BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1With a broader range of market options and a growing infrastructure, the passenger electric vehicles (EVs) market is projected to have 11.4 million EVs on the road, with cumulative sales of 12 million EVs and a value of over $400 billion by 2025. This growth in EV adoption will create many points of complexity for grid operators and other electricity market stakeholders. In GTM Research’s recent report, “The Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Grid: Customer Adoption, Grid Load and Outlook,” these complexities are discussed and analyzed, to ultimately provide a perspective on how customer adoption and grid load will unfold.
  • Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced the opening of a new state of the art, public natural gas station along Interstate 5 in Fife, a suburb of Tacoma. The station adds to Clean Energy’s “Americas Natural Gas Highway”, allowing fleets to operate from state to state utilizing natural gas vehicle fuel. The station, located at 3013 20th Street East, was designed, built, and will be operated and maintained by Clean Energy. The station consists of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fast-fill pumps, and is open to the public 24/7.
  • Alliance BioEnergy Plus has announced that the Airports Council International – North America has given its written support of the CTS process for the production of aviation biofuels and Alliance’s application to the Department of Energy for a bio-refinery demonstration plant, producing jet fuel from agriculture and yard waste.
  • Registration is open for the 14th International Conference on Renewable Mobility: Fuels of the Future, taking place January 23-24, 2017 in Berlin, Germany. Geared to German and European biofuel industry, attendees will include international stakeholders from politics, the biofuel industry and research. The event will cover a myriad of topics including the diversification of engine technologies as well as the research and production of various fuels from renewable energy sources.

 

Bioenergy Bytes

Congress Urged to Extend Biofuel Tax Incentives

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s time once again for the annual push to Congress to extend tax incentives before the end of the year, a plea which is usually ignored.

Renewable energy organizations sent letters to Congressional leadership this week calling for a multi-year extension of the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, the Special Depreciation Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property, the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Fuels Credit, and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property – all set to expire at the end of 2016.

bio-newBrent Erickson with BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization) says they hope Congress recognizes the value of the advanced biofuels industry to the nation’s energy security. “The extension of these tax credits will continue to support the scale-up of second generation biofuels by supplying companies with the necessary capital and assurance needed to move into the next stage of commercial development – construction of cutting edge biorefineries,” said Erickson. “Advanced biofuel tax credits drive innovation while leveling the playing field for U.S. companies in the international marketplace. These tax credits foster American-born technology innovations and help keep them here at home.”

Bob Dinneen with the Renewable Fuels Association also sent a letter to Congressional leaders this week. “By extending these incentives, Congress will assure the policy certainty the industry needs to continue to grow, innovate and flourish, while encouraging further investment to help expand fuel choices for consumers at the pump,” said Dinneen.

advanced biofuels, BIO, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA

#Ethanol Breaking Through Blend Wall

Cindy Zimmerman

car-wallThe average amount of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply hit a new record last week of 10.4 percent, just breaking through the 10% blend wall for the second time in a month, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The EIA Weekly Supply Estimate shows that an average of 8.798 million barrels per day (mbpd) of gasoline were supplied to the market last week, and ethanol blending in that fuel averaged 0.915 mbpd, meaning gasoline contained an average of 10.4 percent ethanol, beating the previous record of 10.21 percent three weeks earlier. EIA’s October Short-term Energy Outlook projected that gasoline consumed in 2016 will contain an average of 10.1 percent ethanol, up from 9.9 percent last year.

“This clearly shows that there’s no reason for the administration to roll back the 2017 RFS conventional biofuel blending levels required by the statute,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “It also shows that supporters of legislative proposals to cap ethanol content at 9.7 percent are completely out of touch with what is really happening in the marketplace.”

In September, RFA ran ads showing that nearly half of the states in the U.S. had already blown by the 10.0 percent threshold as early as 2014.

blends, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Record #Corn #Harvest Sets Tone for #ExEx16

Cindy Zimmerman

corn-harvest-2An anticipated record corn harvest combined with expected record production of animal feed co-products forms the backdrop for the 2016 Export Exchange (#ExEx16) coming up next week in Detroit.

More than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), are expected to attend this biennial networking event co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

exportexchange1“At a time when we are looking at a record corn harvest and the clear need for international trade to be championed by our country’s leaders, Export Exchange is critical for our industry,” said Tom Sleight, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council. “It is essential for us to strengthen the bonds between suppliers and partner countries, and the connections made next week will not only help propel our industry this year, but for years to come.”

“In today’s volatile ethanol market, DDGs have become even more important for producers. A growing and vibrant export market will be key to future success. With buyers from more than 35 countries participating in this year’s event, the 2016 Export Exchange is a can’t-miss event,” adds RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

In this recent Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association Dinneen talks about what’s on tap for this year’s event: Ethanol Report on Upcoming Export Exchange

In addition to networking opportunities, the conference will feature engaging speakers addressing critical issues facing U.S. agricultural exports, offering customers and sellers in attendance an increased awareness of the benefits of U.S. coarse grains and co-products.

Find more information at ExportExchange.org.

Audio, corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Export Exchange, Exports, RFA, USGC

HPB – St. Joe #Biodiesel Has Grand Opening

Cindy Zimmerman

hpbHigh Plains Bioenergy (HPB) celebrated the grand opening of HPB – St. Joe Biodiesel this week in St. Joseph, Missouri. The plant, which was just purchased by the subsidiary of Seaboard Foods last month, will use vegetable oils as the primary feedstock to produce up to 28 million gallons of biodiesel annually.

The grand opening celebration marks High Plains Bioenergy’s second venture to produce biodiesel that is a renewable, clean-burning fuel produced from natural oils, such as vegetable oils, and can be used with petroleum-based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification. HPB is a subsidiary of Seaboard Foods.

“The addition of HPB – St. Joe Biodiesel further solidifies our dedication to finding alternative energy sources,” said Gary Louis, executive vice president of Seaboard Foods. “This plant will help us continue to maximize our marketing opportunities by offering a variety of product options to our current and future customer base by combining the St. Joseph plant’s production along with the production at the Guymon, Okla., biodiesel plant. The addition of HPB – St. Joe Biodiesel will offer customers a wider range of biodiesel products for different environmental conditions while expanding our distribution footprint.”

Total biodiesel production capacity will be approximately 60 million gallons annually. Limited production is underway in St. Joseph and product is currently available by truck and rail.

Biodiesel

NYC Bioheat® Bill Becomes Law

Cindy Zimmerman

ny-bioheat-signNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed a bill into law that will increase the use of biodiesel, in the form of Bioheat, and decrease the use of heating oil in the Big Apple. The bill was passed by the city council last month and will increase the amount of biodiesel in heating oil from the current 2 percent level to five percent by October 2017, ultimately increasing to 20 percent in 2034.

“Congratulations to New York City for this tremendous move to clean heating with sustainable biodiesel,” said Donnell Rehagen, Chief Operating Officer of the National Biodiesel Board. “We applaud Mayor de Blasio for signing this bill that will reduce emissions and improve air quality for all New Yorkers. More biodiesel in the City also supports green jobs, local businesses, and American energy independence.”

It is estimated that the increase from a two percent biodiesel blend to a five percent blend in New York City would reduce the emissions equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road with the increase to 20 percent the equivalent of removing more than a quarter of a million cars.

Biodiesel, Bioheat

What is most important to food sustainability?

Jamie Johansen

zp-nh1Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Will you be getting the new iPhone 7?”

The new models of the iPhone are out, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. It’s seems many are waiting on the 8 or simply don’t want it. Of course, Chuck has his and we are waiting with anticipation for his review. As an avid Apple customer, I will eventually make the plunge, but I am holding out a bit. Should I be surprised there are so many Android peeps? Sometimes I am tempted to try one out.

Here are the poll results:

  • Yes, already have it – 12%
  • Yes, on order – 4%
  • Don’t want it – 24%
  • No, waiting for iPhone 8 – 16%
  • No, I’m Android – 40%
  • I don’t use smartphones – 4%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, What is most important to food sustainability?

More and more food companies are recognizing the importance of sustainability in agriculture, but it seems some are not understanding how technology and food production work hand-in-hand. In fact, the most recent news on the issues comes from Dannon, who believes sustainability means non-GMO. Tell us what you think. What is most important to food sustainability…biotech, water management, precision ag, etc?

ZimmPoll

American Ethanol Sweepstakes Winners Take on Talladega

Joanna Schroeder

The American EthAmerican Ethanol Logoanol sweepstakes winners are taking on the infamous Talladega this week in sweet home Alabama. Fans won’t be seeing the likes of NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby (yes, I went there – Talladega Nights, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby) but they are going to see some amazing racing from drivers in speedsters fueled by E15, 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent race fuel).

To celebrate NASCAR speeding past the million mile mark racing on E15, American Ethanol launched two sweepstakes this past May. The winner of the “We’ve Got Power” fan sweepstakes is Joey Lomenzo of Long Valley, New Jersey. He is an avid NASCAR fan who shares his knowledge and support of American Ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels on social media.

The “Engine Insiders Talk Shop” engine industry professional sweepstakes winner is Allen Huggins who graduates this week from the NASCAR Universal Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina as an engine technician. He says he can’t wait to see the classroom come alive on the track at Talladega.

American Ethanol, a partnership of the National Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy, invites everyone to enjoy the same clean fuel benefits of E15 in their vehicle as NASCAR puts in their race cars. To find a fuel retailer in your area who sells E15 and higher ethanol-blended fuels, visit GetEthanol.com. And while you are there, pick a Pink Out E15 retailer to support Breast Cancer Awareness month – your health and the health of your family will thank you.

American Ethanol, E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NASCAR, NCGA

GROWMARK Makes Energy Investments

Cindy Zimmerman

growmark-energyGROWMARK announced two major energy-related investments last month that provide benefits for the members of the Illinois-based agricultural cooperative.

First, GROWMARK acquired a propane terminal in Plattsburg, Missouri which is connected to the ONEOK pipeline, has 270,000 gallons of storage and the capability to load out two trucks at once. “It gives us another asset and access to propane,” said Kevin Carroll, vice president, energy and logistics. “Our customers expect us to have it when they need it so we’ve got back up supplies and a lot of alternative sources.” GROWMARK also owns a refined and renewable fuels terminal in Wathena, Kansas near St. Joseph, Missouri. “Marketing propane through the Plattsburg terminal also makes us a more complete supplier in the geography given the proximity to the Wathena refined fuel terminal,” Carroll adds.

growmark-upiGROWMARK also recently reached an agreement with Suncor to purchase 50 percent interest in UPI, Inc. in Ontario, Canada. The transaction, subject to conditions including regulatory approvals, brings GROWMARK’s ownership of UPI to 100 percent. “We’ve been in that joint venture for a little over 20 years,” Carroll explains, noting that it was a mutual agreement for the benefit of both parties. Suncor and GROWMARK have also entered into long-term supply agreements for GROWMARK’s petroleum needs in Ontario. “We wanted assurance from a refiner in the province that we’d have product and Suncor wanted assurance from a distributor or retailer that their product would be put out into the marketplace so it worked out well for both of us,” he said.

Learn more about GROWMARK’s energy outlook in this interview with Carroll. Interview with Kevin Carroll, GROWMARK Energy

Audio, GROWMARK, Propane

Review “The Ethanol Effect”

Cindy Zimmerman

ethanol-effect“The Ethanol Effect” is a new PBS documentary produced by Detroit Public Television that debuted earlier this month and is available on-line for anyone to see. We want to know what you think about it.

The documentary is hosted by energy and environment reporter David Biello and includes comments from a variety of ethanol industry representatives and supporters, including Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen, POET founder Jeff Broin, ICM founder Dave Vander Griend, American Ethanol NASCAR driver Austin Dillon, Protec CEO Todd Garner, and others. It also allows ethanol detractors to have their say. Roughly going through the one hour special, it seemed to me that it was pretty well balanced, and maybe even a little more favorable toward ethanol, but there were definitely some fact errors or omissions – such as saying that cellulosic ethanol is made from corn stover without noting that it can be made from a variety of biomass. It should also be noted that one of the underwriters for the documentary is Jerry Jung, a very vocal ethanol opponent in Michigan.

Already got some comments on the program in our previous post about it – go to theethanoleffect.org to watch the documentary and give us your review by commenting on this post.

Note – there is also a Growth Energy website called EthanolEffect.com that provides “just the facts about a biofuel that is in 97 percent of America’s motor fuel.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA