An international association named the Global Cassava Partnership jointly with UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization is looking at the potential of world’s fourth imperative crop called cassava along with the production of Biofuels. Since the dilemma of going up fuel and oil prices in low-income tropical countries calls for exploring economical food and fuel supplies, Research and development is being carried out to enhance cassava yields as it one of the low priced starch source. Besides gratifying the global food need cassava also emerges as a greener substitute to fuel production. Fermentation of this starch generates ethanol which is employed in Biofuels formation.

Bearing in mind future prospects of cassava and its industrialized utilization efforts must be made to perk up production inputs and improvise farmer’s scientific and technical knowledge. To deal with energy crisis we ought to set cassava starch products viable on a worldwide scale.

Via GreenCarCongress

I was amazed to know that one of the very first oil droplets formed on our planet came from a pond scum! So far as I knew it, I remember learning about pigment producing algae in my junior science classes but this piece of news is quite good to note down. Why because algae could run your car in near future!

Some really hi-fi research is going on in Solazyme corporation-synthetic biology company that specializes in producing biodiesel (diesel oil produced from algae).

Jonathan Wolfson and Harrison Dillon at Solazyme have intriguing information to share about algae- like the mucky pond scum has a dynamic reproductive ability to double its cell mass within no time! Besides both have discovered how one can extract oil and pep up oil production by feeding algae with lots of sugars instead of sunshine! (Wow!) At the research centre of the company, small fermenters are already producing clean-burning biofuel from these microalgae. Dillon & Wolfson’s success at this procedure raises hope of large scale production of this neat, efficient and clean renewable energy source. And this is not all; industrial chemicals and household cleaners can also be produced by this algal oil which tastes like peanut oil!

You don’t believe me? Have a look at the video then!

Via: goodcleantech

Cow power could emerge as one of the green and renewable energy sources to generate electricity in future. Till now the manure produced by bovine and livestock animals has been used in farms only (that too to a certain extent). But now, it can be used to generate electricity which might meet upto 3 % energy (read electricity) consumption needs of entire North America!

The research being conducted by scientists at University of Texas (Austin) believe the results of it will imply on all countries with a large number of livestock (including India). Production of biogas from cow dung is not a new thing and it has been used in rural India to cook food and for other heating purposes. But this research stresses upon the anaerobic digestion (a process which helps in compost formation) of manure which yields energy-rich bio-gas potent enough to generate electricity by rotating standard microturbines.

In recent times, the interest and efforts in analyzing and using cow waste for studying its effect on climate change, has seen an upward trend. The IPCC reports that nitrous oxide and methane (both are Green House Gases) produced by naturally decomposing livestock manure heat up our atmosphere many times more than what CO2 does! Hence, the panel recommends proper utilization of this livestock manure. The latter if utilized fully could generate approximately 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity (a scenario where the Americans will thank cows profusely for providing resources beyond milk and meat!)

Concerns are raised over the carbon emissions thus procuded by burning of biogas but scientists reassure that, when compared to burning fossil fuels (read coal), burning of biogas leaves a much smaller carbon footprint! Here’s what the scientists- Dr. Michael E. Webber and Amanda D Cuellar, from University of Texas has to say over this: “In light of the criticism that has been leveled against biofuels, biogas production from manure has the less-controversial benefit of reusing an existing waste source and has the potential to improve the environment.”

I’m waiting for the day when bulbs will be lighted by burning of biogas for the latter promises to be an environmentally advantageous and economical energy resource. Hail Cow Power!

Via: sciencedaily

Conventionally, economical method of formulating plastic is fossil fuels, as bioplastics through vegetable stuff would ask for a soaring price. Furthermore, various companies are making use of cornstarch for preparing this polymer. However, a Denmark Agroplast has contemplated a wholly new plot and a Danish venture firm is also lending a hand in infusing this scheme.

Agroplast proposes to make over animal wastes predominantly pig urine into plastic tableware and other household bits and pieces. The concept behind this is twofold; former is to snap the glitch of setting out the pig lingering seeing it’s vulnerability to atmosphere and following is to utilize a compound called urea present in urine for profitability.

As per the agroplast this course would produces plastics charging incredibly less than traditional plastic making processes though absolute worth of this substance could be identified only after it gets on the rampage.

Via Cnet

It’s the same tug-of-war for people of Kenya, which every nation wanting to progress, faces today. The issue being is it development or devastation in the name of development? The recent decision of Kenyan government to approve a biofuel project in the Tana River delta area has created an uproar among people. The biofuel project requires the setting up of a sugar cane plantation in the 80 sq mile river delta. Much of the crop produced at the plantation would be converted into ethanol. This would be done in a nearby purpose-built factory. The factory will provide employment opportunities to the locals. This is the government’s side of story. The other side is provided by the local farmers and fishermen. These people along with the environmentalists detest the approval to the project. The Tana River delta is an area of biodiversity in terms of animal and plant species found there. The land is home to hippos, lions, rare shark species, primates and 345 bird species. It also sustains the local community of thousands of fishermen and farmers. Their protests against this project, it seems have fallen on deaf ears! According to Paul Matiku, executive director of Nature Kenya (a Nairobi- based conservation group), the whole project is an ecological disaster. “It will seriously damage our priceless national assets and will put the livelihoods of the people living in the delta in jeopardy,” Paul said.

For the government, the biofuel project holds a promise to gain valuable euros and dollars. Biofuels are prepared from ethanol which in turn, is in huge demand in the European Union and the U.S. For the locals this project spells devastation than development. The gulf between the two sides deepens as the locals say their protests are being ignored by the powers-that-be. In order to achieve a sustainable development it is important that the government realizes the deep-set ecological concerns rather than blindly approving rampant  projects.

Via Guardian

The German giant Mercedes Benz is determined to kick diesel out of it way and produce cars that are run by greener technologies. The company envisions a line up hybrid and green cars by 2015. In its efforts to minimalize the harmful effects of petrol and diesel combustion products on nature, Mercedes is already working on technologies that are utilized by the hybrid cars of this age. It plans to incorporate highly efficient internal combustion engines in its future models. Such engines can feed upon biofuels like bioethanol. The latter is made from grains and as per the studies conducted by UK government agency Central Science Laboratory; it produces 65% fewer greenhouse gases. Battery operated electrically run cars are will also be introduced in the market in coming years as per Merc’s plans. Another option taken up by the company is that of natural gas, which is now, mush preferred over gasoline, diesel and petrol in Europe. Next year, Mercedes-Benz B-Series will be seen running on roads using this alternative fuel.

Although, the company may be able to phase out all its diesel-based models from Europe in coming decade, what remains to be seen is the widespread availability of such cars in overseas markets.

Via AutoBlogGreen