Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Yeloha, a peer-to-peer Solar Sharing Network, have launched a unique solar sharing program, the first by a utility. The platform enables customers to generate their own solar energy and share it with other residents online whose roofs are not suited for solar panels. Customers will be offered to host the panels free of charge in …
Biofuels Capacity to Grow to 61B Gallons by 2018
According to new research, global biofuels capacity will grow to 61 billion gallons per year (BGY0 by 2018. Ethanol and biodiesel will continue to dominate with 96 percent of the capacity in 2018, but novel fuels and novel feedstocks will be major drivers of capacity growth, according to Lux Research. The study finds that novel fuels and novel feedstocks will …
Senate Democrats Propose New Energy Package
A group of Senate Democrats have proposed a new energy bill to promote clean energy. If passed, the legislation would end some subsidies for fossil fuels and close some oil and gas tax loopholes; incentivize clean energy such as solar and wind through grant programs and tax incentives; and encourage carbon capture and sequestration along with continued development of nuclear …
BioEnergy Bytes
Amyris has announced a multi-year, Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) worth up to $35 million with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office to create new research and development tools and technologies that will significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing new molecules to market. Amyris has chosen five specialized subcontractors to assist in achieving these innovations. …
Partnership Fosters Algae and Biodiesel Growth
Michigan State University (MSU) and algae company PHYCO2 are developing algae technologies that cut greenhouse emissions and could eventually lead to more biodiesel. This article from MSU says PHYCO2’s revolutionary and patented concept promotes algae growth and sequesters, or captures, carbon dioxide from power plant emissions. Under the collaborative research agreement, MSU and PHYCO2 – an algae growth and carbon …
VW’s Diesel Scandal Could Hurt Biodiesel
A growing scandal that Volkswagen created software to let its diesel vehicles cheat some environmental tests could have implications for the even greener fuel biodiesel. This story from CBS News says VW cheating on diesel with possibly as many as 11 million vehicles doesn’t help the fuel’s greener cousin. “It’s a shame when someone tries to cheat this test because …
Novozymes Launches Liquozyme LpH for Ethanol
Novozymes has launched a new enzyme for ethanol producers who want to reduce their use of chemicals without sacrificing yield. Liquozyme LpH is an alpha-amylase effective at low pH that thins the mash by breaking down starch into shorter dextrin chains. A more fluid mash ensures more efficient operational performance for ethanol producers running their production at low pH. According …
New Forest Waste-to-Energy Tech Debuts
G4 Insights has debuted a new technology to convert forest waste into renewable natural gas in Auburn, California. The process converts scraps and small trees from forest thinning projects into biomethane. In it first demonstration, G4 used gas produced onsite to fuel an unmodified Placer County truck. “G4 is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Placer County, California …
BioEnergy Bytes
Lumenpulse Inc., a leading manufacturer of high performance, specification-grade LED lighting solutions, announced today that S&P Dow Jones Canadian Index Services has added Lumenpulse to the S&P/TSX Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Index. The Index measures the performance of companies listed on the TSX whose core business is the development of green technologies and sustainable infrastructure solutions. TerraForm Global, a …
Companies Support Cali’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
A group of major companies have come out in support of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Thirty-six companies sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chairman Mary Nichols expressing their support for the re-adoption of the program. They cited the standard’s positive influence on the development of cleaner transportation fuels. “BICEP companies support a strong LCFS because …