A marine research engine at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is providing scientists with valuable insights into biofuel design for large ocean-going vessels (OGVs) in a multi-lab project focused on reducing total life-cycle carbon emissions from this vital transportation sector.
It’s not hyperbole: global trade depends upon the sea. Every year, 80% of the world’s goods are hauled between continents by giant ships. These boats, known as cargo ships or freighters, come with large tanks, vessels, or metal shipping containers to hold a range of goods, from produce and foodstuffs to the materials, parts, and finished products we can’t live without.
Seaweed, in its many forms, serves distinct purposes. It’s a vitamin-rich snack, with many health benefits. In the water, it provides a safe habitat for sea creatures, absorbing gases and nutrients like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous. It’s even used as an extra ingredient in ice cream, thickening it and preventing ice crystals from building up. But the phrase “too much of a good thing” applies to seaweed, too.
Stakeholders, such as farmers, industry, and local, regional, and national planners, have a powerful, free, and easy-to-access data portal at their command to unlock the power of bioenergy: the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework, or BioenergyKDF. The portal, stewarded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), is the nation’s premier source of information on biomass potential, providing high-quality data that can guide investments in support of a robust bioeconomy for sustainable, low-carbon energy sources.
SAFFiRE Renewables Fuel broke ground on a pilot plant that represents a firm step toward meeting the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge. The SAFFiRE plant, located at Conestoga Energy’s Arkalon Energy facility in Liberal, Kansas, will ultimately be capable of processing 10 tons of corn stover daily, yielding cellulosic ethanol that can be upgraded into SAF with a carbon footprint at least 83% lower than conventional jet fuel. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) provided initial funding for the plant, which Southwest Airlines matched.
Recent research from the climate target validation organization found that “various types of carbon credits are ineffective in delivering their intended mitigation outcome.”
The Carbon Removal Standards Initiative seeks to provide policymakers and regulators with “financially unconflicted advice” to monitor and develop standards for the industry.
Instead of helping to tackle the world’s staggering plastic waste problem, recycling may be exacerbating a concerning environmental problem: microplastic pollution.
NEW YORK – The astronomical start of fall is just days away, arriving on Sunday. Before we can fully embrace the crisp autumn air and colorful foliage, let's cast our eyes toward the winter months ahead.
The Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge Program (BRIDGES) is partnering with the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) to host the BRIDGES Bioenergy 101 Virtual Workshop on October 17, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Educators will be introduced to bioenergy national laboratory research that can be integrated into classrooms. Bioenergy knowledge is not required.
