Analysis: Biodiesel Could Solve Ethanol Blend Wall

John Davis

A new analysis shows that biodiesel might be the solution for ethanol “blend wall” concern and its impact on the overall number of advanced biofuels being blended. There’s been a lot of talk about the issue of the ethanol “blend wall,” the point at which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates for that renewable fuel are greater than the amount …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Del Monte in UAE to Use Biodiesel in Trucks

John Davis

A food and vegetable supplier is using the used cooking oil from one of its customer restaurants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This story posted on Environment News Service says Del Monte is running some of its vehicles on the used cooking oil from McDonald’s in the Arabian Peninsula country. A total of 20 vehicles from Del Monte’s logistics …

Biodiesel, International

Algae.Tec’s Coal-Fueled Algae-to-Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Algae.Tec inked a deal with Australia’s largest power company that will feed the waste carbon dioxide from a 2640MW coal-fired power station near Sydney to algae to eventually turn into biodiesel. Owned by the New South Wales government, the Macquarie Generation Bayswater coal-fired power station, one of the largest in the world, will use an enclosed algae growth system. “This …

algae, Biodiesel, International

Iowa State Growing Algae for Biofuel, Other Uses

John Davis

Researchers at Iowa State have a new facility to grow algae for a variety of uses, including biofuel production. This news release from the school says the facility’s innovative design is attracting a lot of interest from other universities and private industry. The facility contains a novel biofilm-based cultivation system designed by Martin Gross, a graduate assistant in agricultural and …

algae, biofuels

WI Farm Technology Days to Run on Soy Biodiesel

John Davis

For the first time in the nearly 60-year history of the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, all the diesel equipment at the three-day event will run on biodiesel made from soybeans. The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) will sponsor the soy biodiesel at the event July 9-11, 2013: “We are thrilled to showcase the benefits of soy biodiesel at the 2013 …

Biodiesel, Soybeans

Cellectis Genetically Engineers Algae for Biofuels

John Davis

French-based genome engineering specialist Cellectis announced it has successfully used engineered nucleases to genetically reprogram diatoms, a major group of algae, to produce biofuels. The company says its VP of Synthetic Biology and Technology, Dr. Fayza Daboussi, presented his research results at a meeting in Paris: The results presented at the “Molecular Life of Diatoms” meeting by Dr. Fayza Daboussi, …

algae, biofuels, International

Diamond Green Renewable Diesel Plant Opens

John Davis

Rendering and recycling leader Darling International Inc. and energy giant Valero announce that their joint venture renewable diesel plant opens in Louisiana. This Darling International news release says the Diamond Green Diesel plant, when fully operational, will crank out 9,300 barrels per day of the green fuel made from animal fat, used cooking oil and corn oil: Darling International Chairman …

Biodiesel

DF Cast: Algae Backers’ Beef with DOE

John Davis

Backers of algae, especially for biofuel production, say while the Department of Energy provides millions for universities to do research through the DOE Biomass Program, commercial enterprises are being left by the wayside. And they say that isn’t fair, and after 60 years of looking at the green microbes, researchers have developed nothing. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel …

algae, Audio, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, Research

Brazil’s First Biodiesel Export Headed to EU

John Davis

The first batch of Brazilian biodiesel for export is headed for the European Union. BSBIOS announced that its first load of 22 tons of biodiesel is on a ship headed for The Netherlands. The CEO of BSBIOS, Erasmo Carlos Battistella, emphasizes that this is a great step towards the market opening. “There are many difficulties, with relation to taxes mainly, …

Biodiesel, International

Kansas Farmer Recognized for Biodiesel Board Work

John Davis

A Kansas farmer has been recognized by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) for his work for the biodiesel industry. The Kansas Soybean Commission announced that their primary representative on the NBB for the past 12 years, Harold Kraus from Hays, picked up NBB’s Friend of Biodiesel award during a membership meeting in Washington, D.C.: “Harold has been a tremendous advocate …

Biodiesel, NBB, Soybeans