Tag Archives: fuel
Chempolis, ONGC Partner On Cellulosic Fuel, Chemical Production
By Chempolis Ltd. | October 15, 2013 Chempolis Ltd., a Finland-based biorefining technology corporation, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ONGC, India’s leading oil and gas exploration company. The MOU acts as a road, mapping the first biorefinery project in India. The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi in the presence of Alexander Stubb, Finland’s Foreign Trade Minister and Panabaka Lakshmi, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas. Beyond the first biorefinery, Chempolis and ONGC are targeting larger production of sustainable biofuels in India, which would reduce India’s dependence on imported petroleum. “India has huge biomass potential and after biofuel mandate by Indian government, the country is certainly taking steps to be at the forefront of biorefining. In addition, Indian companies already have a long tradition to utilize residual biomass from agriculture, especially combustion of sugarcane bagasse and production of electricity. The country also has existing production of bioethanol and related infrastructure. Indian agriculture produces huge volumes of residues that are largely not utilized,” said Pasi Rousu, president of Chempolis’ Asia-Pacific and Americas division. “In cooperation with ONGC, Chempolis would be looking forward to the establishment of biorefineries preferably in areas of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat. The company aims at delivering its technology in co-operation with leading Indian industry suppliers,” Rousu added. Chempolis’ third generation biorefining technology is based on selective fractionation of biomass and co-production of multiple products in a sustainable way. The technology is not just for the production of biofuels (e.g. ethanol), but the produced sugars and lignin can be used as a platform into a myriad of different products. Continue reading
Boeing, SAA Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Effort
By Boeing | October 14, 2013 Boeing and South African Airways have announced that they will work together to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, a first for the continent. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain development at The Corporate Council on Africa’s 9th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business, attended by executives from leading U.S. and African firms and government representatives from several countries. This collaboration between Boeing and SAA is part of the companies’ broader efforts to support environmental sustainability for the airline’s operations and the commercial aviation industry overall, in addition to advancing South Africa’s social and economic development. “South African Airways is taking the lead in Africa on sustainable aviation fuels and, by setting a best practice example, can positively shape aviation biofuel efforts in the region,” said Ian Cruickshank, SAA head of group environmental affairs. “By working with Boeing’s sustainable aviation biofuel team, which has a history of successful partnerships to move lower-carbon biofuels closer to commercialization, we will apply the best global technology to meet the unique conditions of Southern Africa, diversify our energy sources and create new opportunities for the people of South Africa.” Boeing has collaborated extensively with airlines, research institutions, governments and other stakeholders to develop road maps for biofuel supply chains in several countries and regions, including the United States, China, Australia and Brazil. The aerospace company’s plan to work with SAA is the first such project in Africa. “Sustainable aviation biofuel will play a central role in reducing commercial aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term, and we see tremendous potential for these fuels in Africa,” said Julie Felgar, managing director of environmental strategy and integration, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing and South African Airways are committed to investigating feedstocks and pathways that comply with strict sustainability guidelines and can have a positive impact on South Africa’s development.” Flight tests show that biofuel, which is derived from organic sources such as plants or algae, performs as well as or better than petroleum-based jet fuel. When produced in sustainable ways, biofuel contributes far less to global climate change than traditional fuels because carbon dioxide is pulled out of the atmosphere by a growing plant-based feedstock. Boeing and SAA believe that new developments in technology will enable the conversion of biomass into jet fuel in a more sustainable manner without competing with other sectors for food and water resources. The World Wildlife Fund-South Africa will monitor and ensure compliance to sustainability principles that would ensure that fuel is sustainable and would lead to genuine carbon reductions. Aviation biofuel refined to required standards has been approved for a blend of up to 50 percent with traditional jet fuel. Globally, more than 1,500 passenger flights using biofuel have been flown since the fuel was approved. Continue reading
Ag Secretary Vilsack Reaffirms Support for Biofuel Mandates
The Obama administration strongly supports biofuel mandates and opposes any legislation that would return transportation fuel choice to the states or the people, said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in a speech to ethanol producers. Vilsack Blasts Congress In a September speech sponsored by the ethanol industry, Vilsack blasted efforts in Congress to amend the 2007 statute that forces consumers to purchase biofuels and ethanol-blended gasoline. Under the law—passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress and signed by Republican President George W. Bush—refiners are required to blend biofuels into the nation’s motor fuel supply in greater quantities every year, with the mandate reaching 36 billion gallons a year by 2022. More than half that amount, or 21 billion gallons, is required to come from what are called “next-generation fuels” that do not use corn starch as a feedstock. “There is no need for Congress to intervene in this,” Vilsack said. “There is no need for Congress to try to rewrite this renewable fuels standard. They got it right the first time.” Mandates Face Wide Opposition Whether Congress “got it right the first time,” as Vilsack says, is at the center of an intense debate. Opponents of the renewable fuel mandates, which include environmentalist groups, livestock producers, automobile associations, and consumer advocates, point out the mandate diverts 40 percent of the nation’s corn crop away from feeding people and livestock. This in turn drives up food prices and induces farmers to develop marginal cropland that would otherwise be left in its natural state. The ethanol itself, moreover, delivers fewer miles per gallon and fewer miles per dollar than gasoline. Adding to the ethanol controversy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the sale at fueling stations of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol as conventional gasoline, up from the former 10 percent cap. Automotive engineers warn the higher blend of ethanol will make fuel substantially more corrosive and will increase damage to vehicles. “If the EPA continues to dictate unrealistic levels of ethanol that fail to recognize declines in gasoline consumption, one of two scenarios will occur. Refiners will either be forced to raise the price of gasoline to pay fines to the EPA, or they will be forced to export raw gasoline in order to make a profit, leaving a massive shortage of gasoline here at home,” U.S. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, noted in an open letter published on his website. EPA Requires Nonexistent Product A further problem arises with cellulosic ethanol mandates imposed by EPA. Contrary to the expectations of lawmakers in 2007, fuel made from switchgrass, corn stover, wood chips, and other materials remains commercially unviable. Nevertheless, EPA is using its discretion under the law to tell refiners they must use cellulosic ethanol that, for all practical purposes, does not exist. EPA is targeting refiners with steep fines for not blending the nonexistent cellulosic ethanol into gasoline. An Oil Industry Conspiracy? Unmoved by such arguments, Vilsack told the ethanol producers the oil industry wants biofuel manufacturers to fail so they can buy up the ethanol plants. He said the oil industry is conspiring with its allies to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture from funding the installation of pumps at gas stations capable of blending higher levels of ethanol into gasoline. House Takes Action On Capitol Hill, where the biofuel mandates originated, members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee are drafting an amendment to address the problems that have surfaced with the biofuels mandate. House leaders plan on conducting hearings on the topic later this year. Vilsack’s comments, however, strongly suggest any legislative revision of the biofuels mandate would face a near-certain presidential veto. “The biofuel mandates subsidize the U.S. corn farmer at the expense of livestock producers and American consumers,” said Daniel Simmons, director of state policy at the Institute for Energy Research. “It is a disgrace that Secretary Vilsack supports policies that drive up food and fuel prices in exchange for subsidies for special-interest groups,” Simmons added. Bonner R. Cohen, Ph. D. ( bcohen@nationalcenter.org ), is a senior fellow at the National Center for Public Policy Research. Continue reading
