In Louisiana, the LSU AgCenter is investigating the potential production of switchgrass as a feedstock for biofuel production, especially in light of the fact that the grass is native to the Cajun prairie. The test plots are being co-planted with eastern cottonwood trees that could also be interesting feedstocks for the region.
In the Philippines, Xavier University has received a US$80,000 grant from the DOE to launch a research project that will seek to improve cassava varieties for use as ethanol feedstock and will develop a cassava-based pilot plant.
In Illinois, a new study commissioned by ADM Alliance Nutrition shows that dairy cattle can take a higher ration of DDGs than previously thought before milk quality starts to suffer. Traditional feeding included less than 10% DDGs in the dry matter feeding ration but the new study says that up to 30% of the dry […]
In Texas, algae can now be harvested, dewatered, and converted into biodiesel in a one-step process using resins, thanks to a recent project at the University of Texas at Austin. The use of Amberlite anion exchange resins have simplified the process and may be able to significantly lower the costs of processing algae. Researcher Martin […]
In California, Sapphire Energy and Institute for Systems Biology announced a strategic partnership to significantly increase oil yield and improving resistance to crop predators and environmental factors in order to further the advancement of commercialized algae biofuel production. “Sapphire is dealing with one of the most complicated problems known to humans: how to make fuel from […]
In Michigan, researchers at the University of Michigan’s engineering department can “pressure-cook” algae for as little as a minute and transform an unprecedented 65% of the green slime into biocrude. Researchers are using the green marine micro-alga of the genus Nannochloropsis.
In Brazil, Triton Chemicals’ system developed to increase ethanol production from corn in the US has been adapted to four power plants and eight others are investigating the technology in lab tests. Teamed with the Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira at the University of Campinas, the technology can increase ethanol production by 2%.
In Washington, a new study from the National Research Council says large-scale algae biodiesel production—as it is now—uses unsustainable amounts of water, energy and fertilizer, including carbon dioxide, nitrate and phosphate. GHG emissions from algae biodiesel may not even be lower than petroleum-based fuels. The NRC suggests continued research into algae to find better ways […]
In California, Google has run their biofuel car for more than 2400 miles on a 5% Cool Planet “carbon-negative” fuel blend. GRide, as the car is called, passed five smog checks, and the mileage of the test car evened out with the control car, run on 100% regular gasoline. Cool Planet calls the Google test […]
In Washington, The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will form =a Center of Excellence for Environment and Energy during FY-13. The COE will be a consortium of the FAA, university partners, and private industry affiliates selected by the FAA Administrator to work collectively on business and operational issues of mutual interest and concern. Among […]
