IIT Researchers Receive #Bioethanol Patent

Joanna Schroeder

Two scientists from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Ben Stark and Tony Sanny, have received a patent for a method to genetically engineer bacteria and yeast to increase bioethanol production. During the development process, the team focused on cellulosic biomass from twigs, branches, plant stalks, husks and woodschips. This patent is Stark’s, who is a professor of biology, and Sanny’s, …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Research

Bioenergy Crop Modeling Predicts Soil Carbon Increases

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory are using computational modeling to predict which counties in Illinois could see increases in soil organic carbon from crops such as switchgrass for biofuels. Increasing carbon stored in soil is one way to help mediate the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, feedstocks, Research

Ocean Park Advisors Retained by Abengoa

Joanna Schroeder

Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas has retained Ocean Park Advisors to sell its cellulosic ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas. The biorefinery, one of the first using biomass to produce cellulosic ethanol and renewable electricity in the U.S. went online in October of 2014. The sale is part of the company’s filings under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to Ocean Park Advisors, …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Company Announcement

CleanTech Biofuels Advances MSW Biomass Project

Joanna Schroeder

In New Jersey, CleanTech Biofuels has acquired a 99 percent membership interest in 25 Van Keuren, LLC. CleanTech Biofuels is focused on producing combined heat and power and advanced biofuels and biochemicals from municipal solid waste (MSW). The two companies, in partnership, will now move forward on the building of a transfer station and materials recovery facility that includes CleanTech …

advanced biofuels, biomass, Cellulosic, Waste-to-Energy

.@EthanolbyPOET Expands Cover Crop Research

Joanna Schroeder

POET is continuing its sustainability research as the need for biomass continues to grow as the company heads out of its start-up phase and into full production at its cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Emmetsburg, Iowa. The company says the program is part of their ongoing commitment to assisting growers in making sound management decisions around harvesting crop residue for cellulosic …

biomass, Cellulosic, Environment, Ethanol

#Ethanol Helps Consumers Save $$ at the Pump

Joanna Schroeder

Ethanol’s exposure was ramped up at the Iowa Speedway during the American Ethanol E15 250 presented by Enogen. One person who got media and NASCAR fans alike exited about the high-performance E15 racing fuel was Delayne Johnson with Quad County Corn Processors. His ethanol biorefinery broke some speed records of its own two years ago when they successfully launched the …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, corn, Enogen, enzymes, Ethanol, NASCAR, Syngenta

#RFS is Glorious World Solution to Oil’s Grip

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is critical to giving investors the confidence to invest in advanced biofuels said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Council, during the #RFS Hearing hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Coleman focused his testimony on the perspectives of investments in second generation biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. “We want to innovate the …

advanced biofuels, Audio, biofuels, Cellulosic, EPA, Ethanol, RFS

.@Syngenta Delivers Innovation to the #RFS

Joanna Schroeder

Cody Snyder, technical services manager for Enogen with Syngenta, expressed his concern to the EPA panel recently during the hearing on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rules for 2017-2018. He began by stressing that a cut in the proposed corn-ethanol volumes will have a negative effect on rural economies. He noted that Syngenta, one of the globe’s largest companies, …

Agribusiness, Audio, Cellulosic, Enogen, EPA, Ethanol, RFS, Syngenta

CE&P’s Sugarcane-to-Ethanol Plant Moves Forward

Joanna Schroeder

California Ethanol & Power LLC (CE&P) proposed sugarcane-to-ethanol plant project is moving forward. To be located in Imperial Valley, California, CE&P has awarded the project management, engineering and construction contract to Technip, who will also serve as the contractor. The company says it plans have all finances in place in late 2016 with a ground-breaking following shortly thereafter. “We look …

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol

NFU Calls on Lawmakers to Stop Undermining #Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

House lawmakers met this week to debate the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY2017 and one of the provisions up for debate is to exempt the U.S. military from biofuels use. The National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on legislators to stop undermining national security and adopt the benefits of advanced biofuels. “Biofuels aid national security by reducing our …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, military, NFU