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Rabobank Launches Renewable Energy Finance Team

Joanna Schroeder

It appears that some of the concern over the difficulty to secure financing for biofuels projects may be a worry of the past. Rabobank recently established a Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Finance (REIF) team in the Americas. Tomas Emmons has been selected to head the department with teams in Europe, Asia and now New York. Also in the states, the Department Of Energy (DOE) has made several big funding announcements for advanced biofuels development including the release of $85 million for development of algal fuels.

rabobank-logo-printThe new REIF team will specialize in non-and-limited-recourse finance solutions in renewable energy, bio-energy and energy infrastructure projects. In addition to biofuels and biomass investments, they are active in wind and solar.

Specifically for the United States, Rabobank, “intends to establish relationships with developers, owners and operators of renewable energy generating facilities and technologies.” The bank will initially participate in and co-underwrite project financings, and in the future will lead project financing transactions. In addition, Rabobank is looking for opportunities to finance the renewable energy activities of its food and agribusiness client base.

Marcel Gerritsen, Global Head of REIF, said in a press statment, “Rabobank’s agricultural roots and cooperative structure ensure that we are especially aware of the need for sustainable development, and drive our goal of making sustainability an integral part of our business. Our goal overall is to apply our financial services to effectively contribute to the transition from a high-CO2 to a low-CO2 economy and, within the renewable energy sector, to further develop sustainable energy supplies and technologies around the world.”

biofuels, Company Announcement, Ethanol News

DOE Announces $85 Million for Algal and Advanced Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

algae-biodiesel-2Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that they would offer up to $85 million in funding for the development of algae-based biofuels and advanced, infrastructure-compatible biofuels. The funding comes as part of the funds released from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The goal of the monies is to bring together a group of leading algae and advanced biofuels scientists and engineers from both universities and private industry in an attempt to bring new technologies and fuels to market in an accelerated time frame.

During a session today from the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing,”Algae for Fuels and Chemicals,” several presenters predicted that commercial production of algal fuels was still 5-10 years away and that better collaboration was needed to bring the fuels to market faster. In addition, Steve Gluck, a scientist with Dow Chemical Company noted that more government funding is needed for algae research. You can read about the session’s key highlights by visiting the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s blog.

Algae can be used to produce many products including green diesel, green gasoline and green aviation fuels. Early tests from various companies such as Amyris and Solazyme have determined that blending algal fuels into current gasoline blends requires no additional infrastructure development and meets or exceeds EPA emission standards.

The FOA is available at FedConnect, and can be found by searching for Reference Number DE-FOA-0000123. You can also see details of additional funds from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act dedicated to biofuels by visiting the DOE’s website. To learn more about biomass and biofuels research and development, visit the DOE Biomass Program website.

algae, BIO, Government, News

BBI Releases New CHP Report

Joanna Schroeder

IllinoisElectricityGenerationBBI International has released a technical report on combined heat and power (CHP) that addresses the impact on statewide renewable portfolio standards (RPS) when companies install biomass fired combined heat and power facilities (CHP) onto current ethanol production plants.  This report focuses specifically on Illinois, which currently produces 976 MGY of ethanol, with an additional 188 MGY of capacity under construction and 78 MGY of capacity currently idled.

This report is a first in the series of technical reports.

“Combined Heat and Power facilities fired by biomass represent a real opportunity for ethanol producers to control energy costs, contribute to their state’s renewable portfolio standards, and reduce the carbon score of their facilities,” said Jeff Coombe, BBI Manager of Technical Studies.

BBI International’s report analyzes the biomass required to fuel a CHP facility, the incremental energy required to size and handle the biomass, and average capital costs. The report also models the economic impact of a number of variables on the financial viability of deploying a CHP facility including the prices of natural gas, electricity and biomass.

BBI International’s report is available for purchase at http://store.bbiinternational.com.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

Proposed Ethanol Pipeline to Extend into SD

poetA $3.5 billion dedicated ethanol pipeline may be extended to South Dakota. POET LLC and Magellan Midstram Partners LP are studying the feasibility of the 1,800-mile pipeline.

“With South Dakota being in the top five of ethanol producing states and having almost a billion gallons of production capacity, that just made sense,” said POET spokesman Nathan Schock. The extended pipline is dependent upon studies addressing technical issues and Congress revising the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program, the companies say.

Imagellanf built, the route would begin in Davison County, S.D. — further west than O’Brien County, Iowa, as originally planned — and deliver the alternative fuel from plants in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to distribution terminals in the northeastern United States.

Magellan has been working with the Association of Oil Pipe Lines for years on how to transport ethanol through a pipeline, said spokesman Bruce Heine. But he added that the biggest challenge is stress corrosion cracking, in which ethanol tends to cause internal cracking of carbon steel pipe more so than gasoline or diesel. Magellan thinks the solution will be a combination of potential additives to help protect the pipe and the use of different welding techniques.

Schock said POET is taking the lead on market analysis for the project, while Magellan is addressing technical and issues. The two are working together on legislative challenges. He added that he hopes for a decision on whether to move forward by the end of year or early 2010.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, POET

Dresser Wayne Brings E85 Dispenser to Finland

dresser_wayneDresser Wayne and Finnish energy company, St1, is bringing five E85 biofuel dispensers to the greater Helsinki area. These sites are eco-conscious wind and solar powered retail fuel locations.

“We want to engage our customers with an informative experience – one that also offers the reward of doing what’s right for the environment. The Dresser Wayne Global Ovation iX dispenser’s user-centric design and leading technology help make this possible,” says Mikko Reinekari, St1 sales director.

ovationglobalThe Global Ovation iX dispenser includes many elements that support the customer service objectives including the St1 Refuel RE85 compatibility. The Global Ovation iX dispenser features the Xflo™ fuel meter, available in an eco-fuel compatible design. The Xflo meter helps ensure precisely-blended alternative fuels among other advantages.

“We applaud St1 and their efforts to offer sustaining, alternative fuels for motorists. We are pleased to be able to offer highly-accurate dispensing, vapour recovery and marketing solutions for this innovative retail fueling initiative,” says Damian Tracey, President EMEA.

Dresser Wayne E85 dispensing units can also be found throughout the over 2,000 E85 fueling sites throughout the United States.

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Another Loss For The Ethanol Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

The ethanol industry lost another visionary this past week. Raphael “Ray” Katzen passed away on Sunday, July 12. Ray was a visionary that saw the potential of cellulosic ethanol while working at a defense plant under contract for the federal government during World War II. His life’s work was dedicated to producing ethanol from a variety of feedstocks cost competitively. The engineering company he founded, Katzen International Inc., was known across the globe for its cutting edge technology.

Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen expressed his sadness at the loss of this industry leader:

“Ray Katzen is well known to the ethanol industry for the technology he commercialized and the passion he expressed when talking about the evolution of the worldwide ethanol industry. While he could have deservedly rested on his laurels in retirement, Ray never looked backwards; he always looked forward, challenging the industry to always work toward improvements and innovation in technology. Accompanied by his lovely wife, Selma, Ray was a presence at virtually every gathering of the industry, poised to question and comment, assuring the industry kept its eye on the vast potential of cellulose. Ray Katzen will be sorely missed by a grateful industry, but his legacy of technology innovation and his commitment to the future will endure.”

Cellulosic, Ethanol News, RFA

Support Building for Increased Ethanol Blend

Cindy Zimmerman

Go E 13The deadline for submitting comments to the Environmental Protection Agency period on the Green Jobs Waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) blends in gasoline has arrived.

Growth Energy officials believe support for the proposal has grown since it was submitted by the industry in February, with President Obama, administration officials, governors, members of Congress, state and local elected officials and groups across the country all going on record in support of increasing the blend to E15.

MGAJust last week, ten Midwestern governors wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson requesting that ethanol blending levels be increased to 15 percent. “Increasing the amount of ethanol blended into gasoline is an important step that will have dramatic, positive effects on advancement of the renewable fuels industry,” said South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds. “In addition to economic benefits, increased use of ethanol and biofuels will lead to greater energy independence by utilizing homegrown commodities, materials and technologies.”

Earlier this month President Barack Obama said, “We want to be able to compete with countries like Brazil that now are running basically their entire automobile fleet on biofuels. If Brazil can do it, there’s no reason why America can’t do it.” During a stop in Iowa last month, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, “I don’t want to prejudge what they’re going to find, but if the existing automobile fleet can handle 15 percent, I would say let’s make that a target and go to 15 percent.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that she supported a higher ethanol-to-gasoline blend rate as a way to reduce reliance on petroleum imports and that, “It seems to me we should be able to do that.” In addition, a bi-partisan group of 28 Congressional representatives wrote a letter supporting the waiver. “Allowing use of ethanol blends up to E-15 will help us preserve and enhance infrastructure that is critical to the timely development of cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels, have significant environmental benefits, foster our nation’s energy independence, create thousands of jobs, and stimulate economic development in communities across the nation,” they wrote. “According to one estimate, allowing blending up to E-15 has the potential to create at least 135,000 jobs.”

Members of the ethanol industry are encouraged to get comments in to EPA on the importance of the Green Jobs Waiver before the close of the business day on July 20. For more information, go to goE15.com.

blends, Ethanol, Government, Growth Energy

Ethanol Promotion at Biker Rally

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA Biker PromoThe ethanol industry is reaching out to motorcyclists this summer with a promotion aimed at bikers attending the 69th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally August 3-9 in Sturgis, SD.

The Renewable Fuels Association is partnering with the popular Buffalo Chip Campground and the Buffalo Chip Gazette to promote the use of ethanol blended fuels as a way to fight dependence on foreign oil. RFA is also providing a wide range of merchandise and promotional materials to staffers, volunteers and riders at this year’s event.

RFA Director of Market Development Robert White says the Sturgis rally offers an opportunity to highlight the efficacy of ethanol-blends in all engine types. “At nearly 10% of the nation’s fuel supply, ethanol can be found in nearly every gallon of gasoline sold. It is providing a growing renewable alternative to petroleum that is safe and effective for use in all engine types, including motorcycles.”

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Promotion, RFA

Florida Farm to Fuel Summit Registrations Up

Cindy Zimmerman

Florida farm to fuelOrganizers of the 2009 Florida Farm to Fuel® Summit report that registrations for the event on July 29-31 are running ahead of last year.

The fourth annual summit will feature addresses by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson, USDA Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager, “Fuel” documentary producer Josh Tickell, and many others.

There will also be a special pre-summit “Biofuels Strategic Meeting: Moving Biofuels into Production in Florida” on July 29th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The meeting will discuss and explore the opportunities and obstacles the state of Florida faces in infrastructure development of biofuel facilities.

Registration and more information is available at FloridaFarmtoFuel.com.

biofuels, conferences, Ethanol News

Lab Tests Cellulosic Biomass Process

Cindy Zimmerman

gulf alternative energyGulf Alternative Energy Corporation (GAEC) recently announced the lab test results on its biomass pre-processing technology that converts cellulosic biomass into a fine, dry powder for processing into ethanol.

GAEC reports that testing conducted by Microbac Laboratories of Colorado Lab “showed that all sugars were produced from Gulf Sorghum in 16 hours compared to 64 hours for unprocessed control samples. This is a 400% increase in processing speed under controlled lab conditions.”

John Shearer, President of GAEC, said, “This test lays to rest any questions regarding the validity and value of Gulf’s process to development of the cellulosic ethanol industry.”

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News