Melons Could Be the Next Great Ethanol Feedstock

John Davis

Watermelons… that tasty summertime treat… could be the next feedstock for the green fuel ethanol. We’ve told you previously about how the National Watermelon Association has been pushing the idea of the fruit being used for ethanol (see our posts from May 20, 2009 and January 7, 2008). Now, it looks like there’s some research to back up that idea. …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Discount E85 and B5 in Woodbury, MN

“Thank you to the event supporters: Woodbury BP Daily Express, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Clean Air Choice™ Team,” said Kelly Marczak, with the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. She noted that E85 is for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) only. FFVs use E85 or gas interchangeably and one can check to see …

Biodiesel, corn, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Drive Smarter Video Challenge: Win $5,000

Joanna Schroeder

Lights, camera, action! It’s time to produce a cinematic masterpiece that will be seen by millions. The topic: driving smarter. Contestants have the opportunity to submit a two-minute video to the Drive Smarter Challenge video contest, that demonstrates one or more of the Driver Smarter Challenge campaign’s gas-and money-saving tips. The winner will receive $5,000. Second/Third Prize is a choice …

Education, Energy, Miscellaneous, News

Seawater to Jet Fuel? The U.S. Navy Thinks So

Joanna Schroeder

The search for renewable energy sources is varied and sometimes strange and here is another one to add to the strange category: turning seawater into kerosene-based jet fuel. Who would research something like this? Look no further than our very own U.S. Navy. Navy chemists have processed seawater into unsaturated short-chain hydrocarbons that with further refining could be made into …

Energy, Environment, News, water

ZAP Secures $25 Million in Funding for EVs

Joanna Schroeder

ZAP, a company leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) development, announced that it has secured $25 million in new financing with Cathaya Capital, L.P. Ultimately the investment will be managed by its affiliate partner Better World International who is developing EV charging infrastructure. ZAP will use a portion of the funding to pursue longer-term contract production and assembly commitments, …

Company Announcement, Electric Vehicles, News

Cars Using Cellulosic E85 Have Lowest CO2 Emissions

Joanna Schroeder

WorldAutoSteel has released a 2nd iteration of the automotive materials parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, which allows for broader evaluations of automotive materials, powertrains, fuels, and vehicle total energy consumed. The study showed that celluosic E85 is the best fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as compared to all other alternatives, including hybrid technology and fuel cells. This phase …

biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Growth Energy, News, Research