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ANIMAL PLANET:
ANOTHER AVENUE TO RENEWABLE FUELS
Marty Weil, Renewable Energy World, June 17, 2008
Animal by-products such as fats and oils that are usually considered a waste
product with a related disposal issue can be converted into a renewable fuel. In
this article, the author reports on one U.S. meat processing company's (Tyson's)
efforts to explore the commercial development of animal-based biodiesel. Tyson
Foods slaughters roughly 25% of the total US meat supply, including beef, poultry,
and pork.
> Read more: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52699
BACTERIA CONVERT BIODIESEL WASTE INTO VALUABLE
CHEMICALS
Environment News Service, July 23, 2008
Chemical engineers at Rice University have developed techniques
for converting the waste materials of biodiesel production into
chemicals that can be sold at a profit. Glycerin used
to be a profitable by-product until the market was glutted. The
researchers describe a new fermentation process that allows E.
coli and other bacteria to convert glycerin - the major waste byproduct
of biodiesel production - into formate, succinate and other useful
organic acids.
> Read more: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2008/2008-07-23-092.asp
BOOSTING CELLULOSIC BIOFUELS
Duncan Graham-Rowe, Technology Review, July 28, 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories
(NREL) is to begin work testing a catalyst developed by Dow Chemical
to see if it can be used to massively boost the production of ethanol
made from biomass. NREL and Dow are collaborating on improving
thermochemical processes to make ethanol biofuel from cellulosic
biomass, such as wood waste.
> Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21134/?nlid=1233&a=f
BREWING BIOMASS
Steven Law, Engineering & Technology, June 21, 2008
Whether as a boiler fuel to generate process steam or co-generate
steam and electricity, biomass is starting to be favoured over
fossil fuels. The International Biomass Combustion case studies
include multiple Brazilian brewery biomass combustion boiler installations,
a Belgian brewery biomass combustion feasibility study and a Jamaican
sugarcane bagasse combustion feasibility study. These studies include
an evaluation of process steam generation for use on-site at the
Brazilian breweries, co-generation for combined heat and power
to produce process steam for use on-site, and electricity for use
on-site and also for distribution to the local power grid for the
Belgian and Jamaican studies.
>Read more: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/0811/brewing-biomass.cfm
ETHANOL IS THE NEW HOMEBREW
Joseph Ogando, Design News, July 17, 2008
Called the E-Fuel 100, a self-contained ethanol micro-refinery
is aimed at consumers wanting to cut their fuel consumption by
topping off their gas tanks with some home-brewed ethanol. The
system can produce about 5 gal of ethanol per day with each gallon
requiring 10 to 14 lb of sugar--beet, cane, corn or even cellulosic
sugars are all fair game.
> Read more: http://www.designnews.com/article/47084-Ethanol_Is_The_New_Homebrew.php
GENERATING BIOMASS FUEL FROM DISASTER DEBRIS
Rhodes Yepsen, BioCycle, July 2008
Natural disasters create massive amounts of vegetative debris,
the majority of which is sent to the landfill or open burned, mostly
due to convenience. Better preparation for handling debris
properly will both expedite general recovery and increase chances
for utilization. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication, “Planning
for Natural Disaster Debris,” offers components of
a successful plan, management options for various debris streams,
case studies and resources. One successful example of this
is from Florida, where electricity was generated from almost half
of the woody debris that resulted from Hurricanes Charley, Frances
and Jeanne (in Polk County) in 2004.
> Read more: http://www.jgpress.com/archives/_free/001685.html
MORE GAS THAN WIND
William Knight, Engineering & Technology, June 21,
2008
Landfill gas contributes the largest proportion of renewable energy
in the UK, larger even than wind. In 2006, landfill production
made up 33 per cent of all renewable energy. Heathfield landfill
generates 6Mw of electricity, enough for 6,000 simultaneous kettles,
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
> Read more: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/0811/more-gas.cfm
THE POWER OF PLANTS
Mark Venables, Engineering & Technology, June 21,
2008
A team for the University of Wisconsin-Madison has announced the
first direct conversion of plant cellulose into gasoline components,
created from sustainable biomass sources like switch grass and
poplar trees. The team also announced an integrated process
for creating chemical components of jet fuel using a green gasoline
approach. It may be five to ten years before these green fuels
arrive at the pump or power a jet, but it's possible that the future
consumer will not even know that they are putting biofuels into
their car. Green gasoline is an attractive alternative to
bioethanol since it can be used in existing engines and does not
incur the 30 per cent gas mileage penalty of ethanol-based flex
fuel, and requires less energy to produce than ethanol.
> Read more: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/0811/power-plants%20.cfm
REACHING CONSENSUS
Ralph Sims, Renewable Energy World, May-June 2008
This article outlines the many drivers for sustainable trade, consumption
and production of biofuels that help to develop a landscape that
provides food, fodder, fibre, and energy.
> Read more: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52692
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AUTO INDUSTRY REDESIGNS ENGINES WHILE ETHANOL
DEBATE RAGES
Charles J. Murray, Design News, July 17, 2008
Now that E85 has been standardized, E85 engines are on their way from the auto
manufacturers. But many are still questioning the value of ethanol. Some
studies show that the corn-to-ethanol process is a waste of effort because it
uses nearly as much energy as it creates. Others argue that corn is just a bridge
to a more energy-efficient fuel known as cellulosic ethanol. And then there
are the land utilization and food-versus-fuel issues. Do you want your dollars
going to the farmer or to an oil company overseas?
> Read more: http://www.designnews.com/article/47083-Auto_Industry_Redesigns_Engines_While_Ethanol_Debate_Rages.php
THE ETHANOL TRAP: WHY POLICIES TO PROMOTE ETHANOL AS FUEL
NEED RETHINKING
Douglas Auld, C.D. Howe Institute,
July 2008
A study by a University of Guelph researcher concluded that first
generation biofuels are up to seven times more expensive than other
methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while second-generation
biofuels are not economical to produce. The report prompted
a critical review by the Vancouver Sun of the Canadian government’s
biofuels strategy (Vancouver Sun article: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=b0859493-28c0-4b54-8b43-c83097333799). Last
month, the House of Commons passed the C-33 Biofuels Bill, by a
vote of 173 to 64, and the bill now moves to the Canadian Senate
for consideration. The bill establishes an E5 mandate for gasoline
commencing in 2010 and a B2 biodiesel mandate commencing in 2012.
The rush by Ottawa and most provinces to support grain-based ethanol
as a renewable fuel for cars and trucks is a waste of money, says
a new C.D. Howe study.
> Read more: http://www.cdhowe.org/pdf/commentary_268.pdf
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August 18-22, 2008
Short Rotation Crops International Conference:
BIOFUELS, BIOENERGY, AND BIOPRODUCTS FROM SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST CROPS
Minneapolis, Minnesota,
USA
Details: http://www.cinram.umn.edu/srwc/
September 7-10, 2008
GROWING THE BIOECONOMY: FROM FOUNDATIONAL SCIENCE TO SUSTAINABLE
PRACTICE
2008 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Details:http://www.bioeconomyconference.org/08speakers.html
 September 16-17, 2008
BIOENERGY: DEVELOPING TRENDS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES
FOR A CHANGING FOREST INDUSTRY
Halifax, NS
CANBIO & Canadian Woodlands Forum
Details: http://www.canbio.ca/documents/Halifax08.pdf
September 28-30, 2008
2008 ADVANCED BIOFUELS WORKSHOP & TRADE SHOW
Minneapolis, MN
Details:http://www.advancedbiofuelsworkshop.com/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=Home
October 6-8, 2008
BIOENERGY: FROM WORDS TO ACTION
CANBIO Annual Bioenergy Conference & Trade Show
Ottawa, Canada
Details: http://www.canbio.ca/events.html
October 6, 7, 8, 2008
RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM ORGANICS RECYCLING
Madison, Wisconsin
Details:https://www.jgpress.com/conferences1/conferences1.html
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