Category: Thought Leadership

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Additional Funding for the DOE Loan Program Office to Support U.S. Energy Infrastructure, Vehicle, and Mass Transit Development

August 14, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Mark J. Riedy, John C. F. Loving, Stephen M. Anstey and Patrick McShane On July 27, 2022, Senator Manchin (D-WV) and Senator Schumer (D-NY) announced new draft reconciliation legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA would provide $433 billion in total investments, with $369 billion for “Energy Security and Climate Change” […]

Not In The Job Description

August 8, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Jonathan Sherwood, VP, Finance at Sweetwater Energy When I first interviewed at Sweetwater for the VP of Finance position, I was not asked, “How good are you at shoveling manure?” But, just six months after that interview where I’d sat in a crisp suit and new tie, I was knee-deep in some of the most […]

Overcoming the 4 biggest challenges facing biodiesel producers

August 4, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Julie Valentine, Director, Refining Flow Solutions, Emerson Automation Solutions, special to The Digest More and more countries are seeking greener energy and solutions to meet stricter environmental standards, and biofuels are emerging as a go-to energy source. As demand increases, so too do the challenges for energy producers, including diversity of feedstocks, reliability of […]

An epicenter of animal health: How Iowa’s public-private partnerships advance vaccine innovation

July 4, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Mark Laurenzo, Iowa Economic Development Authority Special to The Digest Well known for advancements in crop sciences and biofuels, Iowa’s leadership in the bioindustry extends beyond these pillars into the field of animal health. The state boasts the second highest concentration of animal scientists in the United States, many of whom hail from Ames, […]

Walk and Chew Gum – Keeping Biofuels at the Table

June 27, 2022 | Jim Lane

By John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute Special to The Digest There are a lot of articles, statements, projections, pledges and policies being promoted based upon the assumption that future vehicles are critical tools to reduce carbon emissions – and they are absolutely right! New technology will go a long way to helping us on […]

Phytonix: Converting CO2 Emissions into Sustainable Solar Chemicals & Fuels

June 21, 2022 | Jim Lane

Winner of the 5th China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition By LeeAnne Yu of SCI Innovation Special to The Digest Bruce Dannenberg founded his company Phytonix in 2009 after having worked in the renewable energy industry for many years. Familiar with a variety of bio-based technologies, he saw a lot of energy production efforts […]

Beyond ethanol: How 3 international companies are finding success in Iowa

June 14, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Mark Laurenzo, Iowa Economic Development Authority Special to The Digest Iowa has a well-documented history in the ethanol business. We’re the United States’ leader in renewable fuel production with 41 ethanol refineries (capable of producing more than 4.5 billion gallons per year) and 11 biodiesel facilities (with annual production capacities of 410 million gallons). […]

Aviation is Fueling Up for Net Zero

June 7, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Paul Hodredge, Director of Industrials and Transport and Cameron Steagall, Manager of Collaborations at BSR Special to The Digest On a cool, overcast December day in Chicago, United Airlines flew a Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet from O’Hare to Washington Reagan National Airport. United was leaping forward in clearing the skies: this was the […]

Reducing the carbon footprint in biofuels separation

May 31, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Mika Tienhaara is CEO at ROCSOLE Special to The Digest One of the primary polluting industries in terms of carbon-based emissions has been the Oil & Gas industry. Nowadays, we have an energy transition phase ongoing, bringing a variety of renewable energy sources into the energy mix. However, by producing these biofuels based on […]

Farms of the Future: Renewable Energy Production via Anaerobic Digestion

May 30, 2022 | Jim Lane

By Scott Romenesko, President of EnTech Solutions Special to The Digest The use of renewable energy in the agriculture industry is an exciting new frontier that – with the right partners – can bring environmental and economic benefits to farmers, surrounding communities and the renewable transportation fuel industry. The utilization of livestock manure is nothing […]