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Asia News Network: Air China conducts biofuel trial flight

October 31, 2011 By

China conducted its first demonstration flight powered partly by biofuels on Friday, using an Air China 747-400 jet.

According to Xin Dingding and Wang Wen of the Asia News Network, “The one-hour trial used 13.1 tons of biofuel blend – half conventional jet fuel and half China-grown, jatropha-based biofuel – to power one of four engines on an Air China 747-400 jet.”

The article continues:

“”Everything went smoothly,” Zheng Weimin, the captain of the flight, said. “I detected no obvious difference in engines powered by the biofuel blend and conventional jet fuel.”

“The trial was part of a Sino-US energy cooperation program and marked a milestone in the two countries’ joint efforts regarding biofuel and high technology, said William Zarit, minister counselor for commercial affairs at the US embassy.”

‘China conducts its first jet biofuel trial‘ can be read in full on the Asia News Network.

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Navy Announces Unmanned Flight On Biofuel: Domestic Fuel

October 5, 2011 By

Domestic Fuel has published a new article about the USA’s continued use of biofuels in their quest for energy independence. The article explains that “The Navy has reached a milestone in the quest to gain energy independence with the first unmanned biofueled flight of an MQ-8B Fire Scout at Webster Field in St. Inigoes, Md.”

‘Navy announced unmanned flight on biofuel’ by Cindy Zimmerman continues: “Fire Scout is the seventh aircraft to demonstrate the versatility of biofuel through its use in all facets of naval aviation.”

The full article can be read on Domestic Fuel.

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Hawaii to test algae-based biofuels: Biofuels Digest

October 5, 2011 By

Hawaiin Electric and Phycal have reached an agreement to deliver between 100,000 and 150,000 gallons of algae-based biofiel by April 2014 for testing at Kahe Generating Station.

According to Biofuels Digest, “the biofuel will be provided at a fixed price not tied to the price of fossil fuels”.

Pending the success of the alage-based biofuel testing at Kahe, Hawaii Electric and Phycal expect a subsequent agreement for up to three million gallons per year for three years for a full scale demonstration project.

‘Phycal, Hawaii Electric ink algal biodiesel offtake deal‘ by Jim Lane can be read on Biofuels Digest.

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Senate Bill Would Level Playing Field for Algae Biofuels: Sustainable Business

September 21, 2011 By

According to Sustainable Business: “US Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Tom Udall (D-NM) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help level the playing field for advanced biofuels like algae by reforming the Renewable Fuels Standard to make it more “technology neutral.”"

The article reports that under the existing Renewable Fuels Standard, there is an uneven playing field for emerging and promising biofuels like algae.

Senator Crapo explains that, “Now more than ever, America needs a national energy plan that ensures we have access to reliable, affordable and cleaner domestic energy. Algae has been credited as a very promising feedstock in our quest for national energy independence, and its inclusion in the Renewable Fuel Standard will get us one step closer to that goal”.

Sustainable Business also highlights the jobs legal parity would create: “An Algal Biomass Organization study of companies in the field finds that legislative parity between algae and other advanced biofuels could create over 200,000 green jobs by 2022, compared to 50,000 without legislative parity.”

Read the full article: ‘Senate bill would level playing field for algae biofuels’.

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9/11: Bringing biofuels into focus: Climate Spectator

September 12, 2011 By

Climate Spectator has republished an article from The Conversation – ’9/11: Bringing biofuels into focus’ by Susan Pond.

The article tracks biofuels developments and policies since 9/11 when energy security and reducing reliance on foreign oil were reignited as issues in the U.S.

Pond explains: “The decade since 9/11 has seen substantial development in US energy policy. Because transport accounts for 70 per cent of oil consumption, it was the obvious sector to target for petroleum oil replacement.”

The article goes onto explore changes in the defence forces and their clean energy milestones. “The US Navy aims to convert 50 per cent of its energy requirements to fossil fuel alternatives by 2020. By 2016, the Navy will sail a “Great Green Fleet” powered by 8 million barrels of advanced biofuels, including bio-jet fuel.”

Pond concludes the article by looking at what the decade since 9/11 has meant for the production and use of biofuels.

“9/11 was a catalyst for development of advanced biofuels industry in the US.

“The challenge will be to maintain policy certainty across election cycles. The industry needs time to reach commercial scale and manufacture advanced biofuels at parity pricing to oil.”

’9/11: bringing biofuels into focus’ can be read on Climate Spectator.

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Investor Interest in U.S. Biofuel Production Set to Soar: OilPrice.Com

August 26, 2011 By

John Daly from Oilprice.com has published an article about President Obama’s August 16 announcement that The U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will partner with the private sector and invest $510 million to produce advanced “drop-in” aviation and maritime biofuels for commercial and military use.

The article explains that: “While it remains to be seen how the joint investments between the U.S. government and private sector will work in practice, the announcement nevertheless represents an unprecedented commitment by several federal departments to stimulate the production of renewable biofuel energy, which is a godsend for many start-up companies which have up to now found it difficult to locate capital to ramp up production.”

‘Investor Interest in U.S. Biofuel Production Set to Soar’ was also republished by Proactive Investors under the headline: ‘U.S. biofuel initiatives to ignite investor interest’.

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“We need to use algae” – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture: Algae Industry Magazine

August 23, 2011 By

Algae Industry Magazine has posted a video of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussing next generation biofuels.

Vilsack explains some of the reasons behind the agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and the Navy. The agreement will increase mutual support in developing next generation biofuels.

The Secretary discusses the 1 million jobs which will be created as a result of the “$100 billion of investments in capital, in new facilities, new bio-refineries”.

He continues that “we’ve got to figure out alternative and different ways to be able to produce bio fuels. We need to use algae.”

Watch the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack speak on the Algae Industry Magazine website.

 

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Biodiesel industry producing record volumes

August 22, 2011 By

Nebraska’s The Independent has published a new article about biofuel production, ‘Biodiesel industry producing record volumes‘.

The article explains that, “biodiesel production in the first half of 2011 has already eclipsed production for all of 2010.”

Renewable energy’s role in creating jobs and stimulating the economy is then highlighted by the article’s author, Robert Pore. He explains that “According to a recent economic study, this year’s rejuvenated production will support more than 31,000 U.S. jobs and generate income of nearly $1.7 billion to be circulated throughout the economy. It also is expected to generate an estimated $345 million in federal tax revenue and $283 million in state and local tax revenues.”

Read the full article: ‘Biodiesel industry producing record volumes‘.

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Level playing field for biofuels

August 15, 2011 By

According to Domestic Fuel, “[US] Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) announced this week his intent to introduce bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would help level the playing field for advanced biofuels such as algae.”

Senator Udall, who recently toured New Mexico State University (NMSU)’s Energy Research Laboratory, said that “Congress shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers when it comes to the use of emerging technologies. This bill simply puts all advanced biofuels on a level playing field and lets the market determine which emerging technologies prove most useful.”

Read the full article on Domestic Fuel online: ‘Level playing field for biofuels’ by Joanna Schroeder.

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First transatlantic flight powered by biofuels: Wired

June 21, 2011 By

A business jet has successfully completed, for the first time, a transatlantic flight powered by biofuel, flying from the U.S. to France, landing at the  Paris International Air Show, Wired writes.

The article explains how the jet’s across seas journey marks a growing importance in developing aviation into a more environmentally friendly industry.

The article also mentions the significant step forward for the biofuels and aviation industries when ASTM International issued a provisional set of standards for the production of aviation biofuel, earlier this month.

Read the full article here: www.wired.com

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Algae Bioenergy Solutions launch algae biofuels production: The Augusta Chronicle

June 21, 2011 By

The Augusta Chronicle has published an article featuring Algae Bioenergy Solutions LLC, who are in the works to begin their algae biofuel production.

The advanced biofuels company plans to open July 15 at its U.S facility in Augusta.

The algae will be shipped to Green Valley Biofuels which produces biodiesel. Currently the facility uses soybean oil as feedstock, however the algae grown at the Augusta facility will replace the soybean oil completely over the coming years.

The article explains that the algae is grown in a modular system, “which the company will expand and build on as funding is raised.”

Not only will this progression help the biofuels and cleantech industries, but will also allow for more employment opportunities, “the company will employ 10 to 12 people to start , but plans to hire more than 200 over the next two years.”

Read the full article here: www.chronicle.augusta.com

 

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Biofuel from algae approved for U.S. airlines: Bloomberg

June 14, 2011 By

Biofuel from non-food materials, that are blended with traditional jet fuel, have been approved by safety authorities in the U.S. to be used on commercial flights worldwide, Bloomberg writes.

The Air Transport Association has confirmed this week, that this preliminary approval allows fuel that has been processed from organic waste such as algae or wood chips, to “comprise as much as 50 percent of the total fuel burned to power passenger flights.”

The article explains how this decision to amend jet fuel specifications to include fuels from bio-derived sources, is a huge step forward for the both the aviation and cleantech industries. The  development of renewable fuel supply is critical in achieving “carbon-neutral growth beyond 2020 and creating a sustainable future for aviation and the global community it serves,” Boeing Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy, Billy Glover says.

Read the full article here: www.bloomberg.com

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ATA gains approval for algae biofuels: Climate Spectator

June 14, 2011 By

Climate Spectator has also reported on the Air Transport Association (ATA), which has gained approval to use fuel processed from algae for up to 50 per cent of their fuel needs.

The article explains that airlines will be able to start using bio-derived fuel once final approval has been reached in July, “the decision comes as the European Union tries to force airlines to cap emissions or buy permits from next year “.

The article also brings attention to the CSIRO report released last month, indicating Australia has the resources to “provide 46 per cent of aviation fuel for Australia and New Zealand by 2020, and 100 per cent by 2050″. The Australian airline Qantas, has already signed agreements supporting the production of fuels from organic sources such as urban waste and algae, and is looking to build its first refinery in the next couple of years.

Read the full article here: www.climatespectator.com.au

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U.S. Armed Forces Support Renewable Jet Fuel: The Spokesperson Review

June 6, 2011 By

The Spokesperson Review has release an article, bringing attention to the  U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds who displayed impressive performances at Andrews Air Force Base last week. The article notes, that the demonstration was not just about aeronautic stunts, but an environmental statement as “Two of the six F-16s were burning a 50-50 mix of regular jet fuel and biofuel.”

The stunt illustrated “the service’s confidence in what many in military and civil aviation hope will be the fuel of the not-so-distant future.”

The article goes on to explain that the Air Force, Navy, several airlines, and manufacturers have been testing hydrotreated renewable jet-fuel (HRJ) for sometime.

HRJ production is derived from a myriad of resources including oilseed, forest and municipal waste. The article also highlights algae as having high potential as a renewable resource.

The article reminds readers that in March, President Obama announced his support for four commercial-scale biofuels plants.

The article ends highlighting America’s need “to get this done for strategic reasons, environmental reasons and job reasons.”

Read the full article here: www.spokesman.com

 

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Algae.Tec and Solazyme appeal to investors: Griffith Hack

June 3, 2011 By

Griffith Hack has published an article highlighting the prospects for the biofuels industry, featuring Algae.Tec and Solazyme.

“The Australian company Algae.Tec has seen its share price almost double since listing in January. This success has been predicted in a study undertaken by Pike Research (a US firm) which believes that the value of renewable fuels derived from algae will reach $1.3 billion by 2020. Pike believes that the increase in the number of projects is due to an increased demand from aviation and military consumers.”

The article also mentions Solazyme, a U.S. based, advanced biofuels company, who has recently inked an agreement with Qantas to pursue algae based jet fuels.

Read the full article here: www.griffithhack.com.au

 

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Biofuels Digest: Obama on team green

May 27, 2011 By

Biofuels Digest has released an article, bringing attention to Obama’s Presidential Memorandum that “all federal car fleets must buy only 100% alternative fuel vehicles by the end of 2015,” to encourage the manufacturing for more alternative fuelled vehicles.

The Memorandum strengthens the commitment the U.S. has in reducing “dependence on foreign oil, by promoting the use of domestically-produced alternative fuels like ethanol in the federal automotive fleet,” the article says.

Read the full article here: www.biofuelsdigest.com

 

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Climate Spectator: a promising future for algae companies

May 24, 2011 By

Climate Spectator has released an article with updates on the algae industry.

Solazyme’s IPO price is believed to set a precedent for algae companies within the cleantech industry. The U.S. based algae company has set a price range of $US15 to $US17 in a market float, which is predicted to raise $US170 million and would provide a market capitalization of around $US1 billion.

The article highlights that Solazyme’s IPO will be closely watched by other companies within the industry, such as Aurora Algae who have just opened a demonstration plant in WA, and Algae.Tec who are Australia’s only listed algae fuel company.

Read the full article here: www.climatespectator.com.au

 

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Share Cafe: interviews Roger Stroud, Executive Director of Algae.Tec

May 3, 2011 By

Share Cafe has interviewed Roger Stroud, who speaks about the company’s background, its current position within the biofuels industry and its future prospects.

Questions include:

The biofuels sector is experiencing an exciting period of growth. What are the advantages of this style of energy?

What is the future for the biofuels sector? Will it be a major player or contributor in ‘the energy game’?

When will Algae.Tec be in a position to secure it’s first customer?

When will you be paying out dividends?

Read the full interview here: www.sharecafe.com.au

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Algae Industry Magazine: Algae.Tec has international appeal

May 2, 2011 By

Algae.Tec was today featured in Algae Industry Magazine on the news its American Depositary Receipts (ADR) has begun trading on the U.S. OTC market under the ticker ALGXY.

The report says: “The company has established U.S. headquarters at the Algae Development & Manufacturing Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, where their McConchie-Stroud photobioreactors are being assembled. The 18,200 square foot Atlanta fabrication facility has been modified to enable the retrofitting process of the 40-foot steel shipping container algae growth modules.”

“The photobioreactors will be employed at Algae.Tec’s demonstration plant at The Manildra Group’s ethanol facility at Nowra, south of Sydney. The Manildra Group is the largest ethanol producer in Australia.”

“The company’s pilot plant production data predicts that one module can produce 250 tons of dry algal matter per year. Operating costs are estimated by them to be $US185 per ton of production or $US46,250 per year, per module.”

Read here for full article: www.algaeindustrymagazine.com

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Biodiesel Magazine: Algae.Tec’s ADR program commenced trading on USA OTC market

April 28, 2011 By

Biodiesel Magazine has reported the latest on advanced biofuels company Algae.Tec and its level-one American Depository Receipt program which will allow U.S. investors to become a part of the “growth model of Algae.Tec.”

The article focuses on the company’s potential international growth.  Algae.Tec plans to build a demonstration plant at the Manildra complex in Nowra, NSW, and the photo bio-reactor modules are currently being assembled in the U.S. ”Once the company receives a greater demand for the units, the company will also begin manufacturing the containers in China,” the report says.

Read the full article here: www.biodieselmagazine.com

 

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