Airplane maker Pratt & Whitney Canada will field test an engine running on biodiesel. This company news release says the new PT6A-140AG turboprop engine – selected to power Air Tractor’s new AT502XP aircraft – works in agricultural applications. P&WC received Transport Canada authorization for field testing of PT6A-34AG engines in Brazil this spray season with S10 and S500 Type B …
Volvo OKs Use of Renewable Diesel
Truck maker Volvo has given the green light the use of renewable diesel in its proprietary engines. This company news release says it is the first to endorse the use of renewable diesel, and the green fuel will offer environmental and cost-savings benefits to customers. “Environmental care is a core value of Volvo Trucks, and we are pleased to offer …
Novozymes CEO at COP21: Biofuels Only Alternative
Biofuels are the only alternatives to fossil fuels… that was the message the head of Novozymes told attendees at COP21 in Paris. “Solutions exist for many of the problems we face – it’s about the political courage and long-term vision to implement them,” says CEO Peder Holk Nielsen, who is leading Novozymes’ delegation at COP21, in Paris. “We urgently need …
RINs’ Rise Shows Ethanol-Biodiesel Relationship
Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) prices jumped sharply after tge Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final numbers for the amount of biodiesel and ethanol to be blended into the nation’s fuel supply. This analysis from University of Illinois’ Scott Irwin and Darrel Good says not only were the EPA numbers a shock and reflected in the RINs’ prices, but it …
Hybrid Yeast to Give Rise to Better Biofuel Production
Researchers in Wisconsin, a state already known for its good use of yeast for the brewing of beer, are developing yeast hybrids that would also help in biofuels production. This article from the University of Wisconsin says the scientists at the school continue to find more strains suited for the green fuel making. “We can achieve hybrids at rates of …
China Top Customer for US Ethanol Exports
China is America’s best customer when it comes to buying ethanol exports. Government numbers show October ethanol exports totaled 70.1 million gallons (mg), up 16 percent from September levels, making China for the first time ever the biggest importer of U.S. ethanol. This analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association’s Ann Lewis says Canada was the second-leading destination in October, but …
New Biodiesel Board Chair Elected
The National Biodiesel Board recently elected new officers for 2016. * Chairman – Ron Marr, Minnesota Soybean Processors * Vice-Chair – Jennifer Case, New Leaf Biofuel * Treasurer – Greg Anderson, Nebraska Soybean Board * Secretary – Kent Engelbrecht, ADM Marr said the officers’ job now is to make sure the green fuel has all the necessary tools to remain …
Biodiesel Industry to Congress: Renew Tax Incentive
The biodiesel industry is calling on Congress to quickly pass a measure that would renew the biodiesel tax credit. The new legislation, sponsored by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J), includes a key reform restructuring the incentive from a blender’s credit to a producer’s credit focused on domestic production. …
Biodico to Cut Ribbon on Calif. Biodiesel Plant
Biodiesel maker Biodico will hold an official ribbon cutting ceremony today at 11:30 a.m. PST for its 20 million gallon per year biodiesel production facility in Five Points, California. The company says the refinery will produce the green fuel from all fats and oils available and will specialize in producing low carbon intensity fuels under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. …
Army Turning Artillery Shells into Biodiesel
You’ve heard about pounding swords into plowshares. Well, how about making bombs into biodiesel? This article from the U.S. Army says that’s the idea behind Army researchers, in concert with biofuel maker Algenol Biotech LLC, using algae to turn the propellant in artillery rounds into biodiesel. “Because the algae-based process uses photosynthesis, it actually consumes carbon dioxide,” said Pamela Sheehan, …