"The Iowa renewable fuels industry accounts for more than $5 billion (roughly 3 pct) of Iowa's GDP, generating $2.5 billion of income for Iowa households and supporting almost 50,000 jobs throughout the state. Year-round access to E15 represents a long-overdue step toward creating a truly competitive fuel market, where cleaner, lower-cost biofuel blends are available to all consumers. This means stronger markets for farm families across Iowa who have been struggling with ongoing low commodity prices and trade tensions." Naig said.
"In addition to allowing year-round sales of E15, the EPA's proposed regulatory changes would modify certain elements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance system to improve the renewable identification number (RIN) market."
Iowa is expected to have nearly 1,000 E-15 pumps at 200 stations statewide by the end of 2019.
(Source: Iowa Dept. of Agriculture, Crop Life, 30 April, 2019) Contact: Iowa Dept. of Agriculture, Mike Naig, Sec., (515) 281-5321, www.IowaAgriculture.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, Ethanol Blend, E15,
"Since EPA began granting these additional exemptions behind closed doors, we have seen devastating market impacts and dropping prices for renewable identification numbers (RINs). We need to stop the bleeding and prevent EPA from ABFA's lawsuit against EPA challenges its methodology for granting these exemptions, arguing the agency more than doubled the number of exempted refineries by illegally changing its petition review process behind closed doors," said ABFA Pres. Michael McAdams.
"Administrator Wheeler has indicated his intention to move forward on decisions for as many as 39 additional exemptions this year. ABFA cannot stand by while EPA unilaterally and illegally undermines the integrity of the RFS program. These new exemptions provide a financial windfall to refineries at the expense of biofuel producers and distributors. EPA is punishing the parties who have worked to increase the amount of renewable fuel blended into the U.S. transportation fuel supply as Congress intended by enacting the RFS first in 2005 and expanding it in 2007.
"For the first time since the inception of the RFS, we are seeing reductions in U.S. renewable fuel blending, and EPA's actions are to blame. Until the court is able to rule on the merits of ABFA's pending lawsuit, the agency should be prevented from taking further action."
"Hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct. (Source: Advanced Biofuels Association, 30 April, 2019)Contact: Advanced Biofuels Association, www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News "Hardship Waiver", Advanced Biofuels Association ,
The EPA currently does not name companies that apply for or receive the waivers, arguing the information is confidential. The corn industry wants that changed because it believes profitable companies are securing waivers, which is hurting farmers. Small refineries owned by profitable oil majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron are among those that have gotten waivers since 2017, according to the Reuters report.
"Hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct.
(Source: Yahoo Finance, Reuters, 30 April, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, "Hardship Waiver", Ethanol Blend,
When fully operational, the facility will convert 100,000 tpy of plastic into 18 million gpy of fuel and 6 million gpy of wax. By working with New Energy Risk (NER), RES Polyflow has reduced the overall cost of project capital, increased the certainty of execution, and made the bond offering more attractive to investors.
RES Polyflow and its San Francisco-based parent development company, Brightmark Energy, raised an aggregate amount of $260 million, including $185 million in Indiana green bonds, underwritten by Goldman Sachs & Co. To streamline the financing, the companies approached NER, an affiliate of the global reinsurance group AXA XL, a division of AXA, to design a custom performance insurance policy that would mitigate technology risk for financiers interested in investing in this revolutionary project and the company's process that can convert 500,000 tpy of waste into 50 million gpy of biofuel .
The Indiana plant superheats and then converts plastic into ultra-low sulfur diesel and naphtha blend stocks, as well as commercial grade wax.
(Source: AXA XL, PR, 23 April, 2019) Contact: AXA AL, www.axaxl.com;
New Energy Risk, (650) 204-4279, contact@newenergyrisk.com, www.newenergyrisk.com;
Brightmark Energy, Bob Powell, CEO, (415) 689-8395, info@brightmarkenergy.com, www.brightmarkenergy.com; RES Polyflow, www,respolyflow.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Brightmark Energy, RES Polyflow, Plastic-to-Fuel,
Under the agreement, QBI will purchase Quantum's newest ten Virtual Pipeline trailers for use in the biogas facility funded by the California Energy Commission.
The project is being developed by QBI and Fiscalini Cheese Company, and will result in the construction of a biofuels production facility to purify and compress biomethane from anaerobic digesters into transportation fuel.
When fully operational, the he project is expected to produce 450 diesel gallon equivalent of CNG per day, According the Quantum,
(Source; Quantum Fuel Systems, BioiEnergy Insights, 25 April, 2019) Contact: Quantum Fuel Systems,
Mark Arnold, Pres., 805-308-6067, www.qtww.com; Quantitative BioSciences Inc., Natalie Cookson, CEO, https://ca.linkedin.com/company/quantitative-biosciences-inc
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas, Methane, Niomethane, Anaerobic Digestion, CNG,
Last Friday, Chicago-headquartered biofuel pioneer Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) reported it may spin off three large dry mill ethanol plants after the unsuccessful search for a buyer came up empty. ADM's move is being seen as a sign of the industry's troubles with U.S. President Trump's punitive tariffs and trade wars, thin margins, overproduction, and the motoring public's growing love affair with electric vehicles and fuel efficient vehicles, all of which is forcing the biofuels industry to seek new markets -- such as China -- for their overproduction.
Last week, U.S. ethanol production hit 1.05 million bpd, highest in at least five years seasonally, and inventories climbed to 22.75 million barrels, not far from the record of 24.45 million hit in March, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
(Source: ADM, Reuters, Grainews, 26 April, 2019)
Contact: ADM, Juan Luciano, Pres., CEO, (312) 634-8100, Collin Benson, VP Bioactives, Jackie Anderson, ADM Media, (217) 424-5413, www.adm.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Archer Daniels Midland , Ethanol, Biofuel,
In reporting the Big Ox shutdown, the Sioux City Journal noted the company owes more than $3 million to the city of Sioux City and has reached out to vendors and suppliers to set up payment plans for outstanding bills. The paper also noted the company's permit to send pre-treated wastewater to Sioux City's regional wastewater treatment plant expires tomorrow, 30 April, and the city has not yet agreed to the company's renewal request. In addition, billing records show that the city has billed Big Ox more than $3.5 million in wastewater fees, fines and late fees since June, when Big Ox stopped making monthly payments. Big Ox also has outstanding sewer, electric and water rates and reportedly missed payments to area vendors.
The company has not indicated when it expects to resume methane production. (Source: Big Ox, Sioux City Journal, 28 April, 2019) Contact: Big Ox Energy, Kevin Bradley, Dir. Bus. Dev.,
(844) 491-1953, info@bigoxenergy.com, www.bicoxenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Big Ox Energy, Biogas, Biofuel, Green Energy Partners,
The suit contends the EPA approved waivers for small refiners that didn't meet the minimum U.S. DOE score to qualify, and improperly considered the debts of small-refiners' parent companies when considering waiver requests. The brief also noted the agency considered small-refiners' operating losses whether or not they were related to RFS compliance. The agency also considered what small refiners might spend on biofuel credits, without looking at revenue the refiners would later generate from sales of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs). Accordingly, the ABA suit asked the court to declare the EPA's methodology for determining disproportionate economic hardship "unlawful" and to strike down the agency's economic "hardship" policy.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct. (Source: ABA, DTN, April, 2019) Contact: Advanced Biofuels Association, www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuels Association, "hardship Waiver: RFS,
According to the EIA, at 33,000 bpd Brazil was the top market for US ethanol,
followed by Canada at approximately 23,000 bpd while India ranked third, receiving 10,000 bpd of US ethanol followed by South Korea and the Netherlands. (Source: US EIA, 25 April, 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, EIA, Biofuel,
MASH produces carbpn-neutral biofuel from the by-products of nut processing in Tanzania and India, as well as other agriculture wastes.
Together the two firms aim to develop a commercially viable alternative to fossil fuels, including testing on a DFDS ferry.
(Source: DFDS A/S , PR, 25 April, 2019) Contact: DFDS A/S, www.dfdsseaways.co.uk; MASH Energy, Jakob Andersen, CEO,www.mash-biotech.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Biofuel, MASH Energy, Biofuel, Bioenergy,
Key topics include: federal initiatives for both solar and wind power; federal initiatives for biopower and biofuels; and common state-level incentives.
Download details and report information HERE.
(Source: Research & Markets, April, 2019)
Contact: Research & Markets,
Laura Wood, (917) 300-0470,
press@researchandmarkets.com, www.researchandmarkets.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, Research and Markets,
Hallador and Pruitt are urging the Indiana republican controlled legislature to include language in the budget bill that would prohibit the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission from considering Obama-era regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the commission's decisions about rates and other issues that could impact the future of coal-generated electricity in the state.
Hallador claims Obama clean air regulations are the reason coal costs more than wind, solar and natural gas. They also claim that once President Trump and current EPA head and former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler are finished gutting the Obama clean air regulations, the price of coal will drop. According to U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) US coal consumption has plummeted to its lowest levels in nearly 40 years and more coal-fired power plants closed in the first two years of the Trump administration than during President Obama's entire first term.
As readers may recall, Pruitt resigned from the EPA in July 2018 after an 18-month tenure best remembered for the seemingly mass handout of Renewable Fuel Standard "hardship" waivers to refineries, spending and ethical scandals. As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance.
(Source: Hallador Energy Company, The Environmental Working Group, 23 April, 20190 Contact: Hallador Energy Company, (303) 839-5504, www.halladorenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Scott Pruitt, Coal,
The new facility will utilize Swedish clean-tech company SEKAB E-Technology's Celluapp platform to extract cellulose sugars and lignin from forest or agricultural residues for processing into biofuels or renewable chemical products. The technology can be used in new biorefineries or to develop existing facilities.
The new Nordfuel biorefinery will produce bioethanol and biogas for the transport sector and lignin to fuel the 390-MW power plant in Haapavesi.
(Source: Norfuel, April, 2019) Contact: Norduel, Antti Vilkuna, CEO, +358 (0)44 0220 919, antti.vilkuna@nordfuel.fi, http://nordfuel.fi/en/biorefinery
More Low-Carbon Energy News Lignin, Biofuel, Nordful Bioethanol,
Greenfield owns and operates four ethanol distilleries, three specialty chemical manufacturing and packaging plants, and three next-generation biofuel and renewable energy R&D centres across North America.
(Source: Greenfield Global, PR, 16 April, 2019) Contact: Greenfield Global, Howard Field, President and CEO, Ken Finegan, Managing Director, Ireland, Andrea Kent, VP Gov.t and Public Relations,
(613) 698-0116, Andrea.Kent@greenfield.com, www.greenfield.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Greenfield Global , Ethanol,
The research team led by Dr. Naseem A. Gaur from the Yeast Biofuel Group at ICGEB , found the NGY10 strain can be metabolically engineered to ferment both hexose and pentose sugars leading to increased production of ethanol using lignocellulose. This will increase the quantity of ethanol produced from lignocellulose and reduce the cost of ethanol production.
DBT-ICGEB is an integrated centre for performing cutting-edge basic research and its translation into reality. It thrives upon ICGEB mandate to perform research in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology and will serve as platform for the synthetic biologists to work in diverese bioenergy areas such as microbial engineering, biochemical engineering, algal engineering and systems biology.
India has targeted 10 pct ethanol-gasoline blend (E10) for moter vehicle fuels by 2022.
(Source: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research, Delhi, The Hindu, April, 2019) Contact: DBT-ICGEB, Ajay Kumar Pandey, +91-11-2674-2357 extn:462, barsebrajesh@icgeb.res.in, www. icgeb-bioenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Yeast, Ethanol,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Yeast, Ethanol,
According to Wheeler, "RIN prices have been relatively low and relatively calm since last spring. So that tells me that there should be less economic harm in the refining industry now than there was a year ago."
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct. (Source: Neb. Rural Radio, Reuters, Others, 14 April, 2019)
Contact: EPA,Administrator Andrew Wheeler, www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epas-acting-administrator
More Low-Carbon Energy News Andrew Wheeler, RFS, RF, Hardship Waivers,
"Sweden is becoming a leading country in decarbonizing aviation with its proposal to introduce a greenhouse gas reduction mandate for aviation fuel sold in Sweden. Together with Air BP we are able to support air transport in Sweden in their efforts, and this collaboration gives both of us valuable insight into developing similar supply chains to decarbonize aviation in other markets," according to Neste President and CEO Peter Vanacker.
Air BP is the specialised aviation division of BP. Air BP services are available at over 1000 airport locations in 70 countries and serves airlines, commercial aviation and general aviation.
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a cost competitive, low-carbon fuel produced from 100 pct renewable and sustainable raw materials that cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 pct compared to petroleum diesel. (Source: Air BP, Innovators, 15 April, 2019) Contact: Air BP, Jon Platt, CEO, +27 (11) 488 5111, www.bp.com/en/global/bp-air.html; Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel, Jet Biofuel, Neste, BP,
All vehicles that are to be outfitted with dynaCERT's HydraGEN Technology are highway tractors that on avergae consume 198,000 gpy of diesel fuel and produce over 2,000 tpy of GHGs.
According to Newport's Trevor McCagherty, "This purchase is part of our overall strategy that is looking to transform single-use plastics into synthetic fuel to be used to power our fleet and lower our carbon footprint. Our team is familiar with the benefits provided by hydrogen enhanced combustion. HydraGEN™ Technology is particularly important to us as a proven catalyst which increases the burn rate while reducing emissions and improving torque and power. As the company continues to look at developing alternative fuel mixtures, HydraGEN Technology can enhance all our endeavors including in synthetic diesel as well as in biofuels. What becomes even more interesting is the ability of the patent-pending HydraGEN Technology to measure and track GHG reduction," McCagherty added.
dynaCERT Inc. manufactures, distributes, and installs Carbon Emission Reduction Technology for use with internal combustion engines. The technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through electrolysis and supplies these through the air intake to enhance combustion, resulting in lower carbon emissions and greater fuel efficiency.
(Source: dynaCERT Inc., PR 11 April, 2019) Contact: dynaCERT Inc. Jim Payne, CEO,
(416) 766-9691 x 2,
jpayne@dynaCERT.com, www.dynaCERT.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News dynaCERT, HydraGEN , CO2 Emissions,
The storage tanks each have a capacity of 3400 m3, a diameter of 12 m and are 30 m in height. The first four tanks are currently being constructed in the conditioned production hall at the RDM site in Rotterdam and will be followed quickly by the final two tanks. The completely finished tanks will then be transported by water and installed in the foundations at HBTT in Botlek.
The new project follows their 2017 partnership in which seven fully-assembled tanks with a joint capacity of 70 000 m3 were delivered.
HBTT is the first terminal in the Netherlands to hold the ISO 28001 certificate. (Source: HES Botlek Tank Terminal, PR, Hydrocarbon Engineering, 11 April 2019) Contact: HES Botlek Tank Terminal, Charles Smissaert, General Manager, +31 71 302 0141, www.hesinternational.eu/hes-botlek-tank-terminal
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,
Muradel developed Green2Black, a proprietary way of producing biofuel from biosolids, algae and other sustainable feedstocks. The company's $10.5 million demonstration plant in Whyalla in a bid to commercialize the technology which received $4.5 million in grant funding from the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and more than $500,000 in state and council funds. Unfortunately, production costs were prohibitive - the pilot plant produced oil from micro-algae at about $9.90 a litre against a projected cost of less than $1 a litre. The company also built five algae ponds to support research.
The business was established in 2010 by the University of Adelaide, Murdoch University and majority shareholder SQC Pty Ltd, which is solely funded by Aban Australia Pty Ltd. (part of the Ausker Group of Companies).(Source: Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser, Others, 9 April, 2019) Contact: Muradel, +61 8 8645 5683, www.muradel.com.au
More Low-Carbon Energy News Muradel, Biofuel, Algae,
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue was commenting on the progress of his "positive" talks with China about reducing Beijing's 70 pct "retaliatory" tariff on U.S. ethanol products.
In his comments, Perdue also noted that he wanted the EPA to more tightly control its use of small refinery "hardship" waivers that exempt plants from their obligation to blend biofuels like corn-based ethanol under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Perdue added that he'd discussed the matter with EPA chief Andrew Wheeler. (Source: Voice of America, NASDAQ, 9 April,
Contact: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, (202) 720-2791 -- general information, https://twitter.com/SecretarySonny, www.whitehouse.gov/people/sonny-perdue
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, Corn Ethanol,
According to the release, "Malaysia has argued that the law discriminates against biofuels and bioliquids produced from palm oil and other oil crops. There is also significant lack of scientific data and reliable information used in the Delegated Regulation which classifies palm oil production as a high Indirect Land Use Change risk biofuel feedstock."
"Malaysia urges the European Union to provide equitable treatment across all oil crop biofuels and bioliquids in line with the World Trade Organization non-discriminative principles. Malaysia will continue to overcome disruptive and discriminatory practices on suppressing the palm oil trade," the release added. (Source: Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, Bernama, Sun Daily, 6 April, 2019) Contact: Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, www.cpopc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biochemical, Palm Oil, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries ,
The newly approved funds begin the second phase of negotiations, providing Honeywell up to $4.2 million to solidify the design and provide more precise information on the project scope and financials. The other $1.5 million is for the university to hire experts for its own work on the project. Once the second phase is completed, Honeywell will provide "a firm fixed price" for the Board's approval.
The energy system conversion is being driven in part by University of Maine's goal of virtually eliminating net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Honeywell says its project will achieve 85 percent of that goal. The university presently spends $10 million +- per year on electricity and heat. That expense could be cut to $4.3 million with a proposed new biomass power plant and solar array.
The proposed on campus 6-MW central heating and power plant would burn approximately 70,000 tpy of wood chips from sustainably harvested local timber. The CHP plant would use natural gas and oil or liquid biofuels as backups for its boilers, as well as the 40MW solar array. A similar but smaller biomass facility at the University of Maine at Farmington campus burns 4,000 tpy of locally harvested hardwood chips, and replaced nearly 400,000 gallons of oil. (Source: University of Maine, Portland Press Herald, 5 April, 2019) Contact: University of Maine Orono, https://umaine.edu; Honeywell, www.honeywell.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News University of Maine, Honeywell, Renewable Energy,
Gen3Bio has been accepted into two accelerator programs focused on advancing new environmentally friendly technologies -- the BREW in Milwaukee and Carbontech Labs in San Francisco.
The BREW accelerator, sponsored by The Water Council, focuses on fresh water, wastewater treatment and water treatment technologies.The BREW accelerator offers selected companies $50,000 in funds, connections to office and research space, and access to mentors. At the end of the program in June, Gen3bio, along with the other participants, will pitch their technologies to a panel of investors.
Gen3Bio received assistance from the Purdue Foundry, a startup accelerator that works with any Indiana-based company. The technology is patented and exclusively licensed from the University of Toledo.
(Source: Gen3Bio, Purdue News Service, 4 April, 2019) Contact: Gen3Bio, Kelvin Okamoto, kokamoto@gen3bio.com; Purdue Research Foundation, Tom Coyne, (765) 588-1044, tjcoyne@prf.org, www.prf.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bio3Gen, Algae, Biofuel, Biochemical, Purdue University ,
According to the researchers, the development and commercialization of algae-to-fuel technology has not been developed further because the process by which the oils were extracted from the plants was too costly to be economically viable. However, the new technique developed by Dr. Mohanty and his colleagues may change all that.
"Typically when you take algae you have to go through this drying or dewatering step. What we decided is 'Well, what if I could just take the algae, feed it into this mixer and extract the bio-crude directly without using the energy needed to dewater it as in traditional methods?' Basically what we do is we have a solvent in one end and we have the algae with the water in another end and we shoot them into this little mixer at high velocities. What comes out is basically a slurry of stuff that if you let sit or put into a centrifuge, you can just pull the oil off and process it for fuel," Mohanty noted.
The fuels produced through this process burns cleaner than petroleum diesel in most ways and could potentially replace petroleum diesel in many vehicles,
Mohanty said.
(Source: University of Utah, Utah Public Radio, 4 April, 2019) Contact: University of Utah, Dr. Swomitra Kumar Mohanty,
Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, (801) 587-7299,
s.k.mohanty@utah.edu,
www.utah.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae, Biofuel,
According to the POET release, in its more than 30-year history, POET has continually found ways to make biofuel production more efficient at its network of 27 bioprocessing facilities and to develop new co-products and new sources for biofuel. POET, through its joint venture with Dutch biotechnology company DSM, also operates a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, Project LIBERTY, in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
The Global Bioeconomy Leadership Award was established by Biofuels Digest and Nuu Media to recognize individuals who offer a bold vision and have made a global impact in the biotechnology space. (Source: POET, Vital, 4 April, 2019) Contact: POET, Jeff Broin, Pres., (605) 965-2200, www.poet.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News POET, Biofuel, Ethanol,
This announcement does not represent any change or amendment to Gevo's consolidated, audited financial statements or to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. (Source: Gevo, PR, Nasdaq, 1 April, 2019) Contact: Gevo, Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO, (303) 858-3358, info@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO, Biofuel, Biobutanol, Ethanol,
"These new findings provide further evidence that biofuels from America's heartland reduce greenhouse gases even more than we thought, and that our farmers and ethanol plants continue to become more efficient and effective," said Secretary Sonny Perdue. "Expanding the sale of E15 year-round will provide consumers with more choices when they fill up at the pump, including environmentally friendly fuel with decreased emissions. I appreciate EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler moving expeditiously to finalize the E-15 rule before the start of summer driving season," Perdue added.
The study, led by Dr. Jan Lewandrowski of USDA's Office of the Chief Economist, and published in the journal Biofuels, supports findings of other research that ethanol has a significantly better GHG profile than previously estimated.
The study attributes much of these additional benefits to revised estimates of the impacts of land-use change as a result of demand for ethanol. Where previous estimates anticipated farmers bringing additional land into production as a result of increased corn prices, recent analysis finds only modest increases in crop acreage. Additional improvements at ethanol refineries, combined with on-farm conservation practices that reduce GHG emissions, such as reduced tillage and cover crops, have further decreased emissions associated with corn ethanol. The study projects that with added improvements in refineries and on farms, a reduction of over 70 pct in lifecycle emissions is possible by 2022.
The study is available for download HERE. Additional information on the greenhouse gas profile of biofuels is available at www.usda.gov/oce/oeep. (Source: USDA, 2 April, 2019) Contact: USDA, www.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Ethanol, Corn Ethanol, Carbon Emissions, GHGs,
Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. is a publicly traded company that holds the exclusive license for the global rights to a transformational, patent-pending, technology engineered to convert garbage-derived feedstocks to renewable diesel, at a significantly lower cost than biofuel companies. With landfills being one of the world's leading contributors to Green House Gas emissions and being projected to double in size over the next 7 years, Cielo can potentially resolve this crisis on a cost-effective basis by converting multiple different garbage-derived feedstocks, including sorted municipal solid waste (garbage), wood and agriculture waste, tires, blue-box waste, all plastics and virtually any other cellulous waste product into high grade renewable diesel, according to Cielo.
(Source: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp., PR, 1 April, 2019) Contact: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp., Don Allan, President & CEO,
(403) 348-2972 Ext. 101, donallan@cielows.com,
www.cielows.com; Renewable U Energy, Lionel Robins, www.motivateu.ca/renewableu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cielo, Renewable Diesel,
Each member state has its own individual renewable energy goal ranging from 10 to 49 pct based on its situation and potential. While 11 countries in the bloc have already surpassed their targets, others are lagging behind, according to Eurostat.
With the target for 2030 at 32 pct, Eurostat notes, "While the EU as a whole is on course to meet its 2020 targets, some member states will need to make additional efforts to meet their obligations."
Specifically, the EU's renewable energy leaders are Nordic countries: Sweden, Finland and Denmark with more than half of the total energy consumed coming from renewables -- primarily hydropower, wind and biofuels.
Luxembourg and the Netherlands are the EU countries with the lowest consumption of renewables, at 6.4 pct and 6.6 pct respectively. Despite its investment in offshore wind farms, the Netherlands is the furthest from reaching its targets.
In 2017 France reached 16.3 pct of energy consumption from renewables, compared to its 23 pct target for 2020. Woody biomass and hydropower are the main sources of green energy in France which sources 70 pct of its electricity from nuclear. Even so, France has committed to closing 14 nuclear reactors by 2035 and shutting down four still-active coal power plants by 2022.
Germany's renewable energy, which comes mainly from wind and solar power, reached just 15.5 pct in 2017, while its 2020 objective is set at 18 pct. Coal still accounts for 37 pct of Germany's electric power production and more than 30 pct of its heating.
(Source: EuroStat, France 24, Mar., 2019)
Contact: Eurostat, http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
More Low-Carbon Energy News EuroStat, Renewable Energy,
The plant would convert 2,000 tpd of woody biomass, wood waste and forest residue into synthetic gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel through a thermo-catalytic conversion.
The plant would convert 2,000 tpd of woody biomass, wood waste and forest residue into synthetic gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel through a thermo-catalytic conversion.
The Board of Commissioners would support TBIOCC's pre-application for a $25 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the entity established to disburse $1.5 billion in BP fine dollars into eight Northwest Florida counties.
The Board of Commissioners would also facilitate acquisition of 116-acre site for the biorefinery.
(Source: BioCarburante Company, Port of St.Joe Star, 28 Mar., 2019) Contact: BioCarburante Company, Larry Hess, CEO, www.biocarburante.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass, Biofuel, Biorefinery,
In 2017-2018 KSG Agro installed nine biofuel boiler houses with a total capacity of 8.35 MW, which produce more than 1,000 Gcal of heat per 160-day heating (160 days). (Source: KSG Argo, Ukraine Open for Business, 28 Mar., 2019) Contact: KSG Agro, +380 56 787 07 31, +380 56 787 07 32, info@ksgagro.com, www.ksgagro.com/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass, Wood Pellet,
The report also discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, the challenges and the risks faced by key players and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development.
Download PDF Brochure of Bio-butanol Market Research Report HERE.
Browse more detail information about Bio-butanol Market Report HERE.
(Source: Coherent Market Insights, PR, NewsTender, 23 Mar., 2019) Contact: Coherent Markets Insights, www.coherentmarketinsights.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bio-butanol, Butanol, Biofuel,
"It has been reported by several sources that ethanol supplies in several markets in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest have become very tight and ethanol prices have risen in those markets because of the supply situation. Additionally, markets in Texas are now solely providing finished ethanol-free gasoline, usually sold at a cost of 20-40 cents higher than regular ethanol blended fuel, as a result of these supply disruptions.
"This situation is not being caused by a lack of ethanol production or supply at the more than 200 ethanol facilities in the U.S. In fact, the logistics problems these plants face could force plants to reduce production as their storage capacity becomes fully utilized.
"While we certainly understand and appreciate that these rail issues have been caused by the calamitous flooding currently occurring in the Midwest, it is imperative that all possible actions be taken by the nation's railroads to ensure that these critical fuel supplies are immediately prioritized and reach markets as quickly as possible. Further delays could not only impact our industry but could ultimately increase fuel costs for American drivers.
"We would be happy to work with you and your staff to provide any further information you may need and to get biofuels into the hands of American drivers." (signed) Emily Skor (Source: Growth Energy ,PR, 22 Mar. 2019) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, Elizabeth Funderburk,
(202) 545-4000, EFunderburk@GrowthEnergy.org, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Ethanol,
SODRA previously committed to investing in liquid biofuel production through its joint ventures SunPine and Norway's Silva Green Fuel, as well as by producing its own biomethanol. SunPine was first in the world to extract biodiesel from crude tall oil.
(Source: SODRA, 26 Mar., 2019) Contact: Sodra, Henrik Brodin, Project Mgr., +46 (0) 70 646 33 37, www.sodra.com;
SunPine, +46 911 23 28 00, www.sunpine.se/en; Silva Green Fuel, + 47 24 06 70 00, www.silvagreenfuel.no
More Low-Carbon Energy News Silva Green Fuel, SunPine, Clean Transportation Fuel, Sodra, Biofuel,
Cellulose, an abundant polymer that forms the cell walls of plants is the main component in the new biofuel.
Although the researchers produced the biofuel at a laboratory scale they believe that the process' cheap, abundant cellulose feedstock, fewer production steps, and lower energy cost and consumption mean it will soon be ready for commercial use. They also predict it will yield higher profits than conventional aviation fuel due to lower production costs.
(Source: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, ANI, Green Car Congress, Siasat Daily, 23 Mar., 2019) Contact: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Ning Li, +86 411-
8437-9598, english.dicp.cas.cn
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel, Jet Biofuel, Cellulosic,
According to the American Coalition for Ethanol the EPA's position is "disappointing and has caused a lot of ethanol demand destruction."
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. In 2017, the number of small refineries filing for exemptions retroactively for 2016 jumped from 14 the previous year to 20. The rate in which EPA granted these petitions also increased dramatically from 53 pct to 95 pct.
(Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, EPA, WNAX Radio, 25 Mar., 2019) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, Ron Lamberty, VP, (605) 334-3381, https://ethanol.org.
More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol, RFS, Hardship Waivers, Biofuel Blend,
GoodFuels' BFO is a direct "drop-in" replacement for heavy fuel oil suitable for every type of vessel, without requiring any modifications to engine room equipment.
The new partnership will see VARO help scale the sourcing, production, blending and distribution of GoodFuels BFO across the ARA region. In the meantime, GoodFuels will continue to focus on the sourcing of sustainable feedstocks for the BFO, and the sale, marketing and product development of new sustainable fuel solutions.
(Source: GoodFuels, Bumkerspot, 20 Mar., 2019) Contact: GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 (0) 85 8000 238, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com;
VARO Energy, REINPLUS FIWADO Bunker, www.reinplusfiwado.com/nl; VARO Energy, www.varoenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News GoodFuels, Marine Biofuel,
"It's extremely disappointing and outrageous to see EPA once again allow oil refiners to undermine the RFS and hurt family farms, ethanol producers and our environment by exploiting and abusing a statutory provision that exempts them from their obligations to blend renewable fuels. The RFS was created to preserve the environment, protect America's energy security and give Americans more affordable options at the pump. These exemptions undercut those goals, and today's exemptions mean more than 2.6 billion gallons of RFS blending obligations have been erased with the stroke of EPA's pen. RFA will continue to fight these exemptions through the courts and urge EPA to adopt a more judicious and restrained decision-making process on refiner exemptions, as well as restore lost volume obligations from previous years."
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance.(Source: Renewable Fuels Association, 21 Mar., 2019) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, Pres., (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, EPA, RFS Hardship Waiver, Biofuel Blend,
The report was authored by John Urbanchuck, managing partner at ABF Economics.
As we reported on 23 Jan., 2019, 2018 was a record year for ethanol production in Iowa with the state's ethanol production facilities producing 4.35 billion gallons -- 150 million gallons more than 2017 and 150 million gallons short of capacity. The Hawkeye State produces about 27 pct of total U.S. ethanol production.
Iowa's two cellulosic ethanol and 41 corn ethanol plants use more than 1.3 billion bpy of corn. Iowa also produced a record 365 million gallons of biodiesel in 2018 (Source: Iowa Renewable Fuels Assoc., Mar., 2019) Contact: IRFA, Monte Shaw, Exec. Dir., info@IowaRFA.org, (515) 252-6249, www.iowarfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa Biofuel, Monte Shaw, IRFA,
The fuel blend, which will eliminate 1.5 million kg of CO2 and 20,000 kg of sulfur emissions,
is being supplied by Shell which, along with the other partners in the project -- Friesland Campina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, and Unilever -- is a member of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC). (Source: A.P. Moller -- Maersk A/S, Marinelog, Various Others, 22 Mar., 2019) Contact: A.P. Moller -- Maersk.
Soren Toft, CEO, www.maersk.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Marine Biofuel, Biofuel Blend,
Project Wheatland received $5 million for a $285 million biofuels plant being developed by Carbon Clean Energy (CCE). The plant will produce 16 million lpy of denatured ethanol for fuel blending, as well as 1.76 mmBtu of biogas and 12MWh of green power generation per year.
ERA also granted over $2 million to British Columbia-based SYLVIS Environmental Service's BIOSALIX which process uses municipal biosolids and other organic residuals as supplements to existing topsoil and feedstocks in topsoil production in order to grow willow wood biomass crops on reclaimed mine land. The biomass can then be used as feedstock in clean energy, reclamation or bioproducts development, according to the company.
(Source: Emissions Reduction Alberta, Various Media, Biofuels Int'l, 19 Mar., 2019)
Contact: Emissions Reduction Alberta, (780)498-2068, info@eralberta.ca, www.eralberta.ca;
SYLVIS Environmental Service, (604) 777-9788, www.sylvis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, , Wheat Ethanol ,
Nopalimex uses around 8 tpd of methane to fuel its biodigestor, cactus chip production, and other operations.
The company is also testing the leftover mixture in local government vehicles.
According to the company, its biogas will cost just 12 pesos ( $0.65) per liter, around a third cheaper than the cost of regular gasoline.(Source: Nopalimex, Action News Now, 19 Mar., 2019) Contact: Nopalimex, 551-951-0121, www.nopalimexgasyenergia.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Nopalimex, Cactus Biofuel, Biofuel,
EPA is also proposing regulatory changes to modify elements of the renewable identification number compliance system under the Renewable Fuel Standard program to enhance transparency in the market and deter price manipulation. Proposed reforms to RIN markets include: prohibiting certain parties from being able to purchase separated RINs; requiring public disclosure when RIN holdings exceed specified thresholds; limiting the length of time a non-obligated party can hold RINs; and increasing the compliance frequency of the program from once annually to quarterly.
Download details on proposed rulemaking HERE. (Source: US EPA, Irrigation & Green Energy, Mar., 2019) Contact: US EPA, www.epa.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News E-15, E15, Biofuel Blend, EPA, Alternative Buels, Renewable Fuel, Biofuel,
The EC concluded that 45 percent of the expansion of palm oil production since 2008 led to destruction of forests, wetlands or peatlands and resultant greenhouse gas releases.
The EC has added a number of exemptions which mean some palm oil could still be promoted as a green fuel, under certain conditions including allowing additional palm oil production coming from yield increases or produced on unused land to still qualify as green.
Although once seen as the main tool by which the EU could decarbonize road transport, and given generous subsidies under the 28-member trading bloc's Renewable Energy Directive over a decade ago,
many environmentalists are reportedly pushing the EU to ban crop-based biofuels and move instead to incentivizing second-generation, cellulosic biofuels.
(Source: EU, European Biodiesel Board, Successful Farning, Forbes, 14 Mar., 2019) Contact: European Biodiesel Board, www.ebb-eu.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission, Palm Oil, Biodiesel, European Biodiesel Board,
Pacific Ethanol, which operates 10 biorefineries in six states, did not specify which plants might be sold.
(Source: Pacific Ethanol, Others, Seeking Alpha, 13 Mar., 2019)
Contact: Piper Jaffray, www.piperjaffray.com; Pacific Ethanol, Paul Kohler, Pres., CEO, (916) 403-2790, investorrelations@pacificethanol.com, www.pacificethanol.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pacific Ethanol, Piper Jaffray, Ethanol, Biofuel,
The Red Rock Biofuels facility will convert more than 136,000 tpy of biomass into 15.1 million gpy of renewable fuels. (Source: John Wood, Alliance News, 12 Mar., 2019)
Contact: IR1 Group LLC, (970) 223-6766,
https://ir1group.com; John Wood Group, www.woodgroup.cpm
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel, John Wood Group, Red Rock Biofuel, Biofuel,
The fuel being tested has been developed by sustainable marine biofuels producer GoodFuels. The second-generation biofuel oil is completely derived from forest residues and waste oil products and, in addition to virtually eliminating SOx emissions, is expected to deliver 80-90 pct well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents without engine modifications.
The program aims to demonstrate the scalability, sustainability and technical compliance of sustainable marine biofuel oil, and thereby spur the wider continued development of realistic options to curb GHG and SOx emissions from shipping.
(Source: Bunkerspot, Mar., 2019) Contact: Port of Rotterdam, Allard Castelein, CEO, www.portofrotterdam.com/en;
GoodShipping Program, info@goodshipping.org; https://goodshipping.org; GoodFuels, Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO, +31 (0) 85 8000 238, info@goodfuels.com, www.goodfuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Goodfuels, Marine Goodshipping Program, Biofuel, Maritime Biofuel, GoodFuels,