From the economics of biodiesel to producing it drip by drip at the University of Georgia’s biorefinery, the Southeastern Biodiesel Workshop will cover all aspects of biodiesel in an upcoming three-day workshop. Those attending the workshop Nov. 27-29 in Athens, Ga., will receive training from industry professionals and academic experts. They’ll learn how biodiesel is made in a hands-on production …
Record Setting State Biodiesel Initiatives
State legislation involving biodiesel is at an all-time high. According to the National Biodiesel Board, more than 275 pieces of biodiesel-specific legislation were considered in this year’s state legislative sessions and 53 bills were passed that directly affect biodiesel use and production. Among the states with biodiesel friendly legislation passed this year are Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, …
NCGA Says Corn Growers Can Meet Demand
According to the National Corn Growers Association, U.S. corn producers are providing enough corn to meet the demands of the ethanol industry, as well as other markets. National Corn Growers Association Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett delivered this message in Washington, D.C. last week at “Biofuels and the Future of U.S. Energy,” hosted by the U.S. Chamber of …
Nebraska Ethanol Growth
The number of ethanol plants operating, under construction or being planned in Nebraska continues to grow. The latest map from the Renewable Fuels Association posted last week has Nebraska with ten operating plants and nine under construction. But, that’s apparently already out of date as plants keep popping up like prairie dogs in the Cornhusker State. The Omaha World Herald …
Closing the Loop
The first ethanol plant to operate without the use of fossil fuels is scheduled to begin production before the end of the year in Nebraska. E3 BioFuels has announced that the Genesis plant in Mead, Nebraska is “the first-ever closed-loop system for distilling commercial quantities of ethanol using methane gas recaptured from cow manure, instead of fossil fuels. This virtually …
E85 Pump Hearings
Underwriters Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Energy are holding two days of hearings this week at the testing group’s headquarters outside Chicago, inviting oil companies, automakers and researchers to help develop standards for E85 equipment. The National Ethanol Vehicle Association is “confident” that the meeting will address E85 pump safety concerns that first surfaced in an October 5 memo …
E-Map
Here is the latest map of where the ethanol biorefineries are located and being built across the country, courtesy of the Renewable Fuels Association. To see a larger view, click here.
More Nebraska Ethanol Plants Going Up
Another Nebraska ethanol plant officially started construction with groundbreaking on Friday in Carleton. California-based developer Altra broke ground on the 360 acre, $200 million project which will have a capacity of 110 million gallons per year. Altra also owns and operates California’s only large scale operating ethanol plant, located in Goshen, CA and is currently constructing a 60 MMGY ethanol …
Another Cellulosic Partner for Broin
In its quest to make cellulosic ethanol an affordable reality in the near future, Broin Companies has formed a partnership with biotech industry leader Novazymes. According to a press release, the partnership will “take the next steps needed to bring cost-effective ethanol derived from corn stover to market.” The collaboration is an extension of the close partnership between the two …
Ethanol Injection Engine Could Help Boost Fuel Efficiency
MIT researchers are working on a smaller gasoline engine that could get better fuel economy by injecting ethanol when a performance boost is needed. According to MIT, these small engines could be on the market within five years, and consumers should find them appealing: By spending about an extra $1,000 and adding a couple of gallons of ethanol every few …