Duckweed for Biofuels?

Joanna Schroeder

Duckweed may be a viable material for biofuel production according to a new report in ACS’ journal Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. Duckweed is a fast growing floating plant that turns ponds and lakes green. Christodoulos A. Floudas, a professor at Princeton and Xin Xiao with Langfang Engineering and Technology Centre, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with …

advanced biofuels, feedstocks, Research

How to Ensure Biofuel Crops Don’t Become Weeds

Joanna Schroeder

A Virginia Tech researcher, along with several others, have offered a way to ensure that plants grown for biofuels do not become an invasive weed. According to Jacob Barney, an assistance professor of plant pathology, physiology and weed science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, careful introduction of new species for production of more energy per acre is …

advanced biofuels, Research

Fat Worms Play Role in Algal Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Fat worms confirm are playing a role in improved biofuel and animal feed production. Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves, a feat that could improve biofuel production. The research was led by Christoph Benning, MSU professor of biochemistry and molecular biology along with a team from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. The …

advanced biofuels, algae, Research

NASA Researching Alternative Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

NASA researchers are conducting a series of lights using the agency’s DC-8 flying laboratory to study the effects of biofuels on engine performance, emissions and aircraft generated contrails at altitude. The Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) research involves flying the DC-8 as high as 40,000 feet while an instrumented NASA Falcon HU-25 aircraft trails behind at …

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Research

RMI Announces Solar Research Project

Joanna Schroeder

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is launching a Simple BoS project, or Balance of Systems, in partnership with Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), to explore the cost divide between the U.S. and Germany for residential solar photovoltaic systems. BoS costs now account for more than 60 percent of the price of U.S. rooftop PV systems, according to RMI, yet such costs …

Alternative energy, Research, Solar

New Report Shows Wind Energy Continues to Expand

Joanna Schroeder

According to a report from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), global installed wind energy capacity increased by 19 percent in 2012 to 282,000 megawatts (MW).  Canada remains a global wind energy leader as it experienced the 9th largest increase in installed capacity in 2012 (936 MW). Both China and the United States, the world’s wind energy leaders, installed more …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Research, Wind

Plant Breakthrough May Improve Biofuel Processing

Joanna Schroeder

There may be a connection between two different types of cell wall glycans (sugars) and specific wall protein known as arabinogalactan protein. The initial discovery was made by Li Tan, who then approached researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA to continue the research. According to Tan and Debra Mohnen, who both work at part of the BioEnergy Science Center, …

Alternative energy, biofuels, Renewable Energy, Research

Innovative Research From Budding Biodiesel Scientists

Joanna Schroeder

During the National Biodiesel Board Conference & Expo, several Next Generation Scientists displayed their biodiesel research through “posters”. These budding scientists are smart, talented, creative and innovative. Did I mention they are innovative? These college students are conducting research that has never been done before and as it moves forward, should help improve biodiesel production. A bit of a plug- …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, Renewable Energy, Research

Clemson’s Biodiesel Guru’s

Joanna Schroeder

a href=”http://blog.biodieselconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/nbb-13-clemson1.jpg”>If you have a passion for biosystems engineering and biodiesel then you should consider going to college at Clemson University (or transferring there for your advanced degree). Why? Because three of the coolest biodiesel researchers and innovators are currently working together to advance biodiesel. The biodiesel gurus are all members of Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel (Seriously students, why …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, National Biodiesel Conference, Renewable Energy, Research

Advanced Biofuels Companies Gaining Momentum

Joanna Schroeder

According to new research from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), dozens of states in the U.S. are now homes to advanced biofuels companies. There are now more than 80 advanced biofuel companies, refineries and related operations located in at least 27 states. Top states are California, with 30 companies, Illinois (8), Colorado (6) Texas (5) and Iowa (4). A searchable map and …

advanced biofuels, Renewable Energy, Research