Recent multi-million dollar investments in algae-biofuel companies ($200 million IPO for PetroAlgae and $52 million to help commercialize Solazyme) is fueling some speculation of its own on how soon algae-based biofuels, in particular, biodiesel, might be available for consumers and when it would be commercially competitive. This article from Biofuel Digest breaks down the “bears” and “bulls” views of these …
First Load of Illinois Plant’s REG Biodiesel Rolls Out
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) has held a grand re-opening of its Seneca, Illinois biodiesel plant after taking over the 60 million-gallon-a-year biodiesel and glycerin facility from Nova Biosource Fuels. REG celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony and by selling the first load of REG-9000 biodiesel from the refinery to Meier Oil of Ashkum Illinois last Thursday. The …
USDA Proposes Blending Solar and Wind Power
A USDA scientist believes wind and solar power generating systems could be set up to complement each other. A study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) agricultural engineer Brian Vick at the agency’s Renewable Energy and Manure Management Research Unit in Bushland, Texas says that by using solar power during doldrum days and wind at night could help offset the two …
Camelina for Biodiesel A Good Bet
Camelina continues to show promise as a second-generation feedstock for biodiesel. The feedstock has several advantages including a high oil content, grows on marginal land and needs little to no fertilizer or water. It contains a high amount of Omega-3s and its dried distillers grains have already been approved as cattle feed. Researchers at Penn State have been working with …
Investors Fuel Algae-Biofuel Maker Solazyme with $52M
Algae-biofuel maker Solazyme has garnered $52 million in venture capitol from the likes of Morgan Stanley and Chevron. This article from the New York Times says the San Francisco-based company is using the money to commercialize its green fuel: Solazyme is one of the most successful companies working on algae, along with generously-funded Sapphire Energy. While most of its competitors …
Am. Lung Assoc. in MN to Hold Biodiesel Workshops
Just about everything in this country moves by a truck, train or barge running on diesel. The folks up in Minnesota, with their first-in-the-nation biodiesel mandate, are holding some workshops to show just how important the green version of diesel … biodiesel … is: To help people better understand recent changes in diesel fuels and engines, and the growing role …
REG to Re-Open Seneca, Illinois Biodiesel Plant
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) will hold a grand re-opening of its Seneca, Illinois biodiesel plant. The biodiesel maker and marketer became the operator of the 60 million-gallon-a-year biodiesel and glycerin facility, taking over from Nova Biosource Fuels. REG will have Congresswoman Deborah Halvorson on hand to make remarks on the start-up of the plant and to “[c]elebrate the start …
Biodiesel Product Can Clean Up Oil on Beaches
Biodiesel producers could be utilized to help clean up oil the coastline after the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the National Biodiesel Board, methyl esters – a chemical yielded in biodiesel production – can be formulated into a biobased solvent that is federally listed as a shoreline washing agent for oil spill clean-up. An effort is underway …
Green Fuel Biodiesel Finds Green Party Opposition
A political party that claims to back environmentally friendly causes has inexplicably come out against biodiesel, even though the feedstock for the green fuel would actually remove waste from a landfill. The SF Weekly blog says San Francisco’s Green Party has come out against a proposal to make biodfiesel in the city: The Examiner reported this morning that a facility …