In Texas, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin will receive two grants totaling $15 million to study a native prairie grass, including how it can become a sustainable source of bioenergy amid global climate change. Tom Juenger, a professor of integrative biology, will lead scientists from multiple institutions — including federal agencies, […]
In Italy, researchers at the University of Bologna have developed a biorefinery model that would produce polyphenols, fatty acids, biopolymers, and biomethane from the skins and seeds left over from wine production. The country produces around 5 million metric tons of the feedstock annually that currently has little value. The model combines supercritical carbon dioxide […]
In North Carolina, the DOE has awarded Duke University-led Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium $5.2 million to develop ways to make the algae supply chain more economically viable by developing products beyond the oil for biofuels. Nutritional products for livestock, fish and human consumption from algae proteins are among the MAGIC group’s research. Using marine algae […]
In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association and others responded to a study by the University of Tennessee that called for reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “Petroleum industry-funded studies like this University of Tennessee report fail to take into account the positive role that biofuels like ethanol play in the fight against climate change,” said […]
In Brazil, researchers led by the School of Economics and Business (FEARP) at the University of São Paulo have developed a method for mapping and quantification of productive chains and discuss the results of this method in the sugar cane chain in Brazil based on CHAINPlan that focuses on strategic planning and management of agribusiness […]
In India, 70 villages in Karnataka have implemented the “Hassan Biofuel Model” of growing non-edible oil trees for biofuel production. The oil is pressed either by a state-owned press or by the farmers themselves and then used to power irrigation pumps, for use in their tractors, or sold for soap making and other products. The […]
In New York state, the SUNY 2020 initiative will invest $12.9 million in grant funds to build a new alterative fuels building at Morrisville State College that will house its renewable energy, diesel technology and agricultural engineering programs as well as its Renewable Energy Training Center. Biofuels, digesters and gasification will be key parts of […]
In Washington state, a researcher at Washington State University has received a three-year $450,000 federal grant to develop computer models for using iron to more efficiently refine bio-oils and make better biofuels. Jean-Sabin McEwen, assistant professor in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, will collaborate on the U.S. Department of Energy Office of […]
In California, the Defense Logistics Agency awarded Sierra Energy a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant $100,000 grant to further explore the production of hydrogen fuel from waste. Sierra Energy’s patented FastOx gasifier converts waste into an energy-dense gas with high hydrogen content. The system’s operational efficiency will be able to produce hydrogen at a […]
In Iowa, researchers at the University of Iowa found that co-firing oat hulls from nearby Quaker Oats with coal in the university’s boilers reduces CO2 emissions by 40%. Particulate matter, hazardous substances and heavy metals emissions were also significantly reduced. At a 50/50 blend, particulate emissions reduced by 90%. The study analyzed straight coal, 50/50 […]
