Gevo Produces 1st Cellulosic Renewable Jet Fuel

Gevo Produces 1st Cellulosic Renewable Jet Fuel

Jamie Johansen October 11, 2016

Gevo, Inc. announced it has completed production of the world’s first cellulosic renewable jet fuel that is specified for commercial flights. Gevo has adapted its patented technologies to convert cellulosic sugars derived from wood waste into renewable isobutanol, which was then further converted into Gevo’s Alcohol-to-Jet fuel (ATJ) fuel. This ATJ meets the ASTM D7566 specification allowing it to be used for commercial flights. The revisions to the ASTM D7566 specification, which occurred earlier this year, includes ATJ derived from renewable isobutanol, regardless of the carbohydrate feedstock (i.e. cellulosics, corn, sugar cane, molasses, etc.).

Gevo produced over 1,000 gallons of the cellulosic ATJ. Alaska Airlines is expected to fly the first commercial flight using this cellulosic jet fuel in the next few months. Gevo believes that this would be the first ever commercial flight flown with a cellulosic renewable jet fuel. This follows on the back of the two commercial flights that were flown by Alaska Airlines on Gevo’s ATJ in June of this year. The ATJ for the June flights was derived from isobutanol produced at Gevo’s Luverne, MN, production facility using sustainable corn as the sugar feedstock.

The cellulosic ATJ was produced in conjunction with the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA). NARA supplied the sugars that were derived from forest residuals in the Pacific Northwest. Gevo produced the cellulosic renewable isobutanol at its demonstration facility in St. Joseph, MO, that it jointly operates with ICM Inc. The cellulosic renewable isobutanol was then transported to Gevo’s biorefinery facility in Silsbee, TX, that Gevo operates with South Hampton Resources where the cellulosic renewable isobutanol was converted into ATJ.

Agribusiness, Cellulosic

Register for 22nd Annual RFA National Ethanol Conference

Jamie Johansen October 11, 2016

Registration is now open for the Renewable Fuels Association’s 22nd annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC), to be held Feb. 20–22, 2017 in San Diego. The theme for the NEC will be “Building Partnerships, Growing Markets.”

The NEC provides an exclusive opportunity to engage key decision makers and industry executives, while networking and learning about the latest technologies and government policies. Speakers will address a number of topics, including expanding infrastructure, blends above E10, high octane fuels and exports.

“It is no surprise that the National Ethanol Conference is the most widely attended ethanol industry conference and can’t miss annual event,” said RFA Board Chairman Mick Henderson, general manager of Commonwealth Agri-Energy LLC, which operates a 33-million gallon per year ethanol plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. “The conference always has a panoply of speakers to inform attendees about ways we can continue to grow our industry and I look forward to the upcoming event.”

Additionally, for the second year, NEC has been selected to be a participant of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program (IBP). Through its network of offices in U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide, the IBP recruits pre-screened foreign buyer delegations and brings them to selected U.S. trade shows and conferences, connecting U.S. companies with international buyers. International trade specialists from the agency will be at the International Trade Center onsite at the NEC to provide export counseling, matchmaking services, market analysis and more.

Ag group, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference

Senator Brown Introduces EV Transportation Bill

Joanna Schroeder October 10, 2016

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced new legislation, the Electric Vehicle Credit Act, to give employers the opportunity to provide employees with electric cars access to the same pre-tax transportation benefits many workers receive for traditional forms of transportation including public transportation allowances, parking fees and public transit passes.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has introduced the Electric Vehicle Credit Act to allow employers to give employees who drive EV’s pre-tax benefits.

“As more Ohioans choose to drive electric to save on gas and reduce pollution, it’s important that employers have the opportunity to offer vehicle charging as a workplace benefit,” said Brown of the national legislation. “Many workers are already able to exclude bus passes and parking fees from their taxable income and offering workers using new transportation options this same benefit help Ohio employers recruit and retain talent.”

The Electric Vehicle Credit Act, endorsed by the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), would exclude transportation benefits for electric vehicle charging from an employee’s taxable income. This would be the same as employees who can exclude other transportation benefits such as transit passes or parking fees. The Act would allow employers to give each employee up to $250 per month in electric charging benefits before the employee would be taxed. Brown says he believes this Act would help employees offer more competitive benefit packages.

Genevieve Cullen, president of the EDTA, said of the proposed bill, “EDTA applauds Senator Brown’s leadership on electric drive and this effort to promote charging in workplaces. Electrifying the daily commute allows employees to save on gasoline and communities to benefit from reduced pollution. Expanding electric vehicle charging in the workplace is an important step in moving toward smarter, cleaner electric transportation in Ohio and across the country.”

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles

REG Completes $34M Danville Biorefinery Upgrade

Joanna Schroeder October 10, 2016

The biodiesel biorefinery located in Danville, Illinois is showing off its new upgrades and enhancements. REG, the owner of the 45 million gallon per year biodiesel plant that has expanded from 8 acres to nearly 30 acres, invested $34.5 million into the facility. REG hosted a public celebration to showcase the completed project that included a ribbon cutting. On hand for the event was Illinois Congressman John Shimkus (R) as well as area civic and business leaders and contractors involved in the project.

In order to enable the biodiesel plant to utilize a wider array of low-carbon feedstocks, the upgrades included the addition of a biodiesel distillation unit along with various manufacturing improvements. The project also included several logistical improvements including an additional truck loadout, new warehouse and office space. With the acquisition and integration of the neighboring Bunge facility, the biodiesel biorefinery now has an additional 13 million gallons of feedstock and biofuel storage, that according to REG, will significantly improve year-round production and storage capability.

“This is a culmination of more than two years of work not just within REG, but also with our contractors, our longtime lending partner Fifth Third Bank, the city of Danville, Vermillion County, and local residents,” said REG President and CEO Daniel Oh. “We now have a stronger REG Danville that can produce high quality, lower carbon intensity biofuel from a wider variety of crude raw materials in a part of the country where they are abundant.”

Renewable Energy Group celebrated the completion of $34.5 million in upgrades to its Danville, IL biorefinery. Pictured (L to R)—Gary Haer, REG Vice President, Sales & Marketing; Cong. John Shimkus (R-IL); Brad Albin, Vice President, Manufacturing; Mike Jackson, REG Board Member; Chad Stone, Chief Financial Officer; Daniel Oh, President and CEO; Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer; Natalie Merrill, REG Vice President & Chief of Staff; Paul Calamari, REG Danville Plant Manager; and Bruce Lutes, REG Danville General Manager. (Photo: Business Wire)

Among the speakers was Illinois Congressman John Shimkus, a senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and long-time biodiesel advocate. “Biodiesel adds value to the economy and it helps improve the environment, supports jobs throughout the supply chain and strengthens our energy security,” he said.

REG acquired the Danville biorefinery in 2010 from Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC. It is one of the company’s 11 biomass-based diesel refineries across the U.S. that have a combined nameplate production capacity of 452 million gallons annually, making REG the leading producer of advanced biofuels in North America.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

Lee Enterprises Celebrates 21st Anniversary

Joanna Schroeder October 10, 2016

Lee Enterprises Consulting is celebrating its 21st anniversary. The organization began as a small biodiesel consulting practice in 1955 and today has grown to a consultancy with over 100 international experts. Lee Enterprises now has seven divisions with emphases on biodiesel, ethanol, emerging technologies, biomass power, renewable chemicals, biogas/AD and business/finance.

Wayne Lee, Founder & CEO of Lee Enterprises Consulting.

“This has been a pretty amazing journey,” said Founder and CEO, Wayne Lee. “I am truly humbled as I reflect back on our beginnings, growth and current position.” Lee notes that he is inspired each day to continue to improve. “I am blessed beyond measure to be part of something that can assist so many in a future in which I fervently believe.”

Other Lee Enterprises executives share Lee’s enthusiasm. “With so many top experts in so many different areas of the bioeconomy, this Lee Enterprises Consulting team is really like no other,” said EVP Gerald Kutney. “The sheer size and cumulative knowledge allow us to provide a very balanced approach, blending the technical, financial, academic, engineering, legal, and accounting into one project.”

EVP Mark Farrer agrees. “Undoubtedly, Lee Enterprises Consulting is the premier consulting group of its kind, and as a consultant myself, it is truly comforting to know that I have so much knowledge and expertise, and so many resources at my fingertips.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Company Announcement, Ethanol

Cuba & U.S. Relations – Good for Ag & Tourism

Jamie Johansen October 7, 2016

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How should U.S. normalize relations with Cuba?”

The U.S. Ag Coalition for Cuba represents about 120 national groups each working collectively on individual interests with the common goal of improving trade relations with Cuba. Cubans seek to normalize relations with the U.S. which would include the U.S. lifting the embargo, extending credit to Cuba ensuring future trade deals and opening borders allowing U.S. citizens to travel as tourists to Cuba. A strong majority agree both trade and tourism with Cuba are win, wins for our country.

Here are the poll results:

End trade embargo – 12%
Allow U.S. tourism in Cuba – 6%
Both – 76%
Neither – 6%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, Will you be getting the new iPhone 7?

The new models of the iPhone are out, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Chuck already has his 7 Plus and will be writing a review of it soon. We’d like to know if you have plans to own the newest thing from Apple. It has some exciting new features and some controversial ones like no ear bud connector. If you haven’t made up your mind then Google probably made the choice a little more difficult this week when they announced their phone, Pixel. But you can only get it on Verizon. So, please let us know your plans.

ZimmPoll

Celebrate National Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Day

Joanna Schroeder October 7, 2016

Saturday, October 8, 2016 is National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day. The event was created to raise awareness of clean energy technologies that are available now, including fuel cell powered vehicles. October 8 (10.08) was selected in reference to the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008).

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) along with its members, industry organizations, and state and federal governments are commemorating the event with a variety of activities and events across the country.

For example, Air Products will have its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the new Toyota Mirai, on display from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, PA. The same vehicle will be on display in FCHEA’s booth at Taste of D.C. in Washington, D.C. this weekend.

To learn more about hydrogen and fuel cell events throughout the country this Saturday, click here.

Hydrogen

RFA’s Davis Re-appointed to Energy Committee

Joanna Schroeder October 7, 2016

Kelly Davis, director of regulatory affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), has been re-appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), which advises the agency on U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services.

Davis was one of 34 members appointed earlier this week. REEEAC members advise the Commerce Secretary regarding the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of U.S. exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency goods and services.

“I am honored to be reappointed to this committee,” said Davis. “The Department of Commerce has played an influential role in promoting U.S. products across the globe, and as the sole U.S. ethanol representative, I will continue to champion biofuels’ role in the global market, through exports and other opportunities.”

The next REEEAC meeting will be held on Dec. 1 in Washington.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Students Get Schooled in #Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder October 7, 2016

High schoolers in Minnesota continue to get schooled in ethanol. Nearly two dozen students from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (KMS) High School visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) to learn more about ethanol and its co-products. The group include three exchange students from an agricultural high school in Norway. The biorefinery, that recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, produces 50 million gallons of ethanol each year.

“We were pleased to welcome KMS High School to learn how Minnesota-grown clean renewable energy is produced. Ethanol production plays an important role in boosting the economy in rural Minnesota and tours like these highlight the necessary skills to pursue a career in the ethanol industry,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

The students, from grades nine to 12, learned several different components of ethanol production during the tour including incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

“Today’s visit is the sixth plant tour we’ve organized this year. It’s important for students to understand how ethanol produced right here in Benson creates jobs, reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and reduces prices at the pump,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, who organized the tour.

Christa Williamson, KMS High School’s agricultural education instructor, said many of the students that participated in the tour were from farms that supply corn to Minnesota’s ethanol industry. “The ethanol industry is an important component of agriculture, especially in West Central Minnesota. It is important to show our students the potential jobs, as well as how commodities we grow provide energy.”

Education, Ethanol

E85Prices.com Now Tracking E15 #Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman October 7, 2016

E85prices.com just got more inclusive and now provides information on stations offering 15 percent ethanol blends as well.

Visitors to the website E85prices.com, a crowd-sourced service managed by the Renewable Fuels Association, can now toggle between E15 and E85, locating information and reporting prices on either fuel blend. RFA vice president of industry relations Robert White says the improvements also allow consumers to review E15 prices reported by others, price spreads for each state, historical statistics and more, giving them access to the lowest price gasoline available. “We are pleased to be able to broaden the website’s information to include information on E15,” said White. “There are now hundreds of stations throughout most of the U.S. that offer E15, and that number will grow into the thousands next year. We want to make sure consumers know and can track that information, so they can take advantage of higher ethanol blends and the savings associated with using alternative fuels.”

The website also maintains a database of blender pump locations and an online forum. In 2012, EPA gave final approval to E15 for 2001 and later model year vehicles, which accounts for 80 percent of today’s automotive fleet.

blends, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

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