Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) are looking back to life during the dinosaur age and studying the role diatoms could play in algae-based biofuel production. Diatoms are tiny marine pre-historic life forms and can simultaneously produce biofuels as well as semiconductors, biomedical products and health foods. The technology has moved out of a science fiction movie and landed in …
New Study on Water-wise Biofuel Crops
A new study has shown that putting the water-use-efficient and turbo-charged photosynthesis from plants such as agave into woody biomass plants can hedge against high temperatures and low moisture. It can also enable growers to plant dedicated energy crops on marginal land. A team of researchers including John Cushman, a biochemistry professor at the University of Nevada, Reno; Xiaohan Yang at …
Wind Farms – A Win for America
According to a new report, “American Wind Farms: Breaking Down the Benefits from Planning to Production,” released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), on average a 250 megawatt wind farm will create 1,079 jobs throughout the sector including manufacturing, construction engineering and management. Yet, NRDC says the benefits don’t end there. A second study, “At Wind Speed: How the U.S. …
Solar Market Spikes
According to the “U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2nd Quarter 2012” report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar industry achieved its second best quarter ever. In the second quarter of this year, 742 megawatts of solar power was installed. The utility market hit 477 megawatts during the same timeframe with eight states now having installed 10 …
“Forever Young” Switchgrass for Cellulosic Ethanol
Scientists at the USDA might have found a way to keep switchgrass forever young and better for cellulosic ethanol. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) geneticist Sarah Hake, working with University of California-Berkeley plant geneticist George Chuck, found that taking a gene from corn called corngrass and inserting it into switchgrass keeps the grass always in a juvenile form that doesn’t flower, …
Despite Challenges Advanced Biofuels Grow
Even though the past year has been tough for the biofuels industry, the “Advanced Biofuels Market Report 2012,” from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) says the advanced biofuels industry is still growing. Today, advanced biofuel production has exceeded 685 million gallons. Estimates are that the industry has the ability to grow to between 1.6 billion to 2.6 billion by 2015. There are …
China Dominates Renewable Energy Market
According to the most recent Global Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices Report (CAI), China will continue to dominate the global renewable energy market. The country has quadrupled its solar capacity target to 50GW by 2020. At the top of the All Renewable Index (ARI), China will have to overcome some challenges including oversupply of wind turbines and solar panels as …
France Walks the Walk for Reduction of Fossil Energy
It appears that France is walking the walk with its call for a reduction of use of fossil fuels. The country uses more nuclear energy than any other; yet, have publicly stated they will phase out its use of thermal power. According to a new report, from GlobalData, “Thermal Power in France, Market Outlook to 2020, 2012 Update – Capacity, …
DOE Announces More Solar Grants
Yesterday I brought you the story that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $10 million grant to develop concentrating solar power (CSP). As a follow-up, the DOE has announcement five more awards as part of its solar power innovation program SunShot Initiative that also supports research projects focused on lowering the cost of photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. …
UC Davis Works to Develop Renewable Diesel Fuels
Researchers at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) located at University of California, Riverside, are working to develop diesel formulations with higher levels of renewable biofuels. The research supports the goal of California to reduce emissions in fuels and lower greenhouse gases. So far, researchers have evaluated the potential impacts of using biodiesel in diesel sold in the …