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Recent News

Upcoming DOE Bi-Annual Peer Review 2013

5/8/13 – On May 20–23, 2013, DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) will be hosting a Peer Review of the projects in its portfolio at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The Peer Review process is designed to obtain independent expert assessments of each project in BETO’s portfolio, and obtain overall recommendations on the focus and scope of each technology area and the strategic outlook of the Office. The Peer Review will include separate, simultaneous review sessions of the projects in nine technology areas: Integrated Biorefineries, Feedstock Production and Logistics, Algae, Biochemical Conversion, Bio-Oils, Gasification, Analysis and Sustainability, Heat and Power, and Biodiesel. Information obtained from the Peer Review process will be used to improve the management and oversight of BETO projects and inform future funding allocations and other management decisions. All Peer Review meetings will be open to the public. More information about the Biomass Peer Review is available on the Peer Review Portal. Click here to register.

DOE Biomass 2013: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy

5/8/13 – On July 31–August 1, 2013, DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Advanced Biofuels USA will co-host the sixth annual Biomass 2013 conference: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy, at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. This year's conference will highlight the successes of the bioenergy industry over the past 20 years and provide a forum to exchange ideas, showcase new technologies, and discuss opportunities for the future. Like previous BETO conferences, the event will feature high-profile speakers from Congress, federal agencies, industry, and environmental organizations. This year's conference will also focus on initiatives in sustainability, exciting new trends in bioenergy, new directions for BETO, and possible future funding opportunities, with a forum for stakeholder input. Biomass 2013 promises to be an exciting and important conference for all things related to biomass, biofuels, and bioenergy. Register now to reserve your space.

New Virent Demonstration Plant Produces Drop-In Jet Fuel From 100% Renewable Sugars

5/2/13 – Virent, Inc. has recently announced the delivery of 100 gallons of renewable jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for fit-for-purpose, fuel system and combustor rig testing. Testing will validate Virent’s jet fuel against the standards and performance required for qualification and approval of new aviation turbine fuels established by ASTM. Virent’s demonstration plant was constructed in Madison, Wisconsin with support from a $1.5 million award received in 2011 from the FAA, through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. The plant was built to produce drop-in jet and diesel fuels from 100% renewable sugars, and has the capacity to produce up to 5,000 gallons of fuel a year. Virent Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Randy Cortright said, “The successful operation of our new distillate demonstration plant and the validation of Virent’s plant-based jet fuel will advance our efforts to achieve ASTM-certified jet fuel and to prepare for commercial scaling.” See here for a news release. To learn more about Virent technologies, please visit their website.

Alternative Aviation Fuels Pavilion at the 2013 Paris Air Show

4/24/13— The 50th Paris Air Show will take place at Le Bourget Exhibition Center from June 17 to June 23, and will once again bring together all the industry's players across the globe to showcase the latest technological innovations. In coordination with CAAFI, Kallman Worldwide is organizing the Alternative Aviation Fuels Pavilion to be displayed at the Paris Air Show from June 17 to June 21. The Pavilion will be the focus of many visiting delegations and civil and military aviation decision makers and will showcase the latest capabilities, research, information and developments on the world aerospace stage. The Alternative Aviation Fuels Pavilion will be a key highlight of the show. This will provide a highly visible and dramatic backdrop to highlight the progress made by the industry and CAAFI. See Kallman Worldwide’spress release and the Paris Air Show website for more information.

TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program Publishes a Report on Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs

4/23/13—The Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has recently published a report on "Assessing Opportunities for Alternative Fuel Distribution Programs." Alternative fuels considered include alternative jet fuel, green diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity. The report consists of a guidebook and toolkit designed to help airports introduce and market alternative fuels to their airport community that includes tenants and consumers off airport. The guidebook identifies a variety of economic, environmental, and policy issues that need to be addressed, including a step-by-step process to evaluate opportunities and constraints for alternative fuel distribution programs. The toolkit consists of two spreadsheets that help airport decision-makers evaluate alternative fuels marketing and distribution programs. See this link for more information on receiving this report. A separate final report providing background of the research conducted in support of the guidebook can be found here.