Biofuels Expert Speaks at European Biodiesel Conference

(I-Newswire) September 25, 2009 - Dr. Peter Reimers, President and CEO of Arisdyne Systems, Inc., participated in a panel discussion on “Current Challenges and Opportunities for the European Biodiesel Producer” at the European Biodiesel Conference 2009, held in Prague, Czech Republic. The panel was designed to help European Biodiesel Producers maximize their growth and profits, and also featured Granville Smith, CEO of Al Tayyar Energy and Paul Keurinck, Director of Biocar.

“Biodiesel in the European market is a very competitive industry,” said Peter Reimers, CEO and President of Arisdyne Systems. “This panel was designed to help producers learn how to minimize costs, maximize results, and thrive in the growing European biodiesel market.”

Organized by Active Communications International, the European Biodiesel Conference brought together experts from companies all over Europe and throughout the rest of the world to discover, consider and discuss the latest strategies and technological advances in the biodiesel industry. The conference took place 16-17 September and also featured discussions of biodiesel quality, market opportunities, feedstock options, and the global biofuels and bioenergy market.

Dr. Reimers joined Arisdyne in August of 2008, following more than 10 years in the biofuels and alternative energy industry. His global business background includes extensive experience in process design & operations, global feedstock and fuel markets, strategic planning, commodity trading, and project management with a focus on biotechnology.

Prior to joining Arisdyne, Reimers worked for Archer Daniels Midland for more than 10 years, overseeing biodiesel operations in the European Union and in the United States. Most recently, he was the managing director of long-term technology strategy in which he was responsible for evaluating investment options for a new research and development center focusing on bioenergy technologies.

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Is BioFuel Expensive?
Biofuel is receiving international attention as a possible alternative to our current fossil fuel usage, but many people don’t realize what biofuel is made from. Biofuel is derived from plant products and can be used in any combustible engine. However, the process as it stands right now is not as effective as it could be, which leads to higher production costs, and in turn, higher costs at the pump. Since producing biofuel is extremely expensive and time consuming, it isn’t considered a viable alternative to our fossil fuel usage, yet.

Biofuels can be either liquid or solid, and come from many different plant sources such as vegetable oil, sugar cane, or even soy and corn products. In fact, in the United States alone, many corn and soy crops which are grown are not grown for human consumption, but for the production of biofuel.

Most all of the commercial biofuel which is found on the market today is not 100% pure biofuel. It is generally mixed with around 15% regular gasoline so the fuel will still work in our modern engines. Because we cannot yet use 100% biofuel in our engines, and because the biofuel production process is so expensive and costly, researchers are working on ways to develop biofuel into a renewable energy source which could break through the barrier of cost versus efficiency.
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