Plans for a new cellulosic ethanol research and demonstration plant to be built by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are being revamped for a location closer to Gainesville. IFAS officials announced that they have modified their agreement for the plant, which originally was slated to be built at a Florida Crystals site in Okeelanta, Fla. …
Shell to sell Advanced Biofuels in Canada
Shell has become the first retailer to begin selling cellulosic ethanol in Ottawa, Ontario made from wheat straw. The E10 blend will be available for one month, beginning today, at all Shell stations across the city. The advanced biofuel is produced locally from non-food raw materials at Iogen Energy Corporation’s demonstration plant, using advanced conversion processes. Iogen and Shell are …
Cellulosic Technology Investment
Two venture capitol companies have invested in an Israeli company with technology for converting cellulosic materials into fermentable sugars. Burrill & Company and Khosla Ventures announced their investment in HCL CleanTech, which has “developed a proprietary technology to make an old, industrially proven German process converting lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars economically very attractive.” “Accessing cheap sugar locked in biomass …
Toledo to Test Cellulosic Ethanol
The city of Toledo, Ohio is testing cellulosic ethanol in city vehicles this summer. In partnership with Virginia-based SuGanit Systems, the city will test the company’s formula for ethanol from biomass feedstock on three city fleet vehicles. The tests will measure emissions, miles per gallon and cost differentials, among other factors, according to city officials. The Toledo Free Press reports …
Planting Switchgrass for Cellulosic Ethanol
Some farmers in Tennessee are testing out the first switchgrass seed varieties specifically developed for biofuels production. Their goal is to learn first-hand how to manage this new crop, and then use that knowledge to facilitate the development of the bioenergy industry in Tennessee. Tennessee growers Tony and Tim Brannon – pictured here getting some planting done last week – …
Solazyme Testing BlueFire Ethanol Cellulosic Sugars
Solazyme, Inc., a company that develops technologies for renewable oil production, is in the process of testing sugars that are produced through a patented process designed by BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. The goal of the technology is to test the compatibility with Solazyme’s renewable oil process to produce the oil cost effectively and at commercial scale production. The sugars used …
Organization Promotes Advanced Biofuels
A Maryland-based organization is promoting the education, acceptance and use of advanced biofuels. “The goal of Advanced Biofuels USA is to show the American people, decision-makers and opinion leaders that US farmers and researchers together can produce sustainable and economical biofuels that will directly replace all types of transportation fuels including gasoline and jet fuel.” said founder Joanne Ivancic. Advanced …
Advanced Biofuels Workshop Agenda Announced
Don’t miss out on the Advanced Biofuels Workshop during this year’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW). This dynamic one-day event will focus on technology, feedstock management, market challenges, R&D activities, and near-term policy developments supporting advanced biofuels. In addition, the workshop will emphasize the provisions of the RFS and current efforts to commercialize, low-carbon, advanced biofuels technologies. The workshop takes place …
Ethanol Industry Testifies on Carbon Fuel Standards
Representatives from ethanol organizations and companies testified before the House Agriculture Committee this morning on proposed low carbon fuel standards. The heads of three ethanol trade associations all presented basically the same message when it comes to using indirect land use changes (ILUC) to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions of renewable fuels – it is unproven theory that should not …
Alltech Ethanol Project On Hold
A cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Kentucky has been put on hold due to funding concerns. A little more than a year ago, Alltech of Lexington, KY announced plans for a $70 million plant to be partially funded with state and federal grants. “We’ve basically looked at where ethanol is today and decided to put that project on hold,” says project …