|
||||||
 |
||||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
News and Trends
http://www.biofuels-news.com/news/astm_approves.html The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (an international standards organization), recently approved new standards for biodiesel blends. There are three key provisions in the new standards: (1) The conventional petrodiesel specification (ASTM D 975) can now include up to 5% biodiesel, (2) A cold filtration test has been added to the B100 (100% biodiesel) specification (ASTM D 6751), to ensure that “B100 will not contain certain precipitates that can cause filter plugging in cold weather”, and (3) Specifications for blends between B6 and B20 for on-and off-road diesel were created. According to the Biofuels International website, the new specifications in the third provision “will allow the testing of a biodiesel blend against the ASTM numbers for physical verification of quality, rather than relying solely upon the paperwork”. The new changes will take effect within three to five months after publication of the final standards, and are expected to promote “automaker support and consumer demand for biodiesel”. Related information: ASTM http://www.astm.org/
http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/1642/1/ A study by Dr Lian Pin Koh at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University (New Jersey, USA) indicates that “rising demand for palm oil will decimate biodiversity unless producers and politicians can work together to preserve as much remaining natural forest as possible”. Dr. Lian investigated butterfly and bird species in 15 palm oil plantations in East Sabah, Malaysia, and he found that “palm oil plantations supported between 1 and 3 butterfly species, and between 7 and 14 species of bird”. In previous ecological studies, neighbouring undisturbed rain forest supported “at least 85 butterfly and 103 bird species”. The creation of forest buffer zones as a management technique had a better impact on improving “species richness”, compared to increasing epiphytes, beneficial plants or weed cover in palm oil plantations. The findings (published in the Journal of Applied Ecology (URL above) are seen to have “major implications for the booming market in biofuels and its impact on biodiversity”..
http://www.jgi.doe.gov/News/news_7_2_08.html The United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (US DOE-JGI) recently announced its “latest portfolio” of genome sequencing targets for 2009, in a continuing effort to harness plant and microbial resources for bioenergy and environment applications. Of the 150 proposals received through its Community Sequencing Program (CSP), 44 have been included in the line-up. The sequencing projects include a diverse range of organisms which are “relevant to bioenergy, global carbon recycling and bioremediation”. Among the organisms involved in the sequencing projects are : (1) Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda): “the most commonly planted tree species in America” which (a) can efficiently sequester/ transform carbon dioxide into biomass, and (b) can be used as potential feedstock for cellulose ethanol, (2) a marine colony-forming microalga (Botryococcus braunii), which can produce hydrocarbons that can be used as an alternative biofuel, (3) white rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pleurotus ostreatus): sequencing studies “will advance the understanding of the complex oxidative mechanisms involved in lignocellulose conversions”. A complete list of projects can be accessed at the JGI website (URL above).
http://press.jal.co.jp/en/release/200806/000954.html Japan Airlines (JAL) joins the list of airlines that are evaluating the use of biofuel-blended jet fuel for their fleet of aircraft. It recently announced that it will be conducting its test flight on a Boeing 747-300 aircraft, with one engine powered by second-generation-biofuel-blended jet fuel. The test flight (planned in March 2009), will make JAL the first Asian airline to make a “biofuel test flight” demonstration and the first to use a Pratt & Whitney JT9D engine on the test flight. The specific type of second generation biofuel (biofuels derived from non-food feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic biomass) has yet to be announced. According to JAL Group President & CEO Haruka Nishimatsu, “Our participation in the search for a viable second-generation biofuel is a clear signal to everyone of our strong commitment to increasing the environmental sustainability of the JAL Group and the airline industry”. The JAL press release also mentions that their group of companies has been doing a variety of measures to help reduce carbon footprint. “It is targeting a 20% cut in the CO2 emissions per ATK of its fleet by 2010, compared to 1990 levels. It has already achieved nearly 16% reduction since 1990”. The other airlines that are into “biofuel-powered test flights” are Virgin Atlantic Airways (coconut/babassu-derived and algae-derived biofuels), Lufthansa (biofuel option to be announced), and Air New Zealand (jatropha blended jet fuel). Energy Crops and Feedstocks for Biofuels Productionhttp://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/1644/1/ In addition to agricultural residues, and grasses, woody biomass from commercially-planted trees are considered potential biofuel feedstocks. In New Zealand, a company called, Pure Power, is making a first commercial offering of Salix (a variety of willow) as a potential second generation biofuel feedstock. The company says that it will provide Salix cuttings to farmers/foresters, “to commence commercial energy farming of Salix in 2009”. The commercial plantations of Salix will allow the company to have a secure supply of lignicellulosic biomass which will be used as raw material for the production of biofuels, resins, bioplastics and other products. Dr. Jim Waston, of Pure Energy says that Salix is an “ideal feedstock for temperate climates, in terms of land utilisation, economic returns and environmental impact”. Related information on Salix: Biofuels Policy and Economics
http://www.biofuelreview.com/content/view/1599/1/ A declaration released at a food summit convened by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) called for the international community “to increase assistance for developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and those that are most negatively affected by high food prices”. On the “contentious” issue related to the challenges and opportunities biofuels, the declaration calls for an in-depth study to ensure sustainable production and use of biofuels in accordance with the “three pillars of sustainable development” and the maintenance of food security. National governments, the private sector, civil society, and inter-governmental agencies are called upon “to foster a coherent, effective and results-oriented international dialogue on biofuels in the context of food security and sustainable development needs”. The full text of the declaration can be accessed at the FAO website (URL above).
http://www.biofuels-news.com/news/uk_slohttp://www.astm.org/ws.html The United Kingdom Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, told the House of Commons that the country is to slow down its adoption of biofuels. The rethinking of the country’s biofuel policy follows the release of the findings of the “Gallagher Report”, which was commissioned to study the impacts of biofuels adoption. According to the report, biofuels have an important role as fossil fuel alternative, and for improvement of famers’ incomes in marginal lands; however distinctions must be made between “first generation biofuel feedstocks” (which compete with food) and non-food-based “second generation feedstocks”. The report concluded that there is a future in a sustainable biofuels industry; however, a slowdown is recommended until “controls” to limit the negative effects of biofuels production are put in place. Under the current mandate of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), biofuels sold in the UK must contain about 2.5% biofuels and about 5% by 2010. However, with the current cautious approach, the British Government is considering a delay in the increase to the year 2013 or 2014.. http://biopact.com/2008/07/eu-to-change-biofuels-policy-imports.html The Biopact website reports a possible start in the change of EU (European Union) policy on biofuels, after a recent informal meeting of European Energy Ministers. One idea is for the EU to import liquid biofuels from Brazil, instead of producing these in Europe. The production of biofuels in Brazil is said to be 8% to 10% more efficient and 5% cheaper, compared to the cost of producing the biofuel in the EU. Also, “biofuels made in Brazil have not had an impact on global food prices, unlike fuels made in Europe or the US”. There is also a view to rephrase the provision on “the Commission's target of having 10% of all transport powered by 'renewables' by 2020”. The meaning of the word “renewable” will not be confined anymore to “liquid biofuels”. It could also cover the use solid biomass for electricity generation, and biohydrogen, as transport energy options to achieve the target. According to the Biopact website, “ The European Energy Ministers' meeting did not change any concrete policies yet, but the decision makers were in unison over the new view on renewable fuels for transport.”. |
||||||
