Finnish renewable diesel producer Neste Oil has certified 100 percent of the palm oil used as the feedstock in its green fuel production process as sustainably produced. This company news release says the company was able to achieve that goal two years earlier than expected. “We are very satisfied that our systematic work to ensure the sustainability of palm oil …
Argentina Files Complaint on EU Biodiesel Tariffs
Argentina is not sitting still for what it terms as “illegal tariffs” against its biodiesel going to the European Union. This story from the Wall Street Journal says, for the third time, the South American country has complained to the World Trade Organization about the EU’s block on the imported biodiesel. Last month, the EU slapped steep import taxes on …
EU Guidelines Undermine Renewable Energy
The European Commission proposes putting an end to differentiated support for renewable technologies such as onshore and offshore wind in its consultation of draft State aid guidelines for energy and the environment published this week according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). This would effectively stop Member States from determining their own energy mix – a fundamental principle of …
Toyota Racing Biodiesel SUV in Dakar Rally
Toyota will race a biodiesel-powered SUV in the 2014 Dakar Rally. This story in the Japan Times says Toyota Auto Body Co. team will run a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 in the roughly 5,500-km off-road race through Argentina, Bolivia and Chile next month. The Land Cruiser will run on biodiesel made from used cooking oil, emitting 60 percent less carbon …
Hydro-PV Hybrid Project in China Connects to Grid
What is believed to be the world’s largest hydro and PV hybrid project has been connected to the grid and is now supplying power from the Longyangxia Dam in Qinghai Province, China. Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, who supplied 15 MW YGE series photovoltaic (PV) modules for the project congratulated the project team for its successful efforts. With a total …
Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant in France Ready
An Austrian company is bringing a multi-feedstock biodiesel plant in France into operation. BDI – BioEnergy International AG announced the $22.5 million project uses animal fats and used cooking oil as its feedstock. The commission covered the entire BioDiesel process, including installation of the plant. The project was completed on schedule and as budgeted within eleven months, when it was …
Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reach $544B
According to the World Energy Outlook fossil fuel consumption subsidies have reached $544 billion in 2012, up from $523 billion in 2011. This news has caused the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) to criticize leaders of the most developed nations for failing to reduce fossil fuel subsidies despite their commitment to eliminate them four years ago. This weekend marked the …
Argentina Helps Biodiesel by Upping Blend
Argentina will be using more biodiesel in its power generation and vehicles. In a move to help its biodiesel industry hit by European sanctions, Biofuels International reports the South American country will require a 10 percent biodiesel blend in fuel burned for power generation and will step up vehicle blends to 10 percent starting next month. Biodiesel producers have been …
Global Effort to Bring Clean Energy Amps Up
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim have announced a concerted effort by governments, international agencies, civil society and private sector to mobilize financing to deliver universal access to modern energy services such as lighting, clean cooking solutions, and power for productive uses in developing countries, as well as scaled-up energy efficiency, especially …
South Africa Adopts Biofuels Mandate
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 …