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Virent Energy Systems wins Presidential Green Chemistry award for efficient biofuel process
Virent Energy Systems, a biofuel company based in Madison, Wisconsin, has received a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award for its low-energy water-based process for producing fuels. Using its proprietary BioForming process that uses nearly zero outside energy other than what's generated by the fermentation process, Virent's can generate the same range of hydrocarbon molecules now refined from petroleum. That means the same process can create gasoline, diesel or jet fuel from nearly any cellulosic biomass, including those not typically ... Read more →
Drive your green vehicle at Laguna Seca during Refuel Domenick Yoney
Ever wanted to take your green vehicle to a world-renowned race track, show it off to the masses and maybe even try a little race-against-the-clock action? Well, soon you can. On July 19th, Speed ...
German test with certified biodiesel shows great results Xavier Navarro
A recent test in Germany attempted to test claims by Neste that its biodiesel is sustainable. The tests involved 14 Daimler vehicles, DHL, the German Post, OMV and the Stuttgart bus company. The test ...
Toyota to invest in Philipines jatropha bio-diesel plant Sam Abuelsamid
Except in Europe, Toyota has shown little interest in diesel powerplants for anything but the Land Cruiser. Toyota even canceled plans to add a diesel engine to the U.S. Tundra pickup truck. But, a ...
French groups argue against using the term "biofuels" Xavier Navarro
The French Federation of Bio Agriculture (FNAB) is currently lobbying the French senate to forbid using the prefix "bio" when referring to fuels made from plant matter. Bear in mind that, in France, ...
More biodiesel news
What is the difference between biodiesel and SVO? 21 days ago on AutoblogGreen
if you're used to filling up your car with standard gasoline, the difference between biodiesel and straight vegetable oil (SVO, but it also has other names) might be a clear as mud. Here's a cheat sheet. Important Point #1: SVO: is pure vegetable oil, just like what you use to cook with. ...
TransAtlas: a new and interactive map for alt-fuel hunters, policymakers 22 days ago on AutoblogGreen
Ever wondered where all the biodiesel drivers are? Or how about where to find the most corn ethanol is made? Questions like these can be answered over at TransAtlas, a new project by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). While good old Joe Internet can ...
Bloom is off the biodiesel rose: Berkeley says "no" to soy biofuel 24 days ago on AutoblogGreen
Often in the lead in progressive causes, the City of Berkeley started using biodiesel in more than 100 city vehicles six years ago. For a while, the biofuel came from recycled waste grease and everyone was happy. The source shifted to crop soybeans when not enough grease could be found but, due to ...
Biodiesel's water footprint? 14,000 liters per liter of biofuel 28 days ago on AutoblogGreen
We recently heard that, according to one group of researchers at Environmental Science & Technology magazine, corn ethanol has a water cost of 50 gallons per mile. Now, a team working from the University of Twente in the Netherlands has calculated the water cost of ethanol and other biofuels ...
Obama responds to governors' biofuels concerns 29 days ago on AutoblogGreen
Presidents and biofuels. Seems to be a theme today. Back in February, the Governors' Biofuels Coalition sent a letter to President Obama asking for a stronger ethanol position, specifically asking that the national blend be increased to E13 and that the government consider promoting the ...
Jay Leno takes EcoJet out for a spin (w/VIDEO) 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
Jay Leno's EcoJet - Click above for a high-res image gallery Now that Jay Leno's retired from his duties hosting The Tonight Show, he may find himself with a bit more time on his hands to devote to his many automotive passions. Jay often leans towards the green end of the interesting vehicle ...
Homebrewing not the only danger in making biodiesel: plant catches fire in Minnesota 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
We talked about the uncommon but still serious cases of fires caused by biodiesel enthusiasts making the biofuel in their back yard just the other day. Even at industrial facilities, though, making fuel isn't exactly safe, and a fire at the Minnesota Soybean Processors Plant in Brewster, Minnesota ...
Money's not there for flex-fuel and other advanced technologies, automakers say 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
Here's the thing: American automakers used to fully support E85-capable (aka flex-fuel) vehicles. With a few cheap additions to a standard engine ($100, or thereabouts), a car could get a special badge, drink corn (where available) and get the automaker a bit of goodwill, especially from ...
No Brainer of the Day: Making biodiesel at home is dangerous 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
While fuel prices are nothing like they were last summer (but they are climbing), there are still plenty of reasons to want to make your own biodiesel. Homebrew biodieselers are, on the whole, a careful bunch and there are plenty of classes available to make sure your mixing of vegetable fat, lye ...
MINI asks drivers to hang up the keys and not drive on June 5th 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
If you're a Mini owner or an enthusiast, why not leave your car in the garage on June 5th? This may sound unusual for a car company, but its exactly what Mini is asking. The company has named that day, "Let's not motor day," although the official name, courtesy of the UN, is World Environment Day. ...
50 gallons per mile?!? That's the water cost of corn-based ethanol 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
The nail in the coffin of corn-based ethanol might be made of water. The magazine Environmental Science & Technology has published an article that pegs the amount of water needed to make enough corn ethanol to move a vehicle one mile at 50 gallons. That's pretty high. ES&T calculated the ...
DOE announces $786 million for third-generation biofuels 1 month ago on AutoblogGreen
Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a huge, $786.5 million program to speed development and commercialization of biofuels today. The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is intended for the following specific projects: $480 Million Solicitation for ...
Polystyrene can be dissolved in biodiesel, boosts power and emissions 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Polystyrene is pretty much an environmentalist's nightmare. It's difficult to recycle in most areas and does not biodegrade if simply thrown away. But, because the stuff is so incredibly useful, it is produced and used in tremendous quantities. There's good news for biodiesel fans who want to ...
Try B100? Not in your new diesel engine 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Manufacturers of diesel engines make it clear that small amounts of biodiesel are usually fine (most say B5, or diesel with five percent biodiesel mixed in, is OK), but they won't make any promises about higher concentrations. Popular Mechanics has a good article that explains that these companies ...
Earthrace could go whale hunter hunting 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
The Earthrace biodiesel boat made headlines last year during an around-the-world trip using biodiesel - it wasn't an easy journey. The ship's future could also be fraught with difficulty. The Earthrace website says the boat is for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million but we hear reports that ...
It's Friday: a peek at the truck stop of the future 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
What's the price of gas going to be in 2021? Specifically, what will the gamut of transportation fuels cost on March 16, 2021? WIRED recently published one of its artifacts from the future: a truck stop 12 years from now. As you can see in the imaginary scene, a full tank of hydrogen will cost a ...
University of Warwick creates Formula 3 bio-racer 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
WorldFirstF3 racer - Click above for an image gallery Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have embarked on an ambitious project to create the most environmentally friendly racecar the world has ever seen. Not only must the car be green, they decided, it must also be competitive ...
VW Jetta TDI Cup season opener to feature three guest drivers 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
When the second season of Volkswagen's Jetta TDI Cup kicks off next week at VIRginia International Raceway, three guest drivers will join the 30 regulars on the track. Former NASCAR driver Ward Burton's son Jeb will be driving one of the 170 hp diesel powered Jettas along with MSNBC's Dan Carney. ...
Biodiesel, Solar power come out ahead in Lexus Eco Challenge 2 months ago on AutoblogGreen
The 2008-09 edition of the Lexus Eco Challenge is over and high school teams from Illinois and Florida have captured the top $50,000 prizes. The competition is open to teams of middle and high school students nationwide and is intended to encourage them to get involved in projects that help the ...
Lightning Hybrids to reveal LH4 at Denver Auto Show 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
The Denver International Auto Show opens today and Lightning Hybrids is planning on being there to display their biodiesel hydraulic hybrid prototype, the LH4. If you happen happen to be attending the opening this afternoon, don't be surprised if the slick gray sportster smells a bit like wet ...
Saudi oil minister: you be careful with those dangerous alternative fuels, OK? 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi, is nervous. Speaking earlier this month, he said that alternative fuels should be called "supplemental" and that "These sources cannot contribute meaningfully to the world's energy mix until they have attained levels of affordability, accessibility, ...
UK supermarket starts selling B30, manufacturers advise customers not to fill-up 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
The British supermarket chain Morrison's sells B30 - petroleum diesel with 30 percent biodiesel blended into it - at 113 pump stations in their supermarkets in the United Kingdom. However, switching to B30 might not be advisable for some motorists, and there are still worries that the biofuel could ...
Biodiesel industry running into trouble at every turn, but the cold may no longer be an issue 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
That press release that went out earlier this month that read "The Biodiesel Industry Is Struggling And We Need Your Help!" wasn't kidding. With a new European Union tariff on biodiesel that comes from the U.S. and layoffs at some big (well, formerly big) players in the industry, things aren't ...
What should I consider before buying a "green" car? 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
2010 Honda Insight – Click above for high-res gallery Car sales have totally tanked. So what good is a post on buying the right green car? Well, the reality is that most people in the U.S. still need a car to get around and, with the possibility of a "cash for clunkers" deal moving through ...
Hydrogen highway for the West Coast? How 'bout you add biofuel and CNG and plugs? 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
OK, even though the plan to put up the Hydrogen Highway in California has run into trouble, an even bigger, bolder infrastructure plan is gaining ground along the West Coast. The Governors of Washington, Oregon and California are talking about an alt-fuel/alt-energy refueling corridor running up ...
Explosion shows Biodiesel rockets might not be ready for prime time [w/video] 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Click above and scroll down to watch the video It's no secret that biodiesel can be used in airplanes (see BioJet I and, sort of, Virgin Atlantic). To use the biofuel in rockets might take a bit more work, as the 11-second video at the bottom of this post makes clear. The good news, though, is ...
Tesoro drops anti-ethanol lawsuit against CARB 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
A lawsuit brought by the Tesoro Corporation last fall to prevent California's new ethanol blending mandate has been dropped. Tesoro dropped its suit against the California Air Resources Board (CARB) last week after their request for a temporary injunction was denied. The CARB mandate will increase ...
Biodiesel Board meets with Vilsack, pleased with results 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Officials from the National Biodiesel Board are meeting with the USDA and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack over the California Air Resources Board's proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the ramifications that the legislation would have on the biodiesel industry. Biofuel proponents have ...
Brazil having a hard time selling its biodiesel in Europe 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
Brazil's President Inázio Lula da Silva visited Europe not long ago and he promoted the benefits of Brazilian biodiesel in France and Spain. This might have seemed like a good idea, if it weren't for the fact that Spain's biggest oil company, Repsol, had just frozen the construction of a new ...
Lightning Hybrid to go for X-prize with 100 mpg biodiesel hydraulic hybrid 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
A small startup company in Loveland, Colorado is working on what it hopes will be the keys to the Automotive X-Prize. Lightning Hybrids is building a pair of vehicles, one with three wheels and the other with four, that use a biodiesel-fueled hydraulic hybrid powertrain. Not a lot of details are ...
CARB's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, EPA rules might put the hurt on biofuels 3 months ago on AutoblogGreen
The proposal from the California Air Resources Board for a Low Carbon Fuel Standard that we mentioned the other day might deal a blow to the biofuels industry. The LCFS might be one way for California to meet its stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through lowered carbon in California ...
