CELLULOSIC ETHANOL
In 2007, Range Fuels broke ground on a Georgia plant designed to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol a year from wood waste; by 2011, it had closed without selling any
In Soperton, Georgia, a factory built to produce biofuels closed in 2011 without selling any product. Range Fuels was supported by $156 million in federal funding but failed due to inconsistent technology performance. The cellulosic ethanol mandate established in 2007 aimed to spur a new industry but resulted in shortfalls. Despite advancements in biofuel science, government investments must match realistic technological capabilities.
A scientist collected snails in 1920; A century later, their guts revealed a hidden world
Scientists analysed preserved Rocky Mountain snails collected between 1920 and 2018 and recovered evidence of the microbes that once lived in their guts. The study showed how century-old museum specimens can help researchers investigate historical ecosystems. A later search for snails in parts of Boulder County where older specimens were collected also raised questions about changes in their habitat.
View: As oil tops $100, India needs a wider, smarter fuel security strategy
Rising oil prices necessitate energy supply diversification and alternate fuel adoption. India is urging the auto industry for flexi-fuel vehicle timelines and promoting ethanol blending. Exploring iso-butanol and methanol blending offers further emission reduction and import substitution. Second-generation biorefineries are crucial for scaling up compressed biogas production. Strategic oil reserves and domestic exploration are also vital for energy security.
In Kansas, Abengoa built a biorefinery to process 325,000 tons of crop residue a year and produce 25 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol
In Hugoton, Kansas, a biorefinery was launched with the goal of transforming agricultural waste into sustainable fuel. Despite initial government backing, the project faced severe financial challenges, resulting in the parent company's bankruptcy. Consequently, the facility halted operations, leaving workers without jobs and the site abandoned. This scenario underscores the precarious nature of developing new biofuel technologies.
Debate around biofuel? In 2008, scientists found a tiny fungus that could make something surprisingly close to diesel
Fungus that makes diesel: Scientists discovered a fungus in Patagonia producing diesel-like chemicals. This organism, Gliocladium roseum, creates long-chain hydrocarbons similar to fuel. The fungus can consume plant waste like cellulose to produce these substances. Researchers found this discovery promising for renewable energy sources.
From Peels to Fuel: Potatoes may soon quench thirst of your car
The Central Potato Research Institute plans to establish a pilot plant to convert potato waste into ethanol. India, the world's second-largest potato producer, faces significant post-harvest losses. The plant will be set up in high-production regions like Uttar Pradesh or West Bengal, using potato waste and substandard potatoes for ethanol production.
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HPCL may soon launch ethanol cooking stoves
State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), in association with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, has developed an ethanol-fuel cooking stove, which could see a pilot launch soon.
New low-cost method to turn plant waste into biofuels
The approach features an ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly turns plant fibres into sugars needed to make ethanol.
IOC gets green nod for 2G ethanol plant in Panipat
The IOCL had submitted a proposal seeking environment clearance for its proposed 100 KLPD Ligno-Cellulosic 2G ethanol plant at Baholi in Panipat district of Haryana.
IOCL gets environmental clearance to set up Rs 766-crore 2G ethanol plant in Panipat
Recently, the central government had notified that no environmental clearance would be required by sugar mills to produce additional ethanol from sugarcane juice. Ethanol produced will be used for blending in transportation fuel, an official source said.
Chhattisgarh advises centre to set up biofuel units using paddy husk
Chhattisgarh government has offered the Centre a solution to the problem of stubble burning in fields—set up ethanol or biofuel units using paddy husk and rice straw. On its part, the Chhattisgarh govt has decided to set up at least 6 biofuel plants to produce ethanol in the state. It will be the first state in India to use rice and paddy husk to produce the biofuel.
Praj's propriety technology to be used in USA's first bagasse based ethanol bio refinery
Earlier this year US based domain specialists had visited Praj’s 2G integrated bio-refinery demonstration plant and Praj Matrix, the R&D center in Pune to study ‘enfinity’ technology.
Scientists working on indigenous technology for biofuels: Pradhan
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Indian scientists are working to develop a new model of biofuels' use through application of indigenous technology and the government hopes to unveil some results of this research in the coming days, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told te Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour on Wednesday.
Praj Industries inks memorandum of understanding with IOC, BPCL for bio-ethanol plants
"Praj has entered into a binding agreement for cost sharing with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd to set up one plant each at Panipat, Haryana and Gujarat," the company said.
Turning agricultural residue into ethanol may reduce smog in Delhi, says Praj Industries
Praj Industries is working with a leading Equipment Manufacturer to handle the collection and baling of biomass for downstream production of 2G Ethanol.
India gets its first 2G Ethanol plant in Uttarakhand
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan today inaugurated the country's first second-Generation (2G) Ethanol plant at Kashipur in Uttarakhand.
Chempolis partners ACRID to offer ethanol extraction technology
Finland-based biorefining technology firm Chempolis has partnered Avantha Group's research wing ACRID to offer technology to extract ethanol from agri residues.
Only 1.37 per cent bioethanol in petrol against mandatory 5 per cent: Piyush Goyal
The Minister added that the Department of Science and Technology is supporting research and development in the use of biofuels in engines.
Government may find ethanol fix for liquor, oil companies
Currently, ethanol produced from sugarcane is the only source for blending, which makes it scarce for alcohol and chemicals manufacturing.
Numaligarh Refinery inks MOU with Chempolis Oy to study ethanol production from bamboo biomass
NRL intends to explore the feasibility of setting up a bio-refinery in Assam to produce bio-ethanol using non-food bio-mass resources.
Sugarcane Breeding Institute develops 'energy canes'
Type II category energy canes were specifically bred for high biomass yield, high fibre, low sucrose, exclusively used for energy generation.
Praj Industries to Set up Next Generation cellulosic ethanol plant
Praj Industries will set up an integrated second generation cellulosic ethanol plant at Shirala in Sangli district in Maharashtra.
Praj Industries to set up $25 million 2nd generation Cellulosic ethanol plant
Praj Industries announced setting up of the 2nd generation Cellulosic ethanol plant.
Ethanol blending: Clarity awaited
Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is a basic raw material for chemical industry, derivatives of which find use in various industries from agrochemicals, dyes, pigments, paints, additives to pharmaceuticals.
Biotech firms go after smart enzymes to fuel energy sector
BIOTECH companies producing industrial enzymes are gradually moving to cellulosic enzymes that help in bio-fuel generation.
Assocham urges gov to encourage use of alternative fuel
Industry body Assocham today asked the government to make a policy, which encourages the use of alternative fuels such as cellulosic ethanol and set targets for blending it with petrol in order to reduce dependence on oil imports.
Wanted: An ethanol policy
The broad contours of the national policy on biofuels — which has got the green signal from the Cabinet — seem unexceptionable.
BP and Verenium team up to produce biofuels
European oil major BP PLC said Wednesday it is investing US$90 million in US biofuels producer Verenium Corp. to form a partnership aimed at developing and commercializing next-generation biofuels.
'Economics should prevail over politics to save sugar sector'
The government should make a course correction in its sugar policy and consider cutting the sugar cane prices to avert a cyclical crisis and save sugar mills from an imminent financial disaster, leading investment analysts and experts have said.
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