Bacteria to Help Grow Better Algae for Biodiesel

John Davis

We hear a lot about probiotics when it comes to nutrition for people. But research in California is developing probiotic bacteria that will help protect algae that can be turned into biodiesel. This article from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory says scientists there have received an additional $1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the bacteria to combat …

algae, Biodiesel

USDA Accepting Applications for Biobased Products

Joanna Schroeder

Following a webinar this morning, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced they are accepting applications for funding under the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. It was formerly known as the Biorefinery Assistance Program. The webinar discussed changes to the program as well as opportunities available to produce more biobased products. “This critical financing …

advanced biofuels, algae, biochemicals, biomaterials, bioplastics, bioproducts

Take a Ride on the Waves with Algae

Joanna Schroeder

It’s time to start surfing the waves with algae. One of the hottest technologies during the BioEnergy 2015 conference was the algae surfboard developed by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded scientists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) California Center for Algae Biotechnology. Traditionally surfboards have petroleum, aka fossil fuels, as a component. However, these algae surboards are …

algae, biomaterials, bioplastics

DOE Invest $18M in Algae

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $18 million to six projects aimed at reducing the costs of algae-based biofuels to less than $5.00 per gallon equivalent by 2019. The funds are being used to help meet the DOE’s goal of $3 per gallon for advanced algal biofuels by 2030. These biofuels can be used as replacements for petroleum-based …

algae, biojet fuel, biomaterials, bioplastics, bioproducts, Video

Williamsburg Students Win BioenergizeME Challenge

Joanna Schroeder

The future looks bright for the bioenergy industry as the next generation is already showing great enthusiasm and talent for sustainable fuels and products. This past spring, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) kicked off a pilot program for high school aged teams (grades 9-12) to use technology and their creative mojo to design bioenergy-based infographics. The BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge …

advanced biofuels, algae, bioenergy, Cellulosic

Process to Make Renewable Fuel for Under $1/Gallon

John Davis

A new process looks to make renewable fuel out of algae, waste water and even vegetable for under $1 per gallon. Duckweed USA says its new thermodynamically reversible process can make clean jet fuel, diesel fuel or gasoline from the less common feedstocks. Using the patented Linear Venturi Kinetic Nozzle changes the aquatic-mass-to-energy process to one that requires no high-heat …

algae, biofuels, biojet fuel, green diesel, Waste-to-Energy

Researchers Make Biodiesel, Jet Fuel from Algae

John Davis

Researchers have figured out how to make biodiesel and jet fuel from a single algae. This news release from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution says Greg O’Neil of Western Washington University and Chris Reddy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, exploited an unusual and untapped class of chemical compounds in a common algae to make the two different fuel products at the …

algae, Biodiesel

Algae.Tec to Expand Biodiesel Ops into China

John Davis

Australia-based Algae.Tec will bring its algae-biodiesel technology into China. This story from Proactive Investors says Algae.Tec will issue a $500,000 convertible bond to China Finance Strategies Investment Holdings (CFS), with another $5 million in conditional options to come. CFS has extensive relationships in China with its key executives having completed over 250 fundraising and advisory transactions in Greater China Region …

algae, Biodiesel, International

Algae Biomass Organization Gets New Leaders

John Davis

New leadership is coming aboard the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO). The trade association for the algae industry announced that Tim Burns, Co-founder and Board Member of BioProcess Algae LLC, has been appointed Chair and Martin Sabarsky, CEO of Cellana, Inc. has been appointed Vice Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors for the 2014-2016 term. Burns and Sabarsky will be …

algae, biomass

Algal Industry Questions Focus on Biofuels, America

Joanna Schroeder

Matt Carr, joined the Algae Biomass Organization this past June as the executive director coming from the BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization) where he was introduced to algae and the algae story and he thought this is where the country should be going in terms of sustainable fuels. Carr joined Joe Jobe, NBB and Michael McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association on a …

advanced biofuels, algae, Audio, RFS