The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that that 100 million gallons of biodiesel were produced in July, bringing the total production for the first seven months of 2012 to nearly 658 million gallons. The 2011 total was 1.1 billion gallons. Iowa, with 13 biodiesel refineries, is a leading biodiesel producer. Read more...
Showing posts with label biofuels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biofuels. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Minnesota Ethanol Plant Is Switching to Butanol
An Englewood, Colo. company named Gevo is converting an ethanol plant it purchased in Luverne, Minn. to make isobutanol, one of a number of new pathways to butanol, a chemical that can be used for fuel for many other purposes. Read more...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Switchgrass Research Improves Biofuel Yields
Researchers at the Oak Ridge Laboratory in Tennessee have produced a variety of switchgrass that they say results in 38 percent more biofuel with lower pretreatment costs. By manipulating lignin, a compound that stiffens plants, the researchers were able to create a modified switchgrass that required 4 to 5 times less cellulase, an enzyme used to break down fiber. The scientists believe the new variety may help with newly emerging biofuels such as butanol, isobutene, and “green gasoline,” made from the cellulose in plants. Read more...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
DOE Bioenergy Webinar
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the launch of a new online collaboration tool and data resource focused on bioenergy. The “Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework” allows researchers, policymakers, and investors to share large data sets, as well as the latest bioenergy research. The Framework also facilitates collaborative production, integration, and analysis of information.
Registered users will be able to contribute additional data sets that can then be shared, growing the body of knowledge, better informing this growing industry, and eliminating “information silos.” The Framework allows simultaneous geographic mapping of complex data sets such as biomass feedstock production, fueling stations, and biorefineries on a national, state, and even county-level basis – providing the bioenergy industry an analytical tool for identifying new opportunities for research, supportive policies, and project investment.
The Framework is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to developing homegrown, sustainable, and plentiful sources of clean energy, like biofuels.
The Framework is meant to be customizable and flexible, while maintaining the integrity of the data. Users can chose specific data sets, for example, and immediately have them displayed on a scalable map. DOE developed the Framework (https://bioenergykdf.net/) with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as Idaho National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and university research partners. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will administer the site and validate new data submissions.
Registered users will be able to contribute additional data sets that can then be shared, growing the body of knowledge, better informing this growing industry, and eliminating “information silos.” The Framework allows simultaneous geographic mapping of complex data sets such as biomass feedstock production, fueling stations, and biorefineries on a national, state, and even county-level basis – providing the bioenergy industry an analytical tool for identifying new opportunities for research, supportive policies, and project investment.
The Framework is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to developing homegrown, sustainable, and plentiful sources of clean energy, like biofuels.
The Framework is meant to be customizable and flexible, while maintaining the integrity of the data. Users can chose specific data sets, for example, and immediately have them displayed on a scalable map. DOE developed the Framework (https://bioenergykdf.net/) with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as Idaho National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and university research partners. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will administer the site and validate new data submissions.
The Department of Energy will host a Webinar on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST to demonstrate the system. The session will include an overview of the system, case studies of how it may be used, and a demonstration of its user interface. This Webinar is free to all participants, but requires registration in advance. Prior to the Webinar, participants should also confirm that they can access the Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework website.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
EERC Announces 2011 Biomass Conference
The Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota announced today that the "Biomass ’11: Renewable Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Conference" will be held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, July 26–27, 2011. Read more...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Iowa Senator Introduces Biofuels Bill
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has introduced the “Biofuels Market Expansion Act of 2011,” legislation designed to promote Flexible Fuel Vehicles, expand the number of blender pumps, and make renewable fuel pipelines eligible for the federal loan guarantee pipeline program. The bill's co-sponsors included Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Al Franken (D-MN). Read more...
Monday, January 24, 2011
Minnesota Biofuels Producers Get USDA Grants
A total of approximately $750 million in grants has been awarded to several Minnesota biofuels producers from the Agriculture Department's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. Minnesota Soybean Processors was awarded nearly $400,000, while Cargill Inc. received nearly $190,000 and Corn Plus LLP nearly $130,000. Other recipients included FUMPA Biofuels, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co., West River Dairy and Riverview LLP. Read more...
Friday, January 21, 2011
Iowa Awarded $1.4 Million for Renewable Energy
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin announced yesterday that his state will receive more than $1.4 million for renewable energy projects, most of which will go toward the production and use of biofuels through the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. The program was authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill. Read more...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Using Marginal Land for Biofuels Production
Researchers have published the results of a study aimed at identifying the amount of marginal land available worldwide for biofuel crop production. The goal of the study, conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was to determine the types and locations of land that are suitable for growing biofuel feedstocks and to identify the current land cover at those sites. The researchers concluded that biofuel produced from crops grown on abandoned or degraded cropland could supply up to 52 percent of the world's liquid fuel consumption. Read more...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Biodiesel Production Resumes in Minnesota
The signing of the 2010 tax relief bill last week made the biodiesel tax credit retroactive to Jan. 1 and extended it through the end of 2011. The bill puts producers like Minnesota Soybean Processors back in business again. Biodiesel production at the plant stopped on Nov. 23 following a period of declining orders after the previous $1-per-gallon tax credit was allowed to expire on Dec. 31, 2009. The company, based in Brewster, said there was enough biodiesel in storage to fill the orders received in recent days and plans to begin production again as soon as possible. Read more...
Ethanol and Biofuel Tax Credit Extensions
By Cole Gustafson, Biofuels Economist, NDSU Extension Service
On Dec. 17, 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed legislation extending for another year the 45-cent-per-gallon ethanol and $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credits, as well as the 54-cent-per-gallon ethanol import tariff. The biodiesel tax credit terminated almost a year ago, and the ethanol tax credit and tariff were scheduled to cease at the end of this year.
The ethanol industry praised the extensions, saying the legislation would save jobs in rural America and lead to greater oil independence. It is true that the tax credits are a direct economic benefit to the industry. However, it isn’t always clear which part of the industry captures the benefit. When margins are high, blenders are able to extract and capture most of the benefit because enough biofuel exists in the marketplace. When profitability is at a break-even point, blenders pass greater portions of the tax credits to biofuel plants to entice production.
In the case of biodiesel production, the tax credit is large and a key economic driver. When the credit ceased to exist in 2010, most biodiesel plants curtailed production. Profitability in the ethanol industry during the past year has been somewhat mixed. Iowa State University reports that total economic returns were at a break-even point through the summer, but increased to 33 cents per gallon in November.
Extending the credit certainly will benefit established biofuel plants. However, by merely extending the credits and tariffs for only one year (Dec. 31, 2011), the legislation does little to stimulate new biofuel investment. Construction of new biofuel plants is a long-term investment, so risk-averse investors are weary of funding such ventures with such policy uncertainty. The wind energy industry was stymied for several years when its tax credit provisions were on and off again.
Creating even more angst among biofuel investors are the emerging differences within the industry. One faction seeks to continue funding tax credits at the present level, while another faction prefers to replace the credits with new investments in blender pumps, dedicated pipelines, and flex-fuel vehicles that would secure biofuel demand into the future.
In another interesting twist, the legislation extended the ethanol tax credit at 45 cents per gallon, while the ethanol tariff remained at 54 cents per gallon. Previously, they were at identical monetary values because the tariff was justified as a means of offsetting the benefit blenders get when they import ethanol from other countries (blenders get a tax credit for selling ethanol in the U.S. but have to pay a tariff for importing it). Now that a differential exists between the credit and the tariff, foreign ethanol producers have a legitimate complaint that can be advanced to the World Trade Organization.
With a new, more conservative Congress and mounting federal budget pressures, I expect continued active debate in 2011 on the value of biofuel tax credits and tariffs.
Source: NDSU Agriculture Communications
On Dec. 17, 2010, Congress passed and President Obama signed legislation extending for another year the 45-cent-per-gallon ethanol and $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credits, as well as the 54-cent-per-gallon ethanol import tariff. The biodiesel tax credit terminated almost a year ago, and the ethanol tax credit and tariff were scheduled to cease at the end of this year.
The ethanol industry praised the extensions, saying the legislation would save jobs in rural America and lead to greater oil independence. It is true that the tax credits are a direct economic benefit to the industry. However, it isn’t always clear which part of the industry captures the benefit. When margins are high, blenders are able to extract and capture most of the benefit because enough biofuel exists in the marketplace. When profitability is at a break-even point, blenders pass greater portions of the tax credits to biofuel plants to entice production.
In the case of biodiesel production, the tax credit is large and a key economic driver. When the credit ceased to exist in 2010, most biodiesel plants curtailed production. Profitability in the ethanol industry during the past year has been somewhat mixed. Iowa State University reports that total economic returns were at a break-even point through the summer, but increased to 33 cents per gallon in November.
Extending the credit certainly will benefit established biofuel plants. However, by merely extending the credits and tariffs for only one year (Dec. 31, 2011), the legislation does little to stimulate new biofuel investment. Construction of new biofuel plants is a long-term investment, so risk-averse investors are weary of funding such ventures with such policy uncertainty. The wind energy industry was stymied for several years when its tax credit provisions were on and off again.
Creating even more angst among biofuel investors are the emerging differences within the industry. One faction seeks to continue funding tax credits at the present level, while another faction prefers to replace the credits with new investments in blender pumps, dedicated pipelines, and flex-fuel vehicles that would secure biofuel demand into the future.
In another interesting twist, the legislation extended the ethanol tax credit at 45 cents per gallon, while the ethanol tariff remained at 54 cents per gallon. Previously, they were at identical monetary values because the tariff was justified as a means of offsetting the benefit blenders get when they import ethanol from other countries (blenders get a tax credit for selling ethanol in the U.S. but have to pay a tariff for importing it). Now that a differential exists between the credit and the tariff, foreign ethanol producers have a legitimate complaint that can be advanced to the World Trade Organization.
With a new, more conservative Congress and mounting federal budget pressures, I expect continued active debate in 2011 on the value of biofuel tax credits and tariffs.
Source: NDSU Agriculture Communications
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