Activity
  • Natural Gas as an Alternative Energy Feedstock Redux

    As the global reserves of shale gas and shale oil continue their upward revisions, the economics of other energy sources continue to change. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the mining and power industry group, looks at the changing biofuel economics...
  • Renewable Fuels Standard under Fire-Again

    The goal of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard is to increase the use of alternative fuels in the transportation fuels mix. Emerson’s Alan Novak, leader of the alternative energy industry team, looks at this law versus the realities of today’s energy demand...
  • Small-Scale Power Plants–But Where?

    The need for energy prompts constant innovation. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, on the alternative energy and metals & mining industry teams, analyzes the role of small-scale power plants. There was an interesting announcement this week by Synthesis Energy...
  • Ice Gas-Another Unconventional Energy Source

    The search for additional sources of energy continues. Emerson’s Alan Novak, director of the Alternative Energy as well as the Mining and Metals industries looks at ice gas as another energy source in today’s guest post. Ice Gas, formally known as methane...
  • Insight on the Energy Future – CERAWeek 2013

    Douglas Morris of Emerson’s alternative energy industry team shares some thoughts and experiences from the CERAWeek conference this week. The 32nd annual CERAWeek Conference, led by Daniel Yergin, was held this week in Houston, Texas USA. The meeting...
  • A New Development in Clean Coal Technology

    Emerson’s Alan Novak, who leads the alternative energy industry team, explores the advancements in coal conversion technology in today’s guest post. Researchers at Ohio State University recently announced that they reached a new milestone in the development...
  • Are the Renewable Fuel Standard Battles Heating Up?

    Emerson’s Douglas Morris of the alternative energy industry team provides an update on the political battles in the United States over the future of ethanol and other biofuel production. The biofuels headwinds remain strong. Last month I wrote about how...
  • What’s in Store for Alternative Fuels in the US?

    Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team, opens his 2013 guest-blogging season with a look at what’s in store for the alternative fuels industry this year, here in the U.S. Happy New Year. For me, the New Year is a time...
  • More Investment in Brazilian Biofuels

    Production of biofuels continues to be impacted by government policy around the globe. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy and metals and mining industry teams, highlights recent developments in the U.S. and Brazilian ethanol...
  • Crude Oil vs. Ethanol – in Brazil?

    Global market forces continue to cause change in the energy mix. Emerson’s Alan Novak, leader of the alternative energy industry team, looks at the market forces on Brazilian ethanol producers. Brazil has long been a supporter of ethanol as a motor fuel...
  • Chinese Gasification Expertise on Its Way to the United States

    The conversion of coal to cleaner burning forms of energy continues. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy team, highlights China’s increased participation in coal gasification and coal-to-liquids projects in the U.S. and around...
  • 2012 Gasification Technologies Council Conference

    The changes in identified natural gas reserves here in the U.S. have impacted the economic viability of other sources of energy. Emerson’s Alan Novak, leader of the alternative energy industry team, provides an update on gasification technologies. The...
  • Coal Gasification Opportunities for Mongolia

    Given Mongolia’s fast-growing economy, the country is seeking ways take advantages of its vast coal resources to increase energy independence. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team, shares his perspectives from a recent...
  • The Impact of Shale Gas on Olefins

    With vast shale gas reserves, will China move from coal-to-chemicals processes to gas-to-chemicals processes going forward? Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team explores this question in today’s guest post. We’ve...
  • The Impact of Shale Gas on the US Power Market

    Here in the U.S., shale gas is creating jobs, reducing energy costs, and even adding to the revenue coffers at the local, state, and federal levels. Emerson’s Alan Novak, Director of the alternative energy and mining and metals industries, highlights...
  • Solar Power-Will New Technology Provide a Breakthrough?

    Plentiful shale gas changes the economics around electricity production. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team, explores recent advancements in solar power technology in light of these economics. Ever bring up the...
  • Quote–Carbon Price Set to Plunge

    The price of carbon-based energy sources are impacted by supply, demand, and the policies of countries around the globe. Emerson’s Alan Novak, leader of the alternative energy industry team, explores the rapid changes in carbon-based taxes in Australia...
  • Alternative Energy is Feeling the Heat

    The growth of alternative energy sources have been fueled through subsidies by countries across the globe. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team, shares the latest developments in wind energy sources, here in the United...
  • Exporting Hydrocarbon to Ethanol Energy Conversion Technologies

    A new process to convert hydrocarbon-based feedstocks to ethanol has been developed and being put to use in projects around the world. Emerson’s Alan Novak, leader of the alternative energy industry team, provides an update on these developments. Last...
  • Nickel Might Make Renewable Energy More Viable

    Can battery technology extend the availability of intermittent sources of energy for mining companies? Emerson’s Juan Carlos Bravo, a member of the metals and mining industry team, shares his thoughts We as consumers normally do not think of nickel as...
  • Chinese Gasification Expertise on Its Way to the Ukraine

    Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy industry team, highlights the planned use of coal gasification technology in power generation in the Ukraine. A few months back I wrote about Asian innovation in energy, specifically about the...
  • Drought and the Renewable Fuel Standard

    Across the United States heartland, a drought is impacting corn farmers. Emerson’s Alan Novak, director of the alternative energy and metals and mining industries, shares his thoughts on its impact on the fuel vs. food debate. The worst drought to hit...
  • The Great Green Fleet-Not So Fair Winds and Following Seas

    The biofuels industry continues along its path to be an alternative source to petroleum-based fuels. Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the Alternative Energy industry team, highlights developments in the U.S. Defense Department’s aviation and marine...
  • A Global View of The Natural Gas Market

    The availability of natural gas from shale formations is impacting many sectors of the process manufacturing marketplace including alternative energy, oil & gas, electrical power generation, and petrochemicals to name a few. It is even impacting the availability...
  • What is in Store for E-15 Ethanol Fuel Blend?

    Will a 15% blend of ethanol and gasoline take hold as a key component in the U.S. transportation fuel mix? Emerson’s Douglas Morris, a member of the alternative energy team explores this question in today’s guest post. This week marked the first appearance...