The Worldwatch Institute has released the report, “Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap: Pathways to an Affordable, Reliable, Low-Emission Electricity System,” that looks at the measures that the Jamaican government can take to transition its electricity sector to one that is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. The report also analyzes the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment in Jamaica and …
Ennovor Aims to be Biodiesel Leader with New Mgmt
Singapore-based Ennovor Biofuels announced a trio of new managers as part of the company’s effort to become the world’s second largest second generation global biodiesel producer by 2015. This news release posted on the Sacramento Bee’s website says a new chairman, managing director and plant manager were put in place for Ennovor. Chairman John Markham will take responsibility for guiding …
LanzaTech’s Gas-to-Biofuel Earns RSB Certification
LanzaTech’s venture in China to turn steel mill waste gases into biofuel has earned an important sustainability certification. The company’s partnership with Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel United Company and the Tang Ming Group is now Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certified as sustainable for biofuels and biomaterials production. When commercially producing biofuels next year, the LanzaTech technology-enabled facility becomes …
UNICA Asks Gov’t to Educate Country About Ethanol
Brazil’s sugar cane growers are asking for some help from that country’s government to educate the public about ethanol. Elizabeth Farina, the President of the Union of the Industry of Cane Sugar Association (UNICA), said the industry needs to overcome prejudices caused by inadequate public policies and interference in the fuel market that hurts ethanol’s competitiveness. To that end, the …
ButyFix- First Carbon-Negative Biobutanol
Researchers in Asia have developed the first carbon-negative biobutanol production technology using cellulose biomass feedstock. ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) in Taiwan introduced ButyFi, the first biochemical technology for a biobutanol transportation-fuel production with a negative carbon footprint using cellulosic biomass instead of corn. The total energy content in the lignin-rich biomass has the surplus to cover the energy for …
Dutch Researchers ID Fittest of Fattest for Biodiesel
Researchers in The Netherlands are finding the fattest, or best oil-producing, algae in hopes of developing the fittest strain for biodiesel production. This story from TU Delft says the school’s scientists have published their findings in the scientific journal Energy & Environmental Science. ‘The ultimate goal of our research is to make oil-producing algae as fat as possible, then press …
Waste Grease-to-Biodiesel Plan Wins Aussie Prize
A plan to turn waste grease into biodiesel wins a prize from Down Under. Impress Media Australia reports Energy from Waste Pty Ltd., with members Lisa Chao, Philip Curran, Dr David Rutley, Brian O’Neil and Ted McMurchie, picked up first place in the 2013 University of Adelaide Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC) Australian eChallenge, and the group will travel …
Taiwan Scientists Microwave to Make Biodiesel
The microwave oven is one convenience just about every kitchen (and office lunch room) finds indispensable, but it also might become the next tool for making biodiesel. This article from the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in southern Taiwan says researchers there have found a way to turn waste cooking oils into biodiesel in 10 seconds. “I was told that …
Brazil Looks to Up Biodiesel Blend
Biodiesel blends in Brazil could soon rise above the 5 percent mix to 7 or even as much as 10 percent. This story from Bloomberg says the South American country wants to move more of its biodiesel glut. “We’ve already sent to the Presidency a proposal to increase the mixture of biodiesel with diesel,” Energy Minister Edison Lobao told reporters …
Biodiesel Import Ban Boosts Feedstocks to Europe
As the European Union (EU) blocks biodiesel imports to the continent, demand for biodiesel feedstocks are getting a boost. Bloomberg reports imports of of palm oil and rapeseed oil to Europe are going up, as is domestic production of the green fuel. Biodiesel production is climbing within the EU as the bloc implements duties on imports from Argentina and Indonesia, …