The European Union has extended its protectionist trade duties that have kept the American green fuel out of the continent since 2009. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling on Congress to reinstate the U.S. tax incentive now to help counter what NBB sees as unfair trade practices. “The European Commission has decided to continue a policy that is clearly …
Glycerol Recycled into Biodiesel Catalyst
Researchers in the United Kingdom have found a way to recycle a biodiesel by-product back into a catalyst to make the green fuel. This article from Cardiff University says its scientists turned glycerol into methanol. To achieve this, the researchers reacted glycerol with water, to provide the element hydrogen, and a magnesium oxide (MgO) catalyst. The reaction involved a simple …
Two Wood-Burning Plants Being Built in Georgia
An Alabama company is building two wood-burning electricity plants in Georgia. This article from the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald says state environmental officials have approved one of the two applications for the GreenFuels Holding Company’s plants expected to produce a total of nearly 140 megawatts of electricity. The company filed its application for a 58 megawatt plant near Colbert about two …
Explaining Dropping Biodiesel RIN Prices
The price for D4 biodiesel renewable identification numbers (RINs) has dropped by more than 50 cents since the middle of June, leaving many scratching their heads and asking, “Why?” Analysts from the University of Illinois have an explanation. The first factor contributing to the decline in D4 biodiesel RINs prices is the price of soybean oil, which is the main …
GE Provides Biomass Gasification for Project
GE is providing an integrated biomass gasification solution to power a bioenergy plant in California. This news release from the company says it struck the deal with Western Energy Systems and San Francisco-based Phoenix Energy to provide this for the North Fork project, the next in a series of bioenergy plants that Phoenix Energy is building in the state. GE’s …
California City Switches to Renewable Diesel
A California city has switched to using renewable diesel in its municipal fleet. This story from Patch.com says Walnut Creek in the Bay area is one of the first cities in the area to make the switch. So far, the conversion has been seamless, Walnut Creek Public Works Manager Rich Payne said. “We haven’t noticed anything in terms of performance …
German Biodiesel Quality Group Starts Glycerol Test
A German group that maintains quality standards for biodiesel will carry out round-robin tests for pharmaceutical glycerol. This news release from AGQM (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Qualitaetsmanagement Biodiesel) says this will be the first time for the tests, and registrations will still be accepted until Sept. 20, 2015. Round Robin Tests to check test methods and the proper handling of professional laboratories have …
Bubbles Could Make the Difference for Biodiesel
Researchers in Canada might have found a way to increase biodiesel production by using bubbles. This article from McGill University’s The McGill Daily says Peter Adewale, a PhD student in the school’s Bioresource Engineering Department, has devised a method to shorten the production time of biodiesel to twenty minutes, a significant drop from previously reported production times ranging from 24 …
Gevo Selling Isobutanol for Boats on Missouri Lake
Gevo is selling gasoline blended with isobutanol at a Missouri lake. This company news release says Harbor Marina Pumps at Lake Pomme de Terre is the first U.S. marina to sell gasoline blended with Gevo’s renewable fuel at the pump. Lake Pomme de Terre is located in one of the premier recreational boating regions of the country. Gevo is now …
Car Clinic Expert Dispels Ethanol Myths
A recent attack on ethanol by a so-called automobile expert has been answered by a true car maestro who knows the value of the green fuel. Bobby Likis of the Car Clinic Car-Talk Network blasted Lauren Fix and her claims against ethanol. Yes, something needs to be fixed. And it’s not ethanol. What needs to be fixed is the egregiously …