Ethanol Issues at Corn Utilization Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

cutc geoff cooperIndirect land use change and DDGs quality were two of the ethanol-related topics that were featured at the 2010 Corn Utilization and Technology Conference (CUTC) sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and held last week in Atlanta.

Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association took part in the event and chaired one of the technical sessions. “Five or six years ago if you had come to this conference, you would not have heard many mentions of greenhouse gases and carbon footprint and things like that, but those issues are front of mind with the industry today and those themes really permeated a lot of the sessions this year.”

Cooper says there was some discussion about an environmental group lawsuit over the Renewable Fuel Standard that claims EPA did not account for the “Global Rebound Effect.” “In essence, what the theory suggests is that by using more biofuels in the United States, we’re driving down oil consumption, which results in oil prices decreasing, and because oil prices are lower then people in other parts of the world start using more oil,” Cooper said. “So they’re suggesting that would occur as a result of the RFS 2 and that those emissions should be attributable to biofuels like ethanol.”

Of course, he points out that the goal of the RFS 2 is to reduce oil consumption. “So we find it a little questionable that now they would be suggesting that it’s a bad thing that we’re reducing our oil consumption in the U.S. as a result of that policy,” Cooper said.

The theme of the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference was “Corn: America’s Renewable Resource” and Cooper says since this year’s crop is expected to be another big one, increasing markets continues to be important. “Corn is a great crop with a lot of utility, let’s put it to work,” he said.

Listen to an interview with Geoff Cooper in the player below and see photos from the conference on Flickr.

Audio, corn, CUTC, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, RFA

TransTech Energy Adds Icom’s Propane Systems

Joanna Schroeder

TransTech Energy has reported that they have signed an agreement with Icom North America to install and service Icom’s patented JTG propane liquid injection fuel system on government and commercial fleet vehicles. The JTG fuel system can be installed on nearly any gasoline vehicle with multi-point injection. According to TransTech they anticipate selling more than 3,000 systems during the first three years which will provide the recipients with lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

“TransTech Energy is well-respected throughout the propane industry as a leading contractor for propane storage-facility engineering and construction,” said Ralph Perpetuini, CEO of Icom North America. “Interest in propane as an alternative fuel continues to grow; it will lead to increased business for both of our companies and enable the further expansion of the propane vehicle industry in the USA.”

Icom’s technology has been installed on more than 100,000 vehicles worldwide as a bi-fuel (gasoline-propane) fuel system. In the US, the mono-fuel version (propane only) has been installed on more than 5,000 vehicles. Targeted vehicles for the fuel system include taxis, police cars, municipal fleets, and any commercial vehicles.

Britt Medley, CEO of TransTech concluded, “Icom’s bi-fuel system allows owners to operate their vehicles in a gasoline-only mode without affecting normal driving. Installation is non-invasive and the engine’s original computer serves as the main system controller, a feature fleet managers like to see with an aftermarket alternative fuel system.”

News, Propane

Revving up for Iowa Corn Indy 250

Cindy Zimmerman

The state of Iowa is getting in the racing mood this week as the 4th annual Iowa Corn Indy 250, presented by Pioneer, is upon us. The race will be held on Sunday, June 20 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

Iowa Corn Growers CEO Craig Floss says the race has provided them with a great platform for positive messages about corn use in food, fuel and feed for the livestock industry. “The momentum that was created the first couple of years is still paying dividends to us,” said Floss. “We’re reaching more people than ever. We have a nationwide television audience. The name recognition has really grown here in Iowa and beyond throughout the Midwest.”

Floss says they have a number of events planned this week in advance of the race. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is helping to kick off the week on Tuesday by traveling to work at the Iowa state capitol in a modified 2-seater Indy car celebrating the fact that the race will be running on locally-grown corn ethanol.

On Thursday, the Iowa corn growers and Pioneer will be sponsoring a pump promotion in Des Moines, offering E85 for just 85 cents a gallon and regular E10 for 10 cents off. Marco Andretti with Andretti Autosports and sponsored by Venom energy drink will be signing autographs and pumping ethanol for customers and fans at the event to be held at the Guthrie Street Kum & Go from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Iowa corn growers have retained the sponsorship of this race as the only IndyCar Series race to run on corn ethanol since Brazil’s ethanol industry took over sponsorship of the series and provides fuel for the rest of the races. “Ethanol is good for Iowa, it’s good for Indy, and the only difference between an Indy driver using it and the general consumer is the speed limit,” Floss says.

Listen to or download an interview with Craig Floss in the player below.

Audio, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Indy Racing

Ready for 2010 Fuel Ethanol Workshop

Cindy Zimmerman

FEW 2010The “world’s largest gathering of ethanol producers” gets underway today in St. Louis as the 26th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo boasts that 500 ethanol plant employees representing 11.7 billion gallons, 170 plants and 80% of installed capacity will be in attendance.

Following the FEW ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 pm, Gen. Wesley Clark, retired four-star general and co-chairman of Growth Energy, will host the Expo Grand Opening and welcome reception. The opening event will also feature a memorial scholarship fundraiser and tribute to ethanol pioneer Kathy Bryan, who passed away shortly after last year’s event.

RFA DinneenRenewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen will present the keynote address at the expo on Tuesday morning. As one of the industry’s most accomplished industry voices on the Hill, Dinneen champions the RFA’s mission to increase the production and use of grain and cellulosic ethanol and to create a dynamic, robust industry. He has been named one of America’s “top lobbyists” by The Hill, and he regularly testifies before federal agencies and congressional committees. Dinneen will give an update on the industry’s legislative priorities, kicking off one of the more practical FEW plenary sessions in recent history.

The expo features more than 120 industry professionals delivering presentations across five topic tracks. This year’s line-up was assembled from over 240 abstracts which were vigorously reviewed by a panel of nearly 40 industry professionals. The result is a compilation of presenters addressing our industry’s most current concepts, processes, technologies, challenges, and opportunities. Topics as varied as plant optimization, advances in fermentation, carbon monetization, and industry salary trends are all available in this one, content-packed event.

Be sure to watch for complete coverage of the FEW right here on DomesticFuel and via our Twitter twitter.com/domesticfuel.

Ethanol, FEW, Growth Energy, RFA

Plant to Produce Synthetic Oil from Biomass

Cindy Zimmerman

A new plant is in the works that will produce synthetic oil from biomass that can in turn be made into transportation fuel.

The process is called “fast pyrolysis” and two companies, Ensyn Technologies Inc. and Tolko Industries, have announced that they will build the world’s largest fast commercial pyrolysis plant in High Level, Alberta. When completed, the new plant will be capable of processing 400 bone dry tonnes of biomass per day into 85,000,000 litres (22.5 million U.S. gallons) of pyrolysis oil annually.

Canadian RFAGordon Quaiattini, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association called the announcement a breakthrough in more ways than one. “It is a landmark partnership between the renewable fuels and forestry sectors. It highlights yet another commercial breakthrough for next generation technologies. And it marks the first and most impressive plant of its kind anywhere in the world,” said Quaiattini.

The announcement also brings together the bio-energy and forestry sectors in a new and exciting fashion with the formal partnership between Ensyn and Tolko. Increasingly, cellulosic and other advanced technologies present new value-added opportunities for the forestry sector leveraging waste wood and by-products.

biomass, Cellulosic, International

New Yeast Strain For Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Cindy Zimmerman

Purdue University scientists have improved a strain of yeast that can produce more biofuel from cellulosic plant material by fermenting all five types of the plant’s sugars.

purdueThe researchers used genes from a fungus to re-engineer a yeast strain developed at Purdue. The new yeast can ferment the sugar arabinose in addition to the other sugars found in plant material such as corn stalks, straw, switchgrass and other crop residues.

The addition of new genes to the yeast strain should increase the amount of ethanol that can be produced from cellulosic material. Arabinose makes up about 10 percent of the sugars contained in those plants.

In addition to creating this new arabinose-fermenting yeast, the scientists also were able to develop strains that are more resistant to acetic acid, which gets into yeast cells and slows the fermentation process, adding to the cost of ethanol production.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, University

Verizon Fitting Ford Vans with CNG

John Davis

Communications giant Verizon is adding about 500 Ford cargo vans that will burn compressed natural gas (CNG).

This Ford press release calls the work on the E-250 cargo vans an upfit that will help Verizon reduce its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions:

“Verizon’s fleet team is constantly on the watch for new, lower-carbon technology,” [Ken McKenney, Sustainable Fleet-Technical Engineering Lead for Verizon] said. “CNG is a leading alternative fuel choice right now, so converting these cargo vans to run on the cleaner-burning fuel helps us cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. We will continue to find ways to increase the efficiency of our fleet.”

Cargo vans represent the single largest group of vehicles in Verizon’s vehicle fleet. They are primarily used by technicians who install and maintain phones and FiOS TV and Internet services for homes and businesses. The CNG-equipped Ford E-250 vans will be used in key Verizon markets throughout the country that have retail infrastructures in place for fueling.

The vehicles are being converted to CNG by BAF, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

Officials say that this is a move more company fleets could emulate.

Car Makers, Natural Gas

Hawaiian Utility Gets Green Light on Green Biodiesel

John Davis

The utility that provides almost all of the power for Hawaii has been given the go ahead to use biodiesel for some of that power production.

The state’s Public Utilities Commission has cleared Hawaiian Electric Company to use between three and seven million gallons of the green fuel made from used cooking oil and waste animal fat, from Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group. This post from BrighterEnergy.org says Maui Electric Company has also been given the go-ahead to use biodiesel from Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby made from palm oil at a demonstration plant:

HEC will be using the recovered oil biodiesel known as REG-9000 in the new 110-megawatt combustion unit at the Campbell Industrial Park Generating Station, which was completed last year.

The new unit can start quickly and also increase or decrease power output quickly, with HEC saying it would be important in helping balance the electricity network as more intermittent renewable energy sources like wind or solar power come online. It will also help restart the electric system in the event of a blackout.

Meanwhile Maui Electric is to demonstrate the use of biodiesel in replacing petroleum-based diesel in its generating units at Ma’alaea over a four-month period. The test will assess impacts on air emissions, heat rate, operations and maintenance costs.

The projects will help Hawaii reach its goal of getting 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Biodiesel

New Class of Tractor Pullers to Use Biodiesel

John Davis

Some tractor pullers will be running green … and I’m not just talking about the John Deere machines out there.

This article from Wallaces Farmer says the National Tractor Pullers Association’s 2010 season will feature a new competition division, the Light Pro Stock class, and with sponsorship from the United Soybean Board (USB), those tractors will be running on soy biodiesel:

“I think tractor-pull enthusiasts will be very impressed by the performance of biodiesel,” says USB director Russ Carpenter, a soybean farmer from New York. “Biodiesel, in many ways, is superior to traditional diesel, and what better way to demonstrate that superiority than to push it to the max the way tractor pullers push their fuel to the max?” According to NTPA General Manager Gregg Randall, many pullers already realize the performance benefits of biodiesel and use biodiesel in competition. “We sent out a questionnaire to our NTPA Grand National Super Farm competitors, and 60% said they use biodiesel fuel in competition,” says Randall. “Many pullers believe in the fuel, and they use it in competition. The consumption should grow with the sponsorship of the Light Pro Stock class.”

The use of soy biodiesel makes sense since it is still the most popular feedstock for biodiesel and the fact that many of the drivers and fans have direct connections to the soybean industry.

Biodiesel, Soybeans

Making the Case for Getting Rid of Biofuels Subsidies

John Davis

As the biodiesel industry anxiously awaits Congress’ renewal of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit, an energy consulting company that specializes in biodiesel and ethanol operations is actually calling for elimination of these types of credits for all biofuels.

This opinion piece in Biofuels Digest from Sklar & Associates makes the case that we don’t have to give the biofuels industries government money to make them competitive with petroleum (which, by the way, gets plenty of government funds):

Although these blenders’ credits have had the effect of keeping biofuels prices comparable to prices received for petroleum based transportation fuels, while providing biofuels producers with enough additional revenue to allow them to remain in operation at a time of falling petroleum prices, it appears that blenders’ credits programs will ultimately prove to be inadequate.

First, they do not provide the certainty that adequate biofuels prices can always be obtained. The obvious problem is structural, as the blenders’ credits are set by legislation as a fixed amount per gallon, and subject to change, without regard to changes in fuels market prices.

Second, blenders’ credit legislation that is passed is subject to potential revision, discontinuance or repeal, depending on the prevailing mood in the Congress. And investors in projects that rely on price floors that are propped up by blenders’ credits, have no assurance that these floors would be sustained over the project’s life.

So what’s the solution? The article goes on to say that while more taxes on petroleum-based fuels are bad ideas, there are a couple of things that can be done that would equalize cost differentials that different blenders actually incur:

a) A biofuels use mandate imposed by the Federal Government on blenders of gasoline and diesel fuel to create a demand for biofuels; and,

b) A biofuels cost equalization program similar to the FEA’s Old Oil Entitlements program that would make those blenders who do not blend the mandated percentage of biofuels into their petroleum fuels products, to pay the added cost they would have incurred for doing so, to those resellers who blend more than the mandated percentage at a higher cost.

It’s an interesting concept, but I think I would feel better if we got rid of the subsidies to Big Oil and cut the biofuel makers a bit a slack. But, hey, I’m no consultant.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Legislation, News