Federal Agencies Release Update on National Biogas Activities

In support of the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Progress Report. This report is an update of the federal government’s progress to reduce methane emissions through biogas systems since the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap was published by the three agencies in July 2014. It highlights actions taken, outlines challenges and opportunities, and identifies next steps to the growth of a robust biogas industry, and includes information on how biogas fits into the Bioenergy Technologies Office's (BETO's) portfolio. Read more in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Blog.

Notice of Intent (NOI) to Issue Funding Opportunity for Developing Pathways to Biofuels and Bioproducts

Many companies are exploring the business potential of making bioproducts—bio-based alternatives for products that are usually made with fossil fuels, such as plastics and some chemicals. Flexibly co-producing bioproducts along with biofuels at a biorefinery could help biorefineries see a positive return on investment. To advance the possibilities, BETO announced a notice of intent (NOI) to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to develop flexible lignocellulosic biomass to hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that can be modified to produce fuels and/or products based on external factors, such as market demand. It is anticipated that the FOA will be posted on the EERE Exchange on or around Jan. 15, 2016. To see the full NOI, visit the EERE Exchange website.

NOI to Issue Funding Opportunity for Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2

DOE announces its intent to issue, on behalf of BETO, a FOA entitled “Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2 (ABY2).” This FOA will support projects to develop technologies that are likely to succeed in producing 3,700 gallons of algal biofuel intermediate (or equivalent dry weight basis) per acre per year (gal/acre/yr) on an annualized average basis (not peak or projected) through multiple batch campaigns or on a semi-continuous or continuous basis, in an outdoor test environment, by 2020. It is anticipated that the FOA will be posted on the EERE Exchange on or around Jan. 15, 2016. To see the full NOI, visit the EERE Exchange website.

BETO Seeks Stakeholder Input on the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines

BETO and the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) have released a request for information (RFI) titled “Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines” (Optima). BETO and VTO are seeking input from industry, academia, and other stakeholders on the Optima initiative, which is focused on the development of new fuels and engine architectures that are co-optimized—designed in tandem to maximize performance and carbon efficiency. To see the full RFI, visit the EERE Exchange website. Responses must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Jan. 8, 2015.

Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop Summary Report Now Available Online

The Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop Summary Report is now available online! In July, BETO hosted the workshop to get stakeholder input about the potential role of bioproducts in the biofuels industry and to explore related research and development opportunities. Ninety-four stakeholders from industry, national laboratories, government agencies, research institutions, and universities attended. Information gathered during the workshop is now available in the summary report.

Ethanol-to-Hydrocarbon Technology Moves Closer to Commercialization

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) published an article in Scientific Reports on its new method to directly convert biomass-derived ethanol to a hydrocarbon blendstock and is continuing work with Vertimass, LLC to commercialize it. BETO provided funding for the ORNL research beginning in 2011. ORNL licensed the technology to Vertimass, which was awarded $2 million in BETO funding in 2014 to scale up the technology. Earlier this year, Vertimass completed its technology validation, which was an independent, third party review that verified the baseline performance of the technology.

Register Early for the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge and Get Exclusive Webinar Access

Upcoming Webinars:

BioenergizeME Office Hours Webinar: Must-Know Tips for the 2016 BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge

Excellence in Bioenergy Innovation—A Presentation of 2015 R&D 100 Award Winning Projects

DOE will present a live webinar titled “Excellence in Bioenergy Innovation—A Presentation of 2015 R&D 100 Award Winning Projects” on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar will feature state-of-the-art research by scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory—winners of 2015 R&D 100 Awards for breakthrough bioenergy advances. Register today to attend the webinar.

Happy Holidays from the Bioenergy Technologies Office!

A Carol to Advanced Biofuel
(to the tune of “Oh Christmas Tree”)

Oh Biofuel, Oh Biofuel,
You’re made from stalks and branches.
Oh Biofuel, Oh Biofuel,
From algae and switchgrasses!

You’re not only green when summer’s here,
But also when it’s cold and drear.
Oh Biofuel, Oh Biofuel,
You’re made from stalks and branches.

Past and Upcoming Events with BETO Representation

• Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference Next; Nov. 2–6; Jonathan Male, Prasad Gupte; San Francisco, California
• tcbiomass: Technology for the Bioeconomy; Nov. 2–5, 2015; Kevin Craig, Liz Moore; Chicago, Illinois
• 18th Global Bioenergy Partnership Meetings; Nov. 11–13, 2015; Kristen Johnson; Rome, Italy
• National Science Teachers Association Area Conference; Nov. 12–14, 2015; Sheila Dillard; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• International Algae Symposium; Nov. 16–17, 2015; Daniel Fishman; Tokyo, Japan
• BioenergizeME Office Hours Webinar: Integrating Bioenergy into the 9th–12th Grade Classroom; Dec. 10, 2015; Online
• Protecting Public Health through Cleaner Fuels and Lower Emissions; Dec. 14, 2015; Reuben Sarkar; Washington, D.C.
• Demonstration of NREL’s Bioenergy Atlas Tools Webinar; Dec. 16, 2015; Online
• BioenergizeME Office Hours Webinar: Must-Know Tips for the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge; Jan. 21, 2016; Online
• Excellence in Bioenergy Innovation—A Presentation of 2015 R&D 100 Award Winning Projects; Jan. 21, 2016; Online

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