Upward Biodiesel Trend Continues

Joanna Schroeder

The biodiesel industry has another solid month in September producing 86 million gallons of biodiesel. Year-to-date, production is around 843 million gallons and if strong production numbers continue will set a new total biodiesel production record in 2012. The industry set a record in 2011 producing 1.1 billion gallons. Biodiesel production is reported under the EPA’s Biomass-based Diesel category in the …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

Genuine Bio-Fuel Produces Biodiesel in Seconds

Joanna Schroeder

Florida-based Genuine Bio-Fuel says it has developed a new production process that refines biodiesel fuel in seconds using ultrasonic shearing technologies. Traditionally, it takes several hours to produce biodiesel using batch reactors and the result, says the company, is varying qualities of biodiesel, by-products, water consumption and contaminated water discharge. Genuine Bio-Fuel says using this technology limits future technological advancement. …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Video

Green Metrics Missing in Biofuel Debate

Joanna Schroeder

According to Jody Endres, College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, and The Energy Biosciences Institute at the University of Illinois, and Daniel Szewczyk, academia has failed to create green metrics in measuring the pros and cons of biofuels. A framework to evaluate what constitutes a “green” economy is needed along with measurement metrics. Endres and Szewczyk note that energy …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

U of A Wins ‘Underground’ Biodiesel Grant

Joanna Schroeder

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health awarded a $1.4 million grant to the University of Arizona‘s Mel and Enid Zumerman College of Public Health along with the department of mining and geological engineering. The three-year project will compare exposure and health effects of miners using diesel versus biodiesel fueled underground mining equipment. During the past few years, miners …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Research

Will Global Biofuel Investments Continue?

Joanna Schroeder

Historically, 2009 was a hard year for biofuels. Biofuel spending was down to $5.6 billion from $15.4 billion in 2008. Investments in the industry focused on cellulosic technologies and sugarcane. This according to NRG Expert’s World Biofuels Report. The report cites sugarcane-based biofuels as being the most competitive with oil and also have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. The worst …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Research

Federal Court to Hear Arguments Against Cali LCFS

Joanna Schroeder

Last December, U.S. District Judge Lawrence O’Neill ruled California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard (LCFS) unconstitutional. However, a stay was issued allowing implementation of the law until a federal appeals court hears arguments in the case. This is set to take place this week. The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is lobbying for the end of the LCFS. Executive Vice President Michael …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Legislation, Opinion

Tuscon Clean Cities Wins Oil Displacement Honor

Joanna Schroeder

During the 2012 Clean Cities Peer Exchange and Vehicle Technology Deployment Workshop, Tuscon Clean Cities Coalition was awarded the Top Award for Greatest Displacement of Petroleum Using E85. The award came from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) who thanked the coalition for the work they are doing to reduce petroleum consumption. There are around 100 Clean Cities coalitions across …

Biodiesel, biofuels, energy efficiency, Ethanol, RFA

Propel 8th Fastest Growing Company in Silicon Valley

Joanna Schroeder

Propel Fuels was recognized as the 8th fastest growing company in Silicon Vally by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal as part of their Fast Private Awards. The award was based on a three-year growth rate in revenues of more than 400 percent. Today, Propel operates 28 fueling locations throughout California and Washington state with more than 200 locations planned …

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol

Paseo Biofuels Begins Expansion

Joanna Schroeder

Paseo Biofuels is making plans to expand their biodiesel facility located in Kansas City, Missouri by 40 percent. The plant uses soybean oil as its primary feedstock and currently produces 40 million gallons of biodiesel and 30 million pounds of glycerin each year. The expansion is expected to be completed by March 2013. “Our partnership with Paseo has gone very …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Soybeans

IRFA Launches 2012 Election Campaign Webpage

Joanna Schroeder

With the presidential elections only a few weeks away, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a new web page that highlights the stances of President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney regarding their positions on renewable fuels. As the campaign progresses, additional information will be added. “Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of both ethanol and biodiesel, …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA