Twitter headlinesBiodiesel
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
DfT Publishes Ricardo Report on Technology Options for Reducing CO2 Emissions from Heavy Goods Vehicles; Focus on Vehicles, Powertrains and Fuels
July 18, 2009
| Representation of cost vs. benefit of low-carbon HGV technologies. Source: Ricardo/DfT. Click to enlarge. |
The UK Department for Transport has published a report prepared by Ricardo on the potential of various technologies for reducing CO2 emissions that are applicable to the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector. HGVs (goods transport vehicles with >3.5t GVW) represent 24% and vans 12% of total UK road transport greenhouse gas emissions.
The report presents an analysis of a number of HGV technologies with carbon saving potential and evaluates these technologies in terms of CO2 benefits, technology costs, environmental costs arising from production of the technology, safety and other limitations, and the maturity of the technology within the market. The report then summarizes which technologies are the most promising in terms of CO2 benefits when all these other factors are taken into consideration.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Tsinghua Researchers Find that Sugarcane Juice is a Good Fermentation Feedstock for Algal Biodiesel
June 28, 2009
Researchers at Tsinghua University in China have shown that sugarcane juice is a good feedstock for biodiesel production, when used to support the growth of the alga Chlorella protothecoides by heterotrophic fermentation. In fermentation in a 5-liter bioreactor, algae using sugarcane juice hydrolysate (SCH) grew faster than algae using glucose. Conversion ratios of sugar/biomass and sugar/oil using SCH were 15.2 and 8.8% higher than that using glucose, respectively. The highest oil content was 53.0% by cell dry weight.
The results suggest that sugarcane is not only a good feedstock for fuel-ethanol production but also for biodiesel production, the authors wrote in a paper on their study, published online in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds Water Footprint for Bioenergy Larger Than Other Forms of Energy; Bioelectricity the Smallest, Biodiesel the Largest
June 06, 2009
| Total weighted global average water footprints (blue and green) for major ethanol and biodiesel crops in m3 water per GJ fuel. The yellow marker (also left axis) indicates the total weighted global average WF for bioelectricity from the same crops. The red marker (right axis) indicates liters of water required to produce one liter of fuel. Data: Gerbens-Leenes et al. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at the University of Twente, Netherlands have calculated the water footprints (WFs) of bioenergy from 12 crops that currently contribute the most to global agricultural production: barley, cassava, maize, potato, rapeseed, rice, rye, sorghum, soybean, sugar beet, sugar cane, and wheat. In addition, their study includes jatropha, an energy crop.
In general they found that bioelectricity is more water-efficient than first-generation biofuels (due largely to the ability to use the entire biomass to produce energy, rather than just the starch or oil fraction of the yield for liquid fuel production). They also found that the WF of bioethanol on a m3 of water per GJ of fuel basis appears to be smaller than that of biodiesel. Their results appeared 2 June in an open access paper in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
More... | Comments (26) | TrackBack (0)
President Obama Establishes Biofuels Interagency Working Group; Push on Biofuel Development/Commercialization and Flex-Fuel Vehicle Use
May 05, 2009
US President Barack Obama has established a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to further the research, development and commercialization of biofuels.
The announcement came in conjunction with the EPA’s release of its notice of proposed rulemaking for the Renewable Fuel Standard (earlier post), and the Department of Energy’s announcement of $787.5 million in funding to be awarded to advanced biofuels research and commercialization projects (earlier post).
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
Polystyrene-Biodiesel Blends for Energy Recovery from Waste Plastics
May 04, 2009
| Comparisons of NOx, CO, soot, and engine brake power using different PS blends with the factory-set injection timings. Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Iowa State University are proposing dissolving waste polystyrene (PS) in biodiesel for use as a diesel engine fuel as a mechanism for energy recovery from the waste plastic. Use of polystyrene-biodiesel blends can result in an increase an engine power with polystyrene concentrations of up to 5%, according to a new study by a team of researchers from Iowa State University. At concentrations higher than 5%, engine power decreased.
However, emissions of NOx, soot, CO and hydrocarbons increased with polystyrene concentrations if the injection timing was free to advance due to the increased bulk modulus and fuel viscosity. Varying engine operating parameters, including the fuel injection timing and exhaust gas recirculation resulted in lower NOx emissions but still resulted in higher soot, CO, and HC emissions.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Life Cycle Analysis of Camelina-based Renewable Jet and Diesel Fuels Shows 84-89% GHG Savings Compared to Petroleum Fuels
April 28, 2009
| Greenhouse gas emissions for all fuels in this study, using one of the cultivation scenarios (Forward cultivation). Source: Shonnard and Koers (2009). Click to enlarge. |
A life cycle analysis (LCA) comparing camelina-derived renewable jet and diesel fuels to petroleum fuels and biodiesel found that the green jet and green diesel fuels are lower in fossil energy demand and also lower in GHG emissions compared to biodiesel, and that all the biofuels are lower in these impact categories compared to their fossil fuel counterparts.
Dr. David Shonnard and Kenneth Koers at Michigan Technological University conducted the LCA in collaboration with UOP, a Honeywell company. The study was based on camelina grown in Montana by Sustainable Oils and processed into renewable jet and diesel fuels using UOP hydroprocessing technology. (Earlier post.)
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Group of Scientists and Economists Urge Inclusion of Indirect Land Use Change Effects for Biofuels and All Transportation Fuels in California LCFS
April 21, 2009
More than 170 scientists and economists have sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (ARB) Chairman Mary Nichols urging the board to account for greenhouse gas emissions from indirect land use change for biofuels and all other transportation fuels under the state’s proposed low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). The signatories include nine members of the National Academies of Science and two Nobel laureates.
During its meeting on 23-24 April, the Board will consider the adoption of the LCFS, which requires a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity (measured in gCO2e/MJ) of transportation fuels in California by 2020.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
New Cost-Effective Continuous Flow Technology with Solid Catalyst for Converting Algae Oil to Biodiesel
March 26, 2009
Chemists at United Environment and Energy LLC have developed an energy-efficient, high throughput continuous flow fixed-bed reactor technology for cost-effective algae oil biodiesel production. A report on what they termed “the first economical way to produce biodiesel from algae oil” was presented at the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Salt Lake City, Utah.
One of the problems with current methods for producing biodiesel from algae oil is the processing cost, and the researchers say their process is at least 40% cheaper than that of others now being used.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
New 1H NMR Technique for Estimating Free Fatty Acid Content in Oil, Fats and Biodiesel
March 22, 2009
| Correlation/calibration plots of FFA content in (a) soybean-oleic acid (standard deviation = 0.12 (titration) and 0.44 (1H NMR)) and (b) standard biodiesel-oleic acid (standard deviation = 0.29 (titration) and 0.18 (1H NMR)). Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge. |
A team of researchers from the National Chemical Laboratory in India have developed a novel proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic (1H NMR) method to quantify free fatty acid (FFA) content in vegetable oils, animal fats, and biodiesel. A paper on their work was published online 9 March in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
The free fatty acid (FFA) content of feedstocks is an important quality parameter for biodiesel, which is produced by the transesterification of the oil. Biodiesel fuel standards limit the amount of free fatty acids (by limiting the acid number) in the final product, as their presence can lead to fuel deterioration during storage as well as to significant operational problems.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Bipartisan Group of US Senators Calls on EPA to Refrain From Including Indirect Land Use Change in Biofuel Regulations
March 17, 2009
A bipartisan group of 12 US senators led by Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to include calculations of indirect land use change (ILUC) effects as contributors to life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for biofuels in the upcoming rulemaking for implementation of the updated Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS-2) enacted in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007.
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS-2) defined within the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires biofuels to meet specified life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to qualify. The law specifies that life-cycle GHG emissions are to include “direct emissions and significant indirect emissions such as significant emissions from land use changes, as determined by the Administrator.”
More... | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
EU Imposes Temporary Import Duties on US Biodiesel
March 12, 2009
 |
| US exports of biodiesel to Europe have surged, and represent the bulk of US production. Source: EBB. Click to enlarge. |
The European Union is imposing temporary anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of biodiesel from the United States. The measures will come into effect from 13 March and will be in place for four months while the investigation and contacts with stakeholders continue.
The level of the measures, which are applied together, is set at between €211.20 to €237.00 (US$271.22 to $304.35) per tonne for the anti-subsidy duties and between €23.60 and €208.20 (US$30.31 to $267.31) per tonne for the anti-dumping measures. At the end of this time, the Commission will make a final recommendation to EU member states on whether or not to impose definitive duties in this case, which if imposed would normally last for five years. Provisional duties in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases are imposed by the European Commission, while definitive measures are imposed by the European Council.
More... | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Petrobras Biocombustível To Invest US$2.4B in Biodiesel and Ethanol Production
March 10, 2009
As part of its newly released business plan, Brazil’s Petrobras Biocombustível intends to invest approximately US$2.4 billion in biodiesel and ethanol production from 2009-2013; 91% of the investment is targeted for Brazil.
This investment is part of a total of $2.8 billion Petrobras earmarked for the biofuels business, which also foresees expenditures of US$400 million in infrastructure, such as ethanol pipelines. The total resources represent an 87% increase compared to the previous business plan. Petrobras also earmarked US$530 million for biofuel research in the period.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Cold-Weather Testing of 100% Permaflo Soy Biodiesel at the Arctic Circle
March 03, 2009
The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) is partnering with University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) and Purdue University to road test Permaflo Biodiesel, a formulation of biodiesel that significantly reduces the traditional problems of biodiesel gelling in cold-weather conditions.
PermaFlow biodiesel is capable of working at temperatures below -67 °F (-55 °C) without gelling. Traditional soybean B100 crystallizes at approx. 0 °C; blending with petrodiesel lowers crystallization temperatures slightly (approx. 5 °C).
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Alberta Renewable Diesel Demonstration Shows Successful Cold-Weather Use of Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Blends
February 21, 2009
The recently concluded Alberta Renewable Diesel Demonstration (ARDD), Canada’s largest cold-weather study of bio-derived diesel fuels, demonstrated the successful on-road use of low-level blends of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME) and hydrogenated-derived renewable diesel (HDRD) in a range of Canadian climatic conditions.
Designed as a two-phased study, the ARDD involved laboratory testing followed by real-world use of the diesel blends by Alberta trucking fleets. The on-road demonstration, which ran from December 2007 to September 2008, put first- and second- generation renewable diesel fuels on the road in 59 long-haul commercial vehicles across Alberta. During winter months (16 December 2007 through 15 April 2008) 2% blends of FAME (100% canola methyl ester) and HDRD were used. During the spring and summer, 5% blends of HDRD and FAME (comprising 75% canola methyl ester and 25% tallow methyl ester) were dispensed.
More... | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
New NIST Method Accelerates Stability Testing of Soy-Based Biofuel; Validates Performance of Three Additives for High-Temp Stabilization
January 14, 2009
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) adapted a new technique to accelerate stability testing of biodiesel fuel and used the method to assess the performance of three additives that enhance soybean biodiesel stability at high temperatures. The results are described in a paper published online 2 January in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
Both oxidation and heating can cause biodiesel to break down, adversely affecting performance. These two effects usually are analyzed separately, but NIST chemists developed an advanced distillation curve method to approximate both effects at the same time while also analyzing fluid composition. NIST’s advanced distillation curve (ADC) metrology could accelerate and simplify testing of biodiesels, according to lead author Tom Bruno.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Study Finds Biodiesel Blends with Marine Fuel Can Improve Thermal Efficiency and Reduce CO Emissions; NOx and CO2 Emissions Increase
December 30, 2008
 |
| Brake thermal efficiency (top) and fuel consumption (bottom) of 100% biodiesel, 100% marine fuel, and three biodiesel-marine fuel blends. Click to enlarge. Adopted from Gökalp (2008), Credit: ACS |
Blending biodiesel with marine fuel can improve the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of a diesel engine and reduce CO emissions, although it increases fuel consumption, according to a study by researchers at Sakarya University and Kocaeli University in Turkey. Use of biodiesel increased NOx emissions and slightly increased CO2 emissions (measuring actual CO2 out, not factoring in the renewable character of the fuel) in the study.
The results were among the findings of a larger study on the effects on emissions characteristics and first- and second-law efficiencies of pure soy biodiesel and three different biodiesel blends with standard No. 2 diesel and marine fuels in a diesel engine. A paper on the work was published online 24 December in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
More... | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
New LCA of Four Different Soybean-Based Fuels Finds Potential for Significant Reduction in Fossil Energy Use and GHG Relative to Petroleum Fuels
December 26, 2008
 |
| Well-to-wheels GHG emissions and emission changes relative to conventional fuels, using five different approaches for co-product allocation: 1, displacement; 2, energy-value-based allocation; 3, market-value-based allocation; 4, hybrid I; 5, hybrid II. Click to enlarge. Credit: ACS |
A new energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission life-cycle analysis (LCA) by Michael Wang and colleagues at Argonne National Laboratory assesses the impacts of four soybean-derived fuels: biodiesel fuel produced via transesterification; two renewable diesel fuels produced from different hydrogenation processes; and renewable gasoline produced from catalytic cracking. A paper on their work was published online 23 December in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The researchers found that, although the production and combustion of soybean-based fuels might increase total energy use, they could have significant benefits in reducing fossil energy use (>52%), petroleum use (>88%), and GHG emissions (>57%) relative to petroleum fuels.
More... | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)
New US EIA Energy Outlook Projects Flat Oil Consumption to 2030, Slower Growth in Energy Use and CO2 Emissions, and Reduced Import Dependence; 2% PHEV New Sales Share by 2030
December 17, 2008
 |
| The AEO2009 reference case projects no increase in petroleum-based liquid fuels consumption, as biofuel use grows. Click to enlarge. |
The Annual Energy Outlook 2009 (AEO2009) reference case released today by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects virtually no growth in US oil consumption through 2030, reflecting the combined effect of recently enacted CAFE standards, requirements for increased use of renewable fuels, and an assumed rebound in oil prices as the world economy recovers.
With overall liquid fuel demand in the AEO2009 reference case growing by 1 million barrels per day between 2007 and 2030, increased use of domestically-produced biofuels, and rising domestic oil production spurred by higher prices, the net import share of total liquids supplied, including biofuels, declines from 58% in 2007 to less than 40% in 2025 before increasing to 41% in 2030.
More... | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
Waste Coffee Grounds as Biodiesel Feedstock; Potential for 340M Gallons Per Year of Coffee Biodiesel
December 11, 2008
 |
| GC analysis of the coffee grounds-derived biodiesel showing the different methyl esters of fatty acids present. The presence of various methyl esters in coffee biodiesel obtained by MS is shown in the inset table (spectra not shown). Click to enlarge. Credit: ACS |
Waste coffee grounds can provide a cheap, abundant, and environmentally friendly source of biodiesel fuel, according to a study by researchers at the University of Nevada-Reno. According to the USDA, world coffee production is 16.34 billion pounds per year; the scientists estimated that spent coffee grounds can potentially add 340 million gallons of biodiesel to the world’s fuel supply. A paper on the work was published online in the ACS Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Spent coffee grounds contain between 11-20 wt.% oil. The process developed by Mano Misra, Susanta Mohapatra, and Narasimharao Kondamudi for extracting that oil for subsequent transesterification yields 10-15% oil depending on the coffee species (Arabica or Robusta).
More... | Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)
Early Stage Algae Biofuel Company Closes $10.5M Funding Round; Additional $5M for Pilot Plant
November 11, 2008
 |
| Solix calculations on the theoretical maximum production of algal oil. (See below.) Click to enlarge. Source: Kristina Weyer, Solix Biofuels |
Solix Biofuels, a Fort Collins, Colo.-based early-stage company focused on algae-based intermediates for fuel and chemical production (earlier post), has raised $10.5 million in its first round of outside funding, and has reached an agreement with investors for an additional commitment of $5 million, to be used to build an algae biofuel facility near Durango, Colo. The pilot project is intended to showcase Solix’s ability to produce biofuel and feedstocks for the chemicals industry at commercially-feasible production levels and costs.
The funding will support Solix’s development of its fourth-generation technology, including a proprietary closed photo-bioreactor system intended to produce biocrude from algae cost-effectively. The $5 million follow-on commitment from the investor group will provide construction financing for the pilot plant, which will be developed jointly by Solix Biofuels and Southern Ute Alternative Energy LLC.
More... | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
New Process for Direct Conversion of Glycerol to Methanol
November 06, 2008
 |
| The new process catalytically converts glycerol to methanol using hydrogen under mild conditions. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Oxford University (UK) have developed a new method to produce methanol (CH3OH) directly from glycerol (C3H5(OH)3), a byproduct of the transesterification process that produces biodiesel.
The process, developed by Professor Edman Tsang and his group at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, uses direct catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol under mild conditions: 100°C and hydrogen at 20 bar pressure. Earlier this year, Tsang’s research in new catalytic materials identified a supported precious metal which efficiently converts glycerol to methanol.
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Simultaneous Reduction of Biodiesel NOx and PM Emissions with Low Temperature Combustion
October 29, 2008
 |
| Time integration of spatially integrated flame luminosity (SIFL) and NOx emissions of the 12 cases with different injection strategies and fuel blends. Click to enlarge. Credit: ACS |
Simultaneous reduction of NOx and soot in a biodiesel-fueled engine is possible through the use of low-temperature HCCI combustion modes, according to a study by a team of researchers from the US and Taiwan. Their paper was published online 28 October in the ACS journal Environmental Science and Technology.
A number of studies are exploring mechanisms for enabling the use of biodiesel in light- and heavy-duty diesel engines for lower PM, CO, SOx, and HC emissions without incurring a NOx penalty. (Earlier post.) Low-temperature combustion (LTC) is one promising technique to meet these requirements. LTC includes homogeneous-charge compression ignition (HCCI) and several other newer combustion concepts.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
I-65 Biofuel Corridor from Indiana to Alabama Complete
October 10, 2008
|
| The I-65 Biofuels Corridor, with some of the station locations marked on the map (the numbers refer to the timeline of events on the promotional drive.) Click to enlarge. |
Interstate 65 is now “America’s First Biofuels Corridor” with the conclusion of a project to make E85 Ethanol and B20 Biodiesel available the entire 886-mile length of the Interstate, from Gary, Indiana to Mobile, Alabama. A driver is now no more than a quarter of a tank’s drive from a participating E85 retailer.
The $1.3 million federal project involved Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, the four states through which I-65 travels. The project funded 31 E85 and five B20 stations in the states and one biodiesel blending facility on the Indiana-Ohio border. Indiana has 19 E85 pumps; Kentucky has one E85 pump; Tennessee has two E85 pumps; Alabama has eight E85/B20 pumps.
More... | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
Port Injection of Secondary Fuel Can Simultaneously Lower NOx and PM in a Direct Injection Biodiesel Engine
October 08, 2008
 |
| Effect of premixed fuels on the engine emissions at different equivalency ratios. Click to enlarge. Credit: ACS |
Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that port fuel injection of a secondary fuel with a lower boiling point in a biodiesel-fueled, direct injection engine can simultaneously reduce both NOx and PM emissions. A paper on their work appeared online 4 October in the journal Energy & Fuels.
A number of studies have shown that the use of biodiesel in light- and heavy-duty diesel engines can lower PM, CO, SOx, and HC emissions compared to standard diesel fuel combustion with comparable or even slightly better engine efficiency. However, NOx levels can increase—a problem when confronting more stringent regulatory limits on NOx emissions.
More... | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
D1 Oils Exits Biodiesel Refining Business, Focuses on Jatropha Plant Science
D1 Oils, a UK-based early entrant into the global biodiesel market (earlier post), has restructured its business to concentrate exclusively on upstream plant science; the company has closed its two UK refining sites at Middlesbrough and Bromborough and ceased oil biodiesel trading activities.
Its principal focus now is the provision of the technology and services required to turn Jatropha curcas into a low-cost, sustainable crop for biodiesel. The company now has two components: a wholly-owned plant science business (D1 Oils Plant Science Limited, DOPSL); and a 50% stake in a joint venture with BP for the global planting and harvesting of jatropha (D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited, D1-BP Fuel Crops) (earlier post).
More... | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)
USDA & DOE Release National Biofuels Action Plan; UN FAO Report Calls For Review of Biofuels Policies
October 07, 2008
 |
| NBAP top-level advanced biofuels commercialization timeline. Click to enlarge. |
The US Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) released the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP), an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts of Federal agencies to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.
Separately, in a new edition of its annual publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2008, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for an urgent review of biofuel policies and subsidies to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Biofuels Accounted for 2.6% of UK Road Fuel in First Reporting Quarter
 |
| Biodiesel accounted for 84% of the renewable road fuel in the UK in the first reporting quarter. Click to enlarge. Source: RFA |
The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA), the UK’s independent sustainable fuels regulator, released its first interim quarterly report which includes disclosure of company performance on the supply of biofuels under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
In the year to April 2009, fossil fuel companies are obliged to supply 2.5% biofuel in UK road fuel. Biofuels accounted for 2.61% in the first quarter. More biodiesel (84%) has been supplied than bioethanol (16%). The carbon reduction achieved by the use of biofuels (44%) during the first three months of the obligation is greater than the 40% target set by the Government for the first year of the RTFO.
More... | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
India Sets Target of 20% Biofuels by 2017
September 12, 2008
India’s Cabinet approved implementation of the National Biofuel Policy that sets an indicative target of 20% ethanol and biodiesel in transportation fuel by 2017.
The country currently sells 5% ethanol blended gasoline (E5) and has a number of pilot projects underway with biodiesel. The ethanol component is due to double next month to 10% (E10), but availability of sugarcane for ethanol feedstock may hinder achieving that deadline.
More... | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Euro Parliament Maintains Target of 10% Renewables in Road Transport Fuel by 2020; 40% of That From Non-Food Biofuels, Electricity or H2
September 11, 2008
The European Parliament’s Industry Committee has approved a co-decision report that maintains a 10% renewables component in transportation fuels by 2020, but specifies that at least 40% of this overall share must be met by non-food second-generation biofuels, electricity or hydrogen.
The decision came in the context of growing pressure to reduce the biofuels obligation given concerns of rising food prices and sustainability.
More... | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Studies Show Fuel Efficiency Comparable to Full Diesel in Heavy-Duty Vehicles with B10 and B20 Blends
August 22, 2008
With about 200,000 miles left to go in the two-year Two Million Mile Haul over-the-road B20 biodiesel demonstration (earlier post), data collected from each truck’s electronic data recorder are showing fuel efficiency for the B20 blend comparable to that of petroleum diesel. The partners in the project announced the results to-date during the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, Texas.
Separately, a study by Purdue University for the Indianapolis, Indiana transit agency IndyGo found that switching to a B10 (10% biodiesel) blend in the IndyGo bus fleet had no impact on total fuel economy.
More... | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
In-Use Study on B20 in Transit Buses Finds Slight Decrease in Fuel Economy, Equivalent Reliability to ULSD Buses
August 08, 2008
 |
| Average fuel economy of the B20 and ULSD buses. The data shows a continuous slight decline in fuel economy for both. Click to enlarge. |
A 12-month evaluation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the in-use performance of buses operating on B20 biodiesel (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) found that the B20 buses exhibited 1.7% lower fuel economy than the ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) study group. Reliability, as measured by MBRC (miles between road calls), and maintenance costs between the two groups were comparable.
This evaluation of buses in the St. Louis (Missouri) Metro fleet was conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). The study is the first B20 in-use fleet study using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) equipped buses, and is also the first study to compare the use of B20 to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
More... | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Researchers Suggest Changes to Biofuels Incentives Rather Than Rollbacks or Moratoria
July 30, 2008
Over the last six months, the focus of the biofuel debate in Europe and the United States has shifted from emphasizing the potential contribution of biofuels to increase energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to concern about the impact on food prices, possible increase in greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of forests and biodiversity.
A report from reserachers at Harvard Kennedy School concludes that despite growing pressure from biofuels critics, governments should avoid simplistic and precipitous changes in course such as rollback or moratoria on existing biofuels mandates or incentives. Instead, the report urges governments to initiate an orderly, “innovation-enhancing” transition towards incentives targeted on multi-dimensional goals for biofuels development.
