(KHON2) One month after gas stations were allowed to start selling fuel without ethanol, Hawaii drivers are still stuck with mostly the same blended gasoline. The new law removes the mandate that required up to 10 percent of ethanol in the gas. Many drivers
Hawai'i
Back TO HOMEAlgae Industry Magazine's 2015 International Readers’ Poll — Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
(Algae Industry Magazine) In any industry, a few incredible people make an enormous impact. The algae industry is fortunate to honor Algae Ambassadors that are great scientists and industry leaders. They are also superb educators for our next generation of
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world,
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Profit Path for Algae Biofuels: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Cellana
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana made news at ABLC NEXT 2015 with specifics on timing, volumes, and capex. As the slides demonstrate, they plan to be cash-flow positive on the 10-acre expansion in Kona and then to be in an even better
November 06, 2015 Read Full Article
New BETO Fact Sheets Profile the Emerging Bioeconomy by State
(U.S. Department of Energy) How is funding from BETO a part of the emerging bioeconomy in some states? Find out with our new state fact sheets. For select states, these fact sheets give information about efforts to develop the advanced
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Merger Mania: The Digest Looks at Rampant Biofuels Consolidation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Virginia, Green Plains Inc. announced this week that it had acquired an ethanol production facility in Hopewell, Virginia, located approximately 20 miles south of Richmond, from Future Fuels LLP. It’s a sign of continuing
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Goin’ Green; County Vehicle Fleet Now Using Biodiesel Fuel
by Ivy Ashe (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) Hawaii County’s vehicle fleet is a little bit more green thanks to a local partnership that increases use of biodiesel. It’s a small step toward a larger goal of reducing dependence on imported fuel sources
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Hawaiian Electric Pilot Algae Fuel Supply Deal Falls through - Report
by Plamena Tisheva (See News) A pilot contract for the supply of algae-derived biofuel to Hawaiian Electric Co by Ohio-based Phycal Inc has been terminated after the algae project was never finished, a spokesman for the utility told Pacific Business News
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Hawaii Regulators Approve Biodiesel Supply Contract between HECO and Pacific Biodiesel
by Duane Shimogawa (Pacific Business News) Hawaii regulators have approved Pacific Biodiesel Technologies’ fuel supply contract with Hawaiian Electric Co. for the Maui-based firm to supply biodiesel primarily for use at the 110-megawatt Campbell Industrial Park generation facility in West Oahu,
October 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Five Organizations Awarded Hawaii "Clean Fleets" Certification
(Blue Planet Foundation) Blue Planet Foundation and Honolulu Clean Cities recognize awardees at Hawaii Transportation Association meeting in Kona -- Blue Planet Foundation and Honolulu Clean Cities are pleased to announce that five organizations will receive certification awards for the inaugural year of the
September 08, 2015 Read Full Article
New Duke-Led Consortium To Focus On Creating Food And Fuel From Algae
by Kati Moore (Duke Environment) Zackary Johnson, Arthur P. Kaupe Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology in Marine Science at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a consortium
August 17, 2015 Read Full Article
New One-Pot Process to Produce Gasoline-Grade Biofuel from the Bacterial Biopolymer PHB
(Green Car Congress) A team from the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii at Manoa is developing a new one-pot process to produce gasoline-grade (C6–C18) hydrocarbon oil from polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)—an energy storage material formed from renewable feedstock in many
August 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel Looks to Help Big Island Achieve 100% Renewable Energy
by Duane Shimogawa (Pacific Business News) Maui’s Pacific Biodiesel Technologies is looking to help move the Big Island to 100 percent renewable energy through the use of its renewable fuel, the company’s vice president confirmed to PBN. Earlier this month, Pacific Biodiesel
August 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellana - The 2015 8-Slide Guide -- Algae to Fuels, Feed and Nutraceuticals with an Integrated Biorefinery Focus.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana’s patented ALDUO system enables economic, sustainable, and consistent production of photosynthetic, non-GMO algae at industrial scale. Cellana intends to construct and operate commercial facilities to produce these products as integrated algae-based biorefineries. To date,
July 15, 2015 Read Full Article
What’s up with Algae Now?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 31 Algae players, what do they make now, and how are they making out? ... Here’s our company by company guide to 31 of the players on the scene — project developers and technology suppliers. ... AlgaEnergy AlgaEnergy is
July 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Energy Department Awards $18 Million to Develop Valuable Bioproducts and Biofuels from Algae
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced six projects that will receive up to $18 million in funding to reduce the modeled price of algae-based biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) by 2019. This
July 10, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with… Will Steiner, General Manager, Hawaii Oil Seed Producers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) HOSPRO is dedicated to battle the 95+% import of petroleum for energy and electricity generation by promoting the development of tree based oil seed crops. We are focusing on oil palm a proven producer in
June 16, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. Buyers Scoop up Brazilian Ethanol Amid RIN Revival
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Oil traders are rushing to import ethanol from Brazil for the first time this year after U.S. regulators moved to increase use of advanced biofuel, opening a wide spread in the niche biofuel credits market. The premium
June 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Hawaii’s Clean-Energy Future Requires a Commitment to Develop Biofuels
by Paul Zorner and Martin Sabarsky (Star Advertiser) A decade ago, Hawaii made a commitment to producing and using more renewable fuels, for cleaner air, a cleaner environment, reduced dependence on oil and greater local economic security. It was then
May 30, 2015 Read Full Article
University Of Hawaii Completely Divests From Fossil Fuel Investments
(Clean Technica) The global fossil fuel divestment campaign continues apace, with the University of Hawaii agreeing to divest from coal, oil, and gas companies, making it the largest university to do so. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents voted this
May 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Innovations Presented at Department of Energy BETO Project Peer Review
by Osaretin Omorodion* (Advanced Biofuels USA) During late March 2015, the US Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) offered what amounted to a seminar for the public consisting of a series of presentations from industry professionals and researchers
May 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Consider Ditching Ethanol Mandate for Gasoline
by Nestor Garcia (KHON2) Nine years after a major change at the gas pump was forced on Hawaii drivers, many are now calling it a failed experiment and want it gone. Back in 2006, the state ordered ethanol to be mixed with
March 10, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with… Kelly Takaya King, Vice President, Pacific Biodiesel Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Created on Maui in 1995 to recycle waste cooking oil into renewable fuel, Pacific Biodiesel is now the oldest biodiesel company in America... My current focus is agriculture-related projects (i.e. feedstock development), including overseeing a Congressional
March 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Maui Sugar Plantation Still Looking for Biofuel Crop
(SunHerald.com/Associated Press/Maui News) Hawaii's last sugar cane plantation wants to transition to growing plants for energy. But it hasn't found another crop that grows as well as sugar cane in a variety of soils or one that can stand up
March 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Eight under $70: Which Biofuels Ventures Can Beat out Cheap Oil?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oil prices continue to show incredible volatility. $106 in June, $50 today. Which biofuels ventures have the pro-formas to make money in a tough market? The Digest investigates. ... Avello Bioenergy Cost: $57.50 per barrel (gasoline, diesel) Stage: Preparing for
January 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Kahului Biodiesel Price Lowest in Hawaiʻi
(Maui Now) Pacific Biodiesel’s Hobron fueling station now has the lowest diesel price in the state, according to a press release issued by the company today. B20, which is a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, dropped today
December 11, 2014 Read Full Article
Troll the Ancient Waste-Oil Carol : FFA la la la la la la la la la
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “On the way” forever, talked up by all, deployed by some – technologies that handle high free fatty acid feedstocks like used cooking oil are coming into their hey-day, via players like REG, Novozymes, Pacific
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Safety Your Way
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Producers and technology providers, including Pacific Biodiesel, Kelley Green Biofuel, Piedmont Biofuels, WB Services and Crown Iron Works, discuss procedural and design elements to mitigate risk in biodiesel manufacturing. A philosophical problem exists when an industry whose
November 19, 2014 Read Full Article
$7.9M Raised to Fight Maui GMO Ballot Initiative
(Associated Press/The Maui News/Bellingham Herald) A group backed by biotech companies raised more than $7.9 million to fight a Maui ballot initiative calling for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms. Campaign Spending Commission records for the group called the Citizens Against
October 30, 2014 Read Full Article
New Fueling Permit Brings Biodiesel Back to Maalaea Harbor
(Pacific Biodiesel Technologies/Biodiesel Magazine) Divers and crew aboard Aqua Adventures Maui are no longer breathing petroleum exhaust when they begin their diving experience from the swim step of the vessel. In a demonstration of its commitment to recycling and to
October 21, 2014 Read Full Article
State of the Algae Industry: 10 Top-Level Commercial Leaders Look at the Path to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 10 leaders, 10 enterprises, 10 paths to scale — what’s really key to making algae a commercial crop for feed, fuel and pharma, soon? This week at the Algae Biomass Summit, a pair of key sessions
October 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Honolulu City Council Adopts Resolution for Biodiesel Initiative
(Pacific Biodiesel Technologies/Biodiesel Magazine) On Sept. 10, the Honolulu City Council adopted a resolution requesting the development of a biodiesel initiative for the city’s existing mass transit diesel vehicles. Introduced by Stanley Chang, Chair of the Committee on Public Works and
September 15, 2014 Read Full Article
DOE Awards $3.5 Million to Cellana for Algal Biofuels
(Algae Industry Magazine) The U.S. Energy Department has announced $3.5 million for an algae project aimed at accelerating the development of sustainable, affordable algal biofuels... Cellana, LLC, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, was selected to receive the $3.5 million grant to develop a
August 28, 2014 Read Full Article
The Clean Plate Club: The Search for Value from Food Waste Finds a Center of Gravity in Hawaii
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All that food waste, all that potential value. What’s being done about all that material heading from the garbage pail to the landfill? Turns out, the State of Hawaii and BioTork are doing a lot.
August 08, 2014 Read Full Article
Energy Department Awards $3.5 Million to Develop Cost-Competitive Algal Biofuels
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department announced today (July 17, 2014) $3.5 million for an algae project aimed at accelerating the development of sustainable, affordable algal biofuels. This research project supports the Department’s goal of producing 2,500 gallons of
July 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Washington State the Center of Climate Change Solutions
by Gleen Farley (KING 5 News) In 2011, Alaska Airlines was the first carrier in the country to fly regular passenger carrying flights using bio-fuel. It replaced 20 percent of the jet fuel with a crystal clear liquid - refined industrial
July 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Hemp: The Feedstock that Dare Not Speak its Name
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We first started tracking hemp back in 2009, when a 43-acre biomass trial launched in California that features hemp as a feedstock. The notoriety of hemp’s cousin, marijuana, has created both passionate supporters and opponents
July 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Hawaii Lawmakers Give Unanimous Approval To Studying Hemp
by Johnny Green (The Weed Blog/The Joint Blog) Hawaii’s House Committee on Agriculture, and the state’s House Judiciary Committee, have both voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2175, a proposal to establish a two-year research program to study the effectiveness of using hemp
April 03, 2014 Read Full Article
State May Issue $50M in Bonds for Biofuel Effort
by Tom Callis (Stephens Media Hawaii/West Hawaii Today) Hawaii could issue up to $50 million in special purpose revenue bonds to support a company’s plans to turn agricultural waste into biofuel and animal feed. Since 2011, the Pacific Basin Agricultural
March 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy the Focus of Unique UH, Maui Company Partnership
(University of Hawaii) Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are working with Maui based company Pacific Biodiesel to develop a way to make water from restaurant grease traps reusable. The collaboration is an example of a new type
February 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Is the Renewable Fuel Standard Helping Bring the Next Generation of Biofuels to Market?
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) For many supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a key goal was to stimulate the development and use of low-carbon, next generation biofuels – to help reduce both U.S. petroleum dependence
October 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Congressional Algae Caucus Launched!
(Algae Biomass Organization) Algae Biomass Organization Applauds Reps. Scott Peters and Matt Salmon as New Chairs of the Congressional Algae Caucus. Bi-partisan group focused on increasing awareness of the potential of algae industry to create jobs and economic development through
October 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel, HIPPO Host Hawaii Sustainable Agriculture Tour
(Pacific Biodiesel Technologies/Biodiesel Magazine) On Oct. 10, Pacific Biodiesel, Big Island Biodiesel and Hawaii Pure Plant Oil hosted a tour to exhibit the community-based biofuel production model that is developing on Hawaii Island—a model that undeniably supports green jobs, local
October 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Alaska Airlines Will Purchase Biofuel from Hawaii Firm
by Shane Nelson (TravelWeekly) Although production won’t begin for some time, Alaska Airlines has signed an agreement to purchase sustainable biofuel for its aircraft from Honolulu-based Hawaii BioEnergy. The two companies agreed on terms earlier this summer, but Hawaii BioEnergy, a
October 16, 2013 Read Full Article
HECO Cleared to Buy Biofuel for Electricity Generation at Kahe
(Star-Advertiser) State regulators have cleared Hawaiian Electric Co. to buy about 10 million gallons of locally produced biofuel annually to burn at the utility's Kahe Power Plant on Oahu. The biofuel, to be made by Hawaii BioEnergy from plant material grown
October 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Hawaiian Electric Companies Seek ULSD, Biodiesel Proposals
(The Hawaiian Electric Companies/Biodiesel Magazine) The Hawaiian Electric Companies began a search for suppliers of cleaner fuels, including ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), biodiesel or biodiesel blends. The companies are seeking up to 150,000 barrels per year (6.3 MMgy) to supply
September 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Puna Farm to Supply Jatropha Feedstock to Big Island Biodiesel
(Pacific Biodiesel Technologies/Biodiesel Magazine) Jatropha harvesting began last week at the Hawaii Pure Plant Oil (HIPPO) farm founded in 2008 by father and son partners Christian and James Twigg-Smith. HIPPO has planted a total of 200 acres of jatropha in
August 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Secretary Moniz Announces New Biofuels Projects to Drive Cost Reductions, Technological Breakthroughs
(U.S. Department of Energy) During remarks at the Energy Department’s Biomass 2013 annual conference, Secretary Moniz today highlighted the important role biofuels play in the Administration’s Climate Action Plan to increase our energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation
August 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Algae Illustrated–ABO’s New Industry Project Book
(Algae Biomass Organization) The algae industry is moving faster than many people suspect. To help demonstrate how far along so many of ABO’s members are we recently created the Algae Industry Project Book, an illustrated guide of some of the most
August 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Alaska Airlines to Advance Use of Sustainable Biofuel
by Jeremy Del Nero (Frequent Business Traveler) Alaska Airlines said it would begin to purchase sustainable biofuel for use in its aircraft from Hawaii BioEnergy. The raw material for the biofuel will likely be woody biomass-based and will be produced on
July 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Turning Agriculture into Oil, Bio Oil, That Is
(US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) The process dates to ancient Egypt. Now, it’s being studied here by the USDA as a way to fuel farms. Pour a few handfuls of chopped- up corn stalks or switchgrass into a hopper.
July 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Fast Swimmers: 10 Algae Technologies, Where Are They in the Race for the Summit?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Summer of Algae has passed, but dozens of companies have remained hot in pursuit of a solution for fuels, feed, nutraceuticals, fragrances, flavorings and tailored renewable oils. Their technologies? Closed systems, open-systems, hybrid systems. Hosts
July 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Anaergia Selected by County of Maui to Generate Renewable Fuel from Waste
(PR NewsWire/Anaergia) Anaergia Inc. today announced that the County of Maui, Department of Finance and Mayor Alan Arakawa provided the intent to award the Integrated Waste Conversion and Energy Project at the Central Maui Landfill in Puunene to Anaergia Services, the California based subsidiary
May 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Problem of Tropical Islands, Part II of II
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...It used to be that the outskirts of Honolulu had the dual scent of diesel and pineapple processing — but now, all you really smell is the diesel. Sugarcane and pineapple are every year less
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
National Algae Testbed Kicks off at Arizona State University
(Algae Industry Magazine) lgae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP3) members from across the U.S. gathered at the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus April 15-18 for their national kickoff meetings to discuss strategies for advancing research and development of algae-based technologies for
April 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Governor Awards $200K to Hawaii Isle Biofuels Initiative
(Star-Advertiser) The state has invested $200,000 toward a initiative that seeks to develop an economically sustainable zero-waste conversion project in Hilo that will turn unmarketable papaya into biofuel and high-protein animal feed. Gov. Neil Abercrombie presented a check from the state
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Hemp Bill Passes Second Reading in Hawaii Senate
by Thomas H. Clarke (The Daily Chronic) A bill that would establish a two-year hemp pilot program in Hawaii passed a second reading with amendments on the floor of the Senate last week, and has been referred to the Ways
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Zero Waste and Plant Optimization
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) When Pacific Biodiesel Technologies’ Big Island Biodiesel refinery came online last year, it was marketed as a state-of-the-art, zero-waste plant. The facility, scaled at 16,000 gallons a day, was Hawaii’s first since 2000 and boosted
March 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Phycal Captures CO2 Funding for Biofuel
by Debra Fiakas (Alt Energy Stocks) As part of its program to promote beneficial reuse of carbon dioxide, the Department of Energy awarded a total of $27.2 million ($3.0 million in the first phase and $24.2 million in a second phase)
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
SeQuential-Pacific Ushers in Spring with Return to B99 Blends
by SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Beginning March 1, SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel, the Northwest’s longest-running commercial biodiesel producer, is returning to 99 percent biodiesel blends (B99) at its local retail outlets after offering B50 for the colder months. B99 will be available
March 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Hawaii Petroleum Loads First Tanker of Distilled Biodiesel
by Pacific Biodiesel Technologies (Biodiesel Magazine) Hawaii Petroleum loaded the first tanker of fuel produced at the Big Island Biodiesel facility in Kea ’au. The fuel is bound for its nearby Hawaii Fueling Network station in Shipman Business Park, which
January 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel Fuel to Run HECO Plant
by Nanea Kalani (Maui News) State regulators have approved a multiyear contract for Maui-based Pacific Biodiesel to supply Hawaiian Electric Co. with 250,000 gallons a year of locally produced biodiesel. The green fuel - made by recycling used cooking oil from
December 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Ensyn: Biofuels’ Big, Fast Cracker, in Pictures
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn – moving rapidly towards scale as a transport fuel technology after decades in smaller, high-value markets. What does Ensyn’s signature RTP technology, that’s making such a splash, look like? ...Ensyn has become a signature part
November 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Kenoi: Biodiesel Deal of No Benefit to Residents, County
by Erin Miller (West Hawaii Today) Aina Koa Pono’s biodiesel proposal isn’t a good deal for Hawaii County residents, Mayor Billy Kenoi said Monday, hours before the Public Utilities Commission was set to begin its first Big Island hearing on
October 31, 2012 Read Full Article
Will Algae Ever Power Our Cars?
by Marc Gunther (The Guardian) Scores of companies across the world are racing to unlock algae's energy potential and create a 'green crude oil' Tiny Columbus, New Mexico (population, 1,678) is hot, flat and uncrowded — an ideal place to launch
October 16, 2012 Read Full Article
The Sherpas: 7 Biofuels Feedstock Developers Clearing Paths to the Summit
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Every great biofuels technology has its own companion feedstock strategy – with unique advantages and technical challenges. Who’s got what it takes to be a great Sherpa, providing that feedstock or intermediates edge that puts
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Finding the Right Biofuels for the Southeast: A Range of Alternatives
(US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) ...Of the five regions, the Southeast has the greatest natural capacity in the continental United States, with sufficient sunshine, soils, water, and other natural resources to produce more than 10 billion gallons of
September 19, 2012 Read Full Article
EPA Awards Kuehnle for Innovative Algae Work
(Algae Industry Magazine) Kuehnle AgroSystems, a Honolulu, Hawaii-based company that develops algae for use in biofuels, is receiving a clean technology award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld has formally recognized Kuehnle AgroSystems for the
August 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Harvesting Hawaiian Plants to Make Jet Fuel and Clean diesel? $6 Million Grant to Oregon State University Researchers Should Help
by Ian C. Campbell (The Oregonian) ...A new $6 million federal grant to develop jet fuel and clean diesel from grass and sugarcane could help. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture money to researchers at Oregon State University, the University of Hawaii and Washington
August 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Pursuing Abundance: USDA, DOE Invest $41M to Drive Biofuels Feedstock Yields, Diversification
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The recent focus on drought, and the scarcity scare, shows that diversification and yield enhancement remain the bioeconomy’s chief weapons in the war on availability and affordability. The USDA and DOE respond with a $41M
July 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Ancient Tree Crop Provides Compelling Investment Opportunity
(PR Web) Mason & Morse Farmland Group Partners with TerViva Regarding Pongamia Projects A California company has come up with a compelling twist on farmland investing for private clients and institutional investors focusing on real assets. This farmland investment model, however,
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
The Navy’s Green Strike Group Sails on Biofuels Blend: Will It Sail Again?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the Pacific-based forces of Can-Do battle the Washington-based forces of Shouldn’t-Try, we look at the 6 Big Myths of Military Biofuels In Hawaii, the US Navy demonstrated its Green Strike Group as part of the 2012 Rim
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Big Island Biodiesel Opens
by Peter Sur (Hawaii Tribune-Herald) ...Big Island Biodiesel, located near Keaau, opened its doors for investors to tour the $12 million plant that in a few months will begin turning fuel crops and used cooking oil from across the state
July 05, 2012 Read Full Article
University of Hawaii to Receive $6M for Biofuel Development
(Pacific Business News) The University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources will receive a $6 million federal grant to continue its work to convert grass and other biomass into biofuel. The college will use the money, which comes
June 04, 2012 Read Full Article
Sorghum Goes Epic, or Is That EPEC? A Primer on Biofuels’ Underdog Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s up? What’s next? New pathways, plus country-by-country yield data. Sorghum. It’s a feedstock right out the pages of the old South – sorghum syrup served with corn bread and Lowcountry boils. ...There’s sweet sorghum and grain
May 30, 2012 Read Full Article
US Warplanes Can Fly Faster, Carry Additional Weapons Load Using Advanced Fuels and Biofuels: New Data
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New tests conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have revealed that US warplanes are capable of flying faster and carry more payload on missions, when flying with synthetic fuels, including biofuels, compared to conventional military
May 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Navy to Demonstrate Great Green Fleet This Summer
(CNN) The U.S. Navy for the first time will demonstrate what it calls a Great Green Fleet, a carrier strike group operating in large part on nonfossil fuels, during a larger, 22-nation exercise this summer. The Navy’s two-day demonstration, which will
May 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Ceres Sweet Sorghum Hybrids Processed by Amyris
(Ceres) • Pilot project validates U.S.-produced sweet sorghum as a potential feedstock for advanced biofuels and bio-products. • Conversion efficiency of sweet sorghum sugars were similar to sugarcane. Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERE) today announced its improved sweet sorghum hybrids
May 04, 2012 Read Full Article
BioWillie Branding Marks Willie Nelson's 79th Birthday
(Pacific Biodiesel/Biodiesel Magazine) Beginning on April 30, Willie Nelson’s birthday, the fuel at Pacific Biodiesel’s retail pump on Maui will be sold as the trademarked BioWillie Biodiesel. The branding is the brainchild of superstar Willie Nelson, a Maui resident whose
May 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blends Overtaking Gasoline Supply Chain
(OPISNet.com) It’s been a long time coming, but ethanol now dominates the U.S. gasoline blending landscape. The number of wholesale terminals supplying only conventional clear gasoline for truck loadings has trimmed down to just nine out of about 325 rack
March 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Robo-Copter Will Keep Tabs on Navy’s Biofuel Plants
by Spencer Ackerman and Noah Shachtman (Wired) The Navy is hoping to one day run a huge chunk of its fleet on biofuels. So the Navy’s advanced researchers — and their partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture — are turning
January 24, 2012 Read Full Article
Overcoming the Challenge of Cheap Sugars: Unmarketable Hawaiian Papaya Used to Produce Green Fuels
(Biotork) BioTork has successfully converted unmarketable Hawaiian papayas to fatty acids that can be refined into green fuels. This result is a first milestone in a developmental research project conducted in collaboration with the US Dept of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center
January 06, 2012 Read Full Article
2100 CAAFI General Meeting Presentations Available Online
Presentations delivered by the various panel members are available on the CAAFI Expo website. READ MORE Business Team RIN Compliance and D-Code Pathway Definitions (PDF) - Luce Business Team Panel Discussion Elements of Alternative Fuels - Business Case Analysis (PDF)- John Rau Biofuels Financing
December 22, 2011 Read Full Article
Hitting a New Stride: The Biorefining Sector Is Poised for Commercial Scale-Up as Funding Strategies Mature and Production Capacity Grows
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) The biorefining sector reached an important new milestone this year with at least five companies undergoing successful initial public offerings (IPOs). As we move into the new year, members of industry will take another important
December 10, 2011 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels Collaborative Efforts in Full Force
by Bryan Sims (Biorefining Magazine) ... “This regular commercial route powered by Honeywell Green Jet Fuel is a huge step in establishing the market for aviation biofuels and widespread use of these fuels,” said Jim Rekoske, vice president and general manager
November 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Boeing and Hawai'i BioEnergy to Work on Renewable Biofuel for Aviation
(Boeing/PR NewsWire/Yahoo!) Collaborative efforts to focus on regionally produced, sustainable fuel options Boeing today announced a collaborative agreement to work with Hawai'i BioEnergy on renewable energy sources for creating aviation fuel. Announced on the eve of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference
November 11, 2011 Read Full Article
Algal Biomass Organization Member Spotlight: Barry Raleigh, Co-Founder of Cellana.
(Algal Biomass Organization) ABO: What was the original idea behind the creation of the company? Raleigh: My co-founder, Mark Huntley, thought from his experience in algae production at Aquasearch that algae were possibly a major consumer of carbon dioxide if fuel
October 07, 2011 Read Full Article
Hawaiian Electric Disappointed by PUC's Biofuels Ruling
by Duane Shimogawa (Pacific Business News) Hawaiian Electric Co. said Friday it was disappointed by the state Public Utilities Commission’s decision to deny its biofuel supply contract with Aina Koa Pono.The PUC said Thursday that the contract price for the
October 05, 2011 Read Full Article
Memo to Microalgae, Frankencritters and Biovarmints: Aloha Means I Love You
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hawaii goes all in on microalgae to provide fuel, food, fiber and power to grow its energy-starved Mid-Pacific economy and fit its environmental values ...Hawaii has no fossil fuel resources of its own. Not to mention
September 16, 2011 Read Full Article
Hawaiian Electric Selects Hawai`i BioEnergy to Supply Sustainable Local Biofuel for Kahe Power Plan
(Hawai'i Bioenergy) Hawaiian Electric Company and Hawai`i BioEnergy, LLC have agreed on a contract for a supply of 10 million gallons per year of locally grown and processed biofuel for power generation at Hawaiian Electric’s Kahe Generating Station. The contract now goes to
September 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Honeywell’s UOP Breaks Ground on Facility to Convert Biomass to Green Transportation Fuels
(Honeywell) UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced today that it has begun construction in Hawaii of a biofuels demonstration unit that will convert forest residuals, algae and other cellulosic biomass into green transportation fuels. Backed by a $25 million U.S. Department of
August 30, 2011 Read Full Article
Honeywell to Build Pilot-Scale Biomass Refinery in Kapolei
by Duane Shimogawa (Pacific Business News) ...Groundbreaking for Honeywell’s UOP integrated biorefinery is scheduled for next week at Tesoro Corp. ’s refinery in Kapolei. The project, funded by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, will integrate two
August 26, 2011 Read Full Article
Hawaii Biofuels Option Could Prove Costly
By Sophie Cocke (Honolulu Civil Beat) Two contracts for locally-produced biofuels, aimed at supplying a portion of the state’s electricity needs, are under consideration by the Public Utilities Commission, and more are expected. But the cost of the energy to
August 22, 2011 Read Full Article
Sustainable Retail Biodiesel is Here!
(Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance) The Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, alongside SBA Business Member companies in three states unveiled the first retail locations scored through the Sustainability Report Card for biodiesel at the nozzle. SBA Business members participated in this new system that scores
August 22, 2011 Read Full Article
The A.I.M. Interview: Dr. Richard Sayre
by Jonathan Williams (Algae Industry Magazine) Dr. Richard Sayre keeps his plate full as both the Director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and as the CTO of the high
August 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Pacific Biodiesel to Power New Hawaiian Electric Emergency Plant
(Pacific Business News) Pacific Biodiesel, Inc., will supply at least 250,000 gallons of locally-produced biodiesel to Hawaiian Electric Co’s new 8-megawatt emergency power facility at Honolulu International Airport that will open in October 2012. The three-year contract calls for Pacific Biodiesel to supply
August 03, 2011 Read Full Article
The A.I.M. Interview: Martin Sabarsky, Cellana's CEO
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) Martin Sabarsky was promoted to President and CEO of Kona, Hawaii-based Cellana in April of 2011. He now has the challenging and, if all goes well, rewarding job of escorting Cellana into
July 25, 2011 Read Full Article
Hoover Algae-to-Oil Fuel Plant Fails to Get Grant
by Steve Irvine (The Birmingham News) The Ohio-based company seeking to put a pilot plant in Hoover that would harvest oil from algae to form an alternative fuel didn't receive the $45 million grant it was seeking to build the
July 19, 2011 Read Full Article
First Large-Scale Oahu Biofuel Crops Planted
by Daryl Huff (KITV 4) Military, Local Company Testing Plants To Replace Petroleum ... Pacific Bioldiesel, which has succeeding in recycling used cooking oil into vehicle fuel on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, is managing the Hawaii Military Biofuels Crop Demonstration
June 24, 2011 Read Full Article
Biofuels Project Wins $1 Million Competition
(University of Hawaii) A two-pronged University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa project to advance the use of biofuels in the Islands has won a $1 million sustainability research competition. The two-year project, led by Michael J. Cooney from UH Mānoa’s Hawai‘i Natural
May 16, 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
Cellana's Kona Demonstration Facility and Patented Algae Production Process Showing Promising Results
(Cellana) Company Is Leveraging Technology Investments to Date of Over $100 Million; Company Is Focused on Government Programs and New Corporate Partnerships; Plan for Maui Commercial Algae Facility on Track for 2014 Cellana LLC is positioned to be the first algae
May 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Request for Proposals – Biofuel Supply
On April 29, 2011, Hawaiian Electric issued a request for proposals (RFP) to supply up to forty-two (42) million gallons of sustainably produced, renewable biofuel per year to fuel the Kahe Generating Station (KPP) for a term of two (2)
May 02, 2011 Read Full Article
The Class of 2011
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Will these biofuels projects make the expected steps towards commercialization? There was a strong response to yesterday’s Top Story about technologies that were approaching make-or-break milestones in 2012. But what about 2011, asked some? What
April 08, 2011 Read Full Article
U.S. Military Supports Hawaii Biodiesel Demonstration Program
by Bryan Sims (Pacific Biodiesel/Biodiesel Magazine) This month Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie introduced a new oilseed crop research program—the Biodiesel Crop Demonstration Project—that will span two years as part of the state’s effort to promote energy security and sustainable local
March 23, 2011 Read Full Article
Abercrombie Introduces Biodiesel Crop Research Project
by Lance Cpl. Vanessa American Horse (Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System) A project that is expected to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels kicked off here (Marine Corps Base Hawaii – Kaneohe Bay) Feb. 4. The 24-month research project will focus on sustainable
February 23, 2011 Read Full Article
Big Ambitions, Tiny Budget for Navy's Alternative Energy Researchers
by Annie Snider (New York Times/Greenwire) The Navy Research Laboratory's alternative energy projects -- each costing less than $500,000 -- are modest ventures that barely register in the Pentagon's gargantuan budget. But if history's a guide, what happens there
February 18, 2011 Read Full Article
Hawaiian Electric Seeks Suppliers of Biodiesel for Campbell Industrial Park Generating Station
(Hawaiian Electric) Hawaiian Electric Company today issued a call for a supply of three to seven million gallons of biodiesel per year for the 110-megawatt Campbell Estate Industrial Park Generating Station. Included is a request to supply 250,000 gallons per
February 02, 2011 Read Full Article
Shell Exits Algae as It Commences “Year of Choices”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Last week [after previously exiting their investment in Choren, a Fischer-Tropsch technology based in Germany] Shell announced that it will will exit its shareholding in Cellana, a joint venture between Shell and HR Biopetroleum. Today,
January 31, 2011 Read Full Article
Crops to Be Turned into Fuel on Big Island
by Mark Niesse (AP/Washington Examiner) Crops grown on Hawaii's Big Island will be converted into liquid fuel as part of a deal announced Thursday between Hawaiian Electric Co. and renewable energy company Aina Koa Pono. The agreement is the first in
January 07, 2011 Read Full Article
Algae-Based Biofuels Closer to Reality?
by Willie Vogt (Farm Futures) ...Cellana, an algal biofuel research company based in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, is leading a consortium that includes Cornell, Duke University, San Francisco State University, the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern Mississippi. The
December 30, 2010 Read Full Article
Palm Oil-into-Biodiesel is Heart of Hawaii's Green Energy Future
by Tom Tanton (Hawaiian Star Advertiser) Hawaiian Electric Co. has announced plans to build a facility to convert palm oil into biodiesel. The biodiesel will contribute badly needed and affordable fuel for the utility to provide electricity to Hawaii's people. The
December 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Military Signals Advanced Biofuels Demand: 336 Million Gallons per Year by 2020
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...This week in Honolulu, Chris Tindal of the US Navy joined advanced biofuels CEOs Jason Pyle of Sapphire Energy and Jonathan Wolfson of Solazyme at BIO’s Pacific Rim Summit, to discuss the scope and scale
December 17, 2010 Read Full Article
Hawaii Hydrogen Infrastructure Gets Boost
(PRNewsWire) Ten companies, agencies and universities have joined an initiative between The Gas Company (TGC), and General Motors to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015. The plan, called the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative (H(2)I), aims to
December 08, 2010 Read Full Article
VIEWPOINT: HECO Continues to Push Palm Oil Importation Issue
by Rob Parsons and Lance Holter (Sierra Club-Maui/The Maui News) In early 2007, Hawaiian Electric Co. and subsidiary Maui Electric Co. announced plans by BlueEarth Biofuels to construct a mega-sized palm oil refinery on Maui, which would have been the largest in
November 26, 2010 Read Full Article
Big Isle Farm Promises Rich Biofuel Source
by Alan Yonan Jr. (Star Advertiser) ...As the algae companies slowly move forward with their research and development, however, another source of renewable energy is blossoming -- literally -- on the Big Island. Hawaii Pure Plant Oil, or HIPPO, is
November 23, 2010 Read Full Article
Drive toward Energy Independence
by Jason Armstrong (West Hawaii Today) Within a year's time, Big Island truckers will be able to run their diesel engines with a sustainable, locally produced fuel made from used cooking oil. That's the goal of Big Island Biodiesel, which on
November 22, 2010 Read Full Article
University of Hawaii's New Center Should Aid Renewables
by Sophie Cocke (Pacific Business News) Monday’s grand opening of the Center for Microbial Oceanography at the University of Hawaii Manoa could work in tandem with the state’s push towards renewable energy. Microbial oceanography, an emerging sub-discipline within oceanography, studies marine microbes,
October 27, 2010 Read Full Article
Aloha Delivers First Supply of E85 in Hawaii
(CSP) Believes new E85 station at Marine base will help pave way for wider use in Islands Aloha Petroleum Ltd. last week delivered the state's first supply of E85 fuel (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). The fuel was
October 26, 2010 Read Full Article
REVIVAL! Hawai’i Bi-O Style: Elite Squad of Scientists Aim to Boost Hawaii via Bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Hawaii is a code word meaning “paradise” not only to sun-starved tourists, but to bioenergy developers. It has all the hallmarks of the “perfect market”. 1. A state that generates no energy from fossil fuels and
October 26, 2010 Read Full Article
Biofuel Battles
by Michael Stein (Maui Magazine) Advocates say biofuels could save big agriculture in the Islands, and reduce Hawaii’s unsustainable dependence on imported oil. Are we willing to pay the price? ...But over the past decade, Maui has lost Pioneer Mill sugar
September 07, 2010 Read Full Article
Hawaii Sugar Grower Working to Power Navy
By Audrey McAvoy (AP) The federal government has turned to a 130-year-old Hawaii sugar grower for help in powering the Navy and weaning the nation off a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. It will spend at least $10 million over the next
August 10, 2010 Read Full Article
Hawaii Electric Co. Looking for a Long-term Supply of Biofuels
(AP, Bloomberg) Hawaiian Electric Co. is looking for a long-term supply of biofuels made from feedstocks produced and processed in Hawaii. ... Proposals may use land- or water-based crops, waste animal fat or yellow grease feedstocks that may be converted
April 06, 2010 Read Full Article
Small Biofuel Farm Bears Fruit
by Craig Gima (Star Bulletin) If the vision of father and son farmers Christian and James Twigg-Smith becomes reality, acres of now-fallow sugar cane land will be growing crops again. But rather than producing food, the land would be used
March 17, 2010 Read Full Article
Biofuel Expanding to the Big Island
by Peter Sur (West Hawaii Today) A new biodiesel plant that will produce 2.6 million gallons a year is planned for Keaau. ...Now an undeveloped property, a little more than a year from now the Maui-based principals of Pacific Biodiesel
February 18, 2010 Read Full Article
Honeywell's UOP Awarded U.S. Department Of Energy Grant For Conversion Of Waste Biomass To Green Transportation Fuels
UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, announced it has been selected for negotiation of a $25 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to build a demonstration unit in Hawaii to convert cellulosic biomass into green transportation fuels. As part
January 15, 2010 Read Full Article
How Algal Biofuels Lost a Decade in the Race to Replace Oil
by Alexis Madrigal (Wired Science) For nearly 20 years, a government laboratory built a living, respiring library of carefully collected organisms in search of something that could grow quickly while producing something precious: oil. But now that collection has largely been
January 02, 2010 Read Full Article
Native Hawaiian Owned Company To Invest $200 Million in Vietnam Ethanol Plants
(FullOn Holdings, Inc./MMD Newswire) Richard Kamahele Figueroa, President and CEO of FullOn Holdings, Inc., a Native Hawaiian owned company, announed today that its Honolulu based division, Golden State Biofuels, has been awarded a forty nine year exclusive agreement by the