First Nebraska Retailer to Offer E15

Cindy Zimmerman

A fuel retailer in one of Nebraska’s larger cities is now offering customers the choice of 15% ethanol at the pump.

Uncle Neal’s Phillips 66 in Lexington has become the first retailer in Nebraska to offer E15 for use in 2001 and newer vehicles and will soon be holding a grand opening promotion to celebrate.

“This was a long time coming and we are excited that a retailer with new blender pumps is offering E15 as a fuel choice,” said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development for the Nebraska Corn Board. “There have been several hurdles, but we are finally starting to see E15 at the pumps right here in Nebraska.”

Neal Hoff, owner of Uncle Neal’s in Lexington and one of the recipients of the Nebraska Corn Board blender pump grant, decided to offer E15 as a fuel choice for consumers in the new blender pumps he installed. “E15 seemed like the logical fuel to offer since vehicles that are 2001 and newer can use over 80% of the fuel sold,” said Hoff. “We want to give consumers fuel choice and what better than to offer a locally homegrown and produced fuel?”

The Nebraska Corn Board and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) worked with Hoff to ensure he was registered for the fuel survey, adopted the misfueling mitigation plan created by the Renewable Fuels Association, and the pumps were labeled properly for selling E15.

“It is a great feat for the ethanol industry to see E15 being sold in multiple states, and we are pleased Nebraska is added to the list,” said Robert White, director of market development for the Renewable Fuels Association.

Clark and White agree that many hours and phone calls have been spent by all parties to get E15 in Nebraska and ensure it is introduced properly. September 15 was the earliest Nebraska could offer E15 to 2001 and newer vehicles because of the lack of a one pound reed vapor pressure waiver for E15.

Read more from Nebraska Corn.

corn, E15, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

REG Breaks Ground on Plant Expansion

Joanna Schroeder

The country’s largest biodiesel producer, Renewable Energy Group (REG), has broken ground on the expansion to its biodiesel plant in Glenville, Minnesota. A groundbreaking ceremony was held and many biofuel supporters from across the state and the local community were on hand for the event. The upgrade is estimated to cost $20 million.

“No matter who we’ve talked to, the state or local level, they’re just absolutely thrilled,” Brad Albin, Vice President of Manufacturing at REG was quoted in an article published by KAAL TV. “The plant had been shut down for about a year and we brought it back up, last year. It’s a biodiesel plant that turns feedstock, or things like natural oils and greases, into renewable fuel.”

One of the things the plant expansion and upgrade will do is allow more difficult feedstocks to be processed into high quality biodiesel. The plant will also, said Albin, create additional jobs in the local community.

Area Representative Rich Murray was on hand for the groundbreaking. “It’s just an exciting day,”  he said. “We’ve got 20 some good paying jobs here that people are able to support their families with and now a $20 million commitment to construction here. It’s going to create construction jobs and just every bit of this is good news.”

The upgrade is expected to be complete by June of 2013 and the plant will then have the capacity to produce 30 million gallons of biodiesel each year.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Biodiesel, REG, Renewable Energy

Biodico & Navy Sign Advanced Biofuels Contract

Joanna Schroeder

Biodico has signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy for the development and evaluation of advanced biofuels and bioenergy. The goal is to jointly develop renewable fuel and energy technologies that are appropriate for use at U.S. Naval and Department Of Defense (DOD) facilities worldwide. The co-project is supported, in part, by grants from the California Energy Commission.

The collaboration between the Navy and Biodico will optimize the operation of sustainable biorefineries producing renewable petroleum diesel equivalent liquid fuels, bio-based products and energy using renewable resources. The goal is to lower the per gallon cost of production of the alternative energy source and also to push the advanced technology into the marketplace for commercial scale production.

Biodico’s President and Founder, Russell Teall, said, “As part of this agreement we are building a sustainable biorefinery at Naval Base Ventura County that will produce biofuel and bioenergy at prices competitive with unsubsidized conventional fuel and power. The facility is privately funded, with some of the innovations supported by grants from the California Energy Commission. Sen. Pavley’s landmark initiatives have helped make this project possible.”

Through on-site production of liquid biofuels, biobased products and alternative energy, the Navy can get closer to reaching its goal of reducing its dependence on petroleum by 50 percent by 2020. This, in turn, will provide the Navy access to secure forms of energy. Work under the new contract will include a range of technologies including but not limited to transesterification, gasification, gas to liquids, hydrogenation, anaerobic digestion, catalysis, and the production and processing of feedstocks and co-products.

“This announcement is an exciting outcome of the collaboration between Biodico, the Navy and the California Energy Commission,” said California State Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills). “This work is a direct result of California’s commitment to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The collaboration between Biodico, the Navy and the California Energy Commission will enhance our national security, provide new jobs and improve the environment. It will demonstrate and commercialize advanced biofuel and bioenergy technologies that will be utilized throughout the world. The integration of sustainable agriculture with renewable combined heat and power produced on-site will produce inexpensive advanced biofuels.”

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, bioenergy, biofuels, biomaterials, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy

Biorenewables Technology Moves Closer to Market

Joanna Schroeder

Hyrax Energy and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) have signed a licensing agreement for a renewable chemical and biofuel production method. The chemical process uses ionic liquids to break down cellulosic or non-food plant-based biomass without using enzymes or the need for pretreatment steps. The technology was developed with the aid of University of Wisconsin-Madison biochemistry professor and Hyrax founder, Ron Raines.

The company’s process creates fermentable sugars, which can be converted into a variety of chemicals, including fuels and plastics. Hyrax says the process developed avoids the need for costly pretreatment efforts typically used to overcome key problems with biomass including its water-insolubility and resistance to molecular deconstruction. The technology avoids these problems by employing ionic liquids to dissolve raw biomass from the beginning.

“Doing the entire conversion process in ionic liquids eliminates enzymes, pretreatment steps and harsh energy inputs and leads to a dramatic reduction in process complexity and capital intensity,” said Raines. Coupled with its scientific significance, the licensing of the new technology marks a major step toward commercializing this approach to biofuel production on an industrial scale.”

Raines said the paten-pending technology has been validated by third parties. He also said that the help of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and WARF Accelerator Program helped to fund development of the technology and provide the intellectual property protection necessary to support the process of commercialization. Hyrax is the first company that is part of GLBRC to begin the process of commercialization and also won the 2012 Clean Energy Challenge sponsored by the Clean Energy Trust.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, biochemicals, biomass, Cellulosic, Renewable Energy

Giant King Grass Growing Successfully in Cali

Joanna Schroeder

Giant King Grass is growing successfully in California and according to VIASPACE, who developed the hybrid, it is the highest yielding biomass crop in the world. Targeted for use a feedstock to produce biofuels or to produce renewable electricity, the company’s Giant King Grass is not genetically modified and it is not an invasive species.

After extensive laboratory testing, VIASPACE says it is the lowest cost feedstock for electricity generation using direct combustion or anaerobic digestion or for the use to create biofuels and biochemicals. The California crop is currently 10 feet tall and will be harvested when it reaches 15-18 feet.

Dr. Carl, Kukkonen, CEO, said, “California is a leader in renewable energy, and we believe that Giant King Grass can play an important role in electricity generation, and as a feedstock for nonfood cellulosic biofuels such as ethanol and butanol, and also for biochemicals and bioplastics. California is a leading state for agriculture and its warm weather makes it a good place to grow Giant King Grass. Giant King Grass can be grown on marginal lands and will not displace agriculture production.”

The company plans on expanding throughout the U.S, as well as in the Caribbean and Central and South America. The California crop will provide seedlings for global customers and also serves as a “showroom” for those interested in the feedstock. The company says in an ideal situation, the crop could be co-located with a power plant or biorefinery thus significantly improving logistics and reducing costs thus increasing profitability.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Electricity, feedstocks, Renewable Energy

Ethanol Discounted in Honor of Odyssey Day

Joanna Schroeder

In honor of the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, Farmers Union Oil of Southern Valley Cenex located in Wahpeton, North Dakota will be discounting ethanol fuel blends. On Friday, October 26, 2012, E85 will be discounted 85 cents per gallon, E30 will be discounted 30 cents per gallon and E20 will be discounted 20 cents per gallon. Odyssey Day is a biennial event that promotes the use of alternative fueled vehicles and the ethanol blends are only for use in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs.).

The promotion will begin at noon and end at 3:00 pm. The retail station is located at 2019 9th Street North, Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Supporters of the Wahpeton event include the Farmers Union Oil of Southern Valley, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, North Dakota Corn Council, North Dakota Ethanol Council, North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, North Dakota Clean Cities and the American Lung Association in North Dakota.

Alternative energy, biofuels, blends, Ethanol, Promotion

Biofuels Larger Part of Energy Mix

Joanna Schroeder

World and energy industry leaders are gathering this week in Dubai at the World Energy Forum. The major goal of the forum is to chart a roadmap for a sustainable energy mix. In light of the meeting, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) renewed its call for the adoption of politices that will include biofuels as a significant part of the world’s future energy mix.

The World Energy Forum facilitates a conversation and an exchange of ideas between heads of state, national energy ministers, and energy industry leaders. The goal is to find solutions to the challenges facing a sustainable energy future through technological innovations, research and political will.

“2012 is the United Nations ‘International Year of Sustainable Energy for All’ and is the ideal time for World Energy Forum attendees to push for more biofuels friendly policies,” said Bliss Baker, who is the spokesperson for the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance. “We cannot continue to rely on our addiction to oil that continues to hamper economic growth, exacerbate climate change and drive up food prices.”

According to the GRFA, biofuels contributed $277.3 billion to the global economy and supported nearly 1.4 million jobs in 2010. This year ethanol production is forecasted to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100 million tonnes globally. Last year the International Energy Agency released, Technology Roadmap – Biofuels for Transport, which stated that biofuels could make up 27% of the worlds transport fuels by 2050, eliminate 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions and not jeopardize food security. Recently the IEA called for biofuels production to double so their CO2 reduction goal could be met by 2020.

“World and energy industry leaders must follow IEA recommendations and adopt policies that ensures global biofuels production doubles in the coming years to meet CO2 reduction goals and reduce our dangerous reliance on crude oil imports,” said Baker.

Alternative energy, biofuels, Environment, Renewable Energy

Tractor Pulling with Biodiesel

Joanna Schroeder

The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is going to help promote biodiesel to its fans with the help of the United Soybean Board (USB). Beginning next season, all tractors will use B100 (100 percent biodiesel) in all pulling classes. The goal of the program is to increase biodiesel use among farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users who are a large component of the sport’s fan base.

“The NTPA has been a good partner with the soy checkoff,” says United Soybean Board (USB) Director Jim Willers, a soybean farmer from Beaver Creek, Minn. “We are pleased that tractor pullers will be able to use B100 and show off what biodiesel can do for their engines.”

A recent study by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and the United Pullers of Minnesota (UPM) found that using B100 in a pulling tractor can add up to 4 percent more horsepower and torque compared with traditional diesel. Prior to testing of B100 and this partnership, NTPA fuel regulations limited the use of biodiesel to lower blends.

“We now have a reliable test to make sure it’s B100, so pullers can use it right out of the pump,” says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. “The biggest thing is that this will be the ultimate proof that biodiesel performs well, which is what our partnership with the soy checkoff is all about.”

The United Soybean Board has partnered with the NTPA for the past six years to help increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans. And for the third year in a row, the checkoff sponsored the NTPA’s “Powered by Biodiesel” Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors use biodiesel blends.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Renewable Energy, Soybeans

Soy Energy in Mason City Suspends Operations

Joanna Schroeder

Soy Energy, a 30 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in Mason City, Iowa announced it will be temporarily suspending production and that some employees will be impacted. Iowa has 13 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 320 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following comment:

“First, our thoughts are with the employees of Soy Energy and their families. This is a tough time for biodiesel producers and a decision like this is never easy. This temporary stoppage in production highlights the need for Congress to quickly pass the tax extenders package, including the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit, during its upcoming lame duck session. Biodiesel is still a young industry confronted with a marketplace dominated by billions in tax subsidies for petroleum fuels, federal loan guarantees for petroleum infrastructure projects, and a petroleum distribution monopoly. Congress must create a level playing field so consumers can choose the fuel of their choice.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Iowa RFA, Renewable Energy

Governors Decline Iowa Hospitality

Joanna Schroeder

Despite planned trips to Iowa, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell declined invitations to visit an Iowa ethanol plant and cattle operation from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Both governors were part of a group that filed for waivers of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) for 2012 and 2013. At this time, the Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) has not make a decision.

“Given that both governors made formal requests to abandon the RFS, one of the most successful energy policies in U.S. history, IRFA was very disappointed to learn that Gov. Perry and Gov. McDonnell have declined our invitation for a quick visit to an Iowa ethanol plant and family cattle operation while in the state,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “IRFA respects the governors’ right to act in the best interest of their states as they see it, but given their national profile this would have been an excellent opportunity for them to hear the other side of the story – a side they’re not hearing from the special interests in their home states.”

Iowa is the leader in ethanol and biodiesel production with 41 ethanol biorefineries with the capacity to produce nearly 3.7 billion gallons of ethanal each year.

In the invitation to the Perry and McDonnell, who are both making political stops in Iowa this week, said, “IRFA would love to show you an ethanol plant in action as well as a neighboring cattle operation to demonstrate how these two important agriculture segments benefit each other, even during challenging times such as the current drought. We are certain this experience will respectfully challenge the sincere, but faulty assertions made to you regarding the need for an RFS waiver request.”

Agribusiness, Alternative energy, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA