Gaz Métro Converts Forest Waste to Natural Gas

Joanna Schroeder

Gaz Métro has announced that its pilot project – to convert forest waste into second generation renewable natural gas – was successful. The tests were conducted in collaboration with G4 Insights at the Natural Gas Technologies Centre in Boucherville. The demonstration process enabled Gaz Métro to develop a conversion process that they say is unique in the world. The company also says the pilot process has marked an important milestone in the development of new renewable energy technology in Québec.

Demonstration unit to transform forestry biomass into natural gas (CNW Group/Gaz Métro)

Demonstration unit to transform forestry biomass into natural gas (CNW Group/Gaz Métro)

Gaz Métro and G4 used a thermochemical process called PyroCatalytic Hydrogenation (PCH) to transform wood chips from Québec into renewable natural gas. The process is now ready to be tested in a larger pilot project that will produce greater volumes, according to Gaz Métro.

“With this small-scale project, we proved that PCH is technologically viable. It is now essential that we press ahead with our efforts, so as to determine how we can improve the process even further and increase its production potential,” said Martin Imbleau, Vice President, Development and Renewable Energies at Gaz Métro. “Our goal is to use forestry biomass and produce a “green” energy supply of Québec-sourced and renewable natural gas. This natural gas, over the coming years, could be used locally or injected into our network to supplement the renewable natural gas being generated by the biomethanization projects of Québec municipalities that have opted to transform organic waste into energy,”

Imbleau added, “Our project on renewable natural gas from forest biomass is well aligned with the spirit of Québec’s 2030 Energy Policy. It’s one more tangible example of our determination to leverage our expertise and leadership for the sake of energy innovation and transition.”

Alternative energy, biomass, Natural Gas

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Global Bioenergies has announced that its German subsidiary, Global Bioenergies GmbH, secured a [Eur] 400.000 grant from the BMBF (the German Federal Ministry for Research and Education) to finance a 14 month-project aimed at producing renewable gasoline additives. The company will first produce ETBE, a molecule obtained by the condensation of ethanol and isobutene, and presently used as a gasoline additive in large volumes (worldwide market: 3.4 million tons per year).
  • See News Renewables is reporting a consortium comprising Belgium’s Alcogroup SA, Vanden Avenne Commodities and Vandema has agreed to buy the Rotterdam assets of troubled Spanish engineering and renewables group Abengoa SA. The Rotterdam plant is one of the largest European biorefineries with an annual production capacity of 480 million litres ethanol for fuel use, 360,000 tonnes of dried distilled grain with solubles (DDGS) – high protein feed products, as well as 400,000 MWh of electricity.
  • The AVA cleanphos pilot plant in Karlsruhe, Germany, sponsored by the German Federal Environment Foundation (DBU), came online this month. AVA-CO2 has developed the AVA cleanphos process which enables efficient and cost-effective recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge. The process also allows for co-incineration in the future and therefore the direct substitution of fossil fuels such as lignite.
  • Asia Pulp & Paper has announced its support for a new community-led pilot project aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing the availability of biofuels in Indonesia. Kemiri Sunan has a high yield of up to 10 tonnes of oil per hectare making it an attractive source of biofuel, with waste used to produce fertilizer, animal feed and biogas. The Kemiri Sunan crop is rapidly emerging as a potential source of biofuel to supply Indonesia’s biodiesel programme and key export markets for biofuels such as the European Union (EU). The trees develop broad canopies and deep root systems, helping to reduce soil erosion and water evaporation, while promoting water retention.
Bioenergy Bytes

#Ethanol Exports Fall to 9 Month Low

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. ethanol exports reached a nine month low in May at 55.7 million gallons (mg) a 42 percent drop from April according to government data and analyzed by Ann Lewis, research analyst with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Monthly ethanol exports have only dipped lower twice in the past two years. In May, Canada exported 21.5 mg taking the top spot while China exported 19.6 mg of ethanol. Year-to-date ethanol exports reached 400.7 mg, meaning, says Lewis, the industry is on pace to ship 962 mg in 2016.

May ethanol exportsMay exports of U.S. denatured fuel ethanol fell 16 percent from April to 31.0 mg. Most denatured product (19.4 mg, or 62%) crossed the border to Canada or was shipped to China (10.0 mg, 32%), with the remainder heading to Peru (1.7 mg). May exports of U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol droopped 58 percent from April to 22.0 mg. Top exporters were China (9.7 mg, or 44%), Brazil (6.0 mg, or 27%), South Korea (2.5 mg, or 11%) and Mexico (1.7 mg, or 8%). Several regular export markets with large volumes in April (e.g., India, the Philippines) were absent from the ledgers in May.

Lewis reports sales of denatured ethanol for non-fuel use in May retracted to a fairly normal level of 2.2 mg after surging to a near-term high in April. Canada exported nearly all of the volume at 2.1 mg. Sales of undenatured ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage use was lower at 495,914 gallons. Mexico, South Korea and Taiwan together accounted for three-fourths of the total volume of undenatured industrial.

Moving on to imports, the first noticeable volumes of imports entered the U.S. in May, with 1.8 mg of undenatured ethanol coming from Guatemala and less than 20,000 gallons from the UK and France. Year-to-date fuel ethanol imports are just 1.9 mg, putting the U.S. on pace to import 4.6 mg in 2016.

U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)experienced sizable export growth in May with the third month-on-month increase. DDGS exports grew 20 percent to 1.06 million metric tons (mt), largely due to the doubling of export volumes to China over April levels. China imported 291,825 mt of DDGS in May, or 27 percent of the total. Exports to Mexico increased as well with 158,702 mt sold in May, while Turkey cut imports by a third to 105,584 mt. The remaining half of the U.S. DDGS exports in May were spread across 29 countries, with the largest volumes moving to Vietnam (91,850 mt), South Korea (55,019 mt), Thailand (51,033 mt) and Canada (42,521 mt). Year-to-date DDGS exports of 4.4 million mt indicate an annualized total of 10.6 million mt.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

DuPont Launches OPTIMASH Biogas Enzyme

Joanna Schroeder

DuPont Industrial Biosciences has launched a new enzyme for the biogas industry to enable biomethane producers to improve biogas yields and process robustness – OPTIMASH AD-100. The company said the product should ultimately increase their revenue and profitability. DuPont says the enzyme has been shown to produce up to a 13 percent increase in biogas yields in anaerobic digesters.

DuPont logoThe enzyme breaks down organic matter – like food, paper, animal and farm wastes – resulting in sugars more suitable for biogas-producing microorganisms. The addition of this enzyme into the biomethane process improves the profitability for customers and operators by reducing feedstock requirements and increasing biogas production, according to DuPont.

“DuPont is entering this market with an offering that is backed by decades of experience in the global industrial enzyme business,” said Conrad Burke, global marketing director. Customers can expect this technology to increase biogas production, improve biogas quality, shorten process time and reduce mixing costs – all supported by a global organization with continuous investment in R&D.”

Methane biogas is primarily used to generate electricity or is compressed and inserted into the pipeline gas grid.

biogas, biomethane, enzymes

AMERIgreen Energy Lets Students Find #Energy Solutions

Joanna Schroeder

Middle school division winners of Amerigreen's student essay contest on energy solutions for the future. Photo: Amerigreen Energy

Middle school division winners of Amerigreen’s student essay contest on energy solutions for the future. Photo: Amerigreen Energy

Students of all ages were able to voice their ideas on America’s energy future in AMERIgreen Energy’s Video Essay Challenge. Students ranging in grades 1st-12th, as well as undergraduate college students submitted 30 second videos focused on one of two question prompts related to what is the best energy source for the future.

Winners were chosen by the most online votes and audience likes with high school and undergraduate college students vying for a chance to win scholarships while elementary and middle schoolers were eligible for special location packs. AMERIgreen’s 100% American fuel dealers assisted in getting the word out to drive more views and votes online.

“We were so impressed with the video submissions from students – they were extremely passionate, creative and you could tell they had done a lot of research to get the facts right! They made us really encouraged and hopeful, ” said Steve McCracken, AMERIgreen CEO of Energy Services. “We also want to thank our 100% American fuel dealers that garnered community support from area schools, teachers and customers to encourage students to enter the contest.”

1st Place (tie), Winner of $2,000 College Scholarship, Lexy from Manheim, PA.
Lexy’s video focused on the future of U.S. energy, and what part biofuels plays in that picture. She referenced biofuels’ domestic sources, reduced emissions and opportunity to create a better future for the next generation.


1st Place (tie), Winner of $2,000 College Scholarship, Alexandra from Malvern, PA.
Alex’s video depicted a world of clean, renewable alternative fuels for our energy future. She emphasizes that when one person cares and works to make a difference it matters – and the choice begins with you.


3rd Place, Winner of $500 College Scholarship, Injee from Belle Mead, NJ
Injee’s video focused on biofuels as a renewable energy source with many new feedstocks in development, and it is a secure energy source for generations to come.


advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, bioenergy, Education, Ethanol, Video

#USDA Study Examines Land-Use & Ethanol in Brazil

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released a new report, “Brazil’s Agricultural Land Use and Trade: Effects of Changes in Oil Prices and Ethanol Demand“. The study looked at the issue of land-use changes in Brazil as westward expansion of agriculture, especially in the Cerrados Savannah region, continues in an effort to grow more food and produce more fuels such as ethanol, and meet expanding needs of sugarcane.

Authors CScreen Shot 2016-07-06 at 9.28.36 AMonstanza Valdes, Kim Hjort and Ralph Seeley also looked at the link between the demand for ethanol and petroleum and how oil prices can affect production and land-use decisions for ethanol feedstocks, and other ag commodities. Ultimately, this study examined how longrun changes in oil prices could affect Brazilian ethanol production and resulting cropping patterns. It also considered the implications for world agricultural markets.

The study examined the effects of two oil-price scenarios—sustained high prices and sustained low prices from 2015 to 2024—on Brazilian agricultural land use. A reference scenario is based on the assumptions in USDA’s Agricultural Projections to 2024.

In the high-priced scenario: In this scenario, the oil price rises 40 percent above the reference, or baseline, price in 2015, followed by another 7-percent increase in 2016 and small changes relative to the baseline price thereafter through 2024 (for a sustained average increase of 45 percent above the base price). With increasing oil prices, the demand for ethanol increases relative to that for gasoline, raising the price of ethanol and creating incentives to increase production.

In the low-priced scenario: In this scenario, the oil price decreases 18 percent below the reference price in 2015, followed by 6-percent declines over the next 2 years and a 1-percent annual decline thereafter through 2024. A sustained fall in oil prices would be expected to trigger a drop in demand for ethanol as well as a drop in prices for agricultural inputs (energy, fertilizer, etc.). In this scenario, ethanol use in Brazil falls by an average of 16 percent annually in 2015-24.

Click here to read the full report.

biofuels, Brazil, Ethanol, Research

RaceTrac Joins Prime the Pump – Offers #E15

Joanna Schroeder

racetracRaceTrac is the latest retailer to join Prime the Pump and offer consumers more fuel choices at the pump. The program assists retailers in installing infrastructure to sell ethanol blends such as E15 and E85. Prime the Pump is a Growth Energy initiative.

“We are thrilled to have RaceTrac join our retailer family and look forward to expanding access to E15 for consumers across the Southern United States with them,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “As a longtime supporter of alternative fuels, such as E85, RaceTrac is committed to providing its customers with a choice at their pumps. By adding E15, RaceTrac will bring even more renewable fuel options to consumers, providing greater choice and savings to motorists.”

Skor continued, “We are proud to be a part of this effort, and are confident that consumers will choose E15 because it reduces harmful emissions, burns cooler and has increased octane levels which results in enhanced vehicle performance, while also saving drivers money.”

RaceTrac is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and operates more than 600 company-owned and third-party contract operated stores under the RaceTrac and RaceWay names in 12 southern states.

E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Pacific Biodiesel Rolls Back Maui #Biodiesel Prices

Joanna Schroeder

Maui County Council Vice Chair Don Guzman, who proposed the tax exemption, shows his support for the biodiesel price rollback with Kelly and Bob King, Pacific Biodiesel founders, and Councilmember Don Couch. Photo: Pacific Biodiesel Technologies

Maui County Council Vice Chair Don Guzman, who proposed the tax exemption, shows his support for the biodiesel price rollback with Kelly and Bob King, Pacific Biodiesel founders, and Councilmember Don Couch. Photo: Pacific Biodiesel Technologies

Maui drivers using #biodiesel have a reason to celebrate today as city eliminated its 9 cents per gallon on-road biodiesel fuel tax effective July 1, 2016. In response, Maui’s own Pacific Biodiesel rolled back biodiesel prices at the pump 9 cents. The fate of the tax was uncertain when earlier this year the Maui County mayor’s budget actually requested the tax be raised to 11.5 cents per gallon. However, upon discovering that biodiesel sales were minimal when compared to petroleum sales, Maui County Council Vice Chair Don Guzman proposed the tax be eliminated altogether.

Pacific Biodiesel President and Founder Bob King noted that this sends a strong message of support for renewables in Maui and throughout the state where other counties have ongoing tax exemptions for biodiesel. It should be noted that Hawaii has the largest prices for energy of all 50 U.S. states.

“In Maui County, increasing the tax on biodiesel to 11.5 cents per gallon would have generated less than $50,000 in annual revenue—that’s a drop in the bucket of the county’s budget,” said King. “With the effects of climate change already upon us, it’s taxing the renewable fuel solution and not the problem—petroleum emissions. Our state is committed to a renewable energy future and Maui needs to step up.”

To celebrate the tax exemption, Pacific Biodiesel hosted a price roll-back event at the company’s Kahului pump. Guzman and Councilmember Don Couch were in attendance. Also on hand for the event was Pacific Biodiesel customer David Sellers, a local business owner, former staff of The Nature Conservancy, and longtime biodiesel advocate.

“Biodiesel is the best thing for our environment. And the money stays here on island and helps our community,” noted Sellers. “As a business owner, I like to spend money locally. I’ve been a Pacific Biodiesel supporter for years and I run biodiesel in generators, boats, trucks—you name it. We’re fortunate to have this as a resource here in Hawaii. And anything that can be done locally to lower the price to make it more adoptable to other people is a good thing.” Read More

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Green Plains Partners LP has announced that John D. Chandler was appointed by Green Plains Inc. as an independent director to the board of directors of its general partner, Green Plains Holdings LLC. Chandler will also serve as a member of the board’s audit and conflicts committees. He is the partnership’s third independent board member.
  • Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has opened a new public fast-fill CNG station in Houston, Texas (compressed natural gas). Located within the Houston Valero station at 9221 Wallisville Road, the fast-fill CNG station, open 24/7 to the public, will support the fueling needs of over 100 heavy-duty trucks in addition to a variety of other natural gas vehicles.
  • Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it has successfully secured a $170,000 investment. “The net proceeds will primarily be used to complete an offering statement for company common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission via the Regulation A platform and for a targeted sales and marketing campaign focused on our business model. It complements our recent agreement with a banking firm specializing in clean energy technology,” noted Joe Pivinski, Greenbelt Resources CFO.
  • Alaska Power & Telephone has announced that it was selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive $3,000,000 in grant funds through the High Energy Cost Grant Program to construct a 1.8 megawatt wind farm in interior Alaska. The 7-Mile Wind project will be a 1.8 MW Wind farm, located in a Class-4 Wind area adjacent the Glenn Highway, near the community of Tok, Alaska.
Bioenergy Bytes

#ExEx16 Registration Open

Joanna Schroeder

Registration is now open for Export Exchange 2016 (#ExEx16), taking place in Detroit, Michigan October 24-26, 2016. The event is co-hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and members of either organization are eligible for discounted registration fees. The biennial event will bring together more than 200 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products including distillers grains (DDGS). Also expected in attendance is nearly 300 U.S. suppliers and agribusiness representatives.

#ExEx16“This premiere event is focused on networking in order to establish connections between U.S. suppliers and international customers,” said USGC Chairman Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Nebraska. “Our last Export Exchange in 2014 generated well over a billion dollars’ worth of sales. We know the relationships built at this conference not only help our industry now, but also help build demand for the future.”

In addition to networking opportunities, the conference will have general sessions addressing topics such as critical issues facing U.S. agricultural exports, and the event will provide customers and sellers an increased awareness of the benefits of U.S. coarse grains and co-products.

“The U.S. ethanol industry has emerged as a major producer of high quality animal feeds like DDGS and corn gluten feed,” added RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “The Export Exchange provides a venue to connect producers and marketers of those co-products with customers around the world.”

corn, Distillers Grains, Export Exchange, Exports, RFA, USGC