New and better catalysts could be the key to unlocking the potential biofuel locked up in biomass. This article from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory says scientists at the lab’s Institute for Atom-Efficient Chemical Transformations (IACT) for the past four years have been looking at how to improve the efficiency and selectivity of catalysts: IACT was originally …
Alberta Looks to Become Canada’s Biofuel Leader
A Canadian province most well-known for its petroleum products could be that country’s leader in non-petroleum energy. According to this article in the Edmonton Journal, Alberta, in all the headlines for its oilsands, could end up leading Canada by replacing half of its transportation fuels with biodiesel and ethanol. “We now have ethanol from grain and biodiesel from oilseeds, and …
Australian Algae Production Test Site Completed
An Australian algae company has completed a new test cultivation site. Biofuels Journal reports Aurora Algae, working Durack Institute of Technology, Aurora Algae finished building the new facility in Geraldton, Western Australia. The project will evaluate the potential in that area the production of microalgae and adds to Aurora Algae’s pilot-scale algae cultivation facility in Karratha, Western Australia that produces …
Deal Struck to Research Pongamia for Biodiesel
A deal to research the potential of an oil feedstock has been struck. Biodiesel Magazine reports Tree Oils India Ltd. (TOIL) will collaborate for the next five years with the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) to look into the feasibility of using pongamia for biodiesel, in addition to several other projects dealing with sustainable agriculture. The locations of …
In the Land of Oil, Biodiesel Making Inroads
You would think that in a country awash in petroleum, biodiesel just wouldn’t stand a chance. But here’s another story of biodiesel making some inroads in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. The Post & Parcel reports that TNT Express is trying out biodiesel in its vehicle fleet. The global integrator’s commercial vehicles in Dubai will use a kind of diesel …
Biodiesel Buses Take American U. Students to Class
Students at a major Washington, D.C. university will be breathing a little easier on clean-burning biodiesel shuttle buses. The National Biodiesel Board says American University will run three new biodiesel-powered shuttle buses as students come back to campus this month. “The new design is the perfect opportunity to showcase our shuttles in a way that also highlights our commitment to …
Government Lowers Cellulosic Biofuels Targets
In the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing its final rule for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the government revised down targets for cellulosic biofuel use this year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports the new rule sets a 6 million gallon target for cellulosic biofuels use in 2013, less than half what was proposed just six …
Thailand Plans to Up Biodiesel Output, Mandate
Thailand plans to crank out more biodiesel and increase the amount of the green fuel required to be in the mix. This article from Platts says the Southeast Asian country will increase biodiesel production targets from 5.9 million liters per day to 7.3 million liters per day by 2021. Right now, Thailand cranks out 2.8 million liters per day. Plans …
Leading Canadian Biodieseler Nearly Doubles Sales
The owner of Canada’s largest biodiesel plant announced it nearly doubled its sales in the third quarter of this year compared to the same time a year ago. This Wall Street Journal article says BIOX Corporation also has good news about its pipeline project to move biodiesel across Canada: “The construction of the inter-terminal pipeline between our Hamilton facility and …
Akash Selects Interneer Software for Biofuels Ops
Houston, Texas-based Akash Energy selected software developer Interneer, Inc. to help the provider of biodiesel and ethanol, as well as petroleum products, automate some business processes. This Interneer news release says the business mobile apps will be used throughout Akash’s distribution chain, from raw material sourcing through distribution to Akash’s retail stations, expected to open later this year: In 2013, …