Deinove, a biotech company developing innovative processes for producing biofuels and bio-based chemicals, has announced that its patent, “High-performance metabolic bacteria1”, has been granted in the U.S. This patent covers the biofuel production process from cellulosic or hemicellulosic material – biomass components – by a consolidated bioprocess of degradation and fermentation based on Deinococcus bacteria. To commemorate International Women’s Day …
New USDA Report Shows Ethanol Increasing Efficiency
The amount of corn necessary to make a gallon of ethanol is less than previously believed according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report. In today’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report (WASDE), corn use for ethanol production was projected 50 million bushels lower based on the new Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report recently released by the …
Researchers Combine Biomass, Solar Conversion
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have come up with a new approach to combine solar energy conversion and biomass conversion. In a study published this week in Nature Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison chemistry Professor Kyoung-Shin Choi and postdoctoral researcher Hyun Gil Cha discussed their research to split water into hydrogen, a clean fuel, and oxygen using photoelectrochemical solar cells (PECs). They …
Recovery of China DDGS Market Continues
Ethanol exports from the United States dropped in January and while distillers grains (DDGS) exports were also lower compared to December, the Chinese market for DDGS is showing recovery. According to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) vice president Geoff Cooper, U.S. ethanol producers exported 68.7 million gallons of ethanol in January, down 9% from December 2014 and the lowest since September …
UK Opens Its Largest Biomass Plant
The largest biomass plant in the United Kingdom has opened in Scotland and promises to help the UK meet a goal of 11 percent of non-electrical heat demand by renewable sources by 2020. This story from the BBC says the RWE Markinch Biomass plant in Glenrothes replaces the former 1950s coal and gas-fired power station on the site of Tullis …
El Cielo Winery Soaks in the Sun
The El Cielo Winery in Baja, California is soaking up the sun with the addition of a 53.9 kW solar system. The rooftop and carport system is comprised of 220 Kyocera 245 watt solar modules and is expected to offset nearly 75 percent of the winery’s energy needs, saving the between $1,000-$1,200 per month. “The use of solar energy must …
Alstom Announces Deepwater Wind Will Proceed
The Deepwater Wind Block Island project will be proceeding. Alstom, the company that will provide five Haliade 150 6MW offshore wind turbines, said they have received formal notice to proceed from the developers of the project with the announcement that the project is now fully financed. The Haliade operates without any gearbox (using direct-drive), due to its permanent-magnet generator. “This …
EIA Reports Renewable Energy Sees Gain
Net electrical generation from non-hydro renewable energy sources increased by 10.9 percent over the previous year (2013), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest “Electric Power Monthly“. The solar contribution to net electrical generation more than doubled (102.8%) while wind grew by 8.3 percent, biomass by 5.7 percent, and geothermal by 5.4 percent. Comparatively speaking, nuclear power and …
BioEnergy Bytes
Dyadic International, a global biotechnology company, has announced that it has completed a private placement of $2,000,000 in convertible subordinated secured promissory note (Note). The Note will pay interest quarterly at a rate of 10% per annum and is convertible at the holder’s option into shares of Dyadic common stock at $1.28 per share. Dyadic expects to use the proceeds …
Tennessee State Biodiesel Trailer Hits the Road
Educating the public about biodiesel hits the road starting this week… and not just in the fuel tanks we know. The Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension program’s Mobile Biodiesel Education Demonstration (MBED) trailer is making stops across the Volunteer State this month, starting at the Fayette County Fire Training Room in Somerville tonight at 6. According to Dr. Jason de …