Heliae, a developer of advanced algae production technologies, commenced operations at its first commercial facility in Arizona. Using its Volaris-brand platform, the commercial facility will initially operate at 33% of its capacity to produce high-value algae products for nutraceutical and personal care products but biofuels represents another business avenue for consideration. The start-up, which aims to be at full capacity …

Gevo has announced that the U.S. Army has successfully flown the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a 50/50 blend of Gevo’s ATJ-8 (Alcohol-to-Jet). ATJ is a renewable, drop in alternative fuel for JP8 that addresses the Army Energy Security Strategy and Plans mandate that the Army certify 100% of its air platforms on alternative/renewable fuels by 2016. This flight …

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Simon Gicharo as new Chairman to the country’s Geothermal Development Company (GDC). Gicharu is the founder of Mount Kenya University and will now be tasked to fast-track development of Kenya’s geothermal resources. GDC is expected to drill 1,4000 steam wells for the development of up to 5,000 MW in geothermal power generation capacity by …

Panda Power Funds has announced that it has completed the acquisition and successful financing of Moxie Energy’s planned 829-MW natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle “Patriot” generating station, located in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. When completed, the Patriot project will be the second new power plant in the Keystone State — after Panda’s “Liberty” power plant — specifically developed to take advantage of its …

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. has announced that it has completed the sale of a solar farm project to Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd., which is a UK solar energy generator. The solar project, located in the southwest of Cornwall in the United Kingdom (UK) was connected to the grid at the end of March of this year and now generates enough …

Georgia Power is soliciting proposals through a combined Requests for Proposals (RFP) process to fulfill nearly 500 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar generation. The RFP includes 70 MW to complete the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI) portfolio and 425 MW approved as part of the company’s 2013 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The RFP will be conducted with oversight by …

Save the date for the Ethanol 2014 Emerging Issues Forum taking place in Omaha, Nebraska April 10-11th 2014. Ethanol Producer Magazine is hosting a free webinar on January 16, 2014 at 2:00 at 2:00 pm CST, “Early 2014 Distillers Grains Exports Outlook: New Opportunities, New Challenges”. The webinar will provide a near-term outlook on distillers grains exports, along with year-end …

According to POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel, their first commercial cellulosic bio-ethanol plant remains on schedule for startup in the first part of 2014 as workers continue equipment installation and other activity through the winter. “Project LIBERTY” will produce 20 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel per year – later ramping up to 25 million gallons – from corn cobs, leaves, husk and …

Broadwind Energy, Inc. has announced new tower orders from Siemens. Broadwind will produce these towers in its Manitowoc, Wisc. and Abilene, Tex. facilities. Since the start of 2013, Broadwind has recorded $389 million in new tower orders. POET has reached its first milestone under the company-wide “Ingreenuity” sustainability program. Since 2009, POET biorefineries have produced more than 700 million pounds …

Frost & Sullivan has recognized Compagnie Industrielle de la Matiere Vegetale (CIMV) with Frost & Sullivan’s 2013 French Visionary Innovation Award. CIMV’s extensive research to find a viable substitute for petroleum has led to a biorefinery concept that focuses on second-generation biofuels and chemicals. These types of biofuels use only plant residuals (straws, forest residues, wood, miscanthus, and switch grass) …