Shell, LanzaTech
Date: 2021-04-09
Petroleum giant Shell reports it has invested in LanzaTech's LanzaJet unit to scale-up the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at LanzaJets 10 million gpy Freedom Pines Fuels alcohol-to-jet facility which is under construction in Soperton, Georgia.

Suncor Energy Inc., LanzaTech, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and British Airways are among the other LanzaJet investors.

LanzaJet's technology is uniquely able to produce up to 90 pct of its fuels as SAF, with the remaining 10 pct as renewable diesel. The LanzaJet process can use any source of sustainable ethanol for jet fuel production, including, but not limited to, ethanol made from recycled pollution, the core application of LanzaTech's carbon recycling platform, according to LanzaJet. (Source: LanzaTech, Shell, Digest, Apr., 2021) Contact: LanzaTech, LanzaJet, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Shell,  LanzaTech,  LanzaJet,  SAF,  

Avfuel, Neste
Date: 2021-03-31
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based aviation fuels and services provider Avfuel Corporation reports it is now supplying Neste MY Sustainable Aviation FuelTM on a regular basis to its branded FBO, Monterey Jet Center (KMRY), in Monterey, Calif.

According to the release, each truckload of SAF that Avfuel delivers to Monterey Jet Center will provide a 22 metric ton reduction in carbon emissions over the lifecycle compared to petroleum-based jet fuel. SAF is the most effective way to reduce a flight's carbon footprint and in the future could deliver up to 80 pct less greenhouse gas emissions versus traditional jet fuelif used in its neat form.

Avfuel is one of the first United States companies able to supply the fuel on a regular basis. Neste expects to produce 515 million gpy of SAF by 2023. (Source: Avfuel, PR, 29 Mar., 2021) Contact: Avfuel, Craig Sincock, CEO, 734-663-6466, www.avfuel.com; Monterey Jet Center, 831-373-0100, www.montereyjetcenter.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Avfuel,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

U.S. EIA
Date: 2021-03-29
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports it will release expanded monthly biofuels data through a new report -- the Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update on March 31, 2021. The first edition of this report will also modify petroleum and biofuel volumetric balances in the interactive Supply and Disposition summary data table in its Petroleum Navigator. Changes to the monthly biofuels data and petroleum and biofuel volumetric balances include:

The Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update replaces the Monthly Biodiesel Production Report, but the biodiesel report will continue to be the source of EIA's historical monthly biodiesel data before January 2021.

Table 1 of the Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update will report expanded coverage of production capacities for biodiesel, fuel alcohol, and renewable fuels. Table 2 of the Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update will replace Table 3 of the Monthly Biodiesel Production Report and reflect expanded coverage of the types of biofuel feedstocks consumed to include feedstocks used in the production of biodiesel, fuel alcohol, and renewable fuels.

Changes to the Supply and Disposition summary data table include:

For the Renewable Fuels Except Fuel Ethanol product category, Renewable Fuels & Oxygenate Plant Net Production under Supply will include renewable fuels in addition to biodiesel. For the Renewable Fuels Except Fuel Ethanol product category, balance quantities reported as Adjustments under Supply will be discontinued, while balance quantities reported as Products Supplied under Disposition will be introduced.

For the Distillate Fuel Oil product category, biodiesel quantities reported as Adjustments under Supply will be discontinued.

For the Finished Petroleum Products product category, which includes Distillate Fuel Oil and Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel as two of the subcategories, quantities of petroleum products blended with biofuels at biofuel producing plants will be reported as Renewable Fuels & Oxygenate Plant Net Production under Supply.

The composition of the monthly data for the Fuel Ethanol product category of the Supply and Disposition summary data table will continue to be consistent with that of the historical data before January 2021. EIA plans to publish revisions to the new monthly biofuels data for 2021 and petroleum and biofuel volumetric balances with the release of the Petroleum Supply Annual data tables in August 2022, according to the release. (Source: U.S. Energy Information , 26 Mar., 2021) Contact: EIA, www.eia.gov/index.php

More Low-Carbon Energy News EIA,  Biofuel,  Ethanol,  Biodiesel,  

British Airways
Date: 2021-02-15
In the UK, international air carrier British Airways (BA) reports it will fuel future flights with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from sustainably-sourced ethanol, as part of a new partnership with LanzaTech's sustainable jet fuel company LanzaJet.

The airline will invest in LanzaJet's first commercial-scale Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia and acquire cleaner burning sustainable aviation fuel from the plant before the end of 2022. BA will involve LanzaJet in early stage planning and design for a potential commercial facility for British Airways in the UK. (Source: British Airways, PR, 13 February 2021) Contact: British Airways, www.ba.com; LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News British Airways,  LanzaTech,  SAF,  

LanzaTech, SkyNRG,Fraunhofer
Date: 2021-02-03
The FLITE (Fuel via Low Carbon Integrated Technology from Ethanol) consortium, led by SkyNRG and LanzaTech as the technology provider, reports it will construct the first-of-its-kind LanzaJet™ Alcohol to Jet (AtJ) facility to convert waste-based ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a scale of over 30,000 tons/yr. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 20214. The project, which received €20 million in grant funding from the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, is a major milestone on the path to a net-zero emission for the aviation industry, according to the release.

The FLITE consortium includes: SkyNRG, a global market leader for SAF solutions, is acting as the project coordinator and managing downstream supply chain development; carbon recycling company, LanzaTech, will be responsible for plant design, construction and operations using the LanzaJet™ AtJ technology; Fraunhofer, Europe's largest applied research organization, will oversee and distribute communications about the project; energy and sustainability strategy consultancy E4tech, will conduct the life cycle assessment; and the world's most trusted, valued and peer-reviewed standard for the bio-based economy, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), will support the project through guidance on RSB certification of the facility. (Source: LanzaTech, Website PR, Jan. 2021) Contact: Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, www.rsb.org; Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology, +49 208 85980, www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/en.html; SkyNRG, +31 20 470 70 20, info@skynrg.com, www.skynrg.com; LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com; E4tech, www.e4tech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fraunhofer,  LanzaTech,  SkyNRG,  E4tech,  FAD,  Aviation Fuel,  

Boeing
Date: 2021-02-03
US aerospace giant Boeing has announced that all of its commercial planes will be certified and capable of flying on 100 pct sustainable fuels (SAF) by by 2030.

According to the Boeing release, it has been working with airlines, engine manufacturers and other industry interests to conduct biofuel test flights since 2008, gaining initial approval for sustainable fuels in 2011. In 2018, Boeing partnered with FedEx on the ecoDemonstrator flight-test programme which used a 777 Freighter to make the world's first commercial flight using 100 pct SAF. SAF reportedly reduces lifecycle fuel emissions by up to 80 pct compared to traditional jet fuel, but under current regulations, planes are not permitted to fly with anything higher than a 50/50 blend of SAF and conventional fuel. (Source: Boeing, PR, Website, 25 Jan., 2021) Contact: Boeing, Bryan Scott, VP, bryan.scott@boeing.com, www.boeing.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Boeing,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Rolls Royce,World Energy
Date: 2021-02-03
Aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is reporting completion of tests on a business jet engine fueled with 100 pct sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which is claimed to dramatically reduce lifecycle fuel emissions compared to petroleum-derived jet fuel.

This latest test took place at Rolls-Royce's facility in Dahlewitz, Germany, near Berlin, and featured a Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 operating on a 100 pct SAF produced by low-carbon specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.

According to Rolls-Royce, this un-blended fuel can reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by over 75 pct compared to conventional jet fuel. (Source: Rolls Royce, PR, The Engineer, 2 Feb., 2021) Contact: Rolls Royce, www. rolls-royce.com/germany/professionals/engineering-and-manufacturing/spotlight-on-dahlewitz; World Energy, Gene Gobolys, Pres., 617-889-7300, Fax -- 617-887-2411, info@worldenergy.net, www.worldenergy.net; SkyNRG, +31 20 470 70 20, info@skynrg.com, www.skynrg.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rolls Royce,  World Energy,  SAF,  SkyNRG,  Aviation Biofuel,  sustainable aviation fuel,  

Repsol
Date: 2021-02-01
Madrid-based integrated energy company Repsol SA is reporting production of the first 10,000 tonnes of aviation biofuel from biomass at its industrial complex in Tarragona, Spain. The company plans to produce additional aviation biofuel at the group's other industrial complexes in Spain.

Use of the fuel is projected to avoid 630 tonnes of CO2 -- equivalent of 55 flights between Madrid and Barcelona. Last August the company reported production of its first batch of biofuel at the Puertollano Industrial Complex.

According to Spain's Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate, biofuels currently represent the most widely available and used renewable technology in transportation. In certain sectors, such as aviation, biojet fuel produced from biomass or waste is the only existing alternative to fossil fuels and is included in the list of sustainable fuels, according to the Plan. (Source: Repsol, PR 21 Jan., 2021) Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Repsol,  SAF,  

ECB Group
Date: 2021-02-01
Brazil's leading biodiesel producer, ECB Group Paraguay and Shell Trading (U.S.) are reporting a multi-year deal that will provide more than 500 million lpy of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel to Shell. The contract is expected to run from 2024.

The renewable diesel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and renewable jet fuel (SAF) will be produced at ECB's planned Omega Green biorefinery in Paraguay, with a total production capacity of 20,000 bpd of HVO, SPK/SAF and green naphtha.

The ECB Group venture to build and operate the Omega Green biorefinery includes contractor Honeywell UOP, owner of the renewable fuel refining technology for UOP Process reactors, Crown Iron Works, a U.S. company that provides processing systems and technologies, including feedstock pretreatment technology, and Acciona, one of the world's largest engineering and construction companies. (Source: ECB Group Paraguay, PR, Website, 26 Jan., 2021) Contact: ECB Group Paraguay, +55 54 3632 0800, www.ecbgroup.com.br/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  ECB Group ,  

UPM
Date: 2021-01-29
Helsinki-headquartered UPM reports it is advancing its biofuels growth plans and has begun engineering work on 500,000 tpy renewable transportation and sustainable jet fuel in Kotka, Finland and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. UPM will now proceed with a detailed commercial and basic engineering study to define the business case, select the most innovative technology option and estimate the investment need.

The technology concept includes the use of green hydrogen in the production process.

"The planned biorefinery would scale up UPM's biofuels business to a new level. At the same time, it would further improve long term competitiveness and sustainability performance of UPM Biofuels by introducing several sustainable feedstocks and achieving uniquely high CO2 emission reduction compared to biofuels currently in the market," according to UPM, CTO Jyrki Ovaska. (Source: UPM-Kymmene Corp., PR, Website, 28 Jan., 2021) Contact: UPM, Jyrki Ovaska, CTO, +358 204 150 564, www.upm.com, www.upmbiofuels.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM,  Biofuel,  

Repsol
Date: 2021-01-29
Repsol is reporting the H24All project consortium has presented an application for European Green Deal funding to develop Europe's first 100 MW alkaline electrolyzer plant which will be connected to a Repsol industrial site. The technology will be demonstrated in real operation according to end-users' needs and market requirements for low-carbon hydrogen production and to boost the use of renewable hydrogen by reducing the cost to close to €3/kg H2.

The 15 member consortium of research centers, material suppliers, engineering firms specializing in electrolyzers, auto makers and others, aims to pave the way for a new and competitive hydrogen industry based on European know-how through innovation by developing, building, operating, and demonstrating the sustainability of a 100 MW high-pressure alkaline electrolyzer. Consortium partners are from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Spain, and Turkey.

In other Repsol news, on 21 Jan. the company reported production of the first 10,000 tonnes of aviation biofuel from biomass at its industrial complex in Tarragona in Spain. Additional aviation biofuel production is planned at the group's other industrial complexes in Spain. Last August the company reported production of its first batch of biofuel at the Puertollano Industrial Complex.

According to Spain's Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate, biofuels currently represent the most widely available and used renewable technology in transportation. In certain sectors, such as aviation, biojet fuel produced from biomass or waste is the only existing alternative to fossil fuels and is included in the list of sustainable fuels, according to the Plan. (Source: Repsol, PR 21, 27 Jan., 2021) Contact: Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal ,  Repsol,  Hydrogen,  Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Velocys, Shell
Date: 2021-01-27
Dollowing up on our 17 June, 2020 coverage, in the UK, oil giant Shell has withdrawn from the Altalto Joint Development Agreement a green jet fuel project. Velocys and British Airways will continue to work together in order to secure finance for the Altalto Immingham plant, which has been under way for several months. Source: Velocys, Shell, Jan., 2021) Contact: Altalto, www.altalto.com; Velocys Plc, Henrik Wareborn, CEO, +44 1235 838 621, (713) 275-5840 -- Houston Office, info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys,  Shell,  SAF,  Altalto,  

Boeing
Date: 2021-01-25
The world's largest aerospace company, Boeing, reports it will begin delivery of commercial airplanes capable of flying on 100 pct sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030.

Boeing flew the world's first 100 pct SAF fuels commercial flight in 2018. Currently, biofuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend, which is the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications, according to the release.

The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) reports commercial flying currently accounts for about 2 pct of all carbon dioxide emissions and about 12 pct of transport emissions, 80 pct of which are emitted from flights of over 930 miles . (Source: Boeing, PR, yahoo, 23 Jan., 2021) Contact: Boeing, Bryan Scott, VP, bryan.scott@boeing.com, www.boeing.com; Air Transport Action Group, www.atag.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Air Transport Action Group,  Boeing,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

GEVO,Gevo
Date: 2021-01-13
Englewood, Colorado-based biobutanol and ethanol producer GEVO Inc. is touting the concept of Net-Zero (carbon emissions) Projects for the production of energy dense liquid hydrocarbons using renewable energy and the company's proprietary technology.

A Net-Zero Project aims to convert renewable energy such as photosynthetic, wind, renewable natural gas (RNG), biogas, from various sources into energy dense liquid hydrocarbons that achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the fuel's whole lifecycle -- from the way carbon is captured from the atmosphere, and processed to make liquid transportation fuel products.

Net-Zero 1 to be constructed at Lake Preston, South Dakota is expected to have a capacity of 45 MMgy of hydrocarbons (for gasoline and jet fuel, based on current take-or-pay contracts) and to produce more than 350 million ppy per year of high protein feed products as well as produce sufficient renewable natural gas (RNG) to meet production process needs.

Net-Zero 1 is projected to come in at roughly $700 million including the hydrocarbon production and related renewable energy infrastructure which includes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas to run the plant and generate electricity on-site. (Source; GEVO, PR, 11 Jan., 2021.

In other GEVO news as of December 31, 2020, the company paid off the outstanding balance of $12.7 million in 12 pct convertible senior secured notes and reduced the group's general corporate secured debt balance to zero, according to a GEVO release.

As reported on 8 Jan., GEVO Inc. has contracted with Koch Industries' Houston-headquartered subsidiary Koch Project Solutions, LLC to provide front-end engineering, design and project execution management services for the expansion projects that GEVO is in the process of financing with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Source: GEVO Inc., Jan, 2021) Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Gevo,  Net Zero Emissions,  RNG,  Alternative Fuel,  

SkyNRG.LanzaTech
Date: 2021-01-11
The FLITE (Fuel via Low Carbon Integrated Technology from Ethanol) consortium, led by Amsterdam-headquartered SkyNRG and with LanzaTech as the technology provider, reports it will construct the first-of-its-kind LanzaJet™ Alcohol to Jet (AtJ) facility to convert waste-based ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the rate of over 30,000 tpy.

This pre-commercial AtJ production plant will pave the way to implementing SAF production across Europe and around the globe, producing commercially relevant quantities of SAF to support future aviation industry climate targets. The project, which received €20 million in grant funding from the EU H2020 programme, is expected to be fully operational in 2024. (Source: SkyNRG, Website News Release, 7 Jan., 2020) Contact: SkyNRG, +31 20 470 70 20, info@skynrg.com, www.skynrg.com; LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  LanzaTech,  SkyNRG,  

GEVO
Date: 2021-01-08
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered ethanol and isobutanol producer GEVO Inc. reports that, as of December 31, 2020, the company has paid off the outstanding balance of $12.7 million in 12 pct convertible senior secured notes exchanged and issued to Whitebox Advisors LLC last January.

On December 23 and December 29, the holders of the notes converted the remaining $12.7 million into an aggregate of 5.6 million shares of Gevo common stock. The conversion saved GEVO $12.7 million in cash and reduced the group's general corporate secured debt balance to zero, according to the release.

GEVO is commercializing the next generation of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives, according to its website. (Source: GEVO Inc., PR 6 Jan., 2021) Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  

United Airlines
Date: 2020-12-14
United Airlines is reporting a multi-million-dollar investment in direct air carbon capture specialist 1PointFive -- a partnership between Oxy Low Carbon Ventures and Rusheen Capital Management -- to construct the first US industrial-sized direct air capture plant to permanently sequester one million tpy of CO2. United's participation is part of its previously reported plan to be 100 pct "green" by 2050. The carbon capture project is expected offset nearly 10 pct of the air carrier's annual emissions.

United notes it is also investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) which has up to 80 pct less carbon emissions than conventional jet fuel.(Source: United Airline, Hospitality Ireland, Reuters, 13 Dec., 2020) Contact: 1Point Five, www.1pointfive.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News United Airlines,  Aviation Biofuel,  CCS,  

Honeywell UOP, UOP, TOTAL
Date: 2020-11-16
Des Plaines, Illinois-based Honeywell reports TOTAL will use Honeywell UOP Ecofining™ process technology to produce renewable fuels, primarily for the aviation industry, at its Grandpuits platform at Seine-et-Marne in France .

Honeywell UOP will provide technology licenses, basic engineering, specialty equipment, and catalysts for the biorefinery project that will process 400,000 tpy of feedstock to produce 70,000 tpy of sustainable aviation fuel, 120,000 tpy of renewable diesel and 50,000 tpy of renewable naphtha for production of bioplastics.

Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™produced by this process is 50/50 blended with petroleum-based jet fuel at commercial scale and requires no changes to aircraft technology. (Source: Honeywell, PR, 13 Nov., 2020) Contact: Honeywell , www.honeywell.com, UOP , www.uop.com/biofuels, Honeywell Process Solutions, www.honeywellprocess.com; TOTAL, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Honeywell,  UOP,  TOTAL,  Renewable Diesel,  

Repsol,Axens
Date: 2020-11-13
Following up on our Oct. 28th coverage, Madrid-based Repsol has selected Axens Vegan® technology for its first advanced biofuels production plant in Cartegena, Spain.

The new plant is expected to come in at $222.3 million and produce 250,000 tpy of biodiesel, biojet fuel, bionaphtha and biopropane while enabling a reduction of 900 000 tpy of CO2, according to the release.

Axens's technology hydrotreats a wide range of lipids to produce low-density and high cetane renewable diesel and renewable sulphur-free jet fuel. (Source: Axen Website PR, 10 Nov., 2020) Contact: Axens, Patrick Sarrazin, Exec. VP, www.axens.com; Repsol, Josu Jon Imaz, CEO, +34 91 7538100, +34 91 7538000, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Repsol,  Axens,  Renewable Diesel,  Biofuel,  Alternative Fuel,  

Port of Greater Baton Rouge
Date: 2020-11-11
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is reporting a long term lease proposal with Coral Gables, Florida-based Gron Fuels LLC for 141 acres of port property for construction of a 60,000 bpd renewable diesel from canola, soybean and used cooking oils facility. The estimated $1.2 billion facility, which will also serve as the company's headquarters, will also have the capacity to produce 6,000 bpd of renewable jet fuel.

Gron Fuels is a portfolio company of the Houston-based infrastructure investment firm Fidelis Infrastructure, which invests in complex greenfield projects and has been working with the Louisiana Economic Development agency on the project since 2019. If the lease is approved by the port, as expected, the next step in the process will be for Gron to secure environmental permits. (Source: Port of Greater Baton Rouge, PR 11 Nov., 2020) Contact: Port of Greater Baton Rouge, 225.342.1660, www.portgbr.com; Gron Fuels, Fidelis Infrastructure, (832) 551-3300 , info@fidelisinfra.com, www.fidelisinfra.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Diesel news,  

USN
Date: 2020-11-09
Researchers from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in China Lake, California have developed an efficient three-step process for the conversion of cellulosic feedstocks to both a valuable chemical precursor and high-performance jet fuel blendstock. Their paper appears in the journal ChemSusChem.

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,  

Neste Corp
Date: 2020-10-28
Espoo, Finland-headquartered renewable diesel specialist Neste Corp. is reporting a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest airline, that will see ANA become the first airline to use SAF on international flights from both Haneda International airport and Narita International Airports. It and also Neste's first SAF supply agrement with an Asian airline.

ANA and Neste plan to expand the collaboration to a multi-year agreement after 2023. Neste currently has a capacity of 100,000 tpy of SAF but is increasing capacity with a Singapore refinery expansion on a possible additional investment in its Rotterdam refinery. With these additions Neste's SAF production capacity will come in at 1.5 million tpy by 2023, according to the release.

Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials. The fuel is blended with fossil jet fuel and then certified to meet ASTM jet fuel specifications. (Source: Neste Corporation, Website PR, 26 Oct., 2020) Contact: Neste Corp., Thorsten Lange, Exec. VP for Renewable Aviation, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; ANA, www.ana.co.jp/group/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste Corp.,  SAF,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel,  

Illinois State University
Date: 2020-10-02
Although pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is widely considered a weed, Illinois State University researchers are working to genetically modify pennycress into a commercially grown cover crop that could be processed into biofuel, jet fuel, animal feed, and other high-value products. The mult-istate, multi-institutional 5-year effort is funded by a $10 million USDA grant and $13 million from the US DOE.

Domesticated, commercially grown pennycress could be grown as a cold-resistant, high-yield oilseed crop across the central United States, where nearly 80 million acres of land devoted to corn and soybeans sit dormant in the winter months.

This research has been ongoing for 10 years with the latest grant awarded in 2020. Illinois State researchers are currently working under the umbrella of the Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm and Energy Resilience (IPREFER) program with colleagues at Western Illinois University, the University of Minnesota, The Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and the St. Louis-based crop development company CoverCress Inc.

Download Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm and Energy Resilience (IPREFER) program details HERE (Source: Illinois State University, 1 Oct., 2020) Contact: Illinois State Univ., Professor John Sedbrook, (309) 438-3374, (309) 438-3722 -- fax, jcsedbr@ilstu.edu, www.illinoisstate.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pennycress,  Biofuel,  

PT Pertamina,Honeywell
Date: 2020-09-30
Honeywell has announced the Jakarta-based Indonesian state-owned oil and natural gas corporation Pertamina (Persero) will use Honeywell UOP's Renewable Jet Fuel Process™ technology at its Plaju refinery in Palembang, South Sumatra, and UOP Ecofining™ technology at its Cilacap refinery in Central Java.

UOP will provide technology licenses, basic engineering, specialty equipment, catalysts and training for the two Indonesian projects. The biorefinery in Plaju will process 20 000 bpd of vegetable oils and fats to produce renewable jet fuel, renewable diesel fuel and green liquefied petroleum gas. UOP also will revamp the existing refinery at Cilacap to process 6000 bpd of vegetable oils and fats to produce advanced biofuels.

Indonesia imports roughy 1.5 million bpd of refined products -- roughly 30 pct more than its domestic production capacity. According to the National Energy Policy in Indonesia, more than 5 pct of all energy must come from biofuel by 2025. (Source: Honeywell, Hydrocarbon Eng., 28 Sept., 2020) Contact: PT Pertamina, pcc@pertamina.com,www.petramina.com; Honeywell UOP, Bryan Glover, VP Petrochemicals & Refining Technologies, www,uop.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  Honeywell UOP,  

Neste Oyi
Date: 2020-09-21
In Helsinki, in line with its "fossil-free fuel by 2045" initiative, the Swedish Government reports plans to introduce a greenhouse gas reduction mandate for aviation fuel sold in Sweden in 2021. The reduction level will be 0.8 pct in 2021, and gradually increase to 27 pct in 2030. This makes Sweden an undisputed leader in sustainable aviation, according to Neste Oyi.

"We need front-runners to lead the way in sustainable aviation. The ambitious target now set by the Swedish government is an example others should follow in order to support the aviation industry in meeting its emission reduction targets. It also creates the necessary certainty for sustainable aviation fuel producers to invest in increasing the production", says Neste VP for Renewable Aviation Europe, Jonathan Wood.

Earlier this year, Norway introduced a 0.5 pct biofuel blending mandate. There will be enough capacity on the market to supply the anticipated volumes of sustainable aviation fuel to Sweden and Norway. Neste is already producing commercial scale volumes of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™, refined from renewable waste and residue raw materials. In its neat form and over the lifecycle, the fuel can reduce up to 80 pct of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel, according to Neste.

Neste's sustainable aviation fuel capacity is currently 100,000 tpy. With Neste's Singapore refinery expansion on the way and possible additional investment in the Neste Rotterdam refinery, Neste will have the capacity to produce some 1.5 million tpy of sustainable aviation fuel by 2023.

The global aviation industry has set ambitious targets to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from air transport, including carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and beyond, and a 50 pct reduction of net aviation carbon emissions by 2050. Aviation needs multiple solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, sustainable aviation fuels offer the only viable alternative to fossil fuels for powering aircrafts, according to the Neste release. (Source: Neste Corporation, Press Release, Website PR, 17 September 2020) Contact: Neste, +358 50 458 5076, media@neste.com, www.neste.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste Oyi,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Gevo,GEVO
Date: 2020-09-11
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered Gevo, Inc. provided the following 8th Dept. update on its business and strategic plan:

Gevo recently raised approximately $46 million, net of expenses, from a Registered Direct Offering and approximately $16 million as a result of warrant exercises. This capital infusion substantially improves Gevo's ability to execute on its strategic plans.

Gevo continues to pursue a licensing and developer strategy that is expected to enable the construction of up to three production facilities and capacity expansions. The production facilities and expansions are needed to provide the product required under its existing and expected, future take-or-pay, off-take agreements. The licensing and developer strategy should reduce or eliminate the need for Gevo construction capital by utilizing project-level debt and third-party equity.

Gevo continues to seek a targeted capital raise of $200 million of project-level equity using a project financing structure to build up to three production facilities. The first expanded production facility or project is expected to be located at Gevo's current production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota.

As previously announced, Gevo engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to lead a process to develop the three projects and procure the capital needed by Gevo to build up to three production facilities. Gevo expects it will take approximately one year to develop and close the financing for the first project. Assuming Gevo successfully closes on a financing in the next 12 months, Gevo would expect production of hydrocarbon fuels from the first project in late 2023 or early 2024.

Additionally, Gevo noted it currently has approximately $81 million in cash on the balance sheet and will continue to develop the marketplace and try to create additional customer demand for its next generation of renewable premium gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel products that have the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, while addressing the market need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. (Source: Gevo, PR, Website News, 8 Sept., 2020)Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Gevo,  

GEVO,Gevo
Date: 2020-09-09
Englewood, Colorado-headquartered GEVO Inc. provided the update on its business and strategic plan today, 8 Sept.:

GEVO recently raised approximately $46 million, net of expenses, from a Registered Direct Offering and approximately $16 million as a result of warrant exercises. This capital infusion substantially improves the company's ability to execute on its strategic plans.

GEVO continues to pursue a licensing and developer strategy that is expected to enable the construction of up to three production facilities and capacity expansions. The production facilities and expansions are needed to provide the product required under its existing and expected, future take-or-pay, off-take agreements. The licensing and developer strategy should reduce or eliminate the need for GEVO construction capital by utilizing project-level debt and third-party equity.

GEVO continues to seek a targeted capital raise of $200 million of project-level equity using a project financing structure to build up to three production facilities. The first expanded production facility or project is expected to be located at Gevo's facility in Luverne, Minnesota.

As previously announced, GEVO engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to lead a process to develop the three projects and procure the capital needed by the company to build up to three production facilities. GEVO expects it will take approximately one year to develop and close the financing for the first project. Assuming Gevo successfully closes on a financing in the next 12 months, GEVO would expect production of hydrocarbon fuels from the first project in late 2023 or early 2024.

Additionally, the GEVO release noted it currently has approximately $81 million in cash on the balance sheet and will continue to develop the marketplace and try to create additional customer demand for its next generation of renewable premium gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel products that have the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, while addressing the market need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. (Source: Gevo, PR, Website News, 8 Sept., 2020)Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Isobutanol,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Date: 2020-08-31
As previously reported, researchers at the US DOE Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have designed simulations to determine how much biofuel is needed for the whole bioproduct extraction process to decrease the demand for petroleum-based gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels and to be labeled as "cost-efficient." Their study results found the target levels to be modest and that Biofuels can compete with petroleum-based fuels in terms of cost production, according to a release.

Conventional biofuel production often involves genetically engineered plants that can produce essential chemical compounds, or bioproducts. These bioproducts are extracted from the plant, and the remaining plant parts are converted into fuel. This led LBNL scientists to investigate exactly how much bioproduct does a plant need to determine if the whole extraction process to be determined efficient, and how much bioproduct should be produced to reach the target ethanol selling price of $2.50 per gallon.

To do this, the researchers studied existing data of well-studied plant-based bioproduct production. They used this data to make simulations that will determine the factors involved in extracting bioproducts using the context of bioethanol refinery, which means that bioproducts will be extracted from the plant and the remaining plant materials will be converted to ethanol. Their results determined that the bioproduct levels needed to accumulate in plants to offset the production cost recovery is quite feasible. Using limonene as an example, they calculated that an accumulated 0.6 pct of biomass dry weight would already produce net economic benefits to biorefineries. To illustrate, it means harvesting 10 dry metric tons of sorghum mass from one acre will only need 130 pounds of recovered limonene from that biomass to say that the whole production process is efficient, according to the release.

The LBNL researchers note this new finding can provide new insights into the role of bioproducts to improve biorefinery economics and offer the first quantitative basis for implementation of this cost-saving strategy for future studies on plant-based biofuel breeding and engineering. The scientists also recommended that crops need to be engineered to produce a broad range of bioproducts in order to provide options and diversify products in the market. (Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, April, 2020) Contact: LBNL, Laurel Kellner, Media, 510-590-8034, LKellner@lbl.gov, www.lbl.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory news,  Biofuel news,  

Haldor Topsoe
Date: 2020-08-28
Denmark-headquartered Haldor Topsoe reports it is partnering with Orsted, Copenhagen Airports, A.P. Moller- Maersk, DSV Panalpina, DFDS, SAS, Nel, and Everfuel to develop a electrolysis-based hydrogen and sustainable fuels -- jet fuel, ammonia, and methanol -- production facility in the Greater Copenhagen .

The three-phase project is expected to be finalized by 2030. The first stage, which could be operational by as early as 2023, will comprise a 10 MW electrolysis plant producing renewable hydrogen for trucks and potentially buses. By 2027, the stage two facility equipped with a 250 MW electrolysis plant will combine the production of renewable hydrogen with captured CO2 from combustion of municipal waste or biomass to produce renewable methanol for maritime vessels and renewable jet fuel for planes. The last phase will upgrade the electrolysis plant's capacity to 1.3 GW and capture more CO2.

In addition to major partner investments, the project is seeking substantial funding from Innovation Fund Denmark. (Source: Haldor Topsoe, PR, 27 Aug., 2020) Contact: Haldor Topsoe, Roeland Baan, CEO, +45 4527 2000, www.topsoe.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe ,  Hydrogen,  Sustainable Fuel,  

GEVO
Date: 2020-08-21
Englewood, Colorado-based Gevo, Inc. reports it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional and accredited investors for the sale of an aggregate of 38,461,545 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $1.30 per share in a registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. The offering is expected to close on or about August 25, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Offering proceeds are expected to be $50 million, before placement agent (H.C. Wainwright & Co.) fees and other offering expenses. GEVO intends to use the net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.

GEVO is commercializing the next generation of renewable premium gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. Gevo uses low-carbon renewable resource-based carbohydrates as raw materials, and is in an advanced state of developing renewable electricity and renewable natural gas for use in production processes, resulting in low-carbon fuels with substantially reduced carbon intensity, according to the company. (Source: GEVO, PR, Website, 20 Aug., 2020) Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News GEVO,  Ethanol,  Biobutanol,  Biofuel,  

GEVO, Praj Industries
Date: 2020-08-19
Following up on our April, 2019 coverage, isobutanol producer GEVO Inc. and Pune, India-based Praj Industries Ltd are reporting a binding, definitive Master Framework Agreement (MFA) to collaborate on providing renewable, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable premium gasoline in India and neighboring countries.

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,  

Phillips 66
Date: 2020-08-14
US independent petroleum refining giant Phillips 66 reports it plans to convert its San Francisco refining complex to the renewable fuels production, making the site the largest renewable fuels production facility in the US.

Over the next three year Phillips 66 will idle crude processing at its 120,000 b/d San Francisco refinery and convert units in its Rodeo plant to produce 52,000 b/d of renewable diesel, naphtha and jet fuel starting in early 2024, pending regulatory approval. (Source: Phillips 66, Argus, 12 Aug., 2020)Contact: Phillips 66, Brian Mandell, VP Marketing, Joe Gannon, 832-765-4547, joe.gannon@p66.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Phillips 66,  Renewable Fuels,  

GEVO
Date: 2020-08-12
"Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.0 million compared with $5.1 million in the same period in 2019. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, hydrocarbon revenue was $0.9 million compared with $0.1 million in the same period in 2019 as a result of increased shipments of finished products from our demonstration plant at the South Hampton Resources, Inc. facility in Silsbee, Texas.

" Gevo's hydrocarbon revenue is comprised of sales of alcohol-to-jet fuel, isooctane and isooctene. During the second quarter of 2020, revenue derived at the Luverne Facility related to ethanol sales and related products was $0.1 million, a decrease of approximately $5.0 million from the same period in 2019. As a result of COVID-19 and in response to an unfavorable commodity environment, we terminated our production of ethanol and distiller grains in March 2020, which resulted in lower sales for the period.

"Cost of goods sold was $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared with $8.5 million in the same period in 2019, primarily as a result of terminating ethanol production as a result of COVID-19 and in response to an unfavorable commodity environment. Cost of goods sold included approximately $1.0 million associated with the production of isobutanol and related products and maintenance of the Luverne Facility and approximately $1.6 million in depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

"Gross loss was $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, versus a $3.4 million gross loss in the same period in 2019." (Source: Gevo Website Release, 10 Aug., 2020) Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gevo,  GEVO,  

Illinois State University
Date: 2020-08-05
Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, is reporting genetics Prof. John Sedbrook will head-up a nation-wide collaboration of university's and scientists to develop field pennycress oil into bio-jet fuel or biodiesel The $13 million project is being funded by the US DOE.

Field pennycress, a member of the mustard family, can develop up to 65 gallons of oil and yield more than 1,500 pounds per acre of seeds.

Field pennycress is primarily a winter cover crop throughout the United States and requires few inputs, little labor, and no land charge. Pennycress seed meal remaining from biodiesel production can be further processed to yield aviation fuel, livestock feed or protein isolates for human food, or as an organic fertilizer or a biofumigant, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. (Source: Illinois State University, 4 Aug., 2020) Contact: Illinois State University, Prof. John Sedbrook, (309) 438-3374, (309) 438-3722 - fax, jcsedbr@ilstu.edu, www.illinoisstate.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pennycress,  Biofuel,  

Steeper Energy
Date: 2020-08-05
On the Canadian prairies, the City of Calgary and Denmark-headquartered Steeper Energy’s Steeper Energy Canada Ltd. unit are reporting a MoU for the transformation of the city's sewage sludge and other urban generated bio-organic wastes for the production of sustainable biofuels such as renewable diesel or jet fuel.

Calgary and Steeper Energy are planning a demonstration plant at the Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in South-East Calgary. The plant will utilize Steeper's proprietary Hydrofaction® technology to produce renewable diesel or jet fuel from a small portion of the city's primary and secondary sewage sludge. (Source: City of Calgary, PR, Biofuel Digest, Aug., 2020) Contact: Steeper Energy Canada, info@steeperenergy.com, www.steeperenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel news,  RNG news,  Biodiesel news,  

Chevron Lummus Global
Date: 2020-07-22
Bloomfield, New Jersey-based Chevron Lummus Global -- a joint venture between Chevron and engineering firm McDermott -- and Albuquerque, New Mexico-headquartered Applied Research Associates Inc. are reporting the startup of Euglena Co. Ltd.'s integrated Biofuels Isoconversion unit in Yokohama, Japan.

The 5 bpd, first-of-its-kind demonstration unit employs Euglena's isoconversion technology which was jointly developed by CLG and ARA, to produce renewable jet fuel and renewable diesel out of an algae oil blend and waste vegetable oil.

Biofuels Isoconversion technology consists of hydrothermal conversion and hydroprocessing operations that convert waste fats, oils and greases into jet fuel and diesel that are virtually indistinguishable from their petroleum counterparts. This will result in more than 80 pct reductions in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum, once it is commercialized.

ReadiJet and ReadiDiesel, produced from the Biofuels Isoconversion technology, contain a uniform distribution of all hydrocarbon types observed in petroleum fuels, including aromatic, cycloparaffin, isoparaffin and normal paraffin compounds, and are able to be directly blended with petroleum fuels, according to the release. (Source: Chevron Lummus Global , PR, 21 July, 2020) Contact: Chevron Lummus Global, 973-893-1515, www.chevronlummus.com; Applied Research Associates, www.ara.com; Euglena Co. Ltd. www.euglena.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Euglena,  Algae Biofuel,  Biofuel,  Renewable Diesel,  

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division
Date: 2020-07-17
In the Golden State, scientists at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in China Lake have been awarded a patent for breaking down lignocellulosic material into cheaper biodiesel using acid-catalyzed condensation of the food-grade flavor enhancer 2-tridecanone.

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,  

Gevo
Date: 2020-07-15
Englewood, Colorado based Gevo, Inc. reports it has closed the previously announced public offering of an aggregate of 30,000,000 shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents), together with accompanying warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 30,000,000 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $0.60 per share and accompanying warrant.

The gross proceeds of the offering were $18.0 million, before agent's fees and other offering expenses, will be used for general corporate purposes.

Gevo is commercializing the next generation of renewable premium gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions, addressing the market need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable alternatives. Gevo uses low-carbon renewable resource-based carbohydrates as raw materials, and is in an advanced state of developing renewable electricity and renewable natural gas for use in production processes, resulting in low-carbon fuels with substantially reduced carbon intensity, according to the company website. (Source: Gevo Website, July, 2020) Contact: Gevo Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Gevo,  

Neste
Date: 2020-07-08
In the Golden State, San Francisco International Airport is reporting receipt of its first delivery of Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel -- sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) -- which will be used by major airlines committed to reducing carbon emissions.

The SAF initiative follows the airports "triple zero" goal to attain zero net carbon, as well as zero net energy and zero landfill waste. (Source: SF Airport, Airport Technology, July, 2020) Contact: Neste US, Jeremy Baines, Pres, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Swedish Biofuels AB
Date: 2020-06-29
In Stockholm, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) reports it has contracted Trondheim-based GKN Aerospace Sweden to continue biofuel testing of the RM12 engine. The biofuel for this test is an alcohol to jet fuel developed and manufactured by Swedish Biofuels AB. The test is part of a bilateral Biojet-project collaboration between FMV and USAF/NAVAIR is slated to be completed this fall.

GKN Aerospace Sweden is Type Certificate holder for the RM12 engine and has reviewed fuel specifications and material compatibility for all fuel-wetted components in the engine in order to ensure safe engine operation during this 50/50 fuel mix test.

In March 2017 a Gripen C/D aircraft with an RM12 engine completed a successful flight demonstration powered by 100 pct renewable Biofuel developed by the US company ARA on a USN/NAVAIR contract. The fuel was found to be fully interchangeable with regular jet fuel and approved for a limited flight test. (Source: GKN Aerospace Sweden, Intelligent Aerospace, 28 June, 2020) Contact: GKN Aerospace Sweden, +46 520 940 00, www.gknaerospace.com; Swedish Defense Materiel Administration , www.smv.se; Swedish Biofuels AB, +46 8 663 27 40, www.swedishbiofuels.se

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Jet Biofuel,  Swedish Biofuels AB,  

AgBioEn
Date: 2020-06-22
In the Land Down Under, Melbourne-based AgBioEn reports it is set to break ground on its $1.35 billion agricultural waste-to-energy and Biofuels facility at Katunga in Victoria state. The plant will be the first of its kind in Australia converting organic waste materials such as cereal straw into electricity, renewable diesel and jet fuel, and fertilizer.The plant is expected to begin production before the end of 2021.

AgBioEn is Australia's first fully integrated carbon negative renewable energy and fuels project using world-class technology to produce cleaner and greener renewable energy and liquid fuels, according to the company website. (Source: AgBioEn, PR, Website, 22 June, 2020) Contact: AgBioEn, Lubey Lozevski, Project Director, 03 9111 9919, team@agbioen.com.au, www.agbioen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News AgWaste-to-Fuel news,  Biofuel news,  

Velocys
Date: 2020-06-17
Further to our 29 May coverage, the UK Secretary of State for Transport in London has announced additional funding support for UK-based renewable fuels specialist Velocys Plc's Altalto waste-to-jet fuel facility -- the first of its kind in the UK.

With the funding, the Velocys facility could begin sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production by the mid 2020s

For the project, Velocys is partnering with British Airways Plc and Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd. Pending additional funding and financial close, construction is slated to get underway in 2022, for fuel production in 2025. (Source: Velocys, Cdn. Biomass, 17 June, 2020)Contact: Velocys Plc, Henrik Wareborn, CEO, +44 1235 838 621, (713) 275-5840 -- Houston Office, info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys,  Waste-to-Fuel,  sustainable aviation fuel,  SAF,  

Norsk e-Fuel
Date: 2020-06-10
The Norwegian consortium Norsk e-Fuel reports it is planning Europe's first commercial plant in Heroya, Norway for hydrogen-based renewable aviation fuel. The plant will produce 10 million lpy when commissioned in 2023 before expanding production to 100 million lpy of renewable fuel before 2026, according to a Reuters report.

Using electrolysis, renewable energy, water and CO2 captured from air are converted into syngas. Renewable fuels, such as jet fuel, are then produced through further processing and refining. The end products can then be used directly in existing infrastructures, the consortium said. The upscaled, industrial sized plant will serve as blueprint for a nationwide roll-out of the project, it added.

The consortium members include: Sunfire GmbH; carbon dioxide capture technology firm Climeworks AG; engineering company Paul Wurth SA and green investment company Valinor. (Source: Norsk e-Fuel, Reuters, 9 June, 2020) Contact: Norsk e-Fuel, info@norsk-e-fuel.com, www.norsk-e-fuel.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Norsk e-Fuel news,  Aviation Fuel news,  Renewable Fuel news,  

LanzaTech,Suncor,Mitsui
Date: 2020-06-03
LanzaTech, a leading biotech company and carbon recycler, is reporting the launch of LanzaJet Inc., a new company that will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for a sector requiring climate friendly fuel options as it starts to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Calgary-based Suncor Energy Inc. and Japanese trading and investment company Mitsui & Co. Ltd. are investing $15 million and $10 million, respectively, to establish LanzaJet. The funding will be used to construct a demonstration plant that will produce 10 MMgy of SAF and renewable diesel starting from sustainable ethanol sources. Production is expected to start in early 2022.

This initial investment coupled with participation from All Nippon Airways will complement the existing $14 million grant from the U.S. DOE, enabling the construction of an integrated biorefinery at LanzaTech's Freedom Pines site in Soperton, Georgia, according to the LanzaTech release.

The LanzaJet process can use any source of sustainable ethanol for jet fuel production, including, but not limited to, ethanol made from recycled pollution, the core application of LanzaTech's carbon recycling platform.

Commercialization of this Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) process began with a partnership between LanzaTech and the DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for the development of a unique catalytic process to upgrade ethanol to alcohol-to-jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene (ATJ-SPK) which LanzaTech took from the laboratory to pilot scale. (Source: LanzaTech, PR, 3 June, 2020) Contact: LanzaTech, Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, (630) 439-3050, jennifer@lanzatech.com, www.lanzatech.com; Suncor Energy, www.suncor.com; Mitsui & Co, www.mitsui-global.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LanzaTech,  Suncor,  Mitsui,  SAF,  Aviation Biofuel,  Renewable Diesel,  

Sustainable Aviation
Date: 2020-06-01
In the UK, the Sustainable Aviation coalition is calling for the Government to support emerging sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) sector by committing £500 million to early stage projects. When combined with action on aircraft and engine technology R&D, airspace modernization and carbon offset and removal, the UK could build a world leading green aviation sector, the coalition claims.

The coalition also called for Government to work with industry to: develop aircraft and engine technology R&D capabilities, ensuring the UK is among the first in the world to develop hybrid and electric aircraft; accelerate UK airspace modernization, to make use of new aircraft performance capability and reduce emissions and noise; and progress robust carbon offset measures and carbon removal technologies.

The Coalition's call to action follows previously reported news that Europe's first municipal waste-to-jet fuel facility -- Altalto Immingham -- was granted planning permission in North East Lincolnshire.

Sustainable Aviation is the coalition of UK airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers committed to cutting aviation's environmental impact and building a world leading aviation sector, according to its website. (Source: Sustainable Aviation Website, 1 June, 2020) Contact: Sustainable Aviation, Adam Morton, Chair, info@sustainableaviation.co.uk, www.sustainableaviation.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF,  ,  Aviation Biofuel,  Sustainable Aviation Fuel,  

Velocys
Date: 2020-05-29
UK-based renewable fuels specialist Velocys Plc is reporting the North East Lincolnshire Council has given the nod to its Altalto Immingham non-recyclable household and commercial waste into sustainable aviation fuel waste-to-jet fuel (SAF) plant -- the first commercial waste-to-jet fuel facility in the UK.

For the project, Velocys is partnering with British Airways Plc and Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd. Pending additional funding and financial close, construction is slated to get underway in 2022 for fuel production in 2025. (Source: Velocys, Renewables, 22 May, 2020) Contact: Velocys, Henrik Wareborn, CEO, +44 1235 838 621, (713) 275-5840 -- Houston Office, info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys,  Waste-to-Fuel,  

Velocys
Date: 2020-05-27
UK-based renewable fuels specialist Velocys Plc is reporting the North East Lincolnshire Council has given the nod to its Altalto Immingham non-recyclable household and commercial waste into sustainable aviation fuel waste-to-jet fuel (SAF) plant -- the first commercial waste-to-jet fuel facility in the UK.

For the project, Velocys is partnering with British Airways Plc and Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd. Pending additional funding and financial close, construction is slated to get underway in 2022, for fuel production in 2025. (Source: Velocys, Renewables, 22 May, 2020) Contact: Velocys, Henrik Wareborn, CEO, +44 1235 838 621, (713) 275-5840 -- Houston Office, info@velocys.com, www.velocys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Velocys,  Waste-to-Fuel,  

EPA,Renewable Fuel Standard
Date: 2020-05-11
In the nation's capitol, a bipartisan group of 24 U.S. senators -- including Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tina Smith(D-Minn) Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) have written the following to the White House:

"We are writing to urge you to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and immediately reject the requests for a waiver of the RFS under Section 211(o)(7) of the Clean Air Act recently received by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) from five state governors.

"Across our states, biofuels lower fuel prices, create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the new energy economy, many of which are in rural areas, provide an important market for farmers, cut our reliance on foreign oil, reduce emissions and harmful air pollutants, and provide critical inputs to our food supply.

"Our nation is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the global health pandemic caused by COVID-19, with the impacts being felt across all of society. Waiving the RFS would cause further harm to the U.S.economy, especially our most vulnerable rural communities. It would also exacerbate the effects experienced by the biofuel sector as a result of COVID-19, causing far-reaching detrimental impacts on employment, farmers, food security, fuel prices, and the environment. The resiliency of America's renewable fuel industry has already suffered as a result of the EPA's drastic expansion of the small refinery waiver program in recent years.

"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified the biofuels sector as an essential critical infrastructure workforce during the COVID-19 response. However, as motor fuel demand has plummeted, prices have slumped to record lows and producers are suffering heavy losses. At this point more than 70 ethanol facilities with an annual production capacity of 6.1 billion gallons have been fully idled, and approximately 70 more plants have reduced their operating rates by a combined amount of 1.9 billion gallons annualized. At least 46 pct of the ethanol industry's total production capacity is now idled, and eight biodiesel and renewable diesel facilities remain offline. Highly-skilled jobs across the country are being lost at an alarming rate.

"Biofuel plant closures have ripple effects through the U.S. economy. Farm income is directly linked to the health of the renewable fuel industry. Plant shutdowns are causing commercial CO2 supply shortages and inhibiting the ability of meat packers and other food sectors to refrigerate, preserve,and supply food and beverages at current, affordable rates. Ethanol plants also produce low cost, high-protein animal feed (distillers grains). Supply shortages as a result of biofuel plant closures are impacting livestock feed procurement, rations, and prices. Biodiesel producers provide value to surplus and waste oils, fats and greases from food, feed and other biofuel production. Without the biodiesel industry, excess feedstocks will clog the supply chain, causing livestock producers to potentially raise prices for consumers. Removing biofuels from gasoline and diesel will also lead to an increase of greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter, and toxics-causing degradation to our air quality.

"Recent requests for a waiver of the RFS are unjustified and clearly do not satisfy the rigorous requirements necessary for EPA consideration. RFS waivers can only be granted by EPA if there is a demonstration of 'severe harm' to the economy or environment of a state, region or the United States that is directly caused by the RFS. None of these standards are met today and the following reasons clearly demonstrate the case for rejecting the waiver requests:

Challenging market conditions in the oil sector are the directresult of oversupply from international competitors combined with falling gasoline, diesel and jet fuel demand as a result of the COVID-19, not the RFS.

The RFS already accommodates demand reductions and provides flexibility to reflect the reality of motor fuel demand. EPA translates the annual RFS requirements into a percentage share of gasoline and diesel. Thus, the existing structure of the RFS regulations already results in an oil refiner's renewable volume obligations being proportionally reduced if overall motor fuel demand drops over the year

EPA has repeatedly found that RIN prices do not negatively impact refiners, a position reinforced by the 10th Circuit court in January 200. In addition, a record-large supply of RINs is available to refiners today, largely as a consequence of EPA's abusive expansion of the small refinery exemption program, so the threat of high RIN prices is currently non-existent.

"We urge you to direct the EPA to reject all calls to waive the RFS. The RFS is more important now than ever as farmers, the biofuel sector, and rural America struggle to remain operational during the COVID-19 crisis." (Source: US Senate, 8 May, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News RFS,  Renewable Fuel Standard,  "Hardship" Waiver,  

Fraunhofer Institute
Date: 2020-05-08
In Oberhausen, Germany, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT researchers are touting a new marine fuel made by converting bioethanol into diesel, gasoline or jet fuel that have nearly the same properties as fossil fuels and reduces soot emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 pct compared to fossil fuel.

Lead researcher Dr. Andreas Menne, a mechanical engineer who heads up the Biorefinery and Biofuels department and his colleagues are aiming to mitigate marine diesel's adverse impact on the climate with a new technology.

The UMSICHT researchers are producing up to 20 liters of the new biofuel a week in an experimental plant. The feedstock is bioethanol sourced from wheat straw. Although the synthetic diesel is still more expensive than diesel made of petroleum, it is ready to go to market, according to the release. (Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology, 7-May, 2020 ) Contact: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology, Dr. Andreas Menne, +49 208 85980 www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/en.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News Fraunhofer Institute,  Biofuel,  Marine Biofuel,  Maritime Biofuel,  

Neste,Mahoney Environmental
Date: 2020-05-06
Following up on our 13 March report, Espoo, Finland-headquartered Neste, the world's largest producer of renewable diesel and renewable jet fuel refined from waste and residuesis, now reports compleyion of its acquisition of Mahoney Environmental, a leading collector and recycler of used cooking oil in the United States, and its affiliated entities.

Alongside used cooking oil collection and recycling, Mahoney also provides cooking oil equipment installation and design, fresh oil delivery and grease trap cleaning. (Source: Neste, PR, Renewable Energy 4 May, 2020) Contact: Neste US, Jeremy Baines, Pres, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; Mahoney Environmental, 800-892-9392, www.mahoneyes.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Mahoney Environmental,  Biodiesel,