My Dear Friends, For the past four-and-a-half years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of blogging about this nation’s and world’s efforts to wean itself from non-renewable energy. It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience, taking me down the blogging highway, sometimes from the comfort of my own living room chair. But, sadly, I will not be able to continue writing for …
Algaepalooza to Look for Green Source for Biodiesel
Scientists in the St. Louis, Missouri area are hoping to get some help from local residents in finding the ideal algae to turn into biodiesel. During the upcoming 2nd annual Algaepalooza, held Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 10am to 4pm in the Life Science Lab at the Saint Louis Science Center, people will be able to pick up algae-collecting kits …
Solis to Build Rooftop Solar Array in New Jersey
Builder of solar power systems Solis Partners, will put in a rooftop solar array able to generate 1.2 megawatts (MW) of electricity for Shore Point Distributing Company, Inc.’s corporate headquarters and central distribution location in Freehold, N.J. This Solis press release says the array on top of Shore Point’s 267,000-square-foot facility will offset approximately 75 percent of the building’s annual …
DF Cast: Researchers, Advocates Clash on Algae Biodiesel Feasibility
Some researchers say that, at current production levels, algae biodiesel is not a commercially viable product. But some algae advocates believe researchers might have some ulterior motives for coming to that conclusion. One of the study’s authors, Dr. Peter Pfromm, a professor in Kansas State University’s department of chemical engineering, says that while they found that it’s possible to produce …
Military Will Buy Biofuels But Won’t Drive Market
The U.S. military plans to up its share of biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, by nearly a billion gallons over the next few years. But this article from Biofuels Digest says officials warn that won’t be enough to be the sole driver in the market: Mark Iden of the Defense Logistics Agency confirmed that the US government proposed to purchase …
NBB: For Earth Day, Biodiesel Friendly Destinations
As we sit on the eve of Earth Day (Friday, April 22, 2011), our friends at the National Biodiesel Board have pointed out several tourist destinations that are friendly to the environment by using the green fuel biodiesel: “Green tourism is more popular than ever, and biodiesel’s ease-of-use and greenhouse gas reductions have made it a big part of that …
Iowa State Develops Biodiesel, Ethanol Plant Simulator
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a simulator that allows them to replicate all the functions of biodiesel and ethanol plants. According to this article from the school, the I-BOS (the Interactive Biorefinery Operations Simulator) will help students in Iowa State’s biorenewable resources and technology program learn about biofuel production, as well as helping the biofuel industry train employees: …
Avjet Biotech, NC State Ink Deal for Aviation Biofuels
A company that develops 10-15 million gallon per year refining systems has signed a deal with North Carolina State University to use the school’s technology for producing biofuels from triglycerides (fats) and for producing products from genetically modified marine microalgae. Avjet Biotech, Inc. (ABI), parent company of Red Wolf Refining, will use the technology to make aviation biofuels: “We are …
“Gashole” Offers Biodiesel as Part of Energy Solution
A new film released this week offers biodiesel as part of the solution for this country’s energy woes. The documentary “Gashole” (gotta love the name!), according to reviews and trailers, sees the green fuel as David taking on the petroleum Goliath. One of the reviews from Variety posted on the film’s website: Conspiracy theorizing, though, is kept to a relative …
Biodiesel Part of Army’s Sustainability Scorecard
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance, and biodiesel is part of the goals in this scorecard. This Army press release says the service is identifying the best ways to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs, and testing the green fuel in the Corps’ floating plant fleet …