All Entries in the "Featured" Category
Ceres develops salt-tolerant trait: may open 15M US acres to energy crop cultivation
In California, Ceres announced that it has developed a plant trait that could bring new life to millions of acres of abandoned or marginal cropland damaged by salts. Results in several crops, including switchgrass, have shown levels of salt tolerance not seen before. Ceres reported that its researchers tested the effects of very high salt [...]
Biomass better than coal? War over carbon accounting erupts
In Washington, the Environment Working Group has released a study that claims the impacts of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA)—which has already passed the House of Representatives—would require the equivalent of cutting between 18 and 30 million acres by 2025, and up to 50 million acres by 2030.
“From Maine to Washington state, [...]
Lignin: make less, or make more of it, a Digest special report
“Lignin is nature’s plastic and any organism that wants to get to the sugars in a plant has to be able to get past this protective barrier,” professor Ming Tien of Penn State.
There’s lignin, lignin everywhere. Next to cellulose, it is the second most abundant organic material on Earth, representing 24-35 percent of softwood weight and [...]
Swedes do it better: A Biomass Digest profile
In Sweden, biomass power is estimated to represent 32% of all energy consumption and demand is leading to competition for pulp resources between paper and energy producers, pushing pulp prices to new highs, according to a new study.
Between 2000 and 2009, biomass power consumption grew from 88TWh to 115TWh. During the same period, oil-based power [...]
Three biomass projects receive $13 million from DOE in Recovery Act investment
In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced three projects that will receive $13 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support deployment of community-based renewable energy projects, including biomass.
These projects will promote investment in clean energy infrastructure that will create jobs, help communities provide long-term renewable energy and save consumers money. They [...]
REN21 publishes global interactive map of biomass policy, capacity, production, mandates
The Renewable Energy Policy Network REN21, a global policy network that provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy, has launched its Renewables Interactive Map. The Map contains a wealth of information on renewable energy, including support policies, expansion targets, current shares, installed capacity, current production, future scenarios, and policy pledges.
The Map can be [...]
“Torrefied Wood, A Bio-Energy Option That Is Ready to Go”: A Biomass Digest Special Report
By Biomass Digest correspondent Tim Sklar
Overview
In 2007 the Congress passed legislation that mandated producing 16 billion gallons per year of 2nd generation biofuels from cellulosic biomass by Year 2022. Although many experts believe this “Renewable Fuels Standard” (RFS) could still be attained, progress toward that goal has bogged down. Processes under development for producing 2nd [...]
Biomass Digest’s Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference set for DC – April 27-28, 2010
Biomass Digest’s Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference will be held on April 27-28, 2010 at the Hilton Embassy Row in Washington DC, which will feature the largest assemblage of CEOs of the “50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” as I believe have ever gathered in one room at one time.
Agenda: The conference agenda is here – involving [...]
Bioenergy Personality of the Year, Bioenergy Company of the Year now open for nominations
In Florida, Biomass Digest announced that the 3rd Annual Bioenergy Personality of the Year and 3rd annual Bioenergy Company of the Year nominations process has opened.
Registered subscribers to Biofuels Digest and Biomass Digest may participate.
Nominations are open today, and will remain open until 5pm Friday, December 11th. Voting will open on Monday December 14th and [...]
The 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy for 2009-10 announced
Renewable oils developer Solazyme took the #1 spot in the 2009-10 “50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” rankings.
The list recognizes innovation and achievement in bioenergy development.
The rankings were based 50 percent on votes from a 75-member panel of international selectors, and 50 percent on votes from subscribers of Biofuels Digest, the world’s most widely-read biofuels daily.
POET [...]
