The first refinery to produce cellulosic ethanol with a bolt-on process officially opened its doors today. “This is a historic day not just for the ethanol plant, but for the entire region,” said Delayne Johnson, CEO of Quad County Corn Processors in Galva, Iowa. “This is a perfect example of cutting edge technology, right here in our backyard and we …
Oberon Fuels Receives Biogas RFS Approval
Oberon Fuels has received approval as a renewable fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its biogas-based dimethyl ether (DME) fuel. The company’s biogas-based DME is now eligible for high value D-Code 3 (cellulosic) and D-Code 5 (advanced) renewable identification numbers (RINs). The EPA determined that biogas-based DME produced from the Oberon process …
Arrayan Wind Farmed Commissioned in Santiago
The 115 MW El Arrayan Wind farm located 400 km north of Santiago on the coast of Chile has officially been commissioned. El Arrayan Wind connects to the Sistema Interconectado Central’s 220kVm transmission system and is located on approximately 15,320 acres of coastal land on a long-term lease with a single landowner. The President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, together with …
Advanced Biofuels Industry Comments on 2014 RFS
The advanced biofuels community is responding this week to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) submission of the final 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) where it will be reviewed. Although the rule is not public, groups are speculating on what the final rule entails with hope still that advanced biofuels will …
RFS Headed to OMB for Review
The Environmental Protection Agency has sent its final rule on 2014 volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review in a last step before public release. Renewable fuels groups responded to the news today. “We’re pleased to see the process moving forward and hope the final rule will show …
Dutch Researchers Develop Catalyst to Get Oil from Biomass
Researchers in The Netherlands have developed a catalyst that helps get more energy from biomass to more closely match more conventional sources of oil-based energy. This article from the University of Twente says the new, simple catalyst improves the quality of this oil before it is even transported to the refinery and was selected as part of the follow-up technology …
Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Published
The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have published a new report that outlines new federal initiatives to support growth in the private biogas/waste-to-energy sector. The Biogas Opportunities Roadmap concluded that developing a viable biogas industry in the U.S. can boost the economy as well as provide a reliable, distributed source …
ACA Bio Fuel Ethanol Plant in Argentina Goes Online
The ACA Bio Cooperative Limitada (ACA Bio) dry-mill corn ethanol plant has been commissioned in Argentina. The ethanol plant is located near Villa Maria in the central province of Cordoba, Argentina. During the start-up phase, the plant met or exceeded all performance guarantees according to ICM, who designed the plant. The plant will produce both ethanol and animal feed (dried …
Solar & Storage Microgrid Project Planned for Vermont
A new solar + storage microgrid project has been announced for Rutland, Vermont. The Stafford Hills project is being developed by Green Mountain Power in collaboration with Dynapower and GroSolar. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity along with the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Partnership (ESTAP) funded the energy storage component project along with funds from the State of …
Ethanol at the Buffalo Chip
Every year that the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been a sponsor at the Buffalo Chip Campground for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally we get the chance to visit with founder and president of The Chip Rod “Woody” Woodruff, and this year was no exception. Woody is a laid back guy who founded the campground 33 years ago so people …