Research might lead to building materials, paints and biofuels from cellulosic biomass

Researchers think the same cellulosic biomass might yield biofuels and the raw material for many products such as building materials and paints currently derived from fossil fuels. -- Jeff G.
Ceres and Rohm and Haas to Study Plant-Based Bioproducts :
April 2007
"THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and SPRINGHOUSE, Pa., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy crop company Ceres, Inc. and Rohm and Haas Company , a leading manufacturer of specialty materials, today announced a research collaboration that will work toward producing plant-based alternatives to a petroleum-derived material used in thousands of home and industrial products."

Biobutanol Performance Similar to Unleaded Gasoline, According to New Fuel Testing

Here's more evidence that biobutanol could be a good fuel. -- Jeff G.
DuPont :: Biobutanol Performance Similar to Unleaded Gasoline, According to New Fuel Testing: "DETROIT, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New fuel testing results shared today by DuPont and BP indicate that biobutanol has proven to perform similarly to unleaded gasoline on key parameters, based on ongoing laboratory- based engine testing and limited fleet testing."

Producing Renewable Fuels From Renewable Energy

This biorefinery expects to achieve a 10:1 net energy balance -- better than even the most efficient standard corn biorefineries. -- Jeff G.
Producing Renewable Fuels From Renewable Energy : "In the fall of 2008, XL Dairy Group, Inc. will begin operations at its Vicksburg, Arizona, facility as a self-contained biorefinery designed to produce high-grade ethanol, biodiesel, milk and dairy products, and animal feed -- along with 100% of the energy required to run the plant."

The answer isn't oil, either

When evaluating alternatives like ethanol, it always needs to be done in comparison to the commodities they replace, like petroleum. It's easy enough to find problems with any energy solution. Yet we still need energy, so we must choose the solution with the least problems. -- Jeff G.
The answer isn't oil, either - Roanoke.com:
by Diana Christopulos -- April 23, 2007
"The true price of oil is much higher than what we pay at the pump."

In search of fuel's holy grail

globeandmail.com: In search of fuel's holy grail:
by Shawn McCarthy
"Companies in Canada are closing in on a profitable way to turn wood waste into ethanol to use as an alternative to gasoline."

Joint ADM and Purdue University Cellulosic Ethanol Project Selected for Funding by U.S. Department of Energy

Joint ADM and Purdue University Cellulosic Ethanol Project Selected for Funding by U.S. Department of Energy : "DECATUR, Ill., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A joint BioEnergy
project of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) and Purdue University
has been selected to receive funding by the U.S. Department of Energy to
further the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. Specifically, the
Purdue-ADM project is focused on commercializing the use of
highly-efficient yeast which converts cellulosic materials into ethanol
through fermentation."

Grasses could start as process fuel, then feedstock

In order to establish the infrastructure for eventually using gasses as an ethanol feedstock, we can start by using them as a fuel to replace natural gas and coal process fuels in existing corn kernel biorefineries. Some facilities have already installed gasifier systems that can use a variety of biomass materials. -- Jeff G.

Farm & Ranch Guide: North Dakota's Ag Newspaper: "Current corn ethanol production uses large amounts of fossil fuels at the ethanol plant for milling, fermentation, and distillation,” Hill said. “Diverse prairie biomass could be used in their place, thereby reducing fossil energy use, fostering a fledgling cellulosic biomass production industry and realizing the many environmental benefits of restoring native grassland ecosystems."

E=mc2- For ethanol, Einstein was a little too optimistic

E=mc2- For ethanol, Einstein was a little too optimistic:
by Ken Root -- 4-12-07
"If 'E' equals ethanol and 'c' equals corn, then the noted physicist would have been wrong because the 'm' mass of corn can't yet be squared as it's turned into a biofuel."

Chevron, Weyerhaeuser in Cellulosic Deal

United Press International - Energy - Briefing:
April 12, 2007
"FEDERAL WAY, Wash., (UPI) -- Chevron Corp. and Weyerhaeuser Co. Thursday announced they signed a letter of intent to jointly assess the commercial feasibility of cellulosic biofuels."

Single Microbe Yields Ethanol, Plus Eco-Friendly Glue

This microbe could streamline cellulosic ethanol production, hopefully lowering costs. -- Jeff G.
Single Microbe Yields Ethanol, Plus Eco-Friendly Glue / April 12, 2007 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service

BlueFire expects cellulosic production costs under DOE target

BlueFire plans to make ethanol and other products from municipal waste with the help of landfill methane. If the technology works, it appears they have a good model because of their low feedstock cost and not needing to transport the feedstocks far. -- Jeff G.
PRESS RELEASE BlueFire CEO Addresses Shareholders: "BlueFire's current production cost estimate for the project is significantly lower than the DOE's cellulosic ethanol goal of $1.07/gal in production costs by 2012, and DOE's current estimate of approximately $2.26/gal."

Utilities plan Iowa project to store wind-generated power with pressurized air

In this project, electricity from wind generators, even a great distance from the site, would power generators to pressurize air into an underground aquifer. Release of that air at a later time would power generators to make electricity at times of greatest demand. -- Jeff G.
Utilities plan Iowa project to store wind-generated power:
U.S. Water New Online -- April 2007
"...the utility owners will be able to store and produce energy at a price equivalent to 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour, then sell the energy at peak times for 8 to 10 cents a kilowatt hour."