Two news items have appeared on the general subject of coke and coal with respect to biomass and fuels. Both are worth a look. The first one comes from the Air Force, which has for some time been investigating Coal-to-Liquids as a source of alternative fuels at scale — and lately has looked at a […]
Patiently, assuredly, one cluster at a time, Canada has amassed a potent armory of renewable fuel and biobased technologies, people and clusters of activity. Where’s it going? The Digest looks at a whole slew of workshops north of the border and south of the North Pole. In Vancouver last week, it fell to established industry sage […]
In France, 28 business leaders and organizations launched the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, with Coalition chairman Bill Gates stating that “The existing system of basic research, clean energy investment, regulatory frameworks, and subsidies fails to sufficiently mobilize investment in truly transformative energy solutions for the future. We can’t wait for the system to change through normal cycles.” More […]
As the renewables industry searches for effective business models, a strong one emerges in its midst. The Digest looks at Green Plains and its businesses. A recurring theme among the 300+ delegates at ABLC Next this week in San Francisco is the recognition that successful companies change the world — not science projects, or failed […]
In Washington, 81 major corporations with operations in the U.S.–including Google, Facebook, Apple, Coca Cola and General Motors–have taken a White House pledge “to demonstrate their support for action on climate change and the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.” Signing the […]
Add organic stuff, mix, add heat, add pressure. Britain’s not been historically celebrated for its chefs, but here come the pyromaniax and their transformative pyrolysis technologies. The Digest investigates. In a 2012 Daily Mail (UK) poll, the British identified the “bacon sandwich” and “roast dinners” as the two things they themselves loved the most about the […]
Mandates and national consumption Key takeaway: France is part of the EU and its overall Renewable Energy Directive, and is ramping up national targets. But think chemicals as well. France is the EU’s 2nd largest producer, with 15% of EU sales. In December 2014, we reported that the national oil body UFIP had agreed to […]
Tobacco’s been re-thought, re-engineered and re-invented as a platform for sustainable, low-carbon fuels, and green chemicals – who’s doing what, where and how? From time to time, it’s been said in flowery moments of commercial rapture that such-and-such technology or such-and-such company or is a “pillar of our American democracy”. In the case of the […]
51 percent? Could renewable natural gas get that big? The rationale behind the Eureka!, and some Caveats for all you Emptors. A few years back we lived in the era of the National Energy Solution Summed Up in One Word: it was gasoline, then diesel, then ethanol, or biodiesel. Then there was the Two-Word Era: the craze […]
What makes Amyris, Amyris? We look at the products, the evolution of the story, the partners, the focus on yield, and deeper into the story of Rate. “I mean, man, whither goest thou? Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?” “Whither goest thou?” echoed Dean with his mouth open. We sat […]
