Alltech Installs Ethanol Distillation Tower

Joanna Schroeder

Alltech has installed a 60-foot ethanol distillation tower at its production facility in Springfield, Ky. The plant produces natural animal health and nutrition products. The company invested $4 million dollars in new yeast-production technology, a core of their nutrition products. The new system has the ability to process 52,000 lbs of liquid yeast each day and produce 20,000 gallons of …

Agribusiness, algae, Ethanol

Grassley Supports Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension

Joanna Schroeder

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is making a run at getting the biodiesel tax credit extended. He is attempting to mark up a tax extenders package that would include a retroactive extension of the credit for an Iowa leading industry. Biodiesel production increased during the second quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter. Iowa is the leading biodiesel …

Biodiesel, Iowa RFA

IU Biologist Receives DOE Young Faculty Award

Joanna Schroeder

Indiana University biologist James McKinlay has received the Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy (DOE). Along with honor, the award comes with $750,000 that will help McKinlay, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology, continue to research how microbes might work together to produce hydrogen gas biofuels. While others are researching better biofuels with …

biofuels, Hydrogen

Biodiesel Production Remains Strong

Joanna Schroeder

Biodiesel production in the U.S. remained strong in June. According to a report published by the Environmental Production Agency (EPA), 112 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in June. Total gallons for the first six months of the year is 557 million setting the pace to meet 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) mandates. The EPA has set yearly production of …

Biodiesel

‘Houses’ Furnished by IKEA Now Include Solar

Joanna Schroeder

IKEA has made a name for itself through the sale of neat, affordable household items. A trendsetter in home fashion, IKEA is now on the path to become a trendsetter when it comes to integrating solar into a home’s decor, but maybe not in the way you would think. Over the past few weeks, IKEA has installed solar energy systems …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

BP Promotes Biofuels During 2012 Olympics

Joanna Schroeder

The Olympics are in full swing in London and while the athletes are showcasing their talents, so are biofuels. BP selected Wayne, a GE Energy Business, as the official fuel dispenser of BP’s “Fueling the Future” Showcase in London during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. BP, who is the official oil and gas partner, is providing advanced fuels for …

biofuels, International

Blue Earth Secures Solar PV Project in Hawaii

Joanna Schroeder

Blue Earth has acquired the rights to build a $2 million, ground mounted, 497 kilowatt solar PV project in Hawaii. The company has created a Special Purpose Entity, Waianae PV-2, for the project. The subsidiary will engineer, construct, own, operate and maintain the solar PV plant. Blue Earth has a power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). Hawaii has …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Radio Ads Featuring President Obama Air in Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

Iowans driving to work, or typing away on computers, and listening to the radio, may hear some new advertisements featuring President Obama. Although the biodiesel and ethanol industries have been under serious attack the last few weeks, the Obama Administration has continued to show its support for the growth of the American-based industry. U.S. biofuels production is currently led by …

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Sweetwater Energy Exceeds Funding Expectations

Joanna Schroeder

Sweetwater Energy has exceeded its goals for Series A funding raising $9 million, $4 million over its original goal. The New York-based company is developing a process to produce cellulosic sugar that can be used to produce biofuels, biochemicals and bioplastics. The company’s primary target is is refineries. “As anyone trying to start a business today knows, the economic climate …

advanced biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, Cellulosic

Government May Be Key to Solar Success

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report by GBI Research, “Solar Thermal Power Market to 2020,” it will take worldwide government support to have a major impact on the renewable energy industry. Government attitudes to solar thermal power, or concentrated solar power (CSP), will be a key determinant to the future success of the market, which today, has a high cost of …

Electricity, Energy, Solar