Al-Corn Clean Fuel Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Joanna Schroeder

al-corn-20Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont, Minnesota celebrated its 20th anniversary this week with members of the ethanol industry. The farmer-owned cooperative began operations in 1996 and now produces 50 million gallons of ethanol per year with plans to expand to 120 million gallons per year.

“It took courage and energy to create the organization that stands today as Al-Corn Clean Fuel; everyone played a significant role,” said Randall Doyal, CEO of Al-Corn and chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). He added that Al-Corn was established in 1994 by local farmers who were looking for new opportunities to add value to their corn corp, starting operation in 1996 with 10 million gallons per year and growing steadily since then.

“Al-Corn Clean Fuel has been a leader within the U.S. ethanol industry and at RFA,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen, who attended the celebration. “The company has been a local economic engine, providing jobs and investment opportunities to the area. Even today, some twenty years since it began, almost all of the farmer coop members live within 20 miles of Claremont.”

Even some of its board members like its current chairman, Rodney Jorgenson, have been with Al-Corn since 1994.

“When I think back over the last 20 years, I’m reminded of what can be accomplished when people band together with common purpose. As farmers, our goal was to increase the price of our corn through processing. I doubt any of us could have imagined the success we would have,” Jorgenson said.

The Al-Corn Clean Fuel ethanol plant also produces 132,000 tons of high protein livestock feed, 12 million pounds of corn oil and 70,000 tons of beverage grade carbon dioxide per year.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Better Cold Weather #Biodiesel Performance

Joanna Schroeder

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has announced new certified reference material (CRM) for cold filter plugging (CFPP) and cloud point (CP) temperatures of biodiesel. This material helps laboratories accurately establish the lowest temperature at which biodiesel can be used.

The JRC's new certified reference material will help establish the lowest temperature use of biodiesel. © Fotolia, nexusseven

The JRC’s new certified reference material will help establish the lowest temperature use of biodiesel. © Fotolia, nexusseven

According to JRC, the CP and CFPP of a fuel are temperatures where upon cooling the first precipitates become visible (CP) or block a filter (CFPP). Accurate measurement are needed to ensure fuel filters do not become blocked in cold temperatures. As such, they are vital for the practical use of any fuel during winter and are also important quality parameters for biodiesel.

To determine the cold-temp parameters, JRC processed a batch of biodiesel and studied the homogeneity and stability of the material. Subsequently, an intercomparison study among 11 expert laboratories from nine different EU countries was organized to establish the CP and CFPP values. After a technical evaluation of the results, the certified values were assigned in line with all requirements of ISO Guide 34. The newly released ERM®-EF002 will be used by laboratories to demonstrate the accuracy of their measurement results for CP and CFPP.

In 2014, JRC released ERM®-EF001, its first biofuel CRM. While this CRM carries certified values for many parameters relevant for biodiesel, the CFPP and CP were not certified. The new CRM closes this gap.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1The EPA has submitted an information collection request (ICR), “Cellulosic Production Volume Projections and Efficient Producer Reporting,” to collect information from potential cellulosic biofuel producers to aid in determining the annual volume standards. This ICR includes a questionnaire form to facilitate the collection of this information. EPA would also like to use a data form to collect information from certain producers and importers who have requested and been approved to use an “efficient producer” pathway. This data form would standardize collection of selected data points and allow better and more efficient compliance with the RFS program.
  • 100+ cities across the country will take part in the sixth annual National Drive Electric Week during the week of September 10th-18th, 2016. Organized nationally by Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association, the event is designed to raise awareness of electric vehicles and celebrate sustainable transportation.
  • Providence Journal is reporting that Newport Biodiesel, a company that produces biodiesel from used grease collected from more than 3,000 restaurants, has received a $400,000 loan from the Small Business Loan Fund Corporation as well as a $400,000 loan from Webster Bank, to help the biorefinery expand. Once complete, the plant will produce up to 7 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
  • According to new U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, U.S. production of biodiesel rose 13 million gallons or 10.8% to 133 million gallons in May, with 66% of that total coming from the Midwest region, down 3 percentage points from April,  May 2015’s biodiesel output was 116 million gallons. Of the 969 million lb of feedstocks used to produce biodiesel in May, 56.14% was soybean oil, up more than 7 percentage points compared with April.
Bioenergy Bytes

Mexican #Ethanol Producers Consider Sorghum as Feedstock

Joanna Schroeder

A contingency of ethanol producers from Mexico recently visited the U.S. to look at the option of sorghum as an ethanol feedstock as the country’s industry continues to grow following the announcement by Pemex, the country’s state-owned petro company, to blend ethanol into its gas. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in partnership with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), the trade team visited Kansas and Texas to learn more about sorghum and its benefits. Earlier this year, a U.S. delegation of ethanol industry reps visited Mexico to discuss the success of the American ethanol industry and several biofuel policies.

sorghum_mexico_300x200“Producers are looking to expand their plants,” said Heidi Bringenberg, USGC manager of global programs, who accompanied the team. “Some producers are currently using sugar cane and beets in production. This program gave them the opportunity to see how sorghum could be used too.”

While in the states, the trade group participated in a lab tour as well as a workshop on purchasing strategies and risk management tools. In addition, the delegation received an ethanol plant tour. The aim of the day was to demonstrate the economic feasibility for Mexican ethanol producers to purchase American-grown sorghum.

“Producers were able to see how flexible sorghum is,” said Javier Chavez, USGC marketing specialist in Mexico. “U.S. sorghum as an ethanol feedstock can be helpful for Mexican producers because it helps them ensure consistent supply without fully relying on local production.”

The trade team is one of many coordinated by USGC to connect buyers and sellers of grains products such as sorghum. Buyers and sellers will also have an opportunity to network at the upcoming Export Exchange taking place October 24-25, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan.

biofuels, Ethanol, Exports, feedstocks, USGC

Will Pursuing #Bioenergy Require Trade-offs?

Joanna Schroeder

Will pursuing bioenergy require trade-offs? This question served as the basis from research out of North Carolina State University (NC State) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that finds that choosing how to meet bioenergy goals means making trade-offs about the impact on ecosystems and wildlife. The study primarily focused on the southeastern U.S. but the researchers believe the results could inform global bioenergy policy.

The yellow-breasted chat (left) and prothonotary warbler (right) thrive in different habitats. Meeting bioenergy goals means making trade-offs about which wildlife species -- like these -- will be most impacted. Photo credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The yellow-breasted chat (left) and prothonotary warbler (right) thrive in different habitats. Meeting bioenergy goals means making trade-offs about which wildlife species — like these — will be most impacted. Photo credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“Bioenergy can refer to wood pellets burned to generate electricity or to liquid biofuels, and bioenergy sources range from crops like switchgrass and sweet sorghum to cultivated pine forests and natural pine and hardwood forests,” said Nathan Tarr, lead author of one paper on the work. “There are questions about how renewable energy targets that promote bioenergy may affect wildlife habitat and forest ecosystems. We wanted to better understand the potential impacts of bioenergy demand in North Carolina and, by extension, in the Southeast and beyond.” Tarr is a research associate in the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at NC State.

To address these questions, the researchers first developed models that allowed them to translate bioenergy demand into projections of changes in the size and characteristics of ecosystems. The team discovered that the specific mix of biomass sources used to meet demand could play a significant role in shaping ecosystems, especially in forests that contain high biodiversity.

“Our model results show that meeting bioenergy demand by harvesting biomass from forests retained more forest on the landscape, but the remaining forest contained less of the mature floodplain forests and longleaf pine forests that harbor biodiversity,” explained Jennifer Costanza, lead author of a second paper on the work and a research assistant professor of forestry and environmental resources at NC State. “On the other hand, using agricultural crops to meet demand reduced overall forest area, but spared more of the high-biodiversity forest land.”

Ultimately, Costanza said the biomass sources they looked at caused substantial land use change, especially in the coastal plain region  – a biodiversity hotspot. Yet before completely coming to this conclusion, researchers used the projected forest changes determined in the first step to model habitat gains and losses for 16 wildlife species.- They were also able to assess what the use of different biomass sources might mean for various wildlife species.

The researchers found that realistic levels of bioenergy demand are large enough to cause large gains or losses of habitat for some species, and the specific mix of biomass sources used to meet demand resulted in trade-offs regarding wildlife habitats.Read More

bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, Research

Funds Available for #Biomass Powered Biorefineries

Joanna Schroeder

usda-logoThe USDA is helping biorefineries go even greener. The USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service, a division within the USDA, has allocated funds through the Repowering Assistance Program, to assist renewable fuel facilities convert away from fossil-fuel based heat and/or power to renewable biomass power. Applications are being accepted from July 25, 2016 until October 24, 2016 and only facilities in operation prior to June 18, 2008 are eligible.

The Notice was published in the Federal Register and states that biorefineriers can receive up to 50 percent of total eligible costs under the program up to $1 million. The biorefinery must demonstrate the ability to cover the other 50 percent of project costs. In addition, a company with multiple biorefineries can only apply for funding for one biorefinery.

Project costs that can be covered by the funds, as outlined in the Notice, include construction costs for repowering improvements associated with the equipment, installation, engineering, design, site plans, associated professional fees, permits and financing fees. Only costs incurred once funding has been approved will be covered by Repowering Assistance Program funds.

Click here to learn more about the funding opportunity including application directions.

Alternative energy, bioenergy, biomass, Electricity, USDA

#Corn, Baseball & #RFS- AutoChannel’s Rauch Clues Us in to their Commonality

Joanna Schroeder

A recent article published online in Bloomberg Politics by Jennifer A Dlouhy, “As Corn Devours U.S. Prairies, Greens Reconsider Biofuel Mandate,” calls into question the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). She writes, “More than a decade after conservationists helped persuade Congress to require adding corn-based ethanol and other biofuels to gasoline, some groups regret the resulting agricultural runoff in waterways and conversion of prairies to cropland — improving the odds that lawmakers might seek changes to the program next year.”

The article has prompted numerous replies but none more funny than the editorial from Auto Channel’s Marc Rauch who notes that her article raises some noteworthy questions. In his response, Rauch takes a run at answering these said noteworthy questions. The result is a must read and reprinted here with permission from Rauch, truly one of the leading performance ethanol experts in the country.

Marc Rauch in his Rancho Cordova home, Thursday July 26, 2012. Photo Brian Baer

Marc Rauch – Photo Credit: Brian Baer

I just finished reading an anti-ethanol Bloomberg editorial written by Jennifer A. Dlouhy. Her story, “Biofuelblunder? Greens who once championed a renewable fuel mandate say climate benefits are coming too slowly,” raises some seemingly noteworthy questions.  

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that she may be on to something.

Not since 2001 has any professional baseball player hit more than 60 home runs in one year. What’s the connection you ask? It’s obvious, 2001 is the first year of increased global biofuel production!

To make matters worse, 2001 was the first year of a decline in total home runs hit by all MLB players. In 1999 and 2000, total homes runs per year topped 5,500. We have never again had numbers like that, and in some years total home runs didn’t even exceed 5,000!

It’s all because of biofuels, ethanol, and that dreaded “renewable fuel standard.” I’m shuddering in fear and anger.

Look, if the American renewable fuel mandate can’t fix man-made global warming, and it impacts on home run totals, then it can’t be good for our country. It’s bad enough when MPG production is called into question by blending ethanol with gasoline, but messing with one of the most cherish aspects of our great national pastime is just too damn much! That’s right, I used the word “damn,” because no other word so succinctly describes the outrage we must all share.

Wait, don’t go away yet, I have more startling news: Some of the top deceptively named organizations have come out to challenge the value of the renewable fuel mandate. Yes, that’s right, we have PECC (Persons for the Ethical Consumption of Corn) voicing their concerns. There’s AHASC, raising heck over this issue (AHASC, in case you don’t know, is Americans Hanging Around Street Corners – it’s very big in Brooklyn where I grew up). Naturally, LAPWEC (Let’s All Pretend We’re Environmentalists and Conservationists) is involved. But the most vocal of all is the groups is OPUS TDT (Oil Pays Us To Do This).

REALITY CHECK TIME

Read More

advanced biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Opinion, RFS

Northern Virginia Now Has E85

Joanna Schroeder

E15 in Potomac Mills MobilWoodbridge, Virginia is the home of a new E85 station (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gas). The Potomac Mills Mobil convenience store is now offering E85, selling it comparably to, or under the price of regular gasoline, as well as other higher blends of ethanol. To celebrate the new ethanol blends, the retail station hosted a car, classic car and bike show. E85 fuel can be used in Flex-Fuel vehicles (FFVs) and in Virginia there are more than 350,000 cars FFVs on the road and 100 FFV models. The station is located at14496 Gideon Drive, Woodbridge, VA, 22193

“I promote what I believe in, and, honestly, I wanted the E85 so I could use it myself,” said Love Rapaval, owner, Potomac Mills Mobil. “We have a lot of enthusiasm from the performance auto community for this high-octane fuel and I’m proud to be one of the first in northern Virginia selling it.”

The effort to bring higher blends of ethanol to the market was a collaboration between Protec Fuel, Petroleum Marketers Group, USDA and the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to Protec Fuel, The ethanol portion of these fuel blends is 100 percent U.S.-made, supports jobs and keeps money in local communities. Ethanol burns cleaner in engines, which helps the performance level of the vehicle. It also can extend the life of the engine.

“Not only does E85 reduce harmful emissions significantly; car people love it because it’s 103 octane,” said Steve Walk, VP of Business Development, Protec. “The station will serve a variety of fuel customers, while helping keep more U.S. money inside the U.S.”

Alleyn Harned, Virginia Clean Cities executive director, added, “Access to higher blends of ethanol in our motor fuel allows consumers in the area and throughout Virginia to run cleaner and to support our economy to a greater extent. The Commonwealth of Virginia is proud to be partners in this project.“

biofuels, E85, Protec Fuel, Retailers

#ExEx16 Headliner Ag Investment Banker

Joanna Schroeder

Ag investment banker Christopher W. Nolan, Sr., with PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance, will be headlining this year’s Export Exchange 2016 (#ExEx16) in Detroit. The event will take place October 24-25 and is hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Nolan is a managing director and co-head of the company’s food, beverage and agribusiness division. He has extensive experience in providing advisory services to global ag commodities trading companies and has a unique outlook on the international grains market. His presentation is entitled, “Global Megatrends Affecting Agribusiness”.

exportexchange1“I am honored to be the keynote speaker at Export Exchange,” Nolan said. “The international grains market is always expanding, and I look forward to sharing my views on the trends and future for this booming industry.” Nolan’s background includes numerous domestic and cross-border transactions in the food, beverage, agriculture, industrial, building products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors.

“We are pleased that Mr. Nolan will address the Export Exchange as its keynote speaker,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “As a veteran investment banker with more than 20 years of mergers and acquisitions experience and a current focus in the ag sector, he can provide a bird’s-eye view of the global grains market.”

The event takes place every two years and brings more than 500 attendees from around the world together to buy and sell distillers grains.

Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer, noted, “We are thrilled to have Christopher Nolan joining us to provide the broad perspective our customers at Export Exchange are looking for as they learn about the advantages of U.S. grain products. Agriculture is the most global of all sectors, and it’s critical both our customers and those serving them in the U.S. grains industry have a high-level view of the factors affecting their businesses in the years to come.”

Other confirmed speakers include:

  • Nancy DeVore, president of DHF Team, who will speak on the global grains outlook;
  • Dr. Jerry Shurson, professor of swine nutrition at the University of Minnesota, who will speak on DDGS nutrition;
  • Kyle Tapley, senior agricultural meteorologist at Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Information Systems, who will discuss weather trends and the global grain market; and
  • Paul Hishmeh, director of data and technology at Field to Market, who will present on big data and sustainability.

Click here for more information and to register.

Distillers Grains, Export Exchange, Exports, RFA, USGC

#Biodiesel Growth Discussed During #AgMedia Summit

Joanna Schroeder

Did you know that in the past 10 years, the biodiesel industry has grown from a few million gallons of biodiesel production per year to over 2 billion gallons of biodiesel production last year? And did you know that the three leading feedstocks for biodiesel are soybean oil, animal fats and corn oil? Well, now you do thanks to Kaleb Little, senior communications manager for the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).  Little shared the story of the biodiesel industry during the #2016 AgMedia Summit in St. Louis this week. Jamie Johansen spoke with him about some of the benefits the biodiesel industry brings including to livestock producers.

“The livestock industry has always been important to biodiesel. As the biodiesel industry grows, it’s becoming more and more important to the livestock groups,” explained Little. “About 25 percent of the animal fats produced last year actually went in to biodiesel production. So a little over 2 billion gallons of fuel was produced in the U.S. market, so 25 percent of that came from animal fats. So that has a big connection.”

Last year about half of the biodiesel gallons came from soybean oil ams16-117-editedand in terms of the co-product, soybean meal for animal feed, the industry’s number one customer is the livestock industry – a message that NBB shares with the industry.

Little stressed that the biodiesel industry is exploding and Jamie asked him what does the growth of the industry look like. He noted that as the industry continues to ramp up production, it will use larger amounts of feedstocks including soybean oil, corn oil and waste oils such as animal fats.

“As the industry continues to grow into the future, up to 4 billion gallons by 2022, we see all of those feedstock categories growing,” Little added.

Listen to Jamie’s interview with Kaleb Little to learn more about the benefits the biodiesel industry is providing to the livestock industry: Interview with Kaleb Little, NBB

View and download photos from the event here: 2016 AMS Photo Album

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, NBB