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Welcome!

IEA Bioenergy Task 39 'Commercializing 1^st- and 2^nd-Generation Liquid Biofuels from Biomass' is a global network dedicated to the development and deployment of biofuels for transportation fuel use. Our Task is part of the International Energy Agency (IEA)'s Implementing Agreement on Bioenergy. Our Task is currently composed of 17 countries and a regional association, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom. Our Task brings together leading researchers, government officials, and industry pioneers in our bid to successfully introduce biofuels for transportion into the commercial marketplace.

Task 39's activities are organized into two Subtasks. The first of these focuses on the technical challenges of 2^nd-generation biofuel production, while the second focuses on policy, markets and implementation issues that must be addressed in commercialization of all biofuels. Our goal is to provide our members with comprehensive information that will assist them with accelerating the commercial uptake of biofuel technologies. For more information on our objectives and goals, click here.

Upcoming meetings
There will be a Task 39 Business meeting in Cambridge, United Kingdom from 19^th- 21^stJanuary, 2010. Please visit this website for more information on the Task 39 Cambridge meeting as the time approaches!

Past Meetings
Task 39 helped organized the very successful IEA Bioenergy Multi-Task Conference in Vancouver, themed Biofuels and Bioenergy: A Changing Climate in Canada from August 23-26, 2009. This conference brought together researchers, government officials and industry leaders from over 20 countries with the aim to advance bioenergy development and reduce fossil fuel dependency. Many thanks to IEA Bioenergy, sponsors/exhibitors, speakers and all delegates who played enormous roles in making this conference a great success! Please click on the corresponding link for a copy of the Conference Book/Program (Biofuels & Bioenergy: A Changing Climate (Aug. 23-26, 2009).

In conjunction with the IEA Bioenergy Multi-Task Conference, there was a Task 39 Business Meeting on Sunday August 23 (from 2:00pm to 4:30pm) at the Board Room (Room 4001) of the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver.

Task 39 held a three-day policy workshop in Dresden from June 3-5, 2009.

Task 39 held a full day business meeting on May 2, 2009 to discuss progress in commercializing 2nd-generation liquid biofuels in San Francisco, USA in conjunction with the 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. In addition, Tasks 39 and 40 jointly organized a special session on Tuesday May 5, 2009 themed: International Commercialization of 2nd-Generation Biofuels.

Global Assessment of 2^nd Generation Biofuels Projects
Status of 2nd generation biofuels demonstration facilities (please click on the title to view this interactive web link).

Newsletter
The latest edition of the Task 39 Newsletter provides the latest update on biochemical conversion research and development (R&D) activities in Japan, one of our member countries. This current newsletter also contain updates on the most recent activities in the Task. To read the latest version of the newsletter, click here. To view the archives of our newsletters, click here.

Opening of first Inbicon Biomass Refinery
Kalundborg, Denmark - The new Inbicon Biomass Refinery was opened in the Danish port of Kalundborg. The inauguration ceremony was led by his Royal Highness Prince Joachim. For more information, click here.

Non-binding sustainability criteria: right incentives for sustainable biomass use
Brussels, 14 December 2009. The Consortium of European Biomass Associations (AEBIOM and EUBIA), European Forestry associations (EUSTAFOR, CEPF and NSF) and European Biogas Association (EBA) supports having non-binding criteria on sustainability for solid and gaseous biomass for heat and electricity. For more information, click here.

Links to articles in "The business of biofuels" series
Please find below links to the weekly articles in "The business of biofuels" series that are published by Naturenews:
1. Wonder weed plans fail to flourish by Katharine Sanderson
2. Gold rush for algae by Amanda Leigh Mascarelli
3. Cellulosic ethanol hits roadblocks by Roberta Kwok
4. From plant to power by Katharine Sanderson

The UK Renewable Fuels Agency report entitled "Year One of the RTFO" contains very interesting information on verified Carbon and Sustainability data as well as their impacts on business. For more information, click here.

Please click on the link for information on the newly launched BIOFUELS journal.

Latest news from www.renewableenergyaccess.com
25% US Renewable Electricity Standard Will Create 274,000 Jobs <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/2/8/1332-25-us-renewable-electricity-standard-will-create-274-000-jobs.jpg" /> A new study released by Navigant Consulting finads that a 25% by 2025 national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) would support hundreds of thousands of new American jobs and prevent a near-term collapse in some industries. Job growth in the wind, solar, biomass, waste-to-energy and hydropower industries would particularly benefit the Southeastern U.S. and manufacturing states whose Congressional delegations have had a history of voting against incentives and other measures designed to support the renewable energy sector. POET: Ethanol plants can be biorefineries <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/2/8/7042-poet-ethanol-plants-can-be-biorefineries.jpg" /> New ethanol co-products can help ethanol plants become true biorefineries, unlocking the additional potential of each kernel of corn. US Government Budget Proposals Increase Clean Energy Funding <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/2/8/1332-us-government-budget-proposals-increase-clean-energy-funding.jpg" /> President Barack Obama unveiled on February 1 a $28.4 billion budget request for DOE for fiscal year (FY) 2011, including $2.36 billion for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The proposed budget aims to reduce unnecessary energy use, boost renewable energy sources, and strengthen clean energy research as the United States moves toward a clean energy economy. DOE Releases US $20.5M for Community Renewable Energy Projects U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu this week announced the selection of five projects to receive a combined US $20.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support deployment of community-based renewable energy projects including biomass, wind and solar installations. Crafting National Standards <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/2/5/1332-crafting-national-standards.jpg" /> Renewable energy is making a gradual presence in this country. But the key question facing U.S. lawmakers is whether to mandate broad portfolio standards or whether to continue giving the states the authority to determine such measures. Obama Unveils Plans To Boost Biofuel Market On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced that his Administration is taking a series of steps designed to help grow the U.S. biofuels industry to reduce dependency on foreign oil, fight climate chance and create jobs. At a meeting with a bipartisan group of governors from around the country, the President laid out three measures that will work in concert to boost biofuels production. Energy Diversification: A National Security Imperative <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/2/4/1332-energy-diversification-a-national-security-imperative.jpg" /> According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. imports about 60% of its oil, with more than two-thirds of it used for transportation. Oil is essential to the basic functioning of the global economy, from the production of goods in factories overseas and across the country to their delivery to local markets. Without oil our military would not be able to defend the country from external threats. In short, we are critically dependent on this non-renewable resource. 2010 French Tariffs Raise Price for Solar, Geothermal and Biomass <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/authors/33-paul-gipe.jpg" /> France has introduced new feed-in tariffs for 2010. These include substantially higher geothermal, biomass, and building integrated solar PV tariffs than in 2009. Shell & Cosan To Form Ethanol JV in Brazil Shell International Petroleum Company Limited and Cosan S.A. this week signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU), under which the companies plan to form a US $12 billion joint venture (JV) in Brazil for the production of ethanol, sugar and power, and the supply, distribution and retail of transportation fuels. Britain Launches Comprehensive System of Feed-in Rates <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/authors/33-paul-gipe.jpg" /> In a truly groundbreaking move for the English-speaking world, Britain's Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has released a full suite of renewable energy tariffs that go into effect in April. OriginOil Unveils In-House Pilot System OriginOil Inc. has unveiled a comprehensive pilot system for algae growth and harvesting at its Los Angeles headquarters. POET CEO to outline ethanol impact at Retech 2010 <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/assets/logos/7042_poet_logo.gif" /> Ethanol limits oil imports and makes our environment cleaner, but its positive impact in the future will be many times what it is today thanks to more efficient production technology and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. World Future Energy Summit <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/1/28/1332-world-future-energy-summit.jpg" /> The emirate of Abu Dhabi -- one of the world's leading oil and gas producers -- has its focus on the future. A post-oil future. Abu Dhabi has started to put into practice a bold commitment to renewable and sustainable technologies that will enable it to continue as an energy leader after oil has declined. Obama's State of the Union Address Highlights Renewables' Role In his first State of the Union address, US President Barack Obama has highlighted the key role of renewables in the economic development of the country. GE and Petrobras In Biofuel-Fired Aeroderivative Generation Play Brazil's federal energy company Petrobras, together with GE, has developed the world's first fully-commercial bio-ethanol-fired gas turbine power station. Biomass Co-firing Increase for CEZ National utility for the Czech Republic ?EZ Group reports that it produced more than 327 GWh of electricity from biomass during 2009 through co-firing. Global Energy Industry Stalls as Renewables Improve EIC Monitor, a quarterly report from the Energy Industries Council (EIC) trade association, reports that recovery in the global energy industry stalled in the final quarter of 2009, with newly announced projects across the global energy supply chain for Q4 (October – December 2009) down across all sectors. Iowa Approves Cellulosic Ethanol Grant for Poet The Iowa Department of Economic Development last week approved an agreement for the final US $5.25 million in financial assistance to Poet's Project Liberty, a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant that will produce ethanol from corn cobs. Waste Management & Harvest Power To Develop Energy Projects Waste Management Inc. and Harvest Power announced that Waste Management plans to invest in Harvest Power to expand the company's waste-to-energy market presence. Exotics and the March of Technology <img hspace="10" vspace="5" align="left" width="110" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com//assets/images/story/2010/1/27/1332-exotics-and-the-march-of-technology.jpg" /> And now for the good news…. Those of you who read my columns may have noticed that while I'm generally optimistic I do tend to worry a lot about the big scary issues. In this piece I'm going to take a break from worrying and indulge in some unfettered technophilia.

©2008 IEA Bioenergy: Task 39 'Commercializing 1st- and 2nd-Generation Liquid Biofuels from Biomass'.
All rights reserved. No material may be published, reproduced or exhibited for commercial use without the express written consent of the Task Leader, Task 39, or the IEA Bioenergy Secretariat. Academic or non-profit users should acknowledge 'IEA Task 39' and appropriate authors when using this material.