Biodiesel By-Product Could Make Marine Fuel

John Davis November 26, 2013

A by-product of biodiesel could become a green fuel for maritime operations. This article from Seatrade Global says glycerol, or better known as glycerine, is being looked at for use in shore-side operations.

If adopted by shipping, glycerol could potentially match the emissions-saving properties of low-sulphur marine diesel or even liquid natural gas at a fraction of the cost of dirtiest bottom-of-the-barrel fuel oil, and would be available in plentiful supply. Now, the Glycerine Fuel for Engines and Marine Sustainability (GLEAMS) project, a joint programme involving Lloyd’s Register, Aquafuel Research, Gardline Marine Sciences, Redwing Environmental and Marine South East, is moving to facilitate exactly that.

Currently, the infrastructure is simply not available for a quick adoption of the new fuel. However, there is an extremely strong case if distribution can be set up. David Rea, project manager at Marine South East, tells Seatrade: “Glycerol represents a more thermally efficient combustion process than marine diesel oil (MDO) or heavy fuel oil (HFO), and therefore the basic carbon reduction calculation is improved. Cleaned fuel-grade glycerol will be 2-3% of the carbon level of MDO or HFO.”

Glycerol is also seen as being more stable than many fossil fuels, as it’s almost impossible to ignite accidentally, water soluble and non-toxic. And that could make storing the fuel and retrofitting the machinery and infrastructure much easier.

Biodiesel

London Buses to Run on Waste Grease Biodiesel

John Davis November 26, 2013

Some buses in London will soon be running on biodiesel made from waste cooking grease. This story from the East London Advertiser says more than 100 buses are testing a B20 blend of the green fuel.

Matthew Pencharz, Boris Johnson’s senior advisor for Environment and Energy, said: “This is another example of the mayor’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions and making our city’s transport even cleaner and greener. The mayor has called for investment in a large scale biodiesel refinery in the capital and with London operating one of the biggest bus fleets in the world, this pilot is an important step in demonstrating to the UK’s biodiesel industry that there is a huge potential demand for it here.”

Mark Threapleton, managing director for Stagecoach London, added: “Stagecoach was the first bus company to use 100 per cent biofuel back in 2007 and we’re delighted to be at the cutting edge in the use of this cleaner, greener biofuel in London.”

The buses will be running to some famous sites in the city, including Trafalgar Square.

An approximately 12,000-gallon storage tank has been put on the bus depot site so the biodiesel can be mixed right there.

Biodiesel, International

EPA Setting Dangerous Precedent for Biofuels Globally

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting a dangerous precedent for the global biofuels industry according to spokesman Bliss Baker with the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA). On November 15, 2013, the EPA announced its proposed biofuel volumes for 2014 for the Renewable Fuel Standard and for the first time since the legislation was passed in 2007, the amount of biofuels for all categories was reduced.

GRFA says for the first time the U.S. government has bowed to petroleum industry pressure and the proposed changes would have severe economic and environmental consequences.

“The EPA proposal cuts the demand for domestic fuel produced by America’s renewable fuel industry, which will increase the cost of gas at the pumps,” said Baker. “You cannot remove over 1.3 billion gallons of fuel from a fuel pool without it having an impact on fuel prices.”

Baker noted that the U.S. has been a leader in the global biofuels industry and the latest EPA proposal will tarnish this leadership role, putting at risk other jurisdictions who have followed the lead of the the country to introduce biofuels friendly policies. Baker continued by saying The EPA proposal jeopardizes the progress biofuels have made in reducing global crude oil dependence, cutting carbon pollution and boosting rural economies.

“This EPA proposal is a terrible precedent for the global biofuels industry. Today over 60 countries around the world have adopted biofuels friendly policies, many of whom have adopted mandates. This EPA proposal will send a very negative message to those countries trying to reduce their reliance on crude oil,” said Baker.

The GRFA forecasted that global biofuels production in 2013 will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100 million tonnes. This equates to 20 million cars or all the cars in Portugal and the Netherlands being pulled off the road. The EPA proposed claw back in biofuel demand and use would result in an increase in GHG emissions in America.

“Globally, if we cut biofuel demand like the EPA proposes, it would significantly hamper our ability to combat climate change because biofuels are the only commercially available alternative to crude oil. “Moreover, the GRFA finds it somewhat ironic that a proposal from the Federal Government’s Agency entrusted with protecting the environment will result in an increase in green house gas emissions,” concluded Baker.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, International, RFS

Genera Energy, UTIA Complete $5M Biofuels Grant

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

Genera Energy and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) were awarded a $5 million grant in 2009 from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to research and develop economical systems for bulk-handling and processing of chopped switchgrass and reduce the costs of baling in the field and subsequent bale grinding. Genera has announced that the research supported by the grant has been completed.

Funds from the grant were used by Genera Energy to add a bulk-format handling and research equipment to its existing Biomass Innovation Park facility, implementing new technology best engineered to supply processed switchgrass within specification at the lowest cost. Genera’s added capabilities are unique in that they allow it to receive, convey, store, reclaim, discharge, and compact bulk-format switchgrass automatically with an effective, integrated system.

“Through this grant and by collaborating with Genera Energy, we’ve been able to evaluate existing switchgrass supply logistics and to develop ground-breaking systems that offer better and more cost-effective methods for handling, processing, and storing chopped switchgrass,” said Al Womac, Ph.D., professor of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science with UTIA and the project leader. “The funding began in 2009 and in that time we have been able to create and produce a fully-replicable system that saves money and time and which is logistically superior to traditional baling.”

Using scientific data collected during the research phases UTIA and Genera were able to develop innovative systems that were based on detailed analysis of switchgrass harvest and handling equipment and logistical efficiencies as well as material characteristics such as weight, particle size, bulk density, moisture content and other factors. Software was also developed to calculate effective field capacity, field efficiency, machine utilization and system limiting factors.

“Our collaboration with the University of Tennessee in the development of new feedstock logistics systems using chopped switchgrass has culminated in a first-of-its-kind system,” added Genera Energy President and CEO Kelly Tiller, Ph.D. “By working with our partners over the last several years, we’ve developed a fully-functioning and innovative biomass feedstock bulk supply chain. And in the process we are creating sustainable biomass feedstock systems that can be replicated on a larger scale, something we only imagined when Genera was first envisioned.”

Agribusiness, biofuels, biomass, feedstocks

Renewable Energy Project in NC Begins

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held by Revolution Energy Solutions (RES), a company focused on waste-to-electricity projects, for its inaugural North Carolina anaerobic digestion project, coined NC-1. The project is currently one of the largest and most progressive farm-based biogas projects in the state.

The event included representatives from RES along with farm hosts Murphy Family Ventures, as well as Lloyd Yates, Duke Energy executive vice president of Regulated Utilities. The nexus of energy, agriculture and the environment, RES says NC-1 marks the beginning of a new era in renewable energy production, rural economic development, community-wide environmental benefits and swine industry waste enhancements for North Carolina.

As the second largest pork producing state in the country, North Carolina generates 40 million gallons of swine manure daily. North Carolina has created a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) that establishes the amount of energy demand in the state that must come from renewable sources. The REPS also includes a specific set-aside for swine waste-to-energy projects, which serves as a catalyst for deploying this type of technology and capital in North Carolina, and Duke University estimates that the REPS requirement could be met with as few as 127 state farms.

“Projects such as NC-1 are a gateway to rural economic development and renewable energy production. Not only are we generating significant electricity and employment opportunities, we are greatly enhancing the farm’s existing waste management system to improve processing and create previously unachievable environmental benefits,” said Alan Tank, co-founder and CEO of Revolution Energy Solutions. “North Carolina already has the requisite quality and quantity of feedstock to sustain these types of projects. We’re confident that additional states will embrace this example and NC-1 will be the first of many such waste-to-energy projects in the United States.”

RES says it brings both the patented, proprietary technology and proven project success to transform these swine waste streams into a meaningful source of energy. By processing waste streams generated by livestock on farms, as well as other organic feedstock materials such as food waste, fats, greases and oils and municipal waste streams, RES projects can create renewable energy, improve the environment and drive local economic development. These projects generate measurable air and water quality benefits, including greenhouse gas emission reductions, pathogen destruction, hydrogen sulfide emission reductions, and enhanced nutrient management and waste stream utilization.

Agribusiness, Alternative energy, biogas, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

Patriot to Build Biodiesel Production Facility

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

Patriot Holdings, LLC has announced that Patriot’s Board of Directors approved the formation of a new subsidiary (Patriot Fuels, Biodiesel, LLC) to build a five million gallon biodiesel production facility adjacent to the Patriot Renewable Fuels, LLC (“PRF”) ethanol plant in Annawan, Illinois. The plant will utilize corn oil extracted from the 40 million bushels of corn that PRF processes annually. The funding and development of this project is helped by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) New Generation Biofuels Production Program.

Vice President and General Manager Rick Vondra said, “Patriot Renewable Fuels began corn oil extraction in 2011 and this is a natural extension of that business. We have been extracting increasing volumes of corn oil and selling it to other biodiesel producers, or for inclusion into livestock feed. By processing corn oil onsite we can reduce transportation, and marketing costs making Patriot’s biodiesel one of the most cost competitive producers in the biodiesel industry today”.

Biodiesel blends have been found to significantly reduce the amount of toxic carbon-based emissions, and for this reason are considered an advanced biofuel by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By adding this process, Patriot will produce two fuels from the same amount of corn: ethanol for the automotive industry, and biodiesel for agriculture and the trucking industry. At the same time Patriot will continue to produce dried distillers grain and soluble (DDGS), the high quality livestock feed which is exported to China and other Pacific Rim countries for their growing livestock industry.

Concrete and foundation work will begin in December 2013 and the plant is scheduled to begin operation by the third quarter of 2014. The plant will utilize the SUPERTM Process production system designed by Jatro Diesel. The new technology being offered is a single stage, catalyst free, super critical process technology that will process feedstock with Free Fatty Acids (FFAs) up to 100 percent with minimal or no loss in yield. It will completely eliminate the use of a homogenous catalyst such as Sodium Methylate or a heterogenous catalyst, providing a substantial savings.

Rahul Bobbili, Jatro’s Vice President said, “Jatro has built more than 15 biodiesel plants and is excited that Patriot will use this new technology.”

Patriot’s General Manager Rick Vondra added, “Today, we are a producer of 120 million gallons of ethanol per year. With the previously announced addition of ICM, Inc’s. Selective Milling Technology. Patriot will see increased ethanol and corn oil recovery yields, resulting in higher revenues. Five million gallons of biodiesel will further increase our revenues. Our plant in Annawan has created jobs and stimulated economic growth in our community and beyond. With strength of our 200 local and Midwestern investors, we’ll harness the strength of a diversified product line and continue to make a positive impact on agriculture and economic development.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, corn

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. has announced that it completed the previously-announced acquisition of two ethanol plants, located in Wood River, NE and Fairmont, MN, from Ethanol Holding Company, LLC, an entity composed of the predecessor owners’ lender group. The acquisition increases Green Plains’ production capacity to over one billion gallons of ethanol per year.
Research and Markets has announced the release of “Battery Chargers – Global Strategic Business Report” report. The report analyzes the worldwide markets for Battery Chargers in US$ Million by the following End-Use Segments: Automotive Chargers, Industrial Chargers, Information Technology (IT) Chargers, Telecommunications Chargers, and Consumer Product Chargers. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2010 through 2018. A six-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets.
Twenty-seven former campaign and administration staffers of Gov. Brown released a letter today urging him to impose a moratorium on fracking in California. The former staffers are calling on Gov. Brown to impose an immediate moratorium on fracking until independent scientific studies prove that fracking for oil in the Monterey Shale will not accelerate climate change, poison California’s water and pollute the air. Gov. Brown signed SB 4 into law, essentially giving oil and gas companies the green light to frack California until 2015.
SolarCity Corp. has announced that it has completed what is reported to be the first securitization of distributed solar energy assets. SolarCity completed a private placement in the amount of $54,425,000 with an interest rate of 4.80% and a scheduled maturity date of December 2026. SolarCity’s pool of solar contracts received an investment grade rating of BBB+ from Standard & Poor’s. The rating reflects the predictability and quality of the cash flows and the minimal operation and production risk of solar assets. Distributed solar is one of the first new asset classes to achieve an investment grade rating in the asset back securities markets in the past several years.

Bioenergy Bytes

Big Oil Reaps $23 Billion In One Day

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

Americans United for Change said that the oil industry scored a big victory on Friday, November 15, 2013 when the U.S. EPA released a draft rule that – if allowed to stand – rolls back the highly successful Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Following the announcement that calls for gasoline to include more oil and less biofuel next year, stock values surged for four of the “Big Five” oil companies – representing a $23 billion windfall in just one day.

“Big Oil’s big win on the draft rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard led to an instant windfall for oil companies while consumers, American farmers and our troops are left holding the bag,” said Brad Woodhouse, President of Americans United for Change. “Big Oil hit the jackpot, but we are risking a huge slowdown in the development of next generation biofuels that are our best hope for reducing America’s dangerous dependence on foreign oil.”

The Big Five oil companies reaped a combined $23 billion windfall, and the value of their outstanding shares increased by an average of more than 2 percent in a single day. This increase was about four times better than the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 over the same period between the closing bell the day before the announcement (November 14) and the opening bell on the next day of trading after the announcement (November 18).

Meanwhile, an independent index of ethanol and biofuel stocks has fallen by more than 6 percent following the release of the draft rule. According to Americans United for Change, this is a very bad sign for the future of American leadership in clean, renewable biofuel, but it is a predictable market response to the draft proposal. If Big Oil gets its way, the steady rise in American biofuel use will be reversed next year, with less biofuel used in 2014 than in 2013.

Even though wholesale prices of ethanol are 60-80 cents cheaper than wholesale gasoline prices, Big Oil, said Americans United for Change, continues to falsely claim that the RFS requirement to use more of the inexpensive, clean, American made ethanol raises gasoline prices. Contrary to their argument, however, the announcement hasn’t brought any relief to American consumers at the gas pump – gas prices are actually slightly higher than before the announcement. The only winners are the oil companies who just reaped $23 billion while putting a choke hold on their only potential competition.

One Day Windfall Tally:

Exxon: $12,061,200,000
Chevron: $2,188,800,000
Shell: $6,876,600,000
BP: $2,065,800,000
Conoco Phillips -$258,300,000
Total: $22.9 Billion

biofuels, Oil, RFS

Idled Biodiesel Plant Gets New Tenant

John Davis November 25, 2013

A biodiesel plant idled by bankruptcy last year will get new life as a new tenant moves in. This article from Capital Press says TransMessis Columbia Plateau has moved into the former Inland Empire Oilseeds, LLC refinery in Odessa, Wash., and could be operating in the next few days and at full capacity early next year.

TransMessis Columbia Plateau (TCP) will produce biodiesel from canola, said CEO Damon Pistulka. The company is newly formed and backed by an investment group based in Houston, Texas, and several investors in Washington.

TCP is leasing the building from the Odessa Public Development Authority, with an option to purchase.

Pistulka said the company plans to produce 8 million gallons of biodiesel annually, and hopes the feedstock will eventually be locally sourced.

“We’ll use well over 50,000 tons (of canola) next year,” he said.

The facility is being cleaned and readied for production, he said. Pistulka expects to begin production by the end of November, and reach full capacity in the first quarter of 2014.

The opening of this facility along with a Pacific Coast Canola plant in Warden, Wash., should create a good market for canola in that region.

Biodiesel

What Will We Drive in 2023?

Joanna Schroeder November 25, 2013

According to a new study, “Tomorrow’s Vehicles: What Will We Drive in 2023?” released by the Fuels Institute, the growth of vehicles running on alternative fuels will accelerate over the next decade but diesel-fuel and gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the market.

For light-duty vehicles (passenger vehicles and light trucks), gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the market, although overall market share could decline from 93 percent in 2012 to as low as 82 percent of vehicle inventories in 2023. Diesel-powered vehicles will potentially comprise nearly 7 percent of the market while flexible-fuel vehicles capable of using E85 could grow to more than 9 percent of the market.

Meanwhile, for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (commercial vehicles like trucks and buses), diesel-powered vehicles will prevail, representing at least 94 percent of the vehicle fleet in 2023.

“On the surface, it may not seem that significant change is occurring, because gasoline and diesel fuel-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the vehicle fleet in 2023, but alternatives are gaining traction,” said John Eichberger, executive director of the Fuels Institute. “Consumers appear to be more open to alternatives than ever before and vehicle manufacturers are offering a wider variety.”

Given that there are more than 250 million vehicles on the road today, the report finds it will take years of strong sales of alternative fuel vehicles to reshape the country’s vehicle fleet. In addition, a variety of developments — including cost reductions for alternative-fuel vehicles, conveniently available refueling options, expanded vehicle range and overall consumer familiarity and confidence with new fueling options — will need to occur before alternative-fueled vehicles can capture significant market share.

“We need to ask — and answer — some tough questions so that the vehicles and fueling markets can develop together and convert consumers to new type of vehicles,” said Eichberger.

The report forecast the makeup of the vehicle fleet in 2023 based on two scenarios: a “base case” that incorporates current forecasts and an “aggressive case” that assumes more robust world economic conditions that further spurs demand and prices for petroleum products. In both projections, gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the LDV market but lose significant market share, dropping from 93.2 percent of LDVs on the road in 2012 to between 82.6 percent to 86.0 percent in 2023. This decline in market share is driven by a shift in the sale of new vehicles, with gasoline-powered vehicles’ share of sales falling from 83.4 percent in 2012 to between 67.6 percent to 78.9 percent in 2023, a potentially dramatic change in consumer purchasing behavior.Read More

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Research

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