The Worldwatch Institute has released Vital Signs: Volume 20, the latest compilation from the Vital Signs project. The report finds that in 2012, global oil consumption reached an all-time high and physical water scarcity affected nearly 1.2 billion people. The Vital Signs report provides insight on many of the most critical global concern and provides data and analysis on significant …
Gas Prices Predicted to Spike
Summer driving season is nearing its peak and as events continue to unfold in Egypt, gas prices are again expected to spike. To learn more about the reasons behind rising fuel prices, Fuels America hosted a media briefing with several energy experts to provide a panoramic view of the real drivers behind volatile gas prices. Speakers discussed how renewable fuel …
Ethanol Groups Comment on RFS Path Forward
Both the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week on pathways forward for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The comments highlight the importance of next generation biofuels and how increased market access will play a critical role in the ultimate success of the RFS. Both organizations voiced support for the …
BioEnergy Bytes
SolarCity has opened a new operations center in Stockton, California. The Stockton location is currently staffed with more than 70 full-time, locally-hired employees who provide sales, consultations, and installation services to homeowners and businesses in the San Joaquin region. According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 881,000 barrels per day (b/d) — or 37.00 million gallons daily ending the week …
Solar PV Breaks 10 GW Barrier
According to a new report by NPD Solarbuzz, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the U.S. have broken through the 10 gigawatt (GW) barrier. During the first half of 2013, more than 1.8 GW of new solar PV capacity was installed according to the North America PV Market Quarterly report. “The U.S. has now joined an elite group of maturing solar …
API Launches New Campaign
American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched a new campaign featuring print and TV ads taking aim at E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The ethanol industry responded and Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association said that Big Oil’s latest campaign is nothing more than an oil slick of misleading scare tactics. “What does it say …
Surmountable “Blend Wall”
Fuels America recently hosted a briefing on the Hill (Washington, D.C.) to give an update on the so-called “blend wall.” Energy experts and biofuel industry representatives discussed the need to provide consumer choice at the pump. Other topics discussed during the event included: benefits of renewable fuel; penetration of new fuels like E15 and cellulosic ethanol into the marketplace; compliance …
Biomass-to-Liquids Plant Chooses Technology
A Biomass-to-Liquids (BTL) plant owned by Red Rock Biofuels has selected its reactor technology. The plant, which is under construction, will use FT microchannel reactor technology developed by the Oxford Catalysts Group and marketed under the name Velocys. The BTL facility will be located in Oregon and will be designed to convert around 170,000 tons per year of forestry derived …
BioEnergy Bytes
In the UK, the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has been announced. The RHI is the UK government’s flagship scheme to incentivize the growth of renewable heat.Tariffs of: 7.3p/kWh for Air/Water Heat Pumps, 12.2p/kWh for biomass, 18.8p/kWh for Ground-Source Heat Pumps and 19.2p/kWh for Solar Thermal, are to be paid over 7 years. In addition, hybrids (combined heat pump – …
Unite and Ignite
Unite and Ignite is the theme for this year’ 26th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Conference that will take place in Des Moines, Iowa August 26-28, 2013. ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says the theme of “Unite and Ignite,” points to the critical topics and timely opportunities that will be covered. “Our upcoming conference will be helpful to …