BIOFUELS SUPPLEMENT
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A bi-weekly summary of world developments on biofuels, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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May 16, 2008

In This Issue:

News and Trends
- Research Facility to Promote Advancement in Biomass Research for Biofuels 
- International Energy Agency’s Recent Statement on Biofuels 
- Finnish Company Produces “World’s First” Green Diesel 

Energy Crops and Feedstocks for Biofuels Production
- Report on Field Operations of Large Microalgae Production 

Biofuels Processing
- New Technology Converts Glycerin Into Fuel for Electrical Power 

Biofuels Policy and Economics
- China Clean Energy Stops Biodiesel Production Due to Rising Feedstock Prices 
- European Ethanol Producers Set Up Ethanol REACH Association 
- German Chancellor Calls on Brazil To Make Biofuels Production Sustainable 





* NEWS AND TRENDS *

Research Facility to Promote Advancement in Biomass Research for Biofuels
http://www.pnl.gov/news/release.asp?id=310
http://www.biobased.org/node/15326

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Washington State University (WSU) in the United States, announced the establishment of the “Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory” (BSEL) at the WSU Tri-Cities campus. According to the PNNL news release, the laboratory facility is dedicated to the advancement of biomass research. Among the research targets of the BSEL is the creation of a “portfolio of biobased products and fuels” which can reduce American dependence on foreign petroleum and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. On the biofuels front, research activities will focus on the development of biofuel conversion technologies which can be applied on a broad range of feedstocks, including non-edible cellulosic biomass.

 An important feature at the BSEL is its “high bay facility”, which can enable researchers to test new concepts on pilot scale or near industrial scale scenarios, thus helping research to move faster from laboratory to commercial scale applications. US-DOE (Department of Energy) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Andy Karsner, says the "BSEL's work to develop and deploy clean and affordable renewable fuels will prove pivotal as the Bush Administration works aggressively to mitigate climate change and meet the rapidly growing demand for energy."

The International Energy Agency (IEA) plays the role of energy policy advisor to 27 member countries on issues related to providing “reliable, affordable and clean energy for their citizens”. The IEA website posted a recent statement on the agency’s views on the impacts of biofuels on food/energy security, economic development and reduction of greenhouse gases, as well as the importance of sustainable biofuels production.

Among the highlights of the statement are: (1) Biofuels production using “first generation feedstocks” (such as grains for ethanol and oil seeds for biodiesel) may compete with food, feed and fiber production, although “currently less than 2% of global agricultural cropland is used for biofuels production”. (2) Biofuels produced from “second generation feedstocks” (lignocellulosic biomass, such as woody biomass and vegetative grasses) have “considerable promise for eventually providing more sustainable types of biofuels; however, support for research and development is important in order to lower production cost. (3) Ethanol production from sugarcane produced in tropical or subtropical countries like Brazil, Southern Africa, and India is a good example of properly managed production of sustainable biofuels (“excellent characteristics in terms of economics, carbon dioxide reduction and low land use requirements”). (4) Biofuels are becoming increasingly important in meeting the global demand for transport fuel;  in 2008, an estimated 55% of the growth in non-OPEC oil supply can be attributed to biofuels.