New Oxfam Report: Growing a Better Future

Joanna Schroeder

A new report, “Growing a Better Future,” has the ethanol industry up in arms over its accusation that U.S. biofuel policy is leading to world hunger. The report kicked off a new worldwide GROW campaign spearheaded by the organization. The report covers the symptoms of today’s broken food system: growing hunger, flat-lining yields, a scramble for fertile land and water, …

biofuels, Ethanol, food and fuel, Growth Energy, International, Research, RFA

Ethanol Industry Supports Veterans

Joanna Schroeder

Memorial Day may be over but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about our veterans for another year. This past holiday, Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) and the FlexFuel Vehicle Awareness Campaign partnered with the Volunteers of Underage Military Service (VUMS) with a procession of ethanol and hybrid electric vehicles in a Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C. The purpose …

biofuels, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles

Principal Solar Acquires Capstone Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Principal Solar, Inc. (PSI) has announced its acquisition of Capstone Solar, a news and networking site geared to solar professionals. Terms were not disclosed but Principal Solar said the deal fits within their unique company solar strategy. Capstone Co-Founder Dan Bedell said it is great to find a group of people so committed to the advancement of solar power as …

Company Announcement, Solar

Free BioGen Workshop Announced

Joanna Schroeder

Sprague Energy Corp and BIODICO are hosting a FREE workshop designed to encourage the use of biodiesel in diesel powered generators and power units. The use of biodiesel blends significantly reduces air pollution and can also help cut energy costs. The workshop will take place on June 9, 2011 from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm at Bronx Community College at …

Biodiesel, Education

DFCast: The Biofuels Industry Gets Married

Joanna Schroeder

The biofuels industry got married when a first generation ethanol plant walked down the isle with a second generation algae plant in Shenandoah, Iowa. BioProcess Algae and Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) tied the knot and celebrated their anniversary last month with the announcement that their first babies, a set of Grower Harvester bioreactors, went online. This marked the last …

algae, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, Environment, Ethanol

Book Review – Switching to Solar

Joanna Schroeder

I’m writing this post, sitting outside, overlooking a pool sparkling in the sunshine. OK, not really but it gets your mind in the right place – a sunny day. Solar energy has been gaining ground in both the U.S. and especially Europe so I thought it was high-time I learn more about the history of solar. “Switching to Solar,” by …

book reviews, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Students In India Study Water Hyacinth for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

Students around the world are in search of new alternatives to fossil fuels. Several biotech students in Surat, Gujarat are studying the water hyacinth as a feedstock to produce ethanol. The students are looking for ways to reduce fuel costs – earlier this month the Central government announced that the price of fuel would increase five rupees across the country. …

biofuels, Ethanol, International

Turning Glycerin to Soap Could Add Profits

Joanna Schroeder

A byproduct of the biodiesel production process is crude glycerin. The boon of the biodiesel industry has helped to create a glycerin glut and many biodiesel producers are having to dispose of the product rather than sell it. However, Diesello Verde S.A., based in Costa Rica, has developed technology that could provide biodiesel producers with a new revenue stream for …

Biodiesel, biofuels, biomaterials

NASCAR Driver Kenny Wallace to Keynote Southeast Bioenergy Conference

Joanna Schroeder

NASCAR Series Driver Kenny Wallace and co-host of the shows Race Day and Victory Lane, will be giving the keynote address during the 2011 Southeast Bioenergy Conference on August 9-11 in Tifton, Georgia. Wallace drives the No. 9 American Ethanol Toyota Camrey and is currently ranked 7th in the Series. Last week, Wallace completed his 500th Nationwide start bringing his …

bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, conferences

Umbria Italy Home of New Solar Farm

Joanna Schroeder

Next time you visit Italy there will be a new “eco-tourist” destination. A solar farm is up and running in the municipality of Castel Giorgio in the region of Umbria Italy. The solar farm is nestled among farming land on the summit of a high plateau a few miles from Lake Bolsena a popular agrotourism area. The 2 megawatt system …

Electricity, Energy, Solar