NREL breakthrough could optimize capture of sugars for biofuel
By National Renewable Energy Laboratory
November 30, 2012
U.S. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the BioEnergy Science Center scientists combined microscopic imaging methods to gain a greater understanding of the relationships between biomass cell wall structure and enzyme digestibility.
DuPont breaks ground at 30 MMgy cellulosic ethanol facility
By DuPont
November 30, 2012
DuPont came one step closer to commercializing advanced biofuels by breaking ground on its cellulosic ethanol facility in Nevada, Iowa, on Nov. 30. The more than $200 million facility is expected to be completed in mid-2014.
DuPont's 30 MMgy cellulosic ethanol facility currently under construction in Nevada, Iowa, is the culmination of 10 years of work. The company kicked off construction Nov. 30 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
A team of Mexican scientists recently published the results of a study that aimed to determine the optimum organic loading rate for operating an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor to generate biogas using waste from sugarcane ethanol production.
The latest fuel ethanol statistics released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that ethanol production for August was down only slightly compared to production levels for the same period of 2011 and 2010.
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is criticizing G20 leaders for failing to hold up their commitment to phase out the costly fossil fuel subsidies that hurt developing economies and slow the development of alternative fuels.
The U.S. Senate wants the U.S.Department of Defense to invest in advanced biofuel facilities. The Senate has passed amendment 3095, issued by Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., by a vote of 54-41, giving the DOD the ability to diversify its fuel mix.
More than $6.1 million in funding has been awarded to four biofuel-related energy technology projects, including research and development in engineered bioenergy crops and a flexible molecular sieve for biofuel production.
ICM successfully completes 1,000-hour run at pilot plant
By ICM Inc.
November 29, 2012
ICM Inc. announces that it successfully completed its 1,000-hour run of an integrated fiber campaign conducted at its pilot plant in St. Joseph, Mo. ICM has validated its proprietary Generation 1.5 Integrated Fiber to Cellulosic Ethanol Technology.
The U.S. Senate passed an amendment, issued by Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., by a vote of 62-37 that allows the U.S. Department of Defense to continue its development and work in the advanced biofuels sector.
Syngenta in North America announces it has signed a commercial agreement with Bonanza BioEnergy to use grain featuring Enogen trait technology in 2013. The technology that allows corn to express a robust form of alpha amylase enzyme.
Ceres Inc. is proving the viability of using of sweet sorghum as an ethanol feedstock, extending ethanol production during the months sugarcane isn't actively harvested. The company is now working with more than 20 ethanol and sugar mills.
Peru's sugarcane ethanol producer, Maple Etanol S.R.L., continues to ramp up production at its new 35 MMgy facility. Since starting operations in March 2012, the plant has processed about 468,000 tons of sugarcane through mid-November.
A new report released by the National Council of Chain Restaurants, titled "Federal Ethanol Policies and Chain Restaurant Food Costs," generated a swift response from the organizations representing the ethanol and advanced biofuels industries.
London-based Whitefox Technologies Ltd. recently announced that it has secured an ethanol contract with the government of Guyana. Together with its Brazilian partner, Green, Whitefox Technologies will install a demonstration plant at a sugar mill.
Less than two weeks after the U.S. EPA denied the request to waive the renewable fuel standard (RFS), the American Petroleum Institute is calling on Congress to repeal it. Organizations that support the biofuel industry were quick to respond.
The market for fuel ethanol in the United States remains unconcentrated, with 154 firms nationwide either producing ethanol or likely to be in production in the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Federal Trade Commission's 2012 report.
Competing with China
November 26, 2012
It would be nice if a sense of competition with China or Brazil on the development of biofuels and renewable energy would stimulate more support in the U.S.
Australians develop glycerol-based biomass pretreatment process
November 26, 2012
Australia-based Leaf Energy Ltd. is developing a new biomass pretreatment process that utilizes glycerol, a coproduct of the biodiesel process. The process uses lower temperatures and pressures, requires less enzymes and releases fewer inhibitors.
According to a release issued by India's Press Information Bureau, the country's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a pricing formula for ethanol procurement by oil marketing companies for use under its E5 blending mandate.
The Nickel Institute has published a guide, "Stainless Steels: Cost-Efficient materials for the Global Biofuels Industries," to help ethanol, biodiesel, biogas producers and others realize economic benefits of selecting the correct grade of material.
Ethanol is helping reduce the cost of the Thanksgiving holiday for the average American family. The average American family traveling by automobile this holiday will drive 558 miles and save $29.13 on gasoline purchases because of ethanol.
The city of Hopewell, Va., is moving forward with plans to auction off Appomattox Bio Energy LLC in an effort to recoup more than $1.6 million in lost tax revenue. The 65 MMgy barley-to-ethanol plant was built by Osage Bio Energy LLC.
ACS publishes podcast on white rot fungus, ethanol production
By American Chemical Society
November 20, 2012
The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series reports new evidence that the so-called white rot fungus shows promise in the production of cellulosic ethanol.
New Holland is offering members of the National FFA Organization a chance to win $5,000 for their chapter through a video contest designed to promote ethanol. FFA members are invited to research, film and edit a 60 to 90 second video.
Saying ethanol has been demonized for too long, Orrie Swayze, a farmer from Wilmot, S.D., has sent a letter to the editor to a number media outlets offering a new perspective, which he summarizes as "Ethanol doubles corn's food production."
The power of brand
November 19, 2012
Fiscal cliff. Acid rain. Alas, “food versus fuel� is in that category of scary metaphors, which is why it has been such a difficult battle for the ethanol industry.
On Nov. 16 the USDA announced more than $15.7 million in payments to 189 companies under USDA Rural Development's Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which provides payments to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels.
A distillers grains nutrient survey by the University of Minnesota Animal Science Department shows some change from a similar one done 10 years ago, although perhaps not as much as might be expected, given the growth of corn oil extraction.
The ethanol industry breathed a collective sigh of relief on Nov. 16, with the U.S. EPA's announcement that it was denying the renewable fuel standard (RFS) waiver request submitted in August.
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