Renewable fuels are the backbone of Iowa’s economy, according to a report released last week by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). According to the report, “Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa,” ethanol and biodiesel producers are part of a manufacturing sector that adds substantial value to agricultural commodities produced in Iowa and makes a significant …
Tennessee Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant Opens
Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), University of Tennessee and Genera Energy gathered on Friday in Vonore, Tennessee to cut the ribbon on a new cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility. The 74,000-square-foot plant has now started producing ethanol from agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass. During the grand opening celebration, Kelly Tiller, CEO of Genera Energy and …
Verenium and BP Extend Agreement
Verenium and BP are extending their joint development contract for another month as they continue more long term negotiations in the partnership to develop and commercialize cellulosic ethanol. The two companies have extended the initial 18-month joint development program established in August 2008, which was scheduled today until March 1, 2010. BP and Verenium will continue their ongoing joint development …
Another Record Month for Ethanol Production
November set yet another record for ethanol production in the United States. According to the latest figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. ethanol production hit a record high in November 2009 of 761,000 barrels per day (b/d). That is a 93,000 barrel increase from the previous year. Ethanol demand, as calculated by the Renewable Fuels Association, also reached …
Growth Energy Works With Ricardo to Optimize Fuel Economy
Ethanol advocacy organization Growth Energy will be working with automotive technology provider Ricardo to optimize flexible fuel vehicles with ethanol boosted direct injection (EBDI). The ten month project will use Ricardo’s EBDI flex fuel engine, developed from a production V6 gasoline engine, to re-power two GMC Sierra 3500 HD pickup trucks to demonstrate how highly optimized engines fueled on ethanol …
Growth Energy Poll Says Most Support Fuel Origin Labeling
Most Americans say they would like to know where their fuel comes from, according to a new poll by Growth Energy. The poll of 1200 registered voters found that 68 percent support country-of-origin labeling on gasoline, 15 percent oppose and 17 percent don’t know. The polling data was released in conjunction with an announcement by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, …
Sioux Falls Gets Ethanol Blender Pumps
Motorists in Sioux Falls, SD now have more fuel choices at the pump with the installation of four new ethanol blender pumps at a Kings Mart gas station in the city. Through a joint effort between the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC), the station now offers a variety of fuel blends including …
Biofuels Could Benefit Chesapeake Bay
Homegrown biofuels production could power a robust local economy and improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by significantly reducing pollution runoff to the Bay’s local waterways. That’s the primary finding in a report released today by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “This report clearly highlights the real and quantifiable benefits a next-generation biofuels industry …
Cellulosic Ethanol Could Produce Sugar Substitute
Instead of making ethanol from sugar, SunOpta of Canada is working on making a sugar substitute from ethanol. SunOpta subsidiary SunOpta BioProcess Inc. (SBI) has been awarded $5.5 million (Canadian) in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada to develop an integrated cellulosic ethanol plant and co-located xylitol production facility in the Greater Toronto area. The fabrication of valuable co-products is …
POET Cuts Ethanol Water Use
POET Biorefining – Preston has cut its water use by 13 percent thanks to a recently installed water recovery system. The new system allows the plant to recycle an additional 19 million gallons of waste water per year from the filtering system at the plant, bringing its total water use per gallon of ethanol down to 2.6 gallons. POET plants …