Scientists have used an SDSC supercomputer to help improve cellulose conversion to ethanol. Their “virtual molecules” show how the enzyme complex may change shape to straddle a broken cellulose chain, gaining a crucial foothold to digest cellulose into sugar molecules, which can then be fermented into ethanol. A team of scientists has conducted molecular simulations at the San Diego Supercomputer …
Bioenergy and Rural Development
Top international experts meeting in Rome last week agreed that bioenergy could be a positive force for rural development According to a news release from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) it was the first time that experts in bioenergy, food security and the environment came together to discuss the environmental and food security impact of the rapidly-expanding bioenergy industry. …
Indy Ethanol Event
Kansas City consumers can follow in the footsteps of the IndyCar® Series and make a choice at the pump for energy independence and cleaner air. E10, a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol, will be available for $2.14, the average qualifying speed for the Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway, on Thursday at two locations in the greater …
Ethanol Conference Celebrates 20 Years
The American Coalition for Ethanolhas announced the agenda for its upcoming Ethanol Conference & Trade Show to be held this summer in Minnesota. The 2007 Ethanol Conference, the organization’s 20th annual, will take place August 7-9 at the River Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The conference, which is hosted in a different Midwestern city each year, is expected to be …
Ethanol and the EPA
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson calls the nation’s first comprehensive Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS, “a hat trick – it protects the environment, strengthens our energy security, and supports America’s farmers.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Executive Director Tom Slunecka comments on the new RFS and EPA ruling that provides equal treatment for ethanol plants when it comes to emissions …
Purely POET
The company formally known as Broin has officially completed the name changing of all its ethanol production facilities. POET, formerly known as Broin Companies, announced today that all 26 of its ethanol production facilities have changed their name to POET Biorefining. With the addition of the plants, the 32 entities that made up the Broin Companies are now united under …
Obama Calls for Low Carbon Fuels
On the campaign trail in New Hampshire on Friday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) called for a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard (NLCFS) similar to one created in California earlier this year by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. According to a news release, Obama’s proposal would require that all transportation fuels sold in the U.S. contain 5 percent less carbon by 2015 and …
Gulf Ethanol Expansion
Gulf Ethanol is expanding its search for plant sites throughout the Texas and Louisiana coastal region. According to a company release, Gulf Ethanol has a non-binding letter of intent to purchase an existing manufacturing facility in Bayport, Texas from Clean-Fuel International Corp., and is actively evaluating additional sites for the processing and production of ethanol and other biofuels. “We feel …
Robotic Ethanol Research
A robotic arm is providing a helping hand for USDA researchers doing cellulosic ethanol research. The one-armed robot is helping scientists with the Agricultural Research Service in Peoria, Illinois speed studies aimed at harnessing the power of proteins for industrial uses, such as making fuel ethanol from fibrous corn stover. According to an ARS article, the robotic system can carry …
Chavez Shifts Gears on Ethanol
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has appeared to shift his stance on ethanol this week, at least as it relates to Brazil. The Associated Press reports that Chavez is only opposed to U.S. plans to increase production of ethanol made from corn. “We aren’t against biofuels,” Chavez said at a two-day South American energy summit that ended Tuesday. “In fact we …