Overexposure to sunlight, which is damaging to natural photosynthetic systems of green plants and cyanobacteria, is also expected to be damaging to artificial photosynthetic systems. Michigan State University researchers aim to overcome that hurdle.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced it is soliciting applications for up to $4 billion in loan guarantees to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects located in the U.S. that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gases.
In late July, several pieces of legislation were introduced that aim to impact the biorefining industry. Two of the bills aim to benefit bioenergy technologies, while a third would limit the U.S. EPA's ability to set cellulosic mandates.
Argonne National Laboratory recently teamed with industry to investigate alternative fuels for recreational marine applications. Research has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of a blend of fuel that includes 16 percent butanol.
Gevo Inc. has announced that Express Lube of Fredericksburg, Texas, is the first U.S. service station to sell gasoline blended with Gevo's renewable isobutanol at the pump. Express Lube has been selling the fuel at over a 50 percent premium to E10.
UPS has announced agreements for up to 46 million gallons of renewable fuels over the next three years, constituting a 15-fold increase over prior contracts and making UPS one of the largest users of renewable diesel in the world.
On July 22, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources introduced a bipartisan energy bill, titled the "Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015." The committee was scheduled to hold business meetings on the bill on July 28 and July 30.
DuPont has released second quarter financial results, reporting an 11 percent drop in sales and a slight increase in earnings per share. The company also noted its cellulosic refinery in Iowa is now mechanically complete.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff launched Iogen Energy's cellulosic ethanol technology at the official opening of Raizen's newly expanded Costa Pinto sugar cane mill in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 22.
July 27 is the final day members of the public can weigh in on the U.S. EPA's recently released renewable fuel standard (RFS) proposal. As the comment period comes to a close, supporters of the biofuel industry are actively making their voices heard.
A Lawrence Livermore team has received an additional $1 million to protect algal crops by developing "probiotic" bacteria to combat pond infestation and increase ecosystem function and resilience.
New Holland Agriculture is supplying equipment to the State University of New York that will aid in U.S. Department of Energy-funded research focused on finding ways to reduce the cost of delivering biomass for refinement.
Deinove recently announced that it has completed conclusive proof of concept for the production of muconic acid by a Deinococcus bacterium and has decided to launch a new research and development platform in this field.
Lee Enterprises Consulting, an alternative and renewable fuels consulting group, has announced a strategic alliance with Zeton Inc., which designs and fabricates lab-scale systems, pilot plants, demonstration plants, and other facilities.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for June, reporting that more than 1.56 billion RINs were generated during the month, including more than 12.41 million cellulosic RINs.
The public comment period on U.S. EPA's renewable fuel standard (RFS) proposal is set to close July 27. As of July 22, more than 45,000 comments had already been filed on the proposal.
The Algae Biomass Organization's Matt Carr discusses the relationships between policy, investment and the success of the industry.
Xebec Adsorption Inc. recently announced that it has commenced operation of its first commercial landfill gas to compressed natural gas (CNG) upgrading system in Anshan, North Eastern China. The resulting fuel will power natural gas taxis.
Photobioreactor manufacturers detail their latest designs and performance metrics and provide project updates from around the globe.
Red Rock Biofuels LLC has announced that it will produce approximately 3 million gallons of low-carbon, renewable jet fuel per year for FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. The agreement runs through 2024, with first delivery expected in 2017.
In July, the U.S. Department of Energy published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comments on proposed revisions to certain information collection forms, including several focused on biofuel. Comments are due Sept. 8.
The Senate Finance Committee has passed a tax extenders package that includes two-year extensions of tax credits for cellulosic biofuels and biodiesel. The next step for the legislation is consideration by the full U.S. Senate.
The Advanced Ethanol Council is expanding its organizational charter to include other types of advanced biofuels. The new group, called the Advanced Biofuels Business Council, also announced new corporate and board members.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance is scheduled to address a tax extenders bill on July 21. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recently announced he has secured the inclusion of tax incentives for cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel in the legislation.
DuPont and Jilin Province New Tianlong Industry Co. Ltd. have announced a licensing agreement to begin the development of China's largest cellulosic ethanol manufacturing plant, located in Siping City, Jilin Province, China.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is soliciting nominations for candidates to fill vacancies on the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. Nominations are due Aug. 14.
The U.S. EPA is inviting public comment on its preliminary analysis of the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the production and transport of Gossypium spp. seed oil (cottonseed oil) feedstock for use in biofuel production.
In early July, the U.S. EPA released renewable identification number (RIN) sales data aggregated by renewable fuel standard (RFS) party type for the first time. The EPA said the data will increase transparency in the RIN market.
The U.S. EPA is recognizing green chemistry technologies developed by industrial pioneers and leading scientists that turn climate risk and other environmental problems into business opportunities, spurring innovation and economic development.
Deinove recently announced that it has reached the third and penultimate milestone of its Deinol project supported by Bpifrance. Achievement of this milestone triggers grant funding of up to EUR 1.2 million ($1.31 million).
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