As world leaders continue to meet in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is asking them to signal their support for biofuels as one of the tools to fight climate change. “This conference is a real opportunity for world leaders to recognize the role that renewable fuels have played, and …
RFA Offers Webinars on International Buyer Program
The Renewable Fuels Association is offering two free webinars next week for ethanol producers to learn more about the International Buyer Program that will be part of the 2016 National Ethanol Conference, February 15-17 in New Orleans. The National Ethanol Conference (NEC) has been selected to be a participant of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Buyer Program, which recruits …
McD’s Cooking Oil Biodiesel Runs to Mars and Back
Biodiesel made from McDonald’s used cooking oil in the United Arab Emirates hit an impressive milestone: running the equivalent of the distance to Mars and back. This article in the UAE’s The National says McDonald’s UAE fleet completed 5 million kilometres this month fueled entirely by biodiesel. The green fuel is possible thanks to a four-year partnership between Mickey D’s …
20 Countries Pledge “Mission Innovation” at #COP21
Leading up to the World Climate Summit and #COP21 that kicked off in Paris today, three major announcements were make regarding the acceleration of technological developments in clean energy and clean technologies. The first announcement came from Bill Gates about the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, that will will working directly with Mission Innovation, a “pledge” by 20 countries to commit to …
Nanoparticle Helps Harvest Algae, Brew Biodiesel
Researchers in Taiwan have made a magnetic nanoparticle for harvesting microalgae, extracting algae oil and converting the oil’s fatty acids into a methyl ester, used in biodiesel. This article from the Taipei Times says a National Taiwan University (NTU) team led by Wu Chia-wen developed the product. The team used iron oxide and silicon dioxide to form nanoparticles, which, when …
BDI – BioEnergy to Build UK Biodiesel Plant
Austrian-based BDI – BioEnergy International will build a new biodiesel plant in the U.K. This news release from the company says the plant is part of of a larger project by the company also constructing an industrial-sized algae plant. BDI – BioEnergy International AG developed a new process for the production of high valuable products from algae in its in-house …
Ethanol Report on the RFS and COP21
The Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry this week urging him to highlight the role of the Renewable Fuel Standard in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions as he prepares to head to the international climate conference COP21 in Paris. At the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper talked about …
Ethanol Industry Takes Clean Energy Mission to India
A team from the U.S. including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Growth Energy, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently returned from a clean energy mission to India. Led by USDA Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Micheal Scuse, the group met to discuss opportunities for developing clean energy solutions, technologies and policies. An …
French Biodiesel Maker Expands Output
A French biodiesel maker is expanding its production capacity to help meet increased blending requirements in the European country. Reuters reports Avril, the European Union’s largest maker of biodiesel, has opened a 100,000-tonne-per-year refinery on France’s Mediterranean coast. The facility at Sete, where Avril’s Saipol oilseed processing and refining branch already has a plant, will allow the group to raise …
Biodiesel Technology Makes Brewery Greener
A biodiesel technology company has teamed up with one of the world’s biggest makers of beer to open the world’s first major green brewery. This news release from BDI – BioEnergy International says the company teamed up with Brau Union Österreich, part of the international Heineken family, to open the BDI spent-grain fermentation plant that will generate energy from residual …