NORDIC BIOENERGY CONFERENCE
June 11-13, 2007
Stockholm, Sweden
http://www.nordicbioenergy2007.se/

THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL BIOENERGY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
June 3-5, 2008 (Yes, 2008!)
Prince George, BC
Details: http://www.bioenergyconference.org/index.php

ALGAE EXPLORED AS ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF FUEL
Ty Young
The Business Journal
May 13, 2007
A group of dairy farm technology experts is building a $400 million biorefinery near Phoenix that could produce ethanol and biodiesel fuel from algae.  The two-phase project will be completely self-contained, producing its own energy and cow feed from byproducts of the biodiesel and ethanol production. The refinery will use corn for ethanol production during its first year, then shift to algae by 2009
Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18651091/

A BETTER BIOFUEL
E. Singer
Technology Review
April 3, 2007
Amyris Biotechnologies, a California biotech company, is engineering microbes to produce cheap biofuels that could outcompete ethanol.  The relatively new field of synthetic biology involves hacking the entire metabolic system--changing the structure of some proteins, altering the expression of others, and adding in genes from other organisms--to create an efficient microbial machine. Plants and microbes naturally make small quantities of chemicals called terpenoids, which are the precursors of myriad products, including some pharmaceuticals and fuels.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/18476/

BP'S BET ON BUTANOL
K. Bullis
Technology Review
March 27, 2007
Forget ethanol: it's hard to transport and gives poor mileage per gallon. Another alcohol, butanol, is a much better renewable fuel, says the president of BP Biofuels.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18443/

CHAR SEQUESTRATION BEST USE OF BIOMASS
GLOBE-Net
May 16, 2007
A new research paper published online in the journal Biomass and Bioenergy argues that the battle against global warming may be better served by instead heating the biomass in an oxygen-starved process called pyrolysis, extracting methane, hydrogen, and other byproducts for combustion, and burying the resulting carbon-rich char. Even if this approach would mean burning more coal--which emits more carbon dioxide than other fossil-fuel sources--it would yield a net reduction in carbon emissions.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/new_products/listing.cfm?ID_Report=1195

COGENERATION INCREASES EFFICIENCY AND BOOSTS TOMATO PRODUCTION
Heads Up CIPEC
April 1, 2007
Soave Hydroponics will install a 12-megawatt (MW) cogeneration system, manufactured by GE Energy, at its 20-hectare tomato greenhouse in Kingsville, Ontario in May 2007. Most of the heat will be used at the greenhouse, while 11.5 MW of the electricity generated will be sold to the Ontario provincial grid under a 20-year purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
Read more: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/technical-info/library/newsletter/archives-2007/Vol-XI-no-7-apr1.cfm#a

THE DEBATE OVER BIOFUELS
Globe-Net
May 2, 2007
Over the past few years, production of ethanol, bio-diesel and other bio-fuels has expanded dramatically in response to increasing concerns about energy security and climate change. Policy supports have been established, and Canada is among those encouraging ethanol and bio-diesel production.  A growing chorus of naysayers is challenging both the climate change benefits and the use of biomass itself for energy production.  Who's right and who's wrong?
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2818&CID=2

EU PROJECT PUTS THE 'BIO' IN REFINERIES
CORDIS News
May 7, 2007
Adapting existing mineral oil refineries for use as biorefineries is the goal of the newly launched BIOCOUP project.  One of the main energy policy targets of the EU is to accelerate the use of biofuel - any fuel that is derived from biomass (recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure from cows). Other ideal candidates for producing biofuel include feedstocks such as sugar, wheat and corn.  The production of biofuels requires the development of biorefineries capable of processing the biomass.  BIOCOUP project consortium aims to develop a chain of process steps to allow a range of different biomass feedstocks to be fed into conventional oil refineries in order to produce energy and oxygenated chemicals.
Read more:  http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=27625
For details: http://www.biocoup.eu/

HAS THE ALGAE CAVALRY ARRIVED?
The Oil Drum: Discussions About Energy and Our Future
May 11, 2007
There has been some discussion of algae as a possible source of biofuels. This posted discussion signifies that the interest in this topic is continuing to increase.  One study estimated that under optimum growing conditions micro-algae will produce up to 4 lbs./sq. ft./year or 15,000 gallons of oil/acre/year.   Some great details on the technology and subsequent discussion can be read here, as well as links to other research and resources on the topic.
Read more: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2531

(Response to previous posting)- THE MAN WHO WROTE THE BOOK ON ALGAL BIODIESEL
guest post by John Benemann
The Oil Drum: Discussions About Energy and Our Future
May 17, 2007
This is a guest post by John Benemann. John has many years of expertise in biomass conversion and has a written a reponse to previous posts and information being published on algae as a form of bioenergy.
Read more: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2541

A NEW BIOFUEL: PROPANE
Katherine Bourzac
Technology Review
April 19, 2007
MIT researchers say they have developed an efficient chemical process for making propane from corn or sugarcane.  Propane, which is currently made from petroleum, has a higher energy density than ethanol, and although it is often used in its gaseous form, it's the cleanest-burning liquid fuel. The start-up company will be producing a fuel for which a market and an infrastructure already exist.
Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18551/

US SEEKS SMALL SCALE CELLULOSE BIOREFINERIES
GLOBE-Net
May 14, 2007
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeking projects to develop biorefineries at ten percent of commercial scale that produce liquid transportation fuels such as ethanol, as well as bio-based chemicals and bio-products used in industrial applications. The small-scale projects will use novel approaches and a variety of cellulosic feedstocks to test new refining processes. The projects require a minimum of 50 percent cost share from applicants.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/news/index.cfm?type=2&newsID=2823
Further details:  http://www.energy.gov/news/5031.htm

DUTCH PROPOSE SYSTEM FOR BIOFUEL IMPORT
MIKE CORDER
Associated Press
April 28, 2007
A Dutch commission has proposed a system aimed at ensuring that crops used to create biofuels as replacements for oil and gas do not do more harm than good.  The scheme makes the Netherlands a front-runner among nations seeking to tackle the new climate change dilemma.
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/28/ap3664476.html

FOOD INDUSTRY URGES CONGRESS TO REXAMINE BIOFUEL POLICY
Lorraine Heller
Food Navigator USA
5/17/07
The US food industry has urged Congress to conduct a study that evaluates the full impact of the Administration's proposal to expand biofuel use, in an effort to avoid any unintended consequences for food production.
Read more: http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=76600&m=1FNU517&c=topeyrkucltzhao

MIDWEST STATES FORM BIO-RESEARCH CONSORTIUM
Bob Meyer
Brownfield Ag News
April 20, 2007
Twelve states have joined to build the biomass industry in the upper Midwest.  Their mission is "to identify and jointly act upon opportunities to ensure our region’s transition toward greater energy independence, utilization of biomass feedstocks and development of robust bio-economies."
Read more: http://www.brownfieldnetwork.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=10B21DBE-DA4F-1BA0-CFAF85059C77A033

PRISTINE POWER AND NEXTERRA PLAN $500M BIOENERGY NETWORK
Globe-Net
May 16, 2007
Pristine Power and Nexterra Energy Corp. have formed a strategic alliance with plans for a British Columbia network of small, community-based power plants using gasification to convert beetle-damaged wood, forest slash and wood waste into renewable electricity.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/search/display.cfm?NID=2847&CID=9

CARBON MARKET REACHES $30 BILLION
GLOBE-Net
May 9, 2007
The most recent State of the Carbon Market report was released at Carbon Expo, an international trade fair and conference sponsored by the World Bank and the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). The rate of growth and the $30 billion figure are signs of strength, and Environmental Finance reports that some market participants believe the carbon trade may be worth up to 25% more. Canadian firms have been somewhat active in the voluntary credit market, accounting for 18% of volumes traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), possibly in preparation for a domestic trading scheme.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/news/index.cfm?type=2&newsID=2820

PROVINCE INTRODUCES CHANGES WHICH WOULD ENSURE VIABLE DEVELOPMENT OF BIODIESEL INDUSTRY
Manitoba News Release
April 17, 2007
Proposed legislative changes have been introduced to the Biofuels Act which would advance biodiesel market development and ensure biodiesel fuel quality, resulting in the first comprehensive biofuels legislation in Canada.
Read more: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2007-4-01&item=1473

SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY: A FREAMEWORK FOR DECISION MAKERS
GLOBE-Net
May 18, 2007
A new report from UN Energy seeks to structure the approach to the current discussion on bioenergy by identifying the issues that need further attention, analysis and valuation. Biofuels can be beneficial if planned well, but matters of environmental impact, food supply, land usage, and economic equality must be considered, argues the report.
Read more: http://www.globe-net.ca/business_reports/listing.cfm?ID_Report=1193

CONVERTING WASTE TO DIESEL TAKES GUTS, TIRES, PLASTIC ...
Anduin Kirkbride McElroy
BIOMASS Magazine
June 2007
Changing World Technologies Inc. commercialized a process that mimics the way nature creates fuels through extreme pressure and heat without hazardous emissions. The company is currently selling renewable diesel produced from turkey processing scraps, and soon plans to deploy its municipal solid waste process technology.
Read more: http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=1157

WISCONSIN'S FIRST COMMERCIAL BIODIESEL PLANT IS RUNNING
Bob Meyer
Brownfield Ag News
April 1, 2007
The Sanimax Energy plant at DeForest is starting with a test-run with beef tallow.  If all goes well, the 20 million gallon plant will use a patented technology to convert anything from animal fat to used vegetable oil into biodiesel in about 12 hours.
Read more: http://www.brownfieldnetwork.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=E2882F65-C7CA-C651-00B4CB0862B30E5A

BIOFUELS EMISSIONS RESOURCES

• Biofuels emissions resources:  http://smallwoodnews.com/Docs/PDF/FuelsSchools/AirQualityInfo_FFS.pdf
• Chariton Valley Biomass Project - http://www.iowaswitchgrass.com/index.html
• University of Minnesota, Biomass for Electricity and Process Heat at Ethanol Plants - http://www.biomasschpethanol.umn.edu/index.html

BIOMASS Magazine
This brand new magazine, available in print and on the web, is one to mark as a favourite. The magazine contains great articles on technologies and issues relating to biomass, including bioenergy and biofuels. Also included are articles exclusive to the web site as well as relevant industry news.
Web site: http://www.biomassmagazine.com

CANREN : CANADA RENEWABLE ENERGY NETWORK - BIOENERGY
The Canadian Renewable Energy Network (CanREN) was created through the efforts of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and its stakeholders. Its purpose is to increase the understanding of renewable energy to accelerate the development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies.  The web site includes information on various bioenergy technologies, case studies, and links to other resources.
Web site:  http://www.canren.gc.ca/bio/index.asp

GLOBAL BIOENERGY PARTNERSHIP
GBEP brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders in a joint commitment to promote bioenergy for sustainable development.  The Partnership builds its activities upon three strategic pillars: Energy Security - Food Security - Sustainable Development.
Web site: http://www.globalbioenergy.org/