A Japanese company is planning on building a bioethanol making the green fuel from a plant that is said to yield more ethanol per hectare than any other biofuel crop currently being grown. This story posted on Checkbiotech.org says Necfer Corp. will make ethanol from sago palm trees at a testing refinery in Malaysia: Necfer has developed its own dedicated …
First American Cellulosic Plant in Production
Cellulosic ethanol is now in production at the first small scale waste wood commercial facility operating in the U.S. Located just 1 mile South of Upton, Wyoming, the plant was engineered, constructed and is operated by KL Process Design Group. This is the result of six years of development efforts between KL and the South Dakota School of Mines and …
Energy Secretary Awards Cellulosic Grants
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced that DOE will invest up to $114 million over four years for four small-scale biorefinery projects to be located in Commerce City, Colorado; St. Joseph, Missouri; Boardman, Oregon; and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. “These project proposals were innovative and represent the geographic diversity that we strive for when making the widespread …
Cellulosic on the Fast Track
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and KL Process Design Group teamed up today to announce the first use of cellulosic ethanol in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. Corvette Racing, sponsored by EPIC, will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based E85 in competition. “We could really find no greater stage to have the first use of cellulosic …
California Biofuels Company Honored
California-based Primafuel was honored at the World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland last week with a WEF Technology Pioneer Award. The biofuels company received the award for its innovative approach to biofuels production and distribution infrastructure. The award recognizes Primafuel’s expertise across the entire fuel supply chain and its commitment to developing new, low-carbon biofuels. Pictured are Eyal Gutentag, Chief …
Cellulosic Ethanol to Debut at Sebring
In a technological breakthrough for both renewable fuels and racing, cellulosic ethanol will be used for the first time in motor sports this year, paving the way for the biomass fuel to be used commercially. KL Process Design Group of South Dakota will supply the American Le Mans Series with cellulosic E85 racing ethanol for the 2008 season. The fuel, …
Renewable Fuels Have Place in State of Union
In his final State of the Union address to the nation, President Bush once again acknowledged the importance of domestic fuels for energy security and the environment. To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, …
New Approach to Cellulosic Ethanol
A California company claims to have a new way to convert biomass into ethanol. According to an article in the San Jose Mercury News, ZeaChem’s technique uses a proprietary combination of biotechnology and chemistry. Zeachem’s “secret sauce,” according to co-founder and research executive vice president Dan Verser, is both how it breaks down biomass – waste wood from poplar trees …
Corvette Racing on E85
Corvette will continue its legacy of being a platform for introducing and developing new technology this year as Corvette Racing will be powered by E85 in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. During the announcement at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month, Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper said, “Like the Corvette Z06 E85 concept car that will …
Illinois to Consider Ethanol Blends
Legislation is being proposed in Illinois for ethanol blends between 10 and 85 percent. According to the Peoria Journal Star, State Rep. Aaron Schock said at a news conference Thursday that he would like to see the current 10 percent ethanol blend in gasoline increased to 15 percent and, eventually, 20 percent. “Throughout the 20-county (18th Congressional) District, farmers have …