Monthly Archives: October 2011

DDGS substitute for more corn grain than previously thought

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

This could be a big deal! DDGS from ethanol production can substitute for more corn grain for animal feed than previously thought (and calculated) : http://southeastfarmpress.com/livestock/feed-value-ethanol-products-long-underestimated?page=1 via University of Illinois Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research

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Step One… California approves carbon trading program

Posted on October 21, 2011 by

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap-trade-20111021,0,1125437.story

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For biofuel crops, like any other crop, genetics matter!

Posted on October 14, 2011 by

Today I want to mention a couple recent developments on the bioenergy feedstock front.  Specifically, these deal with engineering the genetics of a bioenergy crop with enhanced characteristics for bioenergy. First up, is switchgrass with a gene that prevents flowering … Continue reading →

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More on external costs of energy

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

Continuing my collection of recent estimates of external costs of energy, I found this National Academies report (free to download as pdf). As mostly a biologist, I found this discussion of the absurdity of the US trying to limit “foreign oil” … Continue reading →

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DOE changes focus

Posted on October 10, 2011 by

On Sept 27, 2011 the Department of Energy (DOE) published a  “Report on the First Quadrennial Technology Review.”  The report suggests more research will be funded in areas of energy efficient transportation and electrical use and less in areas related … Continue reading →

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New paper estimates costs of air pollution from US industry

Posted on October 9, 2011 by

Just saw this paper (citation below) with fresh estimates of costs of air pollution based on real data across the entire US, divided by sectors of the economy.  Not unsurprisingly, coal generated electricity comes out as the worst – accounting for … Continue reading →

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The geothermal version of fracking?

Posted on October 7, 2011 by

Check it out: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-06/california-s-underground-hot-rocks-probed-for-energy-of-100-nuclear-plants.html Not only could I see issues with bringing possibly radioactive water back to the surface, but here are some other issues they mention in the article: Blowouts and Earthquakes While a handful of small EGS plants … Continue reading →

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NRC gives RFS little hope for 2022 deadlines

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

Certain Biofuel Mandates Unlikely to Be Met by 2022 Unless New Technologies, Policies Developed The National Research Council expects the RFS to miss 2022 targets for advanced and cellulosic biofuels unless researchers and government develop better technologies and policies in … Continue reading →

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More & More “Bioenergy” Companies target alternative markets..

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110930/full/news.2011.568.html?WT.ec_id=NEWS-20111004

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Statistical pitfalls- significant differences

Posted on October 3, 2011 by

From The Guardian: The statistical error that just keeps on coming Obvious when you think about it, but apparently it’s an easy mistake to make- beware!

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