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Biofuels compared
The October issue of National Geographic has an in-depth feature on biofuels. We’ve written a fair bit about corn ethanol and biodiesel, but the magazine goes to town with a comparison of various fuels and the crops from which they’re made.
Life in the ocean waves
The BBC reports that a boat powered by biodiesel has arrived in Bristol. That might not sound too interesting, but this particular boat has two 540hp engines that can push it along at nearly 60mph. Oh, and it travels through waves.
Racing green
The government recently announced it was funding alternative car parts made of hemp, but we’ve just come across this sporty little number that appears to have done its research already.
Biofuel’s wheaty problem
There’s more in the news at the moment about the short supply of wheat, after this year’s poor harvests across Europe, Australia and Canada. The Financial Times says that the world’s stock of wheat has fallen to its lowest level in 26 years.
Biodiesel hailed in London cabs
London black cab company Radio Taxis recently announced that it was giving its 3,000 drivers the option to fill up with a diesel blend containing 30% biofuels.
Does corn make for a flaky biofuel?
Of all the current biofuels, corn-derived ethanol seems to be the most popular in America, and the most hotly debated.
Progress, 1930s style
There’s an interesting story in last weekend’s Times that DEFRA is funding a project to develop recyclable car parts from hemp fibres.
Driving up the cost of breakfast
America is, literally, waking up to one potential drawback of biofuels. With corn apparently the raw material for up 95% of the USA’s bioethanol, the huge demand for the crop has lead to soaring prices.
The fat of the land
It seems there’s no getting away from the biofuel debate. The BBC recently reported how demand for oil crops was affecting agricultural markets, and on the ‘wonder plant’ jatropha, which could soon be powering Indian cars and buses.
Out of the frying pan…
Regular viewers of Fifth Gear on Channel 5 may have seen the programme’s recent successful attempt to drive the width of the country in a diesel car.
