News

Qatar University opened the doors to its aviation biofuels research to a special visitor in November. A team of university researchers looking at ways to produce cost-effective and sustainable biofuels welcomed the president of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Roberto Gonzalez and gave him a tour of the facilities. The university wants to produce biofuels in a way that does…
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Australian biodiesel provider Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) will be injected with AU$14 million (€11.2 million) in capital after a proposed merger agreement with Wentworth Holdings. ARF will make an offer for all outstanding Wentworth shares, a recommendation allegedly backed unanimously by Wentworth directors. ‘The cash injection will strengthen our balance sheet and fund working…
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The UK government has revealed the details of its revised Energy Bill this November but a decision on carbon emission targets will be delayed. Energy companies will be allowed to charge households an extra £7.6 billion ($12.1 billion) to go towards low-carbon electricity infrastructure by 2020. Chancellor George Osborne, who is in favour of gas-powered generation, has not enjoyed a smooth…
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UK-based Whitefox Technologies has secured a bioethanol contract with the government of Guyana as it aims to move itself away from imported oil dependence. Together with Brazilian business Green,  Whitefox will install the units for a bioethanol demonstration plant at the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s Albion sugar factory, with a turnkey unit set for delivery in early 2013. Guyana’s…
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Shell Australia has opened up a new biodiesel terminal in western Sydney. Shell says the facility, which resides at its Parramatta terminal, comes in response to customer demand to reduce diesel excise liabilities and reduce environmental impacts of fossil fuel use. B20 fuel will be available for the first time to the New South Wales market and Shell VP downstream Andrew Smith says the launch…
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Researchers in Taiwan believe they are a step closer to creating algae-based alternative fuels. A project has been conducted by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Fisheries Research Institute and the results, which have been seen by the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), confirm that Taiwan is getting closer to creating a cost-effective, environmentally friendly…
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The only advanced biofuel in the US, normally only available as a seasonal blend, is now to be offered all year round in certain states. The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Harms Oil Company, National Biodiesel Foundation and Clean Cities have partnered to expand the availability of biodiesel in southwestern Minnesota, eastern…
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UK-based bioethanol producer Ensus has recently been importing European maize for its processes after claiming poor quality wheat stock from home. The company’s feedstock manager, Stewart Easdon, believes the lower starch yield and bushel weight of UK wheat in 2012 has ‘presented challenges’ in terms both in terms of handling an increased volume needed and the quality and…
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Denmark-based renewable energy company Biogasol has confirmed receiving a new multi-million cash injection. A €10 million ($12.7 million) grant allocated by the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP), while another €5 million has been added through new equity financing. The money will be used to build support and production of Biogasol’s pre-treatment…
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British Petroleum (BP) has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) following its part in the Deepwater Horizon event in 2010. The settlement reached a total of $4.5 billion (€3.5 billion) to resolve all federal criminal charges and claims by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agreement is also cash positive because it also clarifies the level of criminal fines…
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The US Environmental Protection Agency believes it has not found any evidence to support a finding of ‘severe economic harm’ that would warrant grant a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)waiver. That decision has been reached after economic analyses and modelling completed in conjunction with the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy. The research conducted included…
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Fuel company Citgo Petroleum has been given the go ahead to build a biofuel storage tank at its existing Quincy Avenue terminal in Braintree, Massachusetts. Citgo proposed to construct a 270,000 gallon steel biofuel tank at the facility, which would hold biodiesel made from animal and vegetable fats. Approval was granted by Braintree's planning board on a conditional basis. Conditions state that…
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A new Scottish biofuel programme officially launched this month after securing over a million pounds worth of investment. The programme is a partnership between five Scottish universities and research institutions, with the £1.6 million ($2.5 million) funding coming via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. ‘We are mandated by the…
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Sweetwater Energy has confirmed its first commercial-scale, cellulosic sugar-production facility project is moving forward with the appointment of a design company. Merrick and Company has been charged with the facility’s creation process from front-end engineering through to detailed design. Sweetwater eventual aim is to produce low-cost sugars from non-food plant materials and sell them…
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