The CEC Awards $29M to Advanced Biofuels Projects

Joanna Schroeder

I sometimes wonder what in the world California is thinking. I just wrote about Feinstein’s attack on biofuels in the state, yet today the state’s biofuels industry scored a victory when the California Energy Commission (CEC) announced the approval of more than $29 million for advanced biofuels projects. The CEC completed the first two years of its program funding cycle …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, biogas, biomethane, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Hydrogen, Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

NREL Releases BioEnergy Mapping App

Joanna Schroeder

Want to know where are the biorefineries in the U.S. are located? There’s an app for that. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has released a new bioenergy mapping portal, BioEnergy Atlas, that identifies biomass feedstocks, then overlays that information with the ethanol and biodiesel facilities both on and off-line. You can also see map information for transportation infrastructure, power …

Biodiesel, bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, biomethane, Cellulosic, Ethanol

Fed Grant to Help Turn Montana Biomass into Energy

John Davis

A Montana company has picked up a $350,000 federal grant to build a plant that will turn wood chips and algae into energy. Algae Aqua-Culture Technology will use a proprietary process uses a greenhouse-based algae growth system and an anaerobic biodigester to transform a blend of the wood waste and algae into high-value methane for power generation: “Algae’s amazing productivity …

algae, biomass, biomethane

Waste Management Recieves EPA Recognition

Joanna Schroeder

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Waste Management, Inc. for its innovation and creativity in the development of the Altamont Landfill Gas to Liquefied Natural Gas Facility that went online in Livermore, CA in late 2009. The award was presented during the EPA’s 13th annual Landfill Methane Outreach Program Conference and Project Expo. The project is a joint venture …

bioenergy, biomethane, Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

Register Now For Advanced BioEnergy 2009

Joanna Schroeder

The first annual Advanced BioEnergy 2009 Conference & Trade Show is set to happen in Sacramento, California on November 11-13, 2009. The focal point of the event is to explore emerging policies, business strategies and technologies driving the bioenergy industry. In addition, the conference will promote cooperation between this advanced bioenergy industry and traditional energy producers as well as offer …

biofuels, biogas, biomass, biomethane, conferences

Oregon to ‘Save’ Garbage for Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Oregon is the latest state to look to garbage for energy. Waste Management and McMinnville Water & Light will soon use everyday garbage to power thousands of homes. The $10 million plant will be sited next the landfill west of McMinnville. This plant is the first for Yamhill County and is expected to be operational by mid-2010. Once completed, the …

biomethane, Energy, News

Company Touts ‘Dual Fuel’ as Green Solution

John Davis

An Iowa-based energy company is claiming that its one-of-a-kind technology is a solution America needs as the country looks to reduce greenhouse emissions and lower energy costs, while helping put people back to work. American Power Group’s “dual fuel” blends diesel (which should have the ability to use biodiesel, right) and compressed natural gas or methane: APG’s technology couldn’t come …

biomethane, Natural Gas, technology

Having Your Manure and Energy, Too

John Davis

A new report from the USDA says that farmers and ranchers could turn manure into energy without taking too much of it out of the fertilizer market. This story from Biomass Magazine says the report, entitled “Manure Use for Fertilizer and for Energy,” points out that turning manure into energy is really underused in this country: Interest is growing in …

biomass, biomethane

Landfill Methane to Help Power Tulsa Cement Plant

John Davis

A landfill is now one of the sources of power for a the Lafarge Tulsa Cement Plant. The Tulsa World reports that an 8,000-foot pipeline will bring methane, produced from the rotting garbage, from the Waste Management landfill where the city’s residential waste is taken: By substituting methane for coal, a renewable energy source is tapped and reliance on fossil …

biomethane