NRC Releases Algae Sustainability Report

Joanna Schroeder

This week, the National Research Council (NRC) released a new report, “Sustainable Development of Algal Biofuels in the United States.” The report was a result of a request from the Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (DOE-EERE) Biomass Program.

The purpose of this study was to identify and anticipate potential sustainability concerns associated with a selected number of pathways for large-scale deployment of algal biofuels; discuss potential strategies for mitigating those concerns; and suggest indicators and metrics that could be used and data to be collected for assessing sustainability across the biofuel supply chain to monitor progress as the industry develops. In addition, NRC was asked to identify indicators that are most critical to address or have the greatest potential for improvement through DOE intervention as well as to suggest preferred cost and benefit analyses that could best aid in the decision-making process.

Ultimately, the report found that scaling up the production of biofuels made from algae to meet at least 5 percent, or approximately 39 billion liters, of U.S. transportation fuel needs would place unsustainable demands on energy, water, and nutrients. However, these concerns are not a definitive barrier for future production, and innovations that require research and development could help realize algal biofuels’ full potential.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today welcomed the report and noted that mitigation strategies are currently being developed to reduce energy, water and nutrients needed to convert algae to biofuels.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said, “While the National Research Council catalogued and prioritized every potential environmental and resource challenge for the development of algae biofuels, their report correctly concludes that the industry has developed or is developing sustainable strategies to overcome these challenges. Biotechnology will continue to play a crucial role in the improvement of the productivity and economic viability of algae biofuels and other advanced biofuels that are cleaner, safer and healthier than petroleum-based fuels.”

Erickson added, “The potential benefits of developing algae biofuels – which include reducing reliance on foreign oil and contributing to a healthier economy by deploying U.S. technology – warrant continued research, development and commercial development of algae biofuels.”

advanced biofuels, algae, Alternative energy, BIO, Renewable Energy, Research

Boeing, COMAC Kick of Biofuels Project

Joanna Schroeder

Hangzhou Energy Engineering & Technology, Co., Ltd., (HEET) will conduct the first research project at the newly formed Boeing-COMAC Aviation Energy Conservation and Emissions Reductions Technology Center. HEET will focus on ways to convert waste cooking oil into sustainable aviation biofuels. The center was created by Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) and opened in August at COMAC’s new Beijing Aeronautical Science and Technology Research Institute (BASTRI).

The goal of the project is to identify contaminants in waste cooking oil, which often is described in China as “gutter oil,” and develop processes that may treat and clean it for use as jet fuel. The focus of the project for the first year will be to demonstrate the feasibility of achieving significant cost reduction in converting gutter oils and other waste oils into jet fuel through improvement of conversion efficiency and associated technology.

“As one of the member organizations of COMAC, BASTRI was built for carrying out civil aviation industry research and we aim at expanding knowledge in sustainable aviation biofuels and carbon emissions reduction,” said Qin Fuguang, president of BASTRI, COMAC. “China is the world’s fastest growing aviation market and the biggest consumer of cooking oil. There’s great potential for converting the waste cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel. It’s a good opportunity for Boeing, HEET and COMAC to work together and make efforts to protect the environment.”

China annually consumes approximately 29 million tons of cooking oil, while its aviation system uses 20 million tons of jet fuel. Finding more efficient ways to convert “gutter oil” into jet fuel could increase regional biofuel supplies and improve biofuel’s affordability, enhancing the potential for commercial use.

Dong Yang Wu, vice president of Boeing Research & Technology – China, added, “HEET is a strong partner for the Boeing-COMAC technology center’s ‘gutter oil’ research project. We are excited about opportunities to partner with leading research capabilities in China to accelerate the global push for renewable jet fuels and support commercial aviation’s growth while reducing its environmental footprint.”

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, aviation biofuels, Renewable Energy

Free Biodiesel Workshop in Sioux Falls

Joanna Schroeder

The American Lung Association in South Dakota is hosting a free workshop on biodiesel on Friday, Oct. 26th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ramada Inn & Suites at 1301 W Russell Street in Sioux Falls. The event is part of National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey (www.AFVDayOdyssey.org), a biennial event to promote the use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

Don’t think biodiesel is that important to you? Think again. Nearly everything we eat, wear, buy or sell in this country is transported by a truck, train or barge powered by diesel, a fuel linked to particulate air pollution.

Now that your ears have perked up, here is some additional information about the workshop. The featured speaker is Hoon Ge, a fuel expert with MEG Corp. Workshops will cover recent refining changes in diesel fuels; how to prevent, identify and respond to issues with diesel fuels; the growing role of biodiesel in the transportation industry; and the coming year-round availability of biodiesel in the region.

The workshop is supported by the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium.  The workshop is free, but attendance is limited. Contact Kelly Marczak at (651) 268-7590 or Kelly.Marczak@lungmn.org.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Biodiesel

POET-DSM Partners with ANDRITZ

Joanna Schroeder

POET-DSM has signed on the International Technology Group ANDRITZ, to supply a two-step biomass treatment process for the commercial-scale cellulosic bioethanol plant under construction in Emmetsburg, Iowa known as Project LIBERTY. The technology was designed to help draw out available sugar in the collected biomass, in this case corn stover, corn cobs, and husks, so it can be converted into cellulosic ethanol.

The ANDRITZ technology is a two-stage process that includes a vertical reactor, an interstage washer and then the continuous steam explosion technology (Advanced SteamEx process) to draw out available sugars from the cellulose material. It’s those sugars combined with Project LIBERTY’s enzyme and yeast technologies – that will get converted into ethanol.

“We’ve been working with ANDRITZ for over four years, collaborating on the development for a treatment process that aligns with our conversion technology development here at POET-DSM, and we selected them to provide that treatment process,” said James Moe, POET-DSM board member. “We’re happy to have them on-board. To say this has been quite a process is an understatement.”

Jay Miele, VP and General Manager with ANDRITZ Inc. added, “Our design teams have been working closely together over the past four years to optimize our Advanced Steam-Ex pretreatment technology for Project LIBERTY. POET-DSM’s dedication to becoming a leader in cellulosic bio-ethanol is quite evident to us. We look forward to successfully completing our part of the delivery for Project LIBERTY, and we are eager to work together on future projects.”

Constructed is scheduled to be complete in late 2013. In preparation, local farmers are increasing the amount of biomass delivered to the site in an effort to fine-tune storage efforts and refine the biomass collection process. Harvest goals for this fall were to collect nearly 85,000 tons of corn cobs and light stover. Eventually, the biorefinery will need nearly 285,000 tons of biomass per year once at full production capacity of 20 million gallons per year.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Cellulosic, Ethanol, POET, Renewable Energy

Supply & Demand of US/World Coarse Grains

Jamie Johansen

A highlight for the 2012 Export Exchange was Dr. Joe Glauber’s comments on the supply and demand of the United States and worlds coarse grains. Dr. Glauber is the Chief Economist for the United State Department of Agriculture. Attendees from across the world listened as he discussed the aftermath of the US drought and the goals for price moderation worldwide.

“No surprise I talked about the drought and the effect on corn and soybeans primarily. This was a global conference so wheat, as well. Clearly the drought was a the big story this summer. It certainly affected prices. As we look forward I think the key thing in terms of price moderation is the world is now turning to the South American soybean crop and we should have more information on that in the next couple months. The real issue will be what it means for spring planting here in the United States. I think given these prices we are going to see strong acreage again for corn and soybean. Hopefully we’ll see better yields and some rebuilding of stocks and some moderation of prices because the livestock side of the sector has been hit pretty hard.”

Listen to my interview with Dr. Glauber here: Joe Glauber Interview

Of particular interest to the ethanol industry, Dr. Glauber spent several minutes of his presentation discussing how the drought, corn prices and other factors have influenced ethanol production this year, as well as some insight on the blend wall and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Listen to that portion of his remarks here: Joe Glauber ethanol comments

Listen to Dr. Glauber’s entire presentation here: Joe Glauber at Export Exchange

You can find photos from this years Export Exchange here: 2012 Export Exchange

Audio, conferences, Export Exchange, Exports, USDA

Geoff Cooper Addresses Attendees at Export Exchange

Jamie Johansen

Attendees for the 2012 Export Exchange were the audience for Geoff Cooper of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Cooper, who serves as RFA’s Vice President for Research and Analysis, spoke to over 500 of the worlds feed producers, marketers and buyers. He explained that distillers grains and other ethanol co-products have become a tremendously important component of the global animal feed market.

“The American ethanol industry produced nearly 39 million tons of nutrient-dense animal feed in the 2011/12 marketing year, meaning the ethanol industry has surpassed the U.S. soybean crushing industry in terms of feed production,” Cooper said. “The feed produced by the ethanol industry is nourishing beef, dairy, swine, poultry, and fish around the world. About one-quarter of the feed co-products generated last year were exported to more than 50 countries.”

Cooper also explained that the U.S. ethanol industry has responded to the historic drought of 2012 by curtailing its consumption of corn. “There is a false notion out there that the ethanol industry is somehow insulated from the effects of the drought and high corn prices because of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),” Cooper said. “That simply isn’t true. As crop conditions deteriorated in July and August and corn prices increased, corn use for ethanol dropped by almost 15 percent. That means the ethanol industry reduced its corn consumption by about 600-700 million bushels on an annualized basis in less than two months’ time. Without a doubt, the ethanol industry has not been spared from the effects of the drought.”

Listen to Geoff’s comments here: Geoff Cooper Comments

You can find photos from this years Export Exchange here: 2012 Export Exchange

Agribusiness, Audio, conferences, Export Exchange, Exports, RFA, USGC

Poll Shows Room for Improvement

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Have our efforts to educate consumers about agriculture been successful?”

Our poll results: No one said Yes, real improvement; fifty-two percent said Yes, but long way to go; thirty-five percent said No, minimal impact; three percent said No, no impact; and ten percent said Waste of time. It looks like many believe there’s room for improvement and our work is far from being done.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How important will rural vote be in election?” It is a challenging time in agriculture for thousands of farmers and ranchers across the country. As the rural population goes to the poll booth to cast their vote for the candidate they believe supports farmers and ranchers, how important do you think their votes are? Let us know.

And remember, Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Go cast your vote!

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

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