BANKING ON BIOBUTANOL: NEW METHOD REVISITS FERMENTING THIS FUEL FROM CROPS INSTEAD OF PETROLEUM
Agricultural Research Magazine, October 2008
A modified method of producing biobutanol is in the works to make the fuel more competitive with ethanol as a clean-burning alternative to gasoline and other fossil fuels.  Biobutanol offers several advantages over ethanol as outlined here.
> Read more: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct08/fuel1008.htm

BIOMASS PYROLYSIS: A STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW
B.V. Babu, Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Sept-Oct 2008, p. 393
Biomass pyrolysis is a process by which biomass feedstock is thermally degraded in the absence of oxygen.  It is used for the production of solid, liquid, and gaseous products.  The study of pyrolysis is increasing in importance as it is the first step in the gasification or combustion of biomass feedstock for alternate sources of energy.
> Contact the ITC Library to obtain this article.

CHEAPER BUTANOL FROM BIOMASS
K. Bullis, Technology Review, October 27, 2008
Cobalt Biofuels, a startup based in Mountainview, CA, has developed a cheap way to make butanol from biomass.  The process is cheaper because it uses improved strains of bacteria to break down and ferment biomass, as well as improved equipment for managing fermentation and reducing water and energy consumption.
> Read more: http://www.technologyreview.com/business/21602/?nlid=1460&a=f

FROM GARBAGE TO GAS: CONVERTING CITY REFUSE AND FARM LEFTOVERS TO CLEAN ENERGY
Agricultural Research Magazine, October 2008
The idea is simple: combine household garbage and other urban trash—known as “municipal solid waste” (MSW)—with after-harvest leftovers from fields, orchards, and vineyards to create ethanol and other forms of bioenergy.  ARS scientists believe that MSW is a treasure trove of cellulose—the fiber that can be converted into ethanol.
> Read more: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct08/energy1008.htm

SECOND-GENERATION BIOFUELS AND LOCAL BIOENERGY SYSTEMS
Antizar-Ladislao and Turrion-Gomez, Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Sept-Oct 2008, p. 455
First-generation biofuels, made from mainly corn and other food crops, have limited availability that do not make them a viable replacement for petroleum.  Second-generation biofuels from forest and crop residues, energy crops and wastes will reduce net carbon emission, increase energy efficiency, and reduce energy dependency.  This paper reviews 2nd generation biofuel feedstocks and available technologies for production.  It also discusses local bioenergy systems.
> Contact the ITC Library to obtain this article.

"SUPERENZYMES" COULD STREAMLINE BIOFUELS REFINING
M. Wood, ARS News Service, October 22, 2008
Stain removers that remove stubborn stains on clothes may be powered by molecules known as enzymes. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are in search of similarly strong, fast-acting enzymes to be used at biofuels refineries, where the enzymes' job would be to break down the cell walls of bioenergy crops such as switchgrass.
> Read more: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081022.htm

CELLULOSIC ETHANOL MOVES FROM THE LAB TOWARD COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION
STEVE EVERLY, Kansas City Star, November 10, 2008
A handful of small facilities will begin producing cellulosic ethanol as early as next year, which will test whether the fuel can live up to its potential and be commercially viable.  The move to small-scale plants comes during a tumultuous period for the ethanol industry, which has so far relied on making ethanol out of corn. The industry’s financial problems have deepened in recent weeks as ethanol prices have plummeted, along with gasoline’s.
> Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/884146.html

FACT SHEET:  NATIONAL BIOFUELS ACTION PLAN
USDA, October 7, 2008,
In an effort to meet President Bush's "Twenty in Ten" goal and meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) the Biomass Research and Development Board (the Board)-co-chaired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-developed the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP) to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.
> Read more: http://tinyurl.com/5hkh4c

FEDS WERE WARNED OF BIOFUEL PROBLEMS
Mike De Souza, Calgary Herald, November 12, 2008
The Harper government was warned by its own experts at Environment Canada two years ago that a multibillion-dollar plan to boost production of green fuels could cause more problems than benefits. The May 16, 2006 briefing notes of the former Environment Minister stated "The Harper government was warned by its own experts at Environment Canada two years ago that a multibillion-dollar plan to boost production of green fuels could cause more problems than benefits."
> Read more: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=ab25ceb5-5c59-4e82-b5bf-7a59be06f3ab

ENERGY VERSUS WATER: SOLVING BOTH CRISES TOGETHER
Michael E. Webber, Scientific American, Special Edition: Earth 3.0, October 2008
Water is needed to generate energy. Energy is needed to deliver water. Both resources are limiting the other—and both may be running short. Is there a way out?
> Read more: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-future-of-fuel

THE NEW ALCHEMISTS
Castaldo, Joe, Canadian Business, October 27, 2008
This article discusses the position of the ethanol industry in terms of its environmental and economic impacts. The technical challenges relating to the development of ethanol from nonfood crops, called cellulose ethanol, are addressed. These technical challenges are considered in light of the economic issues faced in the development of this alternative fuel. INSET: So what is switchgrass, anyway?.
> Read more: http://tinyurl.com/6ndnfr

BIOENERGY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT-RELATED DOCUMENTS
Here is an excellent collection of papers and resources compiled by Bruce T. Bowman, Ph.D., Environmental Quality, Renewable Energy Manager, ManureNet and Ag-Environmental Archives.
> Go to: http://gis.lrs.uoguelph.ca/AgriEnvArchives/bioenergy/bioenergy.html

BIOMASS CONNECTIONS
Biomass Connections is a newly launched Bulletin Board for agricultural professionals looking for resources, information, and discussion on biomass crops.  The goal of Biomass Connections is to take the research knowledge provided on the Internet by academic, government, and other research organizations and couple it with the experiences of actual biomass growers, with the intent of creating an all encompassing, freewheeling, opinionated, and fun forum to discuss Energy Crops.  Aside from the blog and bulletin board, the web site includes a great list of resources.
> Go to: http://www.biomassconnections.com

BIOMASS ENERGY CENTRE
The Biomass Energy Centre is a 'one stop shop' to provide information to anyone in the UK with an interest in biomass derived solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and associated conversion technologies.  The well-organized web site includes many practical and technical resources, such as: Using biomass fuels, Producing biomass fuels, Supplying biomass fuels, Standards, and Legislation, Types of fuels, Conversion technologies, Best practice, Research & studies.
> Go to:http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=73,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

COLORADO CENTER FOR BIOREFINING AND BIOFUELS (C2B2)
The Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2) is a cooperative research and educational center devoted to the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products.   The C2B2 exists to improve fundamental understanding and develop new technologies in areas relevant to the future commercialization of integrated, sustainable biorefining and biofuels processes.  C2B2 provides private industry with one-stop access to researchers, laboratories, students, and educators from four pioneering institutions, each having unique strengths in biofuel and biorefining application areas.
> Go to: http://www.c2b2web.org/index.php

NEW FUELS PODCASTS
The American Chemical Society (ACS) provides two podcasts on New Fuels (Parts 1 and 2).  (1) Amid growing concern about high gasoline prices, global warming, and limited resources of petroleum, scientists and engineers around the world are on a quest for new fuels —alternatives to conventional petroleum, natural gas, and coal. On their radar screens are new sources of familiar old ethanol that do not strain the food supply and futuristic fuels like “green gasoline” and “designer” hydrocarbons.  (2) Ice that burns? Yes, indeed. Gas hydrates are icy cages filled with methane, the main ingredient in natural gas. They are among a suite of new fuels and energy sources that may help to power society in the years ahead.  Scientists are developing these new energy sources to supplement the coal and conventional natural gas we now use to produce electricity for heating, cooling, and lighting. New fuels hold special promise as sustainable energy sources that minimize the release of carbon dioxide and combat global warming.
> Go to: http://tinyurl.com/58a7qj

December 1-3, 2008
GROWING BEYOND OIL : 5TH ANNUAL 2008 CANADIAN RENEWABLE FUELS SUMMIT
Gatineau-Ottawa, Québec, Canada
>Details: http://www.crfs2008.com/

January 19-21, 2009
WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT 2009
Abu Dhabi
>Details: http://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/

February 4, 2009
2009 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo
San Francisco, USA
>Details: http://www.biodieselconference.org/2009/

March 10, 2009
EUROPEAN UNION/ONTARIO BIOGAS NETWORKING FORUM: DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS IN THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING SECTORS
London, ON
>Details:http://www.gtmconference.ca/site/index.php/program/networking-forum

March 10-13, 2009
1ST ANNUAL CANADIAN FARM AND FOOD BIOGAS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
London, ON
>Details: http://www.gtmconference.ca/site/

March 10-13, 2009
GROWING THE MARGINS: ENERGY, BIOPRODUCTS AND BYPRODUCTS FROM FARM AND FOOD SECTORS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
3rd Annual Growing the Margins Conference and Exhibition
>Details: http://www.gtmconference.ca/site/