It’s harvest time somewhere and it’s in Texas. Today, the first cob collection of 2009 is complete and POET is continuing to work with agricultural equipment manufacturers and growers to discover the most efficient and affordable means for harvesting cellulosic feedstock. July 6-22, equipment for harvesting corn cobs was tested near Harlingen, Texas. The trials were in anticipation for larger …
OriginOil Announces ‘Milking’ Live Algae Oil Extraction
OriginOil has seen many successes the past few months and today they have achieved another. The company has succeeded in extracting algae oil on a continuous basis without cell sacrifice. This process, which OrginOil has coined ‘milking,’ joins the company’s Cascading Production technique to create a combined cycle which creates additional process efficiencies. Aside from any production gains, combining the …
Phibro: Dried Distillers Grains Safe
There has been concern about the quality of dried distillers grains (DDG) but once again, tests show that they are safe. Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PHAC) has just released test results from its Ethanol Performance Group™ that no virginiamycin has been detected in distillers’ grain. Virginiamycin is the active ingredient in Lactrol®, the company’s market leading antimicrobial for ethanol production. …
CleanTech Biofuels Partners with Fiberight
With the slurry of marriages and divorces in the biofuels and biomass industry, it is hard to keep up. In the municipal sold waste arena, CleanTech Biofuels has announced a joint research agreement with Fiberight to establish, “the anticipated yields and operating costs from using biomass produced by CleanTech Biofuels for the production of ethanol using Fiberight’s proprietary enzymatic processes.” …
OriginOil Announces Dynamic Lighting Process
OriginOil just announced another breakthrough process to transform algae to renewable oil: a Dynamic Control System designed to continuously respond to algae’s behavior. This invention improves energy efficiency and growth rates by ensuring the right types and amounts of light are used at all times as the algae grows to maturity. Scott Fraser, VP of Operations for OriginOil and one …
Rabobank Launches Renewable Energy Finance Team
It appears that some of the concern over the difficulty to secure financing for biofuels projects may be a worry of the past. Rabobank recently established a Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Finance (REIF) team in the Americas. Tomas Emmons has been selected to head the department with teams in Europe, Asia and now New York. Also in the states, the …
Freightliner Introduces 1st Natural Gas-Powered Truck
Natural gas is not just for cars and buses. Today, Freightliner Trucks introduced its first natural gas-powered truck tabbed the Freightliner Business Class® M2 112 NG. The truck was designed for use in port operations, natural gas utilities, and municipalities. The truck is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G. With the price of gas a continual challenge to profitability …
Verenium, BP Highlands Ethanol Project Selected by DOE
The Department Of Energy (DOE) is getting closer to shelling out some cash as part of its role in the new Biofuels Interagency Working Group. It has been tasked with not only creating a comprehensive biofuels market development plan but also to help struggling biofuels plants get back in the black as well as fund start-up advanced biofuels companies to …
What Does Sugarcane Have to Do With Global Warming?
Everything. According to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). The rationale? Brazil’s highly successful, 30-year experience with sugarcane as a feedstock for ethanol. The country’s ethanol program has been in place since the mid-70s. In this time frame, ethanol has saved nearly 600 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. How much is that? It would take 20 years and six …
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 …