Posts filed under ‘Biofuels’
GMO Grass for New Biofuel
University of California Berkely biologist George S. Chuck has transferred a gene from a variety of corn into a fast growing species of switchgrass that increases the amount of ethenol-producing starch in grass up to 225 percent and prevents the grass from flowering and spreading its pollen. Because the grass doesn’t pollenate, it has almost no hard to process lignin, and needs no heavy chemical treatment when producing ethanol.
Aviation Biofuels Offers Breakout for Clean Energy
Solena Group, which is developing projects in Australia and the UK, in cooperation with British Airways and Qantas, just announced a new project with SAS, for Sweden. They could build a project in every major airport hub in the world, using municipal solid waste and other urban and agricultural residues to make aviation biofuel.
That’s not taking into account the substantial opportunities with algae grown in agricultural dead zones like Australia’s northwest-shelf, or the renewable jet fuel that cab be made today by Dynamic Fuels from animal rendering by-products.
In short, there’s more than enough waste to bring aviation biofuels to scale without troubling an acre of existing crop land.
A Way to Make Motor Fuel Out of Wood? Add Water
Using water super heated to the “supercritical phase” to convert the sugars in wood into fuel.
Cow rumen enzymes for better biofuels
When it comes to breaking down plant matter and converting it to energy, the cow has it all figured out. Its digestive system allows it to eat more than 150 pounds of plant matter every day. Now researchers report that they have found dozens of previously unknown microbial enzymes in the bovine rumen — the cow’s primary grass-digestion chamber — that contribute to the breakdown of switchgrass, a renewable biofuel energy source.
Algae turned into high-temperature hydrogen source
A team of researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory showed that photosynthesis may function as a clean, sustainable source of hydrogen.
The team, led by Barry Bruce, a professor of biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology at UT Knoxville, found that the inner machinery of photosynthesis can be isolated from certain algae and, when coupled with a platinum catalyst, is able to produce a steady supply of hydrogen when exposed to light.
Car Running on Algae Fuel to Cross Country on Just 25 Gallons of Fuel
Algaeus, the world’s first algae-powered plug-in hybrid car, was unveiled in San Francisco and the prototype traveled with a host of other ‘green’ vehicles to New York for the opening of the film “Fuel” to promote alternative fuel.
Innovative new project taps energy from feedstock waste
Brendle Group is performing technical and economic due diligence for a dry anaerobic digestion system for Mass Natural Fertilizer (MNF), an established composting operation in north-central Massachusetts. Anaerobic digestion is the biological decomposition of organic feedstocks in an oxygen-free environment. A combination of enzymes and bacteria convert the feedstocks into biogas, which is typically 65% methane, and stabilized pulp that is ideally suited for composting into commercial soil amendment. While anaerobic digestion has been used in the U.S. for many years in wastewater treatment plants and on dairies, MNF asked Brendle Group to investigate dry digestion technologies gaining favor in Europe. MNF will digest materials that would normally go to a landfill, such as byproducts from grocery stores, food processors, and waste haulers. Biogas will then be combusted in an engine generator to produce renewable, carbon-neutral electricity. It’s a project that creates wins all around
Maui County Energy Expo 2009, September 10-11
Maui’s Energy Future – From Concept to Reality
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
Highlights of this year’s Expo:
- Outstanding speakers, panel discussions and presentations
- Exhibits featuring state-of-the-art products and technologies
- Presentations by the Maui County Energy Alliance Working Groups
- Models of Reality: Progress Report Panel
- Maui County Energy Alliance Working Groups Reports
- Public Commentary
- Key Considerations in Maui’s Next Steps: Overcoming Island Regulatory Barriers to Clean Energy
- Key Considerations in Maui’s Next Steps:
- Energy Efficiency & Conservation
- Energy Storage & Integration
- Economic Development Implications
- Maui’s Next Steps: Now What?
The Energy Expo 2007 sold out – be sure to register early for this year’s event!
View Conference Program
Two Days—Thursday & Friday: $120—Includes continental breakfast and lunch
Thursday a.m. only: $50—Includes lunch
Thursday p.m.: Free after lunch
Friday: $90—Includes continental breakfast and lunch
*Limited Student Scholarships are available by calling the Office of Economic Development at 270-7710
Optional Pre-Conference Landfill Methane Outreach Program Workshop – Sept 9: $45/person—Includes lunch
For more information:
County of Maui Office of Economic Development
Victor Reyes, Energy Commissioner
Ph. (808) 270-7710 or email economic.development@mauicounty.gov
Algae biofuels pioneer GreenFuel Technologies will be shutting down
CNET reported on May 14 that the algae biofuels pioneer GreenFuel Technologies will be shutting down. The official reason given for the company’s demise is the state of the economy, as the industry is in the research stage and companies operate with a number of uncertainties.
South Maui Sustainability 