USDA and Airline Companies to Discuss Aviation Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is hosting a media roundtable with aviation business leaders today to discuss the important role of American-produced biofuels in the civilian aircraft and airline industry, and in the military.

Participants in the discussion with Vilsack will include John Tracy with The Boeing Company and Billy Glover of Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Alex Marren with United Continental Holdings and Jim Rekoske, Vice President and General Manager of Renewable Energy & Chemicals for Honeywell.

In January, 2010, Vilsack and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage development of advanced biofuels to be used in the Great Green Fleet that will demo in 2012. USDA has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help the commercial airline industry utilize biofuels as jet fuel. USDA has also invested significantly in research projects to advance the aviation biofuels industry.

The roundtable discussion is being held this afternoon at 12:45 central at Boeing Corporate Offices in Chicago.

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, biofuels, biojet fuel, USDA

Registration Deadline Nearing for Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2012 National Ethanol Conference, coming up February 22-24 in Orlando, is a must-attend for anyone in the ethanol industry.

Among the highlights of the conference will be opening general session keynoter Dr. James Canton, futurist and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures. For over 30 years, Canton has been insightfully predicting the key trends that have shaped our world and he will discuss the importance of engaging consumers to grow demand and improve the biofuels industry image.

The opening day luncheon address will feature presidential advisors Karl Rove and Robert Gibbs who will provide their “Insider Perspectives on Election 2012 – The Presidency and Congress.” Rove was one of President George W. Bush’s closest confidants and advisors, and Robert Gibbs has been a longtime advisor to President Obama.

With ethanol exports booming, speakers including former U.S. trade ambassador Mickey Kantor will address the trade opportunities and challenges facing U.S. producers as they seek to expand international markets.

Early registration and convention hotel rates both expire soon. Registration fees for the NEC increase by $100 after January 26. The room block at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center also expires on January 26.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Beta Renewables Joins Advanced Ethanol Council

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA AECCellulosic biomass company Beta Renewables has become the latest member of the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC), an organization that promotes advanced ethanol fuels and technologies.

Beta Renewables is a unique $350 million joint venture formed from the Chemtex division of Gruppo Mossi & Ghisolfi and TPG and is dedicated to making cellulosic biomass practical and cost-effective for the production of advanced biofuels and biochemicals.

aec beta“There are obvious synergies between Beta Renewables’ efforts to commercialize ligno-cellulosic bio-ethanol production and the Advanced Ethanol Council’s singular focus on developing forward-looking policies and open markets for the advanced ethanol sector,” said Guido Ghisolfi, President and CEO of Beta Renewables. “The Advanced Ethanol Council has put itself at the center of the discussion about promoting both advanced ethanol and advanced biofuels as a whole, and we see our membership with the Council as a critical part of our efforts to further develop Chemtex’s PROESA technology and related business platforms in the United States.”

Beta Renewables has invested over $200 million in the development of its PROESA™ process. The company is currently building the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol facility in Crescentino, Italy, which is expected to be in commercial production in mid-2012. The company has signed a number of PROESA™ technology licensing agreements with U.S. companies and is in the process of bringing its unique processing technology to the U.S. marketplace.

advanced biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Fuel Testing Reveals Higher Octane in Ethanol

Last July, the government announced plans to raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 54.5 MPG by 2025. The automotive industry responded saying the MPG number was an attainable goal by utilizing high-efficiency internal combustion engines that deliver lower CO2 emissions. However, one hurdle to address is that these high-efficiency engines need higher-octane fuel to realize their full fuel efficiency and performance potential.

Making higher octane gasoline at the refinery is an expensive process that is passed on to the consumer. So, can a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly source of octane be found in ethanol?
ICM
Yes, according to the fuel testing results just released. The fuel research was conducted by AVL, a global industry leader for the development of powertrain systems with internal combustion engines, instrumentation and test systems. The fuel testing study was funded in part by ICM. The first phase of fuel testing began in January 2011 and ended in December 2011.

Identifying A New Way to Test Fuel

Recognizing ethanol’s full octane value required some practical thinking about how ethanol is added to fuel, and to show how ethanol performs in new direct-injection engines. The AVL tests incorporated multiple gasoline base fuels, various compression ratios and several automotive fuel systems to demonstrate ethanol’s performance.

One of the surprising results revealed in this testing was the additional benefits of ethanol’s favorable octane sensitivity. By plotting both ethanol’s chemical octane and sensitivity benefits along with the cooling effect, test results showed that ethanol offers twice the octane potential. The focus of testing was to evaluate the various fuel blends along a range of knock limit operation rather than just evaluating one set point as is done today.Read More

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Research

H2O Innovation at Process Optimization Seminar

Cindy Zimmerman

phibroThere are many aspects to optimizing ethanol plant processes, including water treatment, and that is why Quebec-based H2O Innovation has chosen to be part of the latest in the Process Optimization Seminar management series, coming up February 8-10 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Greg Madden says they call themselves a membrane systems integrator. “We engineer and build equipment for water treatment around membrane technology,” said Madden, which includes anything pre-treatment and post-treatment. Typical systems for ethanol plants include RO pretreatment equipment, followed by single-pass RO for boiler and cooling tower feed.

phibroH2O Innovations presented at the Houston Process Optimization Seminar last year and will be sponsoring the cocktail reception at the upcoming event in Minnesota. “There’s definitely good networking opportunities (at the event),” he said, noting that in addition to the educational aspect of the seminar “they do a pretty good job of making it fun.”

Listen to an interview with Greg Madden about the upcoming seminar: Greg Madden of H2O Innovation

The Process Optimization Seminar management series is organized by Fermentis, Fremont Industries, Novozymes and Phibro Ethanol Performance Group.

Registration is limited to 50 participants and the event is now close to sold out, as all previous seminars have been, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register as soon as possible at www.processoptimizationseminar.com.

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, water

Gov. Branstad Will Address IRFA Summit Jan. 24th

IRFA Terry BranstadIowa Governor Terry Branstad has made the state a leader in renewable fuels production and public policy, therefore he will address the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on January 24th.

“Leadership from the top makes a difference and Governor Branstad has made a big difference for Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel producers,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Under his leadership, Iowa has taken a lead in proactive public policy for E15 and biodiesel. The renewable fuels community looks forward to hearing from the Governor regarding the implementation of these policies.”
Iowa RFA
Branstad will address the Summit at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24. Other feature presentations will include four-star General Paul Kern (U.S. Army, ret.) who will discuss foreign oil’s impact on U.S. military operations. Former Reagan National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane will address breaking America’s addiction to foreign oil. Executive Director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, Dr. Gal Luft, will spell out the real national security threats posed by our country’s dangerous dependence on foreign petroleum.

The Summit and trade show are free and open to the public but pre-registration is required. The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial/Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

biofuels, conferences, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Ethanol Exports Surge in 2011

Cindy Zimmerman

The latest numbers show that November ethanol exports set another record and that means total exports for 2011 could well exceed a billion gallons.

ethanol exports

U.S. exports of denatured and undenatured (non-beverage) ethanol set a new monthly record of 152.5 million gallons (mg) in November, according to government data released this morning. Brazil was the leading destination for U.S. product and accounted for nearly half of total shipments for the month. Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands were among other top destinations.

Year-to-date total exports through November stood at 1.02 billion gallons (bg), meaning exports were on pace for a 2011 calendar year total of 1.11 bg. Notably, these exports did not qualify for the ethanol blender’s tax credit, as the ethanol was not blended with gasoline prior to exportation.

“Exports have become an important part of the business model for American ethanol producers,” said Geoff Cooper, Vice President of Research and Analysis at the Renewable Fuels Association. “American ethanol producers are the lowest cost provider of motor fuel today and have ample supplies available to help meet ethanol demand around the globe. While the preference for American producers would be to use more ethanol domestically through use of higher ethanol blends like E15, E30 and E85, overseas markets will remain a viable and important part of America’s ethanol industry.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

Mid-State Energy Brings E85 to Ft. Myers, Fla. Drivers

Ft. Myers, Fla. flex-fuel drivers now can fuel up with E85 thanks to Mid-State Energy, Inc.

The Ft. Myers Marathon station, opened the E85 station last week. Mid-State Energy also opened up a Circle K E85 fueling station in 2010 in Lake Wales, Fla., with partner Protec Fuel.

“Our company believes in not only giving choice to our customers,” said Ken Allen, Jr., president of Mid-State Energy, “but in providing options that will help our country to become more sustainable and help in some little way to minimize our dependence on foreign oil.”

Protec Fuel, based in Florida, has partnered with Mid-State Energy to manage the E85 installation and provide fuel for the company’s new greener burning fuel offering. Protec is a turnkey E85 company specializing in station conversions and fuel distribution. Flex-fuel vehicles can run on E85 and gasoline. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

“We commend Mid-State for its dedication in not just opening one E85 station, but its second station as well,” said Todd Garner, CEO of Protec Fuel. “Plus, Mid-State is not only choosing to offer a cleaner-burning option for customers, but a way to differentiate itself in the marketplace,” he said.

Mid-State Energy says it hopes to offer multiple alternative fuels, such as E85 and biodiesel, at the location someday. Besides E85 selling at a lower cost than conventional gasoline at the Ft. Myers and Lake Wales locations, it is better for the environment and supports our U.S. and local economies.

blends, E85, Flex Fuel Vehicles

ACE Helps Educate SD Retailers on Blender Pumps

Officials from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) are hosting meetings across South Dakota this week to introduce the state’s new Ethanol Infrastructure Incentive Grant Program to petroleum retailers. The program was created to help station owners defray the cost of installation of ethanol blender pumps, which offer consumers a greater variety of fuel choices, including non-ethanol fuels and higher blends like E15, E30, and E85. Funding for the grant program was made possible by a partnership between South Dakota Ethanol Producers and the State of South Dakota.

Representatives from the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) are helping educate participants about ethanol blends in the meetings as well.

“The Blend Your Own Ethanol campaign, which is a partnership between ACE and the Renewable Fuels Association, provides marketers across the country with information they need to help them decide whether they want to offer new, higher ethanol blends for their customers,” said Ron Lamberty, Senior Vice President, “and we see the South Dakota program as an example that we hope other states will emulate.”

ACE Director of Market Development Rick Serie says they are happy to be working with South Dakota on this effort.

“We are pleased that the state continues to lead the way in creating programs to encourage marketers to install more blender pumps. A program much like this one was a big success last year, and we are excited that South Dakota’s ethanol producers and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development are willing to continue to support and help implement a program like this that will have so many benefits for retailers and consumers in South Dakota,” Serie said.

ACE, blends, Ethanol

Pilot Biorefinery Dedicated in Perry, Florida

Cindy Zimmerman

Florida State Representative Debbie Mayfield dumped a load of sugarcane waste to dedicate a new pilot biorefinery this week in honor of her late husband, Stan Mayfield.

uf ethanol plantThe dedication ceremony involved Mayfield pulling the lever on a front-end loader to dump a pile of pulverized sugarcane stalks, officially delivering the first shipment of feedstock to the facility, which will now be known as the Stan Mayfield Biorefinery Pilot Plant. The plant is located in Perry, Florida and is a cooperative venture between the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Buckeye Technologies Inc. The facility will be operated as a UF/IFAS satellite laboratory researching the use of inedible plant material to produce fuel ethanol, such as sugarcane waste.

When fully operational, the biorefinery will produce up to 400 gallons of fuel ethanol and 5,000 pounds of organic acids for bioplastics each day. Some of the researchers’ goals include testing a wide variety of feedstocks, such as crop residues and yard waste, and finding ways to save money on production costs.

Stan Mayfield was a member of the state House of Representatives from 2000 until his death in 2008 and was instrumental in securing a $20 million appropriation from the Florida Legislature to fund the biorefinery. A UF graduate, Mayfield was a strong advocate of renewable fuels, environmental protection and economic growth.

advanced biofuels, bioenergy, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News