Agave, currently known for its use in the production of alcoholic beverages and fibers, thrives in semi-arid regions where it is less likely to conflict with food and feed production. Agave is a unique feedstock because of its high water use efficiency and ability to survive without water between rainfalls. An article in … Continue reading
Developing biofuel from native perennials instead of corn in the Midwest's rolling grasslands would better protect threatened bird populations, Michigan State University research suggests. Federal mandates and market forces both are expected to promote rising biofuel production, MSU biologist Bruce Robertson says, but … Continue reading
A newly engineered yeast strain can simultaneously consume two types of sugar from plants to produce ethanol, researchers report. The sugars are glucose, a six-carbon sugar that is relatively easy to ferment; and xylose, a five-carbon sugar that has been much more difficult to utilize in ethanol production. The new strain, … Continue reading
A team of bioengineers in the United States has modified a strain of bacteria to increase its ability to produce ethanol. The research, published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, reveals how adaptation and metabolic engineering can be combined for strain improvement, a positive development for the biofuel … Continue reading
Conversion of sorghum grass to ethanol has increased with the interest in renewable fuel sources. Researchers at Iowa State University examined 12 varieties of sorghum grass grown in single and double cropping systems. The experiment was designed to test the efficiency of double cropping sorghum grass to increase its yield … Continue reading
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have created a technoeconomic model that should help accelerate the development of a next generation of clean, green biofuels that can compete with gasoline in economics and well as performance. This online, wiki-based model enables researchers … Continue reading
As the United States seeks to lessen its reliance on foreign oil, biodiesel is expected to play a role. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a branch of the Department of Energy, biodiesel "represents a significant energy resource and could someday supply 3 percent to 5 percent of the distillate fuel … Continue reading
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation food and bioenergy crops are now competing for land, water and other resources in many parts of the world. The FAO argues that the rising price of basic foods in 2007 - 08 that generated food scarcity worries and import restrictions in some countries wasn't caused … Continue reading
A sort of European biogas arms race begins, as Britain continues to turn more attention to developing biogas power plants. Educating the public continues to be a huge factor, however, in approving new biogas technology in suburban and rural areas. The county of Norfolk recently resubmitted plans for an anaerobic … Continue reading
Saab's UK chief believes that Britain is falling far behind some other European countries in terms of adopting new biofuel technology. According to the car company's managing director, by the name of Jonathan Nash, to give confidence to motorists and other players in the emerging sector, stronger signals were needed from … Continue reading