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Date Published:
21 August 2013

Volume 7, Issue 5


If the cap fits?

Feature
With member states split on the issue, a draft proposal affecting first generation biofuels is due to be voted on this autumn   The European Parliament Environment Committee has approved draft legislation which will limit the contribution of first generation biofuels toward EU green transportation targets. The Committee’s vote on proposals to deal with possible greenhouse gas (GHG)... [read more]

Sunny outlook for US biodiesel

Feature
Armed with an expanding mandate for its product, US biodiesel producers headed out of summer on surer footing for a still nascent but growing industry that has been pummeled at times over the past several years by an uncertain regulatory and subsidy environment and economic recession. In August the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised its previous proposal that lifted this year’s... [read more]

The A.B.C. of EPA's new biofuels standard

Feature
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has divulged its final ruling on percentage standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) programme. It requires 16.5 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be blended into the overall volume of US fuel supply, a total which makes up 9.7%. The EPA standard breaks down as this: • Advanced biofuels – 2.75 billion gallons (1.6%) •... [read more]

Lay of the South American land

Feature
Brazilian ethanol is a well-known success story, but what are it and other countries’ current situations in South America?   South America is the fourth largest continent with the fifth largest population in the world but variations in climate and terrain make generalisations difficult. Much of the continent is in the tropics, but the south of Chile and Argentina are as far south as... [read more]

Changing gears

Feature
Brazilian ethanol is not the only biofuel in South America as biodiesel is set to grow throughout the continent   Brazil is a rapidly developing country and represents the B in BRIC, the acronym global economists like to mention when speaking about advancing economic developments. Therefore it needs diesel fuel for muliple industry concerns like haulage, forestry and agriculture, building... [read more]

Ups and downs

Feature
The annual European Biofuels Barometer from EurObserv’er has been published – here is the crux of its findings   Despite the uncertain lay of the political land, the most recent biofuels report published by EurObserv’er says consumption with the European Union was on the rise in 2012. Biofuel use in the transport sector rose to 14.4 million tonnes last year which represents... [read more]

Smoking new option?

Feature
Energy Tobacco Solaris in the bio-jet fuel industry: integrated value chain approach   Aviation, a global industry and one of the strongest growing transportation sectors, faces problems and challenges that require global solutions. In the period leading up to 2050, worldwide aviation is expected to grow by 4.5% annually. If fuel consumption and CO2 emissions were to grow at the same rate,... [read more]

Handling hot issues

Feature
Here is a taster of the advice provided by the Renewable Fuels Association as it travels the US highlighting ethanol safety procedures   Being fully prepared for an ethanol related incident requires time and proper training for emergency responders. Despite all efforts to prevent accidents, there is always the possibility of the unthinkable happening and it is essential emergency responders... [read more]

Renewable diesel: more sustainable and better quality

Feature
With so much talk about European proposals limiting foodbased biofuels to 5.5%, the race is on to secure sustainable alternative processes to produce advanced biofuels. Hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) or renewable diesel, is produced using a different process to the traditional trans-esterification. In the HVO production process, hydrogen is used to remove the oxygen from the triglyceride... [read more]

World's first in Canada

Feature
Atlantec BioEnergy’s refinery is producing ethanol from locally grown energy beets in Canada – but how?   Atlantec BioEnergy is entering the final stages in the construction of a 300,000 litre a year biofuel demonstration facility in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The refinery, scheduled for commissioning in late 2013, will process locally grown energy beets to produce... [read more]

One size does not fit all

Feature
Feedstock pretreatment for second generation biofuels, although a costly and diverse world, is becoming more important. What is the current lay of the land?   The commercial production of second generation biofuels based on low-cost, lignocellulosic sugars is emerging. Yet, despite many years and huge financial investment in laboratory research and pilot plant projects, progress is still... [read more]

Keeping it cool

Feature
Can a new technology be an alternative to biodiesel distillation when meeting more stringent quality standards?   One of the challenges of the widespread use of biodiesel blends is producing a fuel with characteristics suitable for use in modern vehicles and engines. Regulations governing engine exhaust emissions are becoming increasingly stringent. Achieving the required level of... [read more]

New zeal for biofuels

Feature
It is believed biofuel blends will become more prominent in New Zealand moving forward, so how have viability tests been progressing?   Recent developments in the biofuel industry indicate that biofuel blends are set to become a major part of the New Zealand’s fuel industry. The biofuel component of any blend sold commercially in New Zealand must comply with the NZ Engine Fuel... [read more]

Fuelling biodiesel success

Feature
What approaches are being taken for laboratory, field and mobile characterisation of biofuels currently?   Consumer concern regarding dependence on fossil fuels and the impact their consumption has on global warming, the environment and trade deficits has driven demand for sustainable, reliable, and clean energy sources. Annual budgets funding research into converting biomass to biofuels... [read more]

Biofuels: mix and bake

Feature
Energy security and climate concerns have led to increased attention towards discovery and production of alternative energy sources. Biofuels can serve to provide a green solution to our energy problems, where bioethanol has been used to supplement petrol in various blend compositions. However, not only can ethanol corrode engines and transportation pipes, its energy content is also lower than... [read more]

Feedstock: the next generation

Feature
A research project involving European and South American partners shows the importance of near-infrared in the second generation biofuels sector   Biofuels look set to play an increasing role in the coming years as governments strive to increase the security of energy supply and address the negative environmental effects linked to the combustion of fossil fuels. Most biofuels to date have... [read more]

Helping India realise its potential

Feature
India is among the leading producers of vegetable fatty acids, something that makes biodiesel production a good opportunity for the country. Biofuel development in India first received momentum by the ex-President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who was one of the strong advocators of jatropha cultivation. Jatropha oil has been used in India for many years as a biodiesel for the diesel fuel... [read more]

Backing a winner

Feature
What support can be found within transportation biofuels production and how can it be earned?   Road transport represented 76% of total transportation fuel requirements globally in 2010. Aviation takes up just 10% and marine another 10%. Transport sector CO2 emissions were almost a quarter of global emission, and cars (light duty vehicles) were 41% of this1. Engines running on biofuels do... [read more]

Getting a good night's sleep

Feature
Risk is something any business, particularly those involved with biofuels, contends with every day – how can its impact be minimised?   How comfortable are we all with understanding, monitoring and managing commodity related risk? There can be many risks – market, operational, supply chain, currency, counterparty, political, sinking-barge - but how do we see and understand the... [read more]

Positive displacement for biodiesel

Feature
Moving liquid from feedstock to delivery truck can throw curve balls at any time, but are you confident your current pumps would not be an issue?   Biodiesel refineries convert renewable raw materials to combustible hydrocarbon liquids and byproducts through a variety of process steps, ranging from incoming transport and storage to chemical reactions, mixing, heating and cooling, separation,... [read more]

Demystifying biofuels in Africa

Feature
There seems to be conflicting views on the use of land for crop growing in Africa, but one organisation believes fuel and food could thrive across the continent   Talk to just about anyone on the street these days and ask them about biofuels and it would not be surprising to get a response like: ‘Food is for people, not for cars.’ It is not uncommon to come across a person who... [read more]