Green Technology

Posted by Green Tech at 09:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

ASU research looks to understand cyanobacteria to boost production of biofuel.  The research is working on optimizing the conditions that control growth of the cyanobacteria such as CO2 and phosphorus levels and light irradiation levels.  …

…   “cyanobacteria are much easier to re-engineer because we have a lot of knowledge about them. We can control their growth so that we can produce large amounts of biofuel … ”   …

Via Arizona State University: Benchtop Biofuels.

Posted by Green Tech at 08:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

ASU receives research grant of three million dollars to support investigation into the challenges to commercializing algae-derived biofuels.  …

…   “Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium, will focus on testing the acceptability of algal biofuels as replacements for petroleum-derived fuels.

The group will investigate biochemical conversion of algae to fuels and products, and analyze the physical chemistry properties of algal fuels and fuel intermediates. ”   …

Via Arizona State University: Biofuel Research Grant Program.

Posted by Green Tech at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 Wallenius Lines, a Swedish owned car carrier vessel is testing a fuel cell for auxiliary power.  Fuel cells are clean power sources - in this case fueled by methanol (alcohol).  Wallenius Lines has a major commitment to being green (using non toxic paint to reduce barnacle drag, handling bilge water carefully, reducing impact overall, etc.) and this is the next step in the journey.

"Wärtsilä’s WFC20 fuel cell ... onboard the ’Undine’,  ... is the first of its kind in the world ... during the test period provide auxiliary power to the vessel while producing close to zero emissions...."

Methanol can be made from biomass so can be a renewable fuel ... in addition to providing clean power.  The trails started in May 2010 and extend until November 2010.

Via:  Wallenius Lines  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Synthetic Genomics and ExxonMobil are collaborating to research and commercialize biofuels from photosynthetic algae.  Dr. Emil Jacobs, vice president of research and development, sees the algae pathway to biofuel as a promising experiment for ExxonMobil.  The research partnership has established stages of investment with milestones that could see ExxonMobil invest over $600 million.  …

…   “After considerable study, we have determined that the potential advantages and benefits of biofuel from algae could be significant.

Among other advantages, readily available sunlight and carbon dioxide used to grow the photosynthetic algae could provide greenhouse gas mitigation benefits.

Growing algae does not rely on fresh water and arable land otherwise used for food production.

And lastly, algae have the potential to produce large volumes of oils that can be processed in existing refineries to manufacture fuels that are compatible with existing transportation technology and infrastructure. ”   …

Via ExxonMobil: Biofuels Program (Link).

Algae Biofuel Commercialization Challenges: Large-scale algae production sites, for example, could use carbon dioxide from nearby power or manufacturing plants that generate large amounts of the gas.

Synthetic Genomics Inc.: privately held company, founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address global energy and environment challenges. Advances in synthetic genomics present limitless applications in a variety of product areas including: energy, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Posted by Green Tech at 09:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

PhD candidates discuss their research programs for biofuel.

Posted by Green Tech at 08:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kudzu is a very aggressive fast growing vine that is invasive ... if it could be turned into a source of ethanol ... it might kill 2 birds with 1 stone.  And it does not compete with food crops as a route to ethanol.

"... invasive weed called kudzu. ... grows all over the southern states at a rate of about one foot per day. ... literally covers ... anything in its path ... Agro*Gas Industries, LLC can use this undesirable plant to make clean burning, renewable fuel."

" ... otherwise useless pest can be kept in check and turned into a useful "renewable" environmentally friendly and cost effective fuel!"

" ... utilizing unwanted or currently useless plant and waste products we can produce a "Bio-Fuel" (ethanol) that can compete favorably with fossil fuels (petroleum). We do not use commodity crops, such as corn, currently grown for human or animal consumption! "
 

Via: Agro*Gas Industries, LLC LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Michigan State University chemical engineering professor works on collaborative research project to create fuel from bacteria strain.  MSU brings strengths in bioreactor design to address challenges in managing optimum fermentation conditions, appropriate concentration levels, and delivery systems.  …

…   “Worden has to overcome two major challenges in developing the bioreactor system.

Once Ralstonia eutropha is engineered to produce isobutanol, the isobutanol eventually will build up to a toxic level and kill the bacterium.

So he must create a way to harvest the isobutanol without interrupting the fermentation process. 

Secondly, because the bacterium’s energy source – hydrogen gas – is not very water-soluble, Worden must figure out how to feed it to the bacterium in a water-based system.”   …

Via Michigan State: Harvest alternative fuel (Link).

Posted by Green Tech at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It might be a marriage made on the farm .. with data centers being located in rural areas that have lots of farms using manure to power data centers is a way to be green

"Data centers need a lot of energy. Dairy farms create a lot of methane. ... HP Labs has done the math to show that one could be used to support the other."

" ... data centers ... increasingly being located near existing power generation or cooling resources. ... untapped source of energy, however, is the methane generated by manure on farms around the world."

" ... HP ... paper shows how a farm of 10,000 dairy cows could ... power a typical modern data center and still support other needs on the farm."

" ... turning data centers from being energy hogs into energy neutral facilities ... goal ... see if we can take the data center completely off the grid."

Via:  Hewlett Packard  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Data Centers are moving to rural areas where land and labor are less expensive.  There are often farms and lots of cows ... and therefore lots of cow manure.

A significant cost of operating data centers is the electric bill.

" ... data centers ... building them in rural areas, which happen to have an excess of animal waste. The heat from a data center could be used to improve the process by which the waste turns it into methane, which can be used in place of natural gas or diesel, HP's researchers maintain. "

"... average dairy cow, ... produces approximately 120 pounds of waste a day. It would take 10,000 cows to produce enough energy for a data center big enough to support a bank.  "

Via:  Fierce CIO LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

" ... Philly plant in Lowville, NY ... making to reduce our carbon footprint. ... almost ¼ of the Lowville’s total energy use now comes from alternative sources."

" ... converting the waste stream from Cream Cheese production (whey) into methane gas. ... replaces about 1/3 of the natural gas usage and prevents virtually 100% of whey land-spreading. Annual energy savings are approximately 87,000 mm BTUs, or enough energy to heat around 1,100 average sized households for 1 year. ... In early 2008, ... Lowville ... replaced its interior lights with energy efficient T-8 lighting fixtures. ... saves 1,350,068 KWH of usage per year. That’s enough electricity to light 2,164 homes for a year."

" ...  In 2008, ... cut its total water use by 9%. ... [and] sent 33% less garbage to the landfill. ..."

Via:  Kraft  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

While driving through Chester County, Pa to pick my son up from a camping trip I saw an Amerigreen gas station and thought I should check it out ... in addition to gas they sell diesel, propane and heating oil.  In addition to biodiesel and bio heating oil they have  E85.

"E85 Ethanol (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is a clean fuel with superior performance characteristics. It burns cleaner than gasoline, is renewable, and environmentally safer."

 "... we became one of the first oil companies in the United States to provide our customers with 100% North American made fuel--drilled, refined, and sold exclusively in North America. ..."

Via:  Amerigreen  LINK

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Posted by Green Tech at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Joule focuses on biotech synthesis approach to creating fuel.  The method is moving into the pilot phase before commercialization.  …

Joule Unlimited, Cambridge, Mass., has developed several patented gene-altered organisms that absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide and combine these into hydrocarbons.

Via New York Times: Fuel-Sweating Flora.

Posted by Green Tech at 04:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Research will target innovation into new pathways to renewable energy.  DOE spreads the love with funding across a number of energy themes, such as this one: electrofuels.  …

…  “Electrofuels - Biofuels from Electricity --- Today’s technologies for making biofuels all rely on photosynthesis – either indirectly by converting plants to fuels or directly by harnessing photosynthetic organisms such as algae.  This process is less than 1% efficient at converting sunlight to stored chemical energy. Instead, Electrofuels approaches will use organisms able to extract energy from other sources, such as solar-derived electricity or hydrogen or earth-abundant metal ions.  Theoretically, such an approach could be more than 10 times more efficient than current biomass approaches. “   …

Via Department of Energy: Transformational Energy Research Projects.

Sampling of organizations and their electrofuel research topics:

• University of Massachusetts Amherst: Electrofuels via Direct Electron Transfer from Electrodes to Microbes
• Pennsylvania State University: Development of Rhodobacter as a Versatile Microbial Platform for Fuels Production
• The Ohio State University: Bioconversion of Carbon Dioxide to Biofuels by Facultatively Autotrophic Hydrogen Bacteria
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Engineering Ralstonia eutropha for Production of Isobutanol (IBT) Motor Fuel from Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen & Oxygen
• Ginkgo BioWorks: Engineering E. coli as an electrofuels chassis for isooctane production
• Harvard Medical School-Wyss Institute: Engineering a Bacterial Reverse Fuel Cell
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Bioprocess and Microbe Engineering for Total Carbon Utilization in Biofuel Production

Posted by Green Tech at 06:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Amtrak is experimenting with a bio-diesel fueled train ... called the Heartland Flyer.  

" ...  nation’s first-ever test of a cleaner and renewable biodiesel fuel blend to power a daily interstate passenger train between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth ... research project ... on the daily Heartland Flyer train operated by Amtrak ... biodiesel blend includes beef byproduct and is provided by a Texas-based vendor."

" ... the biodiesel blend known as B20 (20% pure biofuel and 80% diesel) reduced hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide each by 10 percent, reduced particulates by 15 percent and sulfates by 20 percent. ... measurements will be taken ... at the end of 12 months so any impact of the biodiesel on valves and gaskets can be measured...."

Via:  Amtrak LINK

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Bio fuel is being looked at for cars and commercial jets ... now the USAF is looking to see if J8 jet fuel can be supplemented or even replaced by bio-jet fuel.

"... Air Force consumes 2.4 billion gallons of jet fuel each year ... 40th Flight Test Squadron is on a mission to change that.  ... climbing into the cockpits of jets filled, in part, with alternative fuels."

" ... A-10C Thunderbolt II took off from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida powered by Hydrotreated Renewable Jet (HRJ) and JP-8 (Jet Propellant 8, the military standard and kerosene-based). ... mission is being considered a success: a fighter jet can fly on a synthetic fuel blend."

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The grant will fund eight graduate fellowships per year focusing on biofuel sustainability. The MSU Graduate School is providing funding for another fellowship, for a total of nine per year. The project is part of the NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education program and also will support science activities for the K-12 students and teachers. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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... "Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found a way to boost biofuel production from tobacco leaves. If the research pans out, tobacco could prove extremely useful since it’s not a food crop. " ...

... "According to Vyacheslav Andrianov, Ph.D., assistant professor of Cancer Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, tobacco can generate biofuel more efficiently than other agricultural crops. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Scientist have long suspected they could modify an existing microbe to produce biofuel from plant products.  They may now be one step closer with a strain of e. coli.

"Scientists with the Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) recently published a paper in the journal Nature explaining how they engineered the e. coli strain to spit out fatty esters (basically biodiesel) ... tweaked the e. coli so that it produces more fat than it normally would in a form it normally wouldn't, and they also made sure the bugs didn't eat their own fatty production. ..."

"Ideally ... would lead to a tiny, self-contained oil well: In comes plants, out comes fuels or chemicals. ..."

"... biofuels breakthroughs are published with some regularity. But no one has been able yet to turn these breakthroughs into industrial processes that can produce something useful on a large scale at reasonable cost. ..."

Via:  Forbes  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "he uses wastewater to feed algae, pumping carbon dioxide emissions through them to make them grow faster, then harvesting them for biofuel. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "On Tuesday, we announced that we are collaborating with Mitsubishi Corporation to explore the possibilities of a strategic solid biofuel venture. Catchlight Energy, our joint venture with Chevron to develop liquid fuel from biomass remains on track. " ...

Continue reading "Weyerhaeuser Biomass Strategic Ventures" »

Posted by Green Tech at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

" ... Prince Charles, the U.K.'s version of Al Gore, has taken another step in a green direction: his 1970 Aston Martin DB6 has been converted to run entirely on bioethanol ... fuel ... made from a white wine produced near the prince's Highgrove Estate, itself a showcase for organic farming ..."

" ... goal of reducing emissions from his planes, trains, and automobiles 25% by 2018 ... European Union limits annual wine production, so any leftovers from England's current vintage can be converted to bioethanol by Green Fuels Ltd.... company has previously provided bioethanol to power the royal train. The prince's other vehicles, which include a smattering of Jaguars, a Range Rover, and an Audi, have been converted to run on bioethanol made from cooking oil...."

Via: RiverWired LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"If you want ... ‘green’ biodiesel, but don’t want to produce it yourself, you can buy high quality fuel from one of our Green Fuels approved dealers nationwide ...you will always save money compared with standard garage fuels ... "

"Biodiesel is a clean-burning biofuel produced from domestic renewable resources such as used cooking oil, oil seed crops such as rapeseed, or unused vegetable oil. It is biodegradeable, non-toxic and carbon neutral ... has 80% lower emissions than mineral diesel, it dramatically reduces pollution. It is inexpensive and easy to produce at home and is safe to use in any diesel vehicle without any modifications to your engine."

" ... two models in the Fuelpod range by Green Fuels - the safest way to produce high quality biodiesel at home. Both are supplied as complete systems and have minimal operating costs, with exceptionally low electricity consumption."

Via: Green Fuels Ltd. LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "In a new approach, researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have genetically modified a cyanobacterium to consume carbon dioxide and produce the liquid fuel isobutanol, which holds great potential as a gasoline alternative. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "algae feedstocks can be grown with low greenhouse-gas emissions and without competing for arable land and water that might otherwise be used to grow food crops. Bioalgae also is efficient. ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Andy Pag has set off on a trip around the world - but with a low carbon twist.  He is travelling on a "budget" of 2 tonnes of carbon per person per year.  You can follow his progress and story on his blog 2tonnesofcarbon and see some of the technology he is using as well as ways to cut your carbon footprint.

"The Biotruck Expedition is a 12 month expedition to drive around the world to discover how people are using and generating energy, and their attitudes t0wards carbon emissions."

" ... I'll be trying to conduct the whole project with a carbon emissions budget of 2 tonnes per person ... doing this because I'm curious about energy use around the world, and I want to see if I can travel on a sustainable carbon budget myself."

"Over the next 10 years, I predict recreational travel will either change dramatically, or become as socially unacceptable as drink driving or smoking is today."

Via:  Bio Truck Expedition  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bio fuel from Sugar Cane is a good source of renewable energy.  Claren Power, Srlington, Virginia, works with nations rich in sugar cane to develop renewable power using bagasse - the waste material from sugar cane after the sugar has been extracted.

" ... Sugar cane bagasse, the waste pulp that remains after raw cane has been processed, has been a fuel source for decades ... much of the energy is lost to ... inefficient and unproductive technology and suboptimal operating practices ...  effectively using bagasse as a fuel source, Claren is helping to unlock the massive potential for clean and renewable power, creating huge benefits for individual mills,investors, and citizens of the developing world."

"... capitalizing on new regulations that open up national electricity markets as well as the exploding world-wide demand for certified carbon credits, Claren is able to generate tremendous returns for our clients and institutional investment partners."

... "Development of a model of the biofuel supply chain, tracking biomass from tree to the plant gate. Lead researcher is David Watkins, Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan Tech. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The project essentially uses the cyanobacteria as biocatalysts for generating the fatty acids which, in turn, are secreted by the cyanobacteria. Fatty acids, a biofuel feedstock, then are used for producing jet fuel, gasoline, even green diesel fuel, said lead researcher Wim Vermaas, a professor in ASU’s School of Life Sciences and the Center for Bioenergy and Photosynthesis. The advantage of the new process is getting the cyanobacteria to secrete the fatty acids, Vermaas said. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Rather, Fish envisions mobile breweries that go from farm to farm. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Imagine a toilet that uses no energy and turns waste into compost.

Virginia Gardiner is doing just that ... check out the VIDEO of this interesting GREEN device.

" ...working on a new waterless toilet system  ... create a toilet for city dwellers that uses no energy, and turns waste "into a commodity.""

" ... portable, low-tech LooWatt effectively captures odor and allows human waste (... to  be turned into a source of energy via anaerobic digestion. With 40 percent of people globally in need of sanitary facilities, it's well worth imagining a solution that doesn't flush drinking water down the toilet."

Via:  SustainLane  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 03:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The new facility will focus on pilot- and commercial-scale development of algae biodiesel (a type of biofuel) that is cost-competitive with existing petroleum- and vegetable-based fuels, with improved performance characteristics. The planned biorefinery is proposed for construction on five acres of land on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) in Bourne, Massachusetts, supported by the Massachusetts National Guard pending legal and regulatory reviews. The pilot facility will provide the required infrastructure for testing commercial scale-up of a breakthrough algae-growth technology resulting from 20 years of cold saltwater species research and production. The biodiesel from Plankton Power algae is a drop-in replacement for home heating oil and petroleum diesel and will be produced for commercial distribution. " ...

Continue reading "Cape Cod Bioreactor Will Use Algae to Convert CO2 to Biodiesel Fuel" »

Posted by Green Tech at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New Belgium Brewing is a green brewer ... read about some of their efforts and innovations in green brewing ... there are many many more on their web site.

Green building ... " ... using UV blocking windows, sun-tubes, and light shelves. .. evaporative coolers, we can condition our 55,000 square foot packaging hall with no compressors, using much less energy ... "

Green energy ... " ... methane produced by process water treatment is used to fuel a ... co-gen—which creates electricity and heat for the brewery. ... co-gen ... full-time, it can supply 15% of our electrical needs ... In 1999, New Belgium became the first wind-powered brewery ..."

Posted by Green Dude at 05:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "On the appointment of Bill Sims, as president and CEO: In addition to his proven leadership and record of operational excellence, Bill has direct experience bringing new technologies to market against long-established incumbents --- in Joule’s case, fossil fuels. We’re thrilled to see the company emerge and build a successful path to energy independence under his guidance. " ...

Continue reading "Liquid Fuel from Solar Energy and CO2 using Biotech Process" »

Posted by Green Tech at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Most of the bio fuel processes are require significant amounts of petroleum energy (i.e. to grow the basic crop like corn) or to power the process.  Algenol is totally different ... it does not compete in a food vs/ biofuel stock like corn.

"...introducing its DIRECT TO ETHANOL™ technology ... an innovative algae to ethanol company ... advanced 3rd generation biofuels technology producing ethanol from algae through a process powered by the sun ... industrial-scale, low-cost ethanol using algae, sunlight, CO2, and seawater.... does not use food, farmland, or fresh water."

Some of the advantages of the Algenol process are"  ...  [can] use desert land and marginal land ... make fresh water from seawater during the process. ... an energy balance over 8 : 1 (energy output : fossil fuel input) ...".

Via:  Algenol Biofuels  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "In addition, the study showed the Bio-SPK fuel blends used in the test flight program met or exceeded all technical parameters for commercial jet aviation fuel. Those standards include freezing point, flash point, fuel density and viscosity, among others. The tests revealed that using the Bio-SPK fuel blends had no adverse effects on the engines or their components. They also showed that the fuels have greater energy content by mass than typical petroleum-derived jet fuel - which potentially could lower fuel consumption per mile. Renewable jet fuels from bio-derived sources are being considered because of their ability to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Binder came up with a two-step chemical process to turn raw biomass into the promising biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). To make it work, Binder developed a unique solvent system with an extraordinary capacity to dissolve cellulose. The solvent system is considered green because it's a nonhazardous alternative to existing solvents. " ...

Continue reading "Biofuel Chemical Process Improvement Leads to Chemistry Student Recognition by ACS" »

Posted by Green Tech at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson has introduced legislation to produce energy from bio-waste.  Nebraska has the potential to make great use of this given the large number of cattle in the state ...using what is today a waste products to generate power serves to reduce waste disposal costs, help keep water sources clean and reduce consumption of oil ... as animal waste is likely to be a renewable fuel source for t he near if not long term.

"... already have the technology to break down these wastes to create biogas but it needs encouragement from the federal government to become a commercially-viable alternative to natural gas.  ... would benefit rural communities and the environment while lessening our dependence on fossil fuels ...We shouldn't waste the waste; we should promote biogas development."

" ... produced through technologies such as anaerobic digestion (AD) that can convert animal wastes and other agricultural or organic wastes into at least 50% methane (the principal ingredient of natural gas).  Biogas can be used as is on the farm or co-located with another facility such as an ethanol plant, or as a renewable substitute for natural gas, propane or other fossil fuels. "

"... would encourage greater production of biogas for energy purposes by providing ... a tax credit of $4.27 for every million British thermal units (mmBtu) of biogas produced. This could mean more jobs and a boon for rural communities. ... offers environmental benefits such as a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of both carbon dioxide and methane and improved water quality through better manure management."

Via:  BenNelson.senate.gov  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation will be one of few places where research is truly focused on unraveling the secrets of lignocellulose. We believe we can answer the basic questions that to date no one has been able to answer, Catchmark explained. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "ENER-G’s CHP systems create electricity and heat simultaneously and reduce carbon emissions by around 20% while cutting electricity costs by approximately one third. They can be powered by natural gas or renewable biogases and ENER-G has installed and operates in excess of 120MW of biogas generation, primarily from landfill gas. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Many crops have been considered / experimented with as a source of bio fuel or bio diesel.  Some carry risks of causing unintended consequences as land is cleared for farming -- Now the mushroom is looming large!

" ... biofuels from corn and soy ... destructive to the planet in certain ways as farmers in developing nations slash and burn forests to grow new crops. ... alternative: a ... genetically-modified mushroom that yields a large biomass which can be converted into a first-rate biofuel."

" ... genetically-engineered them to be ... more sustainable in culture during fermentation, and have both enhanced growth rate and spore production...."

Via:  TreeHugger  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was in Washington DC this past weekend and saw some small buses with the Smithsonian log on the side - promoting them as green hybrids.  This prompted me to see what else our nations museum is up too in the green space. 

Turns out quite a bit ... Read on for more >>>

" ... in 2008, 3.7 percent of our electricity came from renewable energy sources. ... reducing our carbon footprint [by]... 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases..."

" ... Smithsonian manages a fleet of over 700 vehicles ... As we finished 2008, over 76 percent of that fleet is now either hybrid electric or capable of working off of alternative fuels."

" ... have several people on staff who are LEED accredited professionals, ... design managers, architects and some engineers and are there to assist Smithsonian in seeking these LEED certifications."

Via:  Smithsonianmag.com  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The national survey showed that 67 percent of respondents were interested in learning more about renewable biofuels. On the positive side, a majority of respondents perceive some clear benefits of biofuels, with 66 percent agreeing that using them can help the United States reduce reliance on foreign oil. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

                                                                                                                                                                 Clemson University and the US DOE Savannah River National Lab are working together on the South Carolina BioEnergy Research Collaborative. The expectation is to advance the development and use of biofuels in agriculturally rich S.C.

Read on for more info >>>

" ... Clemson University Restoration Institute and the ... Savannah River National Laboratory are founding members of the S.C. BioEnergy Research Collaborative, ... will enhance the exchange of ideas and the development and use of new technologies. ...  the agreement, the Restoration Institute and the laboratory will ... Research crop development and harvesting, including switchgrass, sweet sorghum and pine ... Study emerging energy alternatives, such as algae; and ... Research crop-processing techniques to yield viable energy and chemical products, including ethanol, biodiesel and energy briquettes.







The project has the potential not only to enhance South Carolina's reputation as a leading alternative-energy researcher, but also boost Palmetto State agriculture, said Karl Kelly, director of corporate operations at the Restoration Institute.

The pilot plant will allow researchers to "scale up" new biofuel technologies, a crucial step between small laboratory experiments and full-scale production, he said.

"It's a project that addresses the entire process, from the field to the production of ethanol," Kelly said. "We'll look for gaps in the technology and fill them."

Initial funding was provided by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The collaborative is actively seeking funding for construction of the plant, which will take about 12 months to build.

Via:  Clemson University  LINK

Continue reading "Clemson Bio Fuels Research" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "These compounds could have two potential roles in the whole biomass to bio-fuel conversion. One is they could be inhibitors to enzymes or microbes that ultimately help us get to ethanol. If we could identify them and subsequently understand their role in inhibition and you could get around it, you could improve efficiency. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "This includes its expertise in microbial and enzyme technologies to break down chemical compounds. The laboratory is playing a lead role in research into the pretreatment of plant matter prior to fermentation and in the discovery of effective new cellulose enzymes. The entire senior class of Clemson chemical engineering professor Charles Gooding is working on a project to design a switchgrass-to-ethanol plant. Thirty-four students are looking at alternatives to the process, which could prove useful to the plant design, Gooding said. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Royal Dutch Shell plc and Codexis, Inc. today [10-March-09] announced an expanded agreement to develop better enzymes that could accelerate commercialisation of next generation biofuels. ...Shell also increased its equity stake in Codexis ..."

" ... enhance the efficiency of enzymes used in the Iogen cellulosic ethanol production process.  The world-leading Iogen demonstration plant in Ottawa, Canada currently produces hundreds of thousands of litres of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residue, such as wheat straw. "

" ... aims to enhance the Iogen process and shorten the timeline to its full-scale commercial deployment. ..."

 Via:  Shell  Link

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" ...  uniquely interactive format and high caliber of participants, ECO:nomics debuted last year as the premier forum for CEOs and entrepreneurs driving growth at the intersection of business and the environment...."

Snippets of the Program ... "... Green People - What do consumers want, and what will they pay for it? ... Power Play - What will keep the lights on: nuclear energy or "clean coal"? ... Fresh Juice - Can wind and solar grow big enough to matter? ... The Future of Coal ... The Future of Biofuels ... The Future of Solar ..."

Via:  eco-nomics LINK

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Here is an idea that is slightly out of the ordinary ... and a bit "unique".  A Beverly Hills surgeon is suspected of using the lipoosuctioned fat from patients to make biofuel to power his car.  Since being investigated the practice has closed ..

Read on for more ...

" ... Beverly Hills doctor Craig Alan Bittner turned the fat he removed from patients into biodiesel that fueled his Ford SUV and his girlfriend's Lincoln Navigator ... Fat--whether animal or vegetable--contains triglycerides that can be extracted and turned into diesel. ... Bittner's lipodiesel Web site is no longer online."

" ... it's definitely illegal in California to use human medical waste to power vehicles, and Bittner is being investigated by the state's public health department."

Via:  Forbes.Com  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The airline has said it plans to eventually power its entire fleet of domestic and international aircraft on 100 per cent biofuel. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Boeing, Air New Zealand and UOP have worked diligently with growers and project developer Terasol Energy to identify sustainable jatropha in adequate quantities to conduct thorough preflight testing. Using proprietary UOP fuel processing technology, the jatropha crude oil was successfully converted to biojet fuel, marking the world's first large-scale production run of a commercially viable and sustainable biofuel for aviation use. As part of the fuel verification process, UK-based engine maker Rolls-Royce's technical team conducted extensive laboratory testing to ensure compatibility with today's jet engine components and to validate the fuel meets stringent performance criteria for aviation fuel. To process the jatropha crude, the team relied on UOP's green jet fuel processing technology based on hydroprocessing methodologies that are commonly used to produce transportation fuels. During processing, hydrogen is added to remove oxygen from the biomass, resulting in a bio-derived jet fuel that can be used as a petroleum replacement for commercial aviation. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

AMERIgreen provides biofuels in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.

"... Biofuels are alternative fuels as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy. ... burn cleaner than gasoline and standard home heating oil. ... completely renewable, domestic, environmentally friendly fuels that enhance the nation's economy and energy independence."

" ... is a national leader in distributing branded and unbranded Ethanol, Biodiesel, Bioheating Oil, and Biokerosene! ... provide Blended Biodiesel at our two blending terminals in Highspire and Sinking Springs. PA...."

View their 30 second commercial Link

Via:  AMERIgreen   Link

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Read on for more  >>>

"Exelon continues to be a major voluntary user of B20 biodiesel  ... the main source of fuel for more than 2,500 of the company's  vehicles—or 65 percent of its fleet. ... Exelon uses in excess of 2 million gallons per year. ... In 2005, Exelon purchased 50 Ford Escape Hybrids, the first production hybrid sport-utility vehicle (SUV).  ... about 25 percent of the company’s overall SUV fleet. ... expects to procure 50 hybrid SUVs and 10 compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles each year and to use biodiesel for all diesel vehicles by the end of 2006."

Posted by Green Dude at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"... Eco-Sol provides a unique integrated approach to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture while emphasizing solutions that are truly environmentally friendly when compared to current “Green” industry practices."

" ... eliminating unnecessary processing, transportation, and chemicals, but to minimize our environmental impact and carbon footprint as well. ...  careful selection of oilseed feedstocks from area and climate suitable ecosystems, with an eye to reducing the water and energy used in all aspects of production. ... will provide a value added, locally grown, low maintenance/low input source of raw material for biodiesel production while driving agricultural economic development."

Via: Eco-Sol, LLC Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Algal jet fuel also has its fans in civil aviation, including Virgin and Boeing, which is no surprise since it seems to offer the best bet in a gamble where the stakes are literally sky-high: nothing less than the survival of aviation as we know it. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "AXI is developing algal strains that will bridge the gap between the promise of clean energy generation and the reality of economical biofuel production systems. Of the many feedstocks that can be used for biodiesel, algae are emerging as the clear winner because significant biomass can be produced on non-arable lands (thus avoiding the food vs. fuel debate) and CO2 (a greenhouse gas) supports their growth. " ...

Continue reading "Algae Biofuel Technology Will Be Commercialized" »

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Continue reading "fryOdiesel" »

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Here is an interesting product ... plastic bottles made from Corn ...  bottles that are made from a renewable resource ...  

"Primo is the first nationally available bottled water whose bottle is made from plants, not crude oil! ... a bottle that's friendly to the environment."

" ... Ingeo^tm, the world's first and only performance plastic made from 100% annually renewable plants. ..."

Disposal options include traditional recycling as well as incineration for power and composting ...  

Click HERE to see the 1st of several You Tube Video with details ... 

Via:  Primo  Link

Continue reading "Water Bottles Made from Corn based Plastic..." »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The plant will utilize high-yield oil-rich algae strains that Seambiotic has developed and grown in its open pond system coupled with Inventure's patent-pending conversion processes to produce ethanol, biodiesel and other value-added chemicals. " ...

Continue reading "Algae Biofuel from CO2 Emission" »

Posted by Green Tech at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Algae are an ideal low cost, renewable and environmentally progressive raw material that can be converted into biofuels. They can grow rapidly (doubling in biomass in as little as a few hours), require limited nutrients, and can annually deliver up to 2,000-5,000 gallons of fuel per acre of non-arable land. Algae do not require fresh water to thrive and so they will not compete for limited supplies of fresh water. In addition, they can also be used to clean wastewater and to recycle greenhouse gases such as CO2, NOx and SOx. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The effort will focus on developing and testing renewable energy technology to convert biofeedstocks to commercial aviation fuels, with specific focus on "second-generation" feedstocks such as algae which do not compete with food or water resources. " ...

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Delaware based DuPont and Copenhagen based Danisco announced a 50/50 JV to produce ethanol from the non food parts of plants - IE corn cobs and not corn.

May 14, 2008 - " ... DuPont and Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S,... an agreement to form DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, ... to develop and commercialize the leading, low-cost technology solution for the production of cellulosic ethanol -...biofuel produced from non-food sources –..."

" ... will initially target corn stover and sugar cane bagasse. Future targets include multiple ligno-cellulosic feedstocks including wheat straw, a variety of energy crops and other biomass sources."

"... The global joint venture expects its first pilot plant to be operational in the United States in 2009, and its first commercial-scale demonstration facility to be operational within the next three years. ..."

Posted by Green Dude at 05:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The first product, a renewable diesel that works in today's engines, is targeted for commercialization in 2010. Scale-up and testing work to date indicate that this fuel scales more quickly and economically than currently available biofuels, and reduces emissions by 80 percent over petroleum diesel. Using Amyris' breakthrough technology platform, the new joint venture, Amyris-Crystalsev Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Biocombustiveis Ltda, will work with Brazilian sugarcane mills and fuel producers to quickly scale production of the Amyris renewable diesel fuel. Amyris will hold the majority stake in the Amyris-Crystalsev venture, and Crystalsev will hold the remaining stake and contribute commercialization expertise. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 05:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "In the future, perennial crops, such as switchgrass, as well as crop residues and forestry biomass could be developed as major cellulosic ethanol sources that could potentially displace 30 percent of current U.S. petroleum consumption, Vogel said. Technology to convert biomass into cellulosic ethanol is being developed and is now at the development stage where small commercial scale biorefineries are beginning to be built with scale-up support from the U.S. Department of Energy. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Virgin Atlantic spokesman Paul Charles predicted this biofuel would produce much less CO2 than regular jet fuel ... " ...

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Everyone is talking about Biofuels and Flexfuels.  Most of  the cars that fall into this category are ... not so cool.  Here is a new take on "green" biofuel cars ...

Biofuel cars?  Seen that.

Biofuel Ferrari?  A biofuel Ferrari Spyder 430?  Really? 

Take a look!  This is a 4.3 liter V-8 with close to 500 horsepower so this is certainly not your average green car ...

http://web18.streamhoster.com/pentonmedia/ETV/2008/02/Download/080211d.zip

Via:  EngineeringTV.com   Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 
Green Fuel for airplanes! 

Green Flight International has made history buy having "... completed the world's first Jet aircraft flight powered by 100% biofuel ..."

They are planning an around the world approx. 22,000 nautical mile flight to further demonstrate their capabilities.  The date has not yet been set but he flight will "... set an example to the International community that it is possible to implement Alternative energy into mainstream transportation sources."

Green Flight International is based in Apopka, Florida.

Via:  Green Flight International Link

Continue reading "Bio-Diesel Flight Around the World" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"... Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept demonstrates the potential ... a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine optimized for bioethanol (E85) fuel to give 300 hp and 400 Nm (295 ft.lbs.) of torque - ..."

"... Its current BioPower models are the top-selling flex-fuel vehicles in Europe, ... offering both more power and producing less CO2 emissions when operating on E85 fuel compared to when fueled by only gasoline. ..."

"...  engine is optimized for E85 fuel (85% bioethanol, 15% gasoline) ..."

"Engine efficiency is also improved by the use of direct injection (DI) and continuously variable valve timing (VVT) on both the inlet and exhaust sides. ..."

Via:  SaabUSA.com  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bio-Diesel is an alternative fuel used in lqwn movers and cars.  But what about airplanes?

Read on to learn about a bio-diesel jet ...>>>

"Biodiesel ... recently power a 1968 L-29 Czechoslovakian jet—dubbed BioJet 1—up to 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) over 37 minutes. A three minute, 15-second test the day before was the world's first flight entirely fueled by cooking oil."

"... the fuel for the historic October flight: fresh canola oil refined into biodiesel. ...""

"As little as 20 percent biodiesel in petroleum diesel fuel will reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent,... "

"...  plans to fly the experimental jet from Reno, Nev., to Orlando, Fla.—the first transcontinental biodiesel flight, in eight stops. And, eventually, he hopes to fly a similarly fuelled plane around the world. ...""

Via:  Scientific American   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The major challenges of using pure biofuels in a commercial aircraft are its propensity to freeze at normal operating cruising temperatures, its poorer high temperature thermal stability characteristics in the engine, and its storage stability over time. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The New Belgium Brewery has many green aspects to their business ... In addition to their own waste water treatment plant ... they product their own methane!

"...  installation of its own process water treatment facility. ...  allows us to clean our process waters ...  without burdening the municipal system.... "

" ... byproduct of this process is the production of methane. ... capture this methane and pipe it back into ... a combined heat and power engine that produces both electrical and thermal energy. ... power about 10% of the brewery with this byproduct ..."

Via:  New Belgium Beer   Link

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Continue reading "Biofuel Car Conversions" »

Posted by Green Tech at 08:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The WHE is a self-starting, external combustion engine that operates in a low pressure, low temperature range. This feature allows the engine to run on waste heat emanating from an external source, such as the exhaust from an internal (or external) combustion engine, or the direct burning of biomass (i.e., processing garbage into methane is not required). The WHE is also designed to run efficiently on solar heat without the installation of costly photovoltaic panels. " ...

Continue reading "Waste Heat Engine" »

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... "The project, which Venter has been working on for five years along with a team of researchers, has been partially financed by the US Department of Energy in the hopes that it could lead to the creation of a new environmentally friendly fuel. " ...

Via Yahoo! News: Artificial life

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Ethanol ... Alcohol made from ... Corn!

Ethanol ... Alcohol made from ... Milk?

Read on to learn more ...

"Fonterra, a New Zealand dairy cooperative, has started producing 30,000 liters of ethanol a day, which are being sold in Gull petrol stations around the country."

"New Zealand has had quite a few successful eco-initiatives in the past, ... plan to be the first carbon-neutral country ...".

"They also set a national target of 3.4% biofuel content for gas and diesel by 2012."

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... "To date, the upgrading of bio-oil has been achieved using either hydrotreating, which is not economical, or cracking, which is not currently feasible on a production scale. Therefore, a low severity method for bio-oil deoxygenation is needed. We are examining two alternative concepts aimed at catalytic deoxygenation of bio-oil to a stabilized product, utilizing mild cracking over base catalysts and metal-catalyzed deoxygenation. " ...

Via College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky: Energy Projects

Posted by Green Tech at 08:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "As an example of such alternatives are sorghum cultivars that have been bred to produce either a high tonnage of biomass or high sugar content, McCutchen said. One sorghum, developed by Dr. Bill Rooney, Experiment Station plant breeder, can produce from 15 to 20 dry tons of biomass per acre, McCutchen said. " ...

Via Texas A&M University: Research in Review (PDF)

Posted by Green Tech at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Biogas Energy Project is the first large-scale demonstration in the United States of a new technology developed in the past eight years by Ruihong Zhang, a UC Davis professor of biological and agricultural engineering. The technology, called an anaerobic phased solids digester, has been licensed from the university and adapted for commercial use by Onsite Power Systems Inc. The goal of this innovative public-private alliance is to divert organic matter -- stuff made from plants and animals, such as food waste and yard clippings -- away from landfills and into the energy grid. That reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and turns trash into a substantial source of clean energy. " ...

Via UC-Davis: Food Into Electricity

Posted by Green Tech at 09:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Tiller will serve as director of external operations. Her duties will include general oversight of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative and managing development of the pilot biorefinery as well as managing relationships with external partners interested in collaborative projects associated with the plant or working to develop a bioenergy industry in the state. Rials will serve as director of research for bioenergy initiatives. He will oversee activities associated with refining the biomass conversion process and the development of co-products - valuable commercial products expected to result as part of the biomass-to-ethanol conversion process. Rials will also continue in his role as director of the federally funded Sun Grant Southeastern Regional Center, which coordinates some $7 million in federal research allocations for alternative energy research throughout the region. " ...

Via The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture: Researchers Appointed Directors for Tennessee Biofuels Initiative

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... "Here's how the process works: Wood chips and pellets - roughly a quarter inch in diameter and six-tenths of an inch long - are heated in the absence of oxygen at a high temperature, a process known as pyrolysis. Up to a third of the dry weight of the wood becomes charcoal, while the rest becomes a gas. Most of this gas is condensed into a liquid bio-oil and chemically treated. When the process is complete, about 34 percent of the bio-oil (or 15 to 17 percent of the dry weight of the wood) can be used to power engines. The researchers are currently working to improve the process to derive even more oil from the wood. " ...

Via University of Georgia: New biofuel from trees, Dr Tom Adams (picture below), Engineering

Via ACS: Pyrolysis of Wood/Biomass for Bio-oil Research

Via ERIC: Wood pyrolysis is a process that burns wood without air, producing gas and oil that are then burned for heat.

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... "If oil prices are permanently $10-per-barrel higher than assumed in the baseline projections, U.S. ethanol will expand significantly. The magnitude of the expansion will depend on the future makeup of the U.S. automobile fleet. If sufficient demand for E-85 from flex-fuel vehicles is available, corn-based ethanol production is projected to increase to over 30 billion gallons per year with the higher oil prices. " ...

Via CARD, The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development: Emerging Biofuels: Outlook of Effects on U.S. Grain, Oilseed, and Livestock Markets

Posted by Green Tech at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

See this PBS segment featuring Willie Nelson on biofuel. ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Funded by a $1.5 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the three-year project will determine if energy crops planted for cellulosic ethanol could simultaneously produce methacrylate monomers, a key raw material used in the manufacture of many products including paint and coatings, building materials, and acrylic sheet and resins. The economics are attractive. More than 1.5 billion pounds of methacrylate monomers are produced annually in the United States, a market worth $780 million. Though in its early stages, the science looks promising. Molecular biologists and biochemistry experts at Ceres say that some plants naturally produce compounds similar to methacrylate monomers, but do not necessarily accumulate them in extractable forms or quantities. They believe it may be feasible to alter the way plants produce these compounds so that they can be extracted from the dried stalks, stems and leaves before these are fed into biorefineries producing ethanol from cellulose. " ...

Via Rohm and Haas: Bio-Products Research

Posted by Green Tech at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Virgin Air's Sir Richard Branson wants to become green by taking into account the energy use and corresponding carbon output from air travel.

"... we must rapidly wean ourselves off our dependence on coal and fossil fuels. Our generation has the knowledge and the financial resources and, as importantly, the willpower to do so."

from:  Richard Branson, Clinton Global Initiative, September 2006.

"Virgin Fuels has been created to invest in new products and technologies that will help reduce CO2 emissions and slow global warming. Our aim is to become a leading player in the global renewable energy sector."

To halp achieve this ... Virgin has stakes in 4 bio-fuels companies:

Cilion | California, USA

• "Formed in June 2006 to build and operate ethanol plants that will be cheaper and greener than standard corn to ethanol plants ...plans to build seven plants by 2009 with a total of 440 million gallons per year capacity"
  
  
  

VBV | A joint venture with Bioverda (wholly owned subsidiary of NTR)

• "Origination strategy for ethanol with five plants strategically located in the US mid-west ...future strategy to move into other geographies (other US, UK and Europe) and other sectors (such as bio-diesels)".
  
  

Ethanol Grain Processors | Tennessee, USA

"Ethanol Grain Processors LLC (EGP) has plans to construct a 100 million gallon per year corn-to-ethanol plant in Obion, Tennessee; construction to start Q1 2007".

Indiana Bio-Energy | Indiana, USA

• "Indiana Bio-Energy LLC (IBE) plans to construct a 100 million gallon per year facility"

Via:  Virgin Fuels.Com   Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "But researchers are still trying to figure out the best way to economically transport the stover and store it so that it doesn't decay. " ...

Via DesMoines Register: Challenges Associated with Biofuel Production

Posted by Green Tech at 09:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "For cellulosic ethanol production, one major detour has being addressed with the characterization of the genetic blueprint of the fungus Pichia stipitis, by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (DOE JGI) and collaborators at the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL). The research, entailing the identification of numerous genes in P. stipitis responsible for its fermenting and cellulose-bioconverting prowess, and an analysis of these metabolic pathways ... " ...

Via DOE Joint Genome Institute: Genome Sequenced For Biofuel Production

Posted by Green Tech at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "He added that the introduction of biofuels would benefit developed countries through increasing energy security by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions. For developing countries, greater use of biofuels would significantly reduce dependence on imported oil, redressing trade imbalances and freeing up income for investments in health, education and social programmes. " ...

Via United Nations: INTERNATIONAL BIOFUELS FORUM

Posted by Green Tech at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "It also recommends expanding the use of biofuels through energy portfolio standards and incentives to growers and consumers. The report outlines a role for the international community, through the UN and related multilateral institutions, including helping countries in need to finance and deploy energy efficient and new energy technologies while accelerating negotiations to develop a new international framework for addressing climate change and sustainable development. " ...

Via UN: United Nations on Climate Change

Posted by Green Tech at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Through the 2006 Florida Energy Act, the Florida Legislature appropriated $15 million for renewable energy technologies grants to stimulate capital investment in the state and promote and enhance the statewide utilization of renewable energy technologies, including ethanol and bioenergy. The funding was awarded to eight organizations with at least $5 million to support bioenergy projects and $10 million for projects that generate or utilize other renewable energy resources, including hydrogen, biomass and solar energy. " ...

Via Florida Governor Charlie Crist: State Awards Grants for Renewable Energy Technologies

Posted by Green Tech at 06:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "At the Piper Jaffray Alternative Energy Symposium which focused on industry and investment trends in solar, cleantech and biofuels, Ranieri reviewed global biofuels opportunities, the future of cellulosic ethanol and next generation biofuels, such as biobutanol, as replacements for gasoline transportation fuels.

Sample of Dupont's progress in biofuels:

DuPont had more than $300 million in revenues in 2006 and growing at greater than 20 percent per year from seed and crop protection solutions that increase yield per acre and enhance ethanol yield of grain through biotechnology.

DuPont and the U.S. Department of Energy are jointly funding a research program to develop technology to convert corn stover into ethanol.

DuPont's partnership with BP to develop biobutanol is based on its strategy to bring advanced biofuels to market to expand the use of biofuels in gasoline. Biobutanol will be the first product available and offers improved performance. " ...

Via Dupont: DuPont Biofuels Leader Provides Business Update at Alternative Energy Symposium

Posted by Green Tech at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

President Bush views demonstration of plug-in hybrid automobile technology as he strives to confirm if his Twenty in Ten vision is achievable.  ...

... "I also met with people that are working to help us develop a fuel industry that will be able to have ethanol derived from produce other than corn. In other words, I'm talking with people on the leading edge of change. And the reason why I've asked them to come in to see me is because I want to make sure that the goal I set by reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent over a 10-year period is a realistic goal. I know it's a necessary goal: it's necessary for national security purposes; it's necessary for economic security purposes; and it's necessary in order to be good stewards of the environment. My question is, is a practical goal, can we achieve that goal. And the answer is, absolutely. Now, it's going to require continued federal research dollars, and I call upon the Congress to fully fund my request for alternative sources of energy. " ...

Via White House: President Bush Alternative Fuel Automobile Demonstration

Posted by Green Tech at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Although ethanol can be produced from virtually any plant substance, more intensive chemical processes are required to make the fuel from fibrous materials like grass or wood than from starch materials like corn or sugar cane ... " ...

Via Arizona Daily Star: Bioethanol Challenges

Posted by Green Tech at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The carbon briquettes contain networks of pores and channels that can hold methane at a high density without the cost of extreme compression, ultimately storing the fuel at a pressure of only 500 pounds per square inch, the pressure found in natural gas pipelines.

In addition to efforts to commercialize the technology, the researchers are now focusing on the next generation briquette, one that will store more natural gas and cost less to produce. Pfeifer believes this next generation of briquette might even hold promise for storing hydrogen. " ...

Via US National Science Foundation, NSF: Farm Waste to Fuel Tanks

Posted by Green Tech at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Convert your car to use vegetable oil as fuel. Via Lovecraft Biofuels, see video ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The combined company will be the first within the cellulosic ethanol industry to possess integrated end-to-end capabilities in pre-treatment, novel enzyme development, fermentation, engineering, and project development. It will seek to build a global enterprise as a leading producer of cellulosic ethanol and as a strategic partner in bio-refineries around the world. At the same time, the company will continue to pursue broad market opportunities for specialty industrial enzymes within the areas of alternative fuels, specialty industrial processes, and health and nutrition, with a primary focus on enzymes for the production of biofuels. The combined company will be headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and have research and operations facilities in San Diego, California; Jennings, Louisiana; and Gainesville, Florida. Celunol has recently commenced operations of the nation's first cellulosic ethanol pilot facility in Jennings, Louisiana and expects to complete a 1.4 million gallons-per-year, demonstration-scale facility to produce cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane bagasse and specially-bred energy cane by the end of 2007. " ...

Via Diversa Corporation: Diversa and Celunol Announce Merger to Create a New Biofuels Industry Leader ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 8, 2007

Almost live from the Philadelphia Auto Show at the Philadelphia Convention Center ...

Along with the expected Hybrid cars offered by Honda, Toyota, Ford and Saturn was a unique vehicle ... The "World's First Hybrid Supercar".  

The Hybrid Attack was developed and built by students from the Academy for Automotive & Mechanical Engineering at West Philadelphia High School.

Specs:

Fuel:              100 % Biodiesel
Performance:   0 - 6- in less than 4 seconds
Economy:        50+ MPG
Power:            Modified VW 105 HP TDi and AC motor
Weight:           2290 pounds

The car won t he 2006 Tour De Sol.

According to students and booth attendees the total cost of the car was approx. $100,000.  Components were donated by Toyota and Suburu via dealers and board members.

Still ... Quite amazing for students ... a challenge for Detroit and the rest of the auto industry????

Via:  The Green Dude   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "As part of the EBI, some 340 acres of farmland at the Urbana campus will be devoted to the study and production of feedstock for biofuel production. Researchers will explore the potential benefits of using corn crop residues, switchgrass, Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganticus: a hybrid grass that can grow 13 feet tall), and other herbaceous perennials as fuel sources. The initiative will explore how adequate supplies of high quality plant biomass can be sustainably produced and utilized in facilities that convert the biomass to fuels. " ...

Via University of Illinois: Initiative will put Illinois at forefront of farm bioenergy production

Posted by Green Tech at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

E85 flex fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol (derived from corn or soy) and 15% gasoline.  Only E85 capable cars can use this fuel. 

B20 is a of 20% biodiesel and 80 % regular diesel fuel.

Fuel stations that carry E85 and / or B20 have been slow to emerge in the northeast part of the U.S.

>>>> Today, Feb 1st, 2007 at 1:30 pm EST, Philadelphia gets its first E85 / B20 Station.  The Shell station is at 12th and Vine Sts in the Chinatown section of the city.

Via:   Phillycleancities.org   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "creation of the Governor’s Office on Energy Independence, which will coordinate the state’s efforts to grow Wisconsin’s bio and renewable economies and advise the Governor and cabinet agencies on ways to meet the goals of Wisconsin’s Declaration of Energy Independence. The office will be led by an Executive Director who will report directly to the Governor and include staff from the Departments of Administration Division of Energy (DOA-Energy), Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Natural Resources (DNR), and the Public Service Commission. " ...

Via Wisconsin Office of the Governor: Major Investment to Achieve Energy Independence and Fight Global Warming

Posted by Green Tech at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "GBL and EKB have been awarded grant funding of GBP250,000 from the dti technology programme for collaborative R&D. This matched funding will enable GBL to speed up development of an advanced fermentation process for the production of butanol, a renewable liquid biofuel for transportation. " ...

Via Green Biologics: Grant funding awarded

Posted by Green Tech at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The President toured DuPont’s biofuels research programs and met with scientists Bill Hitz, Mark Emptage, Lisa Laffend and Armando Byrne and business director Bill Frey. His tour spanned efforts to market seed that produces higher yields of ethanol to work underway to develop and integrate a BioRefinery that converts corn stover to biofuels and biobutanol - a next generation biofuel that has uncompromised performance attributes. " ...

Via DuPont: President Bush Visits Dupont; Discusses Biofuel Research

Posted by Green Tech at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Svenska Statoil’s stations sold 19.5 million litres of E85 in 2006, and 170 of its sites currently offer the product. Another 90 outlets will be added over the coming year. A total of 36,711 of these environmental cars were purchased in Sweden during 2006, an increase of 156% from the year before and 13.5% of all newly-registered cars in the country. " ...

Via StatOil: Swedish record for biofuel

Posted by Green Tech at 09:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The grant will be used to renovate laboratories in Riley Robb Hall and to purchase fermenters, incubators and state-of-the-art analytical equipment. It also will improve researchers' abilities to overcome the physical, chemical and biological barriers to liberating sugars from such energy crops as switchgrass, miscanthus and other perennial grasses as well as woody biomass, and to biologically convert these sugars into such biofuels as ethanol, butanol or hydrogen. " ...

Via Cornell Univ: $10 million for biofuel research

Posted by Green Tech at 08:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cargill sees earnings accelerate, influenced by biofuels market.  Cargill makes ethanol at two production facilities in Iowa and Nebraska and produces biodiesel from a new facility in Iowa.  ...

... "Cargill delivered outstanding results in the second quarter, said Warren Staley, Cargill chairman and chief executive officer. Similar to the first quarter, we experienced fast-changing markets in the second period, brought about by the interest in biofuels, investor flows into commodity futures and other markets offering diversification, and expansionary economies in many parts of the world. " ...

Via Cargill: Cargill reports second quarter fiscal 2007 earnings

Posted by Green Tech at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Forming an essential part of China's alternate energy strategy, the development of forest bio-fuel offers enormous potential in the energy resources sphere and is a win-win solution in benefiting the growth of the industry and protection of ecological environment. Forest bio-fuel not only facilitates an improvement in peasant income and new rural construction in an effective way, but also alleviates the emission of greenhouse gases. It helps ease the shortage of energy supply and optimize the energy resources matrix, playing an important role in the sustainable development of society and economy. PetroChina and the SFA will work hand in hand in the cultivation and development of forest bio-fuel resources, cooperate in the area of carbon sequestration and bring into play the respective strengths of the government and the enterprise to accelerate the pace of integration of forests and fuel, with an aim to mutually promote the forest bio-fuel industry of China and contribute to the country’s energy and ecological development as well as efforts to mitigate greenhouse effects as a whole. " ...

Via Petrochina: Petrochina Enters into Framework Cooperation Agreement With The State Forestry Administration on Forest Bio-Fuel Development ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "This class will be serve as both an introduction to biodiesel and a hands-on experience for those interested in learning how to make biodiesel from used restaurant oil. " ...

Via BioLyle: Upcoming Class ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The advantage of developing biofuel from halophytes as opposed to other types of biomass is that saltwater plants are not dependent on fresh water, which is in increasingly short supply ... " ...

Via Flight International: Fuel-yielding plants ...

Halophytes are ...

Via Wikipedia: Halophyte: A halophyte is a plant that naturally grows where it is affected by salinity in the root area or by salt spray.  An example of a halophyte is the salt marsh grass. " 

Posted by Green Tech at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Sustainable Biodiesel Summit in San Antonio, TX this Feb. 4th, Theme: Sustainability is about reverence of interconnections " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The research is focused on developing the potential of growing algae as an oil-producing feedstock for biodiesel production. " ...

Via Las Cruces Sun: Algae route to biofuel

NMSU announcement on the research through the Agricultural Research Center at Arteisa.  ...

...   "The project is investigating the best ways to grow and harvest certain species of algae, which produce a much higher level of oil than more traditional crops like soybeans or canola. "   ...

Via New Mexico State University: Biodiesel Research Announcement

Posted by Green Tech at 08:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Syngenta and Diversa Corporation announced a new 10-year research and development partnership focused on the discovery and development of a range of novel enzymes to convert pre-treated cellulosic biomass economically to mixed sugars - a critical step in the process of biofuel production. The new agreement allows Diversa to independently develop and commercialize fermentation-based enzyme combinations from its proprietary platform. Syngenta will have exclusive access to enzymes from Diversa's platform to express in plants for enhanced cost-effective production. Converting biomass to biofuels requires breakthrough developments in three areas: chemical preparation of the cellulosic biomass (pre-treatment), conversion of pre-treated cellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars by combinations of enzymes (saccharification), and the development of novel micro-organisms to ferment the sugars to ethanol or other fuels (fermentation). Developing cost-effective enzyme systems is essential to economically converting biomass to biofuels. " ...

Via Syngenta: Syngenta and Diversa agree on new R&D partnership to discover enzymes for biofuels ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "As meatpackers enter the field, they bring massive amounts of fuel stock that could make biodiesel cheaper and more plentiful. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "A compact and powerful two-cylinder 750-cc engine provides some 150 environmentally friendly horsepower for swift conveyance. Bioethanol that reduces CO2 emissions powers the tiny supercharged engine. With a projected vehicle weight of just 750 kilograms thanks to plastic lightweight construction each horsepower has to account for just five kilograms ... " ...

Via RinSpeed: RINSPEED EXASIS

Posted by Green Tech at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

VeraSun Erergy Corporation (NYSE: VSE)  has a process to get more energy from each bushel of corn.  They can make both ethanol and biodiesel from corn.  VeraSun is "the nations second largest ethanol producer". 

Here's the process.   "VeraSun identified an opportunity to utilize oil extracted from distillers grains, undervalued as a feed component, as an excellent feedstock for biodiesel. Removing the oil from distillers grains both increases the value of the oil for fuel use, and enhances the resulting distillers grains as a livestock feed by concentrating protein and reducing fat content."

"Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel to run in all existing diesel engines."  Production has grown from "75 million gallons in 2005" and is expected to "more than one billion gallons by 2010 and double to two billion gallons by 2020."

Via:  VeraSun Energy   Link   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "By manipulating the yeast genome, the researchers have engineered a new strain of yeast that can tolerate elevated levels of both ethanol and glucose, while producing ethanol faster than un-engineered yeast. The key to the MIT strategy is manipulating the genes encoding proteins responsible for regulating gene transcription and, in turn, controlling the repertoire of genes expressed in a particular cell. These types of transcription factors bind to DNA and turn genes on or off, essentially controlling what traits a cell expresses. In this case, the researchers targeted two different transcription factors. They got their best results with a factor known as a TATA-binding protein, which when altered in three specific locations caused the over-expression overexpresion of at least a dozen genes, all of which were found to be necessary to elicit an improved ethanol tolerance, thus allowing that strain of yeast to survive high ethanol concentrations. " ...

Via MIT: Engineered yeast speeds ethanol production

Posted by Green Tech at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Dyadic will use the proceeds from this private sale to fund its R&D obligations under the R&D agreement, which has as its objective the development of a cost-effective enzyme production system for commercial application in Abengoa Bioenergy’s bioethanol (cellulosic ethanol) production process. The R&D agreement, which does not become effective until the private sale closes, calls upon Dyadic to use its proprietary technologies to develop one or more enzyme mixture manufacturing systems customized to ABRD’s proprietary biomass substrates. The R&D agreement contemplates that Dyadic will perform both foundational research of general application to the cellulosic ethanol field and specific applications research for the achievement of the goals of ABRD’s program. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "To advance production of non-fossil fuels, Chapple and Meilan are using genetic tools to modify the poplar and then study how the alterations changed the plants' cell walls. Meilan also is attempting to find ways to produce trees that are reproductively sterile so they are unable to transfer introduced traits to wild trees. Researchers believe that using the hybrid poplar in its present form could produce about 70 gallons of fuel per ton of wood. Approximately 10 tons of poplar could be grown per acre annually, representing 700 gallons of ethanol. Corn currently produces about 4.5 tons per acre per year with a yield of about 400 gallons of ethanol. Changing the lignin composition could increase the annual yield to 1,000 gallons of ethanol per acre, according to experts. Planted on 110 million acres of unused farmland, this could replace 80 percent of the transportation fossil fuel consumed in the United States each year. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Chevron's Energy Solutions subsidiary plans to leverage its engineering, procurement, and construction strengths to construct three high-efficiency ethanol production facilities for Ethanex Energy, a renewable energy company.  ...

...   "Under an agreement with Ethanex, CES will perform engineering, geotechnical studies, site and civil design work in order to prepare a detailed proposal for developing and building ethanol plants that use advanced technology to maximize the plants' efficiency. The proposal will include details necessary for CES to negotiate contracts to engineer, procure and construct for Ethanex at least three biofuel plants by 2008. The plants, to be located in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, will each produce about 132 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol annually.  Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is a renew