Vertimass' technology allows sustainable production of fuels derived from ethanol with high yields that can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to sourcing these products from petroleum. Vertimass technology for producing jet fuel and chemicals from cellulosic ethanol offers producers the flexibility to diversify their product slate and market renewable fuels and chemicals that have low carbon footprints.
Blue Biofuels' proprietary Cellulose-to-Sugar (CTS) technology provides a near zero carbon footprint process to convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin. Sugars are subsequently processed into biofuels. (Source: Blue Biofuels Inc., PR, 12 Jan., 2022)
Contact: Vertimass LLC, John Hannon, CEO, www.vertimass.com; Blue Biofuels, Ben Slager, 561-359-8222, www.bluebiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Vertimass, Blue Biofuels, SAF, Ethanol, Cellulosic Ethanol,
RNG production from corn stover began in December 2021 with the completion of Phase I, at a capacity of 7 million ethanol gallons equivalent (EGE) per year. Upon completion of Phase II in the 4th quarter of 2022, the site will begin operating as a biorefinery, producing 60 million gallons of corn-based ethanol and an additional 19 million (EGE) of RNG from stillage. The integration of RNG and ethanol production, unique to VERBIO, incorporates advanced operational technology currently practiced at the company's facilities in Germany. The process also yields humus, a soil amendment, and organic fertilizers, according to the company website release.
When fully operational before the year end, the plant will consume roughly 100,000 tpy of locally sourced corn stover to produce 60 million gpy of ethanol.
(Source: Verbio, PR, Website, AgInsider, 7 Jan., 2021) Contact: Verbio North America, Claus Sauter, CEO, (866) 306-4777, +49 (0) 3493 747-40, www.verbio.us, www.verbio.de/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn Stover, Verbio, Corn Ehanol, Ethanol, Cellulosic Ethanol,
BTS Biogas is responsible for the development, engineering, construction and maintenance of over 250 biogas and biomethane plants across Europe, North America and East Asia. By recycling organic materials from municipalities, food companies and farms, BTS Biogas facilities are designed to generate a consistent supply of renewable energy as well as soil improvers and fertilizers.
Versalis is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italian oil major Eni specializing in the production of chemicals. The company produced 9.5 million tons of chemical products in 2018 and is Italy's largest chemical producer.
(Source: Eni, Website PR, Dec., 2021)
Contact: Eni/Versalis, +39 06 598 21 / Fax: +39 06 598 22141, www.eni.com/en-IT/about-us/subsidiaries-and-affiliates/versalis-company.html; BTS Biogas, Christine McKiernan, Managing Dir., +39 0474 37 01 19, www.bts-biogas.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Versalis, BTS Biogas, Biogas, Biomethane, Anaerobic Digestion,
Blue Biofuels' CTS technology is a near-zero-carbon footprint system that can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin. Sugars are subsequently processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into biodegradable bioplastics or used in ion exchange resins.
Blue Biofuels believes that biofuel originating from its CTS process will be eligible for roughly $3 per gallon in D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) , an incentive offered to all domestic cellulosic transportation fuel producers.
The EPA's newly proposed revised mandate for cellulosic ethanol for 2020 is 510 million gallons, for 2021 is 620 million gallons, and for 2022 is 770 million gallons. (Source: USADA, Blue Biofuels, Green Car Congress, Dec., 2021) Contact: Blue Biofuels, Ben Slager, 561-359-8222,
www.bluebiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News King Grass, Biofuel Feedstock, Blue Biofuels, USDA ARS,
The SAF will be produced at the Aemetis Carbon Zero plant currently under development in Riverbank, California. The facility will use waste wood to produce cellulosic hydrogen, which is then combined with wastes and non-edible sustainable oils and zero carbon intensity hydroelectric electricity to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
oneworld members include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas and Qatar Airways. (Source: oneworld Alliance, Website, PR, 30 Nov., 2021)
Contact: oneworld Alliance, www.oneworld.com; Aemetis, Andy Foster, (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Renewable Diesel, SAF,
The VAMOS project will use Fiberight Ltd patented process to recover a variety of recyclable materials and resources from residual wastes. By recovering and adding value to waste derived from lignocellulosic feedstock, the project aims to: reduce the levels of waste being sent to landfill and environmental plastic pollution; cut the amount of suitable food-producing land diverted to first-generation sugar production; increase sustainability in key sectors such as construction and support a reduction in the current high price of bio-based materials. Sugar is one of the most essential raw materials for industrial bioprocessing supply chains. Addressing the challenges associated with second-generation sugars, such as higher dilution and lower purity rates, would establish a fresh, sustainable and renewable resource for the industrial bioprocessing sector.
The project is slated for August 2022 completion. (Source: Fiberight, PR, Website, 26 Nov., 2021) Contact: Fiberight Ltd., Nick Thompson, Managing Director, www.fiberight.com; VAMOS Project, www.vamosbbi.com; Novozymes, www.novozymes.com; EW Biotech, www.ew-biotech.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fiberight, Novozymes, Bioprocessing, Biofuels, EW Biotech, Waste-to-Biofuel,
Sweetwater plans to construct, own and operate a facility adjacent to Gevo's existing plant in Luverne, Minnesota, to produce high-value, plant-based products from cellulose and lignin while supplying Gevo with up to 30,000 tpy of biomass-derived cellulosic sugars which Gevo plans to use for the anticipated production of cellulosic alcohols and renewable hydrocarbons. The new facility would utilize Sweetwater's proprietary Sunburst technology for deconstructing lignocellulosic biomass. (Source: GEVO, PR, 17 Nov., 2021) Contact: Sweetwater Energy Inc., 585-647-5760, info@sweetwater.us, www.sweetwater.us; GEVO, Dr. Chris Ryan, CEO, 303-858-8358, cryan@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic, Sweetwater Energy, GEVO, Biochemical ,
The Aemetis Carbon Zero plant will use waste wood/woody biomass to produce cellulosic hydrogen with a below zero carbon intensity, which is combined with renewable oils and zero carbon intensity hydroelectric electricity to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. The plant will have an initial capacity of 45 million gpy, with engineering and other development work underway for expansion to 90 million gpy. (Source: Aemetis, PR, 28 Oct., 2021) Contact: CTCI America, 281-870-9998, www.americas.ctci.com; Aemetis, Andy Foster, (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Renewable Diesel, SAF,
To convert the solid biomass wastes to gases, LanzaTech will work with commercially proven gasification technology. The resulting carbon rich gas will then be converted to ethanol using LanzaTech's gas fermentation platform. The integrated technology will have the flexibility to process a wide range of biomass feedstocks enabling rapid replication at other locations, according to the release.
The Indian government is encouraging production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural wastes and increased production of 2G, non-food or feed based ethanol, to meet its 20 pct ethanol blending mandate by 2025.
(Source: LanzaTech, Website PR, 22 Oct., 2021) Contact: Spray Engineering Devices Ltd., Vivek Verma, M.D. +91 95699 05375. www.sprayengineering.com; LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News LanzaTech, Bagasse Ethanol Cellulosic,
CTS technology is a near zero carbon footprint system that can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin which are processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into bioplastics. The CTS process is an independently-developed patented and proprietary technology that is fully owned by the Company.
The company believes that bio-fuel originating from the Company's CTS process will be eligible to receive EPA D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) of roughly $3 per gallon of ethanol in addition to the market price of ethanol. This incentive is offered to all domestic cellulosic transportation fuel producers. (Source: Blue Biofuels Inc., PR, 1 Sept., 2021) Contact: Blue Biofuels Inc.,
Ben Slager, CEO, Ben@Bluebiofuels.com, www.bluebiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Blue Biofuels news, Ethanol news, Bioplastic news, Cellulosic news,
The biorefinery will convert 275,000 tpy of locally sourced corn stover and wheat straw into 20 million gpy of ethanol and 95 tpy of lignin, a solid biofuel and natural binder. According to the company, the facility would be one of America's first carbon-negative refineries and would be the first large-scale use of Inbicon bioconversion technology outside of Denmark.
The company says it plans to build four more biomass refineries over the next 6 years. (Source: New Energy Blue LLC PR, KIM3 News, 4 Aug., 2021) Contact: New Energy Blue LLC,
Thomas Corle, CEO, (717) 626-0557, info@newenergyblue.com, www.newenergyblue.com;
More Low-Carbon Energy News Inbicon, New Energy Blue, Biomass, Cellulosic Ethanol, Biofuel,
The new partnership will jointly pursue research and grants to support new technologies and processes for breaking down byproducts of the planned sugarcane crop as a source for even lower-carbon energy products, including advanced cellulosic ethanol.
In addition to JBEI, research will also be implemented by the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab). (Source: California Ethanol + Power, Website News, Aug., 2021)
Contact: California Ethanol + Power, 760-344-1004, www.californiaethanlpower.com; Joint BioEnergy Institute, (510) 486-7315, www.jbei.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News California Ethanol + Power, Joint BioEnergy Institute, JBEI, Cellulosic Ethanol, Ethanol, Advanced Biofuel ,
The first proposal included NCERC as a Co-PI and was led by Hennepin, Illinois-based Marquis Energy aims to scale up a conversion method that utilizes corn as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The work being done at the intermediate scale will be performed at NCERC, along with LBNL and US Navy NAWCWD China Lake, to see through a solution that brings significant opportunity for expanding and repurposing the 16 billion-gpy corn-to-ethanol infrastructure.
The second proposal led by NCERC -- Scaling up a Low-Cost Low Energy Cellulosic Sugar Production -- contributed to the validation of a low-cost, energy-efficient conversion method for cellulosic materials- and waste-to-biofuel. (Source: NCGA, PR, Aug., 2021) Contact: NCGA, www.ncga.com; NCERC, www.siue.edu/ncerc; Marquis Energy, www.marquisenergy.com; US Navy NAWCWD China Lake, www.navair.navy.mil › nawcwd
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association, Corn, Biofuel, SAF, Marquis Energy,
"Low-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol are already helping our nation confront climate change by significantly reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector. In fact, since 2008, the use of ethanol and other renewable fuels in the U.S. prevented nearly 1 billion metric tons of GHG from entering the atmosphere.
"Today's ethanol already reduces GHG emissions by 52 pct, on average, when compared directly to gasoline. Furthermore, many of us (RFA members) are already producing advanced and cellulosic ethanol that is certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as providing a 65-75 pct GHG reduction compared to gasoline. But given the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to reasonably decarbonize, the RFA are committing today to the pursuit of the following carbon performance goals:
"Ethanol's carbon footprint continues to shrink rapidly, as new technology and innovation have
improved the efficiency of the entire production process. In fact, a recent study by DOE scientists found that ethanol's carbon footprint shrunk by 23 percent between
2005 and 2019. While we are proud of these advances in efficiency and sustainability, many
opportunities exist to deliver even greater GHG reductions in the near term," the letter noted. (Source: RFA, PR, 27 July, 2021) Contact: RFA, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association news, GHG Emissions news, CCUS news, Ethanol Low-Carbon Fuel news,
The facility will produce 20 million gpy of cellulosic ethanol and 95 tpy of lignin, a solid biofuel and natural binder, from 275,000 tpy of locally sourced crop residue -- corn stover and wheat straw.
New Energy Blue has completed process engineering around several different feedstocks and is now completing a site-specific design for construction next year in Iowa. The company plans to build four more biomass refineries over the next 6 years.
According to the company release, besides being one of America's first carbon-negative refineries, New Energy Freedom represents the first large-scale use of Inbicon bioconversion technology outside of Denmark. New Energy Blue's team is a spin-off of the technology's development. The company purchased exclusive rights to license and build-out refineries from Orsted in 2019. Freedom's CapEx is about $200 million, about the same amount invested in Inbicon's 15-year development. Orsted built and operated a demonstration refinery for five years, supplying 2G ethanol to Danish petrol stations.
(Source: New Energy BlueLLC, PR, Website, 20 July, 2021)
Contact: New Energy Blue LLC, info@newenergyblue.com, www.newenergyblue.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Inbicon, New Energy Blue, Biomass, Cellulosic Ethanol, Biofuel,
The biorefinery will convert woody biomass -- industrial wood residues, sawdust and wastes -- into roughly 50,000 metric tpy of cellulosic ethanol and roughly 125,000 metric tpy of lignin-based "Goldilocks crude oil" which could be used as biofuel bunkers.
Vertoro is a spin off company from a 2017 public-private partnership between Brightlands Chemelot Campus, DSM, Chemelot InSciTe, University of Maastricht and Eindhoven University of Technology.
(Source: Vertoro, Website PR, 30 June, 2021) Contact: Vertoro, Michael Boot, CEO, michael@vertoro.com, www.vertoro.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Vertoro, Cellulosic Ethanol,
The pathways studied consume renewable (low-carbon) electricity and use chemical feedstocks derived from electrochemical pathways powered by renewable energy. Across these CO2 recycling pathways, the authors evaluated current globally representative production costs, sensitivities to cost drivers, carbon abatement potential, critical infrastructure and feedstock needs, and the effect of subsidies. Based on this analysis, the paper concludes with targeted policy recommendations to support CO2 recycling innovation and deployment. Key findings of the analysis include :
Based on these findings, the authors recommend the following policy actions:
Download the report
HERE. (Source: Columbia University/ SIPA, Center for Global Energy Policy, 4 May., 2021) Contact: Columbia University, www.energypolicy.columbia.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,
In particular, the study calculated the net economic and environmental costs of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandates and found that maintaining the corn ethanol mandate would lead to a cumulative net cost to society of nearly $200 billion from 2016 to 2030 compared to having no RFS. The social cost of nitrogen damage from corn ethanol production substantially offsets the social benefits from GHG savings, the report notes.On the otherhand, the additional cellulosic mandate could provide substantial economic and environmental benefits with technological innovations that lower the costs of converting biomass to cellulosic ethanol and policies that place a high monetized value for GHG mitigation benefits. The study notes that maintaining the corn ethanol mandate pushes more land into corn production which increases the market price of other agricultural commodities. While producers might benefit from higher market prices.
The study notes the cellulosic ethanol mandate could provide an overall benefit with the right policies. Supporting research and development to lower the cost of converting biomass to cellulosic ethanol would substantially reduce production costs and increase social benefits, and a high monetized value for GHG mitigation could offset all other costs.
CABBI researchers hope performance-based policies -- including the low carbon fuel standard, carbon and nitrogen leakage taxes, or limits on crop-residue harvest -- can be implemented to supplement the RFS mandates after 2022.
CABBI aims to integrate recent advances in agronomics, genomics, and synthetic and computational biology to increase the value of energy crops -- using a "plants as factories" approach to grow fuels and chemicals in plant stems, an automated foundry to convert biomass into valuable chemicals, and ensuring that its products are ecologically and economically sustainable. This holistic approach will help reduce fossil fuels dependence, according to the CABBI website.
(Source: CABBI, PR, 27 Apr., 2021) Contact: CABBI, Evan DeLuc1a, (217)244-1586, cabbi-bio@illinois.edu, www.cabbi.bio
More Low-Carbon Energy News CABBI, Biofuel, RFS, Corn Ethanol,
The collaboration previously focused on techno-economic performance analysis, and the testing of empty fruit bunches and palm leaves.
Indonesia has a nationwide E10 ethanol blending mandate. (Source: Clariant, Website PR, 19 Apr., 2021)
Contact: Clariant, +41 61 469 63 63, Fax: +41 61 469 69 99, www.clariant.com; Pertamina, pcc135@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant news, Pertamina news, Cellulosic Ethanol news,
The €100 million facility received funding from the EU through the research and development program. (Source: Clariant, PR, Romania-Insider, 12 Mar., 2021)
Contact: Clariant AG, Christian Librera, VP Biofuels and Derivatives, +41 61 469 63 73, Christian.librera@clariant.com, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Ethanol, Clariant, Sunliquid, Straw Biofuel,
Harbin Hulan Sino-Dan Jianye Bio-Energy will use Clatiant technology at a planned 25,000 tpy cellulosic ethanol from locally sourced corn stover plant in Heilongjiang Province, in Northeast China. (Source: Clariant, PR Feb., 2021) Contact: Clariant AG, Christian Librera, VP Biofuels and Derivatives, +41 61 469 63 73, Christian.librera@clariant.com, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Ethanol, Clariant, Sunliquid,
Co-located on the York, Neb. biorefinery campus, the Green Plains York Innovation Center is comprised of pilot and industrial scale fermentation systems which have been utilized for various functions including sugar-based cellulosic fuel developments, algae production, yeast fermentation processes, as well as antimicrobial scale up for third party customers. The Center also has downstream separation equipment which is ideal for testing enhancements to the CST system, as well as the MSC™ technology. Green Plains expects the initial CST project at the York Innovation Center to begin production by the end Q1.
The York Innovation Center will also function as a platform to further develop Fluid Quip's MSC system to enhance protein concentration levels, increase yields and develop additional high-value proteins and yeasts. (Source: Green Plains, Website PR, 19 Jan., 2021) Contact: Green Plains Inc., Todd Becker, CEO, Phil Boggs, VP, 402.884.8700, phil.boggs@gpreinc.com, www.gpreinc.com; Fluid Quip, 319-320-7709, www.fluidquiptechnologies.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bellulosic, Biofuel, Green Plains, Fluid Quip Technologies, Ethanol, Biorefinery,
The project will include the construction of site access driveways and parking areas, water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, stormwater management facilities, a testing lab and administration building, as well as site landscaping and outdoor lighting.
Erie-based Crawford Advanced Materials, LLC was launched to deploy advanced conversion technologies to process cellulosic biomass feedstocks into important "green" products and renewable transportation fuel. To that end, the company has partnered with various technology suppliers, university researchers and national laboratory scientists, according to the company release.
(Source: Crawford Advanced Materials, PR, Meadville Tribune, 27 Dec., 2020) Contact: Crawford Renewable Energy, www.crawfordrenewable.com; Homeland Fuels Co., www.homelandfuelscompany.com;
Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, www.budget.pa.gov/Programs/RACP/Pages/Main Page.aspx
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,
In the first year AustroCel Hallein will supply more than 400,000 gpm of second-generation bioethanol to OMV, beginning in Jan., 2021.
Substituting fossil fuels will save around 45,000 metric tpy of CO2 a year. AustroCel GmbH has invested around €42 million in the new bioethanol plant which is expected to begine operating at capacity in January 2021. (Source: AustroCel GmbH, PR, Greencar Congress, 21 Dec., 2020)
Contact: AustroCel Hallein GmbH, Jorge Harbring, CEO, +43 6245 8900, www.austrocel.com; OMV, www.omv.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Austrocel, Ethanol, Bioethanol, Cellulosic Ethanol,
The new facility uses anaerobic digestion technology to convert cellulosic plant matterial, including corn stover, into renewable fuel. VERBIO notes the region is suited to provide up to 100,000 tpy of corn stover to produce 7 million gpy of ethanol once the first phase of the site development is complete.
VERBIO purchased the facility from Dow DuPont in late 2018, more than a year after it was abruptly shut down. Under Dow Dupont the plant never became fully operational. VERBIO currently manages four corn stover sites that it acquired from Dupont.
(Source: VERBIO, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: VERBIO, Bernd Sauter, Ronald DeJongh, +49 (0) 3493 747-40, www.verbio.de/en
More Low-Carbon Energy News VERBIO, Ethanol, ,
The Sunliquid plant, which received more than €40 million in EU funding, will process approx. 250,000 tpy of locally sourced straw to produce 50,000 tpy of Sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol when fully operational in late 2021.
(Source: Clariant AG, PR, 2 Dec., 2020) Contact: Clariant AG, Christian Librera, VP Biofuels and Derivatives, +41 61 469 63 73, Christian.librera@clariant.com, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Ethanol, Clariant, Sunliquid,
Extracted from wood-pulp fibre, cellulose filaments can be utilized as a reinforcing agent in materials used in industrial sectors such as transportation, or as a rheological agent to modify the texture and behaviour of paint and other applications. (Source: FPInnovations, PR, Cdn. Biomass, Dec., 2020) Contact: Resolute Forest Products, www.resolutefp.com;
Performance BioFilaments, (604) 806-0261, www.performancebiofilaments.com; FPInnovations, Glen Prevost, Guide Author, (705) 358-4667, (514) 630-4100, glen.prevost@fpinnovations.ca, www.fpinnovations.ca; ADRIQ, (514) 337-3001, www.adriq.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Resolute Forest Products, FPInnovations, Cellulose, Cellulosic,
"It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that EPA is missing its statutory deadline for publishing the final rule for 2021 RVOs, given that we still haven't even seen a proposed rule. And even if a proposed rule was released today, it would be next to impossible to have a final rule done by the end of the calendar year, or even by inauguration day.
"At this point, it likely makes more sense to let the new administration handle the 2021 RVO rulemaking process entirely. President-elect Biden has correctly noted that the RFS waivers granted by the current EPA have severely cut ethanol production, costing farmers income and ethanol plant workers their jobs. Thus, we are confident that the new EPA administrator, whoever that may end up being, will stop doing secret favors for oil refiners and ensure the RFS is implemented in a way that is consistent with the law and Congressional intent. We know it may take a few months for the new administration to get a final 2021 RVO rule done, but in the meantime, the statute is crystal clear that refiners must blend at least 15 billion gallons of conventional renewable fuel in 2021.
"So, while there may be some uncertainty around where the final advanced and cellulosic volume requirements may end up, the marketplace should be able to enter 2021 with some level of confidence around the conventional renewable fuel and biomass-based diesel requirements."
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew added, "By punting a decision on 2021's RVOS to the next administration, EPA is introducing yet more uncertainty to the biofuels industry -- uncertainty that most farmers and biofuels producers can't afford right now. Despite promising again and again to uphold RFS, the Trump administration has consistently undermined the program with its misappropriation of small refinery exemptions, preferential treatment of oil corporations, and disregard for its legal responsibility to restore lost demand, all of which has cost America's farmers and biofuel producers dearly. To add insult to injury, fuel use -- and, consequently, ethanol use -- has dropped significantly during the pandemic, cutting deeply into profits.
"Trump's EPA has almost invariably fallen short in its handling of biofuels, and today's decision, or lack thereof, is no different. We sincerely hope Biden's EPA learns from their mistakes and takes biofuels policy in a much more promising direction." (Source: National Farmers Union, Renewable Fuels Association, FencePost, 30 Nov., 2020)
Contact: National Farmers Union, Rob Larew, Pres., (202) 554-1600, www.nfu.org; Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, Pres., CEO, (202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association, RFS, National Farmers Union ,
Aemetis Inc. owns and operates a 65 million gpy ethanol production facility near Modesto, California and owns and operates a 50 million gpy renewable chemical and advanced fuel production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin.
As we reported on 24 Aug., Aemetis is also building a biogas anaerobic digester network and pipeline to convert dairy animal waste gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and is developing a plant to convert waste orchard wood into cellulosic ethanol.
Aemetis holds a portfolio of patents and related technology licenses for the production of renewable fuels and biochemicals, according to a release. (Source: Aemetis Inc., Street Insider, 23 Nov., 2020)
Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis , Ethanol, RNG,
Among other recommendations, the Governor's Council on Biofuels is calling for a state low-carbon fuel standard, the use of biofuels in state fleet vehicles, increased funding for the AGRI Bioincentive Program to provide a stable market and pathway for biofuels development, and the establishment of an Advanced Biofuels Taskforce to provide further recommendations for legislative or administrative state policy aimed at developing Minnesota's cellulosic natural resources to lower the carbon intensity of energy use in transportation.
Download the Council's comments HERE.
(Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 3 Nov., 2020) (Contact: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 651-201-6000, www.mda.state.mn.us
More Low-Carbon Energy News Minnesota Biofuel,
In it, the team describes the synthesis of sustainable methylcyclopentadiene and dimethyldicyclopentadiene (DMDCPD) via a three-step process consisting of aldol condensation; catalytic chemoselective hydrogenation; and dehydration.
Details available HERE. (Source: Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Nov., 2020) Contact: Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, 7(((760 760-939-3511
60-939-3511
www.navair.navy.mil/nawcwd
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic news, USN news, Jet Biofuel news,
This project is part of Repsol's commitment to the clean energy transition and its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The advanced biofuels produced at the Cartagena refinery will enable a reduction of 900 000 tpy of CO2, according to the release.
(Source: Repsol, HydroCarbon Eng., 26 Oct., 2020)
Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Repsol, Advanced Biofuel, Cellulosic,
Feedstock growers typically look at how many trees they can plant per acre rather than the quality and volume of fuel those trees will produce. To address the issue, the researchers analyzed 900 samples of black cottonwood trees -- a type of fast-growing poplar -- grown in Oregon to determine how variations in their size and composition affect feedstock quality and biorefinery economics.
The researh found the amount of fuel produced per-acre per-year and the minimum fuel selling price(MFSP) are most strongly connected to the size of a tree. Since a farmer would only plant the biggest and fastest growing trees, the researchers examined those and found that the size and sugar content in those trees were of nearly identical importance to the MFSP.
Download Economic Impact of Yield and Composition Variation in Bioenergy Crops: Populus trichocarpa report details HERE.
(Source: US DOE ORNL, Center for Bioenergy Innovation, 19 Oct., 2020) Contact: Center for Bioenergy Innovation, www. cbi.ornl.gov; ORNL,
Kimberly A Askey, (865) 576-2841, askeyka@ornl.gov, www.ornl.gvo
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Feedstock, Lignin, ORNL, NREL, Cellulosic,
According to the release, Novozymes is the technology leader in fiber conversion, enabling new revenue for biofuels producers from low-carbon credits such as in California and EPA's cellulosic RIN credits. Through Fiberex, Novozymes is collaborating with the biofuel industry to further expand the boundaries of corn-based ethanol -- literally breaking down some of the barriers between what is considered conventional biofuels and advanced biofuels.
Novozymes' Fiberex enzymes are specifically designed to break down this complex matrix -- resulting in more corn oil and converting the fiber into simple sugars that are easily converted into ethanol.
As part of the platform announcement, Novozymes is also launching the first Fiberex products: Fiberex R1, a technology specifically designed to provide maximum ethanol in separate fiber-to-ethanol processes, and Fiberex F1, a cellulase enzyme designed to provide fiber conversion for in-process technologies. Additional solutions, to launch in 2021, are in proof-of-concept trials now, according to the release. (Source: Novozymes, Website PR, 16 Sept., 2020) Contact: Novozymes, Brian Brazeau, VP Bioenergy, 646-671-3897 , www.novozymes.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Novozymes , Corn Ethanol, Ethanol,
John Field, research scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Lab at CSU, said it has been a challenge for the biofuel industry to demonstrate commercial viability for cellulosic biofuels created from switchgrass and other non-edible plants.
The research team used modeling to simulate switchgrass cultivation, cellulosic biofuel production and carbon capture and storage (CCS), tracking ecosystem and carbon flows. Scientists then compared this modeling to alternative ways to store carbon on the land, including growing forest or grassland.
CCS technology is being used by at least one facility in Illinois that is processing corn to ethanol as a conventional biofuel to create ethanol, but these systems are not yet widespread. As part of the study, researchers created models to simulate what this would look like at a cellulosic biofuel refinery. "What we found is that around half of the carbon in the switchgrass that comes into the refinery becomes a byproduct that would be available for carbon capture and storage. The resulting byproduct streams of high-purity CO2 would not require much separation or clean-up before being stored underground," the study noted.
The research team analyzed three contrasting U.S. case studies and found that on land where farmers or land managers were transitioning out of growing crops or maintaining pastures for grazing, cultivating switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol production had a per-hectare mitigation potential comparable to reforestation and several-fold greater than grassland restoration.
Using switchgrass can be particularly helpful in parts of the country where planting more trees is not an option.
This research was partially funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the US DOE via the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, and the Sao Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil.
The study illustrates how deliberate land use choices support the climate performance of present-day cellulosic ethanol technology and how technological advancements and CCS addition could produce several times the climate mitigation potential of competing land-based biological mitigation schemes. These results affirm the climate mitigation logic of biofuels, consistent with their prominent role in many climate stabilization scenarios, the study concludes.
(Source: Colorado State University, Green Car Congress, Aug., 2020) Contact: Colorado State University, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, John Field, (970) 491-1604,
John.L.Field@colostate.edu,
www.nrel.colostate.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuel, Cellulosic Biofuel, Switchgrass,
The report notes the global lignocellulosic feedstock-based biofuel market is poised to grow by $7.83 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 32 pct during the forecast period.
The report identifies the top manufacturers/players including:
Abengoa SA, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Clariant International Ltd., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Fiberight LLC, Gevo Inc., GranBio Investimentos SA, Iogen Corp, Neste Oyj, and New Energy Blue LLC. (Source: 360 Market Updates, 26 Aug., 2020) Contact: 360 Market Updates, www.360marketupdates.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioethanol, Ethanol, Lignocellulosic, Biofuel,
Aemetis also notes
the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed project financing for a planned 12-million gpy cellulosic ethanol facility in Riverbank, California, construction of which is anticipated to take roughly 18 months to complete. (Source: Aemetis, OPIS, 21 Aug., 2020)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis , Ethanol,
Under their agreement, Gevo will license its technology to Praj which will provide technology, plant equipment and EPC services to sugar mills and ethanol plants to produce renewable isobutanol from sugar cane juice, cane molasses, sugar syrup as well as cellulosic biomass such as straws, bagasse, and others. Praj will also provide technology, plant equipment and EPC services to refineries for converting renewable isobutanol into SAF and premium gasoline through the ASTM-approved pathway of alcohol-to-jet fuel(ATJ). The agreement also allows Praj to
carry out basic engineering and design package services, supply equipment, build plants and use jointly developed process design package to produce renewable isobutanol for plant operators who are licensed by Gevo. (Source: GEVO, PR, Green Car Congress, 18 Aug., 2020)Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com; Praj Industries Ltd., Dr. Ravindra Utgikar , Bus. Dev. info@praj.net, www.praj.net
More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO, Praj Industries, Isobutanol, SAF, Aviation Biofuel,
The partnership will combine GranBio's biomass and second-generation biofuels expertise with NextChem's engineering intelligence and Group global presence, to offer integrated services -- feasibility studies, development of integration projects, engineering and construction of factories worldwide, according to the release.
GranBio's 2G ethanol technology has been implemented in its $220 million factory located in Sao Miguel dos Campos, in Alagoas. Currently, the company has the capacity to produce around 7.9 million gpy of 2G ethanol.
GranBio developed a flexible model for the use of sugarcane, corn stover, straw, woody biomass and other waste to produce cellulosic ethanol. (Source: GranBio, PR, 3 Aug., 2020) Contact: GranBio, Paulo Nigro, CEO, www.granbio.com.br; NextChem, Ilaria Catastini, Coomunications, +39 327 0663447, mediarelations@nextchem.it,
www.nextchem.com; Maire Technimont, www.mairetecnimont.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News GranBio, NextChem, Cellulosic Ethanol,
Iowa's ethanol industry can produce more than 4.1 billion gpy from more than 1.3 billion bushels of corn. This comes from the 42 corn ethanol plants and two cellulosic plants operating across the state.
(Source: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 30 July, 2020) Contact: Office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, www.grassley.senate.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Chuck Grassley, Ethanol,
Eta Bio, which was established to construct, own and operate a commercial plant for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste, will use Sunliquid technology at a new facility designed to produce 50,000 metric tpy of cellulosic ethanol from roughly 250,000 metric tpy of regionally-sourced wheat straw.
(Source: Clariant, Website, 27 July, 2020)
Contact: Clariant, Hariolf Kottmann, CEO, Christian Librera, Biofuels and Derivatives, +41 61 469 5111, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant, Cellulosic Ethanol,
The use of 2-tridecanone delivers a fuel with "comparable net heats of combustion (NHOCs) to conventional biodiesel, while maintaining derived cetane numbers between 82-91, values which are 20 - 30 units higher than conventional biodiesel and 40-50 units higher than petroleum--derived diesel fuel" , according to the release.
NAWCWD has been conducting research on renewable jet fuels and high-density turbine fuels since 2007. (Source: NAWCWD, TechLink 16 July, 2020)
Contact: NAWCWD, Dr. Ben Harvey , Heather Meylemans, 760-939-3511,
www.navair.navy.mil/nawcwd
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel news, lignocellulosic news,
Using Clariant's "sunliquid" technology, the €100 million plant will use locally-sourced wheat straw and other agricultural waste to produce a nearly carbon-neutral drop-in transportation biofuel. The project received more than €40 million funding from the European Union.
(Source: Clariant, PR June, 2020) Contact: Clariant, Markus Rarbach, Biofuels and Derivatives, +41 61 469 5111, www.clariant.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Clariant, Cellulosic Ethanol,
Originally, 118 Sarnia area growers signed on to the project and committed 30,000 acres in total. CSPC initially developed a business model for the aggregation, transportation and storage of corn stover and wheat straw, was validated with field demonstrations and received financial support from the federal government through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
In closing, the organization noted "The market just wasn't as valorized for cellulosic fibre and other products. They were just a little short on some of the financing.
We didn't want to continue without an actual plan to invest. The idea was, let's close it down before we start losing any money."
It also noted the knowledge generated from the endeavor will be retained by Bioindustrial Innovations Canada -- the overarching non-profit agency working with CSPC to develop its markets.
(Source Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, Farmtario, 14 May, 2020) Contact: Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative, www.bincanada.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Corn Stover, Cellulosic, Bioindustrial Innovations Canada,
Idealfuel aims to devise an efficient and low-cost two-step chemical process in order to achieve its goal. In the first step, lignin is extracted from lignocellulosic biomass in the form of Crude Lignin Oil (CLO). This leaves behind a solid cellulose material that can be used in the paper industry or even converted into ethanol. In the second step, the CLO is refined and converted into a Biogenic Heavy Fuel (Bio-HFO) that can be used directly in marine engines or blended with fossil fuels.
Download Making Crude Oil from Paper Pulp project details HERE.
(Source: TU/e Idealfuel, Innovation Origin, 13 May, 2020) Contact: TU/e Idealfuel, Dr. Roy Hermanns Barry Fitzgerald, +31 40 247 8067 , B.Fitzgerald@tue.nl, www.tue.nl
More Low-Carbon Energy News Lignin, Idealfuel, Woody Biomass,
The Cellulosic Ethanol market study is major compilation of significant information on regional and global manufacturers and market.
Request a sample of this report HERE;
Browse the complete report HERE.
(Source: Orbis Research, April, 2020) Contact: Orbis Research,
Hector Costello, Senior Manager -- Client Engagements, (972)-362-8199,
sales@orbisresearch.com, www.orbisresearch.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Ethanol ,
CTS 2.0 can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and subsequently into biofuels, and bioplastics, without the use of enzymes or liquid acids. CTS stands for Cellulose to Sugar. The cellulose is converted into sugar and lignin. The sugar is further converted into bio-ethanol and other biofuels; the lignin may be further converted into bioplastics. The company notes that biofuel originating from the CTS process will receive the generous D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) which are currently $1.40/gallon of ethanol. (Source: Alliance Bioenergy, PR, 9 April, 2020) Contact: Alliance Bioenergy Plus, Inc., Ben Slager, CEO,
Ben.slager@alliancebioe.com; www.Alliancebioe.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic, Biomass, Alliance BioEnergy, Biomass, Biofuel,