Green news harvest: Oil and solar...algae and jetfuel

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

• Konarka announces strategic collaboration and $45 million investment from Total--press release
  Oil company Total is investing in plastic solar cell company Konarka to use the cells in its subsidiaries' products.
• DARPA wants JP-8 from algae--Defense Industry Daily
  The Air Force wants to develop an algae-based jet fuel. via Biofuels Digest.
• Turbulence for two East Coast offshore wind farms--The New York Times
  Environmental reviews and disputes between federal agencies over oversight is delaying offshore wind projects.

Konarka's plastic solar cells, made with roll-to-roll printing machines.
(Credit: Konarka)
• Irvine-based BlueFire Ethanol to build facility in South Korea--OC Metro
  Sign of progress at a company to watch. They make ethanol from municipal trash or other waste products.
• Imara introduces advanced lithium-ion battery tech for high-power applications--press release
  The battery business continues to heat up. SRI spin-off, formerly called Lion Cells, officially launches and says it will deliver lithium-ion batteries for power tools, lawn equipment, and vehicles in about a year.
• California approves plan to slash greenhouse gases--AFP
  Details on California policy that provides potential market for clean-tech companies.
• Scientists urge caution in ocean-CO2 capture schemes--Reuters
  Australian study urges serious caution over the idea of artificially causing plankton blooms to sequester carbon.
• Platinum-free fuel cell--Technology Review
  Researchers in China find a way to replace expensive platinum catalysts with nickel.
• Bad news from Q-Cells spreads through solar supply chain--Cleantech Group
  Kind of an ominous sign when the leading solar cell manufacturer says that a "flood" of customers (solar panel makers) have canceled orders.
• Dell expands global green-packaging strategy--press release
  On the greening business front, packaging is a big source of trash. Wal-Mart likewise tackled packaging as part of its own sustainability initiative.