Earlier this month, the winners were announced in the Clean Energy Challenge, and prize winner, Ornicept, has a unique technology that can aid in the mitigation of bird issues associated with wind turbines. The technology was developed last May by young entrepreneurs Justin Otani and his co-founder Russell Conard, who graduated from Indiana University. Early on they won a business …
Producing Biodiesel from E. Coli
Researchers in the United Kingdom have figured out how to produce biodiesel from E. coli bacteria. This news release from the University of Exeter says the work with Shell Oil makes a product almost exactly the same as petroleum diesel, removing any blend limits other biodiesel forms might require: Professor John Love from Biosciences at the University of Exeter said: …
Neil Young Fills ‘er Up with Cellulosic Ethanol
Earlier this month, Hall of Fame recording artist Neil Young stopped by Sioux Falls, South Dakota to fill up his LincVolt with POET-DSM cellulosic ethanol. LincVolt is a hybrid-electric 1959 Lincoln Continental with onboard charging powered by cellulosic ethanol. He’s on a cross-country tour to highlight renewable energy. During his visit, Young said you don’t see much about what is …
Bioenergy Bytes
Redfield Energy, LLC of Redfield, South Dakota has become a member of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). POET Biorefining-Macon has resumed ethanol and Dakota Gold distillers grain production and has now added Voila corn oil to its product mix. Solectria Renewables has commissioned a 2.15MW array at Cedarville University located in Cedarville, Ohio, on Earth Day. Cincinnati-based project developer and …
UPS Ramps Up Its Natural Gas Fleet
UPS is ramping up its natural gas fleet with the addition of approximately 700 liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles. In addition, the company will build four refueling stations by the end of 2014. Once completed, UPS says its LNG private fleet will be one of the most extensive in the U.S. The company has been operating natural gas vehicles for …
Lee Consulting: Alternative Energy Knowledge Center
Have a question about renewable energy? Then look no further than Lee Enterprises Consulting based in Sherwood, Arkansas and your go-to guy, Wayne Lee. Lee has been a consultant for nearly 30 years and about a decade ago, began expanding his expertise into biofuels as people began coming to him with questions. He said he began fairly small with the …
DOE Announces $18M to Advance Drop-In Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $18 million in investments for four pilot-scale biorefineries that will test renewable biofuels that will meet military specifications for jet fuel, shipboard diesel, cars and trucks. These projects build on the Obama Administration’s broader efforts to advance biofuels technologies to continue to bring down costs, improve performance and identify effective, non-food feedstocks …
Indonesia, EU to Meet Over Biodiesel Subsidies
Indonesian and European Union (EU) officials will meet to discuss allegations by the EU that Indonesia is illegally subsidizing biodiesel exports to Europe. The Jakarta Post reports says the Indonesians are confident they’ll be cleared of any wrongdoing: An investigation initiated by the European Commission in November said that Indonesia had illegally subsidized its biodiesel producers. The EU has accused …
BioProcess Algae Awarded $6.4M Grant
BioProcess Algae has been selected to receive a grant of up to $6.4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as part of an innovative pilot-scale biorefinery project related to production of hydrocarbon fuels meeting military specification. The project will use renewable carbon dioxide, lignocellulosic sugars and waste heat through BioProcess Algae’s Grower Harvester(TM) technology platform, co-located with the …
Kinder Morgan to Blend Biodiesel in Las Vegas, Phoenix
Energy company Kinder Morgan has announced it will soon start blending biodiesel at its Las Vegas and Phoenix terminals. This Reuters article says the company made the decision based, in part, on the upswing in Renewable Identification Numbers values: The company is benefitting from a spike in the price of renewable credits, known as RINs. The move is “positive for …