The Department of Energy of South Africa has announced that beginning October 1 2015, all gasoline and diesel sold in the country will include the addition of biofuels. The mandatory blending regulations released by the Department of Energy of South Africa in August 2012, allows mixing of B5 biodiesel and between E2 and E10 for gasoline, ie between 2 percent …
London Buses to Run on Waste Grease Biodiesel
Some buses in London will soon be running on biodiesel made from waste cooking grease. This story from the East London Advertiser says more than 100 buses are testing a B20 blend of the green fuel. Matthew Pencharz, Boris Johnson’s senior advisor for Environment and Energy, said: “This is another example of the mayor’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions and …
EPA Setting Dangerous Precedent for Biofuels Globally
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting a dangerous precedent for the global biofuels industry according to spokesman Bliss Baker with the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA). On November 15, 2013, the EPA announced its proposed biofuel volumes for 2014 for the Renewable Fuel Standard and for the first time since the legislation was passed in 2007, the amount of …
Argentine, Indonesian Biodiesel Hit with EU Duties
Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia are now subject to punitive duties imposed by the European Union. Reuters reports they were hit with the measures after the EU ruled that producers there were selling into the bloc at unfairly low prices. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said in a statement on Thursday the duties would be set at an …
World Energy Scenarios Report: More Must Be Done
COP-19 is taking place in Warsaw, Poland and today the World Energy Council (WEC) released a new report, “World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures in 2050.” The world is set to face several significant challenges in balancing global energy needs in addressing the triple challenge of the energy trilemma. The WEC study assesses two policy scenarios: the more consumer-driven Jazz …
Call for EU Climate & Energy Framework
Eight European companies are calling for a strong 2030 EU climate and energy framework based on mutually reinforcing tools and targets, including an ambitious and legally binding target for the share of renewable energy in the energy mix of more than 30 percent. Collectively, the group represents 176,000 jobs and over EUR250 billion annual turnover and is providing cleaner generation …
Football for Hope. Energy for Hope.
Yingli Solar has announced a milestone in its work with Federation Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) Football for Hope program. The 16th center has been officially inaugurated in Alexandra, South Africa. To honor the occasion, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr. Gert Oosthuizen, FIFA’s General Secretary, Mr. Jerome Valcke, representatives of the non-profit organization Grassroot Soccer (GRS), the South …
More Argentine Biodiesel Headed for U.S.
The amount of Argentine biodiesel headed to the U.S. will double from year-ago levels. But the increase isn’t putting a damper on the domestic production of the green fuel. Bloomberg Businessweek reports 450,000 metric tons of Argentine biodiesel will arrive in the American market through December, more than double the year-earlier 221,000 tons. “The U.S.A. has become the leading export …
Mewah Acquiring Malaysian Biodiesel Plant
Mewah International, a palm oil refiner in Malaysia, will buy the biodiesel assets of Gomedic Sdn. Bhd for $13 million. Biodiesel Magazine reports the assets include 25,055 square meters of land, with a lease expiring in 2109, and a 30 MMgy biodiesel production facility. According to Mewah International, the biodiesel plant is strategically located in the vicinity of the company’s …
Largest Solar Plant in Japan Launched
A 70 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan has come online. The Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Power Plant went online officially on November 1, 2013 and is being operated by a special purpose company established by Kyocera Corporation and six other companies to sell the electricity to a local utility under Japan’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) program. An …