Tag Archives: green
Enzyme Research Could Lead to Less Expensive Biofuels
New research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has discovered two approaches in which enzymes could break down cell walls more quickly and lead to less expensive biofuels for the transportation industry. Apr 30, 2013 Five NREL scientists and one scientist from the Weizmann Institute of Israel conducted research that could lead to enzymes helping create less expensive biofuel . Their paper, “Fungal Cellulases and Complexed Cellulosomal Enzymes Exhibit Synergistic Mechanisms in Cellulose Deconstruction”, has been published in Energy and Environmental Science. In order to reach the goal of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which involves the U.S. producing 36 billion gallons of biofuel each year by 2022, the high cost of enzyme treatment needs to be properly addressed. Enzyme treatment is a critical step in transforming biomass, such as trees and switchgrass, into liquid fuel. Microorganisms secrete the enzymes that naturally degrade plant cell walls and harvesting their sugars. NREL scientists discovered that two enzyme paradigms, free and complex enzymes, can be used together to degrade biomass at the nanometer scale and enhances catalytic performance. By combining the two enzyme systems, the breakdown of cell walls becomes a faster and more efficient process, which could then make biofuel production a less expensive and time-consuming process, as well. http://eponline.com/ Continue reading
Los Alamos National Lab Improves Biomass-To-Fuel Process
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London Property Boom ‘Unsustainable’
Manager of UK Commercial Property trust says no immediate drop in rental prices predicted but reasons for growth must be considered By Aimee Steen | Published May 01, 2013 Continued growth in London property prices and rents cannot continue indefinitely and the fundamentals should be looked at, according to an investment manager. Speaking at an AIC press roundtable on property, Robert Boag, manager of Ignis’ UK Commercial Property investment trust, said the reasons for central London growth have to be balanced with long-term growth potential. “I am not forecasting that central London is going to drop like a stone, but you have to look at the components of that return, what is driving it,” he said. Rental yields can be quite volatile, Mr Boag added, which find managers have to consider when purchasing commercial property. “You have to be in and out of that cycle if you want to keep returns coming through,” he said. Mr Boag added that while central London remains popular, he is seeing some investment interest elsewhere. “We are seeing very tentative signs of investors looking for a bit higher returns out in the regions, it is still a very difficult market to find value and get true value.” Much focus on UK property growth has focused on an increase in London property prices and rental yields despite the rest of the UK struggling or stagnating. Marcus Phayre-Mudge, manager of the F&C TR Property investment trust, said he is very bullish on UK property returns, particularly due to particular trends. “The past two quarters in west London have been primarily driven by TMT,” he said. “This is the young, intelligent, well-educated workforce globally that wants to come to London. We make more animation in Soho than they do in LA, this is where it is all happening.” Gaining access to units in London is, however, posing challenges, he added, with some areas seeing very little turnover. “You have got to be able to get hold of the estate,” he said. “If you want to go out and start buying it now, it is extremely difficult. You almost have to already own it.” Continue reading
