A Michigan-based engineering firm has reportedly developed technology to optimize engines for ethanol. According to a press release from Ricardo, Inc., the technology “optimizes ethanol-fueled engines to a level of performance that exceeds gasoline engine efficiency and approaches levels previously reached only by diesel engines.” The technology, called Ethanol Boosted Direct Injection or EBDI, takes full advantage of ethanol’s best …
Catalyst Could Jump Start Ethanol Fuel Cells
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that could make ethanol-powered fuel cells feasible. The research was done by a team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Delaware and Yeshiva University, and was published online in the January 25 edition of Nature Materials. According to the researchers, the …
Oil Company Bids to Buy Ethanol Plants
Bankrupt ethanol producer VeraSun has announced an agreement to sell a significant portion of its assets to Valero Energy Corporation for $280 million. The deal would involve VeraSun production facilities in Aurora, South Dakota; Charles City, Fort Dodge, and Hartley, Iowa; and Welcome, Minnesota; and a development site in Reynolds, Indiana. Having entered into the Valero agreement, the Company is …
No Deliveries From Oil Supplier in Ethanol Partnership
An oil distributor that is part of a recently-announced joint venture with POET and ICM to deliver new generation fuels caused some panic this week when it failed to deliver old generation fuel to gas stations across the Midwest. Officials with Crescent Oil Company, a fuel supplier for seven Midwest states, had no comment Friday about claims that this week’s …
Ethanol – Right Here, Right Now
The Renewable Fuels Association has released a new television ad focusing on the important role ethanol is playing in our nation’s economic, energy and environmental future by creating jobs, developing new technologies, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In just 30 seconds, the ad entitled “Right Here, Right Now” stresses that our energy future starts at home with 180 …
Retired General Tackles Ethanol Land Use Issue
Retired General Wesley Clark today embraced his new role as a leader in the growth of renewable energy. Clark was named co-chairman of Growth Energy during a Thursday morning press conference in Washington DC. “Every gallon of ethanol that we put in our fuel system today is a gallon of imported gasoline that we avoid,” Clark said. “This country is …
General Enlisted to Fight for Ethanol
Growth Energy today announced four-star retired General Wesley Clark as the organization’s co-chairman. “It’s a new time for ethanol,” said General Clark during a press conference this morning. “I am very impressed with this industry. What we are doing for national security is profound.” In his new role at Growth Energy, Clark will steer the organization towards meeting its goals …
More Biodiesel Awards
Several more awards were presented on the last day of the National Biodiesel Conference this week in San Francisco. As the Inspiration award winners, Bryan Peterson (right) and Pete Bethune shared their inspiring stories at the final general session. Fourteen years ago, Peterson made his way around the world in a small boat powered by biodiesel. He completed the 35,000 …
Melissa Etheridge Supports Biodiesel
Biodiesel continues to prove it is the most star-powered of renewable fuels. Singer/song writer Melissa Etheridge is the latest star to show her support for biodiesel, appearing Tuesday at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco. The artist shared an inspirational story of how her battle with breast cancer led her to want to make a difference in the world …
Ethanol Group to Name Co-Chairman
Growth Energy has announced that it will name “a major national figure” this week as co-chairman of the recently formed ethanol advocacy group. According to a Growth Energy announcement, “This individual will bring foreign policy experience, environmental leadership, and political expertise to the organization and will be a strong advocate for policies that will help promote renewable energy and create …