Domestic Fuel

As technology unleashes more and more energy possibilities from more and more crops, it can get a little confusing as to which plants can do what. Ceres, Inc. plans to clarify bio-friendly seeds with its new bioenergy seed brand.

Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. plans to market its agricultural seeds and traits under the trade name Blade Energy Crops in the United States. Company president and CEO Richard Hamilton unveiled the new brand at the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Chicago earlier today.

The company says the Blade name was inspired by its first crops, switchgrass, sorghum and canes, which are from a category of closely related grass species, known as C4 grasses. C4 grasses are the natural world’s most efficient engines of photosynthesis, the process by which plants store solar energy in the form of carbohydrates. New technologies have made it possible to convert the most abundant form of these energy-rich molecules, called cellulose, into renewable fuels.

The state of sustainable agriculture in developing countries will be one of the main issues addressed at the BIO International Convention this summer. The Biotechnology Industry Organization is hosting the convention in San Diego from Tuesday, June 17 through Friday, June 20.

Biotechnology leaders from around the globe will be descending upon San Diego, one of the leading biotech hubs in the world, to discuss the most pressing issues and share their unique perspectives. In addition, there will be a total of 36 regional and country pavilions within the BIO Exhibition with several new pavilions, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Dubai, and South Africa.

This year’s keynote speakers include Gen. Colin Powell, J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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There’s no question that there’s been a media barrage giving ethanol a bad rap. Just today, the Kansas City Star’s cover story focused on criticism of the alternative fuel. That story came just in time for today’s Roadrunner Turbo Indy 300. The entire IndyCar Series runs on nearly 100 percent ethanol fuel. And, leading representatives of the ethanol industry say there’s a reason why the IndyCar series backs ethanol. In fact, they say there are numerous reasons why. More importantly, they say there are a handful of reasons why consumers should support ethanol, despite the media’s recent ethanol scapegoating for rising food and fuel costs. The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council hosted a panel discussion at the Kansas Speedway today to address the recent abundance of “misinformation” about ethanol.

The panel included EPIC’s new Executive Director Toni Nuernberg, CEO and President of ICM Dave Vander Griend, Mike Sobetski with LifeLine Foods, and Greg Krissek with ICM. They argue that ethanol has a negligible impact on food prices, specifically corn. They talk about new technology that proves there isn’t a debate about “food versus fuel” but a discussion about “food and fuel.” And, they say that, despite what critics in the media suggest, ethanol actually keeps gas prices lower.

You can listen to the entire panel discussion here:

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2008 Roadrunner Turbo Indy 300 Photo Album

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Cellulosic ethanol is gaining ground… and CleanTech Biofuels is the next in line to research how to turn waste into fuel.

CleanTech Biofuels is pleased to announce that it has engaged Hazen Research, Inc to construct and operate the pre-commercial stages of our Municipal Solid Waste to Ethanol project at Hazen’s eight acre research facility in Golden, Colorado.

Hazen Research has an experienced and competent staff supported by the laboratory and pilot plant facilities necessary to apply the most appropriate technology to evaluate any industrial, commercial, and environmental issues we may encounter as our project moves from development to commercialization. They maintain all permits, governmental (Federal, State and Local) permits, licenses, and other approvals necessary to complete this project.

This week’s Chemical of Innovations podcast from BASF explores how consumers can make exhaust fumes of their diesel vehicles cleaner through catalysts technology.

In terms of design a diesel is much more efficient: It uses less fuel and emits less CO2. To purify diesel exhaust fumes is a challenge and only possible because manufacturers of catalytic converters like BASF Catalysts are continually improving their exhaust gas after treatment systems.

Direct subscription via RSS-Feed or iTunes (search for “basf”): http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml

Americans might soon be fueling up with biodiesel from the Phillipines. Abundant Biofuels Corporation has received the green light for developing 300 million gallons of biodiesel fuel from the island of Mindanao each year.

The Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong has reached agreement with Monterey, CA-based Abundant Biofuels Corporation to develop more than 1.2 million acres of ancestral domain for production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas in underused Lumad lands on the island of Mindanao.

Under its groundbreaking agreement, Abundant Biofuels will deploy part of its profits for infrastructure development on the island of Mindanao, including improved housing, medical care programs, better schoolroom facilities and resources for people to affirm cultural identities such as music, dance, food, attire and drama.

Today is the first day of spring and the traditional celebration of National Agriculture Day.

This is the 35th anniversary of National Ag Day and this year, the Ag Council of America unveiled the new “Food/Fiber/Biofuel Chain” poster. The poster shows all of the industries involved in the production, processing, and distribution of feeding, clothing and fueling the American consumer. In total, 21 million people in the U.S. are now employed to support the 301 million consumers in the country.

It’s interesting to note that one farmer now supplies food for about 144 people in the United States and abroad compared with just 25.8 people in 1960. In addition, that farmer is now able to supply some of our fuel needs in the form of ethanol and biodiesel – while still feeding the world.

Advancements in crop technology, equipment technology and information management, coupled with the old-fashioned ingenuity of American farmers, have made this possible and will continue meet the challenge of working to feed, clothe and fuel a growing world population.

McCain Foods Great Britain is enlisting Eco-Tec for its new venture in capturing biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons. The project is the latest effort meant to promote energy efficiency from McCain Foods.

As part of its energy efficiency projects, McCain Foods in Great Britain implemented a waste process that includes the capture of biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons, and purifying the gas to produce electricity. McCain Foods hired Black & Veatch to conduct an evaluation of available technology and manage the integration into the planned process.

Compared to competing technologies, Eco-Tec’s patented biogas purification system, BgPur(TM), was designed to accommodate McCain’s specific requirements regarding flow rate variations, changes in pressure, and the system’s overall flexibility. With simple operation and lower operating costs, Eco-Tec’s biogas purification technology was selected.

Wood-burning isn’t just great for pizza. It’s great for power. Georgia Power is using energy from wood biomass as part of its commitment to use independent renewable power producers.

Georgia Power and Yellow Pine Energy Company, LLC, a biomass-fired facility to be located near Fort Gaines, Ga., recently signed a 20-year contract for electricity that will be generated from environmentally-friendly wood waste. The material will come from timber harvesting residuals and collection of non-commercial tree species, tree-thinnings, lumber scraps and wood waste reclaimed from landfills.

The Yellow Pine facility is scheduled to go into operation in 2010 and will produce 110 megawatts of renewable energy. Under the contract, Georgia Power will purchase almost half of the plant’s capacity, or about 50 megawatts. One megawatt is enough energy to supply a Wal-Mart shopping center or 250 Georgia residences.

Georgia Power provides energy for 2.3 million consumers throughout the state.

BioGold Fuels is extending the reach of its operations throughout the Western World. The company has entered into a joint venture with a company in the United Kingdom to establish waste to energy plants throughout Europe.

BioGold Fuels Corporation in a joint venture with Jack Allen Holdings Limited, has formed BioGold Fuels U.K. Limited and BioGold Fuels Europe Limited. The companies will work together to build plants throughout Europe that will convert waste into biodiesel, fuels, and energy, including fuel cells.

“BioGold is excited to be expanding our operations into the European market,” said BioGold’s CEO, Steve Racoosin. “Our collaboration with Jack Allen Holdings Limited, with their local expertise in the UK and throughout Europe, will strengthen BioGold’s success in producing biodiesel and energy throughout Europe. Our initial focus is on the United Kingdom with future plans to expand and build plants throughout Europe.”