In This Edition
EESI Feature Article
Federal Initiatives Updates
State Initiative Updates
Research and Technology Updates
News Briefs
Feature Article
Biofuel Industry Creates Opportunities From Coast to Coast Thanks to Diverse Feedstocks
Although corn and soy are the predominate feedstocks of the current U.S.
biofuel industry – both crops primarily grown in the Midwest – the
transition from foreign oil to domestic biobased transportation fuels
spells unique opportunities for rural areas outside the Midwest as well.
Extensive research, development and commercialization efforts are
currently underway for a wide variety of feedstocks, from citrus waste
and forest thinnings to jatropha and algae, allowing every region of
the country to reap the benefits of their own home-grown and
ecologically appropriate biofuel feedstocks.
Cellulose is the next generation of ethanol feedstock, netting more energy
per acre of crop and emitting fewer greenhouse gases per unit of energy
than corn starch. Cellulosic ethanol can be made from any plant
material, creating a new market for non-food crops as well as the
“waste” from food crops and forests. Many strides have been made in
recent months to bring cellulosic ethanol to market; pending federal
legislation such as the Senate-passed Energy Bill could accelerate this
process even further by including minimum production requirements for
the advanced biofuel in a new Renewable Fuel Standard.
Switchgrass has received much attention as an efficient source of cellulose
for energy. Most recently, Massachusetts-based Mascoma Corporation and the
University of Tennessee have partnered to build the first U.S.
switchgrass-to-ethanol biorefinery, scheduled to begin operating in
2009. Funding for the construction of the 5 million gallons per year
plant and corresponding research and development activities, as well as
incentives for farmers to grow switchgrass, are the result of Tennessee
Governor Phil Bredesen’s Biofuel Initiative. Research by the
University’s Institute of Agriculture shows that Tennessee could
produce over 1 billion gallons of switchgrass-based ethanol annually.
Switchgrass is native to all of the continental United States except
the west coast, and requires less water and fertilizer than does corn.
Although alfalfa can only produce about one quarter the amount of cellulosic
ethanol that corn can produce, it has some limited potential as a
feedstock because of its environmental benefits and valuable
co-products. Rotating alfalfa with corn enriches the soil, reduces the
need for insecticides and fertilizers, and increases the yield of
subsequent corn crops. In addition, alfalfa leaves have a high protein
content, which can be separated from the cellulose and sold as cattle
feed. The National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance held a summit in
Washington, D.C. in August to promote the benefits of using alfalfa as
an ethanol feedstock. Executive Director Beth Nelson pointed out that
alfalfa has the advantage of an established, stable infrastructure
across the entire country.
Citrus waste, in contrast to more widespread grasses and forbs, represents
a smaller, more local source of biomass. Bill Widmer, a research chemist
with the Citrus and Subtropical Products Laboratory under the USDA’s
Agricultural Research Center, estimates that the Florida orange juice
industry’s 5 million tons of unused orange peels could provide up to 60
million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually. FPL Energy, LLC and
Citrus Energy, LLC have teamed up to build a 4 million gallon per year
(MGY) ethanol plant adjacent to a Florida citrus processor, eliminating
transportation and storage costs. Mike O’Sullivan, FPL Energy’s senior
vice president of development, touted the benefits of producing ethanol
from the local feedstock: “This exciting new project [will] produce a
clean, affordable, and domestically-produced biofuel utilizing
Florida’s existing citrus industry infrastructure and [bring] new jobs
to rural communities.” Citrus-to-ethanol refineries also have a
valuable co-product - limestone.
Wood waste is another wide-spread ethanol feedstock entering the
commercialization process, with the first wood-based ethanol blend
going on sale this month in Japan. Taking advantage of the abundant
forest resource in this country, Range Fuels, Inc. is working to build
a 40 million gallons per year wood-to-ethanol plant in Georgia and
Mascoma Corporation is planning a similar facility in Michigan.
“There’s so much raw material in Georgia, it’s unbelievable,” said
Range Fuels CEO Mitch Mandich, adding that other southeastern states
could also integrate biorefineries with their established timber
industry to take advantage of the ethanol boom.
Thinning a forest of its small diameter trees, underbrush and other wood
residues is critical in maintaining healthy forests and reducing fuel
for wildfire. But at a cost of nearly $600 per acre according to a
2003 University of Washington report, foresters often find the thinning
process cost prohibitive. The cellulosic ethanol industry can provide
a market for this woody biomass, making forest restoration economically
sustainable as well.
Post-consumer wood products can also be sourced as an ethanol feedstock.
BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. announced on October 9 an agreement with the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in
Southern California using wood waste and green waste that would
otherwise go to the landfill. The plant, which will receive a total of
$40 million in grant money from the DOE, is scheduled to begin
operating in 2010. “The DOE funding will enable BlueFire Ethanol to
build a facility that will convert post-sorted green waste and other
cellulosic materials from the landfill into roughly 17 million gallons
of fuel-grade ethanol per year,” said BlueFire Ethanol CEO Arnold
Klann. “The same process can be replicated at the majority of the
nation’s 1600 landfill sites, increasing the essential production of
biofuels, while simultaneously helping cities cope with increasing
volumes of landfill waste.”
According to the National Biodiesel Board, 250 million gallons of biodiesel
were sold in the United States last year. The majority of the existing 165
biodiesel plants use soy as their feedstock, but the use of other
feedstocks is expanding.
Jatropha is a fast-growing, bushy plant that thrives in high temperatures
with minimal nutrients and water. In early October, the Hawaii County
Economic Opportunity Council received a $677,000 federal grant to study
the cloning and mass cultivation of jatropha seedlings for bio-diesel
production. "This grant will create jobs for about 70 people on
the Big Island and provide needed information about the potential for
jatropha cultivation as a bio-diesel resource," said Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI).
Canola oil has been used to produce modest amounts of biodiesel for years,
and its use as a feedstock is growing. On October 10, an 85 MGY biodiesel
production plant opened adjacent to a canola crushing facility in
Velva, North Dakota. The Archer Daniels Midland refinery will create
15 new jobs and provide a huge new market for local farmers, using the
equivalent of the entire canola crop from the top 10 canola producing
counties in the state. On the west coast, Imperial Renewables began
operation in Washington this August, tapping the nearby canola fields
to produce 100 MGY of biodiesel.
Algae has shown great potential as a biodiesel feedstock, having the
ability to grow in brackish water and yielding a very high percentage of
oil, although commercial scale production has been cost prohibitive. On
October 25, AlgaeLink NV of the Netherlands announced their development
of a new photobioreactor system built with 4-6 millimetre
easy-to-assemble transparent sheets instead of pre-manufactured tubes,
reducing shipping costs by 90%. “If it were easy, most of the world’s
biodiesel would already be made from microalgae grown on
non-agricultural land,” said AlgaeLink President Hans van de Ven. “But
it is not that easy to grow algae at low costs. But with our newly
developed and patented AlgaeLink photobioreactors, it is now
possible.” Because algae require only water, sunlight, nutrients and
carbon dioxide, it could be grown virtually anywhere without competing
for agricultural land.
In short, ethanol can be produced from the starch or cellulose from a
myriad of plant materials, and biodiesel can be produced from the lipids
in oilseed crops, algae, or even animal fats such as hog or fish processing
waste. With petroleum breaking the $90 per barrel threshold,
commercialization of more biofuel feedstocks will surely accelerate as
communities look for a more environmentally friendly and profitable way
to meet their transportation fuel demands.
Sources: http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=5595
http://www.plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_pavi2.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.mascoma.com/welcome/pdf/09.27.07%20-%20Mascoma%20News%20Release%20-TENN%20-%20FiNAL.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9293795p-9208281c.html
http://www.earthportal.org/news/?p=382
http://www.fplenergy.com/news/contents/2007/071907.shtml
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47788
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=3&storyid=5890
Morath, Eric and Cain, Charlie. “Company Picks Michigan for $100M Wood
Ethanol Plant.” The Detroit News 20 July 2007.
http://uwnews.org/article.asp?Search=2003+forest+thinning&articleid=3418
http://www.bluefireethanol.com/pr/40
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=142316
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/producers_marketers/ProducersMap-Existing.pdf (pdf format)
http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Home&month=10&year=2007&release_id=1873
Baker, Marvin. "Canola biodiesel plant near Velva first of its kind in N.D." The Minot Daily News 11 October 2007.
http://www.imperiumrenewables.com/grays.html
http://www.biobasednews.com/list2.php?storyid=15375
Top
Federal Initiatives Updates
New Legislation
H.R. 3586 – Allows for income tax credits for the production of renewable organic materials
September 19, Rep. Duncan (R-TN), Rep. Boswell (D-IA), and Rep. Graves
(R-MO) introduced H.R. 3586 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to allow a credit against income tax for the production of certain
material produced from organic matter which is available on a renewable
or recurring basis. The bill was referred to the House Committee on
Ways and Means.
H.R. 3593 – Smart Energy Tax Relief Act of 2007
September 19, Rep. Lampson (D-TX) Introduced H.R. 3593 to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the credit for
non-business energy property, the credit for gas produced from biomass
and for synthetic fuels produced from coal, and the credit for energy
efficient appliances. The bill was referred to the House Committee on
Ways and Means.
S. 2076 -Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Act
September 20, Senator Reid (D-NV) introduced S.2076 to amend the
Federal Power Act to require the President to designate certain
geographical areas as national renewable energy zones, and for other
purposes. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources.
S. 2149 - Coal Fuels and Industrial Gasification Demonstration and Development Act of 2007
October 4, Senator Dorgan (D-ND) Introduced S. 2149 to amend the Energy
Policy Act of 1992 to establish a program to provide incentives for
projects to produce synthetic gas, liquid fuels, and other products
from coal, biomass and other feedstocks while simultaneously reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and reliance of the United States on petroleum
and natural gas, and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the
Senate Committee on Finance.
S. 2155 - International Clean Energy Technologies Deployment and Global Energy Markets Investment Act of 2007
October 4, Senator Byrd (D-WV) introduced S. 2155 to amend the Energy
Policy Act of 1992 to encourage the development of clean energy
technologies for deployment in markets abroad, to assist the Department
of Energy’s promotion of research and development of clean and
efficient energy systems, to encourage the Department of Energy and
other Federal Agencies to work together to improve the advancement of
sustainable energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for
other purposes. The bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
H.R. 3781 – Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act of 2007
October 9, Rep. Hill (D-IN) introduced H.R. 3781 to amend the Clean Air
Act to promote and assure the quality of biodiesel fuel, and for other
purposes. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce. There are nine original co-sponsors of the bill.
S. 2191 - America's Climate Security Act of 2007
October 18, Senator Lieberman (I-CT) introduced S. 2191 to direct the
administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a
program to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases through a
cap-and-trade carbon dioxide tracking and trading program. The bill was
referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. There
are eight original co-sponsors of the bill.
S. 2202 - Renewable Fuel Standard Extension Act of 2007
October 18, Senator Reid (D-NV) introduced S. 2202 on behalf of Senator
Obama (D-IL) and Harkin (D-IA) to amend the Clean Air Act to increase
the renewable content of gasoline to 18 billion gallons by 2016,
including three billion gallons of advanced renewable fuels. The bill
was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
USDA Seeks Comments on the Agency Role in Differentiating Grain Inputs and Co-products of Ethanol Production
On October 5, 2007, the USDA announced that it was re-opening the public
comment period for a proposed rulemaking regarding the appropriate role
of government in differentiating grain attributes for grain inputs in
ethanol production as well as co-products, such as wet and dry
distillers grains. The original comment period was between July 20,
2007 and September 18, 2007 and has now been re-opened at the request
of the grain industry. Public comments must be submitted by December 4,
2007 to be considered. Instructions for submission of comments are
posted in the federal register notice.
Source: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-19733.pdf
Department of Energy Issues Final Regulations for Loan Guarantee Program
On October 4, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman announced the
Department of Energy’s final rule for the clean energy loan guarantee
program authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Eligible projects must use new or significantly improved technologies
that reduce or sequester air pollutants or greenhouse gases compared to
commercial technologies in use when the loan is approved. “Finalizing
this regulation for the Department’s Loan Guarantee program puts
Americans one step closer to being able to use new and novel sources of
energy on a mass scale to reduce emissions and allow for vigorous
economic growth and increased energy security,” said Secretary Bodman.
Last year, the DOE received 143 pre-applications requesting more than $27
billion in loan guarantee protection; 16 of those pre-applicants were
invited to submit full applications for review, according to the final
regulations. The 16 projects selected use technologies such as
integrated gasification combined cycle plants, industrial energy
efficiency, solar energy, electricity delivery and energy reliability,
hydrogen fuel cells, alternative fuel vehicles, and integrated
biorefineries that produce both advanced biofuels and biobased
products.
Source: http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/press/100407.html
House Passes 25 by ’25 Resolution to Increase Renewable Energy Use
On October 15, the House of Representatives passed a resolution that
sets a goal of deriving 25% of the nation’s total energy from renewable
sources by the year 2025, a substantial increase from the 6% in use
today. The 25 by ’25 Resolution was introduced in January by House
Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Ranking
Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA). “The 25 by ’25 Resolution is a statement
of our national commitment to support the development of renewable
energy sources,” said Chairman Peterson. “I believe that we can not
only meet but exceed the goal of 25 percent by 2025, but every journey
starts with a first step, and this resolution is a very important first
step to national energy independence.” Ranking Member Goodlatte
stated, “I commend the House for recognizing the important role
American agriculture plays in domestic energy production and I look
forward to working with my colleagues and the industry as we work to
turn the goal of 25 x ’25 into a reality. Working to ensure that the
benefits of expanded markets for agricultural products are available to
the entire agriculture sector is a top priority for me and I believe in
this sector’s ability to provide the market with reliable, sustainable
renewable energy sources.”
Source: http://agriculture.house.gov/list/press/agriculture_dem/pr_101507_25x25.html
Senate Agriculture Committee Sends 2007 Farm Bill to the Floor
On October 25, 2007, the Senate Agriculture Committee, chaired by Sen.
Tom Harkin (D-IA), reported out The Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
This bipartisan bill comes together after months of negotiations over
reforms to the farm safety net created by the 2002 Farm Bill. Under
strict budgetary constraints imposed by the “pay-as-you-go” budget
rules, the committee was able to include new investments in
conservation, nutrition, specialty crops (fruit and vegetable) and
energy production. Controversial amendments over the Average Crop
Revenue program as well as trade distorting adjustments, food stamps
and nutrition received much debate in the committee. No amendments
were offered to the $1.1 billion Energy Title of the bill during markup.
The bill includes several extensions to the 2002 Farm Bill Energy Title
and many new energy and energy efficiency programs as well as essential
feedstock development/diversification and infrastructure, harvesting
and transportation programs. Programs include loan guarantees for
biorefineries, a biomass crop transition program, a regional biomass
crop experiments program (for feedstocks), woody-biomass energy
research and demonstration, and other biomass and renewable
energy-related programs.
The Senate bill started floor deliberations on November 5. Many amendments
were offered and then withdrawn in committee but will be offered on the
Senate floor, including an amendment by Senators Dick Lugar (R-IN) and
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called the Farm, Ranch, Equity, Stewardship and
Health (FRESH) Act. In July the House of Representatives passed, with a
vote of 231-291, The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419). The House and Senate will conference their two bills later this year.
Source: http://agriculture.senate.gov/
USDA Leads Efforts to Streamline Procurement of Biobased Products
November 7, the USDA announced today that it is updating the BioPreferred
program for federal procurement of biobased products. The updated
regulations clarify the selection and preference process in the Federal
Acquisition Regulations (FAR), making participation easier for both
manufacturers and procurement officials. The BioPreferred program
requires federal buyers and their contractors to give preference to
qualified biobased products. The program was enacted as part of the
2002 Farm Bill.
Source: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/11/0331.xml
Top
State Initiatives Updates
North Carolina Solar Center Markets Blend of Biodiesel and Heating Oil
The North Carolina Solar Center has created a brochure to market BioHeat®,
a blend of biodiesel (typically 5-20%) and heating oil. The “BioHeat®
is Better” campaign is the second phase of a program sponsored by the
North Carolina Soybean Producer’s Association to increase the use of
soybean-based biodiesel. The third and final phase will be executed
next year with a “Biodiesel Bus Wrap”, in which buses will advertise
the four E’s of biodiesel: Ease of use, Environmental benefits,
Emissions reductions and Economic growth. The brochures can be ordered
at www.cleantransportation.org or by calling (919) 513-0852.
Sources: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/ncsc/transportation/bioheat.htm
http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/ncsc/transportation/docs/Press/2007-9-19_Bioheat_Press_Release.pdf (pdf format)
Pennsylvania Governor Promotes Energy Plan, Announces Investment in Alternative Energy Projects
In a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly on September 24,
Governor Edward Rendell attempted to persuade legislators to enact his
“Energy Independence Strategy” by focusing on the danger of relying on
foreign oil and the potential for job creation in the state. He said
the state needs “an energy policy that allows us to reduce our
dependence on foreign oil and makes our nation safer,” after quoting
the memoir of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan that
stated the Iraq war is largely about oil. Governor Rendell also listed
economic growth as an important impact of his strategy, citing the
3,000 jobs created in the state after the Alternative Energy Portfolio
Standard was passed in 2004.
The governor’s strategy includes a $500 million investment in projects
such as biofuel plants, solar and advanced coal technologies, grants to
reimburse homeowners and small businesses for up to 50% of the cost of
installing solar panels and up to $100 for residential purchases of
energy-efficient appliances, and a requirement that every gallon of
gasoline sold in the state include 10% ethanol by 2017.
Three weeks later, Governor Rendell announced the investment of more
than $11 million in 24 projects utilizing bioenergy, solar, wind,
geothermal and hydro power and other energy efficiency and alternative
energy technologies. The project will create more than 730 permanent
jobs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.7 million tons and smog-producing
sulfur dioxide by 15,000 tons annually. “For far too long,
Pennsylvania has been held back because so much of its economy was in
industries that were shrinking. Now we are well positioned to compete
with other states and other nations for more of these projects and that
position will only increase with the Energy Independence Strategy we
have proposed. We should jump at this chance.”
Sources: http://media.philly.com/documents/rendellenergyspeech.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/politics/pa/20070925_Rendell_links_energy_plan_with_defense.html
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,199035.shtml#
Michigan Considers Renewable Energy Standard
The Michigan State Senate Committee on Energy Policy is currently
reviewing legislation to create a Renewable Energy Standard (RES),
first introduced in April by Democratic State Senator Jim Barcia.
The bill would require that 20% of electricity used in the state come
from renewable resources by 2020.
Support for such a standard is growing. The Urban Core Mayors, an association
of mayors from metro areas representing 80% of Michigan’s population,
announced their endorsement of a requirement of 15% renewable energy by
2015 two months before this bill was introduced. Governor Jennifer
Granholm laid out slightly less ambitious RES goals of her own in her
state of the state address. A study by the non-profit NextEnergy found
that Michigan’s gross state product and employment levels will improve
with the implementation of an RES, especially if combined with energy
efficiency measures.
“There is no question that the clean energy sector is a key factor in
Michigan’s economic future,” said Democratic State Senator Mark Schauer.
“It will not only make us more competitive, protect public health, and
preserve the beauty of our Great Lakes state, but it will lead to significant
job creation.”
Sources: http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--161761--,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-MichiganRPS-EE-FinalReport_193745_7.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.environmentmichigan.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news/bipartisan-bill-calls-for-20-of-electricity-from-renewables-by-2020
“States Looking to Promote Renewable Energy Use”. CongressDaily. October15, 2007. National Journal Group, Inc.
Low Ethanol Prices May Trigger North Dakota Production Subsidy
Low ethanol prices and high corn prices may lead to the first payout of
a North Dakota subsidy since it was established in 2003. The subsidy
is paid when the state's average ethanol price is below $1.30 per gallon
and the average price of corn is above $1.80 per bushel in the same
calendar quarter. "Looking at what the trends are, it is possible you
could see some money coming out of the fund this quarter," said Bill
Huether, an energy engineer in the North Dakota's Department of
Commerce. "Ethanol prices have been dropping, and corn prices have
been pretty strong." The subsidy, which sets an annual limit of $1.6
million for any given refinery and cuts off payments entirely after a
plant has received $10 million in state support, is financed through
taxes on agricultural fuel and registration fees for farm vehicles.
Two companies that are eligible for the subsidy, should it be paid, are
Red Trail Energy and Blue Flint Ethanol, both of which opened ethanol
refineries in North Dakota within the last year.
Source: Wetzel, Dale. "Ethanol price decline might trigger state subsidy." The Minot Daily News 12 October 2007.
Minnesota Reaches Ten Years of E10
This October marked the tenth anniversary of Minnesota’s requirement
to blend 10% ethanol into nearly every gallon of gasoline sold in the
state. Ethanol was originally used as an oxygenate in the Twin Cities
metropolitan area to reduce carbon monoxide levels in winter months.
The program was so effective that it was expanded to a year-round
requirement and later to the entire state of Minnesota. Tim Gerlach,
Regional Vice President of the American Lung Association of the Upper
Midwest, highlighted the benefits of using E10: “With the help of
ethanol and other tools at our disposal, we’re now consistently meeting
air quality standards while we’re replacing ten percent of fuel that
would normally come from outside our borders with cleaner renewable
fuel we grow right here in our states.”
Source: http://the-farmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=30238&fpstid=2
Connecticut Adds E85 Pumps for State Flex Fuel Vehicles
Another location for pumping E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is now
available for State of Connecticut vehicles. The state-run garage in
Hartford is the third station to dispense the biofuel in Connecticut,
joining stations already established in Newington and Danbury. Governor
M. Jodi Rell had released a study in July recommending the addition of
the Hartford filling station and another one in Norwich to increase the
use of E85 by up to 25 percent.
Connecticut is required by the Energy Policy Act to make 75% of their
light duty vehicle acquisitions alternative fuel vehicles, or to obtain
an alternative compliance waiver by reducing its gasoline consumption by
the same amount through other means. The governor’s administration had
been criticized for the state’s policy of purchasing flex- fuel
vehicles that can run on E85 or gasoline, but only using the ethanol
blend 3% of the time.
Sources: "State-Run Garage to Dispense Ethanol." The Hartford Courant 3 October 2007.
http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=2791&Q=386772
Florida Web Page Helps Drivers Find Ethanol and Biodiesel Pumps
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created
a new web page to help state residents find stations offering alternative
fuels. The web page, which lists the locations of pumps dispensing
E85, E10, B100 and B20, can be accessed at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/standard/petro/AltSiteMap.html.
“This tool will enable motorists to locate renewable, cleaner burning
fuels around the state,” said Charles Bronson, Commissioner of the
Department. “I am very pleased that a number of facilities are now
making these fuels available to the public, and we expect the number to
continue growing.”
E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline and can only be used in
specially designed flex-fuel vehicles, whereas E10 (10% ethanol, 90%
gasoline) can be used in place of regular gasoline without engine modification.
B100 (pure biodiesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% diesel) can be used in any
diesel engine without modification.
Source: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2007/10232007_2.html
Top
Research and Technology Updates
Designer Algae, Eggshells Could Be Used to Produce Hydrogen
Academics in California and Ohio have found two potentially cost-effective
methods of producing hydrogen, widely viewed as the clean fuel of the
future if breakthroughs can be made in production and storage
technologies.
Dr. Anastasios Melis of the University of California Berkeley’s Plant
and Microbial Biology Department has created algae with the potential to
produce triple the amount of hydrogen they make naturally during photosynthesis.
The genetically modified algae have about half the number of chlorophyll
molecules as natural algae, allowing smaller amounts of sunlight to be
absorbed by more cells during photosynthesis.
Dr. Melis explained that algae “begin the food chain by generating biomass
via the process of photosynthesis ... we’re trying to compromise their
ability to generate biomass, in order to redirect their production capability
to fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrocarbons.” Algae normally uses only
about 3-5% of the sun’s energy to produce hydrogen, but Dr. Melis and
his team hope that further research will increase this to at least 50%
to make this method of hydrogen production economically viable.
Meanwhile, chemical and biomolecular engineers at Ohio State University
have discovered how to convert eggshells into hydrogen. Dr. L.S. Fan and
former doctoral student Mahesh Iyer created the process, which builds
upon the “water-gas-shift” reaction which combines gasified coal or
biomass with water to produce carbon dioxide and pure hydrogen. The
eggshells — primarily made of calcium carbonate — absorb and separate
the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen more effectively than any other
substance tested.
Even with the 91 billion eggs produced in the United States last year,
however, Dr. Fan advised that eggshells would only be one part of a potential
hydrogen-based economy: “Eggshell alone may not be adequate to produce
hydrogen for the whole country, but at least we can use eggshell in a better
way compared to dumping it as organic waste in landfills, where companies
have to pay up to 40 dollars per ton disposal cost.”
Adding even more to the value of the egg waste is the collagen which
comprises about 10% of the eggs’ membranes. The research team needed
a way to remove the membrane that clings to the shell before the water-gas-shift
reaction, so they developed an organic acid to do exactly that. The
collagen is worth about $1000 per gram and is used in the food, pharmaceutical
and medical industries.
Sources: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19438/
http://research.chance.berkeley.edu/page.cfm?id=11&aid=58
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/eggpower.htm
Brazilian Researchers Show Magnets Can Increase Ethanol Yields
In an attempt to make sugarcane ethanol production more efficient,
researchers at the University of Campinas are using a process in which
they direct the fermentation mixture through a static magnetic field
via stainless-steel pipes. The result has been a faster growth rate of
the yeast mostcommonly used to produce sugarcane ethanol, thereby
increasing yields by 17 percent and shortening the fermentation process
by two of the usual 15 hours. Dr. Victor Perez, head of the research
team, stated, “The fermentation time can be reduced and consequently,
the production cost can also be reduced.” The few existing studies of
the effects of magnets on ethanol fermentation rates have had
conflicting results, and Dr. Perez acknowledged that the technology is
not yet ready for commercial application: “Studies in pilot plants and
on the industrial scale need to be carried out to conclude a more
complete analysis of the impact on the process cost.”
Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19412/
Innovative Biodiesel Production Process Reduces Environmental and Economic Costs
A new biodiesel plant operated by Ever Cat Fuels, LLC in Isanti,
Minnesota will be the first of its kind, using a highly efficient and
environmentally friendly production method. The Mcgyan Process, named
after inventors Dr. Clayton McNeff, Dr. Arlin Gyberg, and Dr. Bingwen
Yen, was developed by sister company SarTec Corporation and uses a
heterogeneous metal oxide-based catalyst reactor to produce biodiesel
from oilseed crops and animal fats. Among the advantages of the Mcgyan
Process are that it can use a variety of cheap feedstocks, doesn’t
consume the catalyst in the fixed-bed reactor, has virtually no waste
stream, and uses relatively small amounts of energy and water. “This is
a revolutionary type of way of making biodiesel fuel,” said Dr. McNeff,
Vice President of Research for SarTec and co-founder of Ever Cat Fuels.
The new facility is expected to begin production in June 2008, with an
annual output of 3 million gallons of biodiesel. A possible subsequent
expansion could increase that production to 30 million gallons per year.
Sources: http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1863&Itemid=1
http://www.evercatfuels.com/background/advantages.html
Canadian Student Creates Bio-Based Concrete From Beetle Wood
A master’s degree student at the University of Northern British Columbia
has developed a new use for the lodgepole pines being decimated by the
mountain pine beetle in that province. Sorin Pasca found that mixing
cement with wood chips derived from the dead trees makes an excellent
concrete, potentially creating a valuable new market for the pines that
begin to crack soon after being killed by the beetles. “Normally,
cement repels organic materials such as wood, but for some reason
cement sticks to lodgepole pine and this compatibility is even stronger
when the tree has been killed, or you could say, enhanced by the
mountain pine beetle,” Pasca said.
The mountain pine beetle has spread across the forests of British Columbia
due to the unusually warm winters and dry summers of recent years, killing
billions of the province’s most abundant commercial tree species.
According to the Canadian Forest Service, 50% of British Columbia’s mature
pine will be dead by 2008 and 80% by 2013.
Sources: http://dcnonl.com/article/id24526
http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.html
Iridescent Micro-Organism Could Reduce Cost and Emissions for Consumer Products
Scientists in the United Kingdom have found a very efficient way to grow
diatoms, single-celled organisms with iridescent shells that have existed
in nature for hundreds of millions of years and have applications in
products such as paints, cosmetics, clothing and credit card
holograms. Current manufacturing processes for these items are energy
intensive and, therefore, costly as well as heavy on greenhouse gas
emissions. Those impacts could be reduced if diatoms can be produced
in a laboratory on an industrial scale - something these scientists
from the University of Oxford and London’s Natural History Museum
believe is possible within the next two years. "It's a very efficient
and cost-effective process, with a low carbon footprint," said Dr.
Andrew Parker, head of the research team. "Its simplicity and its
economic and environmental benefits could in future encourage industry
to develop a much wider range of exciting products that change color as
they or the observer move position. What's more, the shells themselves
are completely biodegradable, aiding eventual disposal and further
reducing the environmental impact of the process life cycle."
Source: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PressReleases/NatureLeadsTheWayForNextGenerationOfPaintsCosmeticsHolograms.htm
Cereplast Unveils New 50% Biobased Resins
California-based Cereplast, Inc. has announced the production of a new
line of resins composed of 50% biobased materials such as corn, tapioca,
wheat and potato starches. The Cereplast Hybrid Resins™ have similar
characteristics to traditional petroleum-based plastics and can be used
in automotive, medical and construction products, among others. “The
launch of the Cereplast Hybrid Resins™ represents an outstanding
opportunity for companies across the plastic supply chain to become
more environmentally sustainable and reduce the industry’s reliance on
oil,” said Cereplast CEO Frederic Scheer.
Source: http://www.cereplast.com/pressrealeasedetail.php?newsid=53
Top
News Briefs
World’s First 100% Biodiesel-Fueled Jet Takes Flight in Nevada
Carol Sugars and Douglas Rodante of Green Flight International piloted
the world’s first jet fueled by 100% biodiesel this fall. The historic
flight in a Czechoslovakian-built L-29 out of the Reno-Stead Airport
was made in partnership with Nevada-based Biodiesel Solutions, Inc., a
manufacturer of community-scale biodiesel production equipment. “This
test program between Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions
was a unique and exciting opportunity to show what can be done in
renewable fuels,” said Biodiesel Solutions’ President Rudi Wiedemann.
“The very idea of using 100% biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a
compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of
renewable energy and a healthier planet.”
The use of clean, renewable fuels may soon expand into the airline industry
as well. Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand both have plans to run a
test flight in 2008 in which one engine on a four-engine jet will run
on a biofuel or biofuel blend. Commercial aviation is responsible for
2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions according to the Air Transport
Association.
Sources: http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/news_detail.aspx?nid=47
http://www.airlines.org/news/releases/2007/news_5-16-07.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7017694.stm
Chicago Area School Bus Company Expands Use of Biodiesel
The Cook-Illinois Corporation has announced it will fuel an additional
400 school buses with B11 (11% biodiesel, 89% diesel), bringing their
total biofueled fleet to about 1,800. The company estimates that they
have reduced air pollutants in the Chicago area by nearly 1,000 tons in
one year. “As a national leader in alternative fuels, we want to make a
difference in the air quality for school children,” said John Benish,
CEO. “Biodiesel is environmentally sage and will benefit students and
the community by reduction of pollution.”
Repeated exposure to diesel fumes has been linked to asthma and other respiratory problems.
Source: http://www.biodiesel.org/news/bulletin/2007/100107.htm#3
Ethanol Surplus and Distribution Problems Drive Prices Down
The ethanol boom of the past few years may be ending according to some
experts, with the biofuel’s spot price dropping 20-30% in a number of
local markets. The dramatic increase in supply is partly to blame.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) reports 129 ethanol plants
currently in operation – compared to 81 in 2001 – and more than 80
additional plants under construction. However, many attribute the
price depression to difficulties in distributing ethanol from the
predominantly Midwest refineries to the population centers near the
coasts.
Because ethanol’s corrosive nature and capability to attract water prohibit
it from being transported in pipelines, it must be shipped via rail, truck
or barge. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture identifies
a shortage of HAZMAT-certified truck drivers and a backlog of rail tank
car orders as potential challenges to the growth of the ethanol industry.
“We have an industry that has doubled in size in just the past couple
years,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of RFA. “It is going to take
a little time for the infrastructure to catch up.”
While larger, more efficient ethanol producers will likely survive this
time of reduced profits, smaller companies may go out of business—especially
if corn prices remain high. Some in the industry are looking to
Congress to increase the Renewable Fuel Standard, which would compel
ethanol refiners and blenders to process higher amounts on an
accelerated timetable.
Sources: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/TSB/EthanolTransportationBackgrounder09-17-07.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.ethanolrfa.org/industry/statistics/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?ex=1191902400&en=1c21363b5f90910f&ei=5070&emc=eta1
DuPont Supports Cellulosic Ethanol Research at Iowa State
On September 21, DuPont announced a $1 million pledge for the Iowa State
University New Century Farm, the first research project that will focus
on both the growing and processing of cellulosic feedstock into
ethanol. “At the New Century Farm, the opportunity is great to
integrate directly into agricultural fields the connections with
harvesting, transportation, storage and processing,” said Dr. Wendy
Wintersteen, Dean of ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
In addition to researching new technologies and processes, objectives
of the project include training future scientists and farmers and
demonstrating the economic, social and environmental viability of
bioenergy.
Source: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=364
Particle Board Plant-Turned-Biorefinery Could Provide Jobs, Educational Opportunities for Michigan Town
A former particle board plant in northern Michigan may see new life as a
biorefinery that will produce cellulosic ethanol, wood pellets and
lumber. The Georgia-Pacific plant closed in March of 2006, eliminating
210 jobs in the small community of Gaylord. If the new project goes
through, 165 new manufacturing jobs will be created by the small
diameter hardwood sawmill operated by Gaylord Lumber Products, LLC, the
cellulosic ethanol refinery run by Mascoma Corporation and a
“to-be-announced” wood pellet producer. Up to 500 producer and
transportation-related jobs may be created as well. Jeff Ratcliffe,
Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, one of the
organizations behind the project, noted that “a number of steps have to
be successfully completed before it becomes reality, but the economic
impact for our community and region could be substantial.”
Another partner in the redevelopment effort is the University Center at
Gaylord, which hopes to use the biorefinery as a resource to train the
next generation of the bioenergy and biobased products workforce. “Our
objective is to try to make the University Center a center of
excellence for biotechnology research through laboratories that when
not being used for that research can be shared with University Center
partners to provide science related undergraduate and graduate
curriculum,” said Jack Thompson, Executive Director of the University
Center.
Sources: http://www.gaylordheraldtimes.com/articles/2007/09/29/news/top_stories/doc46fd6933373f6173086543.txt
http://www.gaylordheraldtimes.com/articles/2007/09/30/news/top_stories/doc46fd6a737da34098102667.txt
Merrill Lynch Introduces Biofuels Indices
Investors looking to profit from the fast-growing ethanol and biodiesel
markets have typically referred to traditional agriculture commodity indices,
but on October 1, Merrill Lynch introduced two indices offering
exposure specifically to biofuels. The MLCX Biofuels Index contains
seven commodities commonly used as ethanol or biodiesel feedstocks:
sugar, corn, soybeans, barley, rapeseed, canola, and soybean oil. The
MLCS Biofuels Plus Index adds conventional gasoline and diesel to the
biofuel commodities.
“Our indices have been carefully designed to mitigate the negative roll
returns inherent to many agricultural commodities markets,” said
Francisco Blanch, head of global commodity research at Merrill Lynch.
“They also offer additional returns by overweighting crops that produce
the most energy in biofuel production, notably sugar and soybeans.”
Source: http://www.ml.com/index.asp?id=7695_7696_8149_74412_82725_82759
Monsanto Increases Investment in Mendel Biotechnology
On October 15, Missouri-based Monsanto Company announced it has increased
its investment in California-based Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. Mendel
has been working to develop soy and other crops for the biofuel
industry and will use the investment to develop its BioEnergy seeds and
ethanol feedstock business. “We’re encouraged by Mendel’s development
of technologies that serve the cellulosic biofuels industry. We’ll
closely monitor development of this technology and how it could be
applied to support global bioenergy needs,” said Dr. Steve Padgette,
Monsanto’s Vice President of Biotechnology.
Sources: Gillam, Carey (Reuters.) "Monsanto increases investment in Mendel." The Washington Post 15 October 2007.
http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=544
Survey Shows Public Interest in Biobased Products
A national survey of 1,370 people conducted by NuStats found that 88%
support Congress' increase of funding for the USDA's promotion,
education and research efforts in the field of biobased products. The
poll, commissioned by the United Soybean Board (USB) and funded by the
soybean checkoff, also revealed that a strong majority support a
federal procurement program for biobased products. While 75% of
respondents said they were unfamiliar with biobased products, most of
them expressed an interest in learning more. "This research affirms
that Americans see the value of biobased products, which can be made
from U.S. soybeans, to offer energy security, environmental, worker
health and other benefits," said Chuck Myers, USB Chair of Domestic
Marketing.
The soybean checkoff funds
research, development and commercialization of new industrial uses for
soybeans, some of which include plastics, foams, methyl esters and ink.
Source: http://www.grainnet.com/articles/National_Study_Reports_Availabilty_and_Attributes_of_Biobased_Products_Draw_Public_Interest_-49063.html
Corn-Based Deodorants Hit the Market
On September 20, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products announced that they
are providing their corn-based propanediol called Zemea™ to Terra
Naturals, Inc., for use in its aluminum and petroleum free deodorants.
According to Terra Naturals co-founder Svetlana Ratnikova, Zemea™
propanediol “replaces propylene glycol in petroleum-based deodorants
and vegetable glycerin in existing natural deodorants. Vegetable
glycerin can be very sticky and reduces overall product performance,
and propylene glycol is derived from natural gas, a product that
energy-conscious consumers are trying to reduce their dependence on.”
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products president Steve Mirshak made note of the
biobased trend: “We are seeing increasing demand for products made from
renewable, corn-derived ingredients in the cosmetics and personal care
markets.”
Source: http://duponttateandlyle.com/news_092007.html
World’s Largest Wood Pellet Plant to Supply European Power Plants with Florida Bioenergy
Green Circle Bio Energy Inc., a Florida-based company owned by JCE Group
AB of Sweden, plans to open the world’s largest wood pellet plant in the
panhandle County of Jackson this December. The $65 million plant will
employ 45 people and produce 550,000 tons of wood pellets annually –
enough to generate 2,400 gigawatt hours of electricity – from the
abundant local woody biomass resources. “The southeast United States
has the largest plantation-style pine forest in the world,” said Olaf
Roed, president and CEO of Green Circle, adding that the new plant will
provide a market for the small diameter pulpwood that must be removed
for effective forest management. He continued, “If we were not here to
buy the pulpwood, which is in lesser demand than the saw timber, it
would be worse for the forest situation in the United States.”
Green Circle requires a minimal amount of fossil fuel inputs to produce
the wood pellets, reporting an 11-fold renewable energy gain for every
unit of fossil fuel used. This high return is achieved by burning the
bark from the pulpwood to provide heat necessary for the pellet production
and purchasing renewable electricity from hydropower and methane to run
air conditioning, electric motors, and other components.
The pellets will be shipped to Europe, where a number of power plants run
exclusively on biomass. There is little demand from U.S. power plants
for woody biomass, although some co-fire a small percentage of biomass
with coal or natural gas as an easy way to reduce emissions without
making significant modifications to existing fossil fuel plants. If
U.S. power plants increase their demand for renewable resources – which
may happen if Congress enacts a federal Renewable Electricity Standard
or cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions – Green Circle may build
another wood pellet plant for the domestic market. “Europe has the
trading system for emissions rights, and it’s unsure yet what the U.S.
federal government is going to do,” said Mr. Roed. “We expect to see
something, but the building of another Green Circle plant to produce
pellets for U.S. power companies all depends on what measures are put
in place and what solutions are selected.”
Source: http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=1331
Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program (WHPRP) Soliciting Research Proposals for Bioenergy Impacts
The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), through its
Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program (WHPRP), has announced its
second annual request for research proposals on important topics
related to the challenges of implementing State Wildlife Action Plans
and accelerating the conservation of wildlife habitat in the United
States. The 2008 request lists six projects for which funding is
available, including the impacts of bioenergy production on the
conservation of wildlife habitat.
Source: http://www.ncseonline.org/WHPRP/cms.cfm?id=2058
Top
Writers: Jetta L. Wong, Jesse Caputo, and Laura Parsons
Editor: Carol Werner
Please distribute BCO to your colleagues or send us their e-mail addresses
and we will add them to our distribution list. Article and commentary
submissions are encouraged and should be sent via email.
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
122 C St., NW, Suite 630
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 662-1885; Fax (202) 628-1825
jwong [at] eesi.org
Please visit us at www.eesi.org
We welcome your suggestions, comments and questions.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit
organization that works at the nexus of policy and innovation to
promote environmentally sustainable societies. EESI was founded in
1984 by a bipartisan group of Congressional Members dedicated to
finding environmental and energy solutions. EESI provides credible,
timely information and innovative policy ideas through coalition
building, media outreach, publications, briefings, workshops and task
forces on the issues of energy efficiency and renewable energy,
transportation, smart growth, agriculture and global climate change.
Carol Werner leads the EESI team as executive director.
BCO is a free newsletter. EESI's valuable work in energy,
climate change, agriculture, transportation and smart growth are made
possible through financial support from people like you. Please donate now.
Your tax-deductible contribution will help EESI develop innovative
policy solutions for a cleaner, safer, healthier world. EIN:
52-1268030. For more information, visit www.eesi.org or contact Ruth Lampi at rlampi [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1887.
Printer-friendly version