies that will enable delivery of commercial-scale lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks to U.S. biorefineries. The funding opportunity will focus on
January 29, 2013 Read Full Article
15 Burning Questions (and Answers) for Biofuels in 2013
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Policy, finance, technology, feedstocks, markets, prices, opposition. Here’s what’s on your mind, as the critical 2013 deployment year for biofuels looms. So here are 15 burning questions as suggested by various Digesterati — divided for convenience
December 14, 2012 Read Full Article
Energy Sorghum Demonstrates Potential During Dry Summer
by Dan Conable (Cato Analytics LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Despite weather challenges and the learning curve for farmers unfamiliar with this energy sorghum, one of the first commercial-scale plantings of the crop in the northeastern U.S. has been a success. More than 400
September 24, 2012 Read Full Article
International Cooperation to Develop Global Bioenergy Capacity: Biomass without Borders: Lessons from International Ventures
By Liliana Diaz (Navigant Consulting) Opening with the report on repeated failure of a biomass based Idaho power company's ability to meet delivery deadlines because of the non-reliable source of fuel, Diaz effectively made her point. The production of biopower
August 15, 2012 Read Full Article
An Analytic Advantage: A New Model Developed by University of Illinois Researchers Can Help Increase Biomass Supply Chain Efficiencies
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...The BioFeed model is the product of University of Illinois researchers funded by BP’s Energy Biosciences Institute under a research program titled Engineering Solutions for Biomass Feedstock Production. According to Kuan Chong Ting, a professor
May 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Navy Plan Benefits Biomass
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Fuel for carriers, jets adds demand for biofuel source other than corn A Missouri cooperative called (what else?) ShowMe Energy is building an $80 million, 3 million gallon facility that will open in 2014 and
March 28, 2012 Read Full Article
The Distributed/Centralized BioProduction Approach: Sustainable Biofuels and Bioproducts Are Possible Through the Significant Reduction of Biomass Transportation Costs
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Problem Definition: The production of biofuels in the US is at a substantial roadblock. Due to the high cost of transporting large quantities of low density, low value biomass to biorefineries, the economies of
March 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Improving Logistics of Biofuel Raw Materials
(EurekAlert/Michigan State University) MSU research looks for ways to improve shipping of materials for biofuels If the increased use of biomass to produce alternative fuels is to become a reality, more attention needs to be paid to logistics – how, for
February 23, 2012 Read Full Article
From Field to Biorefinery: Computer Model Optimizes Biofuel Operations
(EurekAlert!) Research into biofuel crops such as switchgrass and Miscanthus has focused mainly on how to grow these crops and convert them into fuels. But many steps lead from the farm to the biorefinery, and each could help or hinder the growth
January 19, 2012 Read Full Article
What in the World Are "Feedstock Logistics"?
by Dr. Steven Thomas (US Department of Energy) Biomass feedstocks – the raw organic material that can be converted into biofuel, biopower, or bioproducts – come in many forms, from woody crops like hybrid poplar and shrub willow to herbaceous species
December 30, 2011 Read Full Article
Boosting Biofuels for Sustainable Energy and Environment
(European Commission CORDIS) Europeans believe in a sustainable environment, and a way of ensuring its future is to promote and build energy resources based on residual biomass. Supporting this objective is the BIOBOOST ('Biomass-based energy intermediates boosting biofuel production') project. Set
December 28, 2011 Read Full Article
Switchgrass Ethanol Research Looks to Yield Big Benefits
by Larry Dreiling (High Plains MidWest Ag Journal) Construction has begun in Hugoton, Kan., on the nation's first commercial scale biomass fuel refinery. Abengoa Bioenergy's new, 23 million-gallon annual throughput refinery will take biomass, mainly switchgrass, and turn it into ethanol. One
November 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Kansas Group Works to Turn Crop Stubble into Energy
by Dan Voorhis (The Wichita Eagle) ...The Kansas Alliance for BioRefining and BioEnergy was created in 2009 and was originally funded by the Kansas BioScience Authority to help commercialize research and technology that turns plants into energy and products. ...Its
November 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Feedstocks – Who’s Got Game?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As POET lands a record biomass harvest in prep for a 2013 cellulosic ethanol launch, the Digest looks at stover, jatropha, miscanthus, switchgrass, MSW, wood and animal residue. Are costs going down, and capacity going
November 11, 2011 Read Full Article
The Round and Square of It: Proving the Sustainability of Crop Residue Removal
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Three years ago, ag giants John Deere & Co., Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Monsanto Co. pooled their respective areas of expertise and embarked on an experiment. Each company had its own specific reasons
November 02, 2011 Read Full Article
Feedstock Solutions: Researchers, Members of Industry Unite to Report on Feedstock Densification
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Approximately 100 professionals working in the feedstock and biorefining sectors recently met at Idaho National Laboratory to participate in a U.S. DOE-funded workshop. ...“Our objective was to broaden the view of densification from just a
October 31, 2011 Read Full Article
Government of Canada Invests in Feasibility Study for Bio-based Jet Fuel
(MarketWire) Oilseed producers can look forward to tapping into a new emerging industry with a study that will assess the feasibility of producing renewable bio-based jet fuel. Saskatoon – Humboldt Member of Parliament Brad Trost announced today an investment of
September 30, 2011 Read Full Article
University of Illinois Students Receive BP Grant to Study Biomass Engineering Properties
(Biofuels Journal) Five undergraduate students from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received a $5,000 grant from British Petroleum to research the engineering properties of biomass. The students wrote the grant to develop a virtual database that will tell end users the properties
August 22, 2011 Read Full Article
It’s Out There
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Inbicon conducted an extensive crop study and biomass research project to show just how much biomass is available in the Midwest. “Our findings confirm that North America’s great abundance of corn stover and wheat
August 17, 2011 Read Full Article
DDCE Begins Second Year of Stover Collection Program
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) The second year of DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC’s corn stover collection program is under way in Iowa as the company prepares to construct Project Blackhawk - a 25 MMgy stover-to-ethanol plant which will be located adjacent
July 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Uniform-Format Solid Feedstock Supply System: A Commodity-Scale Design to Produce an Infrastructure-Compatible Bulk Solid from Lignocellulosic Biomass
(US Department of Energy/Idaho National Laboratory) The United States is increasing the use of lignocellulosic biomass as part of a portfolio of solutions to address climate change and improve energy security, in addition to other benefits that an invigorated agricultural industry can provide. One
July 11, 2011 Read Full Article
Pellet Technology Targets Cellulosic Ethanol Producers
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Nebraska-based Pellet Technology LLC is teaming up with CPM to offer second-generation biofuels producers a solution to the logistical issues surrounding the use of bulky biomass as feedstocks. Pellet Technology, which became commercially active
June 03, 2011 Read Full Article
USDA and DOE Award Biomass Research and Development Grants to Reduce America's Reliance on Imported Oil
Projects will help develop sustainable, renewable biofuels in the U.S. As part of the Obama Administration's comprehensive plan to address rising gas prices, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced a total of $47 million
May 06, 2011 Read Full Article
Researchers in Three States Work on Densification
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In order for ag residues and energy crops to be profitably converted to biofuels, it is expected that biorefineries will need to acquire all of their feedstocks from within close proximities to the plants.
May 03, 2011 Read Full Article
Reducing Oil Dependence and Creating a Better Environment: The Promise of a Bio-Based Society
by Steen Riisgaard (Huffington Post Green) ...More complicated types of biomass -- corn cobs, wood chips, waste paper -- are far more difficult to turn into energy. But this type of biomass--known as "cellulosic biomass" -- is plentiful and renewable.
May 03, 2011 Read Full Article
U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Funding for Biomass Research and Development Initiative
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) To support President Obama's goal of reducing America's oil imports by one-third by 2025, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) today jointly announced up to $30 million over three to four years that
April 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Abengoa on Schedule to Secure 100 Percent of the Biomass Requirement for its Hugoton, Kansas, Cellulosic Ethanol Facility
(Abengoa) Abengoa, the company that develops innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the energy and environment sectors, is on schedule to secure 100 percent of the biomass raw material for its Hugoton, Kansas, cellulosic ethanol plant. The company has signed
April 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Transformers: 8 Technologies To Rock the Bio World
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Game changer, breakthrough, revolution, quantum leap. A lot of technologies arrive on the Digest’s doorstep wrapped in one of those descriptors, or another. Sometimes wrapped in all of them. But what are technologies that would really
April 12, 2011 Read Full Article
Farmers Now Delivering Biomass to POET's Project LIBERTY Storage Site
(POET) First farmers completed BCAP applications Monday Farmers are now delivering biomass bales to POET's 22-acre storage site in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the future home of the 25 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant dubbed "Project LIBERTY." Area farmers harvested 56,000 tons of corn cobs, leaves,
February 01, 2011 Read Full Article
Summary of Cellulosic Biofuels Feedstock Supply Chain Forum
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Animated discussion characterized the fourth day of the Infocast series on cellulosic biofuels. Much is at stake. The industry is so close to being able to find success. If gasoline was $4.00/gallon, implementation would
December 01, 2010 Read Full Article
Biomass-Harvesting Equipment for the Ethanol Market
by Lynn Grooms (Farm Industry News) The market for corncobs for cellulosic ethanol production is still new. So, too, is the market for other types of biomass. But new research and new collection equipment are paving the way for the
November 23, 2010 Read Full Article
Sweetwater Delivering Sugar to Jet Fuel Customer
(Sweetwater Energy) Sweetwater has begun delivering concentrated sugar water from its expanded pilot system in Rochester, NY to sources developing bio-jet fuel. Production is ramping up over the next 3 months in preparation for major-scale deliveries beginning in 2011, utilizing Sweetwater's first commercial-scale processor. READ MORE
November 23, 2010 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Logistics Prove Complex in Purdue Study
by James Cartledge (BrighterEnergy.org) New research from Purdue University highlights the need to improve efficiencies in the logistics of cellulosic biomass feedstocks for ethanol production. A study from the university’s agricultural and biological engineering researchers found that turning cellulosic feedstocks like corn
November 23, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Interface :Uniform Format Design and Deployable Process Demonstration Unit
by Dr. Christopher Wright (Research Engineer, Idaho National Laboratory) Dr. Wright's presentation describes his current project on the creation of a mobile unit to preprocess bales of cellulosic feedstock into a form that can be utilized by a fuel production facility. He
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Logistics: Development of a Harvesting System for Short Rotation Willow and Hybrid Poplar Biomass Crops
by Dr. Timothy Volk (Research Associate, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) Dr. Volk proposes a cycle for growing and harvesting willow trees for use in advanced biofuel production. The amount of usable biomass per acre is very high in woody
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Feedstock Logistics: Myths, Mysteries, and Misconceptions
by Bob Matousek (Manager of Plant and Harvesting Research and Development, Agco Corporation) Mr. Matousek's presentation discusses techniques for collecting corn crop residues into solid bales that can be transported to fuel production facilities. He details research performed on equipment
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
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