When it comes to biofuels, algae is usually mentioned as a means to make biodiesel, but a new project will be using it to make ethanol. The Dow Chemical Company and Algenol Biofuels have announced plans for a algae-based biorefinery to convert CO2 into ethanol. The pilot facility will be located at Dow’s Freeport, Texas site. Dow CEO Andrew Liveris …
Alt Fuels Being Added to Jet Fuel Specs
Earlier this month, I told you about how the airlines have been more and more accepting of biofuels (see my posts from June 1 and June 19). Now, it looks like the organization that sets standards for fuels, including jet fuels, is also approving of biofuels for the friendly skies. This press release from the Air Transport Association of America …
FF Bioeconomy Conference to Look at Biofuels
The final in a series of Farm Foundation conferences looking at agricultural issues in the modern economy will be held next week in Little Rock, Arkansas and will focus on extension services and renewable energy. The Transition to a Bioeconomy: The Role of Extension in Energy conference will be June 30-July 1 at Little Rock’s Doubletree Hotel: The program features …
VIASPACE to Discuss Giant King Grass as Energy Crop
I reported several months ago about VIASPACE’s plans to expand the production of Giant King Grass to be used to produce advanced biofuels. VIASPACE is currently growing Giant King Grass in southern China and pursuing opportunities in other regions and countries. Today, the company announced that their Chief Executive, Dr. Carl Kukkonen, will be making several presentations at the China …
Five Steps to Becoming an EcoDriver
Summer is officially here and with it summer driving season (and high gas price season). As people pack their bags and head to the gas station to fill up for summer vacation, EcoDriving USA, a campaign from the Auto Alliance, is encouraging people to become “EcoDrivers.” EcoDrivingUSA claims that practicing “green driving” produces the highest miles per gallon, regardless of …
Top Guns Could Soon Fly on Top Biofuels
Some of the world’s best and brightest fighter pilots soon might be headed off to war running on a fuel that used to be reserved for green peaceniks. This article in the Navy Times says the U.S. Navy could be testing non-petroleum based fuels in F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as early as next year: A team of chemists at Naval Air …
Biofuels Promoters in New Holland Tractor Race
Two biofuels promoters took part in the 4th annual New Holland/Michael Peterson Celebrity Tractor Race held Sunday at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Chuck Leavell (left) is probably best known as the versatile keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and Joe Jobe is CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. Jobe noted that New Holland Boomer being used for the race …
WVO Bus to Teach Sustainability Lesson
Artists and activists Graham Evans and Emily Nelson are getting ready to tour the Northeast and Midwest, teaching people how to grow and cook their own food in a sustainable way… in a sustainable set of wheels. The pair and their Nourish(meant) project will be refurbishing a 14-passenger school bus that will run on waste vegetable oil, have a kitchen …
Will Biofuels Cause Water Apartheid?
Biofuels has been compared with fossil fuels, blamed for worldwide starvation, linked to CO2 increases and decreases, and born the brunt of scrutiny for rainforest destruction (aka land use). However, until now, biofuels have yet to receive a real beating on water use. Well, that day may be on the horizon with the release of the new Rice University study, “The …