Biodiesel Bouncing Back with Help from RFS & REG

John Davis

After having a couple of tough years, biodiesel could be poised for a bounce back … even if the $1-a-gallon federal tax credit is not renewed. This article from Biofuels Digest says another federal program, the Renewable Fuels Standard, and technology from Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group are contributing to a revival of the biodiesel industry in the U.S.: Optimism began …

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Board to Host Bioheat Webinar

John Davis

New York City has been a successful example of how to use Bioheat … a mix of biodiesel and heating oil … to keep residents warm while cutting the city’s global warming emissions. In hopes of spreading that success, the National Biodiesel Board will be hosting a webinar for the media entitled, “How to Green and Clean Buildings with Bioheat—A …

Biodiesel, NBB, Webinar

Mizzou to Host Forum on Biofuels, Food

John Davis

Trying to figure out how to produce enough food and fuel to run America … sustainably … and how these issues are portrayed in the media will be the subject of “Food, Fuel & Society,” a free, interactive forum on Tuesday, October 12 from 8 am – 6 pm, hosted by the University of Missouri’s Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. …

biofuels

USDA: US Ethanol Production More Efficient than Ever

John Davis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says ethanol production is more efficient than ever. In an interview with USDA radio, Harry Baumes, Director of USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses says a new study shows that we’re getting more energy out of corn than what it takes to raise the feedstock and make the green fuel. One reason …

corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Green Star to Build Algae-to-Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Utah-based Green Star Products, Inc. has announced it will build an algae-to-biodiesel refinery on the west coast. This company press release says Green Star has already started building the 13 modules to process the algae oil into biodiesel: The algae to biodiesel plant will be rated initially at two million gallons per year with all necessary provisions incorporated so that …

algae, Biodiesel

Alltech Buys Algae Fermenter for Biofuels

John Davis

Kentucky-based Alltech Inc. has bought a $14 million state-of-the-art algae fermentation facility in Winchester, Kentucky from Martek Bioscience Corporation. This press release from the natural animal nutrition company says the facility will be used, in part, to make biofuels, including ethanol: “For Alltech, algae fermentation presents our latest technological platform from which we expect incredible opportunities in the areas of …

algae, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Biodiesel Vaporized into Substitute Natural Gas

John Davis

A Maryland company has found a way to vaporize biodiesel into a natural gas substitute that can be turned into renewable electric power. LPP Combustion, LLC announced it has installed the hardware on a demonstration unit in Columbia, MD to get some operational experience: Generally, combustion of biodiesel in gas turbines requires extra refinement of the fuel due to impurities …

Biodiesel, Natural Gas

REG Buys New Mexico Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Renewable Energy Group has acquired a New Mexico biodiesel plant in an agreement that will see a California company invest in the Iowa-based biodiesel maker and distributor. REG has announced that ARES Corporation will become a strategic investor, putting in an additional $8 million into REG in return for control of ARES’ 15-million-gallon-a-year Clovis, New Mexico plant: “In support of …

Biodiesel

Next Gen. Biodiesel Scientists Holding Virtual Conference

John Davis

They’re some of the newest and brightest scientific minds in the country, so it just makes sense that the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel would choose one of the most cutting-edge formats to hold the first interactive virtual conference on biodiesel for students. These biodiesel champions will join one of the nation’s foremost biodiesel researchers from the National Renewable Energy …

Biodiesel, NBB

Algae Biofuels Focus of Session at Delaware Conference

John Davis

Just got a quick note from my friend Tamra Fakhoorian with the National Algae Association letting me know that she will be one of the speakers at the 2010 Energy & Sustainability Conference Sept. 23-25 at the Trabant Center in Newark, Delaware. Tamra will be presenting on Thursday afternoon during the Carbon Abatement session of the conference with a talk …

algae, biofuels, conferences