Growing algae for biodiesel seems like a viable option when you consider how oil-rich (and thus, feedstock-rich) the one-celled organisms can be. But while algae is one of the fastest growing organisms on Earth, getting enough growth out of the microbes to make the proposition commercially viable is the holy grail for algae-biodiesel producers. Researchers from AlgaStar Inc. have found …
Researchers Make Green Plastic from Biodiesel By-Product
Researchers in India have created a green plastic from the biodiesel by-product glycerin. This article from the Business Times says the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) developed the biodegradable plastic from a jatropha-based biodiesel process. “We had initiated a research on using the residue of bio-diesel to be converted to plastic.The idea of green plastic came as …
Biodiesel Put to the Test in Dodge Ram
It’s always good to see the results of biodiesel put into real test situations. This great article from Diesel Power magazine put the green fuel at a B20 (20 percent biodiesel) level to the test in a 2014 Ram 2500 and showed just how good biodiesel can be, providing fewer emissions, lubricating the engine better, and actually being a cheaper …
EU Tariffs on U.S. Biodiesel Could be Renewed
Tariffs by the European Union against American biodiesel could be renewed. This article from Bloomberg says the EU is threatening to renew the tariffs of up to $323 per metric ton based on some probes against Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (ADM), the world’s biggest corn processor, and Cargill Inc. The inquiries will determine whether the expiry of the import taxes would be …
Cape Cod Biodiesel Company Gets State Grant
A Massachusetts company is getting some help from the state to turn used cooking oil into biodiesel. This article from CapeNews.net says Cape Cod BioFuels is getting a $280,000 state grant to turn the waste into green fuel gold. The grant from the state Department of Energy Resources is intended to help the business increase advanced biodiesel production through expanding …
Optimus’ Bolt-On Biodiesel Solution Gets EPA Approval
Hardware and software that bolt onto diesel truck engines and allow pure biodiesel to run through the system has gained some key approvals from the U.S. government. Optimus Technologies is the first to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval for an advanced biofuel conversion solution for existing medium‐ and heavy‐duty trucks. This company news release says that while the …
Renewable Diesel Helps Green Music Festival
A European music festival will keep it green this year with some help from renewable diesel. This news release from Neste Oil says the company’s 100 percent NEXBTL renewable diesel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from this year’s Flow Festival held August 8-10 in Helsinki, Finland by 90 percent. “NEXBTL renewable diesel fits in very well with Flow’s aim of …
Aemetis’ Biodiesel Gains EPA, EU Approvals
A California-based company making biodiesel in India has gained important approvals from the U.S. government and the European Union. This news release from Aemetis, Inc. says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved issuance of D4 Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for Aemetis’ imported biodiesel produced from waste fats and oils (WFO) at Aemetis’ 50 million gallon per year plant on …
Biodiesel, Hydrogen Studies Continue Despite Setback
A school in the southeast will continue its studies into biodiesel and hydrogen production, despite an academic setback. This story from the Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat says South Carolina State University was trying to get its multi-disciplinary study of energy accredited but was put on probation and denied approval of a new master’s in energy and environmental science program …
Vermont Low Sulphur Requirement is Biodiesel Boon
As of July 1, Vermont has a new, low-sulfur requirement for all fuel oil in the state, and that could be a boon for biodiesel. In a news release from Gov. Peter Shumlin touting the new requirement of 500 parts per million on July 1, 2014, and 15 parts per million by 2018, along with a new Thermal Energy Finance …