Tag

Biofuels

All articles tagged with #biofuels

energy15 days ago•4 min saved

EPA Sets Historic Renewable Fuel Volumes to Boost Farms and Energy Independence

The EPA finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard Set 2, raising 2026–2027 renewable fuel volumes to record highs to strengthen U.S. energy independence and support farmers and rural economies. The rule expects biodiesel/renewable diesel use to rise by about 60%+, maintains 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel, and includes 70% partial reallocation of 2023–2025 exempted volumes, projecting over $10 billion in rural benefits and more than 100,000 new jobs while reducing foreign oil dependence by roughly 300,000 barrels per day over 2026–2027; starting 2028, foreign fuels will receive half the RFS credit to favor American-made fuels.

via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (.gov)|

#biofuels #energy #energy-independence

energy16 days ago•2 min saved

EPA Bets on Higher-Ethanol Fuel to Lower Gas Prices

The EPA will temporarily permit broader summer use of the higher-ethanol E15 blend to try to ease rising pump prices amid disruptions tied to the Iran war. Supporters say the move could lower costs and aid biofuel producers, while critics warn it may not be widely useful due to infrastructure and vehicle compatibility limits, could raise air-quality concerns, and may only shift costs within the economy rather than deliver clear price relief.

via The Guardian|

#biofuels #e15 #energy

business5 months ago•5 min saved

Trump's Trade Tactics: Cooking Oil and Soybean Disputes Highlight US-China Tensions

Amid escalating US-China tensions, President Trump is considering banning Chinese cooking oil imports, particularly used cooking oil (UCO), as part of broader trade retaliations linked to China's refusal to buy US soybeans. While such a ban would likely be symbolic due to the relatively small economic impact, it highlights ongoing disputes over biofuel feedstocks, domestic production challenges, and trade strategies, with implications for both US and Chinese markets.

via Bloomberg.com|

#biofuels #business #cooking-oil

science9 months ago•0 min saved

AI Revolutionizes Protein Design and Drug Development

Researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design are using AI models to build synthetic proteins, aiming to make biofuel production more efficient and cost-effective by potentially replacing traditional crop-based methods.

via The Economist|

#ai-models #biofuels #protein-design

energy9 months ago•3 min saved

Brazil boosts biofuel mandates to enhance energy independence and attract investments

Brazil's government has approved increasing biofuel blends in gasoline and diesel, with ethanol rising to 30% and biodiesel to 15%, making the country gasoline self-sufficient for the first time in 15 years, boosting energy security and decarbonization efforts.

via Reuters|

#biodiesel #biofuels #brazil

business10 months ago•3 min saved

US EPA Proposes Increased Biofuel Blending Standards Through 2027

The US EPA has proposed increasing biofuel blending volumes through 2027, supporting the biofuels industry with higher mandates for biomass-based diesel and overall biofuel use, amidst industry support and concerns from oil refiners about market capacity and costs.

via Reuters|

#biofuels #biomass-based-diesel #business

energy10 months ago•4 min saved

US Moves to Boost Biofuel Quotas and Reshape Industry Policies

The Trump administration's EPA proposes increasing biofuel blending quotas for 2026, aiming to boost domestic biofuel production and reduce imports, with a focus on supporting American farmers and renewable energy industries, while also considering changes to compliance credit values and exemptions for small refineries.

via Bloomberg|

#biofuels #energy #epa

transportation1 year ago•3 min saved

Toyota Unveils Versatile Compact Engines for Multi-Fuel Use

Toyota, along with Subaru and Mazda, is developing new compact 1.5L and 2.0L internal combustion engines that are adaptable to various carbon-neutral fuels like e-fuel, biofuels, and liquid hydrogen. These engines are designed to be smaller, lighter, and more efficient, aiming to meet stricter emissions standards and integrate seamlessly with electric drive units. This initiative reflects Toyota's strategy to maintain a diverse range of powertrain options, including hybrids, as the automotive industry moves towards tougher emission norms and carbon neutrality.

via Interesting Engineering|

#biofuels #combustion-engines #decarbonization

business2 years ago•10 min saved

"The Enron Exec's $150 Million Biofuel Gamble with ExxonMobil"

Richard Palmer's Global Clean Energy Holdings acquired an aging California refinery to process camelina, a plant with oil-rich seeds, for biofuel production. ExxonMobil invested $150 million in the venture but later sued GCEH, alleging mismanagement and contract breaches. GCEH denies the allegations and plans to make the refinery operational by midyear, initially producing 9,000 barrels per day. The company aims to use camelina as a low-carbon feedstock and has faced challenges in securing sufficient supply. The lawsuit's outcome could have significant implications for GCEH and its stakeholders, including ExxonMobil.

via Forbes|

#biofuels #business #exxonmobil

science-and-technology2 years ago•6 min saved

"Leafcutter Ants' Fungal Gardens: Insights for Future Biofuels"

Scientists have developed a new imaging method to study the symbiotic relationship between leafcutter ants and a fungus that degrades plant material, revealing important insights into the molecular intricacies of this process. The research provides valuable information for future biofuels and bioproducts development, shedding light on how a specialized microbial community composed of fungus, leafcutter ants, and bacteria naturally degrades plants. The team's findings, published in Nature Chemical Biology, offer a deeper understanding of the complex environmental systems involved and could lead to more efficient methods for breaking down plant materials for various applications.

via Phys.org|

#biofuels #fungal-garden #leafcutter-ants

science-and-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Bacterial Engineering: Transforming Plant Fiber into Dual Valuable Products"

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have engineered bacteria that can simultaneously produce two valuable chemical products from underutilized plant fiber. The bacteria, called Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, can digest lignin, a challenging component of plant cell walls, and genetically modified strains have been developed to produce plastics and carotenoids. The discovery could contribute to more sustainable and commercially viable biofuel production, as well as the extraction of high-value products from renewable biomass. The researchers aim to further enhance the strains' capabilities and explore the potential for creating other microbial chassis that can produce multiple products.

via Phys.org|

#bacteria #biofuels #chemical-production

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Virgin Atlantic Makes History with First Transatlantic Flight Powered by 100% Sustainable Fuel"

Virgin Atlantic has conducted the first transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), using a blend of 88% waste fats and 12% Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene made from plant sugars. While other airlines have used SAF on shorter journeys and in lower blends, this flight aims to demonstrate the viability of greener air travel. SAF, derived from non-fossil sources, has lower lifecycle emissions compared to regular petroleum-based fuel. However, challenges such as supply shortages, higher costs, and concerns over sustainability remain. The industry aims to reach 10% SAF use for global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030.

via NBC News|

#biofuels #environment #greener-air-travel

environment2 years ago•2 min saved

Historic Transatlantic Flight Marks Milestone for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Virgin Atlantic has successfully completed the world's first transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The flight, which used a blend of waste fats and synthetic aromatic kerosene made from plant sugars, departed from London Heathrow to New York JFK. While SAF still produces emissions, its overall "lifecycle emissions" are significantly lower than regular petroleum-based fuel. The use of SAF in long-haul flights is seen as a viable solution for decarbonizing aviation, but challenges such as supply shortages, higher costs, and sustainability concerns remain. Increased investment, regulatory certainty, and price support mechanisms are needed to scale up SAF production.

via CNBC|

#biofuels #environment #greener-air-travel

energy2 years ago•4 min saved

Oil Prices Surge Amid Concerns of Tight Supply and Strengthening US Dollar

Oil prices are facing pressure as the U.S. dollar strengthens and concerns about higher interest rates weigh on demand expectations. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has softened its stance on upstream projects in its latest Net Zero Roadmap, calling for no new long-lead-time upstream projects. The IEA also highlighted the lagging production of biofuels, which would need to triple its growth rate to meet the 2050 net zero target. Chevron expects to add 65,000 b/d of crude production in Venezuela by the end of next year. Russia has eased its export ban, exempting certain bunkering fuels and high-sulfur gasoils. Canada's Trans Mountain Corporation has avoided further delays after receiving approval for an updated pipeline plan. Shale pioneer Harold Hamm has called for policy consistency in U.S. energy policy. A refinery blast in Iran has caused one death and injured four workers. The Biden administration reaffirmed its commitment to offshore wind projects. Uruguay is finalizing seven new offshore exploration licenses, attracting major companies like Shell and APA. China continues to face coal-related incidents, with another coal mine collapse leading to suspended production. The EU has agreed on new emission rules, labeled "Euro 7," to advance the ban on carbon-emitting vehicles by 2035. Iron ore prices slumped due to weaker steel consumption in China. Tanker congestion at the Panama Canal has driven VLGC freight rates to multi-year highs. Indonesia launched its own carbon emission trading mechanism to reduce coal usage and achieve net zero by 2060.

via OilPrice.com|

#biofuels #energy #interest-rates

energy2 years ago•1 min saved

"Global Leaders Unite to Launch Biofuel Alliance for Clean Energy at G20 Summit"

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance at the G-20 summit, with India, the U.S., and Brazil leading the initiative. The alliance aims to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions by promoting sustainable biofuels made from plant and animal waste. Argentina, Italy, Mauritius, and the UAE joined as members, while Bangladesh and Singapore are observers. Critics argue that biofuel technology may not be as environmentally friendly as claimed, citing issues such as deforestation. India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, plans to expand biofuel production and aims to become carbon neutral by 2070.

via The Hill|

#biofuels #clean-energy #energy