Foreword
The big news this month has been the European
Parliament’s vote to approve amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive
(known as RED II). Where biofuels are concerned, the amendments are a mixed
bag. Where advanced biofuels are concerned, there is unprecedented support,
with crop residues now counted as feedstocks for this kind of biofuel, and
allowing member states greater flexibility with regard to how they set their
limits for each kind of feedstock. However, where crop-based biofuels are
concerned, the legislation has gone in the other direction: due to the EU’s
fears around unsustainable palm oil use, the limits for crop-based biofuels
have been maintained rather than increased, which may be seen as a backwards
step. However......
Other news this month includes:
Policy
- European Parliament backs RED II
- MEPs able to negotiate EU renewables targets
- Biofuels policy enshrined in Brazilian law
- US to classify sorghum oil as advanced biofuel
Markets
- Velocys seeks D7 RIN credits for gas-to-liquid fuel
Research & Development
- Södra and Statkraft pursue "fossil-free" fuel
- Carbon nanotubes catalyse biofuel production
- Repressing stiffness gene could increase sugar feedstock for biorefineries
Bioethanol
- New yeast could produce high ethanol levels from pine residues
Biodiesel
- Meridian develops more efficient biodiesel conversion technology
- Neste biodiesel used in Finnish public works
Aviation Biofuel
- Gevo testing engine components for 100% biobased jet fuel
- Gevo continues work towards renewable jet fuel
Other Fuel
- Pyrolysis oils as fuel from co-processing
- Germany set for world's largest hydrogen plant
Price Information
Events