Pyrolysis oil produced from sustainable solid biomass materials such as sawdust or agricultural residuals is a low carbon feedstock suitable for refinery upgrading. Biomass-based pyrolysis oil can qualify as an Annex IX Part A feedstock under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. Pyrolysis oil co-processed in an FCC is an economically attractive method of meeting RED biofuel mandates for Advanced Biofuels.
Preem AB is Sweden's the largest fuel company with more than 18 million cubic MPY capacity, Preem refines and sells gasoline, diesel, heating oil and renewable fuels worldwide. By 2030, Preem will produce approximately 5 million cubic meters of renewable fuels, and thereafter aims to become the world's first climate neutral biofuels- and refining company.Honeywell is aiming for carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035
(Source: Honeywell , PR, OGM, Oct., 2021)
Contact: Preem AB, Peter Abrahamsson, Sustainable Development, +46 (0)70-450 10 01, www.preem.se;
Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions, Ben Owens, VP, GM, www.uop.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Honeywell, Preem , Biomass, Pyrolysis Oil, Renewable Fuel,
Under the proposed agreement, Bunge would contribute its soybean processing facilities in Destrehan, Louisiana, and Cairo, Illinois, and Chevron is expected to contribute roughly $600 million in cash. The companies anticipate approximately doubling the combined capacity of the facilities from 7,000 tpd by the end of 2024. The joint venture would also pursue new growth opportunities in lower carbon intensity feedstocks, as well as consider feedstock pre-treatment investments.
Bunge will continue to operate the facilities, leveraging its expertise in oilseed processing and farmer relationships to manage origination and marketing of meal and plant-based oil. Chevron would have offtake rights to the soybean oil to use as renewable feedstock to manufacture biodiesel and sustainable aviation jet fuel (SAF) . Chevron would also provide market knowledge and downstream retail and commercial distribution channels.
The proposed joint venture is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements with customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
(Source: Bunge, Website PR, Sept., 2021)
Contact: Bunge, Greg Heckman, CEO, Ruth Ann Wisener, 636-292-3014
Ruthann.wisener@bunge.com, www.bunge.com; Chevron, Mark Nelson, Exec. VP Downstream & Chemicals, Roderick Green, invest@chevron.com, www.chevron.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Bunge news, Chevron news, Biofuel Feedstock news, Soybean Oil news,
"For the EU biofuels industry, the new proposals -- including major changes to policies on renewable energy, alternative fuels infrastructure, the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and energy taxation, as well as a de facto deadline for the end of the internal combustion engine -- promise a potentially bumpy road ahead as the implications become clear to policymakers as they fine-tune this legislation in the coming months: unleashing the true potential of crop-based ethanol and creating a policy environment that can spark investment in advanced ethanol are must-have components of any realistic roadmap to carbon-neutrality.
"Transport Decarbonisation -- As usual, the signals from the Commission about whether biofuels can play a major role in transport decarbonisation are mixed. On the one hand, the Fit for 55 package sets important new goals for emissions reduction and creates a solid foundation for reaching them by giving a role to renewable liquid fuels in decarbonising transport. On the other, the Commission still hesitates to make the best use of emissions-reduction tools it has today, including biofuels -- even when targets have been raised to such a degree that their contribution is essential.
"Fully enabling biofuels in the drive to carbon-neutrality is just common sense. Even under a scenario in which electric vehicles make rapid gains in market share and the sale of internal combustion engines is phased out, the EU car fleet will consist predominantly of vehicles that run fully or partly on liquid fuel in 2030 and beyond. For these petrol and hybrid cars, renewable ethanol is the most cost-effective and socially inclusive way to reduce emissions. Europe cannot afford to ignore this View on transport decarbonization are mixed important part of the equation.
"Sustainability Issues -- With the main components of the Fit for 55 package, the Commission should fully maximize the tools it has on hand for decarbonisation -- especially the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). This is the third time since 2009 the Commission has tried to get RED right. With Fit for 55, the Commission finally realizes that to succeed it needs to focus on higher GHG intensity reduction targets that drive renewable energy in transport, without multipliers that hide the EU's continued reliance on fossil fuels.
"We know that deforestation and outdated 'food vs fuel' arguments do not apply to EU renewable ethanol. So with this revision we should be taking the next logical step and unleashing the potential of good biofuels. Other Fit for 55 components should work in concert to promote solutions that make a realistic impact on decarbonisation.
"The CO2 for Cars Standards should include more than just one technology and recognize the benefits of renewable fuels such as ethanol to reduce the carbon-footprint of cars on the road.
The Energy Taxation Directive should incentivize renewable fuels, moving away from volume-based taxation and a parallel Emissions Trading System for transport should complement, not replace, binding national targets for emissions reductions in the Effort Sharing Regulation, and avoid increased fuel prices and social discontent.
"As the European Parliament and EU Member States go to work on this legislative package from the Commission in the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether Fit for 55 can be made fit for purpose." (Source: ePURE, Sept., 2021) Editor's note -- ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association reports its members produced 5.57 billion litres (1.45 billion gallon +-) of ethanol and 6.16 million tonnes of co-products in 2020, with a significant increase in production of ethanol for industrial use. ePURE represents 35 members,including 19 ethanol producers with around 50 plants across the EU and UK, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General, www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fit for 55, ePURE, Ethanol, Carbon Emissions, Decarbonization, EU ETS,
The PG&E RNG interconnect equipment is scheduled to be delivered to the Keyes plant and installed during the next three months. RNG produced by the Aemetis Biogas Central Diary Digester Project will be delivered into the PG&E natural gas pipeline for sale to customers throughout California as transportation fuel.
(Source: Aemetis Inc. , PR, Website, 15 Sept., 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Andy Foster, (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com; PG&E, www.pge.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis Biogas, PG&E, Biogas, RNG ,
As part of the initial phases of the project, Kinder Morgan will modify 30 existing storage tanks and piping at its Harvey, Louisiana facility to accommodate segregated storage for a variety of raw material. The project includes the installation of a new boiler for heating tanks and railcars and infrastructure improvements The project, which is supported by a long-term commercial commitment from Neste, is expected to begin operations in Q1, 2023.
(Source: Neste Corporation, Website News, 13 September 2021) Contact: Neste, Jeremy Baines, Pres., Neste U.S., +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com;
Kinder Morgan, www.kindermorgan.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste, Kinder Morgan, Renewable Fuels, Renewable Diesil, Biodiesel, SAF,
Together with previously announced acquisitions of IH Demeter, Bunge Loders Croklaan and Count Terminal in the Netherlands, and Mahoney Environmental in the United States, Agri Trading will also enhance Neste's competitiveness in the global waste and residue raw material market, according to the company.
Neste refines waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels -- renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) -- and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials through its proprietary NEXBTL technology.
As a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products with a commitment to reach carbon-neutral production by 2035, Neste is also introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as waste plastic as refinery raw materials. In 2020, Neste's revenue stood at €11.8 billion, according to the company website. (Source: Neste Oyi, PR, Website, 7 Sept., 2021) Contact: Neste Oyi, Thorsten Lange, Exec. VP, Heidi Peltonen, Team Lead, Sustainable Partnerships, Marketing & Services, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com;
Agri Trading Corp, 800-328-5189, www.agritradingcorp.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste, Neste Oyi, SAF, NEXBTL, Biofuel,
The test well program demonstrated that CO2, the main greenhouse gas generated during the fuel production process, can be safely and securely stored deep underground and that the storage reservoir has sufficient capacity to store all the gas produced over the plant's lifetime. Completing the test well program is an essential pre-requisite for securing the permit for the EPA Class VI sequestration well.
The design and execution of the test well program was developed by COO Bob Meredith with help from Geostock Sandia, an international consulting firm that has worked with the Department of Energy on carbon sequestration wells for almost two decades. (Source: Strategic Biofuels LLC, Aug, 2021)
Contact: Strategic Biofuels, Strategic Biofuels & Louisiana Green Fuels, [startlimk]info@info@strategicbiofuels.net[endllink]
More Low-Carbon Energy News Strategic Biofuels , Biodiesel, CCS,
Under the RFS, U.S. oil refiners are required to blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the nation's fuel mix, or purchase tradeable credits (RINs) from those that do.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance.
(Source: Reuters, 26 Aug., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Standard, Biofuel Blend,
The upgrading to E10 is inline with a renewed push towards lowering carbon emissions through the massive transportation decarbonization plan (TDP) aimed at phasing out polluting vehicles. The plan also bans the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles starting in 2030, followed by a ban on hybrids in 2035 and petrol and diesel heavy trucks in 2040.
According to the London-headquartered UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) "The average UK biofuel CO2 emissions savings in 2019 were over 80 pct under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation meaning that increasing the renewable fuel content of petrol will reduce overall CO2 emissions. It is also worth noting that renewable fuels added to UK petrol and diesel must meet the government's sustainability criteria." (Source: UK Petroleum Industry Association, The Express, Aug., 2021) Contact: UK Petroleum Industry Association, +44 20 7269 7600, www.ukpia.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News E10, UK Department for Transport,
The Baker Hughes study estimated that 1.0 million mtpy CO2 can be sequestered in the saline formations located deep underground at or near the Aemetis Keyes ethanol plant site. The study also noted that up to 1.4 million mtpy of CO2 should be injectable at or near the Aemetis Riverbank site. Once complete, the Aemetis Carbon Capture CCS project is expected to capture and sequester more than 2 million mtpy of CO2 at the two Aemetis biofuels plant sites in Keyes and Riverbank, California. Each MT of CO2 is planned to generate approximately $200 per MT from the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and $50 per MT of IRS 45Q tax credit. Legislation is pending in Congress to increase the federal tax credit to $80 per MT of CO2 and to provide billions of dollars of grants and loans to finance CCS projects in the U.S., according to the release. (Source: Aemetis, PR, 18 Aug, 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, CCS, RNG,
The IBA will be used as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable premium gasoline production to fulfill existing sales contracts. These renewable hydrocarbons will be produced in Silsbee, Texas at the South Hampton Resources, Inc. hydrocarbon production facility. Gevo also expects to utilize some of the IBA produced to develop certain IBA specialty markets.
The Luverne facility will also allow Gevo to test and evaluate certain potential unit operations that may be incorporated into the company's Net-Zero 1 production facility that is expected to begin production in 2024 in Lake Preston, South Dakota, according to the release. (Source: Gevo, PR, Aug., 2021)
Contact: GEVO Inc., Patrick Gruber, CEO, 303-858-8358, pgruber@gevo.com, www.gevo.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Gevo, GEVO, Isobutanol, Biofuel ,
The pipeline is part of the Aemetis Biogas Central Dairy Digester Project which is developing a network of lagoon digesters connected via a biogas pipeline to produce renewable natural gas (RNG).
The pipeline will transport the renewable biogas from the dairies to the Aemetis biogas upgrading facility at the Aemetis ethanol production plant in Keyes, California, where the biogas will be transformed into commercial-grade RNG for use as a carbon-negative “drop in” transportation fuel.
The planned 52 dairies in the Aemetis biogas project are expected to capture more than 1.4 million MMBtu of dairy methane and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to an estimated 5.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 each year. The captured methane will be transformed to carbon-negative transportation fuel to displace petroleum-based diesel throughout the State of California. The 5.2 million metric tonnes of annual CO2 emissions reduction from the Aemetis Biogas project is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 1.1 million cars from the road.
.
Aemetis Carbon Zero products include zero carbon fuels that can “drop in” to be used in airplane, truck, and ship fleets. Aemetis low-carbon fuels have substantially reduced carbon intensity compared to standard petroleum fossil-based fuels across their lifecycle. (Source: Aemetis, Website PR, 13 Aug., 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Andy Foster, Phone: (408) 213-0940,
Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis news, RNG news, Biogas news, Anaerobic Digestion news,
Combined with its other renewable fuels facilities and projects, Phillips 66 has the potential to supply 1 billion gpy of renewable fuels, according to the release.
Phillips 66 also announced it is converting 600 branded retail sites in California to sell renewable diesel produced at the Rodeo biorefinery.
(Source: Phillips 66, Aug., 2021) Contact: Phillips 66, Jeff Dietert , IR, 832-765-2297, jeff.dietert@p66.com, www.p66.com; Haldor Topsoe, +45 27 77 99 68, www.topsoe.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Haldor Topsoe , Phillips 66, Renewable Diesel,
Brazil's energy and transportation matrix is one of the cleanest in the world, according to Secretary Mauro Coelho. Presently roughly 25 pct of the country's fuel is from renewable sources, and the goal is to reach 30 pct by 2030 .
(Source: Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy , Rio Times, 4 Aug., 2021) Contact: Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy, www.devex.com/organizations/ministry-of-mines-and-energy-ministerio-de-minas-e-energia-brazil-143187
More Low-Carbon Energy News Brazil Renewable Fuel, Biofuel, Renewable Fuel,
"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 biodiesel plant is part of the Oman Biofuels Hub established by Synergy. The biofuel hub includes in addition In addition to the biodiesel manufacturing plant, the biofuels hub includes a research center focused on biofuels and renewable fuels in collaboration with local researchers and universities. (Source: Synergy BioFuels, PR, Times of Oman, 2 Aug., 2021) Contact: Synergy BioFuels, www.synergybiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Synergy BioFuels, Boidiesel,
"As a whole, the Fit for 55 package seems to provide the tools to combat the climate crisis during this decade by raising the ambition level of emission cuts across different sectors of the economy. It will support the growth of renewable fuels markets in both road and aviation segments. The Commission's proposal to establish an EU-wide obligation to supply a growing minimum share of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) as of 2025 will create a large market and progressively cut down emissions from flying. The package also supports Neste's climate commitments, including to reach carbon neutral production by 2035. Now that the EC's proposals will enter the legislative process, it will be important to further raise the level of ambition and keep the focus on emission cuts by various solutions, not only by specific technologies," notes Neste VP for Public Affairs, Ilkka Rasanen.
"Neste firmly believes that all solutions are needed in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the societies. On European roads, the number of electric cars is growing at a rapid pace, which is a logical and welcome development as the power generation sector is embracing emission free technologies. However, achieving the ambitious climate targets requires both EVs and renewable transport fuels, as internal combustion engine vehicles will keep playing a key role for a long time, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles. The average age of cars in Europe is more than 10 years; this means that many new vehicles sold today will still be in use for another 15-20 years. When it comes to especially heavy-duty vehicles, internal combustion engines and renewable fuels, both biofuels and so-called e-fuels (Power-to-X), will be needed for a long time. After all, the combustion engine is not the problem when the fuel is renewable and sustainably produced. Already today, customers using the Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ made from 100 pct renewable raw materials can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 pct compared to fossil diesel.
"The aviation industry has already taken steps in the right direction by committing to the target of achieving carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards. Neste, as the world's leading producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), is committed to helping the aviation industry meet the proposed EU-wide obligation.
"Following its sustainable sourcing principles, Neste continues to develop the availability of emerging, lower-quality waste and residue raw materials, as well as agricultural and forest harvesting residues, algae and municipal solid waste as future raw materials. Neste is also exploring Power-to-X technologies as a new renewable fuel." (Source: Neste, PR, Website 16 July, 2021)Contact: Neste, Ilkka Rasanen, Vice President, Public Affairs, +358 50 458 5123, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste, Biofuel, Fit for 55,
According to Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, "It's time for leaders in Washington to make good on their commitments to clean, renewable energy and put a stop to Big Oil's efforts to restore its monopoly over the US fuel mix. The evidence is clear. Congress and the administration cannot decarbonise transportation without a growing role for low-carbon biofuels, which are vital to our climate, working families, and the economy.
The last thing we can afford are more handouts to the oil industry. Policymakers must act swiftly to ensure uninterrupted, year-round access to E15 and set ambitious biofuel blending levels, including a statutory minimum of 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel, under annual targets."
(Source: Growth Energy, Website PR, 22 July, 2021) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels,
"In 2019, President Biden said in Iowa, and I quote, 'Those waivers are a gigantic mistake. We should not be exempting, we should be insisting that these major oil companies meet the criteria that are set,' end quote. We wholeheartedly agree. Lowering, waving, caping, or any backtracking on the promise of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) damages our ability to decarbonize our vehicle fleet, threatens large agricultural markets, and jeopardizes hundreds of thousands of jobs supported by the biofuel industry."
According to Skor, a new study shows switching to E15 with incentives pending in Congress would add $18 billion to the economy, $10 billion to household income and 183,000 jobs.
(Source: Growth Energy, DRG News, 29 June, 2021). (Source: Growth Energy , Website PR, 25 May, 2021) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, RFS, Hardship Waivers, Biofuel, Ethanol,
The work came in at approximately €630 million, of which approximately €330 million was realized in the major turnaround in 2021. In 2020, only critical refinery maintenance work was completed due to the corona pandemic.
Neste refines waste, residues and innovative raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. Neste is the world's leading producer of renewable diesel (RD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) developing chemical recycling to combat the plastic waste and helping customers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable and circular solutions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. The company aims for carbon-neutral production by 2035.
In 2020, Neste's revenue stood at €11.8 billion ($14.070 billion) with 94 pct of the company's comparable operating profit coming from renewable products, according to the company website.
(Source: Neste Corporation, Website PR, 24 June, 2021) Contact: Neste Oy, Carl Nyberg, Exec. VP, +358 50 458 5076, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste , Renewable Diesel, SAF, Biofuel,
Sweden's biofuel blend rate will increase to 7.8 pct in 2022. Preen plans to produce approximately 5 million cubic meters of renewable fuels by 2030, (Source: Preem, PR, Website, 22 June, 2021) Contact: Preem, +46 (0)70-450 10 01, www.preem.se
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Diesel, Preem,
EIA data shows that biofuels, including fuel ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels, accounted for approximately 17 percent of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020, despite an 11 percent drop in biofuel consumption caused by market factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wood and waste energy, wood pellets, and biomass waste from landfills accounted for about 22 pct of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2019.
(Source: U.S. EIA, Monthly Energy Review, 16 June, 2021) Contact: IS EIA, www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48396, www.eia.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, US EIA,
Under the agreement, fuel and the related Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Renewable Fuel Standard Credits will be sold at a fixed discount to the market price at the time of delivery.
(Source: Aemetis, Inc., 14 June, 2021) Contact: Murex LLC, Robert Wright, President, www.murexltd.com;
Aemetis Advanced Fuels, Andy Foster, Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Murex , Biofuel,
"This legislation provides long-overdue transparency for requests to avoid blending more low carbon renewable fuels that are key to America's low-carbon future. We applaud Senators Fischer and Duckworth for working to protect the integrity of the RFS so that farmers and biofuel producers, as well as the entire fuel supply chain, across the nation can count on stable demand and continue providing cleaner and more affordable fuel choices at the pump, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said."
"By arming the public with greater information on biofuel exemptions, we can keep oil refineries accountable to following the law and ensure uninterrupted progress toward achieving cleaner air and a healthier climate," Skor added.
Currently, EPA does not provide a deadline for refiners submitting a request for an SRE. The bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act explicitly sets a June 1st deadline the year prior to the biofuel targets going into effect the following year. This will allow EPA to account for any exempted gallons in the following year's Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) as required by the Clean Air Act and ensure that the RVOs are met. Additionally, the legislation increases transparency into the SRE application process, allowing the public greater insight into which companies are receiving exemptions and why, according to the release. (Source: Growth Energy , Website PR, 25 May, 2021) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Grwoth Energy, RFS,
With the second revamp, Preem and Topsoe achieved 85 pct co-processing of tallow and tall diesel feedstock enabling the production of roughly 5 million cubic meters of renewable fuels by 2030.
Topsoe's HydroFlex is the industry-leading technology for production of renewable jet and diesel provides lower CAPEX, lower OPEX, lower carbon intensity (CI) score, better diesel yield, and can be deployed in both grassroots units and revamps for co-processing or stand-alone applications, according to the company. (Source: Preem, Website PR, 21 May, 2021)
Contact: Preem, +46 (0)10 450 10 00, www.preem.com; Haldor Topsoe, Roeland Baan, CEO, Ulrik Frohlke, Media, +45 27 77 99 68, ulfr@topsoe.com, www.topsoe.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuel, Preem, Topsoe, Tall Diesel, Biofuel, Biodiesel,
UPM is review the operating environment primarily in two locations - Kotka, Finland, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
(Source: UPM, 20 May, 2021)Contact: UPM, Jyrki Ovaska, CTO, +358 204 150 564, www.upm.com, www.upmbiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM, Biofuel, SAF,
The plant will produce pipeline-quality RNG that will be directly connected to the PG&E natural gas pipeline, according to the release.
(Source: Aemetis Biogas , PR 20 May, 2021) Contact: Aemetis Biogas, Andy Foster, Pres., Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com,
www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Aemetis Biogas, Biogas, RNG,
UPM has invested €179 million in the world's first biorefinery producing wood-based renewable diesel and naphtha called UPM BioVerno. The 130,000 tpy UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery produces UPM BioVerno diesel and naphtha from crude tall oil, a residue of the company's pulp production. (Source: UPM Website, May, 2021) Contact: UPM Biofuels, +358 204 15 111,
Fax. +358 204 15 110, www.upm.com/businesses/upm-biofuels
More Low-Carbon Energy News UPM, SAF, Biofuel, Biodiesel,
According to Bosch, this new fuel contains the equivalent of 33 pct renewable energy which reduces its CO2 emissions by 20 pct per kilometer traveled compared to gasoline. "On the path to environmentally friendly mobility we must ensure that we leave no technical opportunity untapped, starting with electromobility and ending with renewable fuels", claimed the president of Bosch's Propulsion Systems Solutions division, Uwe Gackstatter.
VW's director of Development of Internal Combustion Engines, Sebastian Willmann, stresses that Blue Gasoline is another "critical component in reducing vehicle emissions, as it is particularly suitable for use in plug-in hybrid models."
Technically, blue gas is gasoline or diesel that is a hydrocarbon fuel manufactured from hydrogen and carbon feedstocks instead of being refined from petroleum. Hydrogen comes in several colors. Black hydrogen comes from coal gasification and has 20X the mass of CO2 as of produced hydrogen.
(Source: Bosch, Shell, Volkswagen, Europe Press, Explica, 9 May, 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News VW, Bosch, Shell, Alternative Fuel, Low-Carbon Fuel,
"Other countries have initiated national ethanol policies as part of their countries' global initiatives to decarbonize transportation fuels, and US biofuel producers are ready to play a larger role in meeting these targets here and around the world." -- Brian Jennings, CEO, American Coalition for Ethanol Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol , Ethanol, Climate Change,
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 Carbon Zero biorefinery is supported by $17 million of grant funding from the California Energy Commission and the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) and is slated to begin operations in 2023, then double production capacity by year 2025. (Source: Aemetis, Inc. , PR, 29 Apr., 2021)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RNG, Aemetis, Ethanol, California Air Resources Board,
Renewable fuel (D6) credits for 2021 traded up from $1.44 to $1.50 each and biomass-based (D4) credits traded at $1.58 each, up from $1.52 previously -- highest since Reuters began reporting data for renewable fuel credits in 2013 and biomass-based credits in 2014.
The credits, known as RINs, rose at the same time that the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday was hearing oral arguments for a case involving the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires refiners to blend biofuels into their fuel mix each year or buy RINs from those that do. The Supreme Court's decision around the case will likely heavily influence the future of the RFS.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied.Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, the nation's oil refineries are required to blend billions of gallons of biofuels such as ethanol into the fuel or buy credits from those that do. But the EPA can waive their obligations if they prove compliance would cause them financial distress. (Source: Various Media, Reuters, 27 Apr., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Standard,
USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
For example, in Georgia, RC Bells Inc. will use a $130,500 grant to replace four dispensers and a storage tank at a fueling station in Acworth. The infrastructure supported by this investment will expand the use of renewable fuels by approximately 420,000 gpy.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to support infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. (Source: USDA Rural Development , PR 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development www.usda.gov, www.rd.usda.gov
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Founded in 1993, Fortistar provides capital to build, grow and manage companies that address complex sustainability challenges. The company utilizes its capital, flexibility and operating expertise to grow high-performing companies, first in power generation and now in mobility, carbon capture, the circular economy and other solutions that drive our transition to a zero-carbon future. As a team, Fortistar has financed over $3.5 billion in capital for companies and projects in the energy, transportation and industrial sectors, according to the company website. (Source: Fortistar, PR, 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: TruStar Energy, Scott Edelbach, COO, www.trustarenergy.com; Fortistar, Mark Comora, CEO, (914) 421-4937, MComora@fortistar.com, www.fortistar.com
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Similarly, recent data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce showed 2020 E15 sales there nearly held steady with 2019 sales levels, despite the pandemic. Minnesota E15 sales were 93.46 million gallons, down 4 pct from 97.40 million gallons in 2019.
On the west coast, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) noted 40.37 million gallons of E85 were sold in the Golden State in 2020, down 0.6 pct from the 40.6 million gallons sold in 2019.
(Source: Iowa Department of Revenue Renewable Fuels Association, CARB, Biofuels News, 8 Apr., 2021) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association, www.ethanolrfa.org
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The new unit will initially capture, dehydrate, compress, and sequester CO2 from Aemetis Biogas anaerobic dairy digester projects in California's Central Valley to further reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of its dairy biogas fuel.(Source: Aemetis, PR, 1 April, 2021)Contact: Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
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The Aemetis Central Dairy Digester Project is a collection of dairy lagoon anaerobic digesters that are built, owned and operated by Aemetis Biogas LLC utilizing waste animal manure to generate renewable methane gas to produce negative CI RNG for transportation use to displace diesel fuel. The completed Aemetis Central Dairy Digester Project is expected to include over 30 dairy digesters in the current phase (with plans to expand to more than 52 dairies), and utilize 36 miles of private pipeline owned by Aemetis, a centralized gas clean up unit located at the Aemetis Keyes ethanol biorefinery, an RNG onsite fueling station and an interconnection to PG&E's natural gas pipeline.
The company plans to begin construction of the next five dairy digesters and the additional 32 miles of biogas pipeline in the second quarter, with five more dairy digesters set to begin construction in the third quarter and five digesters beginning in the first quarter of 2022 for a planned total of 17 dairy digesters and a 35-mile biogas pipeline. (Source: Aemetis, PR, Mar., 2021) Contact: CARB, Richard Perry, CEO, Melanie Turner, Information Officer, (916) 322-2990, melanie.turner@arb.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov; Aemetis, Eric McAfee, CEO , Todd Waltz, (408) 213-0940, emcafee@aemetis.com, www.aemetis.com
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Changes to the Supply and Disposition summary data table include:
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
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When fully operational in 2023, the plant will: produce 6,500 bpd of renewable fuels including renewable diesel, arctic-grade renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) 80 to 85 pct when compared to fossil fuel diesel; create a demand for 35 million bushels of canola seed (worth roughly $500 million) to produce 325,000-350,000 tpy of canola oil feedstock; and use recycled hydrogen in the production process.
The company has completed initial pre-FEED engineering and feedstock studies, as well as a marketing, demand, and pricing study. The plant is expected to begin production in 2023, subject to regulatory and other approvals.
(Source: Covenant Energy, Website PR, Contact: Covenant Energy, Josh Gustafson, Pres., CEO, (306) 421-7442, joshgustafson@covenantenergy.ca; www.covenantenergy.ca
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The new Rotterdam facility will be roughly the same size as the company's €1.5 billion ($1.79 billion) refinery expansion currently under construction in Singapore. The Singapore plant produces renewable fuels from waste and residues such as used cooking oil, animal fat from food industry waste, fish processing waste and residues from vegetable oil processing. (Source: Neste, PR, 15 Mar., 2021) Contact: Neste, www.neste.com
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The Act would authorize $500 million over 5 years for infrastructure grants for fuel retailers and direct the EPA Administrator to finalize a proposed rule to repeal E15 labeling requirements warning drivers about E15's potential impact on cars, which may confuse and deter drivers from using E15, a blend of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol. The bill would also direct the EPA Administrator to finalize provisions from the same proposed rule to allow certain existing Underground Storage Tanks (UST) to store higher blends of ethanol.
The Adopt GREET Act would require the EPA to update its greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel by requiring the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) Model for both fuels. EPA would then be required to update its modeling every five years or report to Congress to affirm its modeling is current or otherwise explain why no updates were made. (Source: EPA, Telegraph, 8 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biodiesel, Biofuel, Renewable Fuels Infrastructure, Renewable Fuel, GREET, EPA Legislation,
The HBRF study covers renewable fuels including biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil and biomethane and identifies the opportunities and barriers to adoption and the GHG-saving opportunities available for sustainable, renewable fuel adoption by heavy duty vehicles.
The study notes that with a market average of 30 pct HBRF used in place of diesel and natural gas by 2030, the sector could save an additional 46 million tonnes in GHG emissions over the next decade.
The Zemo Partnership Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme is an initiative designed and managed by Zemo Partnership that aims to give fleet operators independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the RTFO, and customer supply chain specific GHG emission performance data. The scheme is open to all UK suppliers of renewable fuels including those that supply blends of renewable fuels. Companies are required to apply to Zemo Partnership to become an approved Renewable Fuel Supplier and demonstrate compliance with the scheme performance criteria and undergo an annual compliance check. This entails independent verification of company procedures, processes and renewable fuel production data by an auditor, according to the Zemo website.
Once approved renewable fuel supplier will be able to issue their customers with 'Renewable Fuel Declarations' every three months for batches of sustainable low carbon fuels sold. The declaration will identify the carbon intensity and GHG emissions savings specific to the renewable fuel supply chain as well as information on feedstocks, the Zemo website notes.
(Source: Zemo Partnership, PR, Website, 8 Mar., 2021)
Contact: Zemo Partnership, Gloria Esposito, Sustainability Head, +44 (0)20 7304 6880,
hello@zemo.org.uk, www.zemo.org.uk
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Flint Hills Resources, a Koch Industries subsidiary, will market the renewable aromatic products produced at the Encina Corpus Christi facility as well as work with its affiliates to market renewable aromatic products from other Encina U.S.-based plants.
(Source: Encina Development Group, PR, 3 Mar., 2021) Contact: Encina, David A. Schwedel, Executive Director, (281) 210-0007, dschwedel@encina.com, www.encina.com; Flint Hills, www.fhr.com
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Vivergo Fuels was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between AB Sugar, BP and DuPont.
The company was also one of the government's Northern Powerhouse partners. (Source: Vivergo Fuels, PR, Website, Feb., 2021) Contact: Vivergo Fuels, +44 01482 700850 www.vivergofuels.com
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The EPA under Trump issued 85 retroactive small refinery exemptions for the 2016-2018 compliance years, undercutting the renewable fuel volumes by a total of 4 billion gallons, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance
(Source: US EPA, 22 Feb., 2021)Contact: RFA, www.ethanolrfa.org
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According to the release, the biofuels standard establishes a minimum level of biodiesel to be blended in the state's diesel fuel pool, gradually increasing over time. Beginning in 2022, the legislation ensures that biodiesel comprises 11 pct of the diesel pool and provides tax credits for higher blends. The program expands to 20 pct biodiesel blends (B20) in future years.
The legislation also establishes new retail income tax incentives for fuel marketers and provides funding for biodiesel projects through the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program. Financial support for renewable fuels would also be made available from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.
(Source: Ag Processing Inc., PR, 23 Feb., 2021) Contact: Ag Processing Inc., Troy Alberts, VP Refined Oils and Renewable Fuels, 402-496-7809, www.agp.com
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