If you can’t afford to bring the biomass to the refinery, why not bring the refinery to the biomass? A new, farm-scale mobile pyrolysis may travel by 18-wheeler — munching feedstock, making fuels. In Ohio, Battelle engineers and scientists have developed a mobile device that transforms residues such as wood chips or agricultural waste into […]
In Washington, Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley blasted President Obama and his Administration — suggesting that in an effort to pacify Big Oil, the President was betraying the Midwestern economy, long-standing US (and his own) energy policy, and those in the business community who relied on his support in making investments in renewable fuels. In a […]
In Washington, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is disputing the numbers from RFA’s recently released analysis, which shows how Big Oil stands to gain a $9.2-15.2 billion windfall from a possible reduction to EPA’s 2014 RVOs. Bob Dinneen, RFA President and CEO, commented: “AFPM are misunderstanding the very basic principles of supply and demand. […]
In Washington, the Bioenergy Technologies Office is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding bioenergy technology validation to accelerate the deployment of advanced biofuel, bioproducts, and biopower technologies. BETO is specifically interested in information technologies that are ready for technology validation at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 or higher. TRLs 6–8 generally correspond to pilot-, demonstration-, […]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today estimated that the 2013 corn crop will achieve a new record of 13.99 billion bushels, 7% larger than the previous record and a whopping 30% larger than last year’s drought-shortened crop. USDA expects yield to average 160.4 bushels per acre, the second-highest yield on record. The report also […]
SZYM, AMRS, GEVO check in with Q3 results. What’s heavenly, what’s hellish? Yep, what’s up at the crossroads of advanced fermentation, synthetic biology, and the markets in big-league fuels, chemicals, fragrances and flavorings — as the three reach for scale? In years gone by, it was not too hard to write up a summary of […]
At the frontier of exotic temperature and pressures, even everyday materials like water begin to act strangely in ways that can drive energy transformation. New work in nanocatalysts may make those frontiers more accessible, and those energy systems more affordable. OK – try this one for size. Water ice that checks in at 1300 degrees […]
Want to make renewable fuels at warp-speed — and possibly at an unwarped price — try these 10 fairly amazing paths to making fuels from biomass faster than you can say “subsidy-free”. Hey kids! You really can make free crude oil. Amaze your friends. Make Dad real happy. Mom can help you with the recipe. […]
Seeking low-carbon fuels, even negative carbon? Or, looking for a low-cost, cellulosic renewable fuel? Or, in search of a capital-light, bolt-on technology to drive better economics for first-yen ethanol plants? Well, what about all three, at one time, with one technology? Taiwan’s ITRI says its early-stage ButyFix technology checks off all three ways. The Digest […]
Biobutanol, ethanol, renewable diesel, renewable gasoline and biodiesel — five renewable fuels. By what combination could they meet the titanic US target of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022? Try your own ideas? Be the operator with your pocket calculator. 36 billion gallons by 2022 – two numbers that, to the bystander, probably […]
