Surviving the Economic Storm

By Bryan Sims

The ethanol industry isn't immune to the economic downturn and some wonder if consolidation is imminent. But, how would financially distressed plants be valued?

Going with the Flow

By Frank Zaworski

Like a fluid line of credit at the bank, a steady and unhindered flow of water is critical for the efficient operation of an ethanol plant of any size. And just as interest on that credit varies depending on the unique circumstances of the individual plant, water, depending on its source, contains its own unique set of properties.

Making Due With Less H2O

By Erin Voegele

Some of ethanol's most vocal critics decry the industry because of the amount of water it uses. Research has shown, however, that ethanol plants on average have reduced their water needs by more than 20 percent in recent years, and industry experts expect that trend to continue.

A Renewed Future

By Anna Austin

As ethanol producers search for ways to ease the pain of economic asperity, fractionation could be the answer. Renew Energy LLC implemented Cereal Process Technologies LLC's dry-fractionation system at its 130 MMgy ethanol plant in Jefferson, Wis., now the world's largest corn dry-milling operation. EPM investigates the benefits of installing this system.

Irrigation Mitigation

By Ryan C. Christiansen

The amount of irrigation needed to grow feedstock for ethanol depends on what is being grown—and where.

A World of Potential

By Travis Hochard

Experts at the 4th World Biofuels Symposium offered their impressions of the global potential for ethanol, biodiesel and beyond.

Emissions Eliminator

By Anna Austin

Companies that embrace biomass-to-energy applications face stiff emissions and pollution control requirements. Biomass Magazine examines Eisenmann Corp.'s dual flow wet electrostatic precipitation technology and boiler emissions compliance system, which will be installed in a major bourbon distillery in Kentucky.

Craving Corn and the Cob

By Ryan C. Christiansen

The ethanol industry's declaration of energy independence for the United States is leading producers to generate more energy from an acre of corn.

Go Green Pronto, Toronto

By Ron Kotrba

Toronto is implementing residential source-separated organics to divert tons of organic matter-about 30 percent of all household trash-from landfills. Currently some of the material is being composted and turned into green fertilizer. Once its plans to construct two large anaerobic digestion facilities are fulfilled, the city will be making green energy to help offset the cost of implementing its green bin program.

Size Matters

By Anna Austin

The logistics involved in developing a biomass-based power project can be daunting. Sourcing, transporting and storing biomass are all issues that need to be addressed, but the size of the facility needs to be determined before that can happen. Biomass Magazine talks to industry experts who have different ideas about the perfect size for biomass-fired power plants.

A World of Potential

By Travis Hochard

Experts at the 4th World Biofuels Symposium offered their impressions of the global potential for ethanol, biodiesel and beyond.

Re-New-able York City

By Ron Kotrba

New York City, a cultural hub, is on the verge of a citywide bioheat mandate. Biodiesel Magazine talks with those working toward that end.

Last year's high crude oil prices prompted many home heating oil consumers to brace for a dramatic price increase, but in November, prices were actually lower than they were the previous year, which could make biodiesel-blended fuel a less attractive option. On the bright side, low-priced heating oil may prevent customers from switching to natural gas, and Bioheat is easier on the environment than fossil fuels.

Aloha Biodiesel

By Frank Zaworski

Hawaiians are on a mission to expand the use of local renewable and alternative energy sources to supply the islands' power needs. The use of locally produced biodiesel is critical to the state's success.

Aviation Alternatives

By Jerry W. Kram

Where there is crisis, there is often opportunity. Sky-high fuel costs have helped push many airlines to the brink of financial collapse. Now, however, they're banding together to look for alternative fuels, with an emphasis on algae. This could be the market that drives the commercialization of this long-awaited feedstock.

Breathing Room

By Kris Bevill

In what could be considered a gloomy year for biofuels, Congress passed much-needed tax incentive extensions for the biodiesel industry as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

Commercially producing bio-oil from biomass is at the core of Ensyn's expertise. The company proves that multiple sources can be used when converting biomass into bio-oil for the production of biomass-based chemicals, bioenergy and renewable transportation fuels.