New Zealand will soon get its first industrial-scale biodiesel plant. This article from Radio New Zealand says the Z Energy plant will produce the green fuel from animal fat and is expected to make about 5 million gallons of biodiesel per year when it opens in June. While the planned 20 million litre production will be just a fraction of …
‘Glitch’ Gives Mass. Biomass Debate Another Shot
A technical glitch at a recent public hearing on a proposed Massachusetts biomass plant will give proponents and opponents to speak their minds on the project. This article from masslive.com says the Public Health Council expanded its period for public comment on the proposed East Springfield biomass plant that developer Palmer Renewable Energy wants to build. City Health Commissioner Helen …
Neste’s Renewable Diesel Takes on Italian Alps
Renewable diesel is taking on the Arctic-like conditions of Northern Italy’s Alps. This news release from renewable energy producer Neste says oil and gas retailer Tamoil is using the renewable diesel at a 20 percent blend in its arctic diesel mix. “We are happy to be able to help our customer Tamoil to be the first in Northern Italy to …
Biomass Innovator to be Recognized by Elite Group
An innovator in turning biomass into food and fuel will be recognized by an elite group. This news release from Michigan State University says Bruce Dale, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science at the school will be inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering’s College of Fellows. Dale was nominated, reviewed and elected by peers …
ExxonMobil, REG to Study Biodiesel from Cellulose
Big oil is partnering up with a giant in biodiesel production to explore the potential of biodiesel made from cellulosic sugars. This news release from Renewable Energy Group (REG) says the green fuel company is partnering with ExxonMobil to make the biodiesel by fermenting renewable cellulosic sugars from sources such as agricultural waste. REG has developed a patented technology that …
Researchers Release Hydrogen from Tough Biomass
Researchers from Georgia Tech have figured out how to release hydrogen from even the toughest sources of biomass. This article from Chemistry World says Yulin Deng and his team at the university developed a low-temperature electrolytic technology that can crack even molecules like lignin and cellulose, eliminating the need to use fossil fuels to release clean-burning hydrogen. The process takes …
Researchers Feed Algae Cleaner CO2 for Biodiesel
Researchers in Australia have found a way to feed cleaner carbon dioxide to algae, which would help in the production of biodiesel. This news release from the Melbourne School of Engineering says the new method purifies the carbon dioxide that is in power station flue gases by absorbing it into a liquid. This liquid is then pumped through hollow fibre …
Biodiesel Helps Plows Beat East Coast Blizzard
As folks on the east coast have battled an historic blizzard this past weekend, some of the removal of the more than two feet of snow on the roadways has been done by plows running on biodiesel. This article from Bay Weekly from Annapolis, Maryland, says the green fuel went a long way in exposing the black roadway underneath that …
Penn State to Turn ‘Scrub’ Trees into Biomass Fuel
Researchers at Penn State University are looking at turning a tree seen as not much more than a weed into biomass. This article from the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pennsylvania, the school’s hometown, says researchers are working on a $10 million, 5-year project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to grow shrub willow as the next great …
Construction Well Underway at UK Biomass Plant
They broke ground last month, and now construction is well underway at a new biomass plant in the UK. This news release from Glennmont Partners says its Port Clarence Renewable Energy Plant is a $227 million power station expected to enter commercial operation in 2018. The 40MW plant is being built on land which has lain empty for many years …