Biofuels moves from Dark Ages to Renaissance; voices from World Biofuels Markets

Biofuels Digest
Jim Lane March 15, 2012
By Nadim Chaudhry, CEO of Green Power Conferences

Representatives from up and down the value chain of the biofuels industry took stage this week at World Biofuels Markets to discuss issues regarding the state of the industry and several key issues impacting its growth.

Having been involved in this space since 2003, I’ve seen a series of phases. The first – what I’ll call Euphoria – was in the 2006-2008 timeframe, where a series of events, from high oil prices to feedstock surplus (and consequent low cost) and mostly supportive government policy around the world. Biofuels were “in.”

This quickly gave way to the Dark Ages, the period from 2008 until about midway through 2011. Crashing oil prices, soaring feedstock costs, controversial claims about food vs. fuel, Indirect Land Use, “Splash & Dash”, and expired tax credits all combined to hammer the industry.

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A Fragrant New Candidate For Biofuel

RedOrbit.com
March 14, 2012

A class of chemical compounds used for flavor and fragrance may one day become a clean, renewable resource with which to fuel our automobiles. U.S. Department of Energy researchers have modified the E. Coli bacteria to create large quantities of methyl ketone from glucose. First tests of this methyl ketone show very high cetane numbers. Cetane is a fuel rating system for diesel fuel, similar to octane ratings for gasoline. This makes the methyl ketones a viable candidate for production of advanced biofuels, according to researchers.

“Our findings add to the list of naturally occurring chemical compounds that could serve as biofuels, which means more flexibility and options for the biofuels industry,” says Harry Beller, a Joint BioEnergy Institute microbiologist who led this study. “We’re especially encouraged by our finding that it is possible to increase the methyl ketone titer production of E. coli more than 4,000-fold with a relatively small number of genetic modifications.”

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Bioenergy Interests Invited to Attend Capitol Hill Day

Hoosier Ag Today
Posted on 14 March 2012 by Gary Truitt

A diverse group of bioenergy stakeholders is holding a Capitol Hill Day for Bioenergy in Washington, DC on March 21. The event is being sponsored by a number of organizations including the 25x’25 Alliance,American Farm Bureau Federation, Advance Biofuels Organization, Algal Biomass Organization, American Council on Renewable Energy, Biomass Power Association, Energy Future Coalition, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Farmers Union, and SAFER Alliance.

The groups are holding the event to draw attention to the fact that renewables make up nearly 12 percent of all energy produced in the U.S., such as fuels, electricity and thermal energy from biomass, and that bioenergy reduces the nation’s risks from dependence on foreign oil, strengthens our economy and ensures the continued, sustainable management of our natural resources.

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Monsanto tests drought-tolerant biotech corn

Post Bulletin
Posted: Mar 15, 2012, 7:04 am

BISMARCK, N.D. — Seed giant Monsanto Co. plans large-scale tests this year of the first government-approved biotech crop developed to deal with drought.

The new corn is being introduced as much of the U.S. remains abnormally dry and areas in the South and Southwest still face severe drought. Monsanto says the corn won't be a panacea for drought-stricken farmers but when combined with improved agricultural practices could help those in areas like the western Great Plains, where production without irrigation can be half as much as the national average.

The St. Louis-based company plans on-farm trials from South Dakota to Texas to quantify how well the corn works before releasing it commercially next year. Farmers in areas like western Kansas, which gets about half of the annual rainfall enjoyed by the eastern half of the state, are eager for the results.

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NH House: Ban ethanol in gasoline

WPTZ
UPDATED 12:47 PM EDT Mar 14, 2012

Ethanol driving up food prices, say supporters

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's House has voted to ban corn-based ethanol as a gasoline additive.

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The ban would not take effect unless at least two other New England states do the same. A similar proposal has not been approved in the rest of the region.

The House voted Wednesday to send the bill to the Senate after supporters successfully argued the use of ethanol has not benefited the environment as much as hoped. They also pointed out that use of corn to make ethanol has driven up food prices.

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Field Trial Planned for PowerCane Miscanthus

DomesticFuel.com
Posted by Cindy Zimmerman – March 13th, 2012

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. and BP Biofuels will be conducting demonstration field trials of a newly developed energy specific variety of miscanthus.

The two companies have signed a four-year agreement to test Mendel’s PowerCane™ Miscanthus and evaluate its performance as feedstock for biofuel production at BP Biofuels’ demonstration plant at Jennings, Louisiana. A total of 100 acres of PowerCane™ Miscanthus will be planted in early 2012 near BP’s Jennings facility and the first biomass harvest from these fields is expected in 2013.

“PowerCane™ Miscanthus varieties are the first miscanthus products specifically developed for biomass production that can be planted as a seed,” said Mendel Bioenergy Seeds president Don Panter. “The PowerCane™ Miscanthus system will be significantly more economical and efficient for growers, and will allow the industry to scale up more quickly to meet renewable energy goals.”

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Ethanol Production in U.S. Falls 1.6%, Energy Department Says

Bloomberg
By Mario Parker - Mar 14, 2012 9:46 AM CT

Ethanol output in the U.S. fell 1.6 percent to 892,000 barrels a day, the lowest level in five months, the Energy Department said today.

Production (DOETFETH) sank the most since the week ended Feb. 24 and to the lowest amount since October 7. Stockpiles (DOESFETH) fell to 22 million barrels, the first decline since Dec. 9, the department said in a report released in Washington today.

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U.S. ag secretary says ethanol holding gas prices in check

GoErie.com
Updated: March 14, 2012 12:32 AM EST
By JIM MARTIN, Erie Times-News

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack knows gas prices are high.

His wife reminded him just how high recently after she paid more than $90 to fill their midsize car in Washington, D.C., where gas sells for more than $5 a gallon.

But Vilsack, a Pittsburgh native, said prices could be a lot worse.

In an interview with the Erie Times-News, Vilsack said Tuesday that ethanol and other biofuels are helping to hold prices at the pump in check.

"If we did not have a biofuel industry, we would probably be looking at 80 cents to $1.30 higher than today," he said.

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Stabenow amendment to extend biodiesel tax credit voted down

Biodiesel Magazine
By Erin Voegele March 13, 2012

Legislation that would have extended the biodiesel tax incentive through the end of the year was voted down by the U.S. Senate this afternoon. The amendment to the Surface Transportation Bill, S. 1813, was sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Only 49 senators voted in favor of the amendment. A total of 60 ayes were needed for the measure to be added to the bill.

“This is another missed opportunity for Congress to do something to boost the economy,” said Anne Steckel, the National Biodiesel Board’s vice president of federal affairs. “We're talking about thousands of jobs across the country that are affected by this, and the very real possibility that biodiesel plants will go out of business. It's also a missed opportunity for Congress to do something about these oil price spikes by diversifying our fuel supplies and reducing our exposure to the global petroleum markets.”

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Hog Producers Can Compete with Ethanol for Corn

DomesticFuel.com
Posted by Cindy Zimmerman – March 12th, 2012

An agricultural economist says hog producers are now able to compete with ethanol producers for corn.

“This is an amazing difference from just five years ago,” said Purdue agricultural economist Dr. Chris Hurt. “The hog industry was largely set up with $2-2.50 corn going into 2006. After that we saw major increases in those corn prices.” Dr. Hurt spoke to swine veterinarians on the topic of “Global Feed Economics in a Biofuel World” during seminar in Denver on Friday.

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