In Colorado, Gevo was selected to collaborate with researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of DOE’s Small Business Vouchers program. Specifically, Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) received funding to work with Gevo to develop a predictive octane blending model for isobutanol and gasoline blendstocks for oxygenated […]
In Washxington, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a re-organization, and announced the creation of a USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs as part of a broader reorganization of the department. As part of a reorganization of USDA, Perdue also announced the standing up of a newly-named Farm Production and Conservation […]
If you remember the 1981 film Excalibur, there were numerous uses of what was described as the Charm of Making: Anál nathrach, orth’ bháis’s bethad, do chél dénmha Which roughly translates into Modern Bioeconomyese as, “O Lord, give me the power to make lots of succinic acid.” If you’re not chasing biosuccinic or at least […]
By Brent Erickson, Executive VP, Biotechnology Innovation Organization Special to The Digest Members of the U.S. Senate are questioning whether Carl Icahn’s lobbying to change the Renewable Fuel Standard creates an ethics conflict with his role as advisor in the Trump administration. In addition to the ethics question, Members of Congress and some in the […]
What is different about a Low Carbon Fuel Standard — as compared to a Renewable Fuel Standard? There are 4 primary differences. 1. An RFS creates a standard, and any fuel that meets that standard can compete in that market. Once a fuel has met the low-carbon standard, it becomes entirely about fuel price — […]
Part 1 of the 3-part Digest series: Carbon 2017 For the world of renewable fuels — the only significant carbon legislation on the books, it really doesn’t matter what the oil price is. The RFS creates a separate market for renewable fuels and they compete against each other as alternatives within that market. It’s not unheard […]
By Gregory T. Benz Special to The Digest In a previous article (ref 1), it was stated that both pitched blade turbines and hydrofoils could be successfully used to agitate high-solids lignocellulosic materials, but that the hydrofoil could do the job with less power and torque. This article expands on that comment. A little history […]
In California, DSM led a round of investors that will put up to $95 million in equity financing into Amyris via a registered direct offering of convertible preferred stock, and private placements of convertible preferred stock and warrants. Amyris is in the process of reducing its debt by approximately $75 million. DSM has agreed to […]
From Iowa we received news that Renewable Energy Group has agreed to acquire approximately 82 acres of land at its Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery from Lion Copolymer, for $20M. The goal? To improve and utilize to support existing production capacity and future expansion opportunities. Previously, the land was leased. The near-term gain The transaction is expected […]
In California, scientists at the University of California San Diego and Sapphire Energy have successfully completed the first outdoor field trial sanctioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for genetically engineered algae. In a series of experiments funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the researchers tested a genetically engineered strain of algae in outdoor […]
