A couple of years ago, I told you about how the Utah Department of Transportation was planting safflower, camelina, canola and perennial flax in a safety strip along Interstate 15 and then crushing the seeds to make biodiesel (see my post from May 9, 2007). The “Freeways-to-Fuel” project, sponsored by the Utah Department of Transportation, the National Biodiesel Board and …
BMW Shows New Biodiesel-Ready Vehicles in Frankfurt
It’s one of the biggest auto shows in the world, and biodiesel-ready cars from one of the world’s biggest makers seem to be getting some good attention at the venue. Biodiesel Magazine reports that the 63rd International Auto Show underway Frankfurt, Germany has opened with several interesting diesel debuts from BMW… and all are compatible with biodiesel: Receiving a lot …
University of Georgia to Make Biodiesel from Biomass
Researchers at University of Georgia will be turning forest and agricultural waste into biodiesel. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that the school has licensed technology to Sacramento, Calif.-based Tolero Energy LLC to turn the waste into the green fuel: The process turned waste biomass — dead trees, agricultural waste and lumber byproducts — into a liquid fuel to power conventional …
Wind, Solar Advocate Picks Up Heinz Award
A man called “one of the most effective renewable energy advocates in Texas” is being honored with an award that has a focus this year on the environment. Thomas “Smitty” Smith… known for his work in putting together the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that is now being adopted all across the country and has made Texas a leader in …
Valero Announces Biodiesel Venture
Last week, I told you how petroleum company Valero Energy Corp. could be looking at getting into the biodiesel business (see my post from Sept. 11, 2009). Now, it looks like the company is doing more than just looking. This story from the San Antonio Business Journal says Valero has teamed up with Darling International Inc. to develop an animal …
Big Oil Predicts Big Growth for Ethanol, Biodiesel
The largest oil and gas producer in the country is predicting that in 20 years, there will be more ethanol and biodiesel than gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. Bloomberg.com reports that Katrina Landis, head of BP’s alternative-energy unit, made the claim that biofuels will replace about 25 percent of gasoline and 8 percent of diesel in 2030, raising …
Enerkem Breaks Ground on Waste-to-Biofuels Facility
Canadian company Enerkem has broken ground on a new energy research facility. This company press release says the advanced waste-to-biofuels facility is a partnership with the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta,: The research facility, a collaboration between Enerkem, the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI), will focus on the conversion of various types …
Wind Energy Gets Billion Dollar Boost from Congress
Wind turbines could become more efficient and reliable, with some help from a $1-billion program that has just passed the U.S. House. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) is the sponsor of the measure that the San Francisco Chronicle says aims to ensure that the biggest of the wind-generating turbines will be the most cost effective… important if wind energy is to …
Iowa Railroad Tests Biodiesel
Some trains in Iowa are burning locally produced biodiesel to see about the green fuel’s long-term viability in locomotives. The Omaha World Herald reports that Cedar Rapids-based Iowa Interstate Railroad has been testing a B5 blend from Ames-based Renewable Energy Group and will increase it to B20 over the course of the eight-month test: “Our company has been looking at …
Valero Eyes Animal-Fat Biodiesel Ventures
After venturing into ethanol, Valero Energy Corp. could be looking at getting into the biodiesel business. As you might remember from this past spring, the petroleum company got into ethanol when it bought five ethanol plants from bankrupted Verasun (see Cindy’s post from April 1, 2009). It’s just a small mention at the end of this story on CNN Money, …