The demo facility, which is expected to come in at approximately NOK 500 million ($60.3 million) will use Danish-Canadian company Steeper Energy technology. Construction is slated to get underway in February 2018 for completion in 2019.
Sodra and Statkraft formed the joint venture company Silva Green Fuel AS in 2015 to establish future commercial production of advanced biofuel based on forest raw materials. The capacity of a full-scale production line will be between 100 and 150 million lpy of biofuel. (Source: Statkraft AS, 15 Dec., 2017) Contact: Statkraft, +47 91370572, www.statkraft.com; Sodra, Christen Grønvold-Hansen, Project Director , +46 (0)70 646 33 37, www.sodra.com/en;
Steeper Energy, http://steeperenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Statkraft, Sodra, Woody Biomass, Biofuel,
The researchers are studying Rhodococcus opacus, a bacteria originally discovered growing on toxic compounds outside a chemical plant. These bacteria thrive on these toxic compounds, using them as a source of food for the production of biofuels that
not compete with the food supply.The researchers will engineer microbes to make biofuels from lignin, millions of tons of which are generated yearly from paper making and lignocellulose-based biofuel industries. Currently, the value of lignin is restricted to its application as a fuel for on-site boiler operations. (Source: Washington University St. Louis, PR, 11 Dec., 2017) Contact: Washington University St. Louis, Diane Duke Williams, Associate Director for Media Relations, (314) 286-0111, williamsdia@wustl.edu, www.wustl.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Cellulosic, Bacteria, Ethanol, Biofuel R&D,
This round of testing is specifically designed to enable the greater displacement of petroleum-based jet fuel by bio-based hydrocarbon fuels with similar performance characteristics to commonly used petroleum-based fuels, albeit with reductions in particulate matter and other air quality related emissions. Accoding to GEVO, its ATJ has the potential to improve performance by providing greater energy density which translates into better mileage.
Evandale, Ohio-based GE Aviation is a part of General Electric Company, and is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. (Source: GEVO, PR, 11 Dec., 2017) Contact: GE Aviation, www.geaviation.com; GEVO, Pat Gruber, CEO, (303) 858-3358, info@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News FAA, GEVO, Aviation Biofuel, Isobutanol, GE Aviation,
Gasoline supplied in India is already blended with ethanol and methanol-blended automotive fuel (petrol and diesel) in various blended percentages ranging from 3 to 85 pct is already in use in a few markets.
(Source: Autocar India, 11 Dec., 2017)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Methanol, Methanol Blend, Biofuel,
The increase is in keeping with the province's effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions from fuels.
The province's refineries
are currently blending up to 7 -- 8 pct ethanol in their regular grade gasoline.
(Source: Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Globe & Mail, Various Others , Dec.2017) Contact: Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, (416) 325-4000, www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-environment-and-climate-change
More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol, Ethanol Blend, Biofuel, Ontario Ethanol,
The fuel qualifies under both the biomass-based diesel and the "other advanced biofuels" category in meeting the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).
Pearson will wholesale the fuel to retailers, fuel distributors, and municipalities in both California and Oregon. The first several rail cars of Renewable Diesel have already started shipping to these West Coast markets.
(Source: East Kansas Agri-Energy, PR, Dec., 2017) Contact: EKAE, Bill Pracht, Pres., CEO, (785) 448-2888, www.ekaellc.com; Pearson Fuels, (619) 521-2411,
www.pearsonfuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News East Kansas Agri-Energy, Pearson Fuels, Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel,
The campaign describes bifuels as "the fastest and easiest way" to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gases and calls for Canada's present 5 pct ethanol blend mandate raised to 10 pct (E10).
Renewable Industries Canada, founded in 1984 as the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, represents the leaders of Canada's bioeconomy -- producers of renewable fuels and value added products that reduce GHG emissions.
RIC members provide renewable, clean-burning biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel -- fuels that help fight climate change and combat pollution and smog. At the same time, they produce value added products from renewable resources and continuously innovate to provide environmental and economic benefits.
The organization aims to promote the use of value-added products made from renewable resources through consumer awareness and government liaison activities.
(Source: Renewable Industries Canada, Dec., 2017)
Contact: Renewable Industries Canada, (833) 446-3385, www.ricanada.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Industries Canada, Ethanol Blend,
The proposed targets include a required 15 to 20 pct total reduction in carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2030, as well as potential amendments regarding cost containment, refinery improvements, biojet recognition, and non-fuel credit generating activities.
The RLCFRR includes a renewable fuel mandate -- 5 pct in gasoline, 4 pct in diesel -- as well as a 10 pct below 2010 by 2020 low carbon fuel standard which was considered
"possible, but challenging."
(Source: Advanced Biofuels Canada, EIN, Dec., 2017)
Contact: Advanced Biofuels Canada, Ian Thomson, President, (604) 947-0040,
(778) 233-3889 , ithomson@advancedbiofuels.ca, www.advancedbiofuels.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuels Canada, Low Carbon Fuel,
The sustainable fuel option for delivery flights was developed by Airbus in association with Air Total, the aviation subsidiary of the global energy operator. To date, Airbus has delivered 21 aircraft using the biofuel blend.
Airbus plans to offer the biofuel delivery option from it other internation facilities in the near future.
(Source: China Airlines, ADS Advance, 1 Dec., 2017) Contact: China Airlines, www.airchina.ca; Airbus, +33 5 81 31 75 00, www.airbus.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Jet Biofuel, Aviation Biofuel,
Edeniq's enzyme technology enables co-production of starch ethanol and cellulosic ethanol at existing corn ethanol production facilities. (Source: Edeniq, PR, 6 Dec., 2017) Contact: Mid America Agri Product, (308) 326-4570; Edeniq, Sasha Forsen, (402) 935-3087, sforsen@edeniq.com, www.edeniq.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RINs, RFS, Edeniq, Cellulosic Biofuel,
The All-Gas Project, which aims to demonstrate the commercial-scale production of biofuels and biogas based on the cultivation of low cost algae,
has begun its demonstration phase and has to date exceeded its initial objectives and sustainability converted waste "dirty" water into raw materials with added value, thus providing an innovative and environment-friendly process for biofuel production.
(Source: All-Gas Project, Bioenergy Insight, 1 Dec., 2017) Contact: All-Gas Project, www.all-gas.eu; Aquila, www.aqualia.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae, Biofuel, Biogas,
The company claimed losses had risen due to government delays in raising the present 5 pct mandatory bioethanol-gasoline blend rate to 10 pct. The Department for Transport says it was "on track" to double the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to 10 pct by 2020.
"If the government does not increase the blend level to 9.75 pct and actively support the introduction of E10, the industry will be left in an unsustainable situation with excess capacity and there are likely to be casualties," according to a Vivergo statement.
(Source: Vivergo, BBC, 5 Dec., 2017)Contact: Vivergo Fuels, +44 01482 700800, www.vivergofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Vivergo, Ethanol, Bioethanol, Ethanol Blend,
Led by professor Amit Gross, chair of the Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology at the Zuckerberg Institute, a team analyzed two biofuel types and found poultry waste processed as hydrochar produced 24 pct higher net energy generation.
The solid product of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of hydrochar generates heat at high temperatures, and mimics natural coal formation, the researchers say.
(Source: Ben-Gurion University, GEEK.com. 4 Dec., 2017) Contact: Ben-Gurion University, +972 8 646 1600, Phd. Candidate, in.bgu.ac.il; Zuckerberg Institute, Prof. Amit Gross, amgross@bgu.ac.il
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy, Biofuel,
The 60 million gpy biodiesel plant will be constructed next to Cargill's oilseed processing plant and replaces an existing oil refinery managed by Cargill's Global Edible Oil business which will be relocated to others Cargill facilities, according to a Cargill release. (Source: Cargill, High Plains Midwest Ag Journal, Others, 1 Dec., 2017) Contact: Cargill, Frank van Lierde, Exec. VP, www.cargill.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel, Cargill, Oil Seed, Biofuel,
The 50/50 JV will own and operate the Terminal Copersucar de Etanol in Paulínia in Sao Paulo State, which is currently solely owned by Copersucar. Joint ownership of the terminal will support the strategies of both companies by connecting ethanol production with flexible storage capacity close to the main ethanol consumer markets in Brazil. the Paulínia terminal has ten tanks with a total storage capacity of 180 million litres of ethanol and moves around 2.3 billion litres per year.
Financial and other details have not been released. The deal is subject to regulatory and other approvals.
(Source: BP, Hellenic Shipping News, 30 Nov., 2017) Contact: BP, www.bp.com; Copersucar, +55 11 2618 8166, www.copersucar.com.br/eng
More Low-Carbon Energy News BP Biofuels , Copersucar, Ethanol,
BETO has identified inconsistent feeding, handling, and initial conversion operations at IBRs as limiting factors in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals. According to the agency, IBR development and operation have suffered from failure to account for the complexity and variability of feedstock properties and composition and from a lack of fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry of biomass-derived feedstock pre-processing and subsequent deconstruction, combined with poor equipment design and flawed integration. Solving this significant current challenge is essential for advanced biofuels to fully reach their potential and for the economic benefits of new jobs and improved security of our fuel supply to be realized, the agency says.
The Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) is an integrated and collaborative network of eight national laboratories dedicated to addressing technical risks in developing and scaling up biomass harvest, storage, preprocessing and conversion technologies with the goal of improving the overall operational reliability of integrated pioneer biorefineries. FCIC laboratories members include, Idaho National Laboratory , National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories. (Source: US DOE, BETO, Nov., 2017) Contact: FCIC, https://fcic.inl.gov; BETO Multi-Year Program Plan HERE.
More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, Biofuel, Biofuel Feedstock, Bioenergy Feedstock,
Biodiesel reportedly accounts for 80 pct of all biofuels used in the EU , approximately one-third of which comes from palm oil. The remaining 20 pct produced from regionally sourced sugar beet, wheat, and others. The scientists also credit biofuels for habitat and biodiversity loss, reducing the region's resilience to local climatic conditions, undermining food security and increasing prices, and concentrating land in the hands of multinational companies at the expense of small-scale farmers.
The 177 scientists also call for the government to acknowledge the damage caused by EU biofuels policy and abandon them in the EU's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda later this month.
(Source: Various Media, EURACTIV, Dec., 2017)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, EU Biofuel, Biofuel Blend, Ethanol,
The company holds approximately 2.3 million hectares of land in Sweden and about 100,000 hectares in Latvia.
(Source: Stora Enso, Biofuels Int'l, 24 Nov., 2017) Contact: Stora Enso Biomaterials, Juan Carlos Bueno, EVP, +55 11 3065 5223, www.storaenso.com; Bergvik Skog, Henrik Sundstrom, CEO,
+46 23 583 00, www.bergvikskog.se/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Stora Enso, Woody Biomass,
The company's technology delivers sustainable and renewable advanced algae products such as proteins for consumption and biofuel oils for biodiesel transportation fuel and power generation, according to the company website.
(Source: Algae.Tec, Stockhead, 28 Nov., 2017) Contact: Algae.Tec, Malcomb James, CEO, +61 (08) 9380 6790, (678) 679-7370 -- U.S. Office, admin@algaetec.com.au, www.algaetec.com.au
More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae.Tec, Algae Biofuel, Algae, Biodiesel,
The Industry Committee also favoured a 10 pct blending mandate for advanced biofuels fuels and renewable electricity and widening the definition of advanced biofuels to anything that is not produced from food or feed crops. Under such a definition, unsustainable feedstocks, including co-products of the palm oil industry would qualify as advanced biofuels. In principle, the raw materials for advanced biofuels should be limited to waste and residues, which comply with the waste hierarchy, cascading use and strong sustainability criteria.
The Industry Committee also supports a 12 pct target for renewable energy in transport by 2030. The current 2020 target for renewables in transport is set at 10 pct. The share of biofuels in transport was 4,2 pct in 2015. (Source: OXFAM, EU, WebWire, Various Media, 28 Nov., 2017)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Parliment, Biofuel Feed Crop,
"The latest news comes from the European Environment Agency, which reported this month that GHG emissions have risen for the third year in a row in the EU. Everyone from European Commission VP, Maros Sefcovic, to environmental lobby groups, is warning that we need to do more.
"By proposing a low-emissions fuel blending obligation of just 6.8 pct by 2030, starting from 1.5 pct in 2021, it would leave most of the transport energy mix taken up by fossil fuels.
"Yet, at the same time, they are proposing policies that would achieve less. The EC wants to reduce all crop-based biofuels -- even the ones like renewable European ethanol that deliver high GHG savings with low risk of adverse impact to almost nothing by 2030. And by proposing a low-emissions fuel blending obligation of just 6.8 pct by 2030, starting from 1.5 pct in 2021, it would leave most of the transport energy mix taken up by fossil fuels.
The European Parliament's various committees have been weighing in with their opinions over the last couple of months. The environment committee, the lead panel on the biofuels file, wants to go even further than the Commission, and phase out crop-based biofuels entirely by 2030.
"The transport committee could not find agreement on the environment committee language and ended up rejecting its own draft opinion on the legislation. This week the industry, research and energy committee and lead on the entire Renewable Energy Directive, will vote. Even traditional political groups are divided on the issue.
"The swirl of differing opinions means the RP may not have a clear line on this important issue going into plenary vote in January (2018). But it is not too late for MEPs to find common ground and move closer to what EU Member States want and have articulated coherently in their draft position: build on the success of the existing framework, leave in place the 7 percent cap on crop-based biofuels, and promote advanced biofuels and renewable electricity in addition to, not at the expense of, existing solutions."
(Source: ePure, Politico, 23 Nov., 2017) Contact: European Renewable Ethanol Assoc. (ePURE), Emmanuel Desplechin, Sec. Gen., +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org,
www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE, Biofuel, EU,
Ethtec is developing advanced biofuel production technology for the commercial-scale production of ethanol and other high-value fermentation products from crop stubbles, cotton gin trash, timber residues and sugar cane bagasse, and other lignocellulosic materials.
Ethtec has partnered with Apace Research Limited, the University of Newcastle's Institute for Energy and Resources and School of Environmental and Life Sciences as well as with Muswellbrook Shire Council to complete the project.
(Source: Ethanol Technologies, Prime Mover, 23 Nov., 2017) Contact: Ethanol Technologies, Dr. Russell Reeves, Chief Scientist and Managing Director, +61 423 770 264, +61 2 49 923 033,
russell.reeves@ethtec.com.au, www.ethtec.com.au; ARENA, +61 2 6243 7773, arena@arena.gov.au, http://arena.gov.au
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic, Ethanol Technologies , Cellulosic Ethanol, ARENA,
During the 12-hour flight, Hainan Airlines invited passengers to participate in informative interactive activities designed to promote a "green travel-carbon offset" public interest project the airline jointly launched with the China Green Carbon Foundation. (Source: Hainan Airlines, Travel Daily News Asia, 24 Nov., 2017)
Contact: Hainan Airlines , www.hainanairlines.com; China Green Carbon Foundation, www.thjj.org/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Jet Biofuel, Aviation Biofuel,
In its decision released Wednesday, EPA said "a change in the point of obligation would unnecessarily increase the complexity of the program and undermine the success of the RFS program."
Iowas Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) said "Keeping the point of obligation where it is now, with refiners and importers, has worked and makes sense. Moving the point of obligation from a handful of refiners to hundreds or thousands of small fuel retailers would undermine the integrity and viability of this successful program."
The EPA is slated to announce the volume requirements -- the amount of biofuels that must be blended with the nation's fuel supply -- by the end of the month.
In July, EPA proposed volume requirements for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel that are lower than 2017 requirements.
(Source: EPA, The Des Moines Register, 24 Nov., 2017) Contact: Sen. Chuck Grassley, https://twitter.com/ChuckGrassley
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel Standard, Biofuel Blend, RFS EPA, Point of Obligation,
The proposed changes were widely opposed by farm-state legislators and ethanol producers.
Refiners are reportedly affected unevenly by the current mandate -- those without sufficient infrastructure to blend in biofuels themselves must instead buy credits to comply while other companies that blend transportation fuels, but do not own refineries and therefore are not required to satisfy annual biofuel quotas, can sell those tradable credits.
(Source: EPA, Industry Week, Bloomberg, 23 Nov., 2017)
Contact: Valero Energy, (800) 324-8464, www.valero.com; EPA Scott Pruitt, www.facebook.com/EPAScottPruitt; www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-administrator
More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS, EPA, Scott Pruitt, Valero, Point of Obligation,
The National Parks Association disagreed on the grounds that evidence from Europe showed the adoption of biomass power was driving deforestation in Russia, Canada, the USA, Slovakia, Italy, Spain and Finland. "Given what we know, that biomass use overseas is driving deforestation, and the evidence that burning forests for power is driving climate change, this is reckless in the extreme," Dr Sweeney said.
On the other hand, a report from DPI research scientist Fabiano Ximenes finds that "Biomass from forestry residues has great potential for large-scale electricity generation, industrial heat, biofuels and valuable natural chemicals. So you're taking more sustainable biomass from the forest, reducing wastage, but also looking at areas for growth for the bioenergy industry in general. In doing so [you are] reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the state, but also quite importantly contributing to regional economic growth for the north coast as well."
Download the full DPI report
HERE.
(Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries, DPI Research, ABC North Coast, 22 Nov., 2017) Contact:
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Research, Fabiano Ximenes, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass, Forest Waste, Biomass-to-Energy,