In This Edition
EESI Feature Article
Federal Initiatives Updates
State Initiative Updates
Research and Technology Updates
News Briefs
Upcoming Events
Feature Article
Biobased Home Heating Solutions
As fossil fuel prices and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions continue
to rise this winter, so too does the use of biobased home heating fuels.
Firewood, of course, has been a traditional biobased source of heat throughout
history, but residents of cold-climate states are increasingly turning to
more efficient and environmentally-friendly options such as home heating
oil/biodiesel blends, wood pellets and bricks, and corn.
Bioheat®, a blend of number 2 heating oil and up to 20% biodiesel, can
be used in an existing home heating oil system without modifications.
Derived from plant oils or animal fats, biodiesel reduces sulfur oxide
and carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional oil. Recent articles
have highlighted several companies in New England communities whose Bioheat
business is booming. New Hampshire-based Simply Green, which started
business last spring, reports an average of three to five new customers
per day. Massachusetts-based Mass Biofuel has seen the demand for
Bioheat increase by about 400 customers in the last three years.
“Biofuel makes people talk and it kind of bonds people because it’s
more for a cause than just heating your home,” said Elizabeth Warren of
Mass Biofuel.
Residents without a home heating oil system have cost effective options
for bioenergy as well. Using a pellet stove or a fireplace with a special
insert, wood pellets made from compressed sawdust, wood waste, and forest
thinnings are an economical way to heat a home. A product called BioBricks™
compresses the same material into a larger piece that can be burned like
conventional firewood, but produces twice the heat energy per unit of
volume. Connecticut-based BioPellet, LLC has been producing BioBricks
for two years, and is now looking to take advantage of the growing demand
by adding two more production plants near the extensive forest resources
of Maine. “I sold 600 tons in Maine last year, out of the blue,” said
Tom Engel, the founder of BioPellet. “It was a third of my sales in 2006.”
Mr. Engel is currently in negotiations with two mills in the state, which
could supply a total of 120 tons per day of wood waste.
In addition to wood, corn is also a popular heat source in Midwestern states.
Corn’s price has gone up this year, but it has the advantage of producing
heat for a longer period of time than wood pellets, meaning residents don’t
need to stock the stove as often. One Minnesota-based company, Eagle
Bio-fuels, has combined the inexpensiveness of wood pellets with the long-
burning quality of the dried corn. The company offers various ratios of
pellet/corn blends to meet a variety of residential heating needs. Even with
the higher price of corn, “there’s definitely savings” compared to some other
heating fuels, said Eagle Bio-fuels Co-owner Sue Kruger.
In the November Short Term Energy Outlook produced by Energy Information
Administration (EIA), average U.S. residential heating oil prices (including
taxes) are projected to be 8% higher in 2007 compared to 2006; residential
propane prices should increase 9% overall, while residential natural gas
prices are expected to decrease 4% in 2007 before increasing again in 2008.
Further adding to the cost of home heating is the fact that the EIA expects
this winter to be 4% colder than last year’s winter, althoughtemperatures
will still be 2% warmer than the 30-year average.
Various pieces of pending legislation may give the biobased residential
heating market an additional boost in the near future. The state of
Massachusetts is considering a bill that would require home heating oil
to be composed of at least 2% biofuels by 2010 and 5% by 2013 (see State
Initiative Updates below). On the federal level, the Senate farm bill
S. 2302 includes $25 million in grants for competitive research, technology
development, and technology application in the use of renewable woody
biomass for energy (Section 9012). And U.S. Representative John Salazar
(D-CO) recently introduced legislation that would give up to a $500 tax
credit for replacing certain wood stoves with cleaner-burning wood stoves
or with stoves that burn pellets or corn (see Federal Initiative Updates below).
Sources: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/GJNEWS_01/711260059
http://www.biodiesel.org/markets/hom/faqs.asp
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0235378020071203?
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071202/NEWS/712020353/-1/NEWS09&sfad=1
http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residential/burningFuel.html
http://business.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=147415&ac=PHbiz
http://webstar.postbulletin.com/agrinews/295577183735042.bsp
http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residential/burningFuel.html
www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/presentations/2007/winterfuels2007/
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html
Top
Federal Initiatives Updates
New Legislation
S. 2306 – Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007
November 5, Senator Dorgan (D-ND) introduced S. 2306 to
encourage and facilitate the use of renewable fuel in the United
States. The bill would prohibit restrictions on the installation and
advertisement of alternative fuel pumps by gas station franchisees,
establish a grant program for renewable fuel infrastructure corridors,
and require that at least 50% of cars produced in 2012 be flex-fuel
vehicles, with an increase to 80% in 2015. Cosponsors of S. 2306 are
Senators Lugar (R-IN), Cantwell (D-WA), Craig (R-ID), Johnson (D-SD),
McCaskill (D-MO), and Klobuchar (D-MN). The bill was referred to the
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
S. 2355 – Climate Change Adaptation Act
November 14, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced S. 2355 to amend the
National Climate Program Act to enhance the ability of the United
States to develop and implement climate change adaptation programs and
policies, and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
H.R. 4193 – A bill to extend the 2002 Farm Bill
November 15, Rep. Moran (R-KS) and 26 cosponsors introduced H.R. 4193
to provide for an automatic one-year extension of the authorizations of
appropriations and direct spending programs of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002, and for other purposes. The bill was
referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R. 4226 – Climate Stewardship and Economic Security Act of 2007
November 15, Reps. Gilchrest (R-MD) and Olver (D-MA) introduced H.R. 4226 to
accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the United
States by establishing a market-driven system of greenhouse gas
tradeable allowances that will limit greenhouse gas emissions in the
United States, reduce dependence upon foreign oil, and ensure benefits
to consumers from the trading in such allowances, and for other
purposes. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce and to the House Committees on Science and Technology, Natural
Resources, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Ways and Means, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned. This bill is similar in scope and design to
S.2191, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.
H.R. 4244 - Clean Stove Act of 2007
November 15, Reps. Salazar (D-CO), Michaud (D-ME), McMorris Rodgers
(R-WA), Kind (D-WI), and Udall (D-CO) introduced H.R. 4244 to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit for qualified
expenditures paid or incurred to replace certain wood stoves with wood
stoves that meet the requirements set forth in the Standards of
Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters issued by the
Environmental Protection Agency or with pellet or corn burning stoves.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Department of Energy to Explore Use of E12 and Higher Ethanol Blends
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will work with the Environmental
Protection Agency and others to test E12 (12% ethanol, 88% gasoline),
E15 and eventually E20 ethanol blends for use in U.S. cars. Ethanol is
commonly blended into U.S. gasoline as a substitute for the oxygenate
MTBE, but only up to 10%. E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) is also sold
in the United States, but can only be used in specially designed
“flex-fuel” vehicles. DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy Alexander Karsner said that maximizing the use of
ethanol blended gasoline is a priority, especially in the Southeast
where current regulations limit the use of the biofuel. “I think
you’ll see substantial progress on issues of alleviating blend walls of
E10 and potentially other blends in the next 36 to 48 months,” said
Assistant Secretary Karsner, adding that all gasoline in Brazil is
blended with a minimum of 22% ethanol.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN1251713020071113
Senate Farm Bill Passed
December 14, after a protracted struggle, the U.S. Senate finally passed
the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R.2419)
by a vote of 79 to 14. During debate, 12 amendments to the bill were
considered. None passed. Among these failed attempts were amendments by
Senator Lugar (R-IN) and Senator Dorgan (D-ND), both seeking to reform
agricultural payments by replacing subsidies with crop insurance and
fixing income caps on payment eligibility, respectively. As in the 2002
farm bill, the newly passed legislation includes a separate energy
title, Title IX - Energy. Among the new programs
established under this title, there is a payment program for producers
of advanced biofuels, two programs to develop use of renewable woody
biomass, and authority for a series of regional biomass crop
experiments. A program with which EESI has been closely involved is the
Biomass Crop Transition Assistance program. This
program provides technical and cost-share assistance to farmers wishing
to transition from a traditional crop to an energy crop ($130M in
FY08), as well as assistance for the storage, handling, and transport
of renewable biomass and assistance for forest biomass planning
($10M/yr for FY08-FY11). Also included among these new programs is
authorization for a number of studies, including one on life-cycle
emissions analysis for biofuels and an investigation into
infrastructure needs. Title IX also reauthorizes a number of existing
programs, such as the biomass research and development program, a
program for federal procurement of biobased products, and an assistance
program for biorefineries and repowering projects.
In Title XII - Tax and Trade Provisions, there are a number of provisions
to promote the use of bioenergy, including a producer credit for cellulosic
biofuels; a credit extension for small producers of ethanol; a two-year
extension of the ethanol tariff; and a modified extension of the production
credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel products. Unfortunately, this
title also contains an alternative fuels credit for coal-to-liquids fuels,
assuming that effective carbon capture and sequestration is successfully
demonstrated.
The farm bill is now headed to a Senate-House conference to work out the
differences between the two versions of H.R. 2419. After the bill is
conferenced and (hopefully) signed into law, it will be essential to follow
the appropriations process to ensure that funding is provided to implement
these important new programs.
Sources: Link to Senate Agriculture Committee Homepage
Link to EESI Release
Energy Bill Signed Into Law
On December 19, President Bush signed an Energy Bill containing important
provisions for improving Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards
for the first time in 32 years, along with key provisions which create
new efficiency standards for an array of consumer products from light
bulbs to new buildings. The bill also substantially increases the Renewable
Fuel Standard, calling for the production of 36 billion gallons of renewable
fuels by 2022— defined as fuels derived from renewable biomass that achieve
at least a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to gasoline
or diesel, as determined by a “cradle-to-grave” lifecycle analysis.
Within the 36 billion gallon mandate, 21 billion gallons must come from
advanced biofuels—those derived from biomass other than corn starch that
achieve at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. There are
further carve-outs within these 21 billion gallons for cellulosic biofuels
and biomass-derived diesel fuels. The bill has passed the Senate on December 14.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050808-6.html
Link to EESI Release
Top
State Initiatives Updates
California Energy Commission Adopts Alternative Fuels Plan
On October 31, the California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously approved
a plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and its dependence
on petroleum by increasing the use of biodiesel, electricity, ethanol,
hydrogen, natural gas, propane, renewable diesel, synthetic fuels, gas-to-liquid
fuels, and coal-to-liquid fuels in the transportation sector. The Alternative
Fuels Plan was mandated by Assembly Bill 1007 and recommends that Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger set progressive targets for displacing petroleum-based
fuels used by cars, trucks, construction vehicles and agriculture vehicles.
“California should pursue a diversified portfolio of transportation fuels,”
said CEC Vice Chairman James Boyd. “We can achieve our state’s goals of
reducing petroleum dependence and of stimulating production of biofuels
within California, using its waste streams while increasing our use of
low carbon, alternative fuels.” Expressed on a gallon of gasoline equivalent
basis, the recommended targets are 9% by 2012, 11% by 2017, and 26% by 2022.
The authors of the plan acknowledge that meeting these alternative fuel
objectives alone will not be sufficient to meet Governor Schwarzenegger’s
goal of reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 (compared
to 1990 levels). Thus, the plan also outlines a “2050 Vision Statement”
which includes strategies to develop plug-in hybrid technologies, expand
the alternative fuel infrastructure, increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles,
and reduce the number of miles traveled per capita.
The 107-page Alternative Fuels Plan can be found here: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2007publications/CEC-600-2007-011/CEC-600-2007-011-CMD.PDF (pdf format)
Source: http://www.energy.ca.gov/releases/2007_releases/2007-10-31_alternative_fuels_plan.html
Massachusetts Bill Pushes Cellulosic Ethanol and Biobased Home Heating Oil
A bill filed jointly by three Massachusetts state officials, Governor
Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker
Salvatore DiMasi, employs pioneering mandates and incentives to
increase the use of biofuels in the state. The bill filed on November
6 would require all diesel and home heating oil sold statewide to be
made from at least 2% biobased feedstocks in 2010 and 5% in 2013.
Additionally, cellulosic ethanol would be made exempt from the state
gasoline tax, an incentive that is projected to create 3,000 new jobs
and add $320 million to the Massachusetts economy.
If the bill is passed, Massachusetts would be the first state to mandate
biobased home heating oil and the first to provide a tax incentive for
cellulosic ethanol, an advanced biofuel that has recently entered the
commercialization phase and is considered to be more environmentally
friendly than corn ethanol due to its higher net energy value and
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “It is exciting that we are
able to produce advanced biofuels with what we have right here in
Massachusetts,” said Senate President Murray. “With advanced biofuels
coming from an array of new feedstocks, including agricultural waste,
sustainable energy crops, algae, and even cranberry bog biomass, many
companies in the Commonwealth are already developing these fuels.”
U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA), who also expressed support for a strong
federal Renewable Fuel Standard in the next Energy Bill, noted the
multiple benefits of supporting the biofuel industry: “In Massachusetts
alone, we spend more than $9 billion a year on petroleum, and it is
very clear where most of those dollars are going… Developing cleaner
fuels is not only important for our economy and our environment, it is
critical for our national security.”
Some environmentalists, however, were disappointed in the bill because it
does not include an emissions screen. “There should be a requirement
that there be a net reduction of greenhouse gases,” said Samuel Krasnow
of Environment Northeast.
Sources: Maguire, Ken. “Massachusetts Pushes Biofuel Standards.” The Washington Post 6 November 2007.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=pressreleases&agId=Agov3&prModName=gov3pressrelease&prFile=071105_biofuel_measures.xml
http://thehill.com/op-eds/ethanol-production-is-key-to-renewable-fuels-standard-2007-11-08.html
Missouri Life Science Trust Fund Supports Bioenergy Projects
The Missouri Life Sciences Research Board has selected ten biotech research
projects and four commercial ventures to receive a total of $13.1
million in state funding. One project that will receive nearly $3
million is a biofuels research project led by Washington University in
St. Louis. Another project approved to receive $1.14 million in funding
is a collaboration between the Danforth Plant Science Center and an
unidentified company to develop plastics from oilseeds.
The Missouri General Assembly mandated that the money in the Life Science
Trust Fund, which was established by 2003 legislation, be used for
animal health, plant science, or bioenergy technology projects. “We’re
using state money to increase jobs and to increase opportunities for
Missourians to participate in this high-growth, high-potential
industry,” said Rob Monsees, Executive Director of the corporation
administering the trust fund expenditure, Missouri Technology. “It
bodes very well that we have a number of research projects which
themselves hopefully can evolve into commercial ventures.”
Sources: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/0/BC207524F4A1B2228625739A000EF71C
http://www.gov.mo.gov/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EEAVyyuFpytJGZRWMx
Connecticut Joins EPA Green Power Partnership
The State of Connecticut has joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) Green Power Partnership, making it the second largest national
purchaser of “green power” – including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas,
biomass, and low-impact hydro – among state government partners. On
November 19, Governor Jodi Rell announced that the state had increased
its annual voluntary purchase of green power to nearly 84 million
kilowatt-hours, equivalent to 12 percent of Connecticut’s total annual electricity usage.
In terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the EPA estimates that
the state’s purchase of clean, renewable energy equates to removing
more than 9,000 cars from the road.
Connecticut is the first New England state to join the Green Power Partnership.
The purchase supports the state’s Energy Vision for a “Cleaner, Greener
State” Initiative, the goals of which are to reduce the cost of energy
for consumers and businesses, strengthen state energy policy, and reaffirm
Connecticut’s position as a leader in renewable energy. “We have demonstrated
that we can be environmentally responsible and fiscally responsible at
the same time,” said Governor Rell. “Connecticut’s recent energy contracts
achieved historic levels of green power and were accompanied by huge cost
savings – a true win-win for our environment and our taxpayers.”
Source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/fc44924f11bc093b852573980079fa34?
Minnesota Governor Introduces Forestry Subcabinet
Following the recommendation of the Forest Product Industry Competitiveness
Task Force, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has announced the formation
of a forestry subcabinet to address the challenges and opportunities related
to forestry, including the growing industry of bioenergy. The
subcabinet is composed of a variety of state agencies, including Iron
Range Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the departments
of Natural Resources, Employment and Economic Development, Agriculture,
and Commerce. “The primary forest products industry in Minnesota is vital
to the state’s economy,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We need to ensure that
our forest products industry remains competitive in a global marketplace
as we seize the opportunity presented by biofuels and renewable energy.”
Source: http://www.grandmarais-mn.com/newsherald/?section_id=25&story_id=235748
Iowa Awards Grants for Alternative Fuels
The state of Iowa, through the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board,
awarded grants totaling $563,800 to 21 fuel retailers to encourage
increased availability of biodiesel and E85 fuel. The grants will fund
the installation of pumps, storage tanks, blending equipment, and other
equipment necessary for transporting, storing, and dispensing these
biofuels. "These awards to expand access to E-85 ethanol and biodiesel
demonstrate our state's commitment to a greater use of renewable
energy," said Mike Tramontina, director of the Iowa Department of
Economic Development. "Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for
Iowa families to use renewable fuels, promote Iowa's renewable energy
economy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil." Farm cooperatives in
Sheldon, Harlan, Story City, Kelley, Spencer, Fort Atkinson and Dows,
as well as Kum & Go convenience stores in Mason City, Ottumwa and
Norwalk, were among the companies receiving grant money. The board
plans on allocating $7.7 million in additional grants over the next two
years, with a focus on increasing consumer availability of E85 and
biodiesel.
Source: http://www.csdecisions.com/news/article/76439/iowa_awards_grants_for_alternative_fuels_.aspx
Top
Research and Technology Updates
Research Shows Some Ethanol Blends Get Higher Gas Mileage Than Gasoline
On December 5, a study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) was released which shows that
certain ethanol blends actually provide better fuel economy than pure
gasoline. Previously, ethanol blends were believed to get fewer miles
per gallon because the fuel has a lower energy content, measured in
British Thermal Units (Btu), than gasoline. However, the research
conducted by the University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental
Research Center and the Minnesota Center for Automotive Research showed
that ethanol’s Btu content was not a direct predictor of fuel economy.
Researchers put three standard vehicles and one flex-fuel vehicle designed
to run on an 85% ethanol/15% gasoline blend, or E85, through the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) Highway Fuel Economy Test to examine various
ratios of ethanol/gasoline blends. In the Toyota Camry and Ford
Fusion, E30 (30% ethanol) offered 1% better fuel economy over gasoline;
in the flex-fuel Chevy Impala, E20 provided 15% better fuel economy
over gasoline. The non flex-fuel Impala did not improve its gas
mileage with ethanol, but it did get better fuel economy than would
have been predicted by a direct correlation with Btu content. All
vehicles were from model year 2007.
“I am encouraged by the findings of this study, which should benefit the
federal regulatory process for approving higher blends of ethanol,” said
U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD). “Intermediate blends of ethanol will
offer consumers more choices at the pump, reduce dependence on foreign
oil, and benefit our domestic ethanol industry for years to come.”
The study also demonstrated that the three non-flex-fuel vehicles could
operate on ethanol blends as high as E65 before engine fault codes were
displayed and that nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and nonmethane
organic gas emissions met or exceeded EPA requirements. Brian Jennings,
Executive Vice President of ACE, stated that these initial findings make
for “a compelling argument for more research on the promise of higher
ethanol blends in gasoline.”
Sources: http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/Press_Release_12507-1.pdf (pdf format)
http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmgmt/ACE_Optimal_Ethanol_Blend_Level_Study_final_12507.pdf
Union of Concerned Scientists Releases Biofuels Report
The Union of Concerned Scientist (UCS) has released a report comparing
life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of various alternative fuels to those
of conventional gasoline and diesel. The report shows that some alternative
fuels may actually increase global warming pollution relative
to petroleum based fuels: liquid coal by 83%, gasoline from tar sands by
14%, and corn ethanol produced in a coal-fired dry mill refinery and then
transported across several states for consumption by 21%. However,
switchgrass-based cellulosic ethanol and corn ethanol produced in a biomass-
fired wet mill refinery reduce emissions by 88% and 53%, respectively.
UCS also analyzed three possible alternative fuel scenarios, with an
assumption that 37 billion gallons of gasoline are displaced by alternative
fuels, 25% of which are conventional biofuels like corn ethanol. If the
remaining 75% of the alternative fuels were liquid coal, the increase
in emissions would be equivalent to adding approximately 34 million cars
to the road. If the remaining 75% were split evenly between advanced
biofuels and liquid coal, it would be equivalent to removing 0.8 million
cars from the road. Finally, if the remaining 75% of alternative fuels
were made up entirely of advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol,
it would be equivalent to removing approximately 35 million cars from
the road.
Sources: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/vehicles_health/biofuels-low-carbon-diet.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/when-carbon-counts-0079.html
Hollow Fiber Membrane to Increase Efficiency in Ethanol Dewatering
Quebec-based Vaperma, Inc. has developed a hollow fiber technology that
increases the efficiency of the dehydration phase of ethanol production.
The Siftek™ membrane dewaters the ethanol in one continuous process
involving selective permeation of water vapor through 15,000 hollow
polymer fibers; this process saves as much as 40 percent of the energy
used by a distillation column and molecular sieve units in a conventional
ethanol production plant. “This is a net savings of 1.7 cents per liter
(7 cents a gallon) for the ethanol producer,” said Vaperma President and
CEO Claude Letourneau. The Siftek membrane can be easily integrated into
existing facilities and can be used with any biomass feedstock. Vaperma
plans to bring the new technology to the commercial market in 2008.
Sources: http://ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3494
http://www.vaperma.com/technology/vaperma_development.php?lang=en
Ethanol By-Product Converted to Feed Pellets Without Binders
Dr. Kurt Rosentrater of the USDA Agricultural Research Service has found
that dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), a coproduct of ethanol
production, can be pelletized for livestock feed without the use of binders.
Pelleting feed can reduce feed waste, dust generation and ingredient
segregation, and may be one of the easiest ways to add value to DDGs
according to Dr. Rosentrater. The agricultural and bioprocess engineer
also stated that more research needs to be done to determine the ability
to pellet DDGS from a variety of sources and ethanol plants, as well as
feeding trials to examine the efficacy of DDGS pellets in various livestock
diets.
Source: http://www.distillersgrainsquarterly.com/article.jsp?article_id=1212
Earless Variety Could Make Corn Ethanol More Efficient
Dr. Fred Below of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is
working with tropical maize, which stores simple sugars in its stalk
instead of growing ears like most U.S. corn varieties, for applications
in the ethanol industry. “Corn is a short-day plant, so when we take
corn that is adapted to the tropics and grow it here, it grows tall and
lush,” said the professor of plant physiology. “Any good crop biologist
would know this, but now with all the interest in biofuel crops, this
biological nuance has value.” Like sugarcane, tropical maize could be
made into ethanol with a much less energy-intensive process than that
required by traditional corn, since it does not require the extra step
of breaking the cornstarch into simple sugars before fermentation.
Tropical maize could be easily rotated with corn, as farmers can use the
same harvesting equipment for both crops. Additionally, existing U.S.
biorefineries would need few modifications to utilize the earless variety,
according to Dr. Hans Blaschek of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy Research
at the University of Illinois. Substituting corn with tropical maize
would also reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer, which can end up in
agricultural run-off and harm aquatic ecosystems.
Source: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=66019
Syngenta Develops Corn with Enzyme Included
Syngenta Seeds, Inc. has developed a new corn seed that includes the
amylase enzyme used in the dry grind ethanol production process. The
new type of corn streamlines the current technique in which enzymes produced
from microbes are added to ground corn and water before fermentation.
“What we’ve done is to grow the enzyme in the corn. That will accelerate
manufacturing by removing the need for enzyme deliveries to biofuel plants,”
said Michael Pragnell, CEO of Syngenta. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
has approved bulk trials for the new seed, and Syngenta hopes to bring it
to market in time for the 2009 growing season.
Sources: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7c5e83c6-907b-11dc-a6f2-0000779fd2ac.html
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~rdb/bnfm095.html
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/ethanol_production.html
Penn State Scientists Study Beetles for Cellulosic Ethanol Production
Dr. Kelli Hoover, Associate Professor of Entomology at Pennsylvania State
University, is leading research to determine the potential role of
Asian Longhorned Beetles in the biofuel industry. The beetles, which
measure 1 - 1.5 inches and have black shells with white specks, carry
microbes in their guts that can break up lignin, the material that
makes living trees hard. The cellulose left behind can be broken down
further and then fermented into ethanol that has a higher net energy
balance and reduces greenhouse gas emissions even more than does corn
starch ethanol.
Asian Longhorned Beetles came to the United States in cargo shipments
from China and were first discovered in New York in 1996. They can attack
healthy maple, elm, willow, poplar and horse chestnut trees.
Sources: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/11/01/beetles_to_be_used_for_biofuel.aspx
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/ethanol_research.html
One Biofuel's Waste is Another's Feedstock
Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to make ethanol from
a by-product of biodiesel. The process developed by Dr. Ramon Gonzalez
and research associate Syed Shams Yazdani uses E. Coli bacteria to convert
glycerin, a viscous liquid found in animal fats and vegetable oils, into
ethanol through anaerobic fermentation. This method is simpler than using
corn or other biomass that must be broken down into sugars before fermentation.
"In the case of glycerin, you don't need to do that preprocessing,"
said Dr. Gonzalez. "It removes the first and most difficult step in
creating ethanol." The professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
also said that his method reduces the cost of ethanol production by about
40%.
The rapid expansion of the biodiesel industry has led to an oversupply
of glycerin, currently used in products such as soap, cosmetics, and
pharmaceuticals. Last year biodiesel refineries produced 25 million
gallons of the by-product; that number is projected to grow as high as
168 million gallons. However, that amount would still have a relatively
small impact on the nearly 7 billion gallon per year ethanol industry,
since it takes one gallon of glycerin to make one gallon of ethanol.
“There’s not enough glycerin to produce all the ethanol we need,” Dr.
Gonzalez stated. “It’s better as a solution for the biodiesel industry.”
Source: http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2007/11/glycerin
Microbes to Produce Hydrogen from Cellulose
Dr. Bruce Logan and research associate Shaoan Cheng of Pennsylvania State
University have developed a highly efficient hydrogen production method
using microbial fuel cells. Bacteria in the cell consume acetic acid,
the principal acid produced by fermentation of glucose of cellulose,
and release protons and electrons, creating a small amount of electricity.
With a bit of electricity added from an outside source, hydrogen gas is
generated.
“This process produces 288 percent more energy in hydrogen than the
electrical energy that is added to the process,” said Dr. Logan. Even
when some hydrogen is reserved to provide energy for a sustainable,
continuous operation, the technique still maintains a 144% net energy
value. Compare this to water hydrolysis, an established method of producing
hydrogen, which is only 50-70% efficient.
Dr. Logan also suggested that hydrogen derived from cellulose could be
blended with natural gas for use in existing vehicles: “We drive a lot
of vehicles on natural gas already. Natural gas is essentially methane.
Methane burns fairly cleanly, but if we add hydrogen, it burns even more
cleanly and works fine in existing natural gas combustion vehicles.”
Sources: http://www.psu.edu/ur/2007/biohydrogen.htm
http://www.enn.com/sci-tech/article/24429
Top
News Briefs
Colorado Mill to Turn Wildfire Fuel into Pellets for Home Heating
In northwestern Colorado, pine beetles have been eating their way through
crowded, drought-weakened forests, leaving behind dead wood of little
or no value to the timber industry. With no market for the small-diameter
or diseased wood, forest managers have had no economically viable way to
clear the material, leading to a dangerous build-up of fuel for wildfire.
The state’s first wood pellet plant may change that.
Confluence Energy will open an $8 million plant in February, using the
low-value woody biomass to produce up to 120,000 tons of pellets a year
to be used in heating stoves in homes, schools and other buildings. “The
dead and dying beetle kill was just piling up and was going to be a fire
danger,” said Confluence Energy President Mark Mathis. “The community
desperately needed to do something with this material.”
The new facility will also generate benefits for the community beyond
wildfire mitigation: 40-50 jobs will be created in the mill and related
logging and trucking industries, and local residents will have greater
access to a clean-burning, inexpensive alternative to natural gas or
propane heat.
Sources: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6134125
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_5742931,00.html
Community College in North Carolina to Offer Biofuels Degree
Beginning in the fall of 2008, Central Carolina Community College (CCCC)
will be the first in its state to offer an associate degree in biofuels.
The interdisciplinary "Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels" program was
recently approved by the North Carolina Community College System's Board
of Trustees, and will include courses on biofuels analytics, biofuels
waste management, electrical control systems, welding, and small business
development. Graduates of the program will be prepared for a variety of
positions within the ethanol and biodiesel industries. "Employment
opportunities include, but are not limited to, plant technician, plant
manager, lab technician, sales manager, process coordinator, or business owner,"
CCCC Biofuels Coordinator Andrew McMahan said, adding that the college
will work with the North Carolina Biofuels Center to determine workforce
training needs.
Source: http://www.cccc.edu/pr/93-October-2007/biofuels.html
New Holland Supports Use of Pure Biodiesel in Its Engines
On November 8, New Holland announced its support for the use of B100, or
100% biodiesel, in agricultural, utility and construction equipment with
New Holland-manufactured diesel engines. New Holland has been working
with Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences to
test unmodified tractors in real farm conditions. After nearly two years,
the biodiesel-fueled tractors functioned as well as tractors running on
conventional petroleum-based diesel, demonstrating that performance need
not be sacrificed in the transition to biofuels. “If more businesses,
farmers and heating-oil customers used biodiesel, it would improve air
quality, reduce oil imports and give Pennsylvania’s soybean growers more
outlets to sell their product,” said Penn State’s Farm Operations and
Services Manager Glen Cauffman. “Now all university equipment uses biodiesel,
and we expect other businesses in Pennsylvania to make the conversion
after Penn State demonstrates the viability.”
Sources: http://www.newholland.com/na/news/releases/B100_07.html
http://aginfo.psu.edu/news/07June/Biofuel.htm
Colorado Residents Keep Leftover Cooking Oil Out of Drains, Donate to Biodiesel Producer
Ft. Collins, Loveland, Boulder and other Colorado cities provided
collection sites for cooking oil leftover from the Thanksgiving holiday
this year, which was then donated to biodiesel producer Rocky Mountain
Sustainable Enterprises. The program offered the double benefits of
keeping the oil from clogging household drains and city sewer systems
while also displacing petroleum in the production of transportation
fuels. “It provides a feed stock for a fuel that is very good for the
environment and also helps achieve energy independence which we think
is a good thing,” said De Wayne Perry of Rocky Mountain Sustainable
Enterprises. The company also collects used cooking oil from
restaurants and commercial food services providers throughout the year.
Sources: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711220355
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/Colorado.News.Loveland.2.553020.html
http://www.rmse.biz/rmse.htm#
Tetra Point Fuels to Begin Ethanol Production Using Expired Sugar-based Liquids
Tetra Point Fuels is scheduled to begin ethanol production in spring of
2008 at a new facility in Denton, TX. The Denton plant will produce ethanol
from the sugar found in defective or expired beverages, such as juices,
soda, or beer. The company plans to produce between 400 and 500 million
gallons of ethanol in its first year. Orange juice is approximately 15%
sugar which will convert to about 9% ethanol. To produce 400 million
gallons of ethanol from orange juice, it would take more than 4.4 billion
gallons of juice. In addition to ethanol, the plant will recycle plastics,
produce organic fertilizer from spent yeast, and reuse steam heat in a
closed-loop system between the distillery and the boiler. To cope with
the large volume of wastewater that will be produced, Tetra Point Fuels
is working with the University of North Texas environmental sciences
department to design a wastewater treatment system using artificial wetlands
and vegetation to remove high-concentration compounds and filter effluent.
Says Mayor Perry McNeill, “Denton is working hard to be a green city and
this is a perfect example.”
Source: http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/business/stories/drc_geiger_1125.39be69d1.html
Range Fuels Breaks Ground on Country’s First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
In the heart of Georgia’s forests, Colorado-based Range Fuels, Inc.
broke ground on the country’s first commercial-scale cellulosic
ethanol plant this November. The biorefinery will convert low-value wood
and wood waste into 20 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually by
the end of 2008. When production is ramped up to full capacity, Range
Fuels hopes to supply 100 million gallons of the advanced biofuel per year.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue
were on hand for the historic event. “It is significant that our state
will be on the forefront of resolving (the) energy crisis,” said Governor
Perdue. “Range Fuels represents a new future for our country. With
Georgia’s vast, sustainable and renewable forests, we will lead the nation.”
The facility will employ 70 people as well as provide a new market for
foresters, whose livelihoods have been hampered by the decline of the
logging, pulp and paper industries.
Source: Chapman, Dan. “From trees limbs to ethanol.” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 6 November 2007.
Enzyme for Cellulosic Ethanol Production Goes on Sale
On October 15, Genencor announced the first enzyme commercially available
for cellulosic ethanol production. Accellerase™ 1000 is a complex of
enzymes optimized to break down the lignocellulose in sugarcane bagasse,
corn stover and wood pulp into fermentable sugars. Until now, this step
has been a major barrier to the commercialization of the advanced biofuel.
“The biofuels industry is at an inflection point with the development of
cellulosic ethanol plants at the pilot and demonstration scale,” said
Genencor Vice President of Biorefinery Business Development. “Every
biorefinery developer needs to know how enzymes will work in their system.
This product aims to address that need and to start a dialogue with potential
partners about customized solutions and supply at the industrial scale.”
Source: http://ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3447
http://www.genencor.com/cms/connect/genencor/media_relations/news/frontpage/gen_businessupdate_393_en.htm
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/ethanol_research.html
Renewable Fuels Association Publishes Interactive Ethanol Webpage
The Renewable Fuels Association has updated its website to include a new
interactive tool called ‘Answers About Ethanol’. The tool provides
information on ethanol production and utilization, as well as predicted
growth and future trends. The interactive feature also addresses a
number of frequent ethanol concerns, including environmental impacts,
correlation between ethanol and food prices, the near-term role of
cellulosic ethanol, and other issues. The new webpage can be found
here: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/facts/answers/
American National Standards Institute Announces Sustainable Carpet Standard
The American National Standards Institute has approved a Sustainable
Carpet Assessment Standard, giving the architects, designers, and end
users a unified standard for environmentally preferred carpets. The
voluntary standard, known as NSF 140-2007, was developed by consensus
among a diverse group of stakeholders under the guidance of the non-profit
NSF International. “We expect this highly anticipated standard will be
widely adopted and referenced across building design, construction and
operation industries as the standard of choice for green carpet,” said
Jane Wilson, NSF Standards Director. “It is already serving as a model
for other industry groups to follow.”
NSF 140-2007 is based on life cycle assessments, rating carpets in five
major categories: public health and environment, energy and energy
efficiency, biobased/recycled content materials, manufacturing, and
reclamation/end of life management. The first certified carpets are
expected to hit the market by the second quarter of 2008.
Source: http://www.nsf.org/business/newsroom/press_releases/press_release.asp?p_id=15712
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