Researcher ID’s Genes to Make Ethanol More Economical

Joanna Schroeder

The University of Illinois (U of I) has recently announced that one of their metabolic engineers has taken a major step in helping biofuels production become more efficient and economical. Yong-Su Jin, an assistant professor of microbial genomics as well as a faculty member in the U of I’s Institute for Genomic Biology, has developed a strain of yeast with …

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Commission In Calif. Considers Funds for Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Commissioners in Santa Rosa County, California are considering whether to use the county’s name to help back bonds for a proposed biodiesel plant. Biofuels Digest reports the chairman of the commission wants more information before signing off on the Integrated Energy Partners’ proposed biodiesel facility: The facility intends to run year-round using camelina and other crops including cotton seed to …

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Genera Energy & Alcoa Partner to Grow Switchgrass

Joanna Schroeder

Tennessee is becoming a hotbed for switchgrass activity, and one of the newest partnerships is between Alcoa, Inc, the steel giant, and Genera Energy. Alcoa has leased nearly 238 acres of land to a local farmer who is participating in an incentive program with Genera Energy. Genera Energy, along with the University of Tennessee, is  researching and developing technology to …

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News

BlueFire Ethanol Rebrands as BlueFire Renewables

Cindy Zimmerman

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels is rebranding itself as BlueFire Renewables “to more clearly illustrate the company’s vast capabilities in renewable energy,” according to the company. “BlueFire is more than just an ethanol company. We’re happy to at last announce the expansion of our capabilities, and feel that this name captures our spirit for innovation and development of cleaner alternatives to fossil …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Company Announcement, Ethanol, Ethanol News

RFA Successfully Promotes Ethanol At Sturgis

Joanna Schroeder

There is nothing more American than motorcycles and Sturgis, South Dakota in the summer. There is also nothing more American than ethanol. This year, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) roared back into Sturgis for another round of ethanol promotion. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over America descend on Sturgis each summer for the largest motorcycle enthusiast event in …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Corn Growers Stress Ethanol Efficiency Gains

Cindy Zimmerman

Recent studies show the significant efficiencies spurred by growth and development in the ethanol industry, according to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “As we see it, this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said NCGA First Vice President Bart Schott. “Ethanol has proven to be an advantageous green alternative to foreign and ecologically precarious sources of petroleum. These …

Audio, corn, CUTC, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA

Iowa Gov Chet Culver Celebrates 1st Biomass Harvest

Joanna Schroeder

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of dreams. And this has been a dream for many, many years,” began Iowa Governor Chet Culver during his presentation to kick off the largest global biomass harvesting pilot project in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Project Liberty, the dream of Jeff Broin, CEO of POET and his company, is less than two …

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, POET

ACE Elects New Board Members

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has elected three new members to its Board of Directors, expanding grassroots and independent ethanol representation to the national advocacy association. The new members are: David Kolsrud of Mid-Missouri Energy in Malta Bend, Mo.; Dave Sovereign representing Golden Grain Energy in Mason City, Iowa; and John Skelley, General Manager of Pinal Energy in Maricopa, …

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Range Fuels Makes Cellulosic Methanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Colorado-based Range Fuels reports the successful production of cellulosic methanol using non-food biomass at a Georgia biofuels plant in the first phase of an operation to ultimately produce next generation ethanol. According to a Range Fuels’ press release, this first phase uses heat, pressure, and steam to convert woody biomass and grasses into a synthesis gas composed of hydrogen and …

biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News