In Europe, the EurObserv’ER has released its annual Biofuel Barometer, reporting a decline in consumption of biofuels in Europe for the first time. The decline was attributed to Spain’s incorporation target cuts and Germany’s abolishment of tax exemptions for the biodiesel sector. Some countries, including the U.K., Sweden and Denmark, significantly increased their incorporation rates, […]
In North Carolina, Kelley Green Biofuels presented an innovative approach to biodiesel production and methanol recovery at the 2014 Collective Biodiesel Conference this month in Pittsboro. With the technology, the company’s biodiesel exits the reactor containing 4-6% methanol by volume, at which point the fuel is sent through a flash drum which recovers up to […]
In Indiana, Valero Energy has restarted production at its ethanol plant in Indiana, shuttered more than two years ago. Valero purchased the plant in March from Illinois-based Aventine Renewable Energy for $34 million. The plant is expected to raise Valero’s ethanol production to 1.3 billion gallons annually, setting it up third in ethanol production behind […]
In Kentucky, the University of Kentucky has received a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. The grant, which is to support 150 jobs over the next five years, will focus on three research areas: chemical biology for advanced materials, which can help biofuel manufacturing processes; advanced-membrane technologies, […]
In Iowa, Growth Energy, in partnership with New Holland, created a special display for the Farm Progress Show which demonstrated a model ethanol plant. The educational display includes a fully built-to-scale plant demonstrating how feedstocks come into the plant and how products are made. The push from Growth Energy fits into New Holland’s commitment to […]
In the US, nearby corn futures have seen new contract lows, with low prices benefitting end-users like ethanol producers, causing unusually high margins. With the big crop looming, new crop carry-out is expected to increase but low prices will encourage future demand in 2015. Despite the lows, various private analysts have released final yield estimates […]
In Kentucky, the University of Louisville Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research has received a five-year grant from the Nation Science Foundation that will provide $4.2 million in funding for its “Powering the Kentucky Bioeconomy for a Sustainable Future” project. The center leads research that increases homegrown energy sources to meet the national need while […]
In the US, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will allow federally-registered lobbyists to be nominated for its renewable energy and energy efficiency advisory committee, which the group is reestablishing. Members will serve a two-year term to advise the secretary on the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of […]
In Indonesia, airline Garuda expects to be using an aviation biofuel blend by 2016 comprised of biofuel and avtur (aviation turbine fuel). The aircraft are already equipped to use biofuel and the carrier aims to run a trial flight soon. However, the state-owned carrier’s commitment to supporting the use of clean energy will be highly […]
In Minnesota, E15 will be more available to consumers if CHS’s new program across their 1400 locations is a success. For Cenex retailers wanting to offer E15 in addition to their current gasoline products, the Cenex Tank Program will cover a significant portion of the cost to purchase and install an additional storage tank for […]
