By Nicholas Zeman
October 02, 2006
As billionaire Vinod Khosla announced the formation of Cilion, a new company which plans to build eight ethanol plants—three in California—within the next two years, it becomes apparent that the cutting-edge technologies involved in ethanol production have attracted the interest and the deep pockets of the Silicon Valley.
While no one can predict for sure what the biofuels industry will look like in the next generation, the renewable fuels market is growing by leaps and bounds each year. Models suggest that the United States is headed for significant change over the next 50 years in the areas of technology, efficiency and production. Experts warn against moving too quickly into new territory, but the ethanol and biodiesel push continues to move full speed ahead.
After 35 years in existence, the Nebraska Ethanol Board has reason to boast about its state's success in the ethanol industry. However, the board's leader and his partners continue to roll up their sleeves and look ahead.
There are crops—unlike corn or soybeans—that have few food applications and low environmental impacts in their lifecycles. These dedicated energy crops may be part of the next generation of biofuels processing, and the future of agriculture. Work must continue on the feedstock development front—where research is sparse and experience is thin—to achieve a wide and dynamic portfolio of raw materials.
By Ron Kotrba
October 02, 2006
Before last summer, ethanol was still a rather elusive subject to the public. The August 2005 signing of a federal energy bill changed that. A year after the new Energy Policy Act was passed, EPM considers what has taken place since that fateful day in Albuquerque.
By Jorge L. Arrizurieta
October 02, 2006
By Mark Warren
October 02, 2006
By David M. Bresnahan
October 02, 2006
By Gregory J. Lynch and Geoffrey R. Morgan
October 02, 2006
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