What makes a mighty fine drink could also make a pretty good fuel. Researchers at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls have figured out how to get about 4,000 gallons per hectare a year of ethanol from the agave plant, well adapted to grow on marginal land under low rainfall conditions. The paper, titled “Prospecting …
Canadian Biodiesel Brewer Makes Cold Weather Fuel
A Canadian biodiesel maker is celebrating the production of its high quality biodiesel suitable for cold weather. The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) congratulated its member Atlantic Biodiesel on its “first pour” of the fuel coming less than four months after opening its state-of-the-art renewable fuel facility in Welland, Ontario. “Atlantic Biodiesel’s first pour represents the collaboration, commitment and hard …
NASCAR Drives toward Championship on Ethanol
It’s a big time of the year for race fans as NASCAR heads into the second round of it’s championship series this weekend. And this news article from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says American Ethanol is fueling that drive to the championship. With E15 American Ethanol featured on the side of every car and on the start/re-start green …
Scania Greenlights Renewable Diesel in Trucks
European truck maker Scania has approved hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for use in its Euro 6 range of trucks. This news release from the company says the green fuel can cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent. Örjan Åslund is Head of Product Affairs at Scania. “We have decided to give our blessing to the use of HVO biodiesel in …
New Seattle Ferry Running on Biodiesel
The newest ferry for the Seattle area is running on biodiesel. This article from Marine Log says the M/V Doc Maynard, started service at the end of September, replacing her sister ship, the M/V Sally Fox, which is undergoing some scheduled warranty work. Both the Sally Fox and Doc Maynard were built by All American Marine, Inc. (AAM), Bellingham, WA. …
US Ethanol Exports Lowest in 2 Years, DDGS Down
American ethanol exports to the world are down to their lowest levels in more than two years. This analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says at just 50.1 million gallons (mg), total ethanol shipments in August were 35 percent lower than in July, falling by 27.1 mg. In addition, the ethanol by-product, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) used …
Virginia School Reviving Algae-to-Biodiesel Operation
A Virginia farm that grew algae for biodiesel has been shut down, but researchers at a nearby university are helping the operation produce the green fuel from the green slime again. This article from the Richmond Times-Dispatch says Old Dominion University is working on the issue and hoping to make it commercially viable. Patrick G. Hatcher, an Old Dominion University …
Nebraska Firefighters Train on Safety with Biodiesel
Firefighters across the country have been getting special training to work with renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol. One example is in Beatrice, Nebraska, where local firefighters are working with the Duonix Biodiesel plant. This article from the Beatrice Daily Sun says they want to make sure they are ready when the plant goes into production later this year. …
Biodiesel Helps Keep Heating Oil Prices Down
Good news going into the fall and winter chill: heating oil prices are expected to stay lower throughout the winter. And part of the reason for that is biodiesel. The National Oilheat Research Alliance says increases in production and the addition of biodiesel into the supply chain is helping keep the price of home heating oil down to levels not …
German Quality Group to Test Biodiesel Heating Oil
The German quality group AGQM (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitaetsmanagement Biodiesel e. V.) will offer a test to assess oxidation stabilisers for Biodiesel (FAME) intended as blend component for heating oil. This news release from the group says the tests are meant to rule out probable harmful effects of the fuel itself as well as undesired interactions with other fuel components. Since 2008 …