Frankly Green

Earthrace - Circumnavigation of the Globe

Thanks to Terry G. for this link.

Earthrace

The goal of Earthrace was to set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, running 100% renewable biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint.  The amazing Earthrace boat started the attempt on 27 April 2008 from Sagunto in Spain.

After breaking the world record in just 60 days 49 hours and 23 minutes  Earthrace returned to Sagunto, Spain on the 27 June 2008, 12.24.00 GMT/14.24.00 CET knocking almost 14 days off the previous record. tThe journey was almost 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of, and draw global attention to, the potential for alternative fuel sources.

“This fantastic team of people and our astonishing boat have broken the record by a massive margin" said Pete Bethune, New Zealand skipper and owner of Earthrace,  "I finally feel that all the sacrifices made, especially by my wife and daughters, have been worth it.  I don't even  know how to begin to thank all the individuals and companies that have supported us along the way, some of them since the very beginning over five years ago.  Without them, none of this would have been possible”.

Biofuel Use 'Increasing Poverty'

Thanks to Jim A. for this link!

A palm oil plantation in Ivory Coast

BBC News
Link to Article

The replacement of traditional fuels with biofuels has dragged more than 30 million people worldwide into poverty, an aid agency report says.

Oxfam says so-called green policies in developed countries are contributing to the world's soaring food prices, which hit the poor hardest.

The group also says biofuels will do nothing to combat climate change.

Its report urges the EU to scrap a target of making 10% of all transport run on renewable resources by 2020.

PBS' Nightly Business Report Explores the Alternatives for Fuel and Energy

Miami, FL (May 12, 2008)—Driven by serious climate issues, dwindling resources, and stiff geopolitical pressure and rapidly escalating prices, green options for fuel and energy have skyrocketed to the forefront of global concern and necessity.  But what are the options and when will they be available?  In a special 4-part series running Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16, PBS’ Nightly Business Report examines some alternative energy options and the challenges in the race to bring them into the marketplace.

“Renewable, greener energy isn’t just an issue for the scientists and environmentalists, it’s an issue for the business world as well—and a major one at that.” explained Rodney Ward, Executive Editor/Senior Vice President, Nightly Business Report.  “This series examines many of the current alternative programs, resources, and companies that will be shaping how we meet our energy needs in the future.” 

Series overview:

Tuesday, May 13th:  Demand for grain is more intense than ever now that ethanol manufacturers are using the same agricultural resources as food producers.  To meet the need for both biofuel and food, the Monsanto Company is growing corn that uses little water, and seed that can grow more corn from a single plant.  The research is not without controversy, though, since bioengineered crops remain banned in most countries around the world.

Wednesday, May 14th:    In Florida, scientists are using pulverized sugar cane to create ethanol.  Known as cellulosic ethanol, sugar cane is not its only source material, and with modifications, it could be created from any green plant.  The trick is lowering production costs to make it viable.  Answers should come next year when Florida Crystals’ sugar mill begins small-scale production.

Thursday, May 15th: Biotech company Zymetis has created a bacterium that can turn materials like scrap paper, pulp and woodchips into ethanol, which can eventually fuel your car.  The first challenge is obtaining enough raw material to process into ethanol on a large scale.  Another issue is transporting the ethanol from the factory to the pump, which could potentially negate many of ethanol’s environmental gains.

Friday, May 16th: Methane hydrate—a frozen gas—is a fossil fuel that exists in abundance in many areas throughout the world.  The problem is that extracting methane hydrate is costly, and could potentially trigger environmental catastrophe.  NBR speaks to a Japanese research team that is leading the effort to extract and harness this potentially viable resource.

Video: Food vs. Fuel

Is America's push for corn-based ethanol driving up fuel prices?

Link to Video

Startup Says it Can Make Ethanol for $1 a Gallon, and Without Corn

Thanks to Frank P. for sending this!

By Chuck Squatriglia Wired.com

Link to Article

Design engineer Mike Sura adjusts settings on Coskata's 150L bioreactor to make ethanol.
Photo: Tyler Mallory/General Motors

A biofuel startup in Illinois can make ethanol from just about anything organic for less than $1 per gallon, and it wouldn't interfere with food supplies, company officials said.

Coskata, which is backed by General Motors and other investors, uses bacteria to convert almost any organic material, from corn husks (but not the corn itself) to municipal trash, into ethanol.

 "It's not five years away, it's not 10 years away. It's affordable, and it's now," said Wes Bolsen, the company's vice president of business development.

The discovery underscores the rapid innovation under way in the race to make cellulosic ethanol cheaply. With the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requiring an almost five-fold increase in ethanol production to 36 billion gallons annually by 2022, scientists are working quickly to reach that breakthrough.

"It signals just how hot the competition is right now," said David Friedman, research director of the clean vehicles program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "There are a lot of people diving into this right now, trying to figure out how to crack the nut. This increases my confidence that someone will do it."