Bioenergy 2015: A Huge Success

Bioenergy 2015: Opportunities in a Changing Energy Landscape, held June 24–25 and co-hosted by the Clean Energy Research and Education Foundation, exceeded participants’ expectations with its great speakers, intriguing discussions, and a lot of networking! Nearly 600 stakeholders attended this distinguished and nationally recognized event. Conference speakers and attendees emphasized that bioenergy has an important role in achieving a clean energy future, and discussed how it can grow the economy, address environmental issues, improve our energy security, and lead the way in developing advanced energy technologies. The dialogue also touched on current and future challenges and practical, sustainable solutions.

The conference showcased the new Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO's) video “Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected”—a moving and educational tribute to the impact of bioenergy on America. The video will be available online soon. Another moving event was the award to the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Award winning student team. Bioenergy 2016 will be held tentatively July 12–13, 2016. Stay tuned for details!

BETO Announces Request for Information and Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity

During the conference, there were two important announcements: 

• Request for information seeking stakeholder input on the potential to optimize and/or modify small engines to utilize ethanol blends greater than 10% as well as the barriers limiting the expansion of overall biofuel consumption in the small engine market
• Notice of intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement targeting innovative technologies and solutions to help advance bioenergy development.

BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winners Recognized

Congratulations to the cellulosic ethanol infographic team from Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design in Brooklyn, New York! These five students and their chaperones attended Bioenergy 2015, where BETO recognized them for their excellence in research and design in communicating the benefits and considerations of cellulosic ethanol. See their infographic and find out about the other competition winners. We will be accepting infographic submissions for the next BioenergizeME infographic challenge beginning September 30, 2015. See the BioenergizeME website for details!

Sustainable Transportation Day

Sustainable Transportation Day was held on June 22, 2015, on the grounds of the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE’s) Bioenergy, Fuel Cell, and Vehicles Technologies Offices, the event gave attendees an opportunity to learn about EERE’s strategic investments in the next generation of vehicles with the interactive Green Racing Simulator, the record-breaking 12.2 mile per gallon SuperTruck, and the 3D-printed Shelby Cobra. More than 200 guests attended the event. As an added bonus, the Algae Surfboard—a sustainable surfboard made from algae-based products—was on display. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Sustainable Transportation Reuben Sarkar kicked off the event with remarks to the visitors, and even took a ride on the Green Racing Simulator himself!

Register for the Biofuels to Enable Bioproducts Workshop!

BETO is hosting the one-day Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop on July 16, 2015, in Denver, Colorado, to collect information from key industry, university, and national laboratory stakeholders regarding the challenges associated with the coproduction of biomass-derived chemicals and products alongside biofuels. Registration is free, but space is limited.

Watch the Algae Surfboard on CBS This Morning

CBS This Morning featured the first-ever surfboard made with algae-based products instead of fossil fuel-derived polyurethane foam. BETO provided funding that helped the University of California, San Diego and Solazyme with the development of this sustainable surfboard. Watch the CBS This Morning segment and read about the algae surfboard on the Energy Department website.

Innovative Breakthrough Demonstrated for Biological Ethanol Production

Microvi Biotechnologies, together with Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit (ABPDU), which is partially funded by BETO, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has demonstrated a major breakthrough to biological ethanol production! Compared with a conventional yeast ethanol production, a preliminary evaluation showed that Microvi’s biocatalytic technology nearly doubled bio-ethanol productivity, increased conversion yields, and minimized microbial contaminants. Todd Pray, ABPDU Program Head, said the ABPDU looks forward to collaborating with Microvi in further optimization and scale-up work, including validation using lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks.

Updated Overview of BETO’s Sustainability Work

BETO is committed to developing the resources, technologies, and systems needed to support a thriving bioenergy industry that protects natural resources and advances environmental, economic, and social benefits. Read our updated sustainability fact sheet to learn how BETO puts this commitment to action for focus areas such as water quantity, air quality, and land use.

EERE Blog: Biorefineries Give Local Farmers Opportunities for Additional Income

Harvesting and selling corn stover has been an added source of income for farmers near POET-DSM’s biorefinery PROJECT LIBERTY for the last seven years. Read more on the EERE Blog about Bruce Nelson’s story and how Bioenergy Technologies Office investments in biorefineries like PROJECT LIBERTY are having a positive impact on local communities.

Bioenergy Coloring Book

Have you had a chance to download the bioenergy coloring book yet? The National Science Teachers Association featured it in their summer newsletters as part of the Science Teacher’s Grab Bag! Download your copy today in English or Spanish.

Past and Upcoming Events with BETO Representation

• Iowa State University Energy Manufacturing Workshop; May 11; Jonathan Male; Broomfield, Colorado
• 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
• Low Carbon Aviation Committee Meeting; June 3; Jonathan Male, Zia Haq; Washington, D.C.
• 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts; June 7–10; Jonathan Male; San Diego, California
• Advanced Bioeconomy Feedstocks Conference; June 9–10; Jonathan Male, Steve Thomas; New Orleans, Louisiana
• TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo 2015; June 14–17; Jonathan Male; National Harbor, Maryland
• Optima Stakeholder Listening Day; June 16-17; Golden, Colorado
• Sustainable Transportation Day; June 22; Washington, D.C.
  
• The Evolving Bioeconomy and Renewable Fuels Professional Networking Event; Kristen Johnson; June 22, Washington, D.C.
• 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.
• Idaho National Lab Impact Tour; June 30; David Danielson, Jonathan Male; Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative Southeast Regional Summit; July 9; Atlanta, Georgia
• Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop; July 16; Westminster, Colorado
• World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology; July 19 –22; Valerie Reed, Natalie Roberts; Montreal, Quebec

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