As I posted before, the debate over the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rules for the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2) continues to rankle the folks who grow the biggest feedstock for biodiesel: soybeans. The crux of the problem is that the under the new rules, biodiesel made from soybeans has been deemed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only 22 …
Biofuels Part of World Ag Forum in St. Louis
Just got word today that I’m headed to St. Louis next week to help cover the World Agricultural Forum’s Sixth Biennial World Congress, “Our Global Priority: Food Security—Financial, Trade and Technical Services,” for ZimmComm New Media, mostly on our sister Web site, AgWired.com. For Domestic Fuel followers, there is plenty going on at the forum, especially in the sustainability field: …
Algae Project at Iowa Ethanol Plant Closer to Reality
An ethanol plant in Southwest Iowa is closer to being able to produce algae, most likely to turn into biodiesel. This press release from Green Plains Renewable Energy says the company and BioProcessAlgae LLC, a joint venture between Green Plains, CLARCOR Inc. (NYSE: CLC), BioProcessH2O LLC and NTR plc., have executed a grant award agreement with the Iowa Office of …
DF Cast: Climbing Over Ethanol’s Blend Wall
Ethanol seems to have hit a bit of wall. While it has been great for mixing with regular unleaded gasoline at a 10 percent blend, the industry wants to up that amount to 15 percent, overcoming what is being called a “blending wall” that is keeping the green fuel from growing beyond its current levels. While some might worry what …
Making Natural Gas Out of Algae
Scientists working for the federal government have found another way to turn algae into energy. The green pond scum has been found as a good source for biodiesel. Now, algae can be turned into natural gas. This press release from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) says the feds have transferred the technology to the marketplace …
RFS Rules: Bad for Some Biodiesel, Good for Others
The new, proposed Environmental Protection Agency rules for the Renewable Fuels Standard has the biofuels community split over if they will be good for the green fuels. The point of contention has to do with the impact Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) will have on biofuel production. Under the new rules, biodiesel made from soybeans has been deemed to reduce …
Chocolate to Fuel Biodiesel Race Car
Back in November, 2007, I told you about a truck that was running from London, England to Timbuktu in Africa on chocolate-based biodiesel (see my post from Nov. 27, 2007). While that trip was built for endurance, the latest effort in the chocolate-biodiesel world is made for speed. This story from TG Daily says researchers at the University of Warwick …
Kansas to Get Wind Turbine Plant
Citing its central location… in relation to the United States and the country’s wind power industry… officials at Siemens say they will build a wind turbine equipment factory in Hutchison, Kansas. This Reuters story says the German company expects to employ about 400 people: The new plant will manufacture nacelles, or the structures that house a wind turbine’s generating components, …
New EPA Rules Could Be Bad News for Biodiesel
While the new Environmental Protection Agency rules regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard have been welcomed by some renewable fuel advocates (see Cindy’s post from earlier today), the news is not as bright for backers of biodiesel. According to this story in the Des Moines (IA) Register, biodiesel made from soybeans… very popular in the Midwest… won’t meet the new requirements …
Wake Forest Develops Cost-Cutting Biodiesel Catalyst
Biodiesel makers have been extending their feedstocks into the various types of oils, including waste greases and even animal fats. But the problem is converting the free fatty acids in the feedstocks into biodiesel, sometimes a long and costly process. Well, it looks like researchers at Wake Forest University have found a way to do it quicker and cheaper. This …