Category: Top Stories

The blame game: renewables experts, oil refiners trade barbs on impact of rising renewable fuel mandates

The blame game: renewables experts, oil refiners trade barbs on impact of rising renewable fuel mandates

November 11, 2013 |

In Washington, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is disputing the numbers from RFA’s recently released analysis, which shows how Big Oil stands to gain a $9.2-15.2 billion windfall from a possible reduction to EPA’s 2014 RVOs. Bob Dinneen, RFA President and CEO, commented: “AFPM are misunderstanding the very basic principles of supply and demand. […]

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DOE issues “Request for Information for accelerating the deployment of advanced biofuel, bioproducts, and biopower technologies

DOE issues “Request for Information for accelerating the deployment of advanced biofuel, bioproducts, and biopower technologies

November 11, 2013 |

In Washington, the Bioenergy Technologies Office is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding bioenergy technology validation to accelerate the deployment of advanced biofuel, bioproducts, and biopower technologies. BETO is specifically interested in information technologies that are ready for technology validation at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 or higher. TRLs 6–8 generally correspond to pilot-, demonstration-, […]

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Record corn harvest in US, says USDA

Record corn harvest in US, says USDA

November 11, 2013 |

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today estimated that the 2013 corn crop will achieve a new record of 13.99 billion bushels, 7% larger than the previous record and a whopping 30% larger than last year’s drought-shortened crop. USDA expects yield to average 160.4 bushels per acre, the second-highest yield on record. The report also […]

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The Four Horsemen of the Financials: Gevo, Solazyme, Amyris report for Q3

The Four Horsemen of the Financials: Gevo, Solazyme, Amyris report for Q3

November 6, 2013 |

SZYM, AMRS, GEVO check in with Q3 results. What’s heavenly, what’s hellish? Yep, what’s up at the crossroads of advanced fermentation, synthetic biology, and the markets in big-league fuels, chemicals, fragrances and flavorings — as the three reach for scale? In years gone by, it was not too hard to write up a summary of […]

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Extreme energy, supercritical water, nanostuff and biofuels

Extreme energy, supercritical water, nanostuff and biofuels

November 5, 2013 |

At the frontier of exotic temperature and pressures, even everyday materials like water begin to act strangely in ways that can drive energy transformation. New work in nanocatalysts may make those frontiers more accessible, and those energy systems more affordable. OK – try this one for size.  Water ice that checks in at 1300 degrees […]

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10 Time Machines for making biofuels and chemicals

10 Time Machines for making biofuels and chemicals

November 4, 2013 |

Want to make renewable fuels at warp-speed — and possibly at an unwarped price — try these 10 fairly amazing paths to making fuels from biomass faster than you can say “subsidy-free”. Hey kids! You really can make free crude oil. Amaze your friends. Make Dad real happy. Mom can help you with the recipe. […]

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Carbon-negative biobutanol for $2 per gallon? ITRI says its ButyFix technology has the right stuff

Carbon-negative biobutanol for $2 per gallon? ITRI says its ButyFix technology has the right stuff

November 3, 2013 |

Seeking low-carbon fuels, even negative carbon? Or, looking for a low-cost, cellulosic renewable fuel? Or, in search of a capital-light, bolt-on technology to drive better economics for first-yen ethanol plants? Well, what about all three, at one time, with one technology? Taiwan’s ITRI says its early-stage ButyFix technology checks off all three ways. The Digest […]

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The DIY Renewable Fuel Standard

The DIY Renewable Fuel Standard

October 31, 2013 |

Biobutanol, ethanol, renewable diesel, renewable gasoline and biodiesel — five renewable fuels. By what combination could they meet the titanic US target of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022? Try your own ideas? Be the operator with your pocket calculator.  36 billion gallons by 2022 – two numbers that, to the bystander, probably […]

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Prices and values: Lincolnfuel and biofuel

Prices and values: Lincolnfuel and biofuel

October 31, 2013 |

Alternative ways to think about alternative fuels. Is it merely a substitute for hydrocarbons to be embraced on the grounds of price, emissions, or energy security? Or, perhaps, just a little bit more. A lifestyle or values statement? We investigate. Imagine if Oscar Meyer marketed their weiners via an intimate discussion of the ingredients, would […]

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Trick or Treat! 20 Perennially Hot, Free Downloads for your Bio-Halloween Treat Bag

Trick or Treat! 20 Perennially Hot, Free Downloads for your Bio-Halloween Treat Bag

October 31, 2013 |

This Hallowe’en, put some data in your pumpkin — like all good Hallowe’en treats, they’re free for the asking. And no tricks required — just click and go. Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch, flies through the air, and showers generously structured offtake agreements on the most sincere biobased business […]

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