Synthetic Biology for Next-Generation Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

BIOlogo.2The 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, is in full swing in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I had the opportunity to listen in to a webinar sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). The session focused on the technical and commercial advances in the use of synthetic biology for next-generation biofuels.

Four companies participated in the panel and each company is working on different technologies using different feedstocks. LS9 is creating “renewable petroleum” to produce a green diesel coined LS9 logoRenewable Petroleum. “I think diesel is where we need to be,” said CEO Bill Haywood. Their feedstocks include low-carbon, natural sources of sugar such as sugar cane and cellulosic biomass. Patent-pending UltraClean™ fuels are custom engineered to have higher energetic content than ethanol or butanol; to have fuel properties that are essentially indistinguishable from those of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel; and to be distributed in existing pipeline infrastructure and run in any vehicle. In addition, their product is price competitive at $50 a barrel.

Amyris logoAmyris is also a company focused on converting sugar to biodiesel.  The company recently opened a full-scale demonstration plant in Brazil and is currently testing its product. At a 20 percent blend level (B20) the company’s biodiesel reduces NOX, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. “Our tests show that there is a 94 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse emissions when producing diesel from sugarcane,” said Neil Renninger, co-founder and CTO. The company is looking to purchase existing ethanol plants and mills and then retrofitting the plants with their technology.Read More

BIO, Biodiesel, biofuels, conferences, Ethanol

Charles Holliday Wins George Washington Carver Award

Joanna Schroeder

“Think boldly. Act Responsibly. And don’t give up too easily.” Wise words from Charles (Chad) O. Holliday, Jr., DuPont Chairman of the Board, as he received the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology given today by the Biotechnology Industry Organization during the 2009 World Congress. The award was given at a plenary lunch of the sixth annual 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Chad Holliday with the GWCarver award and Mark Wright of Iowa State, the recipient of the Carver scholarship.

Chad Holliday with the GWCarver award and Mark Wright of Iowa State, the recipient of the Carver scholarship.

George Washington Carver is considered one of the founding fathers of modern industrial biotechnology and the award is given to companies who focus on continuing to develop products through sustainable agriculture. Carver’s work inspired leaders of the chemurgy movement, whose proponents looked for ways to replace petrochemicals with farm-derived products. Leaders of the chemurgy movement such as Charles Kettering and William Jay Hale proposed that anything made from a hydrocarbon could be made from a carbohydrate. Today, companies are using industrial biotechnology to manufacture plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even food ingredients from renewable agricultural resources.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said of Holliday’s accomplishments, “During Holliday’s tenure as CEO, DuPont invested in biology-based businesses and infused them with its chemistry know-how. For instance, DuPont partnered with sugar processor Tate & Lyle to manufacture 1,3 propanediol, a polyester ingredient made by fermenting sugar. That venture led the company to think about applying its fermentation expertise to making renewable fuels and chemicals in a biorefinery. Under the aegis of the Department of Energy, the firm has worked with several research partners to further the concept and make it commercially viable.”

“Market-driven science discovery and new product innovation are at the very core of DuPont’s business, and industrial biotechnology is a key component of that, ” said Holliday. “Innovation is essential to business growth that provides safer and more secure lives for people everywhere while addressing global energy and environmental challenges. On behalf of all DuPont employees around the world, I am deeply honored to receive an award that recognizes and promotes work toward this goal, especially as it is given by a group of peers who share this vision.”

Accompanying the award is a George Washington Carver scholarship given in the name of Charles O. Holliday, Jr., to Iowa State University graduate student Mark Wright, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Biorenewable Resources and Technology. The award is sponsored by DSM, the Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Agribusiness, BIO, Biotech

RFA: Adopt E15 with E12 Interim Step

Joanna Schroeder

rfa-logo2The end of the E15 comment period has provided a whirlwind of activity among the ethanol industry. Yesterday, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) along with many other ethanol and agricultural organizations, filed comments with the EPA. In their comments, the RFA introduced previously non-submitted data supporting a move to E15. However, although they support the adoption of E15, they also called on the EPA to take the immediate interim step of moving to E12.

Bob Dinneen, President of RFA said, “Reducing America’s dependence of foreign oil requires a shift in how we fuel our vehicles. Already agreed upon science and ongoing research make clear the move to up to E15 blends is warranted. In addition, existing statutes allow EPA to take an interim step by approving the use of up to 12% ethanol blends. In order to achieve the energy, economic and environmental goals of this country, increasing the use of domestically-produced renewable fuels like ethanol is essential. EPA has the authority, and now the science, to approve such a step.”

As mentioned by other waiver supporters, the science is there to support the increase to E15. The RFA noted six recently completed research projects from the Coordinated Research Council (CRC), the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State University, and the American Petroleum Institute (API) that confirm the safe and effective use of higher ethanol blends. A complete summary of these studies can be found in Section I, Subsection B of RFA’s written comments.

In addition, the RFA notes that EPA already has the authority to immediately move to E12 blends while considering the entire E15 waiver. Specifically, EPA has authority to define E12 blends are ‘substantially similar’ to fuels used in certified motor vehicles, such as E10. The basis for this conclusion is that the weight percentage of oxygen that EPA allows in oxygenated gasoline actually equates to an oxygen percentage that would be present in E12 blends. Since the voiced concerns regarding higher ethanol blends are largely based on the potential for increased oxygen content to cause issues with the engine, if oxygen content that would equate to 12% ethanol in gasoline is already allowed, EPA has the legal authority to make a substantially similar finding for such blends under Section 211(f)(1).

“The time for dragging our feet in achieving real energy self-reliance is over,” said Dinneen. “By increasing the use of ethanol, EPA can not only ensure the success of our energy and environmental public policy goals, but provide economic and job opportunities to tens of thousands of Americans. The science and the statute clearly give EPA the justification and authority to approve ethanol blends of E12 and up to E15. Administrator Jackson should follow the lead of President Obama and allow for increased ethanol use from all sources.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

ACE & 7,000 Supporters File Comments With EPA

Joanna Schroeder

The comment period for the Green Jobs Waiver ended yesterday and the EPA has until December 1, 2009 to rule on the waiver request. Yesterday, The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), filed official comments with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. In addition, nearly 7,000 people signed ACE’s petition in support of the approval to blend up to E15 in gasoline. Signatures on the petition came from all 50 states, proof that ethanol is supported throughout the country – not just in the Midwest.

ACE_new_logoBrian Jennings, Executive Vice President of ACE, commented, “Americans want to use more ethanol, and the number of people who have signed this petition in support of E15 demonstrates widespread grassroots support for ethanol. It is significant that the people listed here come from all 50 states, which shows that ethanol is not just a Midwestern issue. People all across the country recognize that Big Oil’s monopoly at the pump must be broken and that more ethanol represents meaningful consumer choice.”

Dissenters of the Green Jobs Waiver cite performance and drivability issues and call for more research to be completed before ruling on the waiver. However, Jennings noted that, “The science behind using more than E10 in standard vehicles in overwhelmingly positive, and the issue has been studied by many independent sources. This waiver request has been politicized by ethanol’s opponents, but the facts remain – there is nothing to show that using E15 would increase auto emissions or harm the vehicle’s emissions control system, the factors EPA is obligated to consider. The science is sound, and EPA must give its approval for this modest increase in the ethanol blend.”

To read the science behind the waiver request, ACE has created an E15 Action Center.

It is also clear that an allowance to go beyond E10 is necessary for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) biofuels use targets to be met. The RFS calls for 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be used annually by 2022, which represents much more than 10 percent of our nation’s total annual transportation fuel consumption. The existing E10 and E85 markets are not large enough to accommodate the amounts of biofuels prescribed by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, so an increase in the E10 blend will be necessary for the law to be fulfilled.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

Researchers: Biofuels Can Be Beneficial

John Davis

princeton_university.gifA group of researchers, many from Princeton University, say that biofuels can solve many of the problems related to non-renewable fossil fuels… without creating more problems of their own.

This article from Princeton says the key is making the green fuels from sustainable sources:

“The world needs to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, but recent research findings have thrown the emerging biofuels industry into a quandary,” said David Tilman of the University of Minnesota, a noted ecologist and lead author of the paper. “We met to seek solutions. We found that the next generation of biofuels can be highly beneficial if produced properly.”

The paper coincides with climate change policy debates in the U.S. Congress and tackles land use issues that have generated much controversy in recent years. Specifically, it addresses concerns that clearing land to grow biofuel crops or to grow food crops displaced by biofuel crops can release more greenhouse gases than petroleum use. Titled “Beneficial Biofuels — The Food, Energy and Environment Trilemma,” the paper will appear in the July 17 issue of the journal Science.

Robert Socolow, a Princeton professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, said that through careful scientific reasoning the authors of the paper discovered accounting rules to determine which strategies for generating biofuels were promising and which were not.

“It is essential that legislation take the best science into account, even when that requires acknowledging and undoing earlier mistakes,” Socolow said. “Future carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere will tell us when we’re kidding ourselves about what actually works. For carbon management, the atmosphere is the ultimate accountant.”

The article goes on to say that to balance biofuel production and food issues, biodiesel and ethanol makers need to focus on five major sources of renewable biomass, including perennial plants grown on degraded lands abandoned from agricultural use, crop residues, sustainably harvested wood and forest residues, double crops and mixed cropping systems, and municipal and industrial wastes. These sources could meet a significant amount of the U.S. demand for transportation fuels.

biofuels, food and fuel, Research

New Biodiesel Plant Starts in Canada

John Davis

MilliganBiotechA new, 2.6 million-gallon-per-year seed-crushing and biodiesel plant has come on line in Canada.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that the Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. plant in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan is now fully operational:

According to a spokesperson for the company, the new plant is being referred to as Milligan Bio-Tech’s “optimization” plant. Its production capacity is10 MMly (approximately 2.6 MMgy) and uses a process developed by Milligan Bio-Tech in conjunction with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and the University of Saskatchewan.

The spokesperson said previously the company was crushing off-spec, or non-food grade, canola at the site in Foam Lake and producing test batches of biodiesel off-site. Meanwhile, Milligan Bio-Tech had been optimizing its crush technology to be suited for the off-spec canola—a feedstock the company continues to use in its commercial biodiesel production.

Company officials are having an official grand opening this Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:30 am with a lunch, tours and even a demonstration of the world’s first biodiesel jet truck – Prairie Gold.

Biodiesel

RWE Patents New Algae Oil System for Biodiesel

John Davis

rweA South Carolina company has a patent pending on a new method for growing, harvesting and extracting oil from microalgae, promising dramatic cost savings and greater yields over existing algae production technologies.

Renewed World Energies (RWE) says company president Richard Armstrong and chief technical officer Tim Tompkins have come up with a system efficiently remove nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide from flue gas (compressed CO2 can also be used) emitted from the power generation industry, resulting in clean air, and producing high quality, commercially valuable algae biomass and a highly nutritious livestock feed source:

“Being at the forefront of an innovative technology that promises change for the better across so many spectrums is inspiring,” states Richard Armstrong, president of Renewed World Energies. “We are seeing our goals come to fruition with a viable alternative that unites green and market standards and a day when dependence on foreign oil is a distant memory.”

Richard and Tim’s vision is being realized and met with fervent anticipation. In preliminary prototype testing, results promise dramatic cost savings and greater yields over existing algae production technologies. RWE has just constructed a new facility in Georgetown, South Carolina and is already negotiating beta test agreements with several universities, biodiesel companies, nutraceutical companies and energy/power generation plants.

RWE has made a conscious effort to “be green.” The site selection of their facility was based on being within a 50-mile radius of their system and is located on unused farmland, to reduce transportation and land use costs. The facility is situated on roughly five acres of industrial property, which is located near a major US highway, and 4 miles from the port of Georgetown.

The facility will have two acres of commercial algae growing systems, plus smaller test plots.

algae, Biodiesel

As E15 Comment Period Closes AIAM Opposes

Joanna Schroeder

Comments were due today to the EPA regarding the Green Jobs Waiver that would allow up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) in gasoline. Just as the clock ran out, The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) filed comments opposing the waiver request. It is no coincidence that AIAM filed their comments at a time when others could not respond. However, it is encouraging to note that support for the E15 waiver is mounting.

27logo_aiamMichael J. Stanton, President and CEO of AIAM, outlined the association’s concerns in a public statement that you can read in full here.

“AIAM and its member companies have long recognized the importance of addressing climate change and have supported efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while significantly increasing fuel economy. With so much progress made by government and industry in recent months to meet these goals, we believe it would be premature for EPA to approve the near-term distribution and sale of fuels containing more than 10% ethanol without further testing to prevent unintended negative consequences.”

Stanton continued, “The Clean Air Act requires producers of any new fuel or fuel additive to show that those fuels will not contribute to the failure of vehicles or engines to meet emissions standards. Most vehicles currently being driven by American consumers were not designed to operate on ethanol blends greater than E10. If EPA were to approve the sale of such fuels, we believe a range of problems would result that could jeopardize the control or reduction of automotive emissions.”

The range of problems they cite are harm to emissions systems and drivability problems.

The real reason AIAM opposes the passing of the waiver is that they would lose an opportunity to sell the cars that are aging on dealer lots across the country. Several programs are in place to incenticize people to buy new cars including the Cash for Clunkers program. But what AIAM and other detractors are choosing not to acknowledge is that to ensure the country blends 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022 the minimum blend of ethanol must be raised. We cannot let the U.S. auto industry keep us from achieving energy security. Although it’s too late to submit your comments to the EPA, I encourage people to respond to AIAM’s comments. You can learn more about the Green Jobs Waiver at www.GoE15.com.

Ethanol, Opinion

Ethanol Plant in Welcome, MN Begins Production

Joanna Schroeder

welcome_sidebarIt is a very happy time for the community of Welcome, Minnesota as their corn ethanol plant is finally producing ethanol. The plant has been idle for more than a year due to VeraSun Energy’s bankruptcy. The halt in bringing the plant online caused the community to feel a significant economic loss. The plant was one of seven purchased by Valero Energy this past March.

According to Valero spokesman Bill Day, the plant started grinding corn on June 30th and produced their first batch of ethanol last week. The plant will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol a year and will be operating at full capacity.

This is great news as more ethanol plants cease production and many are not operating at full capacity.

Need a little pick-me-up? Watch the news story here.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

CleanTech Biofuels Partners with Fiberight

Joanna Schroeder

250px-Mixed_municipal_wasteWith the slurry of marriages and divorces in the biofuels and biomass industry, it is hard to keep up. In the municipal sold waste arena, CleanTech Biofuels has announced a joint research agreement with Fiberight to establish, “the anticipated yields and operating costs from using biomass produced by CleanTech Biofuels for the production of ethanol using Fiberight’s proprietary enzymatic processes.” Under this agreement, CleanTech will provide around 2,000 lbs of biomass feedstock derived from Chicago’s municipal solid waste to use in Fiberight’s conversion technology. CleanTech Biofuels is a company focused on developing technology to convert municipal solid waste into biomass to be used to produce biofuels such as ethanol.

According to Fiberight CEO, Craig Stuart-Paul, preliminary tests using the CleanTech biomass in the Fiberight system have been encouraging, with anticipated ethanol yields in excess of 80 gallons per ton of biomass used. Earlier successes point to solid waste as a viable feedstock to produce ethanol.

cleantech-biofuelsEd Hennessy, CEO of CleanTech said of the agreement, “This research agreement with Fiberight is another step towards validating the use of our biomass as a feedstock for energy production. Our combined technologies are capable of turning the garbage from our communities into clean renewable energy. In a market where energy demand continues to grow and the cost of handling waste continues to increase, CleanTech is ideally situated to bring its technology to municipalities, solid waste haulers, operators of landfills, and materials recovery facilities.”

CleanTech’s biomass technologies are available for cities, solid waste haulers and landfill operators to produce renewable energy including electricity production and biofuel production.

biomass, Company Announcement, Ethanol, Ethanol News