What was once only a dream has become a reality with the grand opening ceremony of Project Liberty.
The International Renewable Energy Agency has published a new report predicting a major role for modern, sustainable biomass technologies in the world's energy mix. It includes forecasts for power, thermal and liquid fuels production.
Supply-chain sustainability is something that should be a high priority for ethanol producers, writes Sara Hessenflow Harper. Data collection is a critical component of that.
Densification reduces transportation cost, improves storability and could open new markets. Are pellets the future for corn stover?
In early September, the USDA's Commodity Credit Corp. announced it does not expect to purchase sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program in fiscal year 2015.
The idea of wet biomass storage has yet to catch on in the cellulosic industry, despite long-term use in the pulp and paper industry.
Several senators have asked U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman asking to work with China to restore the flow of agricultural-related trade following the MIR 162 trade issues. Meanwhile, Cargill has filed a lawsuit against Syngenta.
Comparison of 3D TEM imaging techniques reveals never-seen-before details of plant cell walls, according to a study published Sept. 10 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by researchers from University of California, Berkeley.
As the 2014 harvest season kicks off, members of the U.S. Senate are taking action to ensure the Surface Transportation Board has the authority necessary to help mitigate the rail backlog currently plaguing the Midwest.
Viaspace Inc. has announced that the first harvest of Giant King Grass in the Imperial Valley of California, was completed on Sept. 2. Two planting methods were compared at the University of California site in Holtville, California.
The USDA boosted its corn yield forecast by 4.3 bushels per acre to a record 171.7 bushels, projecting corn production at a record 14.395 billion bushels, 368 million bushels higher than last month's supply/demand report.
Genera Energy Inc. recently introduced its newest feedstock management system module, BIN-SPEC. A proprietary preprocessing system, BIN-SPEC delivers a consistent biomass product to a customer's specifications with the least amount of variability.
On Sept. 4, the Surface Transportation Board held a hearing to discuss rail service issues and delays. Among those offering testimony were two Midwest ethanol producers.
After a decade of hard work, one of the world's largest ethanol producers is making cellulosic fuel a reality. Under a cloudless sky on a cool, September morning, Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels celebrated grand opening of Project Liberty.
In September, October and November the Southeastern Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems will take to the road to show off research progress of the regional partnership, which is focused on biofuels production centered in the Southeast.
For some students at Eastern Illinois University, the traditional, enclosed classroom will soon be replaced with acres of wind-blown native grasses. Local landowners have agreed to allow Eastern to use nearly 120 acres of their property for research.
The University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute has published a mid-year update to its baseline agricultural report, which was prepared in January. The update includes revised forecasts for ethanol and corn production.
The U.S. Department of Energy is asking for input on landscape design approaches that sustainably integrate cellulosic feedstock production into existing agricultural and forestry systems. Comments are due Sept. 2.
August is proving to be a month of making new contract lows in nearby corn futures. Soybeans had the same type of trade but the contract lows were for new crop. Mild temperatures and scattered moisture despite a dry July triggered some sell-off.
Despite the focus on potential record corn production this growing season, corn futures are showing an amazing sense of stability at the end of August. This is creating the potential for light to moderate buyer support.
Geringhoff will participate in Poet-DSM's Project Liberty trials, starting with an open house and tours at Poet's facilities in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on Sept. 3. Trials are being performed with the Geringhoff Horizon Elite XL Stover Collection corn head.
Genera Energy recently released a new infographic featuring a visual overview of biomass feedstock and guidelines for choosing the best solution for every biomass project. The four-page infographic highlights key supply chain elements.
In the last couple of weeks I've covered some undeniably good news stories. I have to say, those kinds of stories are a lot more fun to write than stories about bankruptcies, idled plants and tight margins.
Despite challenges surrounding imports, China has accomplished a feat never before seen. According to Chinese and USDA data, China has imported more than 3 million metric tons each of corn, sorghum and DDGS this marketing year, which ends Aug. 31.
While the powerful solvents known as ionic liquids show great promise for liberating fermentable sugars from lignocellulose and improving the economics of advanced biofuels, an even more promising candidate is on the horizon, bionic liquids.
It's important to remind ourselves that ethanol is about revitalizing small towns and farms in rural America, writes Mike Bryan. A 50 MMgy ethanol plant will generate nearly $200 million in yearly revenue in DDGS and ethanol sales alone.
Brazil-based Cosan recently released financial results for the second quarter, reporting a 16 percent increase in EBITDA for its Raizen Energia business unit, which comprises its sugar, ethanol and cogeneration operations.
The cover crop potential for corn production is just one example of the many interesting things to learn about when writing about the ethanol industry.
Calgren Renewable Fuels, Aemetis Inc. and Pacific Ethanol Inc. each received a $3 million matching grant from the California Energy Commission's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program to support sorghum feedstock development.
The release of a new type of switchgrass specifically designed for bioenergy generation has been announced by USDA researchers and their partners. The cultivar "Liberty" can yield 8 tons of biomass per acre.
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