ACE Conference 2026

World’s Largest Advanced Biofuels Plant Opens

Joanna Schroeder

Today marked the official opening of what is believed to be the world’s largest operational, commercial scale advanced biofuels facility. Situated in the fields outside the city of Crescentino, Italy, Beta Renewables, part of the Mossi Ghisolfi Group, along with Novozymes celebrated the first plant to be designed and built to produce bioethanol from agricultural residues and energy crops as commercial scale using enzymatic conversion. The advanced biofuels plant features Beta Renewables’ PROESA™ engineering and production technology alongside Novozymes’ Cellic® enzymes.

“The advanced biofuels market presents transformational economic, environmental and social opportunities, and with the opening, we pave the way for a green revolution in the chemical sector,” said Beta Renewables’ Chairman and CEO, Guido Ghisolfi. “We will continue to commercially expand Beta Renewables’ core technology throughout the world, and we are very confident at this stage given the demand we see around the globe.”

“The opening today presents a leap forward and is truly the beginning of a new era for advanced biofuels,” says Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO of Novozymes. “Here, at this plant, enabled by Novozymes’ enzymatic technology, we will turn agricultural waste into millions of liters of low-emission green fuel, proving that cellulosic ethanol is no longer a distant dream. It is here, it is happening, and it is ready for large-scale commercialization.”

The plant uses wheat straw, rice straw and arundo donax, a high-yielding energy crop grown on marginal land. Lignin, a polymer extracted from biomass during the ethanol production process, is used at an attached power plant, which generates enough power to meet the facility’s energy needs, with any excess green electricity sold to the local grid.

At the inauguration, Guido Ghisolfi and Peder Holk Nielsen were joined on the ground for the celebrations by Italy’s Minister for Economic Development, Flavio Zanonato, and representatives from the European Commission, as well as more than 500 global stakeholders.

During the event, both companies stressed that with the technology ready at commercial scale, it will be vital to create stable and conducive policy conditions worldwide, to harvest better the vast opportunities in cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels.Read More

advanced biofuels, bioenergy, Cellulosic, Ethanol, International, Renewable Energy, Video

DC Update Ethanol Report

Cindy Zimmerman

dinneen-capitolThe nation’s capitol is “so quiet you can hear a pin drop” but the American Petroleum Institute (API) is still working to beat the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and the government shutdown means E15 retailers are unable to get approval.

“EPA right now is not answering the phones so they are not responding to marketers that are looking to offer E15,” says Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen in this edition of The Ethanol Report. “I would hate to think that the political snit that is occurring in Washington today is going to throw up yet another barrier to expanding E15.”

ethanol-report-adDinneen also talks about the API lawsuit filed this week over the volume requirements of the RFS and the possibility that the government shut down would dely EPA’s release of the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO), due out next month. “But this year, EPA took far too long to get those out,” he said, noting the numbers were just released in August – nine months late without a government shut down. “You want those numbers out as early as possible so the marketplace can respond.”

Listen to Bob discuss these topics and optimism in the ethanol industry here: Ethanol Report with RFA's Bob Dinneen

Subscribe to “The Ethanol Report” with this link.

Audio, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Government, RFA, RFS

Croatia to Get First Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

BDIcroatia1On the heels of Austrian BDI–BioEnergy International AG announcing deals to build biodiesel plants in the U.S. and UK, the company inked a deal to to build Croatia’s first multi-feedstock biodiesel plant. The agreement was signed in front of Croatian and Austrian economic and political representatives.

The representative of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Vesna Trnokop-Tanta has pledged full support for the project and underlined, that this is an important step for Croatia in meeting the EU’s demands regarding the renewable energy directive in the fuel sector.

[Edgar Ahn, PhD (CSO) – Member of the BDI’s Management Board commented]:

“The installed BDI Multi-Feedstock BioDiesel Technology will enable our customer biom d.o.o. to convert many different waste and residual materials into high-quality BioDiesel. Thereby, it does not only make an important contribution to environmental protection in the area of transport, but also helps to safely dispose problematic waste streams or even convert them into useful substances. This confirms, that this BDI BioDiesel project is not only for BDI an important and pioneering project in the growing economies of South-East Europe, but in our opinion, for the State of Croatia this is a landmark project.”

When the plant is up and running at the end of next year, it will produce up to 100,000 tonnes per year.

Biodiesel, International

Companies to Produce Miscanthus for Biodiesel

John Davis

Miscanthus1A bioenergy technology company and a biomaterials processing technology and deployment company are partnering to turn miscanthus into biodiesel. This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the deal combines Algenetix Inc.’s proprietary, trademarked PhotoSeed technology and Alchimia Inc.’s oil extraction and purification technology.

Giant miscanthus has been seen as an alternative to corn for cellulosic ethanol as well as a source of biomass for heat and power generation. The partnership transforms miscanthus into a large-scale, next-generation “seedless oil” crop capable of addressing not only the ethanol and biomass markets, but the sizeable European and U.S. markets for biodiesel, biojet fuel and specialty products.

“The Alchimia partnership allows us to unlock the true value of PhotoSeed as applied to energy grasses,” said Han Chen, CEO of Algenetix. “We can now not only increase oil content in miscanthus biomass, but with Alchimia’s extraction technologies we have a path to market for a range of renewable fuels and high value oil soluble coproducts.”

PhotoSeed is the first technology to successfully produce synthetic seed-like oil bodies in the vegetative material of plants without negatively impacting plant health. Algenetix has been able to increase lipid content to as much as 8 percent of the total biomass. Alchimia’s novel process can unlock the potential values of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids sequestered within biomaterials while segregating and purifying high value microcompounds often overlooked within commodity processing.

A recent study shows that more than 150 million acres of abandoned and degraded cropland in the U.S. could be used for biofuels crops, such as miscanthus, without cutting into food crops and pasture lands.

Biodiesel

API Strikes Again

Joanna Schroeder

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has struck again by filing a lawsuit with the D.C. Circuit Court against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the volume requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“This is another frivolous effort by API to abuse the court system in their slavish effort to repeal a public policy that is working for farmers, gasoline marketers, and consumers,” responded Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFS). “While the 2013 RVOs were issued later than anyone would have liked, the fact is the Don__t_Cry_Over_Spilled_Oil_by_xWHOEVERSHEISxstatute is crystal clear, and all stakeholders have been producing and blending at levels that will unquestionably meet the 2013 requirements. This is a lawsuit in search of a problem.”

According to data from EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS), 8.65 billion renewable fuel (D6) RINs were generated through August. This implies at least 13 billion D6 RINs will be generated for calendar year 2013. When combined with the 2.0 billion D6 RINs carried forward from 2012, there will be approximately 15 billion D6 RINs available to comply with a requirement of 13.8 billion. In fact, there is likely to be a surplus of at least 1.2 billion D6 RINs carried in to 2014 – in other words a surplus, not a shortfall as API is claiming.

“This latest move comes as no surprise. Big Oil is doing, and continues to do everything possible to undermine the RFS and prevent competition in the marketplace from higher blends of renewable fuel,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

In addition to the D6 RINs, 1.6 billion biomass-based diesel (D4) RINs were generated through August, implying an annual total of 2.4 billion D4 RINs. In addition, nearly 290 million surplus D4 RINs generated in 2012 were carried in to 2013. Once again, there will be more than enough D4 RINs to meet the 1.92 billion RIN biodiesel requirement.

In terms of D5 RINS, 408 million advanced biofuel RINs were generated through August, demonsrating the industry is on pace to generate 612 million D5 RINs. When combined with surplus D5 RINs carried forward from 2012, and recognizing that surplus biodiesel (D4) RINs can be used in lieu of D5 RINs, there will be no problem in meeting the 2013 advanced biofuel requirement. It is also important to note that the EPA waived the statutory cellulosic biofuel standard by 99 percent in 2013. Through August, nearly 130,000 cellulosic biofuel RINs had been generated, and RIN generation is expected to accelerate in the remainder of the year.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS, RINS

Chicago Midway Airport Flies with Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The Solar Power International 2013 tradeshow is kicking off October 21-24, 2013 and as solar companies gear up to showcase their technologies, Kyocera Solar is showcasing their latest solar project at the Chicago Midway Airport. Twenty-five kilowatts (kW) of Kyocera photovoltaic modules now help power Chicago’s Midway Airport’s new 20130218_105741environmentally friendly consolidated rental car facility. Installed by Green Power Solutions, the PV system is on the roof of the Quick-Turn Around (QTA) facility, where hundreds of rental cars are washed and refueled daily.

As planes taxi and land, passengers now enjoy a view of the rooftop PV system, which supplies about 30 percent of the QTA’s power needs and provides a strong visual reminder of Midway Airport’s green initiatives. The QTA facility includes nine car wash bays, nine fueling islands, 36 fuel pumps and two 20,000 gallon underground fuel tanks. Water used to wash the rental cars is recycled.

“We’re excited to be a part of Midway Airport’s ‘greening,’ and hope this installation serves as a high-profile reminder that solar power is the smart choice for our nation’s future,” said Steve Hill, president, Kyocera Solar Inc. “With 38 years of solar industry experience, Kyocera is committed to providing reliable products that will help our nation’s municipalities leverage the clean, renewable energy of the sun for decades to come.”

MidwayWorking together, Kyocera and Green Power Solutions were able to overcome a structural challenge with the installation, which sits on a split-seam metal roof, by modifying a special clamp on the racking system to secure the system in place. Green Power Solutions also installed nine wind turbines in conjunction with Midway Airport’s green initiative. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is pursuing LEED certification for the project, which receives three “green airplanes” for design and four green airplanes for construction, as rated by the CDA’s Sustainable Airport Manual.

“We chose Kyocera because of its high-quality, reliable solar modules in addition to the strong engineering support they provided, which helped streamline the installation,” added Steve Arwady of Green Power Solutions. “We received expert, hands-on solutions from Kyocera, which tipped the balance when we compared panel for panel at almost the same price. We chose Kyocera, the company that gave us the best service. We intend to partner with them on future projects.”

In addition to the Midway airport project, Tucson International Airport recently wrapped up the first phase of a 2.5 megawatt (MW) solar canopy installation using Kyocera polycrystalline silicon modules above the main public parking lot. Completed in August, the 1MW section powers about a third of the terminal complex’s power needs.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar, Wind

Ormat to Build Geothermal Project in Indonesia

Joanna Schroeder

President Obama’s U.S. Asia Pacific Comprehensive Energy Partnership (USACEP) is encouraging U.S. companies to develop renewable energy in South East Asian countries and Ormat Technologies has heeded the call. The company has signed an agreement for the development of the Hu’u Dompu geothermal project in Indonesia. The agreement was signed in the presence of Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce for the U.S. Department of Commerce.

ormatOrmat will develop the project through the project company Pacific Geo Energy (PAGE). The Hu’u Dompu greenfield geothermal project is located in West Nusa Tenggara Province on Indonesia’s Sumbawa Island, and may be developed for up to 60 megawatts (MW) in three phases over the next six years.

“President Obama has made it very clear that the United States is deeply committed to deepening our commercial and economic ties in the Asia-Pacific. Part of increasing our engagement in the region will be achieved as U.S. and Asian businesses work together on projects that benefit both of our economies,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “A joint project like this represents a clear win-win for our bilateral commercial relationship with Indonesia, and demonstrates the opportunities that exist in the world’s fastest-growing region for U.S. companies to not only sell their goods and services but share their expertise and drive development in high-priority areas like clean energy.”

Ormat says the Hu’u Dompu geothermal project will benefit from their phased approach to greenfield development, unique exploration tools developed in the U.S., flexible power plant technology, operational experience and knowledge base provided by the U.S. subsurface industry.

Dita Bronicki, chief executive officer of Ormat added, “As the first greenfield development for Ormat in Indonesia, we are pleased with the opportunity that this project presents. Together with our new local partners and the support from U.S. and international sources, we’re hopeful that this prospect will be a successful source of renewable sustainable and affordable energy to Sumbawa Island.”

Under the terms of the agreement with the initial developers, Ormat will hold a 90 percent stake in the project, while the remaining 10 percent will be held by the current owners of PAGE, PT Trimatra Energy and PT Bima Transindo Persada. PAGE obtained the geothermal license for the project, which entitles it to a power purchase agreement price of CENT9.65/kWh.

Alternative energy, Geothermal, International

NEC Announces Student Scholarships

Joanna Schroeder

Each year the ethanol industry looks forward to the National Ethanol Conference (NEC) and the 19th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida February 17-19, 2014 is already shaping up to be a good one. A great event for budding biofuel students, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) are offering six scholarships for students to attend the event.

The NEC provides attendees with timely information on critical regulatory, marketing and policy issues facing the ethanol industry, and is a perfect opportunity for students interested in the world of renewable fuels to meet and connect with ethanol industry NEC1leaders, top policymakers and experts in the field of renewable fuels. Experts will speak to the current market situation, and address how the industry can continue to grow through innovation, new technologies and feedstocks, and by developing more diverse and global markets.

“The National Ethanol Conference is a unique opportunity for students to engage and interact with leading experts in the field,” said Mike Jerke, general manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company and chairman of the Renewable Fuels Foundation. “As leaders in the ethanol industry today, it is our responsibility to educate and prepare the next generation of ethanol producers. This conference will give students a real world view of the industry and a foot in the door towards a future in ethanol production.”

The scholarships will cover the cost of the NEC registration fee – a $790 value – making the conference free to chosen students. Recipients will be responsible for all other costs associated with travel to/from the conference, including airfare, hotel and non-conference meals. Additional financial assistance to offset travel expenses may be available at the discretion of the RFF/RFA.

Applicants will be asked to explain in detail how this scholarship will assist them in achieving their academic and/or career goals in 500 words or less. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation, a current resume and an official school transcript. This scholarship opportunity is open only to those students attending a U.S. institution of higher learning and enrolled in an approved ethanol-related program. All applications must be submitted by December 13, 2013. Click here to download an application.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Rhode Island Teen Recognized for Bioheat Project

John Davis

CassandraLin1A teenager from Rhode Island is being recognized for her project to turn waste cooking oil into biodiesel to heat homes, or bioheat. Cassandra Lin, a 15-year-old from Westerly, has been honored as one of six Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative young environmental activists winning the Brower Youth Awards, recognizing her efforts toward ecological sustainability and social justice.

When she was in fifth grade Cassandra Lin learned that used cooking oil could be converted into cheap, clean-burning biodiesel to heat homes. The same year, 2008, Lin founded Turn Grease Into Fuel (TGIF), a youth group that gets local restaurants to donate their kitchen grease to be recycled and shared with charities that identify families who need heating assistance. So far, Lin’s outfit has helped offset more than 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions by promoting the use of biodiesel. In 2011, Lin and her team drafted a bill that required all businesses in Rhode Island to recycle their waste cooking oil and worked with local legislators to get it approved. State lawmakers passed the Used Cooking Oil Recycling Act in June 2011 and the law went into effect in January 2012, expanding TGIF’s efforts into neighboring communities. The network of local businesses and charities that Lin and her team created is itself a well-oiled machine that addresses the needs of community members and reduces waste and pollution.

She’ll receive her award during the 14th Annual Brower Youth Awards on October 22 at the Nourse Theater in San Francisco.

Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFThe Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, a multi-donor initiative administered by the African Development Bank, will participate in the West Africa Clean Energy Finance Forum, to recognize the finalist entrepreneurs identified throughout 2013 by a team from the various event co-sponsors: Private Financing Advisory Network and the Regional Clean Energy Investment Initiative of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, West African Development Bank, and the African Biofuels and Renewable Energy Company. The event will take place on October 8 as part of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Investment Week that will run from October 8-10 in Accra, Ghana.
  • On Thursday, October 10, at 1:00 pm EST, Ecotech Institute will hold a lunchtime webinar, “Tame the Energy Monster: A Focus on Energy Efficiency” that explores what it means to be energy efficient. This webinar, which is the second in Ecotech Institute’s “Living the Ecotech Lifestyle” series. The fast-paced, 30-minute session will help attendees think about the mind shifts for how to live a more eco-friendly life. It will also look at what businesses are doing to improve energy efficiency. Kyle Crider, Manager of Environmental Operations at Ecotech Institute, will host the event.
  • BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH (BayWa r.e.) has sold two operating onshore wind parks located in the south-east of England to Greencoat UK Wind PLC. The wind parks Earls Hall Farm and Cotton Farm comprise 10.3 MW and 16.4 MW respectively. BayWa r.e. developed and constructed both projects in the role of project owner and EPC contractor and will remain involved with the operation of the wind farms in the capacity of technical operations manager.
  • J.J. Taylor Companies has announced the expansion of its CNG powered fleet and the building of a second CNG station in Ft. Myers, Florida, expected to be ready by February 2014. The company will receive 10 new 2014 Freightliner Cascadia tractors equipped with the new Cummins-Westport ISX 12G engine and the Allison 4000 HS automatic transmission by January 2014.
  • Remcom, a provider of electromagnetic simulation software and solutions, is participating in the free, Internet-based IHS GlobalSpec’s Wind Energy Technology event on October 9, 2014. The online event is similar to a traditional conference and trade show; however, attendees participate from their computer.
Bioenergy Bytes