A voluntary quality control program is paying dividends to the biodiesel industry as it has helped maintain high standards for the green fuel, and in turn, kept demand up for it. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the BQ-9000 programs help those selling and using biodiesel. “Implementing BQ-9000 and getting accredited is a lot of work, but we find following …
Microbes Future for Biodiesel, Hydrogen Cells
Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) looks to turn microbes into the next big thing for biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cells. This story from MIT says scientists at the school are looking to capture energy that might be flushed away in wastewater. “Even if you could get only a fraction of that back, you could offset the amount …
Brazil Upping Biodiesel Blend Requirement
More biodiesel will be blended into fuel used in Brazil. This story from Reuters says the South American country will up its biodiesel mandate to 6 percent in July and to 7 percent in November, a rise from the current 5 percent biodiesel blend with diesel. “The increase in the biodiesel blend will allow Brazil to substitute the import of …
BioEnergy Bytes
Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. has announced that Steven Mills, former Chief Financial Officer at Amyris, Inc., will join Elevance’s board of directors. Mills has extensive experience in the fields of accounting, corporate finance, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions. American Ethanol will host members of the Armed Forces from Dover Air Force Base (AFB) participating in the NASCAR Troops to …
New Wind Turbine Offers Quiet Rooftop Power
While rooftop wind turbines aren’t a new idea, one company might have solved the issue of the noise they can generate that keeps most homeowners from putting them in. This article from gizmag.com says Dutch-based The Archimedes has introduced its Liam F1 Urban Wind Turbine, which also brings an energy yield that is “80 percent of the maximum that is …
Wind Best Option to Meet EPA Pollution Rule
A new report shows that wind energy is probably the best way to meet a proposed new federal government rule regarding carbon pollution for existing power plants. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has just published a new white paper that shows wind is one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways states can meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule …
How to Counter “Evils-of-Corn-Ethanol” Argument
With the unofficial start of summer, there’s no doubt you’ll be at picnics, reunions, get-togethers, etc., and there’s a pretty good chance that if you’re involved in ethanol, there’ll be somebody wanting to debate its merits… or more specifically, its evils. This article from Ethanol Producer Magazine relates a conversation the managing editor had on how corn ethanol is not …
Forum Offers Info on RFS2, RINs and Biodiesel
A forum this fall will offer information on the policy and economic drivers of biofuels supply and demand, and there’s just a few days to register for the early bird rate. OPIS is offering its 6th annual RFS2, RINs and Biodiesel Forum, Oct. 16-17, 2014 in Chicago, in order to help you know more about a range of topics, from …
Ethanol Blending Margins Positive Despite Price Rise
Despite a 60 percent increase in ethanol prices, a new record hit last winter, ethanol blending margins stayed positive for most of the period. This analysis from the University of Illinois credits the surprising outcome to highly positive blending margins at the start of the spike, which provided a healthy margin cushion as ethanol prices rose, as well as a …
Biodiesel Grant Looks to Improve GHG Science
A new grant looks to improve the science and understanding behind greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling to show how biodiesel helps the economy while adding security benefits. This piece from Biodiesel Magazine says the National Biodiesel Foundation (NBF) grant to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) to study the science behind GHG modeling will help quantifying the environmental benefits biodiesel is able …