By Silvio Marcacci on August 24, 2011 2012 republican primary , Andrew Schenkel , Barack Obama , cap-and-trade , energy politics , ethanol , Jon Huntsman , Michele Bachmann , mitt romney , Newt Gingrich , Politics & Legislation , Republican presidential primary , Ron Paul , Silvio Marcacci
Argues that energy and environmental issues, and the candidate stances on them, will play a large role in the 2012 presidential election. While president Obama’s position may be well known, for most Americans the platforms of the Republican candidates are just now coming into focus.
By Chris de Morsella on June 27, 2011 agribusiness , algal biofuel , Algenol , Amyris , Amyris Brazil , anti-malarial , ARCH Venture Partners , Artemisinin , Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology , Battery Ventures , Berkely , Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , Bill Gates , biocatalyst , biochemical , biodiesel , biofuel , biomass , bioprocessing , bioreactor , Biotechonomy , BlackRock , Bob Johnsen , Bonita Springs , BP , Brazil , Burrill & Co. , Butamax , butanol , CA , California , Caltech , Cambridge , Canada , carbon capture , carbon dioxide , Catalyst , catalytic enzyme , CBP , cellulose , cellulosic biofuel , cellulosic ethanol , Chevron , chris de morsella , cleantech , CO , Codexis , Colorado , Columbus , Consolidated Bioprocessing , corn stalks , Craig Venter , David Berry , David Kiernan , Department of Energy , diesel , diesel fuel , directed evolution , DNA , DNA shuffling , DOE , Dow Chemical , Draper Fisher Juvetson , E. coli , Emeryville , energy company , engineered microbe , engineered microorganism , Englewood , environmental , enzyme cocktail , ethanol , Exxon , fatty lipids , fermentation , FL , Flagship Ventures , Florida , Freeport , Frontier Renewable Resources , Genencor , Gevo , green chemicals , green chemistry , green economy , Hamilton Smith , Iogen , isobutanol , Jack Newman , Jason Pyle , jatropha , jet fuel , John Melo , Joule Unlimited , Juan Enriquez , Khosla Ventures , Kleiner Perkins , La Jolla , Las Cruces , Lea County , Leander , Lebanon , Lee County , Lightspeed Ventures , Linde Group , LS9 , Luna County , MA , malaria , Marlborough , Mascoma , Massachusets , Maxygen , Meteor Group , MI , Michigan , microbe , microbial enhanced hydrocarbon recovery , microbial organism , microorganism , municipal solid waste , Neil Renninger , New Hampshire , New Mexico , New York , NH , NM , non-food biofuel , nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactant , Noubar Afeyan , NY , Palo Alto , Paul Woods , petrochemical infrastructure , petroleum , pharmaceutical , pharmaceutical precursor , photobioreactor , photosynthesis , Plenus , Praj Industries , Procter and Gamble , Qteros , Raizen , recombinant DNA , Redfield Energy , Redwood City , renewable energy , renewable specialty chemicals , Rochester , San Diego , Sapphire Energy , SD , Shell , Solazyme , South Dakota , South San Francisco , sugar cane , surfactant , sustainability , sustainable , sustainable chemicals , switchgrass , synthetic biofuel , synthetic biology , synthetic enzyme , Synthetic Genomics , Texas , transportation fuel , TX , Unilever , University of California , Valero oil , Venrock , Virgin Green Fund , waste water treatment , Wellcome Trust , Wilmar International , woodchips , woody biomass , Wyman Lynd , yeast
A detailed review of 12 U.S. based synthetic biology, biofuel & biochemical companies that are developing third and fourth generation biofuels, bioindustrial & household chemical, and food additive products; using synthetic biology to produce engineered microorganisms and specialty enzymatic products. Each company is examined in turn, looking at its financials and the uniqueness and strength of its processes and technology as well as at any important partnerships or alliances that have been formed.
By Yale Environment 360 on April 13, 2011 “Plug-in Electric Vehicles: A Practical Plan for Progress , automakers , battery technology , California , car dealers , Climate Change , commuter cars , consumer tax credits , delivery vehicles , demonstration projects , drilling technologies , electric cars , electric drive systems , electric utilities , electric vehicle infrastructure , electricity , ethanol , federal tax credit , gasoline prices , GM , GM Volt , green consumers , home rechargers , HOV lane access , hybrid cars , hydrogen , Indiana University , IU’s Transport Electrification Panel (TEP) , John D. Graham , lithium-ion batteries , lithium-ion cells , loan guarantees , mass transit , Natalie Messer , national demonstration program , natural gas , New Jersey , Nissan , Nissan Leaf , North Carolina , oil insecurity , oil prices , plug-in hybrid , plug-in vehicles , purchase incentives , recharging occurs primarily at night; more businesses to supply recharging stations , research and development funding , School of Public and Environmental Affairs , special parking benefits , supply chain , Tennessee , Texas , time-of-day pricing , U.S. Department of Energy , used-car market , zero-emission
Electric cars are finally coming to market in the U.S., but what is the future potential for this much-touted technology? A good way to find out would be to launch demonstration projects in selected U.S. cities to determine if, given incentives and the proper infrastructure, the public will truly embrace plug-in vehicles.
By Frank Ciampa on April 21, 2010 agriculture , algae , algal biodiesel , algal production , arable land , bio oils , biofuels , carbon mitigative solution , Could Algae be the New Corn? , culturing , David H Kurzman , decarbonized liquid fuel , environmental footprint.deforestation , ethanol , Frank J. Ciampa , greenhouse gas effect , Julia Verdi , Kurzman Cleantech , or algaculture , plant-based feedstocks
The following is a response to the article Could Algae be the New Corn? by Julia Verdi. She raised the following questions… Does Algae pose the same risks as corn? Are biofuels the wrong way to go when it comes to identifying fuel sources?
By Tracey de Morsella on September 1, 2009 advanced vehicle technologies , alternative fuel , American Recovery and Reinvestment Act , and Egg Harbor Township , and HEV Vehicles and Fueling Stations Initiative , Atlantic City , Austin , Autogas refueling stations in the following major metropolitan areas: Atlanta , Baton Rouge , biodiesel , biofuels , biogas , Camden , Chicago , City of Chicago , Clean Cities program , clean energy , Clean Energy Coalition’s CEC Michigan Green Fleets Initiative , Clean Fuels Ohio’s Ohio Advanced Transportation Partnership , Clean School Bus/Vehicle Incentive & Green Jobs Outreach Program , CNG , CNG dump trucks , compressed natural gas fueling stations , compressed natural gas vehicles , Dallas , Dallas-Fort Worth , DeKalb County’s DeKalb County/Metropolitan Atlanta Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Project , Denver , Department of Energy , Department of Environment’s Chicago Area Alternative Fuels Deployment Project , DOE , electric vehicles , electricity , energy efficient vehicles , energy security , ethanol , EV , flex-fuel vehicles , garbage trucks , Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition’s Long Island Regional Energy Collaborative Promoting a Green Economy through Clean Alternatives , Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition , green transportation , Houston , hybrid school buses , hybrid technologies , hybrid truck , hybrids , hydraulic hybrids , Inc.’s Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project , Indianapolis , Kansas City , Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition’s Hybrid Electric School Buses Provide New Horsepower for Kentucky , Lake Charles , landfill gas , LFG , local governments , Los Angeles , LPG , Maryland Energy Administration’s Maryland Hybrid Truck Goods Movement , Metropolitan Energy Information Center’s Midwest Region Alternative Fuels Project , Michigan , Minerals and Energy’s Paving the Way with Propane: The AutoGas Corridor Development Program , Nassau , natural gas , New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition’s New Jersey Compressed Natural Gas Refuse Trucks , New Orleans , New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)’s Statewide Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program for CNG , Newark , North Carolina , North Central Texas Council of Governments’ North Central Texas Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology , NYSERDA , OATP , Oklahoma City , Orlando , petroleum , petroleum consumption , Phoenix , plug-in electric hybrids , pollution , propane , Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Puget Sound Clean Cities Petroleum Reduction Project , Railroad Commission of Texas’ Texas Propane Fleet Pilot Program , refueling infrastructure , refueling locations , refuse collection vehicles , renewable gas , Sacramento , San Antonio , San Bernardino , San Bernardino Associated Governments’ J.B. Hunt LNG Truck Project: Made in America Initiative , San Diego , SCAQMD , Seattle , Secretary Chu , Shuttle Buses and Infrastructure , SOuth Carolina , South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Drayage Truck Replacement Initiative , South Coast Air Quality Management District’s UPS Ontario-Las Vegas LNG Corridor Expansion Project , South Gate , South Los Angeles , Southern CA Association of Governments Clean Cities Coalition’s Expanding California’s E85 Ethanol Fueling Infrastructure , Southern California , Southern California Association of Governments Clean Cities Coalition , St. Louis , state governments , State of Indiana’s: Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance Comprehensive Alternative Fuels Implementation Plan , State of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Clean Transportation Program , Steven Chu , Suffolk , Texas State Technical College’s Development of a National Liquid Propane (Autogas) Refueling Network , The Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalition’s Idaho Petroleum Reduction Leadership Project , transportation authorities , Trenton , Triangle J Council of Governments’ Carolinas Blue Skies & Green Jobs Initiative , University of Michigan , Utah Clean Cities Coalition’s Clean Cities Transportation Sector Petroleum Reduction Technologies Program , Virginia Department of Mines
Last week, Secretary Chu announcen nearly $300 million in Clean Cities grants to support clean fuels, vehicles, and infrastructure development. The projects are designed to create jobs, limit pollution, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
By Tracey de Morsella on August 20, 2009 advanced biofuels , agriculture , algae-based biodiesel , Bio Economic Research Associates , biodiesel , biofuels , biofuels distribution , Biofuels Markets and Technologies , Biotechnology Industry Organization , Brent Erickson , capital investment , construction , economic output , economic recovery , energy security , ethanol , feedstock production , feedstocks , food versus fuel , investment opportunity , Jatropha-based fuels , job creation , overcapacity of production , petroleum price volatility , Pike Research , processing operations , recession , Renewable Fuel Standard , research and development , technology royalties , U.S. Economic Impact of Advanced Biofuels Production , waste greases
The excitement surrounding the biofuels market opportunity has been tempered somewhat by its many challenges, which include ethical questions of food versus fuel, limited availability of inexpensive feedstocks, petroleum price volatility, overcapacity of production and the global recession. However, a two recent reports from both Pike Research and Bio Economic Research Associates forecast that, despite these significant challenges, the combined biodiesel and ethanol markets will reach $247 billion in sales by 2020, up from just $76 billion in 2010. Total job creation, accounting for economic multiplier effects, could reach 123,000 in 2012, 383,000 in 2016, and 807,000 by 2022.
By Jerry_Toman on July 14, 2009 ADM , Agri-Biz , beef , beef industry , bio-fuels , carbon footprint , Cargill , CHP , Combined Heat and Power , dead-zones , ethanol , fertilizer , genetically modified food , global warming , greenhouse gases , Gulf of Mexico , horticulture , intellectual rights , Jerry J. Toman , Monsanto , permaculture , pesticides , power rights , ScM , toxic run-off , urban areas , water rights
This the third article in the series The Two-Headed Dragon ~ Energy/Water/Food Scarcity and Climate Change. Top Ten Policies that Feed it, and Two New Technologies that Could Enable us to Slay It and Save the Planet focuses on the issue of big agribusiness; how it is is dominated by a very few very large corporations; the big problems this dominance is creating for farmers and the environment and some things we can do to restore our agricultural system to one more in tune with nature and that serves the interests of most citizens.
By Chris de Morsella on June 29, 2009 advanced materials , algae , algae biofuel , algal biofuel , Algenol Biofuels , biofuels , bioreactors , biorefinery , California , carbon dioxide , carbon footprint , Clean tech , CO2 , Corn Ethanol , Department of Energy , DOE , Dow Chemical , ERoEI , ethanol , Freeport , Georgia , Georgia Institute of Technology , green economy , Membrane Technology and Research , Menlo Park , Paul Woods , photobioreactor , photosynthesis , specialty films , stimulus bill , Texas
Algenol Biofuels, a Florida biofuels startup and DOW Chemical Company announced a pilot-scale algae-based integrated biorefinery that will convert CO2 into ethanol. The patented technology developed by Algenol Biofuels uses CO2, salt water, sunlight and non-arable land to produce ethanol, which can be used as a fuel or as a feedstock, replacing natural gas in the production of plastic. The algae is grown in long plastic covered troughs, called bioreactors that are filled with salt water that has been saturated with carbon dioxide gas, which provides the carbon the algae needs for photosynthesis.
By Tracey de Morsella on May 13, 2009 biomass , Carnegie Institution , Christopher Field , David Lobell , department of global energy , electric battery , electricity , Elliott Campbell , emissions offsets , energy , ethanol , greenhouse gas offsets , Merced , performance , power source , Stanford University , transportation , University of California
Scientists are examining biomass – plant matter that’s grown and used to generate energy – as a potential power source. Two biomass technologies involve ethanol and electricity. Biomass converted into ethanol, a corn-based fuel, can power internal combustion vehicles. Biomass converted into electricity can fuel a vehicle powered by an electric battery. A study by University of California, Merced, Assistant Professor Elliott Campbell and two other researchers in the online edition of this week’s Science journal suggests that biomass used to generate electricity could be the more efficient solution.