A new project spearheaded by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are using their expertise in protein expression, enzyme engineering and high-throughput assays to develop biocatalyst technologies that can convert natural gas to liquid fuel or methane to butanol for transportation. The $34 million project by the Advanced Research Project Agency Energy (ARPA-E) is one of a set of 15 Reducing …
EPA Proposal Pulls the Rug on Advanced Biofuels
According to the Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sticks with the 2.2 billion gallons in the final rule, the agency will pull the rug out from underneath the growing advanced biofuel industry. This was in response to the EPA’s proposed 2014 fuel for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that proposed the …
New Jersey Advances Biodiesel Heating Oil Bill
A bill to make biodiesel part of all heating oil used in New Jersey advanced in the New Jersey legislature. NJPoliticker.com reports the “Bio-based Heating Oil Act,” sponsored by Assembly Deputy Republican Leader John Amodeo, moved out of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee. “By transitioning to bio-based heating oil, we will be producing an efficient, environmentally safe energy source …
DOE Grant Funds Mechanics’ Biodiesel Training
Diesel mechanics in the Midwest are getting some valuable training on how to work on engines using biodiesel. The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) points out the training was held at the group’s headquarters thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy grant for the Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians program, a long-term investment in ensuring consumer confidence in domestically produced biodiesel. “Educating …
Solar Thermal Capacity Set to Double
According to a recent Today in Energy published by the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) with the expectations that several large, new solar thermal power plants will come online by the end of 2013, solar thermal generating capacity in the U.S. will more than double. The projects feature different solar thermal technologies and storage options. For example, Abengoa’s Solana plant, …
BioEnergy Bytes
Amyris, Inc. has announced that Paulo Diniz, currently President of Amyris Brasil, will become Amyris’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on an interim basis following the decision of its current CFO, Steve Mills, to step down for personal reasons. Diniz will assume the new responsibilities by December 15, 2013, at which time Mills will transition to an advisory role with the …
Cellic Ctec Enzyme Featured in Cellulosic Plant
It was only a few weeks ago that one of the largest, if not the largest commercial scale advanced biofuel facility in the world using enzymatic technology marked the official opening in Crescentino, Italy. The project partners included global companies Beta Renewables and Novozymes. The biorefinery features Novozymes Cellic® CTec enzymes, a technology developed and refined specifically for the cellulosic …
Proposed 2014 RFS Capitulation to Big Oil
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is urging the Obama Administration to conduct a thorough soul-searching after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposal to “radically” reduce Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) levels for 2014. “Today’s RFS announcement represents the biggest policy reversal of the entire Obama Administration,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw during a press teleconference. “The …
Ethanol, Corn Industry Outraged at EPA RFS Proposal
The ethanol and corn industry is outraged over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2014 renewable fuels volumes as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The renewable fuel category, of which the majority is comprised of corn-based ethanol, is proposed at 15.21 billion gallons. “This recommendation is ill-advised and should be condemned by all consumers because it is damaging …
Biodiesel Cavitation Process Gets Patent Approval
A new process for producing biodiesel gets approval from the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO). Cavitation Technologies, Inc.’s (CTi) process, titled ‘Process for Producing Biodiesel through Lower Molecular Weight Alcohol-Targeted Cavitation,’ received the green light from USPTO. “This newly patented hydrodynamic cavitation technology and process has demonstrated that it can reduce costs and significantly lessen the environmental impact associated …