Animal health and nutrition leader Alltech recently wrapped up its first conference on algae. This company press release says the invitation-only conference, entitled “Algae: The Growth Platform,” was the company’s first international conference, drawing 60 attendees from around the world to Lexington, Kentucky: “This conference is important to the region, to the state, and to the future of science. What …
Enervation to Open Second Iowa Biodiesel Plant
A company that is bringing one idled biodiesel plant in Iowa back to life is working one getting a second one operational. The Keokuk (IA) Daily Gate City reports that Enervation, which is already getting the former Tri-City Energy plant back up to speed (see Joanna’s post from Jan. 25, 2011), has acquired a 60 million gallon per year biodiesel …
Mr. Peanut to Ride on Biodiesel
Look for Mr. Peanut to come to a neighborhood near you riding in his biodiesel-powered Planters Nutmobile! As part of its sustainability efforts, Planters has launched its Naturally Remarkable campaign to highlight the company’s efforts to work and act more green. From Mr. Peanut’s Facebook page: “Not only does the new Planters Nutmobile run on biodiesel, it harnesses the power …
Calif. Senate Calls for 1/3 of Energy from Renewables
In a move that is already generating plenty of controversy (and I’m sure plenty of comments on this blog), the California State Senate has voted to require utilities in the state to get one-third of their energy from wind, solar and other renewables by the year 2020. The Los Angeles Times reports the measure moves up the requirement from 20 …
DOE National Labs Debut Hydrogen-Powered Buses
Officials at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia California national laboratories have debuted a pair of hydrogen-powered shuttle buses. This article from Patch.com says the Ford E-450, nine-passenger vans will be tested as they shuttle people around the two campuses: The demonstration will test how well the hydrogen-powered vans and their fueling stations stand up to the normal wear and tear. They …
UPS Uses Natural Gas to Make Brown Trucks Green
In an effort to make its brown trucks run green, shipping giant UPS has added 48 heavy tractor trucks that use Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This company press release says the new semis will be used in the western United States starting later this year and will produce 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions: “This is an important step not …
Offshore Wind Energy Cost Competitive by 2020
Deepwater wind energy turbines off the coast of Maine could be producing electricity that is cost competitive with conventional generation techniques within the next 10 years. The Portland (ME) Press Herald reports that a study from the University of Maine shows that floating giant wind turbines 10 miles off the coast could be producing electricity for just 8-10 cents a …
Pellet Maker Gets New Deep Water Port
An American maker of wood pellets has acquired a deep water port, and that should help the company receive, store and load more than 3 million tons of woody biomass for export each year. Biomass Magazine reports that Enviva LP will expand its shipping capacity with the deep water port terminal in Chesapeake, Virginia: The location is one of a …
USDA: Wind, Solar & Methane Hits on the Farm
Solar panels, wind turbines and methane digesters are big hits on American farms and ranches, that according to a new survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey, the first-ever nationwide survey that looked at renewable energy practices on America’s farms and ranches, shows that these types of energy sources have increased significantly over …
DF Cast: Study Shows E15 OK in Older Vehicles
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the green light for E15 ethanol to be used in vehicle years 2001-2007. But what about older cars and trucks? In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we listen in to part of the presentation by Ricardo, an internationally recognized automotive and engineering firm, at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, where the …