cellulosic ethanol
-
Could termites teach us how to save the world?
A new book looks at what these little pests can teach us.
-
Can we finally make gasoline out of corncobs?
Maybe we really will drive corn-powered cars someday
-
In 2014, corn biofuel is out, wood biofuel is in
Biofuel sounds like a pretty good idea — down with power plants, up with regular plants! — but if the country switches over to corn ethanol we will basically be unable to grow any other crops. A new study has calculated that corn destined for ethanol production would have to take over 80 percent of […]
-
Map shows avalanche of cellulosic ethanol projects on the way
In the battle between food and fuel, cellulosic ethanol might not be a great idea or even a viable solution to our energy woes, but enzyme company Novozymes says it's coming, regardless.
-
Company makes fuel from wood using nothing but water
A company called Renmatix says it can make ethanol from wood and woody biomass using nothing but water. If they're right -- and they just cut the ribbon on an R&D facility in Pennsylvania in order to find out -- it could mean the unlocking of a vast reserve of biomass previously untouched by the cleantech industry.
-
The case for labeling GMOs, food for environmentalist thought, and more
When my info-larder gets too packed, it’s time to serve up some choice nuggets from around the web. Bittman: Time to label GMOs With the USDA’s recent flurry of green lights for genetically modified crops — evidently at the urging of the White House — the Obama administration should brace itself for a big push […]
-
The Climate Post: Pre-election maneuvering marked by fits of climate skepticism
Accepting the scientific consensus on climate change continues to be a liability for Republican candidates. One representative, Bob Inglis, blames his loss in the GOP primary to his public assertions that climate change is real. Plus, Jimmy Carter strikes back and a conservative whines about a cap without trade.
-
Obama's riding the (cellulosic) ethanol pony — here's why he should buck the trend
Like countless politicians before him, Obama is striving to shore up his political support in the Midwest by dangling goodies for the ethanol industry. This time, though, it's cellulosic ethanol -- which, I argue, isn't nearly as ecologically benign as advertised.
-
Cellulosic ethanol: time to ‘party like it’s 2014’?
Cellulosic ethanol, after 30 years of R&D (much of it on the public dime), is ready to deliver on its promises. No longer perpetually five years away from commercial viability, the technology has come into its own. Unlike pretender energy sources like wind and solar, cellulosic is the “‘shovel-ready,’ ‘fire when ready’ technology for short-term […]