California-based Green Star Products, Inc. announced today that it has completed the second phase of testing its facility that turns algae into biodiesel. According to this company press release, the company has been testing the five most important operating parameters that need to be controlled at its Montana facility including daily and seasonal pond temperatures, pH, evaporation, salinity, and invasion …
Green Celebrities
OK, I’m not talking about Kermit the Frog or even The Riddler – Frank Gorshin (although he was more of a green wearer, and not actually green in hue on the old Batman TV show). But as the world gets ready to hold Live Earth, nine concerts across the globe expected to attract an audience of two billion people to …
Iowa State, DNR Study Biodiesel
Iowa State University and Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources will study biodiesel and compare the different blends for engine performance and emissions. This story in the Sioux City (IA) Journal says they’re getting money from the Central States Air Resources Agencies to conduct the study: ISU’s Center for Transportation Research and Education will test and quantify performance of blending different …
Willie Helps Celebrate SeQuential’s 2nd Birthday
Wilie Nelson will help SeQuential Biofuels celebrate its second anniversary of biodiesel production at an event tomorrow morning (July 6th) at 10:30 at the SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem, Oregon. This company press release points out that SeQuential is Oregon’s first and only commercial biodiesel production facility and only the second in the entire Pacific Northwest: “Oregon has always been …
Illinois State to Offer Renewable Energy Degree
The flux in high-tech jobs in the renewable energy field has prompted Illinois State University to look at offering a bachelor’s degree in the field. This article in the Matoon and Charleston, Illinois Journal Gazette Times-Courier says the degree would offer studies in biofuels, wind, and solar power: If approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, ISU will launch …
NASCAR Could Switch to Alternatives
NASCAR is looking at switching to some form of alternative fuel for its racers… but what kind is still up in the air. This article in the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times says NASCAR’s chief Brian France made the announcement during his annual midseason conference call: France said because there are “eight or nine different versions of what alternative fuels mean …
Oregon Gets Ethanol, Biodiesel Mandates
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has signed into law two mandates for biofuel blending in his state. This story in the Oregonian says the package also includes tax incentives for producers and consumers: Gasoline sold in Oregon must be 10 percent ethanol after the state’s production of ethanol reaches 40 million gallons a year. Diesel fuel sold in Oregon must be …
Texas A&M, Blue Diamond Team Up for Biodiesel
Texas A&M University and Blue Diamond Ventures, an agriculture, biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel) and commercial development company with operations in Central America and the U.S. have joined together in a plan to make biodiesel in the Central American country of Belize. This company press release says the focus will be turning non-food sources into biofuels: “We are delighted that …
Making Biofuels Cheaper & Faster
Being able to make biofuels cheaper, faster, and without the help of government subsidies seems to be the theme of some recent work by American researchers. This story in the Des Moines Register highlights a couple of programs, in particular, one by an Iowa State professor who has teamed up with the private sector to find a way to make …
McDonald’s Driving on Own Cooking Oil
Fast-food giant McDonald’s will be fueling some of its delivery trucks in the United Kingdom on the leftover oil used to cook its french fries and chicken nuggets. This story in London’s Financial Times says 155 trucks could be running on the fuel made from the grease by the end of the year: The fast-food group, which to date has …