American Fuels

Green Plains Renewable Energy To Buy Nebraska Ethanol Plant

2013-06-03T09:11:00.001-04:00

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announces today that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the membership interests of Choice Ethanol Holdings, LLC, the entity that owns the former NEDAK Ethanol, LLC ethanol plant located in Atkinson, Neb. and an ethanol storage and loading facility located approximately 15 miles east of the plant. The dry-mill ethanol plant will add approximately 50 million gallons of operating capacity to Green Plains' current annual production capacity of 740 million gallons.

"The acquisition of the plant in Atkinson expands our ethanol production platform and aligns with our ongoing strategy of growing our business and enhancing long-term shareholder value," said Todd Becker, Green Plains' President and Chief Executive Officer. "The plant meets our disciplined acquisition criteria and we have a deep understanding of this technology, size and geographic area. We believe we can rapidly improve the overall performance of this plant."

The ethanol plant utilizes Delta-T processing technology. The ethanol storage facility holds approximately 24,000 barrels of ethanol and is located on the BNSF rail line. Green Plains plans to staff and re-start the plant within the next four weeks. Once the transaction closes, the Company plans to begin installing corn oil extraction technology, which should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. Completion of this transaction is subject to standard and customary closing conditions.

POET Producing Corn Oil at 25 Biorefineries

2013-01-17T12:19:00.001-05:00

Twenty-five of POET’s network of 27 biorefineries have now installed its patent-pending corn oil technology, bringing its total capacity to approximately 250,000 tons per year, enough feedstock to produce 68 million gallons of biodiesel annually.

POET has been selling Voilà™ corn oil into biodiesel and feed markets since January 2011, when POET Biorefining – Hudson (S.D.) first began to produce it on a commercial scale. Strong demand for the product prompted upgrades at the majority of the plants in the POET network

“Having a more diverse portfolio of products has been a benefit for POET, particularly when ethanol margins are challenging,” POET CEO Jeff Lautt said. “Expanding our product line is an important part of our strategy for growth.”

POET plants that are producing corn oil today are:

Indiana:
POET Biorefining – Alexandria, Cloverdale, North Manchester and Portland

Iowa:
POET Biorefining – Ashton, Coon Rapids, Corning, Emmetsburg, Gowrie, Jewell and Hanlontown

Missouri:
POET Biorefining – Laddonia

Michigan:
POET Biorefining – Caro

Minnesota:
POET Biorefining – Lake Crystal, Glenville and Preston

Ohio:
POET Biorefining – Fostoria, Leipsic and Marion

South Dakota:
POET Biorefining – Big Stone, Chancellor, Hudson, Groton and Mitchell as well as the POET Research Center in Scotland

One of POET’s four Ingreenuity goals is to increase production of bio-based products. Corn oil is playing an important role in reaching that goal.

“There’s a bio-based solution to so much of what petroleum supplies today,” Lautt said. “It’s exciting for me to see POET playing a large part in providing those solutions.”

Voilà is just one item on POET's growing list of products created at its plants. In addition to ethanol, POET produces quality products for animal feed including Dakota Gold distillers dried grains. POET also captures carbon dioxide at five of its plants for sale to beverage producers and other users.

Pacific Ethanol Stockton Partners with Edeniq to Expand Production

2013-01-11T15:38:00.001-05:00

Edeniq announced today that California ethanol producer, Pacific Ethanol, Stockton LLC, has entered into an agreement to install Edeniq technology at the company's Stockton, California ethanol plant. Pacific Ethanol will install Edeniq's proprietary Cellunators to boost ethanol yields, and will also deploy Edeniq's patented OilPlus corn oil extraction process to increase corn oil recovery.

Edeniq's Cellunator technology mills corn and other plant materials into 'right-sized' particles of feedstock that can be more efficiently converted into the plant sugars needed to produce biofuels. Beginning this quarter, Edeniq will install Cellunators at the Pacific Ethanol plant in Stockton, California. In addition, Edeniq will deploy OilPlus technology at the Stockton plant. OilPlus combines thermal, mechanical, and chemical treatments to improve the recovery of corn oil, a valuable co-product that can be used for feed and other bio-industrial products.

With four ethanol plants in the Western United States including California, Oregon and Idaho, Pacific Ethanol's facilities have the combined ethanol production capacity of 200 million gallons per year. The Stockton, California plant was built in 2008 and has the capacity to produce 60 million gallons per year. Edeniq's technology is expected to increase the facility's ethanol yields by 2-4%.

"Edeniq's technology will allow us to increase efficiency and create additional value for our customers," said Neil Koehler , CEO of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. "Our partnership with Edeniq improves our ability to compete in the marketplace."

Edeniq currently has technology agreements with six ethanol producers across the U.S., and Pacific Ethanol will be the company's second plant partner in California. In addition, Edeniq owns and operates a demonstration-scale production facility in Visalia, California, which is currently converting a range of cellulosic feedstock into low-cost cellulosic sugars and cellulosic ethanol.

In June, Edeniq received a $3.9 million grant from the California Energy Commission as part of California's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The grant was given to Edeniq to help fund further developments and innovative enhancements to Edeniq's proprietary cellulosic ethanol technology, enabling the low capital cost addition of cellulosic ethanol production to corn-based ethanol plants in California.

"With Pacific Ethanol as a customer, we are continuing our commitment to unlock the sugar conversion process and gain efficiencies each step of the way," said Brian Thome , President and CEO of Edeniq. "This installation is just the beginning of our work with Pacific Ethanol to scale sustainable fuels."

Sweetwater Energy and Ace Ethanol to Begin Commercial Production of Cellulosic Ethanol

2013-01-07T01:15:00.001-05:00

Sweetwater Energy, Inc., a Rochester NY-based cellulosic sugar producer, announced a first of its kind in the nation, long-term commercial agreement with Ace Ethanol, a Stanley, WI-based corn ethanol production facility, to generate cellulosic ethanol at Ace’s plant for up to 16 years. Sweetwater’s patented, decentralized process will convert locally available cellulosic, non-food biomass, such as crop residues, energy crops, and woody biomass into highly fermentable sugar, which Ace will ferment into ethanol. The entire contract has a total potential value in excess of $100 million, and requires a minimal capital outlay by Ace Ethanol while stabilizing Ace’s feedstock cost over the life of the agreement.

“Ace Ethanol has been bench testing Sweetwater’s cellulosic material for some time and we’re confident that this project will be commercially profitable,” says Neal Kemmet, President of Ace Ethanol. “With Sweetwater, we’ll move from 100% corn to a combination of corn starch and 7% cellulosic sugar as our feedstocks.”

“This is a very exciting time for the industry, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have aligned Sweetwater with Ace,” says Jack Baron, President and COO of Sweetwater. “Our patented, decentralized sugar-production model is designed to let us work in tandem with a refiner’s existing infrastructure, which fosters strong collaboration on both sides. Furthermore, our refined sugars can be used for biochemical or bioplastics production, giving Ace diversification options in the future. Ace is a progressive industry leader located near affordable biomass; they are financially successful and constantly incorporating proven new technologies to maintain their leadership position.”

“Over the last year we’ve had some incredible conversations with everyone at Ace Ethanol, and the more we talked about the benefits we could provide for one another, the more we realized that a partnership between our two companies made for a fantastic fit,” says Arunas Chesonis, Chairman and CEO of Sweetwater. “We’ve now signed a definitive agreement for a long-term commercial relationship for cellulosic sugar, effectively moving an existing dry-mill corn ethanol facility to cellulosic ethanol without interrupting their operations. And best of all, since the process is scalable, Ace can increase the amount of cellulosic sugar they’re adding to their process in the coming years.”

Sweetwater Energy uses a unique, patented technology to produce low-cost sugar solution from non-food biomass. This sugar solution is sold to biorefineries, which use it to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and bioplastics. Unlike petroleum-based technologies, Sweetwater Energy’s process uses carbon from renewable biomass that is grown or procured domestically, and significantly reduces greenhouse gases.

The Sweetwater-Ace agreement entails Sweetwater placing one of its cellulosic facilities adjacent to the Ace Ethanol site, and delivering enough refined monomeric sugar for Ace to produce up to 3.6 million gallons of ethanol per year during the initial phase of the relationship. The promising economics afforded by Sweetwater’s cellulosic sugar and the patented hub-and-spoke distributed model will ultimately determine the pace and volume with which Ace’s corn ethanol facility will migrate to Sweetwater’s cellulosic feedstocks.

EPA Denies RFS Waiver Request

2012-11-16T12:01:00.001-05:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that the agency has not found evidence to support a finding of severe “economic harm” that would warrant granting a waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The decision is based on economic analyses and modeling done in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“We recognize that this year’s drought has created hardship in some sectors of the economy, particularly for livestock producers,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “But our extensive analysis makes clear that Congressional requirements for a waiver have not been met and that waiving the RFS will have little, if any, impact.”

To support the waiver decision, EPA conducted several economic analyses. Economic analyses of impacts in the agricultural sector, conducted with USDA, showed that on average waiving the mandate would only reduce corn prices by approximately one percent. Economic analyses of impacts in the energy sector, conducted with DOE, showed that waiving the mandate would not impact household energy costs.

EPA found that the evidence and information failed to support a determination that implementation of the RFS mandate during the 2012-2013 time period would severely harm the economy of a State, a region, or the United States, the standard established by Congress in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct).

EPAct required EPA to implement a renewable fuels standard to ensure that transportation fuel sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel. A waiver of the mandate requires EPA, working with USDA and DOE, to make a finding of “severe economic harm” from the RFS mandate itself.

This is the second time that EPA has considered an RFS waiver request. In both cases, analysis concluded that that the mandate did not impose severe harm. In 2008, the state of Texas was denied a waiver.

Pacific Ethanol To Extract Corn Oil At It’s Stockton Plant

2012-11-07T15:13:00.001-05:00

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. announced it will implement corn oil separation technology at its Stockton plant, representing the second Pacific Ethanol plant to utilize the technology. In June 2012, the company announced the implementation of corn oil separation technology at its Magic Valley plant. The company has awarded Edeniq, a biomaterials and sustainable fuels innovator, with a contract for its patented OilPlus™ technology, which is expected to be implemented at the Stockton plant by the second quarter of 2013.

Neil Koehler, the company’s president and CEO, stated: “Corn oil is a high value co-product for the Pacific Ethanol plants, provides us with further diversification of our revenue streams and contributes additional operating income to the plants. Our Stockton plant is the second of our facilities to implement corn oil separation technology, and we expect to soon award contracts for our two other Pacific Ethanol plants.”

First Station in the Nation Begins Selling E15

2012-07-11T13:18:00.001-04:00

For the first time in nearly three decades, American drivers can now choose a new fueling option at the pump. The nation’s first E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) gallons are being sold at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station at 1500 E. 23rd Street in Lawrence, KS

A formal grand opening for the pumps will occur on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for the sale and use of E15 ethanol blends in light duty vehicles made since 2001. This represents nearly two-thirds of all vehicles on the road and nearly three-fourths of all miles driven.

Given present market conditions, E15 will sell for less than E10 and gasoline not containing ethanol. More broadly, a recent study from the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development found the use of 13.9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2011 lowered average gasoline prices by $1.09 per gallon nationally and by $1.69 per gallon in Midwestern states such as Kansas.

“Alternatives to gasoline are critically important to our nation’s energy future and Americans deserve to have a choice of cost-competitive fuel at the pump,” said Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco 66 stations. “With the help of the Kansas Corn Commission, East Kansas Agri-Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association, we are pleased to be the first to offer consumers real choice at the pump in the form of E15 ethanol fuel.”

Zaremba, the incoming President of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas, blends Zarco 66 fuel options right at each of his stations. Pumps offering E15 with the proper labeling will also be offering E10 and other ethanol blends via technology known as blender pumps. These pumps allow consumers to choose the fuel option that is best for them and their vehicle.

“Ethanol is a vital component of our nation’s energy and economic strategy and moving to higher level ethanol blends like E15 just makes sense,” said Jere White, Executive Director of the Kansas Corn Commission and the first consumer to purchase E15 under the waiver granted by the EPA. “Since the days of gasohol, ethanol has been an increasingly important part of our nation’s fuel supply. America’s farmers, together with America’s ethanol producers, have risen to the challenge and provide a safe, reliable, and growing source of renewable fuel. E15 and increasingly higher ethanol blends will reduce our dependence on imported oil, create domestic jobs that cannot be sent overseas, and leave a cleaner environment for generations to come.”

“By a margin of three to one, Americans are clamoring for real choices at the pump. The roll out and adoption of E15 is the first step in delivering Americans the choice they want and deserve,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “E15 has been the most vigorously tested fuel to be approved by the EPA. Ethanol has long proven itself to be a safe and effective fuel for consumers, and E15 will be no exception. I want to congratulate Scott for taking the initiative and taking the historic step to be the first to offer E15. When given an option, Americans will choose a domestic renewable fuel that is creating jobs, reducing oil dependence, and lowering prices at the pump here at home.”

Source : Renewable Fuels Association

NCERC Researchers Produce First Cellulosic Ethanol From Corn Kernel

2012-05-12T17:35:00.001-04:00

Researchers at the NCERC today announced that they have successfully produced ethanol from the cellulosic portion of the corn kernel.

“This research is demonstrated proof of the viability of ‘generation 2.0 ethanol,’” NCERC Director John Caupert said. “By utilizing existing technologies readily available in the commercial marketplace, the NCERC was able to produce a biofuel that builds upon the strengths of conventional corn ethanol and the promise of cellulosic ethanol, thus making bolt-on cellulosic ethanol a reality.”

Caupert added that the potential for cellulosic ethanol has significant immediate and long-term impacts on the biofuels industry generally and the ethanol industry specifically.

“Any of the 211 existing ethanol plants in the United States could be retrofitted with existing bolt-on technologies to produce cellulosic ethanol from corn without the need to build new facilities,” Caupert said. “This translates into opportunities for jobs and economic development, particularly in rural areas.

According to the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association, the ethanol industry provides more than 4,000 full-time jobs with an economic impact exceeding $5.29 billion in Illinois alone. There are currently 14 ethanol plants online in the state.

NCERC Assistant Director of Biological Research Sabrina Trupia emphasized the importance of the demonstration in future research opportunities.

“This is a significant milestone with immediate industry impact, but producing cellulosic ethanol from corn bran is also proof that cellulosic ethanol could be produced at NCERC utilizing any cellulosic feedstock,” Trupia said. “From a research perspective, this is only the first step in a very exciting road toward a future of energy security.”

The NCERC credits a series of actions, grants and capital gifts for making the research possible, including the formation of the NCERC Technical Advisory Committee in 2008, the Center’s 2009 Advanced Biofuels Initiative, and two significant capital gift donations: a corn fractionation system (2010) and fermentation suite (2011). These steps were complemented by a research and development grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

“It’s the culmination of four years of activity here at the Center, and a shining example of a public-private partnership that works,” Caupert said. “With our expanded fermentation capabilities, the Center is actively seeking industry, academic, and government agency partnerships.”

USS Ford Conducts Operational Transit on Algae Fuel Blend

2012-03-14T20:47:00.001-04:00

USS Ford (FFG 54) successfully transited from the ship's homeport in Everett, Wash., to San Diego, March 2, using 25,000 gallons of a 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in the ships LM 2500 gas turbines.

USS Ford's transit on the algal blend marks the first demonstration of the alternative fuel blend in an operational fleet ship.

"We've done basically every range of research vessel we could test: the experimental riverine command boat; the Naval Academy's yard patrol; a landing craft utility, a landing craft air cushion amphibious, and self defense test ship," said Richard Leung, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Navy Fuels engineering manager. "Each test has brought us a little closer to the upcoming Green Strike Group demonstration set for later this year."

Meeting the secretary of the Navy's call for a drop-in fuel replacement, no changes were required to the infrastructure of the ship or fueling pier for the test. The blended fuel was stationed on a barge in Puget Sound off Bremerton, Wash., and immediately available to the Ford for testing.

"We didn't embark any personnel or instrumentation for the transit because we wanted to minimize impact to the ship's normal operations and because we weren't conducting the same quantitative tests and analysis we've done previously," said Leung. "Instead, we provided the ship's engineers a list of fuel and engine performance system questions and parameters, so they could provide feedback on how the ship performed using the blend as compared to its typical fuel."

The ship burned all 25,000 gallons during the transit, and according to Leung, feedback from the ship's engineers was favorable.

"The crew reported no change in their typical procedures when receiving, handling, or processing the biofuel, and said operational performance of the fuel system and gas turbine engines on the blend was almost identical to operations on traditional F-76," said Leung.

"Having feedback from the Ford's engineers is extremely useful as we move forward with validating the algal oil blend, and as we prepare for the upcoming Green Strike Group demonstration later this year," said Greg Toms, NAVSEA technical warrant holder for Fuels and Lubricants. "We'll again be limited on the data we can collect during that event and will ask similar questions to continue measuring operational user feedback."

NAVSEA's alternative fuels efforts help the Navy increase energy security, safeguard the environment, and support the secretary of the Navy's goals to demonstrate a green strike group by 2012, deploy the "Great Green Fleet" in 2016, and obtain 50 percent of the Fleet's liquid fuel from alternative sources by 2020.

The Andersons Enters into Purchase Agreement for Iowa Ethanol Plant

2012-02-29T20:24:00.001-05:00

The Andersons, Inc. announced today the signing of an agreement to acquire an ethanol production facility in Denison, Iowa from its owners, the Amaizing Energy Denison LLC and Amaizing Energy Holding Company, LLC. The transaction, which remains subject to several contingencies, is anticipated to close in the second quarter.

If acquired, the plant would be owned by The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Andersons, Inc.

"As our first ethanol plant west of the Mississippi, this facility provides us with geographic diversity into some of the best corn ground in the country," says Neill McKinstray, President, Ethanol Group. "This purchase enables us to expand our ethanol production, marketing and services into a new region providing arbitrage and risk management opportunities with the three existing plants we manage while leveraging existing administrative staff to a fourth plant. With much of the same technology in all four plants, we expect to bring additional efficiencies to drive down our cost per gallon, and maximize returns to shareholders as we have successfully demonstrated during the past five years."

CEO Mike Anderson, adds, "This is a well-respected, well-run organization that brings with it a solid customer base in a geographic area that we are looking forward to serving. This ethanol facility enables us to offer our grain marketing expertise and the associated services to grain producers in Iowa and fits well with our existing presence as an investor in the Iowa Northern Railway Company and our merchandising relationship with Lansing Trade Group."

The operations consist of an ethanol facility with an adjacent 2.7 million bushel grain terminal, both with direct access to two Class 1 railroads in Iowa. The ethanol plant is a dry mill operation with a run rate of 55 million gallons per year.

Sam Cogdill, Chairman and CEO of Amaizing Energy, stated that the proposed sale will address the liquidity concerns of Amaizing Energy's membership, while retaining the economic benefits the Denison facility has in the local area.

"Our investors committed to Amaizing Energy to earn a good return on their investment and to further local economic development and we feel great about having met both of those goals," said Cogdill. "Placing Amaizing Energy on the market while it was a profitable operation has allowed it to reach a fair deal with a great company who we know will operate our plant properly."

BioProcess Algae and Green Plains Renewable Energy Break Ground on Five Acre Production Facility

2012-02-01T21:42:00.001-05:00

BioProcess Algae LLC and Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announced that they will start construction of BioProcess Algae's five acre production facility at Green Plains' ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa. The project will be comprised of a combination of at scale Grower Harvester bioreactors and a plant to further dewater and process the algae into finished product. The horizontal reactors have been successfully running outdoors since the fall of 2011 and this marks the next step in the project to commercialize algae focused on markets for animal feed, fuel, omega-3 products and high-value nutraceuticals.

"After a successful rollout of the horizontal reactors at full commercial scale, we are eager to move forward with this project producing meaningful quantities of dried wholesale algae for use in products now," said Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Plains. "This new phase will mark the successful transition to a larger footprint located adjacent to our Shenandoah, Iowa ethanol plant which will provide the basic inputs the bioreactors need: carbon dioxide, warm water and heat."

"Our technology has successfully brought algae directly into the sunlight using limited inputs while increasing growth rates," says Tim Burns, Chief Executive Officer of BioProcess Algae. "We continue to work with potential strategic customers including major food, animal feed, energy and pharmaceutical companies around the world," continued Burns. "Often times, this is the first access they have had to larger quantities of wholesale algae. Our goal is to produce algae in a cost effective manner that can be used as the customer sees fit."

BioProcess Algae Grower Harvester bioreactors located in Shenandoah, Iowa have been continually running since their Phase I launch in October 2009.

ZeaChem Begins Core Facility Operations at Demonstration Plant in Boardman, Oregon

2012-01-05T14:58:00.001-05:00

ZeaChem Inc. today announced it has completed construction of the core facility for its new integrated demonstration biorefinery in Boardman, Oregon. Construction of this core project was completed on schedule, with no lost time or reportable accidents, and significantly under budget. The core facility created 50 construction jobs and will employ 25 full-time operations staff in the region.

The core will produce the intermediate chemicals acetic acid and ethyl acetate, which are high-value products for applications including paints, lacquers and solvents. ZeaChem will sell bio-based chemicals to commercial and industrial customers seeking renewable and cost-competitive alternatives to petroleum-sourced chemicals.

“Beginning operations at the core facility is another indication that ZeaChem continues to successfully execute its strategic roadmap,” said Jim Imbler, president and chief executive officer of ZeaChem. “Our phased development approach minimizes risk by allowing us to produce marketable products as we scale up our biorefining operations. We will continue to build out our biorefinery platform to produce a broad portfolio of sustainable and economical chemicals and fuels derived from cellulosic biomass.”

ZeaChem is further developing its integrated biorefinery through implementation of a second project to add the capability of using cellulosic biomass on the front end and converting ethyl acetate into ethanol on the back end. This separate “bookends” project is currently underway and supported by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Once operational in 2012, it will result in the production of up to 250,000 gallons per year (GPY) of cellulosic ethanol.

The company is now developing commercial biorefineries for the production of advanced biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

Headwaters Incorporated Announces Sale of Its 51% Ownership in Blue Flint Ethanol LLC

2012-01-05T00:30:00.001-05:00

Headwaters Incorporated today announced that Great River Energy has acquired full ownership of Blue Flint Ethanol LLC, an ethanol biorefinery located in Underwood, ND, from Headwaters Ethanol Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Headwaters Incorporated. Prior to this acquisition, Great River Energy owned 49 percent of Blue Flint Ethanol LLC and Headwaters Ethanol Holdings owned 51 percent.

Great River Energy is one of the nation’s largest generation and transmission cooperatives. It was the first utility in the U.S. to locate an agricultural processing facility next to a coal-fired power station. The Blue Flint biorefinery purchases process steam from Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station facility. In doing so, Blue Flint Ethanol, the joint venture between Great River Energy and Headwaters, was able to avoid the cost of building and operating a separate boiler unit. This helped make Blue Flint Ethanol one of the most cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly ethanol plants in the country.

"We were pleased to have worked with Great River Energy over the past five years in building and operating an exemplary biorefinery. They have been an excellent partner for us," said Donald P. Newman, Headwaters' Chief Financial Officer. "Under the terms of the agreement, effective January 1, 2012, Headwaters received approximately $18.5 million in cash proceeds. Headwaters intends to use the net proceeds from the sale to reinvest in assets of its business and to strengthen its balance sheet."

Blue Flint Ethanol LLC will continue to operate as a wholly-owned independent subsidiary of Great River Energy.

Walmart's Solar Power Initiative Will Total More Than 130 Stores By The End Of 2013

2011-09-21T18:19:00.001-04:00

Walmart today announced its plan to install solar panels on up to 60 additional stores in California, expanding the company's solar portfolio to more than 75 percent of its stores in the state, making California the first state in the nation where Walmart has devoted this level of commitment to renewable energy.

"California presents a great opportunity for Walmart to make significant progress toward our sustainability goals by installing solar power on more than 130 store rooftops throughout the state," said Kim Saylors-Laster, Walmart vice president of energy. "Walmart has reduced energy expenses by more than a million dollars through our solar program, allowing us to pass these savings on to our customers in the form of everyday low prices."

When complete, Walmart's total solar commitment in California is expected to:

Generate up to 70 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable energy per year, which is the equivalent of powering more than 5,400 homes*;
Avoid producing more than 21,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 4,100 cars off the road*; and
Provide 20 to 30 percent of each facility's total electric needs.

"Walmart has undertaken one of the most ambitious solar initiatives of any company in the U.S., and tripled the scale of its initial project with us," added Lyndon Rive, SolarCity's CEO. "Walmart is setting an example that far more companies in the U.S. can follow; it is possible for many businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity."

Walmart's investment in solar power is anticipated to create hundreds of jobs in California through its partnership with SolarCity, which will own, install and maintain the new solar power systems. The San Mateo, Calif.-based company has added more than 500 new full-time jobs since it initiated its first Walmart solar project, and expects to hire hundreds more before the end of the year.

"Our solar efforts in California have proven to be a great way for Walmart to build our renewable energy program," said Mack Wyckoff, senior manager of renewable energy at Walmart. "We are confident that we will continue to grow our solar energy program in the U.S. and around the world because of the initial success we have had in California."

Walmart is using a number of renewable technologies around the world to make progress towards the goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.

Valero Renewables to Install Corn Oil Extraction Systems at Four Midwest Ethanol Plants

2011-09-16T23:40:00.001-04:00

Valero Renewable Fuels Company LLC, a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, announced today its plan to install an ICM-patent pending, next-generation Advanced Oil System (AOS) corn oil extraction system at four of its ethanol plants in the Midwest by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

The investment will allow the Valero Renewables plants to recover more than one-half pound of corn oil per bushel of corn processed, giving the plants an additional source of revenue besides ethanol and distillers grains.

The four plants that will take part in the initial installation of corn oil extraction equipment are in Albert City, Charles City, Fort Dodge and Hartley, Iowa. Following the initial rollout of corn oil extraction at these first four plants, Valero Renewables will study the possibility of installing the equipment at another five of its plants that use a dry mill technology to produce ethanol.

“In the basic dry mill ethanol process, all of the corn oil ends up in distillers grains, which is used as livestock feed,” said Jim Gillingham, Valero’s Senior Vice President-Alternative Energy and Project Development. “The new equipment will allow us to recover corn oil so that it can be sold into higher-value markets for use in animal feed and as a feedstock for biodiesel production.”

Valero Renewables expects the corn oil extraction program to enhance plant margins at a low cost, enabling a payback of capital expenditures in less than two years.

Gevo and South Hampton Resources to Build Hydrocarbon Processing Demonstration Plant

2011-07-27T00:14:00.001-04:00

Gevo, Inc. today announced it plans to work with South Hampton Resources, Inc., a subsidiary of Arabian American Development Co., to build a hydrocarbon processing demonstration plant at their facility just outside of Houston in Silsbee, Texas. This demonstration plant is expected to process up to 10,000 gallons of Gevo’s isobutanol per month into a variety of renewable hydrocarbon materials including jet fuel for engine testing, isooctane for gasoline, isooctene and paraxylene for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and will supply other potential customers with material for product qualification and evaluation. The demonstration plant is slated for completion before the end of 2011. The contract between the companies is for two years with one-year extensions thereafter.

“This demonstration plant allows us to complete the value chain from isobutanol to renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemical intermediates which is one of our key strategic objectives,” said Patrick Gruber, Ph.D., CEO of Gevo. “With the operation of this plant, Gevo intends to demonstrate its fully integrated biorefinery -- going from renewable carbohydrates all the way to fungible hydrocarbon materials used across the refining and petrochemical industries. We expect this plant to showcase the value of our renewable hydrocarbons and drive future customer demand.”

“We have a growing list of potential customers and end-users interested in renewable hydrocarbons for a variety of market applications from jet fuel to renewable PET,” said Christopher Ryan, Ph.D., president and COO of Gevo. “This plant should allow us to supply early adopters with product so they can test our material, make samples and start their selling cycle. We also expect to gain critical technical and market insights along the way.”

South Hampton Resources, Inc. has agreed to provide Gevo with toll-manufacturing services at its Silsbee, TX facility and complete the final design and engineering package for the demonstration plant from preliminary plans supplied by Gevo. Gevo will own all the intellectual property that results from the work including the plans, designs and systems developed for the demonstration plant and future commercial-scale plants.

Joule Awarded Patents for High-Volume Ethanol Production from Sunlight and CO2

2011-07-27T00:12:00.001-04:00

Joule Unlimited Technologies today announced the issuance of its first two U.S. patents covering its fundamental method for producing ethanol at volumes and efficiencies far surpassing biomass-dependent processes.

The patents relate to methods for increasing the ethanol production capability of a photosynthetic microorganism. Unlike competing technologies that utilize microorganisms to produce ethanol by fermenting sugars from cellulose or other biomass materials, Joule's platform microorganism is engineered to produce and secrete ethanol in a continuous process, converting more than 90% of the CO₂ it consumes directly to end product, with no reliance on biomass feedstocks.

U.S. Patent #7,981,647 and U.S. Patent #7,968,321, granted on July 19th and June 28th respectively, cover enzymatic mechanisms engineered into the cell by Joule to maximize its ethanol productivity. These innovations, together with Joule's advances in bioprocessing and solar capture and conversion, will help Joule achieve an ultimate target of 25,000 gallons per acre annually – a rate that is 10X greater than that of cellulosic ethanol and 100X greater than corn ethanol – while requiring no depletion of food crops, agricultural land or fresh water. In addition, by eliminating the need for biomass, Joule avoids the burden of fluctuating feedstock cost and supply, as well as the energy-intensive, multi-step conversion of biomass to product. At full-scale commercial production Joule expects to produce ethanol for as little as $0.60/gallon.

"The market for ethanol is strong and growing internationally, and our patented technology affords Joule an incredible opportunity to meet growing demand at productivities well beyond biomass-based approaches," said Bill Sims, President and CEO of Joule. "Rather than focus on incremental improvements along the supply chain, we have proven that a direct, continuous process from photons to fuel is the answer to highly-efficient, cost-competitive production that can scale without today’s feedstock constraints."

Joule is now producing ethanol at pilot scale, and has achieved nearly 50% of its ultimate productivity target in the lab. The company today holds a total of six U.S. patents and more than 70 applications pending, derived from four years of development across biology, processes and systems.

Petroleum Demand Up For First Six Months Of 2011

2011-07-24T18:03:00.001-04:00

Total petroleum deliveries (a measure of demand) rose in June compared with May and with June a year ago and were up 1.9 percent for the first six months of 2011 over the same period in 2010. Gasoline demand was nearly flat compared with June a year ago, but up from both April 2011 and May 2011. Ultra-low sulfur diesel demand continued to register strong numbers over 2010, achieving a record high.

“The growth in overall demand is consistent with the nation’s modest but steady economic expansion,” said API chief economist John Felmy. “Gasoline demand essentially treaded water while demand for ultra-low sulfur diesel continued its year-over-year increase. Gasoline demand appears to still be held back by high unemployment and consumer uncertainty. On the other hand, the robust ultra-low sulfur diesel demand numbers suggest U.S. manufacturing is picking up the pace.”

U.S. refinery gasoline production was at a record high for the month and for the year. For the month of June, distillate production was at a three-year high while jet fuel production was at a six-year high. Strong refinery production has reduced the need for petroleum product imports, which declined more than 30 percent in June compared with June a year ago. Crude imports declined 4.8 percent, and total imports fell 10 percent

Crude oil production fell to a two-year low and showed year-over-year declines for the second month in a row. At 5.4 million barrels a day, crude oil production was down by 2.0 percent from June 2010. For the second quarter, crude production was down by 0.1 percent. The preliminary reported data to API on offshore oil wells drilled show an 82.0 percent decline in the second quarter of this year compared with last. Despite the offshore drilling decline, API estimates onshore oil well completions, which include wells drilled on private as well as public lands, were at the highest second quarter level since 1985.

Crude stocks (excluding SPR) fell by 2.9 percent from the prior month and 1.5 percent from the prior year, but were still at the second highest stock level for any June since 1990, not counting 2010. With the exception of jet fuel stocks and residual fuel stocks, all key refined products’ stock levels showed declines in June compared with May.

Source : API

POET receives offer for a conditional commitment for $105 million cellulosic ethanol loan guarantee

2011-07-08T18:28:00.001-04:00

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the offer of a conditional commitment for a $105 million loan guarantee to support the development of the nation's first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. Project LIBERTY, sponsored by POET, LLC, will produce up to 25 million gallons of ethanol per year and will be located in Emmetsburg, Iowa. POET estimates the project will generate approximately 200 jobs during construction and 40 permanent jobs at the plant. POET estimates the project will also bring approximately $14 million in new revenue to area farmers.

"This project will help decrease our dependence on oil, create jobs and aid our transition to clean, renewable energy that is produced here at home," said Secretary Chu. "The innovations used in this project are another example of how we are seizing the opportunity to create new economic opportunities to win the clean energy future."

POET CEO Jeff Broin said he's excited POET is about to achieve its goal of bringing new renewable fuel technology to commercial scale.

"Financing has been one of the biggest challenges to scaling up cellulosic ethanol and the offer for a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee from DOE's Loan Programs Office brings us one step closer to commercial production," Broin said. "We are pleased DOE has offered to support the development of cellulosic ethanol."

"Cellulosic ethanol holds tremendous promise for America," Broin continued. "There is more than one billion tons of biomass available each year that could be used to make enough cellulosic ethanol to completely displace oil imports. Today's announcement brings us closer to making that promise into a reality."

Unlike many conventional corn ethanol plants, Project LIBERTY will use corncobs, leaves and husks – sources provided by local farmers – that do not compete with feed grains. The project's innovative process uses enzymatic hydrolysis to convert waste into ethanol and will produce enough biogas to power both Project LIBERTY and POET's adjacent grain-based ethanol plant. Project LIBERTY will displace over 13.5 million gallons of gasoline annually and fulfill more than 25 percent of the projected 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard Requirement for biomass-based cellulosic ethanol. POET plans to replicate their unique process at 27 of their other corn ethanol facilities, which would have a projected combined annual capacity of one billion gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol. The company estimates that 85 percent of Project LIBERTY will be sourced with U.S. content.

AE Biofuels Announces Acquisition of Industrial Biotechnology Company Zymetis

2011-07-06T11:56:00.001-04:00

AE Biofuels, Inc. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Zymetis, Inc., a Maryland-based industrial biotechnology company that develops products for the renewable chemicals and advanced fuels industries. Zymetis, Inc. will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AE Biofuels.

Zymetis holds four granted patents and more than ten pending patents on the Z-microbe™, a marine organism that was originally discovered consuming plant cellulose at a high rate in the Chesapeake Bay. The genome of the Z-microbe has been fully sequenced by researchers at the University of Maryland. Zymetis’ scientists discovered that the Z-microbe naturally generates about 90 enzymes that rapidly convert sugar, starch, and cellulose into useable chemicals and fuels.

By using the genetics of plants and microbes that naturally produce specialty chemicals, the Z-microbe has been converted to produce renewable chemicals and advanced fuels from renewable feedstocks.

“Zymetis’ technology has already demonstrated the production of high-value chemicals to supply multi-billion-dollar global markets, but we lacked a commercialization platform,” said Dr. Steve Hutcheson, founder of Zymetis and a 25-year genetic biology professor at the University of Maryland. “AE Biofuels has demonstrated operational global management capability, constructed and operated advanced biofuels plants, and has already achieved success in creating and adopting new technology through the conversion of first-generation biofuels facilities.”

“The combination of AE Biofuels and Zymetis enables the launch of new specialty chemical and renewable fuels products at an accelerated rate compared to the normal product development and construction cycle of three years or more,” said Eric McAfee, chairman and CEO of AE Biofuels, Inc. “The technical and chemicals business development team at Zymetis joins almost 100 global employees at AE Biofuels who currently operate 105 million gallons per year of biofuels plant capacity in the United States and India,” McAfee added.

The technical team of Zymetis will join AE Biofuels in similar roles, and Zymetis founder Dr. Steve Hutcheson will join the board of directors of AE Biofuels.

AE Biofuels issued 6,673,555 common shares to Zymetis shareholders in the transaction, with 766,000 of the shares vesting over a three-year period.

EPA Finalizes E15 Pump Labeling Requirements

2011-06-28T14:13:00.001-04:00

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued fuel pump labeling and other requirements for gasoline blends containing more than 10 and up to 15 percent ethanol, known as E15. These requirements will help ensure that E15 is properly labeled and used once it enters the market.

The new orange and black label must appear on fuel pumps that dispense E15. This label will help inform consumers about which vehicles can use E15. This label will also warn consumers against using E15 in vehicles older than model year 2001, motorcycles, watercraft, and gasoline-powered equipment such as lawnmowers and chainsaws.

Over the past year, EPA issued two partial waivers under the Clean Air Act that in sum allow E15 to be sold for use in model year 2001 and newer cars and light trucks. EPA based its waiver decisions on testing and analysis showing that these vehicles could continue to meet emission standards if operated on E15. However, EPA does not mandate the use of E15, nor has the agency registered the fuel, which is required before E15 can be legally sold for use in conventional vehicles.

The E15 pump label requirements, developed in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), adopt elements of FTC’s existing labels for alternative fuels to promote consistent labeling. The rule also includes a prohibition against misfueling with E15; a requirement to track E15 and other fuels as they move through the fuel supply chain so that E15 can be properly blended and labeled; and a quarterly survey to help ensure that gas pumps dispensing E15 are properly labeled. In addition, it modifies the Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) Program to allow fuel producers to certify batches of E15 as complying with RFG standards.

This action will help to further reduce the risks of potential misfueling that could result in damage to the vehicle or equipment and in associated emission increases that pose threats to human health and the environment.

DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE) Takes Next Step Toward Building A Commercial Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

2011-06-28T01:53:00.001-04:00

DDCE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, has entered into an agreement to purchase a parcel of land in Nevada, Iowa, adjacent to Lincolnway Energy LLC’s conventional ethanol plant. It is DDCE’s next step toward building one of the world’s first commercial-scale biorefineries to produce fuel-grade ethanol from cellulose, in this case stover – dried cobs, stalks and leaves left after grain harvesting. DDCE is successfully producing cellulosic ethanol at its pre-commercial facility in Vonore, TN, and is scaling up the process to globally license its end-to-end production system.

“We’re producing cellulosic ethanol sustainably and economically today, and the market is ready and interested to deploy large-scale biorefineries,” says Joe Skurla, CEO of DDCE. “We are purchasing the site next to Lincolnway because it will meet the business needs for our project, and provides potential economic and environmental synergies for both facilities.” The DDCE process is designed to make fuel from a variety of cellulosic biomass. This includes wheat and corn stover, and energy crops, including switchgrass.

DDCE also is launching its 2011 Stover Collection Program to enable a cost-effective supply of stover for the biorefinery project. The company is working closely with local grain producers to obtain commitments and collect thousands of tons of stover from Iowa fields this fall. DDCE is collaborating with Pioneer Hi-Bred, also a DuPont Company, and Iowa State University, to establish best practices in harvesting, storage, and transportation, and assure the agronomic and environmental integrity of cornfields. The cellulosic ethanol industry will provide opportunities for farmers to add value to their croplands.

NCERC to Install Arisdyne’s Controlled Flow Cavitation System in Research Operations

2011-06-24T01:10:00.001-04:00

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) has agreed to license and support a Controlled Flow Cavitation (CFC) system from Arisdyne Systems, Inc. Arisdyne’s CFC system will be offered as an adjunct test feature of NCERC’s pilot scale ethanol test facility on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SUIE).

Arisdyne’s patented cavitation methods and devices were originally tested at NCERC in June and July of 2009 and early trials demonstrated ethanol yield improvements of 2-3% under low flow rate, 5 GPM, conditions. Since 2009, over five full-scale plants have installed and are testing CFC systems at flow rates of 600 -1800 GPM. These commercial tests have shown potential yield improvements of 3-5% using corn, milo, or a mix of both feedstocks.

“Arisdyne is extremely pleased that NCERC provided opportunities to advance ethanol’s position as a clean, alternative energy,” said Dr. Peter Reimers, president and CEO of Arisdyne. “We are most grateful to the many industry participants and to NCERC for the support they have provided in helping to verify the effectiveness of our technology in the laboratory and at full commercial scale. Further research involving the CFC system is expected to help the ethanol industry secure better margins, reduce energy consumption per gallon of fuel produced, and provide a pathway to hybrid production of ethanol from grain and other related fiber materials.”

“It’s small, it’s simple, it’s durable,” said John Caupert, managing director of NCERC. “That is what this industry needs. We are working on solutions that convert current starch-based ethanol plants into ‘Generation 1.5’ ethanol plants that convert not only starch but also cellulosic feedstock.”

Leading technologies like Arisdyne’s significantly reduces energy consumption, minimizes reliance on foreign-sourced oil, results in higher nutrition DDGS, and opens the doors for other related savings. With recent process enhancements, NCERC’s ethanol plant can get more ethanol from the same bushels of input grain.

Coskata Signs Letter of Intent for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of its First Commercial Facility

2011-06-23T18:46:00.001-04:00

Coskata, Inc., a developer of technology for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals, announced today that it has issued a Letter of Intent with Fagen, Inc. for engineering, procurement and construction services for the construction of its commercial cellulosic ethanol facility in Boligee, Alabama, that will be designed around the Coskata technology.

Fagen, Inc., the U.S. leader in construction of first-generation bio-refineries, and Harris Group Inc., a global leader in advanced biofuels engineering, will lead an EPC process that will include in its scope the project detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning.

“After a rigorous selection process, we are pleased to announce that Fagen and Harris Group will work together to provide a facility that will be unmatched in quality, cost, and time to completion,” said William Roe, chief executive officer for Coskata, Inc. “We are confident that together with Fagen and Harris Group, we will demonstrate the value potential and long-term benefits of the Coskata technology in this exciting project.”

Coskata received a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee from the United States Department of Agriculture, and is working on the details that will be necessary to close the financing for the project. The facility will convert sustainably harvested wood biomass into ethanol, a high-octane renewable fuel, and is expected to bring approximately 300 construction jobs and 700 direct and indirect jobs to Greene County, Alabama.

“Our company has been extensively involved with ethanol plant construction, having built over half the ethanol plant production in the United States,” said Ron Fagen, Chairman of Fagen, Inc. “We are excited to work with Coskata, involving the next generation of ethanol production technology, and the continued drive toward locally produced biofuels. We look forward to excellent relations with the citizens and officials of Greene County, Alabama.”

“Harris Group is proud to have had a great working relationship with Coskata for nearly three years,” said Jim Gabriel, President of Harris Group Inc. “Our intimate familiarity with Coskata’s technology and our extensive experience in advanced biofuels commercialization will allow us to deliver a facility that can be replicated many times over around the world.”

Department of Energy to Release Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

2011-06-23T11:17:00.001-04:00

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the U.S. and its partners in the International Energy Agency have decided to release a total of 60 million barrels of oil onto the world market over the next 30 days to offset the disruption in the oil supply caused by unrest in the Middle East. As part of this effort, the U.S. will release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The SPR is currently at a historically high level with 727 million barrels.

"We are taking this action in response to the ongoing loss of crude oil due to supply disruptions in Libya and other countries and their impact on the global economic recovery," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "As we move forward, we will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to take additional steps if necessary."

The United States has been in close contact with oil producing and consuming countries about disruptions to the international oil market that could affect the global economy. The situation in Libya has caused a loss of roughly 1.5 million barrels of oil per day - particularly of light, sweet crude - from global markets. As the United States enters the months of July and August, when demand is typically highest, prices remain significantly higher than they were prior to the start of the unrest in Libya.

The Administration will continue to consult closely with other consuming and producing countries in the period ahead. The decision today is intended to complement the production increases recently announced by a number of major oil producing countries. The United States welcomes those commitments and encourages other countries to follow suit.