There are many opportunities and challenges facing the renewable energy industry. To achieve long-term success, one of the greatest hurdles the industry must overcome is garnering consumer support and product adoption. This has been tough for the corn-ethanol industry in part, due to media hostility and biased reporting. So what is the most effective way to communicate your message to …
Duke Energy Enters the Wind Industry
Duke Energy continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio with the acquisition of a 70-magawatt wind power project in Pennsylvania known as the North Allegheny Windpower Project. Gamesa Energy USA was the original wind turbine manufacturer and project developer. This marks the first wind energy project for Duke Energy in the Eastern US; however, they have other wind projects including selling wind power …
Pacific Ethanol Files for Bankruptcy
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. announced today that its has filed for Chapter 11 of the U.S Bankruptcy Code. Pacific Ethanol is just one of many ethanol plants that have filed bankruptcy protection over the past 12 months. The Company and its marketing subsidiaries, Kinergy Marketing LLC (“Kinergy”) and Pacific Ag. Products, LLC (“PAP”), have not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Pacific Ethanol …
Valero Invests in Cellulosic Company Qteros
Valero continues to position itself as a growing player in the ethanol industry through its investment in Qteros (formerly SunEthanol), a Massachusetts based company who owns the Q Microbe(TM) technology which turns biomass into ethanol. The investment was established through its acquisition of certain assets of Verasun Energy. Valero purchased several Verasun Energy plants this past April. Qteros, has developed …
Ramona Tribe To Build Renewable Energy Eco-Resort
Looking to take an eco-friendly vacation? Well, your resort options just got bigger with the announcement that Catalyx Inc., has been contracted to build a 100% Eco-Tourism resort owned by the Ramona Band of the Cahuilla Indian Tribe. This energy friendly resort will be located in the Anza Valley which is near San Diego, California. It is designed to operate …
Two New Ethanol Production Systems Now Available
Two new families of ethanol production systems, or “mini-refineries” are being offered today from Allard Research and Development LLC, a company specializing in small to medium sized ethanol systems. These systems are available in either a fully automated (EFS) or manual process technology (MES) and are designed for use in business, municipalities, agriculture, and commercial markets. In a company statement, Adam Allard, …
Verenium Reports First Quarter Financials
Verenium Corporation today announced its first quarter earnings for 2009 reporting total revenues for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 at $14.4 million. Earnings are slightly down from first quarter 2008 when the Company reported $15.2 million in total revenues. According to a company news release, President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlos A. Riva, commented on the company’s financials by saying, “We …
Proven Energy Becomes Small Turbine Wind Leader
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has recognized Proven Energy, based in the west of Scotland (U.K.), as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of small wind turbines. A small wind turbine is defined as those with capacities of 100 kW and under. Proven Energy sold more than 5,800 kilowatts of wind energy worldwide in 2008, making them one of the most …
“Super-Organism” Leads to Cellulosic Breakthrough
The golden dream may have become reality today as Mascoma Corporation announced a major technological breakthrough in the process strategy for production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass known as consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP. The major advantage of CBP is that is significantly reduces the cost to produce cellulosic ethanol by combining several steps into one through the use of a …
FedEx Announces “30 by 30” Initiative
During a recent session of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce aviation forum, FedEx announced that it has a goal of using renewable fuels for 30 percent of its fuel needs by 2030. The company is confident that this action will both reduce air-transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. According to a New York Times article published yesterday, CEO Fred Smith …