USDA researchers are looking at being able to turn some invasive trees into biofuel. This story from the Agricultural Research Service says they are looking at harvesting native juniper and pinyon trees that have extended out of their natural ranges for biomass. The plan not only produces renewable energy, but it also restores rangeland for livestock and protects critical sagebrush …
Real Goods Solar to Purchase Mercury Energy
Real Goods Solar, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Mercury Energy, Inc. d/b/a Mercury Solar Systems in a merger transaction. Based in Port Chester, New York, Mercury Solar Systems is one of the region’s top solar companies. Real Goods Solar will issue 7.9 million shares of its class A common stock, subject to certain adjustments based on closing working …
Praj Cellulosic Plant Breaks Ground
Praj Industries is set to be the first company in South Asia to produce bioethanol. The company has broken ground on its integrated 2nd Generation (2G) Cellulosic ethanol plant. Praj’s Executive Chairman Mr. Pramod Chaudhari, was at the groundbreaking ceremony at Shirala in Sangli District in Maharashtra (India) along with Chairman of Viraj Alcohols & Allied Industries Limited (VAAIL), Mr. …
Amyris Signs $60M Funding Agreement
Amyris, Inc. has announced they have entered into an agreement for the sale of convertible notes in a private placement for up to $60 million in cash proceeds. Under the terms of the agreement, one of Amyris’s largest stockholders, Temasek, agreed to purchase $35 million of the notes in an initial tranche and, at Amyris’s election, up to $25 million …
Greenbelt’s Distillation Module Exceeds Benchmarks
Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced successful performance testing results from its automated distillation module. The module, available separately or as part of a complete sustainable energy production system, efficiently generated hydrous ethanol, distilled water and fertilizer from beer stock of 4 percent ethanol at a rate of 70,000 gpy (gallons per year) – or 10 gallons per hour. The test …
World Cup Buses to Run on Biodiesel Blend
Next year, the world will go to Brazil for soccer’s World Cup, and some of the travel around the South American country will be on biodiesel. This story posted on ANBA.com says delegations from teams taking part will ride on buses fueled by a 20 percent blend of biodiesel made from recycled oil: The project belongs to a Biotechnos Projetos …
Iowa, Nation’s Biodiesel Leader, Setting Records
A strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and bringing back the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel blenders tax credit has helped the Nation’s leader in biodiesel production set records. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says the state’s biodiesel plants cranked out a record 56.7 million gallons of biodiesel during the second quarter of 2013 and set a record for the first six months …
Patriot Renewable Fuels Celebrates 5th Anniversary
Patriot Renewable Fuels is celebrating its 5 year anniversary. The ethanol biorefinery will be hosting an open house Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23, 2013 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm CST. Patriot is a 120 million gallon per year ethanol producer who has demonstrated several major contributions to the local community, Illinois and country. According to Patriot’s Gene …
Cellulosic Ethanol on its way to Commercialization
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you think cellulosic ethanol can be commercialized?” Our poll results: · Almost There 33% · It Already Is 26% · Could Be Someday 25% · Just A Fantasy 11% · No Clue 3% · Other 2% According to our latest ZimmPoll results, most people believe that cellulosic ethanol, which can be made from …
The Pursuit of Greener Methanol
A Lehigh University Research team is working to create a new method of producing renewable fuel. Supported by a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation, using only carbon dioxide, sunlight and water, the team is attempting to perfect a low-cost, environmentally friendly process that could enable the production of methanol—which can be used as fuel for cars, heating …