Biofuel // Current

Biofuel Startup Strives to Meet Obama's Green Ambitions

EMERYVILLE, California — "We have 203 employees — and we're growing," John Melo, CEO of alt-fuel... more

bedeboop
added this

0 responses

1 day ago

Solazyme Unveils Renewable Biodiesel Derived from Algae via Scalable Process

The algal biodiesel fueling the car is made through Solazyme's proprietary process for manufacturing high-value, functionally-tailored oils from algae. This process, which uses standard industrial fermentation equipment, yields a biofuel that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is biodegradable, nontoxic and safe. Solazyme is currently producing thousands of gallons of algal oil and recently signed a biodiesel feedstock development and testing agreement with Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

"Biodiesel from algae changes the landscape of renewable fuels," said Jonathan Wolfson, chief executive officer of Solazyme. "The concept of algal biofuel has been discussed for decades, and Solazyme's technology finally provides a scalable solution based on proven industrial processes. This fuel is just the first example of how algal oil will help the environment through new products that offer attractive economics and performance, as well as environmental benefits."

Soladiesel exceeds both the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) biodiesel standard D6751 and EN 14214, the European standard, which ensures that biodiesel can safely run any existing diesel engine. The car demonstrating Solazyme's biofuel at Sundance is running on its original, factory-standard diesel engine with no modifications, and is powered by the highest blend of biodiesel that engine manufacturers currently certify. By operating in the typical sub-freezing temperatures for the area in January, it also illustrates how Soladiesel provides better temperature properties than any traditional biodiesel.

"In demonstrating this new fuel alternative, we're responding to the need for a near-term solution that will also be cost effective and sustainable," added Harrison Dillon, president and chief technology officer of Solazyme. "Our technology combines all the key components: low carbon footprint, environmental sustainability, certified compatibility with existing vehicles and infrastructure, and energy security for our country."The algal biodiesel fueling the car is made through Solazyme's proprietary process for manufacturing high-value,... more

Commentor
added this

0 responses

2 days ago

Solutions to the Fuel Problem

Record high oil prices, global warming, and an insatiable demand for energy: these issues will be the catalyst for heated debates... more

Commentor
added this

0 responses

2 days ago

San Francisco Opens Gate to National Biodiesel Conference & Expo

October 30, 2008

San Francisco Opens Gate to National Biodiesel Conference & Expo
The City by the Bay Will Make Inspirational Host for 2009 Conference

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Spot a city bus, a fire truck, or a double-decker tour bus in San Francisco, and chances are pretty good that it is running on 20 percent biodiesel (B20). The area’s biodiesel enthusiasm even flows beyond the “City by the Bay” into the Bay itself, where the famous Red and White Ferries cruise on B20.

“San Francisco is an inspiration to our industry like none I’ve ever seen,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “The enthusiasm for biodiesel is in every corner of the city. The commitment is contagious, and I am eager for our conference attendees to experience it for themselves.”

The San Francisco City Government is the largest known city in the world to use B20 fleet-wide, one of many reasons it is the perfect host for the 2009 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Feb. 1 – 4.

The conference educational program will be kicked off by the people who have made the biodiesel program there a success. Mayor Gavin Newsom is anticipated to speak. In 2006, he issued an Executive Directive designed to increase the pace of municipal use of biodiesel. Today, virtually all of the City’s 1,500 diesel vehicles run on B20. The City uses about 5 million gallons of B20 a year.

Other speakers from the City will include Marty Mellera, Chief of Climate Action and Greening – a title as progressive as San Francisco itself. Vandana Bali, Clean Vehicles Manager at the Department of the Environment, Mike Ferry of the San Francisco Fire Department and past recipient of the Eye on Biodiesel Inspiration Award, and Karri Ving, Biofuels Coordinator for the Public Utilities Commission will round out the general session.

The 2009 conference promises to offer its valuable educational and networking opportunities that attendees have come to expect. This year, one new feature is sustainability sessions supplementing existing educational tracks. Meet biodiesel peers at the golf tournament and Super Bowl party. For more information and to register, please visit www.biodieselconference.org. For discounted rates, register by November 14’s early bird deadline.

The NBB is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S.October 30, 2008 San Francisco Opens Gate to National Biodiesel Conference & Expo The City by the Bay Will Make... more

Commentor
added this

0 responses

6 days ago

Fungus Makes Diesel

"...a better source of biofuel than anything we use at the moment"

indiaskys
added this

0 responses

12 days ago

Study: Rainforest fungus may make biofuel

U.S. scientists say a fungus in the Patagonian rainforest might be a new source of biofuels since it produces a number of diesel... more

Apocalipstick
added this

4 responses

14 days ago

Rainforest Diesel

A fungus that lives inside trees in the Patagonian rain forest naturally makes a mix of hydrocarbons that bears a striking... more

advertisehere
added this

0 responses

15 days ago

DON'T CALL IT A DUMP!!!

The biggest working sanitary landfill in the United States, located right outside Los Angeles, is so much more than a garbage... more

juhannus
added this

30 responses

19 days ago

Biofuel flying will take off in three years, says Boeing

"Biofuel-powered aircraft could be carrying millions of passengers around the world within three years, according to Boeing.

Darrin Morgan, an environmental expert at the US jet manufacturer, said the group was expecting official approval of biofuel use in the near future.

"The certification will happen much sooner than anybody thought," he said. "We are thinking that within three to five years we are going to see approval for commercial use of biofuels - and possibly sooner."

Morgan added that aircraft will not require modification to operate on a blend of biofuel and kerosene. However, harvesting enough plant material to meet the industry's needs is the biggest barrier to mass use of biofuels, according to Boeing. Fuelling the world's 13,000 commercial planes with soya bean-based fuel, for example, would require setting aside the equivalent of the entire land mass of Europe for soya bean production.

"No technology change is needed from an engine or airframe point of view," Morgan said. "It's about availability of the biomass."

Boeing expects planes to operate on a 30% blend of biofuel. It also believes they could operate on a 100% blend, but says there would not be enough biofuel to supply an industry that consumes 85bn gallons of kerosene a year.

Airlines are staging biofuel trials, as well as Boeing and its close rival Airbus, with the support of engine manufacturers including Rolls-Royce.

A recent trial by Virgin Atlantic and Boeing was dismissed as a "PR stunt" by Willie Walsh, the British Airways chief executive. That drew a sharp response from Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, who warned that the airline industry would go "backwards" if Walsh's attitude prevailed. BA has subsequently teamed up with Rolls-Royce to conduct an in-depth study of alternative fuels. Air France-KLM, the world's largest airline by revenue, has also given its backing to biofuels.

Friends of the Earth said the aviation industry should limit flights first before turning to biofuels and warned that doubts over the ecological benefits of alternative fuels had not been answered.

"There are real doubts over whether biofuels are sustainable and make a real contribution to cutting climate-change emissions," said Tony Bosworth, a transport campaigner at FoE. "Second-generation biofuels are also, as yet, unproven."

According to their backers, biofuels are good for the environment because their ingredients absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while they are grown, which balances out the carbon dioxide that is released when the fuel is burned.

Detractors argue that mass production of biofuel pushes up food prices by using land that would otherwise be dedicated to producing food crops and also causes increased deforestation."
"Biofuel-powered aircraft could be carrying millions of passengers around the world within three years, according to Boeing.... more

DeliaTheArtist
added this

0 responses

21 days ago

25 million in China 22 in CA

For boring reasons why CA doesn't have more biodigesters, read the url.

libertyhemp
added this

0 responses

27 days ago

Man creates homemade biodiesel from algae

" Plenty of companies are working on creating biodiesel from algae, but this is the first I’ve heard of an individual... more

EddieStarr
added this

21 responses

1 month ago

Algae Powered Cars?

Amid high petroleum prices, industries and scientists are racing to develop an alternative from the fast-growing plant.

Apocalipstick
added this

5 responses

1 month ago

VIDEO: Algae to Power Jets?

Research is underway to develop bio-fuel, plastics and livestock feed from algae.

contactkatrinaford
added this

0 responses

1 month ago

US Expected To Become Booming Biodiesel's Largest Market by 2012

A report by SRI Consulting, a business research service for the global chemical industry, states that the "biodiesel industry... more

SDLN
added this

1 response

1 month ago

40 Cent Per Gallon Biodiesel Already Available

Biofuels can be produced for $20 a barrel or less using current proven technologies. Why aren't we doing it? Ask the RepubliCrats.

The Vertegro system consists of a series of closely spaced vertical bio-reactors constructed of thin film membranes allowing high levels of light penetration. This new bio-reactors are tailored to grow a species of algae that yields a large volume of high grade vegetable oil, which is very suitable for blending with diesel to create a bio-diesel fuel.

The membrane is configured for an optimum flow for the growth of algae. This dynamic system produces much higher algae growth rates than conventional static systems. It uses certain algae that consume up to 90% of their weight with C02 using sunlight as the energy source to drive photosynthesis. Approximately 50% of the dry weight of the algae is an oil suitable for bio-fuel blending with diesel and for other uses. When fully operational, the system yields a constant supply of algae which is harvested, dried and processed to remove the oil, leaving a residue of some 50% by weight, which can also be sold for a variety of commercial products. The system will be a continuous closed loop, which allows for a greater retention of water in the system, and eliminates cross contamination by other algae species.

Data received from Valcent's continuously operating test bed facility demonstrates that yields up to 4,000 barrels oil per acre, per year, at an estimated cost of $20 per barrel are achievable on a commercial scale. As a comparison, typically corn will yield up to one-half a barrel of oil per acre per year at considerably higher cost; palm oil, with highest yield of conventional sources, delivers approximately fifteen barrels of oil per acre per year. After a demonstration pilot plant is in operation, several production units that may total 1,000 acres may be built which would have the potential of producing approximately 4,000,000 barrels of oil per year, with significant carbon dioxide green credits and other commercial products. At that rate of production, Vertigro will sequester approximately 2,700,000 tons C02 per year which will be sold as a green credit within the emerging green credit system within the USA and within the Kyoto Protocols.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxNeBQCRv1c&feature=relatedBiofuels can be produced for $20 a barrel or less using current proven technologies. Why aren't we doing it? Ask the... more