General Electric has acquired technology that will help it build taller wind towers. This company press release says this next generation technology from Wind Tower Systems, LLC (WTS) is necessary as wind turbine blades have been getting longer: WTS has been working on the development of the space frame tower system technology for use at wind farm sites that require …
Canadian Biodiesel Mandate to Start July 1st
All diesel fuel in Canada … for heating and transportation … will be required to have at least a 2 percent blend starting July 1, 2011. This article from Reuters says this requirement joins the country’s 5 percent renewable content in gasoline: Industry and investors had grown impatient waiting for word on the proposed regulatory change for diesel. The government …
USDA Deregulates Corn Trait for Ethanol
Syngenta Seeds announced today it has received full deregulation from USDA for corn amylase (Event 3272), the first corn output trait designed to help ethanol industry become more efficient, profitable and environmentally friendly. According to a company release, Syngenta Seeds plans to sell corn containing Event 3272 under the “Enogen” seed brand. “Enogen corn is a breakthrough product that provides …
USDA Changes to Rules to Help Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has changed some of its rules that will help the bifuels industries, and, in turn, help create jobs in rural America and increase the production and use of renewable energy. The changes will allow non-rural areas to get funding and remove prior citizenship requirements for borrowers under the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program …
Growth Energy Responds to Ethanol Attacks
Once again, ethanol is being attacked by the national media for causing food shortages. In a Washington Post editorial today, long-time ethanol opponent Tim Searchinger writes about “How biofuels contribute to the food crisis.” While admitting the “2008 food crisis” resulted from a number of causes, Searchinger said, “We should recognize the ways in which biofuels are driving it.” In …
Get The National Ethanol Conference App
Apps for trade shows and conferences are becoming more and more popular. The next one I’ll be using is the National Ethanol Conference App in Phoenix. I hope the weather is as nice as it was for the National Biodiesel Conference this week! * Get 24 hour access to unique, on-the-go information, maps and networking. * Organize your schedule. * …
Solar Acquisition Corp., GNE Ink Algae-Biodiesel Deal
Solar Acquisition Corp. and Global Natural Energy Cyprus Ltd have signed a deal to form joint venture, GNE USA, that will produce algae-based biodiesel. This press release says the agreement should be finalized in the next two months: “GNE-USA will come out of the gate with a strong competitive advantage in its exclusive right to the GNE patented technology,” said …
Alltech Conference: Future of Algae-Biodiesel & More
Animal nutrition company Alltech will be holding its first annual International Algae Conference, February 22-24, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky: [E]ntitled Algae: The Growth Platform, [the conference] will be dedicated to discussing the technological revolution of algae fermentation, including biodiesel, bioremediation, carbon sequestration, and application to both novel pharmaceutical products and animal nutrition. The conference will …
USDA Guarantees South Dakota Wind Loans
A South Dakota wind farm will receive U.S. Department of Agriculture loan guarantees that will help build 100 wind turbines providing 151.5 megawatts of electricity. This USDA press release says the money will help Basin Electric Power Cooperative build the PrairieWinds wind farm energy project in central South Dakota that will join the cooperative’s other electric generation projects to meet …
American Ethanol has NASCAR Racing Partner
American Ethanol has entered into a sponsor partnership with Richard Childress Racing and its No. 33 Chevrolet driver, Clint Bowyer, for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. American Ethanol will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet car at the June 5th Kansas Speedway 400 and an associate sponsor of the car for the rest of the …