A molecular Swiss Army knife may hold the key to making blue-green algae biofuel and biochemical production more viable. A research team from Michigan State University (MSU) fabricated a synthetic protein that both improves the assembly of the carbon-fixing factory of cyanobacteria while providing proof of concept for a device that could potentially improve plant photosynthesis or be used to …
Cup of Joe Provides Biomass for London Homes
While England might be better known for its tea, Londoners certainly have a taste for coffee. And the waste grounds will soon be heating home’s in the United Kingdom’s capital. This article from the London Evening Standard says Bio-bean is collecting waste coffee grounds to be turned into biomass pellets. Although only a couple of hundred tonnes will be collected …
As Temps Cool, Propane Supplies Hit Record
Just in time for winter heating and agriculture crop drying seasons, the supplies of propane hit record levels in the U.S. This U.S. Energy Information Administration report says inventories of propane and propylene reached 97.7 million barrels as of September 11, the highest level in the 22 years. During the first six months of 2015, production of propane at natural …
ReNew Commissions Unique Wind Project in India
ReNew Power Ventures has completed installation of India’s tallest wind tower. The S97 stands at 120 m and according to company, offers a 33 percent increase in hub height when compared to the conventional tower design. In addition, ReNew said it is a revolutionary on-shore installation of lattice/tubular combination towers (hybrid towers) of 120 m height. The hybrid towers are …
BioEnergy Bytes
Habitat for Humanity has dedicated 11 homes in the Washington DC’s Ivy City neighborhood. All of the homes feature “passive” construction. Passive homes use a combination of low-energy building techniques and efficient power generating technologies, such as solar energy, so that energy consumption is much lower than that of homes built to traditional codes. As a result, homeowners will be …
Greenpeace Study: 100% Renewable by 2050
According to a new Greenpeace report, “2015 Energy [r]evolution,” the world could be fueled by 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. The analysis, researched in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), finds that the transition to renewables would not only create jobs but be cost competitive. The necessary investment in clean energy, the report states, would be more than …
New Holland Focus on Clean Energy at Expo Milano
The centerpiece outside the New Holland Agriculture Sustainable Farm Pavilion at Expo Milano is a prototype methane-powered tractor that the company is developing to help farmers run their equipment on self-generated energy. “We are a clean energy leader company,” said New Holland Agriculture Brand president Carlo Lambro. “Methane is really close to zero emission.” In addition, Lambro says methane is …
Aemetis 100% Biodiesel Replaces Diesel in India
California-based Aemetis is replacing 100 percent diesel with 100 percent biodiesel in India. This news release from the company says the pure biodiesel reduces emissions by 80 percent in the warm climate areas of India. Traditionally, in Europe and in the United States, biodiesel is blended in the range of 5% to 20% with petroleum diesel due to colder temperature …
Florida Biodiesel Delivers Plant to Bahamas
Florida Biodiesel, Inc. has delivered a refinery to the Bahamas. This company news release says it sent a B-500 Biodiesel plant to the Grand Bahama Power Company, Bahamas. The Grand Bahama Power Company has chosen the B-500 Biodiesel processor for their prime transesterification facility. The B-500 Biodiesel plant is economical to operate and will allow the Grand Bahama Power Company …
Growth’s Kelly Manning Shares ‘All Things Ethanol’
Growth Energy’s Kelly Manning, vice president of development, shared all things ethanol with me during the #FarmProgressShow in Decatur, Illinois and it was great to catch up after a year of the organization fighting the good fight with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) going forward. But this was not the focal point of …