Category Archives: Bioethanol

Iowa State University researching Sorghum glass for Biofuel

November 17, 2010   Karl

Growing Sorghum Grass for Biofuel

Conversion of sorghum grass to ethanol has increased with the interest in renewable fuel sources. Researchers at Iowa State University examined 12 varieties of sorghum grass grown in single and double cropping systems. The experiment was designed to test the efficiency of double cropping sorghum grass to increase its yield for biofuel production.

The author of the report, Ben Goff, found that using sorghum from a single-cropping system was more effective for the production of ethanol. Since most of the ethanol currently produced in the United States is derived from corn, Goff suggests that corn may not be able to meet the energy needs of the country. According to the study, only 15 to 25% of the energy requirements would be fulfilled using corn or starch-based ethanol; however, ethanol produced from cellulose could be more effective than previous biofuels.

International experts from government, academia and agriculture will gather for the International Workshop on Sorghum for Biofuels in Houston, Texas. Photo courtesy of Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.orgGoff states that from a production standpoint, growing sorghum as a sole crop is more efficient for ethanol production, however, it remains to be seen whether the favorable long-term environmental benefits, such as reduced erosion potential, of the double-cropping systems merits the reduced total biomass production.

Although certain genotypes of sorghum from the double-cropping system yielded total biomass equal to those in the single-cropping study, all of the sorghum varieties in the single-cropping system had consistently higher ethanol yields.

The author theorizes that these altered chemical compositions could be attributed to the different cropping systems.

Goff recommends that further research on double-cropping systems for ethanol production should focus on efforts to maximize production of sorghum, such as incorporating a winter crop that matures earlier in the season. This would allow planting of the sorghum closer to its optimal date and capitalize on its ability to produce greater and higher-quality biomass over a greater portion of the growing season.

This study was funded by the Iowa Energy Center and published in the November/December 2010 issue of Agronomy Journal from the American Society of Agronomy.

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Green energy and biofuels company REG Bio-Power meets UK demand with new processing plant

November 08, 2010   Karl
biofuel sticker

REG Bio-Power meets UK demand with new processing plant

Green energy and biofuels company REG Bio-Power has launched a new processing facility – the first of its kind in the UK – after an investment of almost one million pounds.

REG Bio-Power, part of AIM-listed Renewable Energy Generation Group, opened the new facility – which forms the hub for its national operations – after demand for its services rocketed over the last 18 months.

The company, under the name Living Fuels, collects waste vegetable oil from almost 300 local authority recycling centres as well as commercial sites and bulk aggregators.  This raw product is then processed into a green biofuel called LF100 (not a biodiesel) which is completely free from chemicals, additives and reagents.

LF100 is utilised by REG Bio-Power, under the name Living Power, to service a portfolio of dedicated combined heat and power (CHP) generators across the UK – including a 4.8 mW renewable energy plant in Suffolk.  To date, the Living Power engines have clocked up over 40,000 operating hours using LF100.

Ian Collins, managing director of REG Bio-Power, explains:

“This processing facility represents a real step change.  The last four years has seen us process almost a million litres of waste vegetable oil.  With this new facility, along with an 18,000 litre tanker for collecting the oil, we can process 20 million litres per annum – which, as LF100, could produce enough energy for 20,000 average homes per year.”

In the UK, it is estimated that over ¼ million tonnes of waste vegetable oil is produced every year – half of which has historically gone to landfill or down the drains.  Water companies spend more than £15 million per year in direct clean up of fats, oils and greases in sewers.

“However,” says Collins, “that pool of waste vegetable oil could provide enough energy for up to ¼ million average homes each year.  Waste vegetable oil will not solve the energy crisis alone, but it will make a significant impact.”

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EU biofuels policy could create “major environmental pressure”

November 08, 2010   Karl
EU Flag

EU biofuels policy could create “major environmental pressure”

EU biofuels policy does not adequately protect the environment against negative consequences, according to a study reviewing the indirect land use change (ILUC) impact of the EU’s planned increase in biofuels use up to 2020.

Based on newly released national plans, ILUC could lead to substantial land conversion and, as a consequence, additional greenhouse gas emissions beyond those that would arise from the continued fossil fuel use, the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) report says.

David Baldock, Executive Director IEEP, says: “Promoting the use of biofuels with no consideration of indirect land use change (ILUC) has the potential actually to increase the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is vital that this situation is rectified and ILUC impacts are urgently addressed within EU law. It is essential to remember that the renewable energy Directive, which is driving EU biofuel use, was adopted to help combat climate change.”

Under EU law all Member States are required to derive 10% of their transport fuels from renewable sources by 2020.

Plans from national governments setting out how they will reach this target are now becoming available, and they confirm that conventional biofuels (derived from crops such as wheat, rapeseed and sugar cane) will be the primary technology used in delivery.

Land needed for biofuels crops

The report, Anticipated Indirect Land Use Change Associated with Expanded Use of Biofuels and Bioliquids in the EU – An Analysis of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans, concludes that between 4.1 and 6.9 million hectares of additional land will need to be cropped due to the increasing conventional biofuels demand, set out in national plans.

IEEP estimates that this would lead to additional annual emissions of between 27 and 56 million tonnes of CO2 between 2011 and 2020, associated with land conversion.

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BP sees biofuel growth from U.S. grass, Brazil sugar

November 05, 2010   Karl
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BP Growth from Biofuels

BP is focusing its biofuel efforts on Brazilian sugar cane and U.S. energy grasses, holding off on investments in the rest of the world for the moment, a senior executive of the global energy group said on Thursday.

James Primrose, head of strategy at BP Biofuels, said government incentives and clear regulations in alternative energy gave the Americas region an advantage in the sector, compared to Europe or Asia where the landscape is murkier.

“Our growth plans are ambitious,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of an ethanol conference in Geneva, a European hub for commodity trading.

“In order to deliver on our plans, we have to focus on those markets first where there is the regulatory clarity and the cost-advantaged feed stocks.”

In July, BP announced a $98 million purchase of technology developed by U.S. partner Verenium, under which it took ownership of cellulosic biofuels technology.

The biofuels unit plans to increase its engagement with Brazil, given the high quality and relatively low cost of its sugar cane, Primrose said, without offering any details.

In the United States, the BP executive said government support for cellulosic biofuels had given a boost to investors. “In that regard, in terms of the clarity of the regulations, the U.S. is favorable to Europe,” he said.

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Leading Advanced Biofuel Groups Meet at The White House

October 27, 2010   Karl
whitehouse

Leading Advanced Biofuel Groups Meet at The White House

Leaders of the advanced biofuel industry personally delivered an important message to the Obama Administration this morning at a White House meeting that included representatives of the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and Algal Biomass Organization(ABO).  The leaders’ message emphasized the vital role the advanced biofuel industry plays in achieving America’s energy security while strengthening the nation’s economy by creating premium new jobs.

Just last week, the groups representing over 100 advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased product member companies, delivered a letter to President Obama, thanking him for his “commitment to developing secure, sustainable, domestic alternatives to imported petroleum.”  The joint letter also offered to assist the President as his administration develops and implements an “aggressive, comprehensive national advanced biofuels policy – one that maximizes innovation and drives commercialization of technologies that hold the greatest promise to reduce our dependence on petroleum, create high quality opportunities for American workers, and deliver a sustainable, low-carbon future for transportation and manufacturing in the United States.”

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Germany to raise it’s bioethanol blending in gasoline

October 26, 2010   Karl

Germany to raise bioethanol blending in gasoline

The German cabinet will vote on Wednesday on a proposal to raise the maximum level of bioethanol allowed in blended gasoline to 10 percent in January 2011 from 5 percent now, the country’s environment ministry said on Monday.

The move is part of Germany’s efforts to meet European Union plans to raise biofuel use to protect the environment, it said.

Analysts said the increase would help boost demand for grain next year, but there also would be tough competition from sugar and imported bioethanol.

“Currently sugar is looking most competitive for bioethanol output after the sharp rise in grain prices this year,” one analyst said. “But overall there is likely to be increased demand for both grains and sugar, so more blending will be positive news for producers.”

Introduction of fuels with higher bioethanol content has in the past been controversial because of fears of engine damage to older cars.

The ministry said about 90 percent of German automobiles would be capable of using fuels with the higher blend level, which will be clearly labeled at petrol stations.

Germany’s large bioethanol industry, which mostly uses grain and sugar as feedstock, has been hoping for the change for some time.

Grains futures surged to two-year highs in early August, almost doubling from June lows as a drought devastated Russia‘s harvest and the country announced a grain export ban.

Germany consumed about 1.2 million tonnes of grain for bioethanol output in 2009, the German state alcohol production supervision agency BMB said. This compared with a German 2009 grain crop of 43.7 million tonnes.

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UK biofuel use hits target early

October 26, 2010   Karl
biofuel sticker

UK hit biofuel targets early

Biofuel use in UK road fuels has met the government’s third-year target ahead of schedule, according to latest Renewable Fuels Agency figures.

In the first three months of the 2010/11 reporting period for the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, some 426m litres of biofuel were supplied, accounting for approximately 3.5% of total road transport fuel – meeting the annual third-year target.

Biodiesel accounted for almost two-thirds (64%) of all biofuel supplied, while bioethanol accounted for 36%.

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Nascar to use B15 Biofuel Blend

October 18, 2010   Karl
Nascar to use B15 Biofuel Blend

Nascar to use B15 Biofuel Blend

NASCAR confirmed earlier reports that it will begin using E15 ethanol provided by Sunoco in its three national series — Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks.

NASCAR chairman Brian France was quoted as saying “while fueling the same close, door-to-door racing that thrills our fans, American ethanol creates jobs in the United States, helps foster energy independence and continues the greening of our sport.”

NASCAR will holds its K&N and Nationwide series events at Newton next May 21-22. The Indy Car Circuit Iowa Corn 250 will be held at Newton next June 25.

The Indy Car circuit, which includes the Iowa Speedway race in Newton each year, hit a rocky bump last year when the series announced a deal with Brazilian ethanol promoter Unica. American corn grown organizations protested and Indy Car went out of its way to assure that the fuel used at the Newton race in the middle of Iowa corn country would be 100 percent American-produced ethanol.

NASCAR’s announcement comes at the end of a week in which federal regulators approved an extension of the current 10 percent ethanol blend limit for vehicles 2007 model year and newer, which it said accounts for about 30 percent of all gas old in the U.S.

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EPA allows 15% ethanol in gasoline, but only for late-model cars

October 14, 2010   Karl

15% ethanol to be blended with gasoline in motor fuel

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it now will allow up to 15% ethanol to be blended with gasoline in motor fuel — but only for use in cars and trucks built since 2007.

The current allowable limit is 10%, and remains so for older vehicles, all motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles and non-road engines (everything from leaf blowers to motorboats).
That sets up potential confusion at the gas pump. Buyers could have to choose not only among octane ratings but also between E-10 and E-15. And while E-10 now is fairly common, stations are not required to offer it or the new E-15 — and some already say they are going to sit out E-15 for now.

The move does not affect special E-85 fuel — an 85% ethanol/gas blend not considered gasoline at all — already allowed by the EPA. E-85, sold mostly in the Midwest, only can be used in vehicles designed as “flex fuel” machines, to take the higher concentration of more-corrosive ethanol without damage.

EPA says thorough testing has shown E-15 won’t cause problems in the newer vehicles.

Even though the E-15 blend is intended for cars and trucks — indeed, it’s technically illegal to use it in other engines — the small-engine lobby figures it’ll nevertheless wind up in the hundreds of millions of chainsaws, leaf blowers, law mowing equipment, boats, all-terrain vehicles and the like.

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Algae power reaches for the sky

October 13, 2010   Karl

British Airways and Airbus are supporting a project at the UK's Cranfield University to investigate ways of harvesting algae for jet fuel in commercial quantities.

Air travel could be powered from vast seas of algae growing close to airports within four years, according to researchers and airlines hoping to find a green future for aviation.

Industry giants including British Airways and Airbus are supporting a project at the UK’s Cranfield University to investigate ways of harvesting algae for jet fuel in commercial quantities.

The project gets underway as 1,500 delegates from governments and the aviation industry leave Montreal after the triennial conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization, which finished on October 8.

Targets to improve fuel efficiency up until 2050 were agreed at the conference, but many believe the organization is moving too slowly.

Steven Tebbe, a consultant advising the industry on improving its green credentials, pointed out that the best airlines are improving their fuel efficiency by around 1.5 percent a year, but the aviation industry as a whole is growing by 4 to 5 percent a year.

Other measures, including alternative low carbon fuels and economic incentives will be needed make air travel greener, he said.

The key to sustainability is not putting all your eggs in one basket.
–Professor Feargal Brennan, Cranfield University

Researchers at Cranfield argue that algae present a better option than other bio fuels because they do not compete with land for food production.

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