Register Now for Bioenergy 2015!

Join us for the annual Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) conference, Bioenergy 2015: Opportunities in a Changing Energy Landscape, June 23–24, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

This year's event promises to be a tremendous opportunity to learn about and discuss issues critical to the continued growth and success of the bioeconomy, including impacts of changing oil prices, the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard, algae-based biofuels, sustainability, and U.S. manufacturing in a global marketplace. Register now! Christopher Grundler, Director of the Office of Air Quality and Transportation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is one of the confirmed speakers. Check our agenda for updates.

To learn about exhibiting and sponsoring, visit our co-host’s Web page at Clean Energy Research and Education Foundation.

Students, researchers, public and private organizations, and members of the general public are invited to submit poster abstracts for the Bioenergy 2015 Poster Session.

Riding the Wave of the Future—World’s First Algae Surfboard Debuted

Scientists from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) California Center for Algae Biotechnology, with funding support from BETO, successfully demonstrated a uniquely Californian solution to replacing fossil fuels—surfboards made from algae. These sustainable “surfboards of the future,” made with algal oil and manufactured by California-based biotech firm Solazyme, are a “perfect ten” according to early surfer reviews of the initial prototype. UCSD scientists have clearly demonstrated that algae-based products have the potential to displace fossil fuel-derived chemicals.

BETO’s 2015 Project Peer Review Presentations Now Online

Visit the 2015 Project Peer Review Web page to download individual project and plenary presentations from BETO’s 2015 Project Peer Review. The peer review process provided BETO with feedback about the management of each of its technology area portfolios and the Office’s strategic direction. More than 380 attendees participated in the event, during which industry experts reviewed 190 of BETO’s projects, totaling more than $400 million in funding.

BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winner to be Announced

Thank you to everyone who participated in the spring 2015 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge! We received more than 50 outstanding student infographics from all over the nation. The competition ended on April 23, and the winning team will be announced soon, so check our BioenergizeME Web page for updates. Students on the winning team will present their infographic at Bioenergy 2015! You can view all of the submissions on the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Map.

Bioenergy Careers: Resources Available for Future Scientists and Leaders

To help develop the next generation of innovative energy experts, BETO offers an array of educational materials suitable for anyone interested in learning about the future of energy or pursuing careers in renewable energy. Students and educators should check out OPERATION BioenergizeME—a centralized online repository for education and workforce development resources. In addition, BETO helps to develop the leadership and management skills of graduate students and young academics through our fellowship opportunities, preparing them for science and technology careers in the federal government and other sectors (read more about careers in the bioenergy industry). We also provide funding to support research projects at universities. Read more on the EERE Blog.

Commentary Details the Promise and Challenges of Algal Biofuels

BETO Deputy Director Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed’s commentary, “Algal Progress Report,” was published in a recent edition of Industrial Biotechnology. Her commentary details the promise of algae as a renewable energy source and describes the BETO-funded research, development, and demonstration projects that have resulted in significant technological advances to help overcome the challenges of using algae for biofuel production.

BETO-Funded Team Honored by the American Chemical Society

Two Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists—John Frye and Alan Zacher—were part of a team honored at the National Meeting & Exposition on March 25, 2015. They received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Affordable Green Chemistry for creating a safe, commercial process that produces propylene glycol from renewable sources.

BETO Celebrates Earth Week

BETO celebrated the 45th anniversary of Earth Day by sharing interesting facts about the benefits of bioenergy at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Community Day in Washington, D.C. The event included interactive exhibits, a farmers market, and activities such as an alternative fuel vehicle demonstration, to raise awareness of issues related to energy and the environment.

EERE Blog: Smart Federal Partnerships Build Our Biofuels Future

From farm to Fly 2.0 to the Global Bioenergy Partnership, BETO collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on many bioenergy projects. Read more on the EERE Blog, and visit the Biomass Research and Development Board website to learn about bioenergy partnerships across the federal government.

Past and Upcoming Events with BETO Representation

• BETO 2015 Project Peer Review; March 23–27; Alexandria, Virginia
• Energy Department Earth Week 2015; April 13–23; Washington, D.C.
• 37th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals; April 27–30; Steven Thomas; San Diego, California
• Energy Positive Water Resource Recovery Workshop; April 28–29; Daniel Fishman; Arlington, Virginia
• Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Workshop; May 18; Zia Haq; Washington, D.C.
• International Energy Agency Bioenergy 2015; May 26–27, Alison Goss Eng; Växjö, Sweden
• 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts; June 7–10; Jonathan Male; San Diego, California
• TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo 2015; June 14–17; Jonathan Male; National Harbor, Maryland
• Bioenergy 2015: Opportunities in a Changing Energy Landscape; June 23–24; Washington, D.C.
• Bioenergy Technologies Office Program Management Review; June 25; Washington, D.C.

To view past Monthly News Blasts, visit the BETO Newsletter page.